Hubbry Logo
List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic namesList of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic namesMain
Open search
List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names
Community hub
List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names
List of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names
from Wikipedia
A sign for Crassula rupestris at the University of Helsinki Botanical Garden. The roots for the binomial name are crassus (thick, fat) and rupestris (living on cliffs or rocks)

This list of Latin and Greek words commonly used in systematic names is intended to help those unfamiliar with classical languages to understand and remember the scientific names of organisms. The binomial nomenclature used for animals and plants is largely derived from Latin and Greek words, as are some of the names used for higher taxa, such as orders and above. At the time when biologist Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) published the books that are now accepted as the starting point of binomial nomenclature, Latin was used in Western Europe as the common language of science, and scientific names were in Latin or Greek: Linnaeus continued this practice.

While learning Latin is now less common, it is still used by classical scholars, and for certain purposes in botany, medicine and the Roman Catholic Church, and it can still be found in scientific names. It is helpful to be able to understand the source of scientific names. Although the Latin names do not always correspond to the current English common names, they are often related, and if their meanings are understood, they are easier to recall. The binomial name often reflects limited knowledge or hearsay about a species at the time it was named. For instance Pan troglodytes, the chimpanzee, and Troglodytes troglodytes, the wren, are not necessarily cave-dwellers.

Sometimes a genus name or specific descriptor is simply the Latin or Greek name for the animal (e.g. Canis is Latin for dog). These words may not be included in the table below if they only occur for one or two taxa. Instead, the words listed below are the common adjectives and other modifiers that repeatedly occur in the scientific names of many organisms (in more than one genus).

Adjectives vary according to gender, and in most cases only the lemma form (nominative singular masculine form) is listed here. 1st-and-2nd-declension adjectives end in -us (masculine), -a (feminine) and -um (neuter), whereas 3rd-declension adjectives ending in -is (masculine and feminine) change to -e (neuter). For example, verus is listed without the variants for Aloe vera or Galium verum.

The second part of a binomial is often a person's name in the genitive case, ending -i (masculine) or -ae (feminine), such as Kaempfer's tody-tyrant, Hemitriccus kaempferi. The name may be converted into a Latinised form first, giving -ii and -iae instead.

Words that are very similar to their English forms have been omitted.

Some of the Greek transliterations given are Ancient Greek, and others are Modern Greek.

In the tables, L = Latin, G = Greek, and LG = similar in both languages.

A

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Example Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
acanthus etc. G ἄκανθος (ákanthos) thorny, spiny Acanthus plant; Parorchis acanthus, a flatworm
Munida acantha, a squat lobster; prickly ceratina, Ceratina acantha
spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias; Reinhardt's snake-eater, Polemon acanthias
cotton thistle, Onopordum acanthium
acanthusacanthiasacanthaacanthium
acaulis G, L stemless silver thistle, Carlina acaulis;

dwarf date palm, Phoenix acaulis

acaulisacaule
actin-, actino- G ἀκτίς (aktis) ray, radial Schefflera actinophylla, Actinopterygii, Actinophryida actinactino
acutus L sharpened, pointed American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus;

angled sunbeam (butterfly), Curetis acuta; northern pintail, Anas acuta

acutusacutaacutum
aculeatus L prickly short-beaked echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus;

three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus; butcher's-broom, Ruscus aculeatus

aculeatusaculeataaculeatum
acuminatus L sharp, pointed, tapering Jamaican gooseberry tree, Phyllanthus acuminatus; Panaeolus acuminatus, a mushroom
cucumbertree, Magnolia acuminata; Musa acuminata, a banana tree
acuminate barrenwort, Epimedium acuminatum; desert quandong, Santalum acuminatum
acuminatusacuminataacuminatum
adustus L singed, burnt side-striped jackal, Canis adustus;
dark onyx cowry, Erronea adusta
adustusadustaadustum
aequalis L equal common Atlantic grenadier, Nezumia aequalis; clay-coloured billbug, Sphenophorus aequalis
Trogoxylon aequale, a beetle; Omophron aequale, a ground beetle
aequalisaequale
aestivus L summer summer asphodel, Asphodelus aestivus; rough green snake, Opheodrys aestivus
turquoise-fronted amazon, Amazona aestiva; summer spider orchid, Caladenia aestiva
Loddon lily, Leucojum aestivum; common wheat, Triticum aestivum
aestivusaestivaaestivum
affinis L neighbouring, similar, kindred lesser scaup, Aythya affinis; dugite, Pseudonaja affinis
blue tongue, Melastoma affine; Persian violet, Exacum affine
affinisaffine
africanus L African reed cormorant, Microcarbo africanus;
southern African frilled shark, Chlamydoselachus africana;

