bas- of or pertaining to base βάσιςwikt-lang|la|bi-wikt-lang|grc|βίοςgrc-transl|βίοςwikt-lang|grc|βλαστόςgrc-transl|βλαστόςwikt-lang|grc|βλέφαρονgrc-transl|βλέφαρονwikt-lang|la|bracchiumwikt-lang|grc|βραχίωνgrc-transl|βραχίωνwikt-lang|grc|βραχύςgrc-transl|βραχύςwikt-lang|grc|βραδύςgrc-transl|βραδύςwikt-lang|la|bronchuswikt-lang|grc|βρόγχοςgrc-transl|βρόγχοςwikt-lang|la|buccawikt-lang|la|bursawikt-lang|grc|βύρσαgrc-transl|βύρσαC D Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example dacry- of or pertaining to tears Greek, tear dacryoadenitis , dacryocystitis -dactyl- of or pertaining to a finger , toe Greek , finger, toe dactylology , polydactyly de- from, down, or away from Latin dehydrate,demonetize, demotion dent- of or pertaining to teeth Latin, dentis, tooth dentist , dentaldermat-, derm- of or pertaining to the skin Greek , skin, human skin dermatology , epidermis , hypodermic, xeroderma -desis binding Greek arthrodesis dextr- right, on the right side Latin dextrocardia di- two Greek diplopia, di- apart, separation Latin dilation, distal, dilute dia- through, during, across Greek , through, during, across dialysis dif- apart, separation Latin different digit- of or pertaining to the finger ' Latin, finger, toe digit diplo- twofold Greek diploid , diplosis-dipsia thirst Greek dipsomania , hydroadipsia , oligodipsia , polydipsia dis- separation, taking apart Latin dissection dors-, dors- of or pertaining to the back Latin, back dorsal , dorsocephalad dromo- running, conduction, course Greek dromotropic , syndrome duodeno- twelve Latin duodenal atresia , duodenum dura- hard Latin dura mater dynam- force, energy, power Greek hand strength dynamometer, dynamicspain Greek vulvodynia dys-''' bad, difficult, defective, abnormal Greek dysentery , dysphagia , dysphasia
E Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example -eal pertaining to English, from Latin adenohypophyseal, corneal , esophageal , perineal ec- out, away Greek , out of, from ectopia , ectopic pregnancy outer, outside Greek ectoblast , ectoderm , ectoplasm-ectasia, -ectasis expansion, Greek bronchiectasis , telangiectasia -ectomy denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part ; resection, excision Greek , excision mastectomy -emesis vomiting conditionGreek hematemesis -emia blood condition Greek , "blood" anemia encephal- of or pertaining to the brain; see also cerebro- Greek , the brain encephalogram endo- denotes something as inside or within Greek , inside, internal endocrinology , endospore , endoskeletoneosin- having a red color Greek , dawn, daybreak, morning red, goddess of the dawn eosinophil granulocyte enter- of or pertaining to the intestine Greek , intestine gastroenterology epi- on, upon Greek , before, upon, on, outside, outside of epicardium , epidermis, epidural , episclera , epistaxis , epidemicepisi- of or pertaining to the pubic region, the loins Greek , the pubic area , loins; vulva episiotomy erythr- having a red color Greek , red erythrocyte -esophageal, -esophago- gullet Greek esophagus esthesio- sensation Greek , to perceive esthesioneuroblastoma , esthesia eu- true, good, well, new eukaryote ex- out of, away from Latin excision, except exo- denotes something as "outside" another Greek , outside of, external exophthalmos , exoskeleton , exoplanetextra- outside Latin, outside of, beyond extradural hematoma extraordinary, extreme
F G Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example galact- milk Greek, γαλακτ-, stomach, belly gastric bypass , gastroenterology-gen *born in, from Greek , from γεν-νάειν, to be born *endogen heterogenous -genic formative; pertaining to producing Greek cardiogenic shock genu- of or pertaining to the knee Latin, knee genu valgum -geusia taste Greek ageusia , dysgeusia , hypergeusia , hypogeusia , parageusia gingiv- of or pertaining to the gums Latin, gum gingivitis glauc- Having a grey or bluish-grey colour Greek , grey, bluish-grey glaucoma gloss- , glott- of or pertaining to the tongue Greek, γλῶττα, tongue glossology gluco- sweet Greek , sweet glucocorticoid , glucoseglyc- sugar Greek , sweet glycolysis gnath- of or pertaining to the jaw Greek , jaw gnathodynamometer -gnosis knowledge Greek , inquiry, knowledge diagnosis , prognosis gon- seed, semen ; reproductive Greek , fruit, seed, procreating gonorrhea -gram , -gramme record or picture Greek , picture, letter, writing angiogram, gramophone -graph instrument used to record data or picture Greek , written, drawn, graphic interpretation electrocardiograph , seismograph process of recording Greek , written, drawn, graphic interpretation angiography gyno- , gynaeco- , gyneco- woman Greek, γυναικ gynaecology , gynecomastia , gynoecium
H Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example halluc- to wander in mind Latin, to wander in mind hallucinosis , hallucinationhemat-, haemato- of or pertaining to blood Latin hæma, from Greek, αἱματ-, blood hematology , older form haematology hema- or hemo- blood Greek,, blood hemal, hemoglobin hemangi or hemangio- blood vessels Greek,, blood, + , vessel, urn hemangioma hemi- one-half Greek , half cerebral hemisphere hepat- of or pertaining to the liver Greek, ἠπᾰτ-, the liver hepatology , hepatitis heter- denotes something as "the other", as an addition, or different Greek , the other, another; different heterogeneous hidr- sweat Greek, ἱδρωτ-, sweat, perspiration hyperhidrosis hist-, histio- tissue Greek , web, tissue histology home- similar Greek , like, resembling, similar homeopathy hom- denotes something as "the same" as another or common Greek , the same, common homosexuality , homozygote , homophobicof or pertaining to the shoulder Latin, shoulder humerus hydr- water Greek , water hydrophobe , hydrogenhyper- extreme or beyond normal Greek , over, above; beyond, to the extreme hypertension , hypertrichosis hyp- below normal Greek, ὑπο-, below, under hypovolemia , hypoxia hyster- of or pertaining to the womb or the uterus Greek , womb hysterectomy , hysteria
I Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example -iasis condition, formation, or presence of Latin, pathological condition or process; from Greek , cure, repair, mend mydriasis iatr- of or pertaining to medicine or a physician Greek , healer, physician iatrochemistry , iatrogenesis -iatry denotes a field in medicine emphasizing a certain body component Greek , healer, physician podiatry , psychiatry -ic pertaining to Greek hepatic artery -ics organized knowledge, treatment Latin, collection of related things, theme; cognate with Greek , of, pertaining to obstetrics idio- self, one's own Greek , one's own idiopathic ileo- ileum Greek , to shut in, intestinal obstruction ileocecal valve infra- below Latin, below infrahyoid muscles inter- between, among Latin interarticular ligament intra- within Latin intramural ipsi- same Latin ipsilateral irid- of or pertaining to the iris Latin, rainbow; from Greek , rainbow iridectomy isch- restriction Greek , hold back, restrain ischemia ischio- of or pertaining to the ischium , the hip-joint Greek , hip-joint, ischium ischioanal fossa condition, disease Greek , suffix forming abstract nouns of state, condition, doctrine dwarfism -ismus spasm , contractionGreek -ισμός hemiballismus iso- denoting something as being equal Greek , equal isotonic -ist one who specializes in Greek , agent noun, one who practices pathologist -ite the nature of, resembling Latin, those belonging to, from Greek dendrite -itis inflammation Greek -ῖτις fem. form of , pertaining to, because it was used with the feminine noun , thus, disease of the, disease pertaining to tonsillitis -ium structure, tissue Latin, aggregation or mass of pericardium
J–K Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example juxta Near to, alongside or next to Latin juxtaglomerular apparatus kal- potassium New Latin, potassium hyperkalemia kary- nucleus Greek , nut eukaryote kerat- cornea Greek , horn keratoscope kine- movement Greek , to move, to change akinetopsia , kinesthesia koil- hollow Greek koilocyte kyph- humped Greek , bent forward, stooping, hunchbacked kyphoscoliosis
L Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example labi- of or pertaining to the lip Latin, labium, lip labiodental lacrim- tear Latin, tear from crying Lacrimal canaliculi lact-, lact milk Latin, milk lactation lapar- of or pertaining to the abdominal wall, flank Greek , flank laparotomy laryng- of or pertaining to the larynx , the lower throat cavity where the voice box is Greek,, throat, gullet larynx latero- lateral Latin, lateral, of or belonging to the side lateral pectoral nerve lei- smooth Greek , smooth leiomyoma -lepsis, attack, seizure Greek , seizure epilepsy , narcolepsy lept- light, slender Greek , thin, lean leptomeningeal leuc-, leuk- denoting a white color Greek , white, bright, pale leukocyte lingu-, lingu- of or pertaining to the tongue Latin, tongue, speech, language linguistics lip- fat Greek , fat, lard liposuction liss- smooth Greek , smooth lissencephaly lith- stone , calculus Greek lithotripsy log- speech Greek dialog , catalog , logos ' denotes someone who studies a certain field ; a specialist; one who treats Greek , studier, practitioner oncologist , pathologist-logy denotes the academic study or practice of a certain field; the study of Greek base noun for the study of something hematology, urology lumb-, lumb- of or relating to the part of the trunk between the lowest ribs and the pelvis . Latin or lumbaris, loin lumbar vertebrae lymph- lymph Latin, water lymphedema lys-, dissolution Greek , loosen, release, + lysosome ' destruction, separation Greek , loosen, release paralysis
M Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example macr- large, long Greek , long, tall macrophage -malacia softening Greek , soft, weak, self-indulgent osteomalacia mamm- of or pertaining to the breast Latin, breast, udder mammogram mammill- of or pertaining to the nipple Latin, nipple mammillaplasty , mammillitis manu- of or pertaining to the hand Latin, hand manufacture mast- of or pertaining to the breast Greek , breast, woman's breast, man's pectoral muscle mastectomy meg-, megal-, -megaly enlargement, million Greek , big, large, great, mighty splenomegaly , megameter melan- having a black color Greek, μελανο-, black, dark melanin melos extremity Greek , part of a body, limb, member erythromelalgia mening- membrane Greek meningitis men- month, menstrual cycle Greek , month menopause , menorrhagia mer- part Greek , part, component, region merocrine , meroblastic mes- middle Greek , middle, between, half mesoderm met, meta- after, beside, beyond or change Greek , with, among, along with, in common with metacarpal , metacarpus , metacromion , metanephros , metatheria ' instrument used to measure or count Greek , measure or property, something used to measure sphygmomanometer , thermometer ' process of measuring, -meter + -y Greek μέτρον optometry metr- pertaining to conditions or instruments of the uterus Greek , womb, uterus metrorrhagia micr- millionth; denoting something as small, relating to smallness Greek , small microscope milli- thousandth Latin, thousand milliliter mon- single Greek infectious mononucleosis morph- form, shape Greek morphology muscul- muscle Latin, muscle musculoskeletal system my- of or relating to muscle Greek, μυ-, muscle, mouse, mussel myoblast myc- fungus Greek μύκης, μυκητ- onychomycosis myel- of or relating to bone marrow or the spinal cord Greek , marrow, bone-marrow myelin sheath , myeloblast myl- of or relating to molar teeth or the lower jaw Greek , innumerable, countless, infinite myriad eardrum Latin, eardrum myringotomy myx- mucus Greek , mucus, nasal discharge myxoma
N Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example nan- dwarf, small Greek , dwarf nanogram , nanosecond narc- numb, sleep Greek , numbess, torpor narcolepsy nas- of or pertaining to the nose Latin, nose nasal nat- birth Latin, born, arisen, made neonatology necr- death Greek , dead body, corpse, dying person necrosis , necrotizing fasciitis neo- new Greek , young, youthful, new, fresh neoplasm nephr- of or pertaining to the kidney Greek , kidney nephrology nerv- of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system Latin, tendon, nerve; cognate with Greek νεῦρον, tendon, string, nerve nerve, nervous system neur-, neur- of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system Greek , tendon, sinew, nerve neurofibromatosis noci- pain, injury , hurt Latin nociception normo- normal Latin, norm or standard; lit. carpenter's square normocapnia
O Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example ocul- of or pertaining to the eye Latin, the eye Oculist odont- of or pertaining to teeth Greek, ὀδοντ- - pain Greek stomatodynia -oesophageal, oesophago- gullet Greek oesophagus -oid resemblance to Greek , like, connected to, pertaining to Sarcoidosis ole small or little Latin, suffix to form a diminutive of the noun arteriole olig- having little, having few Greek , few oligotrophy om- shoulder Greek , shoulder omoplate -oma, -omata tumor , mass, fluid collectionGreek , suffix added to verbs to form nouns indicating the result of a process or action; cf. English sarcoma , teratoma , mesothelioma omphal- of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus Greek , navel, belly-button omphalotomy onco- tumor, bulk, volume Greek oncology -one hormone onych- of or pertaining to the nail Greek, ὀνυχο-, nail; claw; talon onychophagy oo- of or pertaining to an, a woman's egg, the ovum Greek, ᾠο-, egg, ovum oogenesis oophor- of or pertaining to the woman's Neoclassical Greek , ovary , egg-bearing oophorectomy ophthalm- of or pertaining to the Greek , the eye ophthalmology opistho- back, behind, rear Greek , behind, at the back opisthotonus -opsy examination or inspection Greek , view biopsy , autopsy optic- of or relating to chemical properties of the eye Middle French ; from Greek ; cognate with Latin, relating to the eye opticochemical, biopsy or- of or pertaining to the mouth Latin, ōris, mouth oral -or one who, agent noun–forming suffix generally appended where Latin would do it—to the root of a Latin-type perfect passive participle . Cf. -er doctor orchi-, orchid-, orch- testis Greek , testicle, ovary orchiectomy , orchidectomy orth- denoting something as straight or correct Greek , straight, correct, normal orthodontist -osis a condition, disease or increase Greek , state, abnormal condition, action Harlequin type ichthyosis , psychosis , osteoporosis ossi-, osse- bone , bonyLatin, bone peripheral ossifying fibroma , osseous ost-, oste- bone Greek , bone osteoporosis, osteoarthritis ot- of or pertaining to the ear Greek, ὠτ-, the ear otology -ous pertaining to Latin, full of, prone to porous ovari- of or pertaining to the ovaries Latin, ovary ovariectomy ovo-, ovi-, ov- of or pertaining to the eggs, the ovum Latin, egg, ovum ovogenesis oxo- addition of oxygen oxy-''' sharp, acid , acute; oxygen borrowed from French , sharp, pointed + , birth) oxytocin , oxygenated, oxycodone
P Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example pachy- thick Greek , thick, large, stout pachyderma palpebr- of or pertaining to the eyelid Latin, eyelid palpebra pan-, pant- denoting something as 'complete' or containing 'everything'; "all" Greek, παν-, all, every panophobia , panopticon , pancytopenia papill- of or pertaining to the nipple Latin, nipple; diminutive of papula papillitis papul- Indicates papulosity , a small elevation or swelling in the skin, a pimple, swelling Latin, pimple, pustle; a small elevation or swelling in the skin papulation para- alongside of Greek paracyesis -paresis slight paralysis Greek hemiparesis parvo- small Latin, small, little, unimportant Parvovirus path- disease Greek , pain, suffering, condition Pathology -pathy denotes a disease, or disorder Greek , suffering, accident sociopathy , neuropathy pauci- Few Latin Pauci-immune pector- breast or chest Latin pectoralgia , pectoriloquy , pectorophony ped-, -ped-, -pes of or pertaining to the foot; -footed Latin, pēd-, foot Pedoscope ped-, pedo- of or pertaining to the child Greek, παιδός, child pediatrics. pedophilia pelv-, pelv- hip bone Latin, basin Pelvis -penia deficiency Greek, poverty, indigence osteopenia peo- of or pertaining to the penis Greek Peotomy -pepsia denotes something relating to digestion, or the digestive tract. Greek , cooked, digested < , I boil, cook; digest dyspepsia per- through Latin, through, by means of percutaneous peri- denoting something with a position 'surrounding' or 'around' another Greek , around, about, concerning periodontal -pexy fixation Greek , fixing in place, fastening nephropexy phaco- lens-shaped Greek , lentil-bean phacolysis, phacometer, phacoscotoma , -phage Forms terms denoting conditions relating to eating or ingestion Greek φαγία eating < , to eat Sarcophagia -phago- eating, devouring Greek , eater of, eating phagocyte phagist- Forms nouns that denote a person who 'feeds on' the first element or part of the word Greek