ob– {to, toward, before, opposite, inversely, upon, over, completely}: obdurate, obese, obey, obfuscate, obituary, object, oblate, obligate, oblique, obliterate, oblivion, oblong, obnoxious, obscene, obscure, obsequious, observe, obsess, obsolete, obstacle, obstetrics, obstinate, obstreperous, obstruct, obtain, obtrude, obtuse, obverse, obvious, occasion, occidental, occlude, occult, occupy, occur, offend, offer, omit, opponent, opportunity, oppose, oppress, opprobrium ●In words of Latin origin, ob– becomes oc– before c, of– before f, o– before m, op– before p. ●see also Appendix A || 
L ob : toward, for, before, about
ob(e)– {life}: aerobe, aerobic, anaerobic, cenobite, microbe ●combining (suffixal) form of bio– || back-formation from microbe, contr. of micro : small + bios : life
ocell– {eye, eye-like spot}: ocellate, ocellation, ocellus ●see also ocul– || L ocellus, dim. of oculus : eye
ochlo– {crowd, mob}: ochlocracy, ochlophobia || Gr ochlos : a mob, populace
ock– {diminutive suffix}: bullock, buttock, hassock, hillock, hummock, ruddock, tussock ●In some cases –ock has lost the diminutive sense. || ME –ok OE –oc, –uc : diminutive suffix
oct– {eight}: octad, octagon, octahedron, octal, octane, octant, octave, Octavius, octet, octillion, October, octogenarian, Octopoda, octopus, octoroon, octuple || Gr okta– oktō : eight 
L octō : eight
ocul– {eye}: binocular, ocular, oculist, oculomotor, inoculate ●monocle ●see also ocell– || L oculus : eye
od–1, hod– {going, journey, path, way}: anode, anodize, cathode, diode, electrode, episode, exodus, hodoscope, method, odometer, period, synod || Gr hodos : way, path
od–2 {song}: epode, hymnody, melodeon, melody, monody, nickelodeon, ode, odeum, palinode, parody, prosody, psalmody, rhapsody, threnody ●comedy, tragedy || Gr ōidē : song contr. of aoidē aeidein : to sing
od–3 ●see oid–
odi– {hatred}: odious, odium || L odium : hatred odiōsus : hateful, odious
odont– {tooth}: Creodonta, diphyodont, endodontics, odontology, oreodont, orthodontist, pedodontics, periodontal, pleurodont, prosthodontics, Tetraodontidae, thecodont ●mastodon ●see also dent– || Gr odontos, gen. of odōn, odous : tooth
odor– {scent, to smell}: deodorant, deodorize, inodorous, malodorous, odor, odoriferous || L odor : odor
odyn– {pain}: anodyne, odynophagia, pleurodynia || Gr odynē : pain
oeil– {eye}: coup d’oeil, trompe l’oeil || Fr oeil : eye
oen– {wine}: oenology, oenomel, oenophile || Gr oinos : wine
oeuvr– ●see euvr–
offic– {performance of duty}: ex officio, office, officer, official, officialese, officianal, officiary, officiate, officious ●comb. of op–1 + fic– || L officium : dutiful action earlier opificium : doing work opus : work, work done ( IE *op– : work) + facere : to do, to make ( IE *dhē– : to put, to set, to place)
oid–, od–3 {in the image or form of, hence: like}: alkaloid, anthropoid, arachnoid, asteroid, Caucasoid, deltoid, factoid, humanoid, Mongoloid, Negroid, nematode, ovoid, planetoid, plasmodium, tabloid, trapezoid ●same as eid–, id– || Gr –o : word termination + –eidēs : –oid eidos : what is seen, shape, form
oint– {to anoint, to salve}: anoint, ointment ●same as unct– || ME OFr L unguere (pp. unctum) : to besmear, to anoint unguentum : salve, ointment
oky– {dwelling, house}: euroky, stenoky ●see also eco– || Gr oikia : a dwelling; akin to oikos : house IE *weik– : house, settlement
