1728, bright star in constellation Virgo, from Latin, literally "ear of grain" (see spike (n.2)); corresponding to Greek stakhys. As the ancients visualized the constellation, she held an ear of grain.
sphincter
sphinx
sphygmo-
sphygmomanometer
spic
Spica
spicate
spice
spice-box
spice-cake
spick-and-span