Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “spondylolisthesis” come from?

Spondylolisthesis comes from Ancient Greek σπόνδυλος, combining the vertebral element with a term for slipping or displacement.

spondylolisthesis (English): A forward displacement of a vertebra over a lower...

Definitions

  1. A forward displacement of a vertebra over a lower...

Ancestry of “spondylolisthesis”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlisthesisA forward displacement of a vertebra over a...
2Ancient Greekὀλισθάνωto slip, to slide, to be slippery
3Ancient Greekστρῶμαmattress, bed; bedclothes; horsecloth
4Proto-Hellenicstrṓmə—
5Proto-Indo-Europeansterh₃-to spread, extend, stretch out
6Proto-Indo-Europeanster-sterile, infertile
Every word from Proto-Indo-European ster- →