FREQUENTLY USED STEMS
The following list includes those Greek and Latin words
occurring most frequently in this Dictionary, arranged
alphabetically under their English combining forms as
rubrics. The dash appended to a combining form indicates
that it is not a complete word and, if the dash precedes the
combining form, that it commonly appears as the terminal
element of a compound. Infrequently a combining form is
both preceded and followed by a dash, showing that it
usually appears between two other elements. Closely
related forms are shown in one entry by the use of
parentheses: thus carbo(n)-, showing it may be either
carbo-, as in carbohydrate, or carbon-, as in carbonuria.
Following each combining form the first item of
information is the Greek or Latin word, identified by
[Gr.] or [L.], from which it is derived. Occasionally both a
Greek and a Latin word are given. Presence of a dash before
or after such an element indicates that it does not occur as
an independent word in the original language. Information
necessary to the understanding of the form appears next in
parentheses. Then the meaning or meanings of the word
are given, followed where appropriate by reference to a
synonymous combining form. Finally, an example is given
to illustrate use of the combining form in a compound
English derivative.
If this list is used in close conjunction with the
etymological information given in the body of the
Dictionary, no confusion should be caused by the similarity
of elements in such words as melalgia, melancholia, and
melicera, where the similarity is only apparent and the
derivation of each word is different.
a-
1
a- [Gr.] (n is added before words beginning with a
vowel) negative prefix. Cf. in-
3
. ametria
a-
2
a- [L.] separation, away from. avulsion
ab- ab [L.] away from. Cf. apo-. abducent
abdomin- abdomen, abdominis [L.] abdomen. abdominoscopy
abs- abs [L.] variant of ab. abscess
ac- See ad-. accretion
acanth- akantha [Gr.] thorny, spiny. acanthocyte
acar- akari [Gr.] mite. acarodermatitis
acet- acetum [L.] vinegar. acetic acid
acid- acidus [L.] sour. aciduric
acou- akouo
¯
[Gr.] hear. acoustic. (Also spelled acu-)
acr- akron [Gr.] extremity, peak. acromegaly
act- ago, actus [L.] do, drive, act. reaction
actin- aktis, aktinos [Gr.] ray, radius. Cf. radi-. Actinobacillus
acu- See acou-. dysacusis
ad- ad [L.] (d changes to c, f, g, p, s,ort before words
beginning with those consonants) to. adrenal
-ad
1
-ad [L.] toward. cephalad
-ad
2
-as, ados [Gr.] group, derivation from, connection with.
pseudomonad
-adelphus adelphos [Gr.] brother. deradelphus
aden- ad
en [Gr.] gland. Cf. gland-. adenoma
adip- adeps, adipis [L.] fat. Cf. lip- and stear-.
adipocellular
aer- a
er [Gr.] air. anaerobiosis
af- See ad-. afferent
ag- See ad-. agglutinant
agam- agamos [Gr.] unmarried. agamous
-agogue ago
¯
gos [Gr.] leading, inducing. galactagogue
-agra agra [Gr.] catching, seizure. podagra
-al
1
-alis [L.] pertaining to, characterized by. arterial,
diarrheal
-al
2
-alia [L.] act, process. denial
alb- albus [L.] white. Cf. leuk-. albiduria
alg- algos [Gr.] pain. neuralgia
algesi- alg
esis [Gr.] sense of pain. analgesia, algesimeter
all- allos [Gr.] other, different. allergy
allant- allas, allantos [Gr.] sausage, allantiasis. allantoid
allel- all
elo
¯
n [Gr.] of one another. allelic
allotri- allotrios [Gr.] strange. allotriogeustia
alve- alveus [L.] trough, channel, cavity. alveobronchiolitis
alveol- alveolus, dim. of alveus [L.] alveolus. alveolitis
ambi- ambi- [L.] (i may be dropped before words beginning
with a vowel) on all sides. ambidexterity
ambly- amblys [Gr.] dull. amblyopia
ambo- ambo [L.] both. ambosexual
ameb- amoib
e [Gr.] change. ameboid
amni- amnion [Gr.] bowl, membrane enveloping the fetus.
amniocentesis
amphi- amphi [Gr.] (i is dropped before words beginning with
a vowel) on both sides. amphicentric
ampho- ampho
¯
[Gr.]
both. amphogenic
amygdal- amygdal
e [Gr.] almond. amygdalin, amygdaloid
amyl- amylon [Gr.] starch. amyluria
an-
1
See a-
1
. aniridia
an-
2
See ana-. anode
ana- ana [Gr.] (final a is dropped before words beginning
with a vowel) up, positive. anabolism
ancyl- See ankyl-. ancylostomiasis
andr- an
er, andros [Gr.] man. androgen
angi- angeion [Gr.] vessel. Cf. vas-. angioma
anis- anisos [Gr.] unequal, uneven. anisocoria
ankyl- ankylos [Gr.] crooked, looped. ankylosis. (Also spelled
ancyl-)
anomal- ano
¯
malos [Gr.] irregular. anomalous
ant- See anti-. antacid
ante- ante [L.] before. anteflexion
anthrac- anthrax [Gr.] coal, charcoal. anthracosilicosis
anthrop- anthro
¯
pos [Gr.] man, human being. anthropomorphism
anti- anti [Gr.] (i may be dropped before words beginning
with a vowel) against, counter. Cf. contra.
antipruritic
antr- antron [Gr.] cavern. antrocele
ap-
1
See apo-. apeidosis
ap-
2
See ad-. appendage
aph- hapto
¯
, haph- [Gr.] touch. dysaphia. (See also hapt-)
apic- apex [L.] top, summit. apicoectomy
apo- apo [Gr.] (o may be dropped before words beginning
with a vowel) away from, detached. Cf. ab-.
apolipoprotein
appendic- appendix, appendicis [L.] appendix. appendicitis
arachn- arachn
e [Gr.] spider. arachnodactyly
arch- arch
e [Gr.] beginning, origin. archenteron
arteri- arteria [Gr.] (i is sometimes dropped) windpipe, artery.
arteriosclerosis, periarteritis
arteriol- arteriola, dim. of arteria [L.] arteriole. arteriolopathy
arthr- arthron [Gr.] joint. Cf. articul-. synarthrosis
articul- articulus [L.] joint. Cf. arthr-. disarticulation
as- See ad-. assimilation
asthen- asthen
es [Gr.] weak. asthenocoria
astr- astron [Gr.] star. astrocyte
at- See ad-. attenuate
atel- atel
es [Gr.] incomplete. atelocardia
ather- ath
er
e
[Gr.] gruel. atherosclerosis
atlant- atlas,
atlantos [Gr.] atlas. atlantoaxial
atm- atmos [Gr.] steam, vapor. atmosphere
atret- atr
etos [Gr.] not perforated. atretostomia
atri- atrium [L.]
atrium. atrioventricular
atroph- atrophia [Gr.] ill-fed. atrophoderma
audi- audire [L.] to hear. audiometry
aur- auris [L.] ear. Cf. ot-. aurinasal
aut- autos [Gr.] self. autoimmunity
aux- auxo
¯
[Gr.] increase. auxotrophic
ax- axo
¯
n [Gr.] or axis [L.] axis. axolemma
axon- axo
¯
n [Gr.] axis. axonopathy
ba- baino
¯
,ba- [Gr.] go, walk, stand. abasia
bacill- bacillus [L.] small staff, rod. Cf. bacter-. actinobacillosis
bacter- bact
erion [Gr.] small staff, rod. Cf. bacill-. bacteriophage
balan- balanos [Gr.] acorn. balanitis
ball- ballo
¯
, bol- [Gr.] throw. ballismus. (See also bol-)
bar- baros [Gr.] weight. barosinusitis
bas- See basi-. basophil
basi- basis [Gr.] base. basioglossus, basihyoid
bath(y)- bathys [Gr.] deep. bathorhodopsin, bathypnea
bi-
1
bios [Gr.] life Cf. vit-. aerobic
bi-
2
bi- [L.] (an n may be added before words beginning
with a vowel) two. bicornuate. (See also di-
1
)
bil- bilis [L.] bile. Cf. chol-. biliary
bin- See bi-
2
. binocular
bis- bis [L.] twice. bisferious
blast- blastos [Gr.] bud, child, a growing thing in its early
stages. Cf. germ-. blastoma, monoblast
blenn- blenna [Gr.] mucus. blennorrhea
blep- blepo
¯
[Gr.] look, see. monoblepsia
blephar- blepharon [Gr.] (from blepo
¯
; see blep-) eyelid. Cf. cili-.