ol–1 {oil}: acrolein, lanolin, linoleum, oleaginous, oleaster, olein, oleograph, oleomargarine, oleoresin, oleum, petrol, petrolatum, petroleum ●Ger. Öl || L oleum : oil, olive oil Gr elaion : oil, olive oil; akin to elaia : olive
ol–2 {to smell}: olfactory, redolent || L olēre : to emit an odor, to have a smell (akin to odor : an odor) IE *od– : to smell
old– {part of proper names}: ●see ald–
olf– {part of proper names}: ●see olph–
olig– {few}: oligarchy, Oligocene, Oligochaeta, oligoclase, oligophagous, oligopoly, oligopsony, oligosaccharide, oliguria || Gr oligos : small, few
olph–, olf– {wolf}: Adolf, Adolph, Randolph, Rolf, Rudolph || OHG wulf : wolf
oma– {swelling, tumor}: angioma, carcinoma, fibroma, hematoma, melanoma, myoma, sarcoma, scleroma, teratoma || Gr –oma : tumor
omin– {omen, to regard as an ill omen}: abominable, abominate, ominous ●omen || L ōminis, gen of ōmen : omen, sign, prognostication abōminari : to deprecate an unfavorable omen, to detest, to abominate, to loathe
ommat– {eye}: ommatidium, ommatophore || Gr ommatos, gen. of omma : eye
omni– {all, everything}: omnibus, omnidirectional, omnifarious, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, omnivorous, omnium-gatherum ●compare nihil– || L omnis : all, every
omo– {raw}: omophagia || Gr ōmos : raw
omphal– {navel, umbilicus; hence: hub}: omphalos, omphaloskepsis || Gr omphalos : navel L umbilicus : navel
on–1 {one}: alone, anon, lone, lonely, nonce, none, once, one, only ●same as an–1 || OE ān : one IE *oino– or *oinos– : one L unus, Gr oinē
on–2 {burden}: exonerate, onerous, onus || L onus (gen. onerus) : burden, load
onc– {barbed hook}: onchocerciasis, oncidium || Gr onkos : barbed hook
onco– {mass, tumor, cancer}: oncogene, oncology, oncovirus || Gr onkos : mass
oneir– {dreams}: oneiric, oneiromancy || Gr oneiros : dream
onic– {clipped form of electronic, used as a combining form}: avionics, bionic || electr(onic), used as a combining form for things containing electronics
onom– {name}: antonomasia, onomastics, paronomasia, onomatopoeia ●same as onym– ●see also nom–2 || Gr onoma, onuma : name IE *nomen– (also *nomn–, *onomn–) : name
ont– {being, existence}: ontic, ontogeny, ontology, paleontology || Gr ontos, gen. of ōn, prp. of einai : to be
onych– {claw, nail, fingernail}: onycholysis, Onychophora, paronychia, perionychium ●onyx, sardonyx || Gr onychos, gen. of onyx : fingernail, claw
onym– {name}: acronym, allonym, anonymous, antonym, cryptonym, eponym, exonym, heteronym, Hieronymus, homonym, metonymy, paronymous, patronymic, pseudonym, retronym, synonym, tautonym, toponym ●same as onom– ●see also nom–2 || Gr onuma : name IE *nomen– (also *nomn–, *onomn–) : name
oo– {egg}: oocyte, oogamete, oogamous, oogenesis, oogonium, oology, oosphere, ootheca ●see also ov–1 || Gr ōion : egg, prob. IE *ōwyo : egg *awi– or *awei– : bird L avis : bird
op–1 {work}: co-op, coöperate, inoperable, magnum opus, modus operandi, opera, operate, operational, operative, opulent, opus, opuscule || L opus (gen. operis) : work, work done, a finished work opera : a work, trouble, pains, service, exertion, time for work, a workman IE *op– : work, to produce
op–2 ●see alopia–, ophthalm–, opia–, ops–, opsin–, opsis–, opsy–, opt–2 ●see also prosop–
