Common Latin and Greek Roots and Terms

a-,an-
not, without (abiogenesis, anamniote)
acanth-
thorn (acantha, Acanthias, acantho)
aer-
air (aerobe, anaerobic, anaerobiosis)
-agogue
carrying away, drive out (cholagogue, chloragogue)
all-
other (allergy, allometric)
allelon-
of one another (allele, allelomorphic, parallel)
amph-
both, on both sides (amphiaster, amphibian, amphoteric)
amyl-
starch (amylase, amylopsin, paramylum)
ana-
up, back, anew, again (anabolism, anaphase)
andr-
man (adrogen, gynander)
anth-
flower (anther, Anthozoa, Helianthus)
anthrop-
man (anthropology, anthropoid, Pithecanthropus)
anti-
opposite, against (antiseptic, antigen, antibody)
apo-
from, off from (aponeurosis, apochromatic)
arch-
beginning, primitive, ancient (archenteron, Archeopteryx)
argyr-
silver (argyrol, argyrophil)
arthron
joint (Arthropod, arthritis, arthrodial, arthrosis)
asc-
bottle, bag, bladder (Ascidian, ascon, Ascomycetes, ascus)
-ase
suffix to word denoting substrate and signifying an enzyme acting on that substrate (zymase,
sucrase)
aster, astr- star (amphiaster, Asterias, astrocyte)
auto- self (autonomic, auto-intoxication)
aux-
growth, increase (auxin, auxospore)
axon
same (axocyte, axonal)
bacter-, bactr-
same (bacterium)
basidi-
pedestal (basidium, Basidiomycetes, basidiospore)
basil-
king, royal, important (basilic, Basiliscus)
basis, -es
base, bottom (basilar, basipodite)
bath-, bathy-
depth or height (Bathornis, bathysphere)
blast-
bud, sprout, germ (blastoderm, osteoblast)
brachy-
short (brachydactyly, brachycephalic)
brady-
slow (bradycardia)
branch-
gill (branchia, branchial, Lamellibranch, branchio-)
bronchus
air tubes (bronchial, bronchoscope)
bryo-
moss (bryology, Bryophyta, Bryozoa)
cac-
bad (cachexia, cacophony)
caen-
recent (caenozoic) See cene. Also spelled kaen, ken
cata
down (catabolism, catalyst) Also spelled kata
cele
tumor, hernia (celosomia, hydrocele)
cello-
belly (celiac, cellotomy) Also coelio
cen-
empty, void (cenosis) Also ken-kenophobia
cene
recent (cenogenesis, pliocene) Also kene
centrum
center (centrifuge, centroacinar)
cephale
head (cephalic, encephalon)
chaete
hair (Chaetognathia, Oligochaeta)
chilo-
lip (chilognathouranoschisis, Chilomastix)
chir-
hand (chiropodist, chirurgeon, Chiroptera)
chlor-
green (chlorophyl, chloragogue)
chrom-, chromat-
color (chromosome, chromatin, achromatic)
coel-
same as celo; hollow (coelom, Coelenterata)
crypt-
hidden (crypt, cryptic, cryptogram)
cyt-
hollow, cell (leucocyte, cyton, cytoplasm)
derm-, dermat-
skin (dermal, dermis, dermatome, pachyderm)
dia
through (dialysis, diaphragm, diarrhea)
diplo-
double (diploid, diploblastic)
dis-, di-
apart from, asunder (dissect, diverge)
drilus, -i
worm, lizard - combining forms of names of worms, (Megadrili, Microdili) Also crocodilus
dys
difficult, painful, ill (dyspnea, dysgenic, dysfunction)
ec
out of (ecdysis, ectopic) Also for oec
echin-
hedgehog, spiny (Echinodermata, echinous)
ecto
out, outside (ectoderm, ectoplasm)
em
in (empyema)
emys
tortoise - prefix and suffix of names (Emysuchus, Graptemys)
en
in (encapsulate, encysted)
endo
in, inside (endoderm, endoplasm, endocrine)
eo-
dawn (Eoanthropus, eocene, eolith)
epi
upon, on top of (epidermis, epinephrine, epistasis)
erythro-
red (erythrocyte, erythrophyl, erythrophage)
ethm-
sieve, strainer (ethmo-, ethmoid)
ethn-
people, race (ethnic, ethnology)
eu
well, very, exceedingly (Eutheria, eugenic)
ex
from, out (exostosis, excurrent)
exo
outside, on outside (exocrine, exoskeleton)
-gale
weasel, martin, cat - suffix of names of cat-like animals (Spilogale, Boreogale; also Galeodes)
gam-
marriage (gamete, gametophyte, cryptogram, monogamy)
gaster, gastr-