blepharitis
bol- See ball-. embolism
brachi- brachio
¯
n [Gr.] arm. brachiocephalic
brachy- brachys [Gr.] short. brachydactyly
brady- bradys [Gr.] slow. bradycardia
breph- brephos [Gr.] embryo, newborn infant. brephoplastic
brevi- brevis [L.] short. brevicollis
brom- bro
¯
mos [Gr.] stench. bromhidrosis
bronch- bronchos [Gr.] windpipe. bronchoscopy
bronchiol- bronchiolus, dim. of bronchus [Gr.] bronchiole.
bronchiolectasis
bry- bryo
¯
[Gr.] be full of life. embryonic
bucc- bucca [L.] cheek. buccoclusion
bulb- bulbus [L.] bulb. bulbospiral
butyr-
boutyron [Gr.]
butter. butyroid
cac- kakos [Gr.] bad, abnormal. Cf. mal-. cacogeusia.
(See
also dys-)
calc-
1
calx, calcis [L.] stone (cf. lith-), limestone, lime.
calcipexy
calc-
2
calx, calcis [L.] heel. calcaneodynia
calor- calor [L.] heat. Cf. therm-. calorimeter
campt- camptos [Gr.] bent. camptodactyly
cancr- cancer, cancri [L.] crab, cancer. Cf. carcin-. cancroid.
(Also spelled chancr-)
canth- kanthos [Gr.] foreign. canthoplasty
capit- caput, capitis [L.] head. Cf. cephal-. decapitation
capn- kapnos [Gr.] smoke. capnography
caps- capsa [L.] (from capio; see cept-) container. capsule
carbo(n)- carbo, carbonis [L.] coal, charcoal. carbohydrate,
carbonic acid
carcin- karkinos [Gr.] crab, cancer. Cf. cancr-. carcinoma
cardi- kardia [Gr.] heart. lipocardiac
cari- caries [L.] rottenness. cariogenesis
cary- See kary-. Eucaryotae
cata- kata [Gr.] (final a is dropped before words beginning
with a vowel) down, negative. catacrotism, cation
caud- cauda [L.] tail. caudad
cav- cavus [L.] hollow. Cf. coel-. concave
cec- caecus [L.] blind. Cf. typhl-. cecotomy
cel-
1
See -cele. varicocelectomy
cel-
2
See coel-. acelomate
cel-
3
See celi-. celitis
-cele
1
k
el
e [Gr.] tumor, hernia. gastrocele
-cele
2
koilos [Gr.] hollow. rhinocele
celi- koilia [Gr.] belly. celiotomy
cell- cella [L.] room, cell. Cf. cyt-. cellular
cement- caementum [L.] rough stone. cementoblast
cen- koinos [Gr.] common. cenesthesia
cente- kenteo
¯
[Gr.] to puncture. Cf. punct-. enterocentesis
centi- centum [L.] hundred. Cf. hect-. Indicates fraction in
metric system. [This exemplifies the custom in the
metric system of identifying fractions of units by
stems from the Latin, as centimeter, decimeter,
millimeter, and multiples of units by the similar
stems from the Greek, as hectometer, decameter, and
kilometer.] centimeter, centipede
centr- kentron [Gr.] or centrum [L.] point, center. centrifugal,
centromere
cephal- kephal
e [Gr.] head. Cf. capit-. encephalitis,
cephalocentesis
cept- capio, -cipientis, -ceptus [L.] take, receive. receptor
cer- k
eros [Gr.] or cera [L.] wax. ceroplasty, cerumen
cerat- See kerat-. ceratocricoid
cerc- kerkos [Gr.] tail. Onchocerca
cerebell- cerebellum [L.] dim. of cerebrum little brain.
cerebellifugal
cerebr- cerebrum [L.] brain. cerebrospinal
cervic- cervix, cervicis [L.] neck. Cf. trachel-. cervicitis
chancr-
See cancr-. chancroid
cheil- cheilos [Gr.]
lip. Cf. labi-. cheiloschisis
cheir- cheir [Gr.] hand.
Cf. man-. macrocheiria.
(Also spelled chir-)
chem- ch
emeia [Gr.] alchemy. chemistry, chemotherapy
chir- See cheir-. chiropractic
chlor- chlo
¯
ros [Gr.] green. chlorophyll
choan- choan
e [Gr.] funnel. choanomastigote
chol- chol
e [Gr.] bile. Cf. bil-. cholangitis
chondr- chondros [Gr.] cartilage. chondromalacia
chondri- chondrion [Gr.] granule. mitochondria
chord- chord
e [Gr.] string, cord. perichordal
chore- choreia [Gr.] dance. choreoathetosis
chori- chorion [Gr.] membrane. choriocarcinoma
chro- chro
¯
s [Gr.] color. polychromatic
chron- chronos [Gr.] time. synchronous
chrys- chrysos [Gr.] gold. chrysotherapy
chy- cheo
¯
, chy- [Gr.] pour. ecchymosis
chyl- chylos
[Gr.] juice. chyliform, chylopericardium
-cid(e) caedo,
-cisus [L.] cut, kill. fungicide, germicidal
cili- cilium [L.]
eyelid. Cf. blephar-. superciliary
cine- See kine-. acrocinesis
-cipient See cept-. excipient
circum- circum [L.] around. Cf. peri-. circumferential
cirs- kirsos [Gr.] varix. cirsophthalmia
cis- cis [L.] on this side. cisplatin
-cis- caedo, -cisus [L.] cut, kill. excision
-clast klao
¯
[Gr.] break. osteoclast
cleid- kleis, kleidos [Gr.] key, clavicle. cleidocranial
-cleisis kleiein [Gr.] to enclose. colpocleisis
clin- klino
¯
[Gr.] bend, incline, make lie down. clinocephaly
clus- claudo, -clusus [L.] shut. malocclusion
cnid- knid
e [Gr.] nettle. cnidoblast
co- See con-
1
. cohesion
cocc- kokkos [Gr.] berry. gonococcus
coel- koilos [Gr.] hollow. Cf. cav-. coelozoic. (Also spelled
cel-)
-coele See coel-. blastocoele
coen- See cen-. coenocyte
coin- See cen-. coinosite
col-
1
See colon-. colic
col-
2
See con-
1
. collapse
colon- kalon [Gr.] lower intestine. colonic
colp- kolpos [Gr.] hollow, vagina. Cf. sin- and vagin-. colpitis
com- See con-
1
. commensal
con-
1
con- [L.] (becomes co- before vowels or h; col- before l;
com- before b, m,orp; cor- before r) with, together.
