biography prefix meaning

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Definition of biography

Did you know.

So You've Been Asked to Submit a Biography

In a library, the word biography refers both to a kind of book and to a section where books of that kind are found. Each biography tells the story of a real person's life. A biography may be about someone who lived long ago, recently, or even someone who is still living, though in the last case it must necessarily be incomplete. The term autobiography refers to a biography written by the person it's about. Autobiographies are of course also necessarily incomplete.

Sometimes biographies are significantly shorter than a book—something anyone who's been asked to submit a biography for, say, a conference or a community newsletter will be glad to know. Often the word in these contexts is shortened to bio , a term that can be both a synonym of biography and a term for what is actually a biographical sketch: a brief description of a person's life. These kinds of biographies—bios—vary, but many times they are only a few sentences long. Looking at bios that have been used in the same context can be a useful guide in determining what to put in your own.

Examples of biography in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biography.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Late Greek biographia , from Greek bi- + -graphia -graphy

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Dictionary Entries Near biography

biographize

Cite this Entry

“Biography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biography. Accessed 20 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of biography, more from merriam-webster on biography.

Nglish: Translation of biography for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of biography for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about biography

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Bio Words: A Comprehensive List of Words that Start with Bio

By: Author ESLBUZZ

Posted on Last updated: September 5, 2023

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Are you a biology enthusiast or just looking to expand your vocabulary? If so, you might be interested in learning about these bio words.  In this article, we will explore some of the most common and interesting bio words that you can use in your studies as well as casual conversations.

So, let’s dive in and discover some of the most interesting and useful words that start with this prefix!

Bio words – Image

Understanding Bio Words

When you see the prefix ‘bio’ in a word, it refers to something related to life or living organisms. This prefix comes from the Greek word ‘bios’, which means ‘one’s life, course or way of living, lifetime’. The prefix ‘bio’ is commonly used in scientific and medical fields to refer to living organisms and their constituents.

Here are some examples of words that start with ‘bio’ and their meanings:

• Biology : the study of living organisms and their interactions with each other and their environment.
• Biography : an account of someone’s life, usually written by someone else.
• Biome : a large ecosystem characterized by its climate, vegetation, and wildlife.
• Biosphere : the part of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere where living organisms exist.
• Biopsy : the removal of a small sample of tissue from a living body for examination.

It’s important to note that the prefix ‘bio’ is not the same as the prefix ‘geo’, which refers to the Earth or the environment. For example, ‘geography’ is the study of the Earth’s physical features, while ‘biology’ is the study of living organisms.

Common Bio Words

One of the most well-known words that start with “bio” is biology. This field of science is concerned with the study of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, and evolution. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in biology, you might study topics like genetics, ecology, and microbiology.

Another common word that starts with “bio” is biography. This term refers to a written account of someone’s life, often including details about their upbringing, education, career, and personal relationships. Biographies can be found in many different genres, including nonfiction, memoir, and historical fiction.

The biosphere is another term that starts with “bio.” This word refers to all of the living organisms on Earth, as well as the environments in which they live. The biosphere includes everything from the depths of the ocean to the tops of the mountains, and it plays a crucial role in supporting life on our planet.

Biodegradable

If you’re interested in sustainability and environmentalism, you might be familiar with the term biodegradable. This adjective refers to materials that can be broken down by natural processes, such as bacteria and fungi. Biodegradable materials are often used in products like packaging and clothing to reduce waste and pollution.

Biochemical

Finally, we have the word biochemical. This term refers to the chemical processes that occur within living organisms, including the reactions that allow us to metabolize food and produce energy. Biochemical research is an important field of study in medicine, as it helps us to better understand how our bodies function and how we can treat diseases.

Less Common Bio Words

Bioluminescence.

Bioluminescence is the emission of light by living organisms, such as fireflies, glowworms, and some types of jellyfish. It’s a fascinating phenomenon that has captured the attention of scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. Bioluminescence has many potential applications, including in medical imaging, environmental monitoring, and bioluminescent art.

Biomimicry is the practice of using nature as a model for human design. It involves studying natural systems and processes and applying those insights to solve human problems. Biomimicry has led to some remarkable innovations, such as Velcro (inspired by the way burrs stick to clothing) and bullet trains (designed to mimic the aerodynamics of a kingfisher’s beak).

A biopsy is a medical procedure in which a small sample of tissue is taken from the body for examination under a microscope. Biopsies are commonly used to diagnose cancer, but they can also be used to diagnose other conditions, such as infections and autoimmune disorders. There are many different types of biopsies, including needle biopsies, surgical biopsies, and endoscopic biopsies.

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is the application of computer science and statistics to the field of molecular biology. It involves the use of computational tools to analyze and interpret biological data, such as DNA sequences and protein structures. Bioinformatics has become an essential tool in many areas of biology, including genomics, proteomics, and drug discovery.