op–3 {wealth, abundance, resources, power, riches}: Ops (Roman goddess of abundance and the harvest), opulent ●see also optim– || Ops, Opis : earth goddess of the harvest, abundance, and plenty
ophi– {snake}: Carphophis, ophicleide, ophidian, ophiolatry, ophiology, ophiomancy, ophiophagous, ophite, Ophiuchus, Rhabdophis || Gr ophis : snake
ophthalm– {eye}: exophthalmos, ophthalmia, ophthalmology, ophthalmoscope, xerophthalmia ●see also op–2 || Gr ophthalmos : eye
opi– {vegetable juice, juice of the poppy, opium}: opiate, opioid, opium, opiumism || Gr opion opos : vegetable juice
opia– {eye condition}: amblyopia, ametropia, anisometropia, deuteranopia, diplopia, isometropia, meropia, myopia, photopia, protanopia, presbyopia, protanopia, senopia ●see also alopia–, op–2 || Gr –ōpia ōps : eye
opistho– {rear, rearward, behind}: opisthodome, opisthoglyphous, opisthognathous, opisthography, opisthosoma || Gr opisthen : behind IE *opi–, *epi– : near, at, toward, near epi–, ob–
opoly– ●see pol–3
ops– {eye, face}: ceratopsian, Cyclops, ichthyopsid, Pelops, sauropsid, triceratops ●see also op–2 || Gr ōps : eye
opsin– {eye pigments}: iodopsin, opsin, porphyropsin, rhodopsin ●see also op–2 || Gr opsis : sight ōps : eye
opsis–, opsy– {view, appearance}: autopsy, biopsy, caryopsis, coreopsis, necropsy, synopsis, Thanatopsis ●see also op–2 || Gr opsis : sight ōps : eye
opson– {buyer}: monopsony, oligopsony, opsonify, opsonin, opsonize ●compare pol–3 || Gr opsōnein : to buy food provisions, to buy opson : food or meat eaten with bread
opsy– ●see opsis–
opt–1 {to choose}: adopt, co-opt, opt, optative, option, optional || L optare : to choose, to select optio (gen. optiōnis) : free choice, option
opt–2 {to see}: catoptrics, diopter, optical, optician, optics, optometry, panoptic, panopticon, stereopticon, Synoptic ●see also op–2 || Gr optos : seen, visible ōps : eye
optim– {best}: optimist, optimize, optimum ●superlative of ben–1, bon– ●compare pessim– ●see also op–3 ●See also Appendix C || L optimus : best; superl. of bonus : good & bene : well
or–1 {to rise, to begin}: abort, abortion, disorient, orient, Orient (compare cid–1), Oriental, orientation, origin (→origin–) || L orīri (pp. ortus) : to rise, to arise, to spring from prp. oriens (gen. orientis) : rising; orīgo (gen. orīginis) : origin, source, beginning
or–2 {mountain}: oread, oreodont, orogeny, orography, orology || Gr oros : mountain
or–3 {mouth, to speak}: adore, inexorable, oracle, orad, oral, orate, oratorio, oratory, orifice, orison, orotund, perorate ●same as os–2 || L ōris, gen. of ōs : the mouth ōrātio : speaking, speech; ōrātor : speaker; ōrāculum : solemn utterance, oracle
or–4 {gold}: or (heraldry term), oriflamme, oriole, ormolu, oroide, orphrey, orpiment, orpine, Orville ●same as aur–2 || OFr or : gold L aurum : gold
orama– {view}: cosmorama, cyclorama, diorama, panorama ●Cinerama™ || panorama : coined c. 1789 by Robert Barker Gr pan, neut. of pas : all, every, universal + horama : a view horan : to see
orb– {circle, sphere}: deorbit, exorbitant, orb, orbicular, orbit, orbiter, suborbital || L orbis : circle, ring, round thing, rotation orbita : path, track
orchi(d)– {testis, testicle}: cryptorchid, orchid, orchidotomy, orchiectomy, orchitis || Gr orchis : testicle, orchid. The flower orchid was so named from the shape of its tubers.
