Prefixes and Suffixes: A-C

Prefixes and Suffixes: A-C

• "a-, an-" signifies "without", "away from", or "not".
• "ab-, abs-" means "from", "away from", or "absent".
• "abdomin-, abdomino-" relates to the abdomen.
• "acanth-, acantho-" denotes "thorn" or "spine".
• "acous-, acoust-, acousto-" pertains to hearing.
• "acro-" indicates "extremity", "top", or an "extreme point".
• "actin-, actino-" refers to "ray" or "some form of radiation".
• "ad-" means "adherence", "increase", or "toward".
• "-ad" indicates "toward" or "in the direction of".
• "aden-, adeno-" refers to glands.
• "adip-, adipo-" denotes "fat".
• "adrenal-, adrenalo-" relates to the adrenal glands.
• "-aemia" signifies blood.
• "aer-, aero-" refers to air or gas.
• "-aesthesia, aesthesio-" is related to sensation.
• "af-" means "toward."
• "-agogue" defines an agent that promotes the expulsion of a specific substance.
• "-agra" indicates sudden severe pain.
• "-al" relates to something (e.g., abdominal, intestinal) or, in chemistry, an aldehyde.
• "albumin-, albumino-" denotes albumin.
• "-algesia, -algia" refers to suffering or pain.
• "algi-" describes pain.
• "all-" is related to "allo."
• "allo-, all-" means "other".
• "amb-, ambi-" refers to "both", "on both sides", or "around; about".
• "amph-, amphi-, ampho-" indicates "both", "on all sides", "double", or "around; about"
• "ana-, an-" means "up", "against", or "back".
• "an-" is related to "a-".
• "andro-" refers to "man", "male", or "masculine".
• "angi-, angio-" relates to blood or lymph vessels.
• "aniso-" means "unequal", or "asymmetrical" or "dissimilar".
• "ankyl-, ankylo-" crooked", "bent", or "fusion or growing together of parts".
• "ante-" means "before".
• "antero-" refers to something anterior, front, or before.
• "anthropo-" relates to human beings or human life.
• "ant-, anti-" means "against".
• "antr-, antro-" refers to an antrum.
• "apo-" means "from," "derived from," or "separated from; opposed".
• "arch-, arche-, archi-" means "first", "principal", or "beginning; original".
• "arteri-, arterio-" denotes artery.
• "arthr-, arthro-" relates to a joint.
• "-ase" signifies an enzyme.
• "-asis, -esis, -iasis, -isis, -sis" indicates a condition or pathological state.
• "astro-" refers to a star or being star-shaped.
• "atelo-" means "imperfect" or "incomplete".
• "ather-, athero-" denotes fatty plaque.
• "atmo-" relates to steam or vapor.
• "atreto-" indicates the absence of an opening.
• "aut-, auto-" means "self".
• "axio-" refers to an axis or the long axis of a tooth.
• "axo-" pertains to an axis or axon.
• "azot-, azoto-" denotes nitrogenous compounds.
• "bacteri-, bacterio-" refers to bacteria or bacterium.
• "balan-, balano-" relates to the glans clitoridis or glans penis.
• "bar-, baro-" indicates weight or pressure.
• "basi-, basio-" refers to a base or foundation.
• "bi-, bis-" signifies "two" or "double; twice".
• "bili-" refers to bile.
• "bio-" means "life".
• "bis-" is related to "bi-".
• "blast-, -blast" refers to a germ, bud, or embryonic state of development.
• "blenn-, blenno-" denotes mucus.
• "blephar-, blepharo-" relates to the eyelid.
• "brachio-" refers to the arm.
• "brachy-" means short.
• "brady-" denotes slow.
• "brom-, bromo-" refers to bromine.
• "bronch-, bronchi-, broncho-" relates to the airway.
• "bronchiol-, bronchiolo-" refers to bronchiole.
• "cac-, caci-, caco-" signifies "bad" or "ill".
• "calc-, calco-" denotes calcium.
• "calcan-, calcaneo-" relates to the calcaneum (heel bone).
• "carcin-, carcino-" refers to cancer.
• "cardi-, cardio-" relates to the heart.