Biorhythm is the idea that there are three cycles that govern a person’s physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being. These cycles are known as the physical cycle, the emotional cycle, and the intellectual cycle. Biorhythm theory suggests that a person’s performance in these areas is influenced by the phases of these cycles. While biorhythm theory is not widely accepted by the scientific community, some people still find it interesting and use it to track their own cycles.

Scientific Bio Words

Biophysics is a field of study that combines biology and physics. It focuses on the physical principles that govern the behavior of living organisms. Biophysicists use techniques such as X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and electron microscopy to study the structure and function of biological molecules. Some examples of biophysical research include studying the mechanics of proteins and the interactions between molecules in cells.

Bioengineering

Bioengineering is the application of engineering principles to biological systems. It involves designing and developing new technologies and devices to improve human health and the environment. Bioengineers work on projects such as developing artificial organs, designing prosthetic limbs, and creating new medical imaging techniques. They also work on environmental projects such as developing new ways to clean up pollution and designing sustainable agriculture systems.

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the use of living organisms or their products to create new technologies and products. It involves using genetic engineering and other techniques to manipulate the DNA of organisms to produce desired traits. Biotechnology has many applications, including developing new medicines, creating new crop varieties, and producing biofuels . Some controversies surrounding biotechnology include concerns about the safety of genetically modified organisms and the ethics of using animals for research.

Bioethics is the study of ethical issues related to biology and medicine. It involves examining questions such as whether it is ethical to use animals in research, whether it is ethical to genetically modify organisms, and whether it is ethical to use certain medical treatments. Bioethicists work to develop guidelines and policies to ensure that scientific research is conducted ethically and that the benefits of scientific research are balanced against any potential risks.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of living organisms on Earth. It includes all living things, from the smallest bacteria to the largest animals. Biodiversity is important because it helps to maintain the balance of ecosystems and provides many benefits to humans, such as food, medicine, and clean water. However, biodiversity is under threat due to factors such as habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution. Conservation efforts are underway to protect biodiversity and ensure that future generations can enjoy the benefits of a diverse and healthy planet.

Congratulations! You have reached the end of our article on bio words. We hope that this article has been informative and helpful in expanding your vocabulary.

As you can see, there are plenty of words that begin with “bio” that are worth knowing. From biology to biography, these words can be useful in a wide variety of contexts. Whether you are a student, a writer, or just someone who enjoys learning new words, we hope that you have found this article to be a valuable resource.

Remember, expanding your vocabulary is an ongoing process. Don’t be afraid to keep exploring and learning new words. And if you come across any other interesting words that begin with “bio,” be sure to share them with your friends and colleagues.

Thank you for reading, and happy learning!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common bio words?

There are many common words that start with the prefix ‘bio’. Some examples include biology, biography, biodegradable, biochemistry, and bioinformatics. These words are often related to life, living organisms, and the study of living things.

What is the meaning of the prefix ‘bio’?

The prefix ‘bio’ comes from the Greek word ‘bios’, which means life. When added to the beginning of a word, it usually indicates that the word is related to living organisms or the study of living things.

How can the prefix ‘bio’ be used to create new words?

The prefix ‘bio’ can be combined with other words to create new words that relate to living things or the study of living things. For example, ‘bioluminescence’ refers to the production of light by living organisms, while ‘biomechanics’ combines ‘bio’ with ‘mechanics’ to describe the study of how living organisms move.

What are some Greek words that start with ‘bio’?

In addition to ‘bios’, there are many other Greek words that start with ‘bio’. Some examples include ‘biota’, which refers to all the living organisms in a particular area, and ‘biome’, which describes a large ecological community of plants and animals.

Which scientific fields commonly use words that start with ‘bio’?

Many scientific fields use words that start with ‘bio’, including biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and biotechnology. These fields all involve the study of living organisms or the use of living organisms to develop new technologies.

What are some examples of ‘bio’ words used in social media hashtags?

Some popular social media hashtags that use ‘bio’ words include #biotech, #biohacking, and #biogas. These hashtags are often used to discuss new developments in biotechnology, ways to improve health and wellness through biohacking, and the use of biogas as a renewable energy source.

Some descriptive words that can be used in creative writing are:

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Adjectives	Meanings
Blissful	Extremely happy
Euphoric	Intensely happy or confident
Serene	Calm and peaceful
Luminous	Radiating or reflecting light
Whimsical	Playfully quaint or fanciful

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Here are some examples of academic words:

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Words	Meanings
Hypothesis	A proposed explanation for a phenomenon
Paradigm	A typical example or pattern of something
Empirical	Based on observation or experiment
Pragmatic	Dealing with things in a practical way
Synthesize	To combine or create something by the integration of various elements

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Where can I find the Academic Word List in PDF format?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

The Academic Word List can be found in PDF format on the website of the University of Reading.