Cf. syn-. contraction
con-
2
ko
¯
nos [Gr.] cone. conotruncal
coni- konis [Gr.] dust. coniofibrosis
contra- contra [L.] against, counter. Cf. anti-. contraindication
copr- kopros [Gr.] dung, feces. Cf. sterco-. coprophilia
cor-
1
kor
e [Gr.] doll, little image, pupil. isocoria
cor-
2
See con-
1
. correlation
cord- See chord-. cordotomy
corpor- corpus, corporis [L.] body. Cf. somat-. intracorporeal
cortic- cortex, corticis [L.] bark, rind. corticosterone
cost- costa [L.] rib. Cf. pleur-. intercostal
counter- See contra-. countertraction
crani- kranion [Gr.] or cranium [L.] skull, pericranium
-crasia krasis [Gr.] mixture. dyscrasia
creat- kreas, kreato- [Gr.] meat, flesh. creatine
-crescence cresco, crescentis, cretus [L.] grow. excrescence
cret-
1
cerno, cretus [L.] distinguish, separate off. Cf. crin-.
discrete
cret-
2
See -crescence. accretion
crin- krino
¯
[Gr.] distinguish, separate off. Cf. cret-
1
.
endocrinology
crur- crus, cruris [L.] shin, leg. talocrural
cry- kryos [Gr.] cold. cryesthesia. (See also crym-)
2102
crym- krymos [Gr.] frost. crymodynia. (See also cry-)
crypt- krypto
¯
[Gr.] hide, conceal. cryptorchidism
cult- colo, cultus [L.] tend, cultivate. culture
cune- cuneus [L.] wedge. Cf. sphen-. cuneiform
cut- cutis [L.] skin. Cf. derm(at)-. subcutaneous
cyan- kyanos [Gr.] blue. cyanophil
cycl- kyklos [Gr.] circle, cycle. cyclophoria
-cyesis ky
esis [Gr.] pregnancy. pseudocyesis
cymb- kymb
e [Gr.] boat. cymbocephaly
cyn- kyo
¯
n, kynos [Gr.] dog. cynophobia
cyst- kystis [Gr.] bladder. Cf. vesic-. cystalgia
cyt- kytos [Gr.] cell. Cf. cell-. cytotaxis
dacry- dakry [Gr.] tear. dacryocyst
dactyl- daktylos [Gr.] finger, toe. Cf. digit-. hexadactyly
de- de [L.] down from. decomposition
deca- deka [Gr.] ten. Indicates multiple in metric system.
Cf. deci-. decagram
deci- decem [L.] ten. Indicates fraction in metric system
(one-tenth). Cf. deca-. decibel, deciliter
demi- demi [Fr.], from dimidius [L.] half. demi
gauntlet
dendr- dendron [Gr.]
tree. dendrite
dent- dens, dentis [L.] tooth.
Cf. odont-. interdental
derm(at)- derma, dermatos [Gr.] skin. Cf. cut-. endoderm,
dermatitis
-desis desis [Gr.] a binding together. arthrodesis
desm- desmos [Gr.] band, ligament. syndesmoplasty
deut(er)- deuteros [Gr.] second. deuteranopia, deutan
dextr- dexter, dextr- [L.] right-hand. ambidextrous
di-
1
di [Gr.] two. dimorphism. (See also bi-
2
)
di-
2
See dia-. diuresis
di-
3
See dis-
1
. divergent
dia- dia [Gr.] (a is dropped before words beginning with a
vowel) through, apart. Cf. per-. diagnosis
dicty- diktyon [Gr.] nest. dictyotene
didym- didymos [Gr.] twin. Cf. gemin-. epididymal
digit- digitus [L.] finger, toe. Cf. dactyl-. digitigrade
diplo- diploos [Gr.] double. diplomyelia
dips- dipsa [Gr.] thirst. polydipsia, dipsogen
dis-
1
dis- [L.] (s may be dropped before a word beginning
with a consonant) apart, away from. dislocation
dis-
2
dis [Gr.] twice. disdiaclast
disc- diskos [Gr.] or discus [L.] disk. discoplacenta. (Also
spelled disk-)
dolich- dolichos [Gr.] long. dolichocephalic
dors- dorsum [L.] back. dorsoventral
drom- dromos [Gr.] course. dromograph
-ducent See duct-. adducent
-duct duco, ducentis, ductus [L.] lead, conduct. oviduct
dur- durus [L.] hard. Cf. scler-. induration
dynam- dynamis [Gr.] power. dynamometer, thermodynamics
dys- dys- [Gr.] bad, improper. Cf. mal-. dystrophic.
(See also cac-)
e- e [L.] out from. Cf. ec-
1
and ex-. emission
ec-
1
ek [Gr.] out of. Cf. e- and ex-. eccentric
ec-
2
oikos [Gr.] house. ecogenetics
-ech- echo
¯
[Gr.] have, hold, be. synechotomy
echin- echinos [Gr.] hedgehog. echinophthalmia
ect- ektos [Gr.] outside. Cf. extra-. ectoderm. (See also exo-)
ectr- ektro
¯
sis [Gr.] miscarriage. ectrodactyly
ede- oideo
¯
[Gr.] swell. edematous
ef- See ex-. efflorescent
elast- elasticus [L.] elastic. elastofibroma
elc- See helc-. cystelcosis
electro-
elektron [Gr.] amber. electrotherapy
em- See en-. embolism, empathy
-em- haima [Gr.] blood, anemia. (See also hem(at)-)
-emesis emein [Gr.] to vomit. hyperemesis
en- en [Gr.] (n changes to m before b, m, p,orph) in, on.
Cf. in-
1
. enarthosis
encephal- enkephalos [Gr.] brain. encephalopathy
end- endon [Gr.] inside. Cf. intra-. endangitis. (See also eso-)
ent- entos [Gr.] inside. entoptic
enter- enteron [Gr.] intestine. dysentery
entom- entomon [Gr.] insect. entomology
epi- epi [Gr.] (i is dropped before words beginning
with a vowel) upon, after, in addition. epiglottis,
epaxial
epipl- epiploon [Gr.] omentum. gastroepiploic
episi- epision [Gr.] pubic region. episiotomy
erg- ergon [Gr.] work, deed. energy
erot- ero
¯
s, ero
¯
tos [Gr.] sexual desire. erotomania
erythr- erythros [Gr.] red. Cf. rub(r)-. erythrocyte
eso- eso
¯
[Gr.] inside. Cf. intra-. esogastritis. (See also end-)
esthe- aisthanomai, aisth
e- [Gr.] perceive, feel. Cf. sens-.
anesthesia
etio- aitia [Gr.] cause. etiology
eu- eu [Gr.] good, normal. eupepsia
eury- eurys [Gr.] wide. eurygnathism
ex- ex [Gr.] or ex [L.] out of. Cf. e- and ec-
1
. excretion
exo- exo
¯
[Gr.] outside. Cf. extra-. exoskeleton. (See also ect-)
extra- extra [L.] outside of, beyond. Cf. ect- and exo-.
extracellular. (Also written extro-)
extro- See extra-. extrovert
faci- facies [L.] face. Cf. prosop-. faciolingual
-facient facio, facientis, factus, -fectus [L.] make. Cf. poie-.
calefacient
-fact- See -facient. artifact
fasci- fascia [L.] band. fasciotomy
febr- febris [L.] fever. Cf. pyr-. febricity
-fect- See -facient. defective
femor- femur [L.] femur. femorotibial
-ferent fero, ferentis, latus [L.] bear, carry. Cf. phor-. efferent
-ferous ferre [L.] to bear. lactiferous
ferr- ferrum [L.] iron. ferroprotein
fet- fetus [L.] fetus. fetoscope
fibr- fibra [L.] fiber. Cf. in-
3
. chondrofibroma
fil- filum [L.] thread. filiform
fiss- findo, fissus [L.] split. Cf. schis-. fission
flagell- flagellum [L.] whip. flagellation
flav- flavus [L.] yellow. Cf. xanth-. riboflavin. (See also lute-)
-flect- flecto, flexus [L.] bend, divert. deflection
-flex- See -flect-. reflexometer
flu- fluo, fluxus [L.] flow. Cf. rhe-. fluid
flux- See flu-. defluxion
for- foro [L.] bore. imperforate
-form forma [L.] shape. Cf. -oid. cruciform
fract- frango, fractus [L.] break. refraction
front- frons, frontis [L.] forehead, front. nasofrontal
-fug(e) fugio [L.] flee, avoid. vermifuge, centrifugal
funct- fungor, functus [L.] perform, serve. malfunction
fund- fundo, fusus [L.] pour. infundibulum
fus-
1
See fund-. diffusion
fus-
2
fusus [L.] spindle. fusocellular
galact- gala, galactos [Gr.] milk. Cf. lact-. galactorrhea
gam- gamos [Gr.] marriage, reproductive union. gamete
gangli- ganglion [Gr.] swelling, plexus. gangliitis
gastr- gast
er, gastros [Gr.] stomach. cholangiogastrostomy
ge- g
e [Gr.] earth. geophagia
gelat- gelo, gelatus [L.] freeze, congeal. gelatin
gemin- geminus [L.] twin, double. Cf. didym-. quadrigeminal
gen-
1
gignomai, gen-, gon- [Gr.] become, be produced,
originate. endogenous
gen-
2
gennao
¯
[Gr.] produce, originate. cytogenic
geni- geneion [Gr.] chin. genioplasty
genit- genitalis [L.] pertaining to birth. genitourinary
ger- g
eras [Gr.] old age. geroderma
germ- germen, germinis [L.] bud, a growing thing in its early
stages. Cf. blast-. germinal
geront- gero
¯
n, gerontos [Gr.] old man. gerontology
gest- gero, gerentis, gestus [L.] bear, carry. congestion
gingiv- gingiva [L.] gum. gingivitis
gland- glans, glandis [L.] acorn. Cf. aden-. uniglandular
gli- glia [Gr.] glue. neuroglia, glioma
glomerul- glomerulus, dim. of glomus [L.] little ball.