• "carpo-" refers to the carpus.
• "cary-, caryo-" is related to "kary-."
• "cat-, cata-, cath-, kat-, kata-" signifies "down", "downward", destructive"," against" or "according to"
• "cath-" is related to "cat-".
• "cel-, celo-" relates to a tumor or hernia or a cavity.
• "-cele" refers to a tumor or swelling or a hernia
• "cent-" means "hundred".
• "cephal-, cephalo-" relates to the head.
• "cerebell-, cerebello-" refers to the cerebellum.
• "cervic-, cervico-" means neck or the neck of an organ.
• "cheil-, cheilo-" is related to "chil-".
• "chem-, chemo-" relates to a chemical or drug.
• "chil-, chilo-" means lip or lips.
• "chir-, chiro-" refers to the hand.
• "chlor-, chloro-" denotes green.
• "chol-, chole-" pertains to bile or gall.
• "cholangi-, cholangio-" relates to a bile vessel.
• "cholecyst-, cholecysto-" refers to the gallbladder.
• "choledoch-, choledocho-" pertains to the bile duct.
• "chondr-, chondro-" relates to cartilage.
• "chrom-, chromo-" refers to color.
• "-cide" means causing death.
• "cine-" means movement.
• "circum" means "around".
• "clavicul-, claviculo-" relates to the clavicle.
• "-cle, -cule" means "little", e.g., molecule, corpuscle
• "cleid-, cleido-" refers to the clavicle.
• "co-, com-, con-" means "together."
• "colp-, colpo-" is related to "kolp-".
• "contra-" means "against" or "opposite".
• "crani-, cranio-" relates to the skull or cranium.
• "cry-, cryo-" refers to cold.
• "-cusia, -cusis" means hearing.
• "cyan-, cyano-" denotes blue.
• "cycl-, cyclo-" refers to circular, cyclical, or the ciliary body of the eye.
• "cyst-, cysto-, -cyst" relates to a cyst or urinary bladder.
• "cyt-, cyto-, -cyte" refers to a cell.
• "dacry-" means "tears".
• "dactyl-, dactylo-" refers to a finger or toe.
• "de-" signifies "from", "down", or "not".
• "dec-, deca-" means "ten".
• "deci-" means "one tenth".
• " demi-" refers to half.
• "dent-, denti-, dento-" relates to teeth.
• "derm-, derma-, dermato-, dermo-" refers to skin.
• "deuter-, deutero-, deuto-" signifies "second; secondary".
• "dextro-" denotes "right".
• "di-" can mean "double", "twice", or "two", or apart from.
• "dia-" means "through; between; asunder".
• "dipla-, diplo-" means "double; twin".
• "dips-, dipso-" denotes thirst.
• "dis-" denotes "double", "twice", "negative", "apart", or "absence of".
• "dors-, dorsi-, dorso-" relates to the back.
• "duoden-, duodeno-" refers to the duodenum.
• "-dynia" means "pain".
• "dys-" signifies "difficult", "bad", or "painful".
• "-eal" means "pertaining to."
• "ec-, ecto-" signifies "out; on the outside".
• "-ectomy" denotes excision.
• "ectro-" means "congenital absence of a part".
• "ef-, es-, ex-, exo-" signifies "out".
• "electr-, electro-" refers to electricity.
• "embol-, embolo-" means plug.
• "-emesis" refers to vomiting.
• "-emia" relates to blood.
• "en-" means "in; into".
• "enantio-" signifies "opposite".
• "end-, endo-" means "within".
• "ent-, ento-" signifies "within; inside".
• "enter-, entero-" refers to the intestine.
• "ep-, epi-" means "upon; over; at; in addition to; after".
• "episi-, episio-" relates to the vulva.
• "erythr-, erythro-" denotes red.
• "eschar-, escharo-" refers to a scab.
• "-esis" is related to "-asis".
• "esophag-, esophago-" refers to the esophagus.
• "-esthesia" means sensation.
• "etio-" refers to causation.
• "eu-" signifies "well; good; healthy; normal".
• "eury-" means "broad".
• "ex-, extra-" signifies "out; outside of; without".
• "-facient" means "causing; making happen".
• "femor-, femoro-" refers to the thigh.