φαγιστής eater; see -phagia Lotophagi -phagy Forms nouns that denotes 'feeding on' the first element or part of the word Greek φαγία eating; see -phagia hematophagy phall- phallus Greek , penis Aphallia pharmac- drug, medication Greek pharmacology pharyng- of or pertaining to the pharynx , the upper throat cavity Greek, φαρυγγ-, throat, windpipe; chasm pharyngitis , pharyngoscopy -phil attraction for Greek , friendship, love, affection hemophilia phleb- of or pertaining to the veins, a vein Greek, φλεβ-, blood-vessel, vein phlebography , phlebotomy -phobia exaggerated fear, sensitivity, aversion Greek , terror, fear, flight, panic arachnophobia phon- sound Greek phonograph, symphony phos- of or pertaining to light or its chemical properties, now historic and used rarely. See the common root phot- below. Greek φῶς,, φωτ-, light phosphene of or pertaining to light Greek φωτω-, < , light photopathy phren- , phrenic- the mind Greek , intellect, wits, mind phrenic nerve , schizophrenia phyllo- leaf-like Greek , leaf, foliage, plant phyllodes tumour , phyllotaxis -phyte, phyto- to grow Greek , plant, tree hydrophyte pia soft Medieval Latin pia mater , tender mother , from Latin, pius, pious, dutiful, goodpia mater piri- Pear Latin, cognate with Greek , pear Piriformis muscle -plasia formation, development Greek , moulding, conformation Achondroplasia -plasty surgical repair, reconstruction Greek , molded, formed rhinoplasty -plegia paralysis Greek , stroke, from , to strike or smite paraplegia pleio- more, excessive, multiple Greek , more pleiomorphism pleur- of or pertaining to the ribs Greek , rib, side of the body Pleurogenous -plexy stroke or seizure Greek, πλήσσειν, to strike or smite Cataplexy pne- , pneum- air, breath, lung Greek , , πνεύμων apnea , pneumatology , pneumonocyte , pneumonia pod-, -pod-, -pus of or pertaining to the foot, -footed Greek , foot podiatry -poiesis production Greek , poetry, poem, creation hematopoiesis polio- having a grey color Greek , grey, grizzled poliomyelitis poly- denotes a 'plurality' of something Greek , many, a lot of, large, great polymyositis por- pore, porous , passage, passageway pore porphyr- denotes a purple color Greek , Tyrian purple, royal purple porphyroblast post- denotes something as 'after ' or 'behind ' another Latin, after, behind postoperation , postmortem pre- denotes something as 'before' another Middle English pre-, from Medieval Latin pre- < Latin, before, in front of premature birth presby- old age Greek , old man, elder presbyopia , presbycusis prim- denotes something as 'first' or 'most-important' Latin, first, most important primary pro- denotes something as 'before' another Greek , before, in front of procephalic proct- anus, rectum Greek proctology prosop- face Greek , face, visage, mask prosopagnosia prot- denotes something as 'first' or 'most important' Greek , first; principal, most important protoneuron pseud- denotes something false or fake Greek , to lie or deceive pseudoephedrine psor- Itching Greek , itch, mange, scurvy psoriasis psych- of or pertaining to the mind Greek , breath, life, soul psychology , psychiatryptero-, ptery- Pertaining to a wing; 'pterygo-', wing-shaped Greek , wing, feather lateral pterygoid plate -ptosis falling, drooping, downward placement, prolapse Greek , falling apoptosis, nephroptosis -ptyal-,ptyalo saliva , salivary glands, sialadenptyalolithiasis -ptysis spitting Greek , to spit up, disgorge; + , added to verb stems to form abstract nouns or nouns of action, result or process hemoptysis, the spitting of blood derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes pulmon-, pulmo- of or relating to the lungs Latin, a lung pulmonary py- pus Greek , pelvis, wash basin pyelonephritis pykno- to thicken Greek , thickening pyknosis pylor- gate Greek , gate keeper; lower orifice of the stomach pyloric sphincter pyr- fever Greek, , fire, heat, fever antipyretic