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Here are some good vocabulary words for narrative writing:

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Words	Meanings
Enigma	A mystery or puzzle
Melancholy	A feeling of sadness or depression
Nostalgia	A sentimental longing for the past
Resilience	The ability to recover from difficulties
Sublime	Of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the Academic Word List and what is its meaning?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

The Academic Word List is a list of words that are commonly found in academic texts. It is intended to help students improve their vocabulary and comprehension of academic texts.

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One way to improve your English vocabulary using root words is to learn prefixes and suffixes. For example, the prefix \"un-\" means \"not\", so if you know the word \"happy\" and the prefix \"un-\", you can figure out that \"unhappy\" means \"not happy\". Similarly, the suffix \"-able\" means \"able to be\", so if you know the word \"read\" and the suffix \"-able\", you can figure out that \"readable\" means \"able to be read\".

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biography (n.)

1680s, "the histories of individual lives, as a branch of literature," probably from Medieval Latin biographia , from later Greek biographia "description of life" (which was not in classical Greek, bios alone being the word there for it), from Greek bios "life" (from PIE root *gwei- "to live") + graphia "record, account" (see -graphy ).

The meaning "a history of some one person's life" is from 1791. The meaning "life course of any living being" is by 1854. No one-word verb form has become common; biographise / biographize (1800), biography (1844), biograph (1849) have been tried.

Entries linking to biography

"a memoir of a person written by himself," 1797, from auto- + biography . Related: Autobiographical ; autobiographer ; autobiographic .

"one who writes an account of the life and actions of a person," 1715, from biography + -er (1). Earlier was biographist (1660s). Biographee for the one written about is from 1841.

Of every great and eminent character, part breaks forth into public view, and part lies hid in domestic privacy. Those qualities which have been exerted in any known and lasting performances may, at any distance of time, be traced and estimated; but silent excellencies are soon forgotten; and those minute peculiarities which discriminate every man from all others, if the are not recorded by those whom personal knowledge enabled to observe them, are irrecoverably lost. [Johnson, "Life of Sir Thomas Browne," 1756]

biographical

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Trends of biography

More to explore, share biography.

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Dictionary entries near biography

biogeography

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biography noun

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What does the noun biography mean?

There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun biography . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

How common is the noun biography ?

How is the noun biography pronounced?

British english, u.s. english, where does the noun biography come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun biography is in the mid 1600s.

OED's earliest evidence for biography is from 1661, in the writing of John Fell, bishop of Oxford.

biography is a borrowing from Latin.

Etymons: Latin biographia .

Nearby entries

• biognosy, n. 1880
• biograph, n. 1825–
• biograph, v. 1776–
• biographee, n. 1812–
• biographer, n. 1644–
• biographic, adj. 1752–
• biographical, adj. 1668–
• biographically, adv. ?1719–
• biographist, n. a1661–
• biographize, v. 1793–
• biography, n. 1661–
• biography, v. 1794–
• biographying, n. 1858–
• biohacker, n. 1988–
• biohacking, n. 1992–
• biohazard, n. 1965–
• biohazardous, adj. 1973–
• bioherm, n. 1928–
• biohermal, adj. 1937–
• bioidentical, adj. 1995–
• bioimaging, n. 1983–

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Meaning & use

Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for biography, n..

biography, n. was revised in November 2010.

biography, n. was last modified in July 2023.

oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:

• further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into biography, n. in July 2023.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1887)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

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Biology Prefixes and Suffixes Index

You can easily understand scientific terms through prefixes and suffixes

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Have you ever heard of pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis ? This is an actual word, but don't let that scare you. Some science terms can be difficult to comprehend: By identifying the affixes -- elements added before and after base words -- you can understand even the most complex terms. This index will help you identify some commonly used prefixes and suffixes in biology .

Common Prefixes

(Ana-) : indicates upward direction, synthesis or buildup, repetition, excess or separation.

(Angio-) : signifies a type of receptacles such as a vessel or shell.

(Arthr- or Arthro-) : refers to a joint or a junction that separates different parts.

(Auto-) : identifies something as belonging to oneself, occurring within or occurring spontaneously.

(Blast- , -blast) : indicates an immature developmental stage.

(Cephal- or Cephalo-) : referring to the head.

(Chrom- or Chromo-) : denotes color or pigmentation.

(Cyto- or Cyte-) : regarding or relating to a cell.

(Dactyl-, -dactyl) : refers to a digit or tactile appendages such as a finger or toe.

(Diplo-) : means double, paired or twofold.

(Ect- or Ecto-) : means outer or external.

(End- or Endo-) : means inner or internal.

(Epi-) : indicates a position that is above, on or near a surface.

(Erythr- or Erythro-) : means red or reddish in color.

(Ex- or Exo-) : means external, out of or away from.

(Eu-) : means genuine, true, well or good.