Prefixes and Suffixes: F-M

• "-ferous" means "producing".
• "ferri-, ferro-" refers to iron
• "fibro-" relates to fibers or fibrous tissues.
• "fluo-" means "flow".
• "fluor-, fluoro-" signifies "luminous; fluorescence".
• "fore-" means "before; in front of".
• "-form" refers to form.
• "-fuge" means "to expel, to drive away, or fleeing".
• "galact-, galacto-" relates to milk.
• "gam-, gamo-" refers to marriage or sexual union.
• "gaster-, gastr-, gastro-" relates to the stomach.
• "gen-" means "producing" or "forming."
• "-gen, -gene, -genesis" signifies "producing" or "forming."
• "genito-" relates to the organs of reproduction.
• "gero-" means old age.
• "giga-" means billion.
• "gingiv-, gingivo-" relates to the gums (of the mouth).
• "-globin" refers to protein.
• "gluc-, gluco-, glyc-, glyco-" relates to sugar.
• "gnath-, gnatho-" relates to the jaw or cheek.
• "-gog, -gogue" means "make flow."
• "gon-, gono-" refers to semen, seed, genitals, or offspring.
• "gram" is a tracing or mark.
• "graph" is an instrument for recording/ drawing.
• "-graphy" denotes writing or record.
• "gravida" means preganant.
• "gyn-, gyne-, gyneco-, gyno-" relates to "woman; female."
• "gyro-" means "circle or spiral; ring".
• "hem-, hema-, hemato-, hemo-" pertains to blood.
• "hemi-" means "half".
• "hepat-, hepato-" refers to the liver.
• "heredo-" pertains to heredity.
• "heter-, hetero-" signifies "other; different".
• "hex-, hexa-" means "six".
• "histo-" relates to tissue.
• "hol-, holo-" means "complete, entire, or homogeneous".
• "homeo-" signifies "likeness; resemblance".
• "homo-" means "same; likeness".
• "hydra-, hydro-, hydr-" pertains to water.
• "hyo-" refers to the hyoid bone.
• "hyp-, hypo-" signifies "less than", "below", or "under".
• "hyper-" means "above; excessive; beyond".
• "hypno-" relates to sleep or hypnosis.
• "hyster-, hystero-" relates to the uterus.
• "-ia" indicates a condition, especially an abnormal state.
• "-iasis" relates to "-asis".
• "-iatric" means medicine or medical profession.
• "-ic" means "Pertaining to; relating to".
• "ichthyo-" refers to fish.
• "-id" refers to a secondary skin eruption that is distant from the primary infection site.
• "ideo-" refers to mental images.
• "idio-" signifies "individual; distinct".
• "ileo-" relates to the ileum.
• "ilio-" refers to the ilium or flank.
• "im-" relates to in. Used before b, m, or p.
• "immun-, immuno-" means immune or immunity.
• "in-" indicates "in", "inside", or "within; negative".
• "infra-" means "below; under; beneath".
• "inter-" means "between; in the midst".
• "intra-, intro-" signifies within or into.
• "ipsi-" means same or self.
• "irid-, irido-" refers to the iris.
• "ischio-" relates to the ischium.
• "-isis" means SEE: -asis
• "-ism" refers to a condition or theory.
• "iso-" means equal.
• "-ite" refers to the nature of or chemical salt.
• "-itis" means inflammation
• "-ize" means to treat by special method
• "jejuno-" relates to the jejunum.
• "juxta-" means "close proximity".
• "kary-, karyo-" refers to the nucleus or a nut.
• "kat-, kata-" means SEE: cat-
• "kera-, kerato-" refers to horny substance or cornea.
• "ket-, keto-" refers to ketone bodies.
• "kinesi-, kino-,-kinesis" means movement
• "kilo-" means thousand".
• "klepto-" means to "steal".
• "kolp-, kolpo-, colp-, colpo-" refers to the vagina.
• "kypho-" means "humped".
• "kysth-, kystho-" refers to vagina.
• "lab-, labi-" refers to lip.
• "lact-" refers to milk.
• "laparo-" refers to flank or abdominal wall.
• "laryng-, laryngo-" relates to the larynx.
• "latero-" means "side".
• "leio-" signifies "smooth".
• "-lepsy" refers to a seizure.
• "leuk-, leuko-, leuc-" relates to white blood cells.
• "lepido-" are "flakes;scales."
• "lepto-" means "thin; fine; slight; delicate."
• "liguo-" refers to the tongue.
• "lip-, lipo-" relates to fat.
• "-lite, -lith, lith-, litho-" refers to a stone or calculus.
• "-logia, -logy" is the study of.
• "lord-, lordo-" refers to curve or swayback
• "lumbo-" relates to the loins.
• "lyo-" means to loosen or dissolve.
• "-lysis" means to loosen, dissolve, or reduce.
• "macr-, macro-" means large or long.
• "mal-" means "ill, bad, poor"
• "mamm-, mammo-" relates to the breast.
• "-mania" refers to frenzy or madness.
• "mast-, masto-" relates to the breast.
• "meat-, meato-" relates to opening or meatus.
• "med-, medi-, medio-" means middle.
• "medull-, medullo-" is the soft inner part or the medulla.
• "mega-, megalo-, megalo-" refers to a Large size.
• "-megalia,-megaly" refers to "enlargment of a part".
• "meio-, mio-" means smaller or less.
• "melan-, melano-" means black.
• "mening-, meningo-" refers to the meninges.
• "menta-, mento-" refers to the mind.
• "mes-, meso-" refers to the middle mesentery.
• "mesio-" refers to the middle.
• "meta-" refers to change or transformation.
• "metacarp-, metacarpo-" refers to the metacarpus.
• "-meter" refers to measure.
• "metr-, metra-. metro-" refers to the uterus.
• "micr-, micro-" indicates small.
• "mio-" SEE: meio-
• "mon-, mono-" refers to single or one.

