σφόνδυλος

σφόνδῠλ-ος, ὁ (ἡ, v. infr. 1b), [dialect] Ion. and later Greek [full] σπόνδῠλος (as in Hp. (v. infr.), Str.2.5.6, also in Pherecr.23 (codd.Clem.Al.), and some passages of Arist., asPA654b16):—

A vertebra, Ar.V.1489(anap.), Pl.Ti.74a;

σύγκειται ἡ ῥάχις ἐκ σφονδύλων Arist.HA516a11

, cf. PA 651b34; esp. one of the cervical vertebrae, Hp.Aph.3.26, cf. Arist. PA686a21, 692a3: pl., backbone, spine, E.Ph.1413 (so in sg., Pherecr.23); or neck, E.El.841 (so in sg., LXX Le.5.8).

b generally, joint, esp. in the scorpion's tail, Nic.Th.798 (where it is fem.), 781, Hipparch.3.4.2.

c prickly ridge on the head of the κεστρεύς, Dorio ap.Ath.7.306f.

d a kind of mussel or oyster, Sor. 1.51, Gal.6.734;

σ. θαλάσσιοι Edict.Diocl.5.10

; Lat.spondylus, Plin. HN32.60,154.

II from resemblance to vertebrae,

1 one of the tambours in a column, Callix.1 ([etym.] σπ-), Milet.7.59, al. ([place name] Didyma), IG22.1668.43, 1672.310; not necessarily round, ib.11 (2). 161 A70 (Delos, iii B.C.); σ. μεγάλοι perh. drums of columns used as missiles, Ath.Mech.37.7.

2 circular whorl which balances and twirls a spindle, Pl.R.616c sq., Thphr.HP3.16.4, Plu.2.745f, Sor. 1.110, Poll.7.31, Edict.Diocl.13.5;

σπόνδυλος Poll.10.125

(v.l. σφ-), Them.Or.32.356c.

b the shape of that part of the terrestrial sphere which lies between the Equator and the Arctic Circle, Str.2.5.6.

c voting pebble, Poll.8.17 (v.l. σπ-), Hsch., Eust.1669.62.

3 head of a kind of artichoke ([etym.] κινάρα), Gal.6.637, Gp.18.19.2, Edict.Diocl.6.2.

4 roller for closing or opening a trap-door, σπονδύλου προϋποτιθεμένου Aen. Tact.36.2.