(Gam-, Gamo or -gamy): refers to fertilization, sexual reproduction or marriage.

(Glyco- or Gluco-) : pertains to a sugar or a sugar derivative.

(Haplo-) : means single or simple.

(Hem-, Hemo- or Hemato-) : denoting blood or blood components (plasma and blood cells).

(Heter- or Hetero-) : means unlike, different or other.

(Karyo- or Caryo-) : means nut or kernel, and also refers to the nucleus of a cell.

(Meso-) : means middle or intermediate.

(My- or Myo-) : means muscle.

(Neur- or Neuro-): referring to nerves or the nervous system .

(Peri-) : means surrounding, near or around.

(Phag- or Phago-) : pertaining to eating, swallowing or consuming.

(Poly-): means many or excessive.

(Proto-) : means primary or primitive.

(Staphyl- or Staphylo-) : referring to a cluster or bunch.

(Tel- or Telo-) : denoting an end, extremity or final phase.

(Zo- or Zoo-) : pertaining an animal or animal life.

Common Suffixes

(-ase) : denoting an enzyme. In enzyme naming, this suffix is added to the end of the substrate name.

(-derm or -dermis) : referring to tissue or skin.

(-ectomy or -stomy) : pertaining to the act of cutting out or the surgical removal of tissue.

(-emia or -aemia): referring to a condition of the blood or the presence of a substance in the blood.

(-genic): means giving rise to, producing or forming.

(-itis): denoting inflammation, commonly of a tissue or organ .

(-kinesis or -kinesia): indicating activity or movement.

(-lysis) : referring to degradation, decomposition, bursting or releasing.

(-oma): indicating an abnormal growth or tumor.

(-osis or -otic) : indicating a disease or abnormal production of a substance.

(-otomy or -tomy) : denoting an incision or surgical cut.

(-penia) : pertaining to a deficiency or lack.

(-phage or -phagia) : the act of eating or consuming.

(-phile or -philic) : having an affinity for or strong attraction to something specific.

(-plasm or -plasmo) : referring to tissue or a living substance.

(-scope) : denoting an instrument used for observation or examination.

(-stasis) : indicating the maintenance of a constant state.

(-troph or -trophy) : pertaining to nourishment or a method of nutrient acquisition.

While knowing suffixes and prefixes will tell you much about biological terms, it's helpful to know a few other tricks for deciphering their meanings, including:

• Breaking down words : Breaking down biological terms into their component parts can help you decipher their meanings.
• Dissections: Just as you might dissect a frog "to separate (it) into pieces," as Merriam-Webster explains, you can also break down a biological term to "expose" its "several parts for scientific examination."
• The Biology Suffix -lysis
• Biology Prefixes and Suffixes: glyco-, gluco-
• Biology Prefixes and Suffixes: -penia
• Biology Prefixes and Suffixes: haplo-
• Biology Prefixes and Suffixes: dactyl-, -dactyl
• Biology Prefixes and Suffixes: Ex- or Exo-
• Biology Prefixes and Suffixes: Zoo- or Zo-
• Types of Cells in the Human Body
• Biology Prefixes and Suffixes: ana-
• Biology Suffixes Phagia and Phage
• Biology Prefixes and Suffixes: proto-
• Karyo- or Caryo- Biology Prefixes and Suffixes
• Biology Prefixes and Suffixes: -plasm, plasmo-
• Biology Prefixes and Suffixes: chrom- or chromo-
• Biology Prefixes and Suffixes: staphylo-, staphyl-
• Biology Prefixes and Suffixes: -stasis

List Of Words With The Prefix “bio”

Explore the world of words with the prefix ‘bio’! The prefix ‘bio’ is derived from the Greek word ‘bios’ which means ‘life’. It is used to form words related to life, living organisms, and ecology.

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The words arranged in the lists below are in order of frequency of use, from left to right and down.

Table of Contents

List Of 4-Letter Words With The Prefix “bio”

List of 5-letter words with the prefix “bio”, list of 7-letter words with the prefix “bio”, list of 8-letter words with the prefix “bio”, list of 9-letter words with the prefix “bio”, list of 11-letter words with the prefix “bio”, list of 12-letter words with the prefix “bio”, list of 13-letter words with the prefix “bio”, list of 15-letter words with the prefix “bio”, list of 16-letter words with the prefix “bio”, list of 17-letter words with the prefix “bio”.

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Meaning of bio- in English

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• anatomically correct
• anti-Darwinian
• entomological
• entomologist
• experiment station
• organically
• overstimulate
• overstimulated
• overstimulation
• photosynthetically
• survival of the fittest

Translations of bio-

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Living with 'Bio'

Quick summary.

The Greek root word bio means ‘life.’ Some common English vocabulary words that come from this root word include bio logical, bio graphy, and amphi bi an. One easy word that is helpful in remembering bio is bio logy, or the study of ‘life.’