Prefixes and Suffixes: M-Z

• "muc-, muci-, muco-, myxa-, myxo-" relates to mucus.

• "multi-" many much

• "musculo-, my-, myo-" relates to muscle.

• "myc-, myco-" refers to fungus.

• "myel-, myelo-" relates to the spinal cord or bone marrow.

• "myring-, myringo-" refers to the tympanic membrane or eardrum.

• "myx-, myxo-" SEE: muc-

• "nano-" is one billionth; dwarfism.

• "narco-" refers to numbness or stupor.

• "naso-" refers to the nose.

• "necr-, necro-" relates to death or necrosis.

• "neo-" indicates new or recent.

• "nephr-, nephra-, nephro-" relates to the kidney.

• "neur-, neuri-, neuro-" relates to the nerves or the nervous system.

• "nitr-, nitro-" signifies nitrogen.

• "non-" indicates no.

• "normo-" is normal or usual

• "noso-" means disease.

• "noto-" refers to back.

• "nucleo-" refers to nucleus.

• "nyct-, nycto-" refers to night or darkness.

• "ob-" means "against".

• "occipit-, occipito-" relates to the occiput

• "octa-, octo-" refers to eight.

• "oculo-" refers to the eye.

• "-ode, -oid" refers to form; shape; or resemblance

• "odont-, odonto-" refers to the teeth or tooth.

• "-odynia, odyno-" refers to pain.

• "-oid" SEE: -ode

• "oleo-" is oil.

• "olig-, oligo-" meaning few or small.

• "-ology" science study of

• "-oma" means tumor.

• "omo-" means shoulder.

• "omphal-, omphalo-" refers to the navel.

• "onco-" refers to tumor, swelling, or mass.

• "onych-, onycho-" refers to fingernails and toenails.

• "oo-, ovi-, ovo-" refers to egg or ovum.

• "oophor-, oophoro-, oophoron-" refers to the ovary.

• "ophthalm-, ophthalmo-" refers to the eye.

• "-opia" refers to vision

• "opisth-, opistho-" means backward.

• "-opsy" refers to a view of

• "optico-, opto-" refers to eye or vision.

• "-orexia" refers to Appetite

• "orchi-, orchid-, orchido-" refers to the testicle

• "oro-" refers to the mouth

• "ortho-, ortho-" refers to "straight; correct; normal; in proper order"

• "os-" refers to mouth or bone.

• "oscheo-" refers to the scrotum.

• "-ose" refers to carbohydrate; primary alteration of a protein

• "-osis" refers to condition; status, process; abnormal increase.

• "osmo-" odor; smell; impulse; osmosis

• "-ostomosis, -ostomy, -stomosis-, -stomy" is a created mouth or outlet.

• "ot-, oto-" refers to the ear.

• "-otomy" refers to cutting.

• "-ous" possessing, full or pertaining to.

• "ovi-, ovo-" SEE: oo-

• "ox-" refers to oxygen.

• "oxy-" referring to Sharp, keen acute,acid.

• "pach-, pachy-" refers to "thick".

• "-pagus" refers to twins joined at a specific site.

• "pali-, palin-" recurrence or repetition

• "pan-" refers to all or entire something

• "pant-, panto-" all or the whole of something.

• "papulo-" refers to pimple; papule.

• "para-, -para" near, alongside; departure from normal or bearing offspring.

• "patell-, patello-" refers to patella or kneecap.

• "path-, patho-,-path, -pathic- ,-pathy, " refers to disease or suffering.

• "ped-, pedi-, pedo-" refers to foot.

• "pedia-" is child.

• "pedicul-, pediculo-" refers to louse.

• "-penia" refers to decrease from normal; deficiency.

• "pent, penta-" equal to five.

• "-pepsia" digestion.