belly (gasterangiemphraxis, gastro-, gastrula)
ge-
earth (geology, geotropism)
gen-, geno-, -geny, genesis
bring to life, create, make (gene, genetics, genotype, parthenogenesis, sporogenous, zymogen)
gram-
writing (diagram, electrocardiogram)
graph, -y
writing (kymograph)
gyn-, gynec-
woman (gynander, gynecology)
haplo-
single, simple (haploid)
helio-
sun (heliotropism, Heliotropium, Heliozoa)
helminth-
worm (Platyhelminthes)
hemi-
half, incomplete (Hemichordata, hemiazygos, Hemiptera)
hepat-
liver (hepatic, hepatectomy)
hetero-
other, different (heterosis, heterozygote, heterodont
histo-
web, tissue (histology, histocyte, (also histiocyte), histogenesis)
hystero
womb, uterus (hysterectomy, hysteropexy, hysteria)
holo-
all, entire, whole (holoblastic, holophytic, holozoic, holism)
homeo-
like (homeopath)
homo-
alike (homology, homogenize, homozygote, Homoptera)
hyal-
glass (hyaline)
hydr-
water (hydrolysis, hydrophobia, anhydrous, hydrophilic)
hyper-
above, over, excessive (hypertonic, hypertrophy)
hypn-
sleep (hypnosis)
hypo
under, lower, deficient (hypotonic, hypoglossal, hypostasis)
iso-
equal (isotonic, isosmotic, isomer, anisogamy)
-ite, -ites, -itis
1) division of body (somite) 2) salt or ester of an -ous acid (sulphite)
-ites
suffix denoting pertaining to (ascites); fossil form (Ammonites)
-itis
suffix denoting inflammation (appendicitis)
-ize
denominative verb form used as suffix (catheterize, anaesthetize) Also spelled ise
leuc-
white (leucocyte, leucopenia, leucemia) Also spelled leuko-
-log, -logy
word, study, doctrine (analog(ue), biology, homologous)
lys-, lyt-
unfasten, dissolve (analysis, proteolytic)
-ma, mata
indicating the result of an action (empyema, traumatic)
macro-
large (macrocyte, macrophage, macronucleus)
meg-, megal-
great (megaspore, megalomania, acromegaly)
melan-
black (melanin, melanophore)
mes-
middle (mesentery, mesoderm)
meta
after, beyond, change or transformation (metabolism, metamorphosis, metaphase, metencephalon);
metabola - combining form referring to type of metamorphosis
meter, metr-
measure (thermometer, biometry)
micro-
small (micron); plural form - micra; micronucleus, microscope
mio-
less, smaller (miocene)
mono-
one, single (monosaccharide, monoecious)
morph-
form, structure (morphology, metamorphosis, polymorphonuclear, amorphous)
myces, mycetes
fungus mycelium, mycology, mycosis); used both as prefix and suffix of names, e.g., Mycetozoa,
Schizomycetes
myco-
mucus (mycocyte, Mycobacteriaceae)
myel-
marrow (myelencephalon, myelin, myelitis, myeloblast, myelocyte, myelogenous, myeloid,
poliomyelitis)
mys, my-
1) mouse - used as prefix and suffix of names of mouselike animals, e.g. Mysateles, Geomys. Must
not be confused with emys (q.v.). 2) muscle (from mouse shape) - endo-, peri-, epimysium,
myasthenia, myalgia. Usually in form of myo: myology, myocardium, myotome, myomere,
myometrium
myx-
slime, mucus (Myxinoidei, myxedema, Myxomycetes)
necro-
dead (necrosis, necrotic)
neo-
new, recent (neopallium, neoplasm)
nom-
law (taxonomy, autonomic)
odont-
tooth (odontology, homodont, odontoblast)
oec-, ec-
house (dioecious, ecology, economy)
-oid
like (neuroid, toxoid)
oligo-
few (oligodendroglia, oligodynamic)
oön
egg (oötheca, cumulus oöphorus)
ont-
being (paleontology, ontogeny)
ophithalmo-
eye (ophthalmoscope)
opisth-
behind, at the back (opisthocoelus, opisthotic, Opisthocesmia)
opsis
sight, appearance - suffix to names of animals signifying similarity to another animal - Doridopsis,
similar to Doris
ornis, ornith-
bird (Alcippornis, ornithology, Neo-ornithes)
ortho-
straight (orthogenesis, Orthoptera, orthopedist)
-osis
denoting a condition (leucocytosis, dermatomycosis)
osteo-