glomerulonephritis
gloss- glo
¯
ssa [Gr.] tongue. Cf. lingu-. trichoglossia
glott- glo
¯
tta [Gr.] tongue, language. glottic
gluc- See glyc(y)-. glucophore
glutin- gluten, glutinis [L.] glue. agglutination
glyc(y)- glykys [Gr.] sweet. glycemia, glycyrrhiza. (Also spelled
gluc-)
gnath- gnathos [Gr.] jaw. orthognathous
gno-
gigno
¯
so
¯
,
gno
¯
- [Gr.] know,
discern. diagnosis
gon-
1
gon
e [Gr.] offspring, seed, genitalia. gonocyte,
gonorrhea
gon-
2
gony [Gr.] knee. gonarthrosis, gonocampsis
gonad- gonas, gonadis [L.] gonad. gonadoblastoma
goni- go
¯
nia [Gr.] angle. goniometer, goniotomy
grad- gradior [L.] walk, take steps. retrograde
-gram gramma [Gr.] letter, drawing. cardiogram
gran- granum [L.] grain, particle. lipogranuloma
graph- grapho
¯
[Gr.] scratch, write, record. angiography
grav- gravis [L.] heavy. multigravida
gymn- gymnos [Gr.] naked. gymnospore
2103
gyn(ec)- gyn
e, gynaikos [Gr.] woman, wife. androgyny,
gynecologic
gyr- gyros [Gr.] ring, circle. gyrospasm
haem(at)- See hem(at)-. Haemaphysalis, Haematoxylon
hamart- hamartia [Gr.] fault. hamartoma
hapl- haploos [Gr.] simple, single. haplotype
hapt- hapto
¯
[Gr.] touch, haptics
hect- hekaton [Gr.] hundred. Cf. centi-. Indicates multiple in
metric system. hectogram
hel- h
elos [Gr.] nail, corn, callus. heloma
helc- helkos [Gr.] sore, ulcer. keratohelcosis
heli- h
elios [Gr.] sun. heliotaxis
helic- helix, helikos [Gr.] coil. helicotrema
hem(at)- haima, haimatos [Gr.] blood. Cf. sanguin-. hemangioma,
hematocele. (See also -em-) [Also written haem(at)-]
hemi- h
emi [Gr.] half. Cf. semi-. hemiageusia
hen- heis, henos [Gr.] one. Cf. un-. henogenesis
hepat(ic)- h
epar, h
epatos [Gr.] liver. hepatocele, hepaticolithotomy
hept(a)- hepta [Gr.] seven. Cf. sept-
2
. heptavalent, heptose
hered- heres, beredis [L.] heir. heredofamilial
herpet- herpo, herpet- [Gr.] creep, crawl. herpetophobia,
herpetiform
heter- heteros [Gr.] other, different. heterochromia
hex- echo
¯
, hech- [Gr.] (hech- added to s becomes hex-) have,
hold, be. cachexia
hex(a)- hex [Gr.] six. Cf. sex-
1
. hexose, hexadactyly
hidr- hidros [Gr.] sweat. hyperhidrosis
hipp- hippos [Gr.] horse. hippocampus
hist- histos [Gr.] web, tissue. histocompatibility
hod- hodos [Gr.] road, path. hodoneuromere. (See also od-
and -ode
1
)
hol- holos [Gr.] entire. holosystolic
hom- homos [Gr.] common, same. homograft
home- homoios [Gr.] like, resembling. homeostasis
horm- horme [Gr.] impetus, impulse. hormone
hyal- hyalos [Gr.] glass. hyaloplasm
hydat- hydo
¯
r, hydatos [Gr.] water. hydatoid
hydr- hydo
¯
r, hydr- [Gr.] water. achlorhydria. (See also lymph-)
hygr- hygros [Gr.] moist. hygrometry
hyl- hyl
e [Gr.] matter. hylotropy
hymen- hym
en [Gr.] membrane. hymenopteran, hymenectomy
hyp- See hypo-. hypaxial
hyper- hyper [Gr.] above, beyond, extreme. Cf. super-.
hypertrophy
hypn- hypnos [Gr.] sleep. hypnotic
hypo- hypo [Gr.] (o is dropped before words beginning with a
vowel) under, below. Cf. sub-. hypocalcemia
hyps- hypsos [Gr.] height. hypsarrhythmia
hyster- hystera [Gr.] womb. Cf. uter-. hysteropexy. (See
also metr-
2
)
iatr- iatros [Gr.] physician. pediatrics
ichthy- ichthys [Gr.] fish. ichthyosis
icter- ikteros [Gr.] jaundice. icterohepatitis
id- eidos [Gr.] form, shape. hominid, dermatophytid
idi- idios [Gr.] peculiar, separate, distinct. idiosyncrasy
il-
1
See in-
1
. illumination
il-
2
See in-
2
. illegible
ile- See ili- [ile- is commonly used to refer to the portion of
the intestines known as the ileum]. ileostomy
ili- ilium (ileum) [L.] lower abdomen, intestines [ili- is
commonly used to refer to the flaring part of the hip
bone known as the ilium]. iliofemoral
im-
1
See in-
1
. immersion
im-
2
See in-
2
. imperforate
in-
1
in [L.] (n changes to l before l, m before b, m,orp, and r
before r) in, on. Cf. en-. insertion
in-
2
in- [L.] (n changes to l before l, m before b, m,orp, and
r before r) negative prefix. Cf. a-. incompatible
in-
3
is, inos [Gr.] fiber. Cf. fibr-. inotropic
infra- infra [L.] beneath. infraorbital
ini- inion [Gr.] occiput. iniencephaly
insul- insula [L.] island. insulin
inter- inter [L.] among, between. intercostal
intra- intra [L.] inside. Cf. end- and eso-. intravenous
intro- intro [L.] within. introspection
ipsi- ipse [L.] self. ipsilateral
ir-
1
See in-
1
. irradiation
ir-
2
See in-
2
. irreducible
irid- iris, iridos [Gr.] rainbow, colored circle. iridocyclitis
is- isos [Gr.] equal. isotope
isch- ischein [Gr.] to suppress. ischemia
ischi- ischion [Gr.] hip, haunch. ischiopubic
-ism -ismos [Gr.] noun-forming suffix. vegetarianism,
thigmotropism, alcoholism
-itis -itis [Gr.] inflammation. dermatitis, phlebitis
-ize -izein [Gr.] verb-forming suffix. cauterize, oxidize
jact- iacio, iactus [L.] throw. jactitation
-ject iacio, -iectus [L.] throw. injection
jejun- ieiunus [L.] empty. gastrojejunostomy
jug- iugum [L.] yoke. conjugation
junct- iungo, junctus [L.] yoke, join. conjunctiva
juxta- juxta [L.] near, close by. juxtaglomerular
kary- karyon [Gr.] nut, kernel, nucleus. Cf. nucle-.
megakaryocyte. (Also spelled cary-)
kerat- keras, keratos [Gr.] horn. keratolysis.
(Also spelled cerat-)
kilo- chilioi [Gr.] one thousand. Cf. milli-. Indicates multiple
in metric system. kilogram
kine- kineo
¯
[Gr.] move. kinescope. (Also spelled cine-)
klept-
kleptein [Gr.]
to steal. kleptomania
koil- koilos [Gr.] hollow. koilonychia
labi- labium [L.] lip.