• "per-" = Throughout; through; utterly;intense

• "peri-" = Around; about

• "perineo-" = Perineum

• "pero-" = Deformed

• "peritoneo-" = Peritoneum

• "petro-" = Stone; petrous portion of the temporalbone

• "-pexy" = Fixation, usually surgical

• "phaco-" = Lens of the eye

• "phag-, phago-" = Eating; ingestion; devouring

• "phalang-, phalango-" = Phalanges (bones of fingers and toes)

• "phall-" = Penis

• "pharmaco-" = Drug; medicine

• "pharyng-, pharyngo-" = Pharynx

• "-phasia" = Speech

• "-phil, -philia, -philic" = Love for; tendency toward;craving for

• "phlebo-" = Vein

• "phobia" = Abnormal fear or aversion

• "phono-" = Sound; voice

• "phoresis" = Transmission

• "-phoria" = Turning with reference to the visualaxis

• "photo-" = Light

• "phren-, phreno-, -phrenia" = Mind; diaphragm

• "phylaxis" = Protection

• "physico-" = Physical; natural

• "physio-" = Pertaining to nature

• "physo-" = Air; gas

• "phyt-, phyto-" = Plant; something that grows

• "pico-" = One trillionth

• "picr-, picro-" = Bitter

• "-piesis" = Pressure

• "pimel-, pimelo-" = Fat

• "plagio-" = Slanting; oblique

• "-plakia" = Plaque

• "-plasia" = Growth; cellular proliferation

• "-plasm" = Living substance or tissue

• "-plastic" = Molded; restoration of features

• "platy-" = Broad

• "-plegia" = Paralysis; stroke

• "pleur-, pleuro-" relates to side and rib

• "-ploid" identifies the number of chromosome pairs in a cell

• "plur-, pluri-" refers to several or more items

• "pneo-" relates to breath or breathing

• pneum refers to air, gas for respiration pneumo refers to the

• "air lung" pneumato refers to .

• "pod-, podo-" refers to the foot

• "-poiesis, -poietic" pertains to production or formation

• "poikil-, poikilo-" indicates something varied and irregular

• "polio-" relates to the gray matter of the nervous system

• "poly-" indicates much or many

• "post-" mean after

• "postero-" indicates posterior

• "-praxis" Act, activity or practice use

• "pre-" indicates before

• "presby-" indicates old age

• "pro-" Before; in behalf of

• "proct-, procto-" Anus or rectum

• "proso-" Forward anterior

• "prostat-, prostato-" indicates prostate glands

• "pseud-, pseudo-" false

• "psych-, psycho-" Mind mental processes

• "psychro-" cold

• "-ptosis Prolapse" downward displacement

• "pubio-, pubo-" refers to Pubic bone or region

• "pulmo-" lung

• "py-, pyo-" Pus

• "pycn-, pycno-, pykn- ,pykno-" describes something dense, thick, compact, or frequent

• "pyg-, pygo-" Buttocks

• "pyle" An orifice, esp. of the portal vein

• "pyloro-" Gatekeeper

• "pyreto-" Fever

• "pyro" Heat fire

• "quadr quadri-" Fours.

• "quinqu-" five.

• "rachi-, rachio-" refers to the spine.

• "radio-" light energy or substance

• "-re"Back again

• "recto-" is straight rectum.

• "ren-, reno" refers to the kidney.

• "reticulo-" indicatesRetuiculum.

• "retro-" indicates Backwards or behind

• "rhabdo-"Rod.

• "rheo or (-r)rhea" indicate Current stream stream to flow ot discharge

• "rhino-" Nose.

• "rhizo-" root.

• "rhodo-" red.

• "roseo-" Rose Colored

• "-(r)rhage or Rrhagia" means "" or Rrhagia. Rrphagia

• rupture.

• "-(r)rhaphy" means "a suturing or stitching."

• "(r)rhexis' Rupf of a specific body part.

• Sacchar indicates" sugar'.

• "(sacchara0 or "" SaccharO

• " sacro" indicates sucrum.

• "salping or salpingo" indicates aud or Tube.

• "Sap orPutr Rotten "sarco flesh ""scapho scaphod' Scato "schezo- Division Split"

• ""senho' means Schis, or " "sclero- means Hard , or relating of "scleros" hardness hardness .""

• "-scope the "" or Examinaling"" or scop refers to Examina and . -seboness fatty substance . substance.

• semt-half" seven sern sero serum.

• "scoto-" Darkness :sesqui ofone of half." "sesto Half

• "serof Half"

• .