bone (osteology, Teleostei)
ot-
ear (otalgia, otic, otology)
oxus, oxy-
sharp, pointed (Amphioxus, oxygen, Oxyura)
pachy-
thick (pachyderm)
paed-
child (paedognesis)
paleo-
old (paleontology, paleocene)
palin-
again, back (palingenesis)
pan, pant-
all panspermy, pangenesis, panthothenic)
para
beside, near, wrong in (parathyroid, parachordal, Paranoia); combining form of names denoting
close relationship to principal form - Parapeneus
parthen-
virgin (parthenogenesis)
path-, pathy
suffer, pain (pathology, sympathetic)
pauro-
little, few - combining form of names denoting fewness of some structure - Pauropoda
ped-
child (pediatrics, pedagogue)
penia
poverty, reduced amount (leucopenia)
peri
around (periosteum, pericardum, perineurium, perimetrium)
phag-
devour (phagocytosis, bacteriophage, anthropophage)
phaner-
visible, manifest (Phanerogam, phaneroscope)
pharmac-
drug (pharmaceutical, pharmacist, pharmacology)
phase
appearance - one of the stages of development - metaphase; a distinct portion of a heterogenous
system, e.g. oil and water
pheno-
appearance (phenotype, phenology)
-phil
loving (eosinophil, hydrophil, hemophilia, philanthropy)
-phob
hating (hydrophobe, hydrophobia, Helophobius)
photo-
light (photosynthesis, photoscopic)
phren-
1) diaphragm (diaphragm) 2)mind (phrenology, aphrenia)
phyl-
tribe, race (phylum, phylogeny, phyletic)
phyll-
leaf (phyllotaxis, chlorophyll)
physi-
1) nature, constitution (physics, physiology, physique 2) growth (epiphysis, hypophysis, apophysis)
phyt-
plant (phytopathology, Thallophyta, saprophytic)
platy-
flat (Platyhelminthes, Platypus, amphiplatyan)
pleo-
more (pleomorphism, pleonasm, pleochromatic
pleio-
more (pleiocene, pleiotropia)
pleist-
most (pleistocene)
plesio
near (plesiomorphism, Plesiosaurus)
pleur-
side (pleura, pleural, pleurisy,somatopleure)
pneuma, pneumat-
breath, air (pneumatic, pneumon [lung])
pod-
foot (pseudopod, pseuodpodium, Cephalopod)
poikilo-
manifold (poikilothermous, poikilocyte)
poly-
many (polybasic, polychromatic, polymer, polymorphic, polyp); poly and pous - foot; Combining
form of names, meaning many of some structure (Polyodontidae)
pro
before (prophase, pronephros)
prote-
Proteus, a god who could change his form at will - protean, Proteo - combining form of names
denoting changeable shape (Proteomyxa, Proteosoma)
proto-
first, primitive (protoplasm, protein, protozoa)
pseud-
false (pseudopod, pseudostratified); combining form of names signifying not true form
(Pseudopallene)
psyche
mind (psychic, psychobiology, psychopathic, psychosis)
pter-, ptery-, pterid-
wing (pterygoid, Pteridophyta, Crossopterygii, Pterodactyl)
-ptera
suffix denoting type of wing of many orders of insects (Diptera); also winged mammals
(Chiroptera)
py-, pyo-
pus (pyemia, pyogenic, Pyococcus, pyorrhea)
pycn-
thick, dense (pycnidium, pycnotic)
pyel-
pan, pelvis (pyelitis, pyelogram)
pyg-
buttocks (pygalgia, Pygopodes, cytopyge, steatopygous)
pyr-
fire (pyrexis, pyrogenic, pyromania, pyromania, pyrophobia)
raphe
seam (raphe anococcygea, raphe scroti)
-raphy
suturing, stitching (cardiorrhaphy)
rhag-
burst (hemorrhage)
rhe-
flow (rheobase, rheotropism); when preceded by a short vowel another r added: diarrhea, catarrh,
hemorrhoids
rhex-
rupture (cardiorhexis)
rhiz-
root (rhizome, mycorrhiza, Rhizopoda)
rhod-
rose (rhododendron, rhodopsin)
salpinx, salping-
trumpet - the Fallopian and Eustachian tubes (salpingitis, salpingocyesis)
sanus-, -a, -um
healthy - sane (sanity)
sapr-
rotten (sapremia, saprine, saprophyte, saprozoic)
sarx, sarc-
flesh (Sarcodina, sarcoma, sarcomere, sarcoplasm, sarcostyle)
scaph-
skiff (scaphocephalic, scaphoid)
schisto-
split, cleaved (schistocyte, Schistosoma)