The Greek root word bio means ‘life,’ and gives rise mostly to words from the realm of the ‘life’ sciences.

We’ve all taken bio logy (or bio ) classes, in which you learn all about ‘life.’ Bio logical processes have to do with the way ‘living’ organisms function. Micro bio logists study small ‘life’ forms, such as bacteria, viruses, and other one-celled organisms.

Speaking of life forms, amphi bi ans, such as frogs and salamanders, can ‘live’ both in water and on land. Amphi bio us military vehicles, such as tanks, can also operate or ‘live’ in both water and on land.

A bio graphy (or bio ) is a book that tells all about the events in someone’s ‘life,’ written by an author other than the subject of the ‘life’ history. An auto bio graphy, on the other hand, is a history of a person’s ‘life’ written by that person.

The adjective aero bi c refers to the oxygen a ‘life’ form requires in order to ‘live.’ Aero bi cs are simply exercises which cause ‘living’ organisms, such as yourself, to breathe faster as your body consumes more oxygen. Anaero bi c exercise almost completely depletes the oxygen from a ‘living’ organism’s body, such as an all-out sprint which leaves you gasping for air!

Sym bio tic organisms ‘live’ together, each needing the other to survive. An example of a mutually beneficial sym bio sis or ‘living’ together is between the clownfish and the anemone (think “Finding Nemo”). In this relationship which increases survival rates, the clownfish gets a protective home, and the anemone gets cleaned by the clownfish.

And just where can living organisms live and thrive? Why, in a bio sphere of course, or those parts of the Earth that support and allow the existence of ‘life.’

You can now add the knowledge of this handy root word bio to your, well, knowledge bio , which will hopefully make the rest of your vocabulary ‘life’ a bit more livable!

• biology : study of ‘life’
• microbiology : study of very small ‘life’ forms
• amphibian : ‘life’ living in water and on land
• biography : a ‘life’ history
• symbiosis : two ‘life’ forms living together
• aerobic : pertaining to air for ‘life’ to exist
• anaerobic : lacking air for ‘life’ to exist
• biosphere : part of the Earth where organisms ‘live’

Related Rootcasts

The fascinating parts of words.

Morphology is the study of how words are put together by using morphemes, which include prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Parsing the different morphemes in a word reveals meaning and part of speech. For instance, the word “invention” includes the prefix in- + the root vent + the suffix -ion , from which is formed the noun “invention.”

Etymology: Word Origins

Etymology is that part of linguistics that studies word origins. English vocabulary words are formed from many different sources, especially Latin and Greek. By determining the origins of the morphemes in English words, one is better able to remember and determine the dictionary definitions of words.

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Most Useful Biological Prefixes and Suffixes for the Biology Olympiad

martyna p March 5, 2019 Tips and Tricks

Students preparing for the biology olympiad should be able to recognize word parts since they often give a clue as to the meaning of a word. Science terminology is predominately based on the Latin and Greek languages. Thus, Biolympiads.com compiled a list of the most common word parts which are common in biology.

