pyelo-comb. form

Etymology: < ancient Greek πύελος trough ( < the same Indo-European base as ancient Greek πλύνειν to wash (see etymological note at flow v.) + -ελος , suffix forming nouns, with dissimilation of πλυ- to πυ- before -ελος ), taken in sense ‘pelvis’. Compare French pyélo- (formations in which are found from the first half of the 19th cent.; compare pyelitis n.), German pyelo- (formations in which are found from at least the early 20th cent.; compare pyelography n.).Attested from the first half of the 19th cent. in scientific and medical terms, apparently earliest in pyelonephritis n. Combining with second elements ultimately of Greek origin.