spondyl

noun

spon·dyl | \ ˈspändᵊl\

variants: or spondyle \ -nˌdīl \

plural -s

Definition of spondyl

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 obsolete : vertebra

2 : spiny oyster

spondyl-

combining form

variants: or spondylo-

Definition of spondyl- (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : vertebra spondylalgia spondylotomy

2 : whorl Spondylomorum

History and Etymology for spondyl

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

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

intoxicate

to affect and impair by alcohol or a drug

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