spondyl

noun

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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