Sphen
/sfɛn/noun
A combining form meaning “wedge,” used in anatomical and zoological terms.
Did you know?In anatomy, the sphenoid bone was named for its wedge-like shape and forms a central, keystone-like part of the skull base.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sphēn-
“A reconstructed root associated with a wedge or pointed piece”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σφήν (sphēn)
“Wedge”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σφηνοειδής (sphēnoeidēs)
“Wedge-shaped”
17th Century
Scientific Latin
sphenoides
“Wedge-shaped; used in anatomical naming”
17th–18th Century
English
sphenoid
“The wedge-shaped bone at the base of the skull”
Modern English
English
sphen-
“A combining form meaning “wedge,” especially in anatomical and zoological terminology”