Cf. cheil-. labiomental
lact- lac, lactis [L.] milk. Cf. galact-. lactiferous
lal- laleo
¯
[Gr.] talk, babble. glossolalia
lapar- lapara [Gr.] flank. laparotomy
laryng- larynx, laryngos [Gr.] windpipe. laryngectomy
lat- fero, latus [L.] bear, carry. See -ferent. translation
later- latus, lateris [L.] side. ventrolateral
lecith- lekithos [Gr.] yolk. isolecithal
leio- leios [Gr.] smooth. leiomyoma
-lemma lemma [Gr.] rind, husk. axolemma
lent- lens, lentis [L.] lentil. Cf. phac-. lenticonus
lep- lambano
¯
,l
ep [Gr.] take, seize. catalepsy
lept- leptos [Gr.] slender. leptomeninges
leuc- See leuk-. leucine
leuk- leukos [Gr.] white. Cf. alb-. leukorrhea. (Also spelled
leuc-)
lev- laevus [L.] left. levocardia, levorotatory
lien- lien [L.] spleen. Cf. splen-. lienocele
lig-
ligo [L.]
tie, bind. ligature
lingu- lingua [L.] tongue. Cf. gloss-.
sublingual
lip- lipos [Gr.] fat. Cf. adip-. glycolipid
lith- lithos [Gr.] stone. Cf. calc-
1
. nephrolithotomy
loc- locus [L.] place. Cf. top-. locomotion
log- lego
¯
, log- [Gr.] speak, give an account. logorrhea,
embryology
loph- lophos [Gr.] ridge, tuft. lophotrichous
lumb- lumbus [L.] loin. lumbago
lute- luteus [L.] yellow. Cf. xanth-. luteoma. (See also flav-)
lymph- lympha [Gr.] water. lymphadenopathy. (See also hydr-)
lyo- lyo
¯
[Gr.] loose, dissolve. Cf. solut-. lyophilization
lys- lysis [Gr.] dissolution. keratolysis, lysogen
macr- makros [Gr.] long, large. macromyeloblast
mal- malus [L.] bad, abnormal. Cf. cac- and dys-.
malformation
malac- malakos [Gr.] soft. osteomalacia
mamm- mamma [L.] breast. Cf. mast-. submammary
man- manus [L.] hand. Cf. cheir-. manipulation
mani- mania [Gr.] mental aberration. kleptomania
mast- mastos [Gr.] breast. Cf. mamm-. hypermastia
mechan- m
echan
e [Gr.] machine. mechanoreceptor
medi- medius [L.] middle. Cf. mes-. mediolateral
mega-
megas [Gr.]
great, large. Also indicates
multiple (one
million) in metric system. megacolon, megavolt.
(See also megal-)
megal- megas, megalou [Gr.] great, large. acromegaly
mel-
1
melos [Gr.] limb, member. symmelia
mel-
2
m
elon [Gr.] cheek. meloplasty
melan- melas, melanos [Gr.] black. melanocyte
meli(t)- meli, melitos [Gr.] honey. melibiose, melituria
men- men [Gr.] month. dysmenorrhea
mening- m
eninx, m
eningos [Gr.] membrane. meningitis
ment- mens, mentis [L.] mind. Cf. phren-, psych-, and thym-
2
.
dementia
mer-
1
meros [Gr.] part. polymeric
mer-
2
m
eros [Gr.] thigh. meralgia
mes- mesos [Gr.] middle. Cf. medi-. mesoderm
mesi- mesos [Gr.] in the middle. mesiodens
meta- meta [Gr.] (a is dropped before words beginning with a
vowel) after, beyond, accompanying. metacarpal,
metencephalon
metr-
1
metron [Gr.] measure. audiometry
metr-
2
metra [Gr.] womb. Cf. uter-. endometritis. (See also
hyster-)
2104
mi- meio
¯
n [Gr.] smaller. miosis
micr- mikros [Gr.] small. Also indicates fraction in metric
system (one-millionth). photomicrograph, microgram
milli- mille [L.] one thousand. Also indicates fraction in
metric system (one-thousandth). Cf. kilo-. milligram,
millipede
-mimetic mimetikos [Gr.] mimetic. sympathomimetic
mis- misos [Gr.] hatred. misogamy
miss- See -mittent. intromission
mit- mitos [Gr.] thread. mitochondria
-mittent mitto, mittentis, missus [L.] send. intermittent
mne- mimn
esko
¯
,mn
e- [Gr.] remember. amnesia
mogi- mogis [Gr.] with difficulty. mogiarthria
mon- monos [Gr.] only, sole. monoplegia
morph- morphe [Gr.] from, shape. polymorphonuclear
mot- moveo, motus [L.] move. vasomotor
muc- mucus [L.] mucus. mucilage, mucogingival, mucoprotein
multi- multus [L.] many, much. multipara
my- mys, myos [Gr.] muscle. leiomyoma
-myces myk
es,
myk
etos [Gr.] fungus. Streptomyces
myc(et)- See
-myces. streptomycin, mycetoma
myel- myelos [Gr.] marrow. poliomyelitis
myring- myringa [L.] membrane. myringotomy
myx- myxa [Gr.] mucus. myxedema
nan- nanos [Gr.] dwarf. Also indicates fraction
(one-billionth) in metric system. nanophthalmos,
nanometer
narc- nark
e [Gr.] numbness. narcolepsy
nas- nasus [L.] nose. Cf. rhin-. nasopalatine
ne- neos [Gr.] new, young. neonate
necr- nekros [Gr.] corpse. necrophilia
nemat- n
ema, n
ematos [Gr.] thread. nematocyst
nephel- nephel
e [Gr.] cloud, mist. nephelometer
nephr- nephros [Gr.] kidney. Cf. ren-. paranephric
neur- neuron [Gr.] nerve. neuralgia
neutr- neuter [Gr.] neither. neutrophil
nev- naevus [L.] mole. nevolipoma
noci- noceo [L.] to injure. nociceptor
nod- nodus [L.] knot.
nodosity
nom- nomos [Gr.]
(from nemo
¯
deal out, distribute)
law,
custom. taxonomy
non-
1
non [L.] not. nondisjunction
non-
2
nona [L.] nine. nonapeptide
norm- norma [L.] rule. normotensive
nos- nosos [Gr.] disease. nosology
not- no
¯
ton [Gr.] back. notochord
nucle- nucleus [L.] (from nux, nucis nut) kernel. Cf. kary-.