Q–R Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example four Latin quadriceps radi- radiation Latin, I radiate, emit beams; from, ray of light , spoke of a wheel radiowave radic- referring to the beginning , or the root, of a structure, usually a nerve or a vein Latin, root radiculopathy re- again, back Latin relapse rect- rectum abbr. of New Latin rectum intestinum < Latin, straight rectal , rectum, rectus femoris ren- of or pertaining to the kidney Latin, kidney renal reticul- net Latin reticulocyte retro- backward, behind Latin retroversion , retrovertedrhabd- rod shaped, striated Greek , wand, stick, stripe rhabdomyolysis rhachi- spine Greek , spine or backbone rachial, rachialgia, rachidian, rachiopathy rhin- of or pertaining to the nose Greek, ῥῑνο-, nose rhinoceros , rhinoplastyrhod- denoting a rose-red color Greek , rose rhodophyte -rrhage, -rrhagia burst forth, rapid flow Greek , to break, to burst hemorrhage , menorrhagia-rrhaphy surgical suturing Greek hymenorrhaphy , neurorrhaphy-rrhea flowing, discharge Greek , flow, flux galactorrhea , diarrhea -rrhexis rupture Greek , breaking, bursting, discharge karyorrhexis -rrhoea flowing, discharge Greek , flow, flux diarrhoea rubr- of or pertaining to the red nucleus of the brain Latin, red rubrospinal -rupt break or burst Latin erupt, interrupt
S Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example salping- of or pertaining to tubes, e.g. Fallopian tubes Greek, σαλπιγγ-,, trumpet salpingectomy , salpingopharyngeus muscle sangui-, sanguine- of or pertaining to blood Latin, blood sanguine sapro- relating to putrefaction or decay. Greek sapros ‘putrid' saprogenic sarco- muscular, flesh-like Greek , flesh sarcoma, sarcoidosis schist- split, cleft Greek , cloven, divided schistocyte schiz- denoting something "split" or "double-sided" Greek , I split, cleave, part; irregular formation of the verb σχῐ́ζειν, to cut, split schizophrenia scler- hard Greek scleroderma -sclerosis hardening Greek , hard, harden; + , added to verb stems to form abstract nouns or nouns of action, result or process atherosclerosis , multiple sclerosis scoli- twisted Greek , curved, bent scoliosis -scope instrument for viewing Greek , watcher stethoscope -scopy process of viewing Greek , to look at, behold, examine endoscopy scoto- darkness Greek scotopic vision semi- one-half, partly Latin semiconscious sial- saliva, salivary gland Latin, saliva. sialagogue sigmoid- sigmoid, S-shaped curvature Greek , crescent-shaped, lunate sigma-shaped sigmoid colon left, left side Latin sinus- of or pertaining to the sinus Latin, a curve, bend, hollow cavity, bosom sinusitis sito- food, grain Greek sitophobia somat-, somatico- body, bodily Greek somatic somn Sleep Latin, sleep, drowsiness insomniac -spadias slit, fissure Greek , break, split hypospadias , epispadias spasmo- spasm Greek Spasmodic dysphonia sperma-, spermo-, spermato- semen, spermatozoa Greek , seed, semen spermatogenesis splanchn-, splanchn- viscera Greek , bowels, guts splanchnology splen- spleen Greek, σπλην-, spleen, milt splenectomy spondyl- of or pertaining to the spine, the vertebra Greek / σπόνδυλος, the spine spondylitis squamos- denoting something as "full of scales" or "scaly" Latin, full of scales, scaly squamous cell -stalsis contraction Greek , I dispatch, place, set peristalsis -stasis stopping, standing Greek , to stand, place, set cytostasis , homeostasis -staxis dripping, trickling Greek, στακτός, drip, leak, trickle sten- denoting something as narrow in shape or pertaining to narrowness Greek , narrow, short stenography -stenosis abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure Greek , narrow, short; + , added to verb stems to form abstract nouns or nouns of action, result or process restenosis , stenosis steth- of or pertaining to the upper chest, the area above the breast and under the neck Greek , chest, cuirass stethoscope stheno- strength, force, power Greek , mouth stomatogastric , stomatognathic system -stomy creation of an opening New Latin, opening; from Greek colostomy sub- beneath, under Latin subcutaneous tissue super- in excess, above, superior Latin superior vena cava supra- above, excessive Latin supraorbital vein sy, syl-, sym-, syn-, sys- indicates similarity, likeness, or being together; assimilates before some consonants: before l to syl- , s to sys- , before a labial consonant to sym- Greek , with, together symptom, synalgia , synesthesia , syssarcosis
T Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example tachy- denoting something as fast, irregularly fast Greek , fast, quickly tachycardia -tension, -tensive pressure Latin, stretching, extension, tension hypertension terato- Monster Greek teratoma, teratogen tetan- rigid, tense Greek tetanus thec- case, sheath Greek intrathecal thel- of or pertaining to a nipple Greek , a teat, nipple Theleplasty , thelarche thely- denoting something as relating to a woman, feminine Greek , female, feminine Thelygenous therap- treatment Greek hydrotherapy, therapeutic therm- heat Greek hypothermia thorac-, thorac-, thoracico- of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest; the area above the breast and under the neck Latin < Greek , chest, cuirass thoracic, thorax thromb- of or relating to a blood clot, clotting of blood Greek , lump, piece, clot of blood thrombus , thrombocytopenia thyr- thyroid Greek , large oblong shield; + , a form or shape - thym- emotions Greek , spirit, soul; courage; breath, mind, emotions dysthymia -tic pertaining to Greek , adjective-forming suffix denoting: relating to, able to, suited to toco- childbirth Greek tocolytic -tome cutting instrument Greek , intersection -tomy act of cutting; incising, incision Greek Gastrotomy ton- tone, tension, pressure Greek , rope, cord; tension -tony tension Greek -τονία top- place, topical Greek Topical anesthetic tort- twisted Latin Torticollis tox-, tox-, toxic- toxin , poisonGreek , bow, bow-related; from Greek τοξικόν φάρμᾰκον, poison for smearing arrows with Toxoplasmosis trache- trachea Greek , windpipe Tracheotomy trachel- of or pertaining to the neck Greek , neck tracheloplasty trans- denoting something as moving or situated across or through Latin, across, through Transfusion tri- three Latin triangle, triceps trich-, trichia, trich- of or pertaining to hair, hair-like structure Greek , hair trichocyst -tripsy crushing Greek , rubbing, friction lithotripsy -trophy nourishment, development Greek , food, nourishment pseudohypertrophy -tropic turned toward, with an orientation toward, having an affinity for, affecting Greek tróp geotropic tympan- eardrum Greek , drum, eardrum tympanocentesis
U Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example -ula, -ule small Latin Nodule ultra- beyond, excessive Latin ultrasound , ultraviolet umbilic- of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus Latin, navel, belly-button umbilical ungui- of or pertaining to the nail, a claw Latin, nail, claw unguiform , ungual un- one Latin unilateral hearing loss [|ur-] of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system Greek οὐρέω, οὐρεῖν ; , urine antidiuretic , diuresis, diuretic , dysuria , enuresis, polyurea , polyuria , uraemia/uremia , uremic, ureter, urethra, urologyurin- of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system Latin, urine < Greek οὖρον, see ur- above. uriniferous uter- of or pertaining to the uterus or womb Latin, womb, uterus uterus
V Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example vagin- of or pertaining to the vagina Latin, sheath, scabbard; vagina vaginal epithelium varic- swollen or twisted vein Latin varicose vas- duct, blood vessel Latin, vessel, dish, vase vasoconstriction vasculo- blood vessel Latin ven- of or pertaining to the veins, venous blood, and the vascular system Latin, blood-vessel, vein venule , venospasm ventr- of or pertaining to the belly, the stomach cavities Latin, belly, stomach, womb ventrodorsal ventricul- of or pertaining to the ventricles; any hollow region inside an organ Latin, the ventricles of the heart , the ventricles of the brain cardiac ventriculography , atrioventricular node -version turning Latin anteversion , retroversionvesic- of or pertaining to the bladder Latin, bladder, blister vesical arteries viscer- of or pertaining to the internal organs, the viscera Latin , internal organ viscera
X–Z Affix Meaning Origin language and etymology Example xanth- having a yellow color, especially an abnormally yellow color Greek , yellow xanthopathy xen- foreign, different Greek , foreign, stranger xenograft xer- dry, desert-like Greek , dry xerostomia , xerodermaxiph- sword Greek , sword xiphisternum , xiphoid , xiphoidalgia-y condition or process of Latin, from Greek, , suffixes used to form abstract nouns surgery ze- boil Greek , to boil, seethe, bubble eczema zo- animal, animal life Greek zoology zym- fermentation Greek , leaven, yeast enzyme, lysozyme
