spondyl

noun spon·dyl \ ˈspändᵊl \

variants: or spondyle \-nˌdīl\

Definition of spondyl

plural -s

1 obsolete : vertebra

2 : spiny oyster

There's more!

Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
Advanced search features
Ad free!

Origin and Etymology of spondyl

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