nucleocapsid
nutri- nutrio [L.] nourish. malnutrition
nyct- nyx, nyctos [Gr.] night. nyctophobia
nymph- nymph
e [Gr.] bride. nymphomania, nymphotomy
ob- ob [L.] (b changes to c before words beginning with that
consonant) against, toward. obtusion
oc- See ob-. occlude
oct- okto
¯
[Gr.] or octo [L.] eight. octigravida
ocul- oculus [L.] eye. Cf. ophthalm-. oculomotor
-od- See –ode
1
. esthesodic
-ode
1
hodos [Gr.] road, path. cathode. (See also hod-)
-ode
2
See -oid. nematode
odont- odous, odontos [Gr.] tooth. Cf. dent-. orthodontia
odyn- odyn
e [Gr.] pain, distress. gastrodynia, odynophagia
-oid eidos [Gr.] form. Cf. -form. hyoid
-ol See ole-. cholesterol
ole- oleum [L.] oil. oleoresin
olig- oligos [Gr.] few, small. Cf. pauci-. oligospermia
om- o
¯
mos [Gr.] shoulder. omalgia
-oma o
¯
ma [Gr.] noun-forming suffix. Used to denote a
neoplasm. hepatoma, carcinoma
omphal- omphalos [Gr.] navel. omphalectomy
-on io
¯
n [Gr.] something that goes. neutron
onc-
1
onkos [Gr.] bulk, mass. oncogenesis
onc-
2
onkos [Gr.] barb, hook. oncosphere
onch- See onc-
2
. Onchocerca
oneir- oneiros [Gr.] dream. oneirogenic
onych- onyx, onychos [Gr.] claw, nail. anonychia
oo- o
¯
on [Gr.] egg. Cf. ov-. oogenesis
oophor- o
¯
ophoros [Gr.] bearing eggs. Cf. ovari-. oophorectomy
op- ho
¯
rao
¯
,op- [Gr.] see. heteropsia
ophthalm- ophthalmos [Gr.] eye. Cf. ocul-. exophthalmos
opisth- opisthen [Gr.] behind, at the back. opisthotonos
or- os, oris [L.] mouth. Cf. stom(at)-. intraoral
orb- orbis [L.] circle. suborbital
orchi- orchis [Gr.] testicle. Cf. test-. orchiopathy
organ- organon [Gr.] implement, instrument. organomegaly
orth- orthos [Gr.] straight, right, normal. orthopedics
oscill- oscillare [L.] to swing. oscillopsia
-osis -osis [Gr.] noun-forming suffix. Used to denote a
process, particularly a disease. dermatosis, bacteriosis
osm-
1
osme [Gr.] odor. osmophore
osm-
2
o
¯
smos [Gr.] impulse. osmoregulation
oss- os, ossis [L.] bone. Cf. ost(e)-. ossiferous
ost(e)- osteon [Gr.] bone. Cf. oss-. enostosis, osteoarthritis
-ostomy stoma [Gr.] mouth. colostomy
ot- ous, o
¯
tos [Gr.] ear. Cf. aur-. parotid, ototoxic
ov- ovum [L.] egg. Cf. oo-. synovia, ovovegetarian
ovari- ovarium [L.] ovary. Cf. oophor-. ovariopexy
oxy- oxys [Gr.] (y is sometimes dropped, often denoting
relationship to oxygen). sharp. oxycephalic,
oxidation
pachy- pachys [Gr.] thick. pachyderma
pag- p
egnymi, pag- [Gr.] fix, make fast. thoracopagus
palat- palatum [L.] palate. Cf. uran-. palatorrhaphy
pale- palaios [Gr.] old. paleocortex
pali(n)- palin [Gr.] backward, again. palikinesia, palingenesis
pan- pan [Gr.] all. pandemic
par-
1
pario [L.] bear, give birth to. primipara
par-
2
See para-. paroccipital
para- para [Gr.] (final a is sometimes dropped before words
beginning with a vowel) beside, beyond. paracervical,
paraoral, paramnesia
pariet- paries, parietis [L.] wall. parietofrontal
part- pario, partus [L.] bear, give birth to. parturition
path- pathos [Gr.] that which one undergoes, sickness.
psychopathic, cardiopathy
pauci- paucus [L.] few. Cf. olig-. pauciarticular
pec- pegnymi, peg- [Gr.] (pek- before t) fix, make fast.
amylopectin. (See also pex-)
ped-
1
pais, paidos [Gr.] child. pediatrics
ped-
2
pes, pedis [L.] foot. pedicure, pedometer
pell- pellis [L.] skin, hide. pellagra
-pellent pello, pellentis, pulsus [L.] drive. chemorepellent
pen- penomai [Gr.] need, lack. neutropenia
pend- pendeo [L.] hang down. appendix
pent(a)- pente [Gr.] five. Cf. quint-. pentose, pentalogy
peps- pepto
¯
, peps- [Gr.] digest. eupepsia
pept- pepto
¯
[Gr.] digest. dyspeptic
per- per [L.] through. Cf. dia-. peroral
peri- peri [Gr.] around. Cf. circum-. periphery
pero- p
eros [Gr.] maimed. perosplanchnia
pet- peto [L.] seek, tend toward. centripetal
pex- p
egnymi, p
eg- [Gr.] (p
eg- added to s becomes p
ex-) fix,
make fast. hepatopexy
pha- ph
emi, pha- [Gr.] say, speak. dysphasia
phac- phakos [Gr.] lentil, lens. Cf. lent-. phacosclerosis. (Also
spelled phak-)
phag-
phagein [Gr.]
eat. dysphagia
phak- See phac-. phakitis
phalang- phalanx,
phalangos [Gr.] a line or array of soldiers.
phalangectomy
phall- phallos [Gr.] penis. phalloplasty
phan- See phen-. phanerosis
pharmac- pharmakon [Gr.] drug. pharmacognosy
pharyng- pharynx, pharyng- [Gr.] throat. pharyngocele
-phas- phasis [Gr.] speech. aphasia.
phe- phaios [Gr.] dun, dusky. pheomelanin
phen- phaino
¯
, phan- [Gr.] show, be seen. phosphene,
phenocopy
pher- phero
¯
, phor- [Gr.] bear, support. periphery
phil- phileo
¯
[Gr.] like, have affinity for. eosinophilia
phleb- phleps, phlebos [Gr.] vein. Cf. ven-. periphlebitis
phleg- phlogo
¯
, phlog- [Gr.] burn, inflame. phlegmon
phlog- See phleg-. phlogogenic
phob- phobos [Gr.] fear, dread. claustrophobia
phon- pho
¯
ne [Gr.] sound. phonocardiography
phor- See pher-. Cf. -ferent. exophoria
phos- See phot-. phosphorus
phot-
pho
¯
s,
pho
¯
tos [Gr.] light. photophobia
phrag- phrasso
¯
, phrag
- [Gr.] fence, wall off, stop up. Cf. sept-
1
.
diaphragm
phrax- phrasso
¯
, phrag- [Gr.] ( phrag- added to s becomes phrax-)
fence, wall off, stop up. urethrophraxis
phren- phren [Gr.] mind, midriff. Cf. ment-. phrenoplegia,
phrenotropic. (See also psych- and thym-
2
)
phthi- phthino
¯
[Gr.] decay, waste away. phthisis
2105
phy- phyo
¯
[Gr.] beget, bring forth, produce, be by nature.
osteophyte
phyc- phykos [Gr.] seaweed. phycochrome
phyl- phylon [Gr.] tribe, kind. phylogeny
phylac- phylax [Gr.] guard. prophylactic
phyll- phyllon [Gr.] leaf. chlorophyll, phylloerythrin
phys- physao
¯
[Gr.] blow, inflate. physometra
physe- physao
¯
, phys
e [Gr.] blow, inflate. emphysema
physi- physis [Gr.] nature. physiology
phyt- phyton [Gr.] plant. phytobezoar, dermatophyte
picr- pikros [Gr.] bitter. picrogeusia
-piesis piesis [Gr.] a pressing or squeezing. anisopiesis
piez- piezo [Gr.] press. piezoelectricity
pil- pilus [L.] hair. epilation
pituit- pituita [L.] phlegm, rheum. pituitary
placent- placenta [L.] (from plakous [Gr.]) cake. extraplacental
plas- plasso
¯
[Gr.] mold, shape. rhinoplasty
platy- platy- [Gr.] broad, flat. platypodia
pleg- pl
esso
¯
, pleg-
[Gr.] strike. diplegia
pleo- pleio
¯
n [Gr.] more. pleomorphism, pleiotropy.
(Also
spelled pleio-)
plet- pleo, -pletus [L.] fill. plethora
pleur- pleura [Gr.] rib, side. Cf. cost-. pleuralgia
plex- pl
esso
¯
,pl
eg- [Gr.] (pl
eg- added to s becomes pl
ex-) strike.
apoplexy
plic- plico [L.] fold. complication, plicate
pluri- plus, pluris [L.] more. pluriglandular
pne- pneuma, pneumatos [Gr.] breathing. orthopnea
pneum(at)- pneuma, pneumatos [Gr.] breath, air. pneumarthrosis,
pneumatocele
pneumo(n)- pneumo
¯
n [Gr.] lung. Cf. pulmo(n)-. pneumoenteritis,
pneumonotomy
pod- pous, podos [Gr.] foot. podiatry
poie- poieo
¯
[Gr.] make, produce. Cf. -facient. sarcopoietic
poikil- poikilos [Gr.] spotted, mottled, varied. poikiloderma
pol- polos [Gr.] axis of a sphere. unipolar
poli-
polios [Gr.]
gray. poliomyelopathy
poly- polys [Gr.]
much, many. polyspermy
pont- pons, pontis [L.] bridge. pontocerebellar
por-
1
poros [Gr.] passage. poradenitis
por-
2
po
¯
ros [Gr.] callus. porokeratosis
-pos- posis [Gr.] a drink. hyperposia
posit- pono, positus [L.] put, place. repositor
post- post [L.] after, behind in time or place. postnatal,
postrenal
pre- prae [L.] before in time or place. prenatal, prevesical
presby- presbys [Gr.] old man. presbyopia
press- premo, pressus [L.] press. pressoreceptive
pro- pro [Gr.] or pro [L.] before in time or place.
prohormone, prolabium, prolapse
proct- pro
¯
ktos [Gr.] anus. Cf. rect-. proctology
pros- proso
¯
[Gr.] forward. prosodemic
prosop- proso
¯
pon [Gr.] face. Cf. faci- prosopagnosia
prot- pro
¯
tos [Gr.] first. protoplasm, prototype
psamm- psammos [Gr.] sand. psammoma
pseud- pseud
es [Gr.] false. pseudoparaplegia
psych- psych
e [Gr.] soul, mind. Cf. ment-. psychosomatic.