ord– {order, to put in order}: coordinate, disorder, extraordinary, foreordain, inordinate, insubordinate, ordain, order, orderly, ordinal, ordinance, ordinary, ordinate, ordnance, ordo, preordain, subordinate, superordinate ●see also ordi– || L ordo (gen. ordinis) : series, line, row, order, rank, class ordiri : to begin a weave, to lay the warp, to lay the threads in order
ordi– {to begin}: exordium, primordial ●see also ord– || L ordiri : to begin a weave, to lay the warp, to begin ordo (gen. ordinis) : series, line, row, order, rank, class
organ– {implement, engine}: organ, organelle, organic, organism, organization, organize, organoleptic, organon ●see also erg– || L organum : implement, instrument Gr organon : implement, engine ergon : work
origin– {beginning, first}: aborigine, aboriginal, origin, original, originate ●part of or–1 || L orīgo (gen. orīginis) : origin, source, beginning orīri (pp. ortus) : to rise, to arise, to spring from
orn– {to adorn}: adorn, ornament, ornate, suborn || L ornare : to equip, to furnish, to adorn, to decorate, to embellish ornāmentum : equipment, accouterment, adornment
ornis–, ornith– {bird}: ichthyornis, notornis, Ornithischia, ornithology, ornithopod, ornithopter || Gr ornis (gen. ornithos) : bird
ornith– ●see ornis–
orse– ●see rorse–
orth(o)– {straight, correct}: anorthite, orthochromatic, orthoclase, orthodontia, orthodox, orthognathic, orthogonal, orthographic, orthopedic, Orthoptera, orthotics, orthotropic || Gr orthos : straight, correct
os–1 {god}: Osbert, Oscar, Osmond, Oswald || OE os : a god Gmc root
os–2 {mouth, opening}: os, oscitancy, oscular, osculate, osculum, ostiary, ostiole, ostium ●same as or–3 ●see also osti– || L ōs (gen. ōris) : mouth dim. osculum : little mouth, a kiss osculari : to kiss
oscill– {swing, to-and-fro motion, oscillation}: oscillate, oscilloscope || L oscillum : a swing oscillāre : to swing back and forth
ose– {sugar}: dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, levulose, maltose, ribose, sucrose || gluc·ose : applied to other types of sugars
osis– {condition [esp. diseased or abnormal], process}: cirrhosis, cyanosis, halitosis, metamorphosis, mitosis, narcosis, neurosis, psychosis, sclerosis || Gr –osis : noun-forming suffix
osmi– {odor, smell}: anosmia, osmics, osmiridium, osmium, parosmia ●unrelated: osmosis || Gr osmē : odor
oss– {bone}: ossein, osseous, ossicle, ossifrage, ossify, ossuary ●see also oste– || L os (gen. ossis) : bone IE *ost– : bone
oste– {bone}: exostosis, osteal, osteitis, osteoarthritis, osteoclasis, osteocyte, osteology, osteoma, osteomalacia, osteomyelitis, osteopathy, osteoplasty, osteoporosis, osteosarcoma, osteosis, osteotome, osteotomy ●oyster ●see also oss– || Gr osteon : bone IE *ost– : bone
osti– {door, opening}: ostiary, ostiole, ostium ●unrelated: ostomy– ●see also os–2 || L ostium : door, opening, mouth ōs : mouth
ostrac– {shell}: entomostracan, malacostracan, ostracism, ostracize, ostracod, periostracum || Gr ostrakon : shell, potsherd
ot– {ear}: otalgia, otic, otitis, otolaryngology, otolith, otology, otosclerosis, otoscope || Gr ōtos, gen of ous : ear
oti– {ease, leisure}: negotiate, otiose || L ōtium : leisure, free time, ease negōtium : absence of leisure, hence: business, work
otomy– ●see tomy–
ound– {waves, to rise in waves}: abound, redound, surround ●same as und– || ME –ounden OFr –onder L undare : to rise in waves, to surge, to undulate unda : water in motion, a wave
out– {out, outside}: about, out, outage, outer, outfit, outhouse, outing, outlaw, outlet, outside, outward ●same as ut–2 || OE ut : out Gmc root
outr– {beyond, far}: à outrance, outrage, outrageous, outré ●same as ultra– || OFr outre : beyond L ultrā : beyond, on the far side
ov–1 {egg, egg-shaped}: ab ovo, oval, ovarian, ovariectomy, ovary, ovate, oviparous, ovipositor, ovoid, ovoviviparous, ovulate, ovulum, ovum ●unrelated: ovation ●see also oo– || L ovum : egg, prob. IE *ōwyo : egg *awi– or *awei– : bird L avis : bird
ov–2 {sheep}: ovibos, ovine || L ovis : sheep
overt– {an opening, to open}: overt, overture ●see also per–2 ●compare cover– || ME overte MFr overt, pp. of ovrir : to open VL operire L aperire : to uncover, to expose to view
ox(y)– {sharp, acid}: anoxemia, anoxia, antioxidant, deoxyribonucleic acid, epoxy, hypoxia, oxalic acid, oxalis, oxidate, oxide, oxidize, oxycephaly, oxygen, oxymoron, oxytocin, oxytone, paroxysm, peroxide ●see also ac– || Gr oxus : sharp, acid IE *ak– : sharp
oz– {to smell}: ozaena, ozocerite, ozone || Gr ozein : to smell IE *od– : to smell
* Unattested, hypothesized
† Unknown origin
98 entries found.
Copyright © 2004–07 Daniel M. Short. All Rights Reserved.