schiz
split, cleave (shizaxon, Schizomycetes, schizophrenia)
scler-
hard (sclera, sclerectomy, sclerosis, sclerotome)
scop-
to see (scopophobia, microscope)
sepsis, septic-
putrefaction, rotting, infection (antiseptic, septicemia)
sesemo-
seed of sesame plant (sesemoid)
sial-
saliva (sialaden, sialagogue, sialorrhea)
sider-
iron (siderism, siderophil, siderosis)
sigma
letter s - sigma reaction, sigmoid flexure
sito-
food (sitology, stiotoxin, sitotropism, parasite)
skia
shadow (skiagram, skiascopy, skiodan)
soma, somat-
body (somatic, somatology, somatoplasm, somatopleure, somite, chromosome)
sperm-, spermat-
seed (sperm-aster, spermatic, spermatid, spermatocyte, Spermatophyta, spermatozoon,
spermatozoid)
sphen-
wedge (sphenoid, sphenopalatine, sphenotic)
sphincter
that which binds, band - pyloric sphincter, sphincter pupilae, sphincteroscope
sphygmo-
pulse (sphygmograph, sphygmomanometer, asphyxia)
spir-
coil (spireme, Spirochaeta, Spironema)
splanch-
internal organs (splanchnic, splanchnopleure)
spondyl-
vertebra (spondylarthritis, spondylosis, spondylous)
spor-
seed (sporangium, spore, sporogeny, Sporozoa)
stadium, -a
measure - stage of disease, interval in metamorphosis
staphyl-
bunch of grapes, the uvula (staphylitis, Staphylococcus)
stasis, stat-
standing still (hemostasis, hemostat, static)
stear-, steat- ,dd>fat (steapsin, stearin, steatopygous)
sten-
narrow (stention, stenopeic, stenosis)
stereo-
solid (stereocilium, stereoisomer, stereoscope)
sternum
chest (sternebra, sternocleidomastoid)
stetho-
chest (stethemia, stethograph, stethoscope)
stigma, stigmat-
mark (astigmatism, stigmatic, stigmatodermia)
stoma, stomata, -stomy
mouth (stomodaeum, enterostomy)
strepto-
twisted, curved (strepticemia, Streptococcus, Streptothrix, streptotrichal)
styl-
pillar, beam (style, styliform, styloid, stylus)
sym or syn
together (symbiosis, symphysis, syncytium, synapse, synthesis)
syrinx, syring- pipe, tube (Syringa, syringe, syringomyelia)
tach-, tachy-
swift, speed (tachometer, tachycardia)
tarsus
wicker-work frame - instep (tarsale, medial tarsalis, tarsotibial)
taxis
arrangement, order (phyllotaxis, taxonomy)
tele-, telo-
end, distant (telecephalon, telephase or telophase)
tera-, terat-
monster (teratism, teratology, teratosis)
tetanus
tension (tetanic, tetanotoxin, tetany)
tetra
four (tetrabasic, tetrad, tetravalent)
thalamus
bed, bedroom (thalamencephalon, thalamic, thalamocortical)
thallus
young shoot (Thallophyta, thallospore)
theca, -ae
case, chest, sheath, a box (theca folliculi, thecitis, thecodont, oötheca)
thel
nipple (thelitis, thelium, epithelium)
ther-
wild beast (Therapsids, Theromorphia, -therium); English: -there(s); combining form of names of
mammals (Eutheria, Titanotherium or Titanothere)
therm-
heat (therm, thermal, thermometer, thermopile, thermos, isotherm, homothermous)
thio-
sulphur (thioacid, Thiobacillus, thiophilic)
thorax, thorac-
breastplate, the chest (thoracic, thoracolumbar)
thrix, trich-
hair (Ulothrix, Trichina, trichinosis)
thrombus
clot (thrombin, thrombogen, thrombosis)
thymus
excrescence, gland (thymectomy, thymocyte)
thymus
thyme (pro. time) (thymene, thymol)
thyre-
shield (thyreoid or thyroid, thyroxin)
tome, tomy
cut (myotome,microtome, anatomy, appendectomy)
tox-, toxic
poison (toxin, toxoid, intoxication)
trapez-
a table or counter (medial trapezius, trapezium, trapezoid)
trauma, trauat-
wound (traumatic, tamuatism, traumatology)
trop-
turning (tropism, geotropic, heliotrope)
troph-y
nourishment (trophic, trophoblast, trophoderm, atrophy, hypertrophy, dystrophy)
tympanum
drum (typanal, tympanic, n. chorda tympani, tympano-)
typhlo-
blind, cecum (typhlosis, typhlosole)