English meanings This section contains lists of different root classification. Each list is alphabetized by English meanings, with the corresponding Greek and Latin roots given.Roots of the body Roots of bodily concepts Bodily concept Greek root in English Latin root in English Other root in English digestion -pepsia – – disease -pathy – – eating -phagia -vory –
Body parts and substances Body part or component Greek root in English Latin root in English Other root in English abdomen abdomin- – aorta aort- – – arm – armpit – artery – – back – big toe – allic-, hallic- – bladder – blood haemat-, hemat- , sanguin- – blood clot – – blood vessel angi- , – body somat-, – bone – bone marrow, marrow – brain encephal- – breast mamm- – chest pector- – cheek parei- bucc- – ear aur- – eggs, ova oo- ov- – eye ophthalm- ocul- optic- eyelid blephar- cili-, palpebr- – face prosop- faci- – fallopian tubes salping- – – fat, fatty tissue lip- adip- – finger dactyl- digit- – forehead – front- – gallbladder cholecyst- fell- – genitals , sexually undifferentiatedgon-, phall- – – gland aden- – – glans penis or clitoridis balan- – – gums – gingiv- – hair trich- capill- – hands cheir-, chir- manu- – head cephal- capit- – heart cardi- cordi- – hip, hip-joint – cox- – horn cerat- cornu- – intestine enter- – – jaw gnath- – – kidney nephr- ren- – knee gon- genu- – lip cheil-, chil- labi- – liver hepat-, jecor- – loins, pubic region episi- pudend- – lungs pneumon- pulmon-, – marrow, bone marrow myel- medull- – mind psych- ment- – mouth stomat- or- – muscle my- – – nail onych- ungui- – navel omphal- umbilic- – neck trachel- cervic- – nerve; the nervous system neur- nerv- – nipple, teat thele- papill-, mammill- – nose rhin- nas- – ovary oophor- ovari- – pelvis pyel- pelv- – penis pe- – – pupil cor-, core-, coro- – – rib pleur- cost- – rib cage thorac-, thorac- – – shoulder om- - – sinus – sinus- – skin dermat-, cut-, cuticul- – skull crani- – – stomach gastr- ventr- – testis orchi-, orchid- – – throat pharyng- – – throat laryng- – – thumb – pollic- – tooth odont- dent- – tongue gloss-, glott- lingu- – toe dactyl- digit- – tumour cel-, onc- tum- – ureter ureter- ureter- – urethra urethr-, urethr- urethr-, urethr- – urine, urinary system ur- urin- – uterine tubes salping- salping- – uterus hyster-, metr- uter- – vagina colp- vagin- – vein phleb- ven- – vulva episi- vulv- – womb hyster-, metr- uter- – wrist carp- carp- –
Roots of color Color Greek root in English Latin root in English Other root in English black atr-, nigr- – blue cerule- – gold – gray , grey can- – green vir- – purple porphyr- purpur-, purpureo- – red , rhod- rub-,, – red-orange cirrh- – – silver – – white leuc-, leuk- alb-, cand- – yellow
Roots of description Description Greek root in English Latin root in English Other root in English bad, incorrect cac-, dys- mal- mis- bent, crooked ankyl- prav- – big mega-, megal- magn- – biggest megist- maxim- – broad, wide eury- lat- – cold cry- frig- – dead necr- mort- – equal is- equ- – false pseud- fals- – female, feminine thely- – – flat platy- plan- – good, well eu- ben-, bon- – great mega-, megal- magn- – hard scler- dur- – heavy bar- grav- – hollow coel- cav- – huge megal- magn- – incorrect, bad cac-, dys- mal- mis- irregular poikil – – large; extremely large mega- magn- – largest megist- maxim- – long macr- long- – male, masculine arseno- vir- – narrow sten- angust- – new ne- nov- – normal, correct orth- rect- – old paleo- veter- – sharp oxy- ac- – short brachy- brev- – small micr- parv- – smallest – minim- – slow brady- tard- – fast tachy- celer- – soft malac- moll- – straight orth- rect- – thick pachy- crass- – varied, various poikilo- vari- – well, good eu- ben- – wide, broad eury- lat- –
Roots of position Description Greek root in English Latin root in English Other root in English around, surrounding – internal, within – left laev-, sinistr- – middle medi- – right dexi- –
Prefixes of quantity or amount Description Greek root in English Latin root in English Other root in English double diplo- dupli- – equal iso- equi- – few oligo- pauci- – half hemi- semi- demi- many, much poly- multi- – twice dis- bis- –
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