(See also phren- and thym-
2
)
psychr- psychros [Gr.] cold. psychroalgia
pto- pipto
¯
, pto
¯
[Gr.] fall. nephroptosis
ptyal- ptyalon [Gr.] saliva. ptyalism
pub- pubes [L.] adult. ischiopubic. (See also puber-)
puber- puber [L.] adult. puberty
pulmo(n)- pulmo, pulmonis [L.] lung. Cf. pneumo(n)-. pulmogram,
cardiopulmonary
puls- pello, pellentis, pulus [L] drive. propulsion
punct- pungo, punctus [L.] prick, pierce. Cf. cente-. punctiform
pupill- pupilla [L.] girl or pupil. pupillometry
pur- pus, puris [L.] pus. Cf. py-. suppuration
py- pyon [Gr.] pus. Cf. pur-. spondylopyosis
pyel- pyelos [Gr.] trough, basin, pelvis. nephropyelitis
pyg- pyg
e [Gr.] rump. pygalgia
pykn- pyknos [Gr.] thick, frequent. pyknomorphous,
pyknophrasia
pyl- pyl
e [Gr.] door, orifice. pylephlebitis
pyr- pyr [Gr.] fire. Cf. febr-. pyrogen
quadr- quadr- [L.] four. Cf. tetr(a)-. quadrigeminal
quasi- quasi [L.] as if, as though.
quasidominance
quint- quintus [L.]
fifth. Cf.
pent(a)-. quintuplet
rachi- rachis [Gr.] spine. Cf. spin-. rachiodynia
radi- radius [L.] ray. Cf. actin-. irradiation, radiocarpal
re- re- [L.] back, again. retraction
rect- rectum [L.] rectum. Cf. proct-. rectocele
ren- renes [L.] kidney. Cf. nephr-. adrenal, renography
ret- rete [L.] net. retiform
retr- retro [L.] backwards. retrodeviation
rhabd- rhabdos [Gr.] rod. rhabdomyolysis
rhag- rh
egnymi, rhag- [Gr.] break, burst. hemorrhagic
rhaph- rhaphe [Gr.] suture. arteriorrhaphy
rhe- rheos [Gr.] flow. Cf. flu-. diarrheal
rhex- rh
egnymi, rh
eg- [Gr.] (rh
eg- added to s becomes rh
ex-)
break, burst. metrorrhexis
rhin- rhis, rhinos [Gr.] nose. Cf. nas-. rhinoplasty
rhiz- rhiza [Gr.] root. rhizotomy
rhod- rhodon [Gr.]
rose. rhodopsin
rhytid- rhytis, rhytidos [Gr.]
wrinkle. rhytidectomy
rot- rota [L.] wheel. rotation
rub(r)- ruber, rubri [L.] red. Cf. erythr-. bilirubin, rubrospinal
sacchar- sakcharon [Gr.] sugar. saccharimeter
sacr- sacrum [L.] sacred, sacrum. sacralgia
salping- salpinx, salpingos [Gr.] tube, trumpet. salpingitis
sangui(n)- sanguis, sanguinis [L.] blood. Cf. hem(at)-. sanguifacient,
sanguineous
sapr- sapros [Gr.] rotten. saprophyte
sarc- sarx, sarkos [Gr.] flesh. sarcoma
scaph- skaph
e [Gr.] skiff, light boat. scaphocephaly
scat- sko
¯
r, skatos [Gr.] dung. scatology
schis- schizo
¯
, schid- [Gr.] (schid- before t or added to s becomes
schis-) split. Cf. fiss-. schistocyte, thoracoschisis. (Also
spelled schiz-)
schiz- See schis-. schizonychia
scirrh- skirrhos [Gr.] hard. scirrhous
scler- skl
eros [Gr.] hard. Cf. dur-.
sclerosis
scoli- skolios [Gr.]
twisted. scoliokyphosis
scop- skopeo
¯
[Gr.]
look at, observe. endoscope
scot- skotos [Gr.] darkness. scotophobia
sect- seco, sectus [L.] cut. Cf. tom-. section
semi- semi [L.] half. Cf. hemi-. semiflexion
sens- sentio, sensus [L.] perceive, feel. Cf. esthe-. sensory
sep- sepo
¯
[Gr.] rot, decay. sepsis
sept-
1
saepio, saeptus [L.] fence, wall off, stop up. Cf. phrag-.
septonasal
sept-
2
septum [L.] seven. Cf. hept(a)-. septuplet
ser- serum [L.] whey, watery substance. serosynovitis
sex-
1
sex [L.] six. Cf. hex(a)-. sextuplet
sex-
2
sexus [L.] sex. sexopathy
sial- sialon [Gr.] saliva. sialadenitis
sider- sid
eros [Gr.] iron. sideroblast
sin- sinus [L.] hollow, fold. Cf. colp-. sinobronchitis
sinistr- sinister [L.] left. sinistrocerebral
-sis -sis [Gr.] suffix of action. amebiasis, psychosis, diagnosis
sit- sitos [Gr.] food. parasitic
solen- so
¯
l
en [Gr.] channel, gutter, pipe. solenonychia
solut- solvo, solventis, solutus [L.] loosen, dissolve, set free.
Cf. ly-. dissolution
-solvent See solut-. resolvent
som(at)- so
¯
ma, somatos [Gr.] body. Cf. corpor-. psychosomatic,
chromosome
somn- somnus [L.] sleep. somnambulism
spas- spao
¯
, spas- [Gr.] draw, pull. spasm, spastic
spectr- spectrum [L.] appearance, what is seen.
microspectroscope
sperm(at)- sperma, spermatos [Gr.] seed. spermicide, spermatozoon
spers- spargo, -spersus [L.] scatter. dispersion
sphen-
sph
en [Gr.]
wedge. Cf. cune-. sphenoid
spher- sphaira [Gr.] ball.
hemisphere
sphygm- sphygmos [Gr.] pulsation. sphygmomanometer
spin- spina [L.] spine. Cf. rachi-. spinocerebellar
spir- speira [Gr.] coil. spirochete
spir(at)- spiro, spiratus [L.] breathe. spirometry, inspiratory
splanchn- splanchna [Gr.] entrails, viscera. neurosplanchnic
splen- spl
en [Gr.] spleen. Cf. lien-. splenomegaly
spondyl- spondylos [Gr.] vertebra. spondylolisthesis
spongi- spongia [L.] sponge. spongioblastoma
spor- sporos [Gr.] seed. sporocyst, zoospore
squam- squama [L.] scale. desquamation
sta- hist
emi, sta- [Gr.] make stand, stop. hemostasis
stal- stello
¯
, stal- [Gr.] send. peristalsis. (See also -stol-)
staphyl- staphyl
e [Gr.] bunch of grapes, uvula. staphylococcus,
staphyledema
stear- stear, steatos [Gr.] fat. Cf. adip-. stearate. (See also lip-)
steat- See stear-. steatorrhea
sten- stenos
[Gr.] narrow, compressed. stenothorax
ster- stereos [Gr.]
solid. cholesterol
2106
sterc- stercus [L.] dung, feces. Cf. copr-. stercoroma
stern- sternon [Gr.] sternum. sternalgia, sternoschisis
steth- st
ethos [Gr.] chest. stethoscope
sthen- sthenos [Gr.] strength. asthenia
-stol- stello
¯
, stol- [Gr.] send. diastole
stom(at)- stoma, stomatos [Gr.] mouth, orifice. Cf. or-.
anastomosis, stomatalgia
strep(h)- strepho
¯
, strep- (before t) [Gr.] twist. Cf. tors-.
strephosymbolia, streptomycin. (See also stroph-)
strict- stringo, stringentis, strictus [L.] draw tight, compress,
cause pain. constriction
-stringent See strict-. astringent
stroph- strepho
¯
, stroph- [Gr.] twist. Cf. tors-. angiostrophe.