Prefix	Meaning	Example
A
a-, an-	not, without, lacking, deficient	apetalous, atypical
ab-	away from, out from	abaxial epidermis
acou-, acous-	hear	acoustic
-aceous	of or pertaining to	proteinaceous
ad-	to, toward	adaxial epidermis, adhere
aden-	gland	adenohypothesis
adip-	fat	adipocytes
aero-	air	aerophile
agglutin/o	clumping; sticking together	aggliutination
agri-	field, soil	Agrobacterium
aig-, -algia	pain	neuralgia
alb-	white	albino
-algia	pain	neuralgia
alto-	high	altitude
ambi-	both	ambivalence
ameb-	change, alternation	ameboid
amni-	fetal membrane	amnion
amphi-, ampho-	both	amphibolic, amphipathic, amphibians
amyl-	starch	amylopectin
ana-	away, up, back, again	anabolism
an-	without	anhydrous
andro-	male	androecium, androgen
anemo-	wind	anemophily
ang-	choke, feel pain	angina
angi-	blood, vessel, duct	angiogenesis, angiotensin
ante-	ahead of time, before	anterior
anter-	front	anterograde
antho-	flower	antophytes
anti-	against, opposite	antitoxin, antibody
antrhopo-	man, human	anthropology
apo-, ap-	away from, out from	apoplexy, apocarp
aqu-	water	aquaporin
archaeo-, arche-	primitive, ancient	archeology
arteri-	artery	arteriole
arthr-	joint	arthropod
aster-,	astr star	Asteroidea
-ase	enzyme	amylase
atmo-	vapor	atmosphere
audi-	hear	audible
aur-	ear	auricle
auto-	self	autoimmune
avi-	bird, flying	avian
B
bacter-, bactr-	bacterium, stick,	bactericidal
baro-	pressure	barophile, barometer
bi-	two	biradial
bi-, bio-	(Greek) life, living	abiotic, biotic
-blast-	sprout, germ, bud	blastula, erythroblast
brachi-	arm	triceps brachii
brachy-	short	brachycardia
brady-	slow	bradycardia
branchi-	fin	Branchiostoma
bronch-	windpipe	bronchioles
but-	with 4 carbons	butane
C
calor-	heat	calorimeter
capit-	head	decapitate
carcin-	cancer	carcinogeneic
cardi-	heart	cardiomyocyte
carn-	meat, flesh	carnivore
carp-	fruit	pericarp
carpal-	wrist	metacarpal
cata-	breaking down	catabolism
caud-	tail	caudal
centi-	hundredth	centipedes
centr-	center	central
cephal-	head	cephalic
cerebr-	brain	cerebrospinal
cervic-	neck	cervical vertebrae
cheli-, chela-	claw, pincer	chelicerate
chem-	dealing with chemicals	chemotherapy, chemotaxis
chir-	hand	Chiroptera
chlor-	green	chlorophyll
chondr-	cartilage	chondrocyte
chrom-, -chrome	chrome color	chromosome
chron-	time	heterochrony
-chym	chym juice	chyme
cide	to kill, a killer	bacteriocidal
circa-, circum-	around, about	circumvallate
co-	with	cooperativity
coel-, -coelom	cavity, space w/in body	acoelomates
coll-	glue	colligative
coni-	cone	conifer
contra-	against	contralateral
corp-	body	corpuscle
cort-, cortic-	outer layer	cortex
cotyl-	cup	cotyledon
counter-	against	counterattack
crani-	skull	extracranial
crypt-	hidden, covered	cryptic coloration
-cul-, -cule	small, diminutive	molecule
cuti-	skin	pulmocutaneous
cyan-	blue	cynobacteria
cyt-, cyto-, -cyte	, cyto-, -cyte cell, hollow container	cytoplasm
-cyst- sac	cyst- sac, pouch, bladder	oocyst
-cycle	ring, circle	pericycle
D
dactyl-	finger	polydactylyl
de-	away from, down	degradation
deca-	ten	decapod
deci-	tenth	decimeter
demi-	half	demineralisation
dendr-	tree	dendrochronology
dent-	tooth	periodontitis
derm-	skin	epidermis
di- bi-, du-, duo-, dipl-	two, double	biramaous
dia-	(Greek) through	diapedesis
digit-	finger, toe	digital artery
diplo-	two	diploblastic
dis-	apart, out	disequilibrium
dorm-	sleep	dormancy
dors-	back	dorsal
dynam-	power	dynamometer
dys-	bad, abnormal, difficult	dyspepsia
E
ec-	out of, away from	ectopic
echin-, echino-	spiny, prickly	echinoderm
eco-	house	ecology
-ectomy	ectomy	appendectomy
ecto-	outside of	ectoparasite
-emia	emia blood	anemia
en-, em-, endo-, ent-	in, into, within, inside	embolism, endoskeleton
encephal-	brain	encephalitis
ennea-, novem-	nine	–
enter-, entero-	intestine, gut	enterokinase
entom-	insects	entomology
-elle	elle small	micelle
epi-	upon, above, over	epiglottis
erythro-	red	erythrocyte, phycoerythrin
equi-	horse	equisetophyte
eth-	with 2 carbons	ethylene
eu-	proper, real, well, good, true, normal	eumetazoans
eury-	widen	euryhaline
ex-, exo-	out of, away from	exothermic
