Suffix Prefix DictionaryA Section of Biology Dictionary Suffix Prefix Dictionary is the best available online dictionary of biological and medical suffixes and prefixes. It defines more biomedical suffixes and prefixes than any other online source. It also provides examples of each. To find prefix meanings for prefixes beginning with a particular letter, click on the corresponding letter in this table:
To find suffix meanings for suffixes beginning with a particular letter, click on the corresponding letter in this table:
There are many affixes (suffixes and prefixes) used by biologists in constructing scientific names and terminology. In general, they are either of Latin or Greek derivation. An affix is a letter or series of letters attached to the beginning or end of a word, word base, or phrase to produce a derivative word with a new meaning. For example, in the word termitary, the suffix -ary, means connected with or belonging to, is attached to the end of the word termite (after dropping the e). So a termitary, a mound where termites live, is a place belonging to termites. When a suffix beginning with a consonant is added to a stem or prefix ending with a consonant, a vowel, usually o, is added as a connector. In constructing their terminology, scientists usually, but not invariably, use components with the same derivation. That is, there is a strong tendency to avoid mixing Latin and Greek elements in a single word or name. —To bookmark this page, hold down the CTRL key (for macs, hold down the Apple key) and press D. —How to thank Macroevolution.net for its existence? Tell a friend about us, link your blog or website to a page on this site, or add the site to iGoogle. —Send us your comments and suggestions! We want this page to be easy to understand and use. If you have any problems, please let us know using the form just below. BIOLOGY DICTIONARY--BIOLOGY DAILY NEWS--RECENT BIOLOGY ARTICLES--MITOSIS DIAGRAMS--MEIOSIS DIAGRAMS--SUFFIX PREFIX DICTIONARY(TOP OF PAGE)--HOME |