pyelo-

American  

especially before a vowel, pyel-.

1. a combining form meaning “pelvis,” used in the formation of compound words.

   pyelogram.

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pyelo- British  

combining form

1. denoting the renal pelvis

   pyelonephritis

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Usage

What does pyelo- mean? Pyelo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “pelvis.” It is used in medical terms, especially in anatomy. Pyelo- ultimately comes from the Greek pýelos, meaning “basin.” Basin? Learn more at our entry for pelvis. A related combining form indicating pelvis is pelvio-. What are variants of pyelo-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, pyelo- becomes pyel-, as in pyelitis (using the equivalent form of pyel- in New Latin).

Etymology

Origin of pyelo-

< New Latin, combining form representing Greek pýelos basin, on the model of the NL use of Latin pelvis