n.
Pronunciation: ˌ sp ī -r ə - ' l ī -n ə
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, from spirula small coil, diminutive of Latin spira coil
Date: 1977
: a microscopic filamentous aquatic cyanobacterium (genus Spirulina, especially S. platensis syn. Arthrospira platensis ) that is sometimes cultivated for use as food especially as a dietary supplement