Back to Index

U
ur-
tail (uropod, Urochordata, Anura)
ur-
urine (urea, uremia, urine, urology, ureter, urethra)

Back to Index

None Listed

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None Listed

Back to Index

xanth-
yellow (xanthein, Xanthium, xanthophyll)
xeno-
stranger (xenia, xenoparasite, Xenopsylla)
xer-
dry (xerasia, exrophilic, xerophyte, xerosis)
xiph-
sword (xiphisternum, xiphocostal, xiphoid)
xyl-
wood (xylan, xylem, Xylocarpus, xylol

zona
belt (zona radiata, zonule, zonary)
Zo¨o, zoa
living thing, animal (zolatria, zoic, zo¨ogenesis, zoology, Protozoa, speratozo¨on, azoic)
zyg-
yoke (zygapophysis, zygoma, zygote, azygos, homozygous)
zym-
yeast (zymase, zymogen, enzyme)

Latin Roots and Terms

a-, ab-, abs-

away from aversion (abductor, abstract)
ad-
to, towards (adductor) When used as a prefix the d is sometimes changed to the first consonant of
the following word, e.g., acclimate, afferent, assimilate; As a suffix it means towards the part of the
body indicated by word to which it is suffixed, e.g., cephalad, towards the head; caudad, towards
the tail
ala-
wing (alar, alate, aliform, alisphenoid)
amb-
both, on both sides (ambivalent, amboceptor)
ante-
before, in front of (antebrachium)
apex, apic-
tip, point (apex)
aqu-
water (aquarium, aquatic, aqueous humor)
arbor-
tree (Arbor Vitae, arboreal, arboretum)
arc-
bow, bent (arciform, Arcopetera, arcuate)
area
open space (a. opaca, areolar)
argent-
silver (argentaffin, argentine)
-aria
suffix denoting "like" or "connected with" - (Utricularia)
-arium
suffix denoting place of a thing (aquarium, herbarium)
ascendens
going up (aorta ascendens)
-ata
neuter plural ending of perfect participle used as suffix to name of some structure and signifying a
group of organisms characterized by that structure (Chordata, Vertebrata)
atrium, -a
entrance, room (atrial, atriopore)
aur-
1. aur (auroduct, Aurophysa); 2. ear (auropuncture); 3. gold (aureus, Aurococcus)
auricul-
dim of auris - ear (auricle, auricular)
axis
axle-tree (axial, epaxial, hypaxial)

bis-, bi-, bin-

double, twice (bisiliac, bilateral, binocular
brachium, -a
arm (brachial, brachio-)
brevis
short (caput breve, breviflex, breviradiate)
bursa, -ae
pouch (b. omentalis, bursate, bursitis)