spondyl

1 of 2

noun

spon·​dyl

ˈspändᵊl

variants or spondyle

-nˌdīl

plural -s

1

obsolete : vertebra

2

: spiny oyster

spondyl-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or spondylo-

1

: vertebra

spondylalgia

spondylotomy

2

: whorl

Spondylomorum

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English spondyle, from Middle French, from Latin spondylus, from Greek sphondylos, spondylos vertebra, whorl of a spindle, muscle of a bivalve, a kind of mussel; akin to Greek sphendonē sling, sphadazein to jerk, be restless, Sanskrit spandate he quivers, Middle High German spat spavin

Combining form

Greek spondylos spondyl, whorl

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