extra-	beyond, outside	extraembryonic
F
ferro-	iron	ferritin
-fer-	bear, carry, transport	afferent, efferent, transferin
fibr- fiber	fiber, thread	fibrinogen
fiss-, -fid	divided into, split	fission
flor-	flower	florigen
flu-,fluct-	flux flow	influx, eflux
foli-	leaf	–
fore-	before	forebrain
fract-	break	fracture
G
gam-	marriage	gamete
gastro-, gastr-	stomach	pneumogastric, gastrin
gen-	beginning	genetics, glycogen
geo	earth, land	geotaxis
gloss-	tongue	hypoglossal
gluc-, glyc-	sweet, sugar	glycosuria
glut-	buttock	gluteus
glyco-	glucose	glycogen
-gnath-	jaw	gnathostoma
-gnosis	gnosis knowledge, to know	diagnosis
graph	to write, to draw	electroencephalography
grav-	heavy	–
gymno-	naked, bare	gymnosperm
gyn-, -gynous	female	gynoecium
gyr-	ring, circle, spiral	gyrus
H
halo-	salt	halophile
hapl-, haplo-	simple	haploid
cent-, cente-	100	–
hector-	hundred	–
-helminth	helminth worm	anthelminthic
hem-, heme-, -hemo	blood	hemorrhage
hemi-	half	hemichordate
hepar-, hepat-	liver	hepatitis
hepta- septem-, septi-	seven	–
herb-	grass, plants	herbicide, herbivore
herp-	snakes, reptile	herpetology
hetero-	different, other	heterozygous
hex-, hexa-	six	–
hidr-	sweat	hidrosis
hist-	tissue	histology
holo-	entire, whole	holoblastic
homo-	man, human (Latin)	Homo sapiens
homo-	same, alike	homozygous
hort-	garden	horticulture
hydr-	water	hydrolytic
hygr-	moist, wet	hygrophile
hyper-	above, beyond, over	hypersecretion
hyph-	weaving, web	hyphae
hypo-	below, under, less	hyposecretion, hypocotyl
hyster-	womb, uterus	hysterectomy
I
-iasis	iasis disease, abnormal condition	atelectasis
ichthy-	fish	osteichthyes
ign-	fire	ignite
in-, il-, im-, ir-	not, toward, into	influx
-itis	itis inflammation	appendicitis
infra-	below, beneath	infrared
inter-	between	intercostal
intra-	inside	intrathoracic
iso-	equal, same	isovolumetric
ir-	not	irregular
K
kata-, cata-	down	catabolism
karyo-	nucleus	karyokinesis
kel-	tumor, swelling	–
kerat-	horn	keratin
kilo-	thousand	kilogram
kine-, kin-	move	kinetic, dyskinesia
L
lachry-	tear	lachrymal gland
lact-	milk	lactase, prolactin
lat-	side	ipsilateral
leuc-, leuk-	white, bright, light	leucocyte
lign-	wood	lignin
lingu-	tongue	lingual
lip-	fat	lipophobic
lith-, -lite	stone, petrifying	cholecystolithiasis
loc-	place	locus
logos, logy	study	biology
lumen-	light	chemolumenescence
luna	moon	–
lyso-, -lysis	break apart	hemolysis
lymph-, lympho-	lymph	lymphocyte
M
macr-, macro-	large	macrophage, macrocephaly
mal-	bad	malabsorption
malac-	soft	osteomalacia
malle-	hammer	malleus
mamm-	breast	mammary gland
marg-	border, edge	marginal
mast-	breast	mastocyte
med-	middle	–
meg-	million, great	megagametophyte
-mer	mer part	metamer
mela-, melan-	black, dark	melanoma, melena
mes-	middle, half, intermediate	mesencephalon
meso-	middle	mesolimbic
met-, meta-	between, along, after	metanephridia
meter	meter (unit)	centimeter
meth-	with 1 carbon	methyl
micro-	small, millionth	microorganism
mid-	middle	midbrain
milli-	thousandth	millimeter
min-	small	–
mis-	wrong, incorrect	–
mit, mis-	send	neurotransmitter
mito-	thread	mitosis
mole-	mass	molecule
mono-	one, single	monocyte, monosaccharide
morph-	form, body	morphology
mort-	death	postmortem
mot-	move	motile
multi-	many	multilobed
mut-, muta-	change	mutagen
my-, myo-	muscle	myosin, myoglobin
myc-	fungus	mycosis
mycel-	threadlike	mycelium
myco-	fungus	mycology
myriad-	many	myriapoda
N
nas-	nose	nasal
necro-	dead	necrosis
nemat-	thread	nematode
neo-	new, recent	neocortex
neprho-	kidney	nephritis
neuro-	nerve	neurilemma
noct-, nov-	night	noctural
non-	not	–
nuc-	center	nucleoplasma
O
ob-	against	obstruction
oct-	eight	octopus
ocul-	eye	ocular
odont-	teeth	odontology
-oid	oid similar to	lymphoid, ameboid
olf-	smell	olfaction
-ole	ole small	bronchiole
oligo-	few, little	oligosaccharide
omni-	all	omnivore
-oma	swelling, tumor	sarcoma
onc-	mass, tumor, bluk	oncosphere, oncotic pressure
onco-	cancer	oncology
oo-, ovul-, ova-	egg	oocyst
ophthalm-	eye	ophtalmology
opt-	eye	optic
orb-	circle, round, ring	orbital
ornith-	bird	ornithology
orth-	straight, correct, right	Orthoptera
oscu-	mouth	osculum