(See also strep(h)-)
struct- struo, structus [L.] pile up (against). obstruction
styl- stilus [L.] stake, pole. stylohyoid, stylosteophyte
sub- sub [L.] (b changes to f and p before words beginning
with those consonants) under, below. Cf. hypo-.
sublingual
suf- See sub-. suffusion
sup- See sub-. suppository
super- super
[L.] above, beyond, extreme. Cf. hyper-.
supermotility
supra- supra [L.]
above. supraduction
sy- See syn-. systole
sym- See
syn-. symbiosis, symmetry, sympathetic, symphysis
syn- syn [Gr.] (n disappears before s, changes to l before l,
and changes to m before b, m, p, and ph) with,
together. Cf. con-. synarthrosis
syring- syrinx, syringos [Gr.] pipe, tube, fistula.
syringocystadenoma
ta- See ton-. ectasia
tac- tasso
¯
, tag- [Gr.] (tag- changes to tak-, which becomes
tac-, before t) order, arrange. atactiform
tach(y)- tachys [Gr.] swift. tachography, tachycardia
tact- tango, tactus [L.] touch. contact
taenia- taenia [L.] tape. taeniafuge. (Also spelled tenia-)
tars- tarsos [Gr.] a broad, flat surface. tarsorrhaphy,
tarsoclasis
taur- taurus [L.] bull. taurodontism
taut- tautos [Gr.] same. tautomerism
tax-
tasso
¯
,
tag- [Gr.] (tag- added
to s becomes tax-) order,
arrange. ataxia
tect- See teg-. protective
teg- tego, tectus [L.] cover. integument
tel- telos [Gr.] end. telomere
tele- t
ele [Gr.] at a distance. teleceptor
tempor- tempus, temporis [L.] time, temple. temporomandibular
tend(in)- tendo, tendines [L.] tendon. tendovaginal, tendinitis
ten(ont)- teno
¯
n, tenontos [Gr.] (from teino
¯
stretch) tightly
stretched band. tenodynia, tenontology
tens- tendo, tensus [L.] stretch. Cf. ton-. extensor
terat- teras, teratos [Gr.] monster. teratoma
ter(ti)- ter [L.] thrice. Cf. tri-. termolecular, tertigravida
test- testis [L.] testicle. Cf. orchi-. testitis
tetr(a)- tetra- [Gr.] four. Cf. quadr-. tetradactyly, tetroxide
thanat- thanatos [Gr.] death, thanatophobia
the- tith
emi, th
e- [Gr.] put, place. synthe
sis
thec- th
ek
e [Gr.]
repository, case. thecostegnosis
thel(e)- th
el
e [Gr.] teat,
nipple. thelerethism, theleplasty
therap- therapeia [Gr.] treatment. chemotherapy
therm- therm
e [Gr.] heat. Cf. calor-. diathermy
thi- theion [Gr.] sulfur. thiazole, thiocyanate
thigm- thigma [Gr.] touch. thigmotaxis
thorac- tho
¯
rax, tho
¯
rakos [Gr.] chest. thoracoplasty
-thrix See trich-. monilethrix
thromb- thrombos [Gr.] lump, clot. thrombocytopenia
thym-
1
thymos [Gr.] thymus. thymoma
thym-
2
thymos [Gr.] spirit. Cf. ment-. dysthymia, thymoleptic.
(See also phren- and psych-)
thyr- thyreos [Gr.] shield (shaped like a door [thyra]). thyroid
-tme- temno
¯
,tm
e- [Gr.] cut. axonotmesis
toc- tokos [Gr.] childbirth. dystocia
tom- temno
¯
, tom- [Gr.] cut. Cf. sect-. appendectomy,
tomography
ton- teino, ton-, ta- [Gr.] stretch, put under tension.
Cf. tens-. peritoneum
top- topos [Gr.] place. Cf. loc-. topesthesia, isotope
tors- torqueo, torsus [L.] twist. Cf. strep(h)- and stroph-.
torsion
tox(ic)- toxikon [Gr.] (from toxon bow) arrow poison, poison.
toxemia, toxicology
trache- tracheia [Gr.] windpipe. tracheotomy
trachel- trach
elos [Gr.] neck. Cf. cervic-. trachelopexy
tract- traho, tractus [L.] draw, drag. protraction
trans- trans [L.] through, transaortic, transfection
traumat- trauma, traumatos [Gr.] wound. traumatic
trepo- trepo
¯
[Gr.] turn. trepopnea, treponema
tri- treis,
tria [Gr.] or tri- [L.]
three. Cf. ter(ti)-.
trilaminar
trich- thrix, trichos [Gr.] hair. trichobezoar
trip- tribo
¯
[Gr.] rub. lithotripsy
trop- trepo
¯
, trop- [Gr.] turn, react. sitotropism
troph- trepo
¯
, troph- [Gr.] nurture. atrophy
tub- tubus [L.] pipe. tuboplasty
tuber- tuber [L.] swelling, node. tubercle
tympan- tympanon [Gr.] drum. tympanocentesis
typ- typos [Gr.] (from typto strike) type. atypical
typh- typhos [Gr.] fog, stupor. typhus
typhl- typhlos [Gr.] blind. Cf. cec-. typhlectomy
tyr- tyros [Gr.] cheese. tyrogenous
ul-
1
oul
e [Gr.] scar. ulerythema
ul-
2
oulon [Gr.] gum. ulatrophy
ultra- ultra [L.] beyond. ultrastructure
uni- unus [L.] one. Cf. hen-. unilateral
ur- ouron [Gr.] urine. polyuria
uran- ouranos [Gr.] the vault of heaven, or the roof of the
mouth. Cf. palat-. uranostaphyloplasty
ureter- oureter [Gr.] ureter. ureterography
urethr- our
ethra [Gr.] urethra. urethropexy
uter- uterus [L.] womb. Cf. hyster- and metr-
2
. uterorectal
vacc- vacca [L.] cow. vaccine
vagin- vagina [L.] sheath. invagination, vaginitis
varic- varix, varicis [L.] varicose vein. varicocele
vas- vas [L.] vessel. Cf. angi-. vascular
ven- vena [L.] vein. Cf. phleb-. venopressor
ventr- venter [L.] belly. ventrocystorrhaphy, ventriculotomy
vers- See vert-. inversion
vert- verto, versus [L.] turn. diverticulum
vesic- vesica [L.] bladder. Cf. cyst-. vesicovaginal
video- video [L.] see. videolaparoscopy
viscer- viscus, visceris [L.] internal organs. visceromotor
vit- vita [L.] life. Cf. bi-
1
.devitalize
vivi- vivus [L.] alive. viviparous
vuls- vello, vulsus [L.] pull, twitch. convulsion
xanth- xanthos [Gr.] yellow, blond. Cf. flav- and lute-.
xanthochromia
xen- xenos [Gr.] strange, foreign. xenograft
xer- x
eros [Gr.] dry. xeroderma
xiph- xiphos [Gr.] sword, xiphoid process. xiphodynia
-yl- hyle [Gr.] substance. carboxyl
zo- zo
e [Gr.] life or zo
¯
on [Gr.] animal. microzoon
zyg- zygon [Gr.] yoke, union. zygodactyly
zym- zym
e [Gr.] ferment. enzyme
2107