before vowels scler-, word-forming element meaning "hard," from Latinized form of Greek sklēros "hard, harsh," which is related to skellein "to dry up, parch" (from PIE *skle-ro-, from root *skele- "to parch, wither").
Entries linking to sclero-
sclera n.
"hard coat of the eyeball," 1886, medical Latin, from Greek sklēra (menix) "the hard (membrane)," fem. of sklēros "hard" (see sclero-).
scleroderma n.
"chronic non-inflammatory skin condition which presents in hard patches on the skin," 1865, Modern Latin, from Latinized form of Greek sklēros "hard" (see sclero-) + derma "skin" (from PIE root *der- "to split, flay, peel," with derivatives referring to skin and leather). Also sclerodermia. Related: Sclerodermatous; sclerodermic; sclerodermatic.