Quiz through Greek

The words that start with the prefix "actino-" pertain to rays, beams! This is because this prefix comes from the singular genitive case of the ancient Greek noun "ἀκτίς"(aktis)[ah-ktEEss]=ray, radius, beam, which is "ἀκτίνος"(aktinos)[ah-ktEE-nos]=of the ray or beam! Such words are: actinomycetes=ἀκτίνος+μύκητες, actinomorphy=ἀκτίνος+μορφή(form, shape), actinometric=ἀκτίνος+μετρικό, actinoid=ἀκτίνος+εἶδος, and others!

Send a message to learn more

Many words start with "brachy-"! These words refer to something short, in length or time, because this prefix comes from the Greek word "βραχύ"(brahy)[vra-hEE]=short! Such words are: brachytelephalangic=βραχύ+τῆλε(far)+φάλαγξ(finger part), brachycalyx=βραχύ+κάλυξ(cylindrical tube), brachydactylic=βραχύ+δάκτυλος(finger), brachycephalic=βραχύ+κεφάλι(head), and many others!

A very well known prefix, in compound words, is "pan-", or "panto-"! It comes from the ancient Greek word "πᾶν"(pan)[pAn]=all, entire, whole, everything! Also the name or the primordial Arcadian god Pan! Such words are : panspermia=πᾶν+σπέρμα, panmixia=πᾶν+μίξις(the mix), pantograph=πᾶν+γράφω(I write), pantomime=πᾶν+μίμος(the mime), panorama=πᾶν+ὄραμα(view, vision), pantheist=πᾶν+θεός(god), pandaemonium=πᾶν+δαίμων(daemon, demi-god), pancreas=πᾶν+κρέας(meat), panacea=πᾶν+ἄκος(the cure), and many more!!

Many words start with the prefix "carp-" or "carpo-" and they are pertaining to fruits or seeds. This is because this prefix comes from the Greek word "καρπός"(karpos)[car-pOss]=fruit, seed, wrist! Such words are: carpoptosis=καρπός+πτῶσις(fall), carpophore=καρπός+φορέας(carrier), carpology=καρπός+(-λογία)(the study of), carpospore=καρπός+σπόρος(seed) and others!

All the words that start with the prefixes "blephar-" or "blepharo-", or include them, pertain to eyelids, or eyelashes! This is because these prefixes come from the Greek words "βλέφαρον"(vlefaron)[vLEH-pha-ron]=eyelid, or "βλεφαρίς"(vlefaris)[vleh-pha-rEEss"=eyelash! Such words are: vlepharoclonous=βλέφαρον+κλῶνος(branch), blepharorrhaphy=βλέφαρον+ραφή(seam), blepharoplastic=βλέφαρον+πλαστική, ankyloblepharon=ἀγκύλη(hook shaped, curved)+βλέφαρον, and many more!

Some words start with the prefix "acanth-", or "acantho-", or contain it, pertaining to something which looks like a thorn, or resembles to it, or it is prickly etc. This prefix comes from the ancient Greek word "ἄκανθος"(akanthos)[AH-kan-thos]=thorn, prick! Such words are: acanthocladous=ἄκανθος+κλάδος(branch), acanthokeratodermia=ἄκανθος+κέρατο(horn)+δέρμα(skin, leather), ichthyoacanthotoxin=ιχθύς(fish)+ἄκανθος+τοξίνη, acanthopod=ἄκανθος+πόδι(foot, leg), and others!

Another prefix used mostly in medical terms, is "tarso-" or "tars-". It comes from the Greek "ταρσός"(tarsos)[tarsOss]=tarsal bones, tarsus(Latin term, coming from the ancient Aeolic Greek version, "τάρσος")! Such terms are: tarsoplasia=ταρσός+πλάση(creation), tarsoptosis=ταρσός+πτῶσις(fall), tarsomegaly=ταρσός+μεγάλη(big, large), tarsoclasia=ταρσός+κλάσις(breaking, fracture), and others!!

Some medical terms are starting or contain the prefix "-salpingo-". These words are relating to a salpinx, especially a eustachian or fallopian tube. It comes from the ancient Greek genitive singular, of the noun "σάλπιγξ"(salpigx)[sALpinx]=trumpet, which is "σάλπιγκος"(salpingos)[sALpingoss]=of the trumpet! Mostly used in ancient times for a trumpet of war or battle! Such words are: salpingocatheter=σάλπιγκος+καθετήρας, salpingoperitonitis=σάλπιγκος+περιτονίτις, salpingotomy=σάλπιγκος+τομή, hysterosalpingography=ὕστερο+σάλπιγκος+γραφή, and many others!

Some words start with the prefix "zyg-", or "zygo-". This prefix comes from the Greek word "ζυγός"(zygos)[zygOss], which as a noun means, the yoke, or a tying element, or the old type of scales and the star sign of Libra, and as an adjective, it means any even number. Such words are: zygogamy=ζυγός+γάμος, zygonema=ζυγός+νῆμα(thread), zygomorphus=ζυγός+μορφή(shape), and others!!

Plenty of words start with the prefix "taenio-", "taeno-", or "taen-". These words are pertaining to some form of band, film, or tapeworm, headband. It comes from the Greek noun "ταινία"(tainia)[taenEEa], with the same meaning! Such words are: taenioglossate=ταινία+γλώσσα(tongue, language), taeniorhynchus=ταινία+ρύγχος(snout, animal's nose), taeniodonda=ταινία+ὀδόντας(tooth), and more!!

Many words begin with the letters "nau-", or end with "-naut". Most of them are pertaining to ships, or boats! That is because these letters are the ancient Greek word "ναῦ"(nau)[nAHph]=ship, or from "ναύτης"(naftis)[naphtis)=seaman, sailor, respectively! Such words are:
nautical, nausea, nautilus, Argonaut=Ἀργώ+ναύτης, astronaut=ἄστρο(star)+ναύτης, etc.

Τριήρης ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΣ - Trireme OLYMPIAS