os-, oste-, osteo-	bone	osteology, osteocyte
oto-	ear	otitis
ov-	egg	oviduct, ovipositor
oxy-	sharp, acid, oxygen	anoxygenic
P
proto-	first, primary	protoxylem, protonephridia
pachy-	thick	pachytena
paleo-	old, ancient	paleontology
palm-	broad, flat	palmate
pan-	all	pandemic
par-, para-	beside, near, equal, alongside	parathyroid, parapodia
partheno-	virgin	parthenogenesis
path-, -pathy	disease	pathology
ped-	foot	pedipalp
pent-	five	pentameric
peri-	around	pericardium
permea-	pass, go	permeable
phago-	eat	phagocyte
-philia, -phil-	love, friendship	basophil, eosinophil
-phobia	fear, intense dislike	hydrophobic
phon-, -phone	sound	phonology
photo-	light	photoreceptor
-phore, pher-	bear, carry	chromatophore, electrophoresis
phren-	mind, diaphragm	phrenic nerve
phyco-	seaweed, algae	phycobilin
phyl-	related group	phylogeny
-phyll	phyll leaf	phyllotaxy
physic-	nature, natural qualities	physiology
phyto-, phyte	plant	phytohormone
pinni-	feather	pinnate
pino-	drink	pinocytosis
plasm-, -plast-	form, formed into	plasmolema
platy-	flat	Platyhelminthes
pleur-	lung, rib, side	pleura
pneumo-	lungs, air	pneumonia
-pnea	pnea breathing	dyspnea
poly-	many, much polygon, polyester	polysaccharide
pom-	fruit	pome
por-	opening	pore
port-	carry	uniporter, antiporter
post-	after, behind	postganglionic
pre-	before, ahead of time	proenzyme
pri-	first	primitive, primordia
pro-, proto-	first, before,forward,	protostome
prop-	with 3 carbons	propane
proprio-	one’s own	proprioceptors
pseudo-	false	pseudoped
psycho-	mind, mental	psychology
pter-	having wings or fins	aptera
pulmo-	lung	pulmonary
pyr-	heat, fire	pyrogen
quadr-	four	quadriplegic
quin-	five	–
R
radi-	ray	radial
re-	again, back	re-absorption
ren-	kidney	adrenal
ret-	net, made like a net	reticular fibers
retro-	back, backward	retrograde
rhag-, -rrhage	burst forth	hemorrhage
rhe-, -rrhea	flow	diarrhea, rheotaxis
rhino-	nose	rhinoceros
rhiz-	root, rootlike	rhizoid
rhodo-	red	rhodophyte
roto-	wheel	rotifera
rupt-	to break	rupture
S
sacchar-	sugar	disaccharide
sapr-	rotten	saprotroph
sarc-	flesh, muscle	sarcoplasm
saur- lizard	lizard	ichthyosaurian
schis-, schiz-	split, divide	schizogony
scler-	hard	sclereid
script	to write	–
semi-	half, partly	semilunar
sept-	partition, seven	septa
sess-	sit	sessile
sex-	six	–
sol-, helio-	sun	heliotropism
som-, somat-, -some	body	somatic cell
somn-	sleep	insomnia
son-	sound	sonolocation
spec-, spic-	look at	inspection
spermat-, -sperm	seed	spermatophore
spir-, -spire	breathe	spiracles
stat-, -stasis	standing, placed, staying	hemostasis
stell-	stars	stellar
sten-	narrow	stenosis
stereo-	solid, 3-dimensional	steroisomer
steato- , stea-	fat	steatorrhea
stoma-, -stome	mouth, opening	protostome
styl-	pillar	stylus
sub-	under, below	subcellular, sublingual
supra-, super-, sur-	over, above, on top	suprarenal
sym-, syn-	together, with	symporter
T
tachy-	quick, swift	tachycardia
tarso-	ankle	tarsal
tax-	arrange, put in order	taxis
tel-, tele-	distant	telencephalon, telson
telo-	end	telophase
terr-	earth, land	terrestrial
tetra- quadri-, quart-	4	tetrapods
thall-	young shoot	thallus
therm-	heat	thermophilic
thrombo-	clot, coagulation	thrombosis
-tom-, -tomy	cut, slice	tonsillectomy
top-	place	topology
toxi-, toxo-	poison	toxin
trache-	windpipe	tracheids
trans-	across, through	transstadial
tri-	three	–
trich-	hair	trichomes
troph-	feed	autotrophic
-tropic,	tropism turning	phototropic
turb-	whirl	turbine
U
ultra-	beyond	ultrafiltration
-ule	ule small	saccule
un-	not	uncover
uni-	one, single	uniport
ur-, -uria	urine	glycosuria
-ura	tail	Anura
V
vas-	vessel	vasodilation
vect-	carry	vector
ven-, vent-	come	ventrolateral
ventr-	belly, underside	ventral
vig-	strong	vigorous
vit-, viv-	life	viviparous
volv-	roll, wander	Volvox
-vor-	devour, eat	carnivorous
X
xanth-	yellow	xanthophyll
xero-	dry	xerophyte
xyl-	wood	xylem
Z
-zoite (-zoon)	animal	trophozoite
zoo-, zo-, -zoan	animal	zoonotic
zyg-	joined together	zygote

Image source: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/cute-girl-writing-diary-sitting-desk-flat-illustration_13146280.htm?query=memory