before vowels spondyl-, combining form meaning "vertebrae," from Greek spondylos "a vertebra," in plural "the backbone," variant of sphondylos, of uncertain origin.
Entries linking to spondylo-
spondyle n.
"a vertebra," from French spondyle (14c.), from Latin spondylus, from Greek spondylos "vertebra" (see spondylo-).
spondylitis n.
"inflammation of the vertebrae," 1837, Modern Latin, from Latin spondylus, from Greek spondylos (see spondylo-) + -itis "inflammation."