African clubhook-squid, Notonykia africanae;
pyjama shark, Poroderma africanum;
lemon basil, Ocimum × africanum

africanusafricana, africanaeafricanum
agrestis L of the field, wild field vole, Microtus agrestis;

green field-speedwell, Veronica agrestis

agrestisagreste
alatus L āla winged pitcher plant, Nepenthes alata;

sharpwing monkeyflower, Mimulus alatus; winged elm, Ulmus alata; winged everlasting, Ammobium alatum; winged loosestrife, Lythrum alatum; winged seahorse, Hippocampus alatus; winged-stem passion flower, Passiflora alata

alatusalataalatum
albiceps L white-headed blow fly, Chrysomya albiceps;

moth, Syngamia albiceps; wood groundling, Parachronistis albiceps;

Mexican golden red rump tarantula, Brachypelma albiceps

albiceps
albidens L white-toothed white-toothed brush mouse, Coccymys albidens;
see also leucodon
albidens
albimanus L albus, manus white handed Anopheles albimanus;
Aulonia albimana, white-knuckled wolf spider;
Habrocestum albimanum
albimanusalbimanaalbimanum
albopictus L painted white Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus;
Moneilema albopictum
albopictusalbopictaalbopictum
albus L white white ibis, Eudocimus albus;
white oak, Quercus alba;
mistletoe, Viscum album
albusalbaalbum
alpinus L alpine; of the Alps alpine aster, Aster alpinus;
alpine bearberry, Arctostaphylos alpina;
alpine feverfew, Parthenium alpinum
alpinusalpinaalpinum
amabilis L lovable lovable lily, Lilium amabile;
lovely cotinga, Cotinga amabilis;
lovely fairywren, Malurus amabilis;
lovely fir, Abies amabilis
amabilisamabile
ambiguus L uncertain beautiful woolly sunflower, Eriophyllum ambiguum;
doubtful cone, Conus ambiguus;
questionable Stropharia, Stropharia ambigua;
tick bush, Kunzea ambigua
ambiguusambiguaambiguum
amblys G ἀμβλύς (amblús) blunt, dull marine iguana, Amblyrhynchus cristatus amblysAll pages with titles beginning with Ambly
americanus L American American black bear, Ursus americanus;
American hazel nut, Corylus americana;
American mastodon, Mammut americanum
americanusamericanaamericanum
amphi- G ἀμφί (amphí) of all kinds, on all sides amphibian; Amphipoda All pages with titles beginning with Amphi
ampulla L bottle, flask northern bottlenose whale, Hyperoodon ampullatus ampullatusampullataampullatumAll pages with titles beginning with Ampulla
amurensis L from the Amur River Amur grape, Vitis amurensis amurensisamurense
anglicus L from England Common cordgrass, Sporobolus anglicus; Bibio anglicus, a fly; English sundew, Drosera anglica; English whitebeam, Sorbus anglica; English stonecrop, Sedum anglicum anglicusanglicaanglicum
angolensis L from Angola African teak, Pterocarpus angolensis angolensisangolense
angustiflorus L narrow-flowered Eastwood's bellflower, Campanula angustiflora;

narrowflower lupine, Lupinus angustiflorus

angustiflorusangustifloraangustiflorum
angustifolius L narrow-leaved narrowleaf cottongrass, Eriophorum angustifolium;

narrowleaf cottonwood, Populus angustifolia; narrowleaf sunflower, Helianthus angustifolius

angustifoliusangustifoliaangustifolium
angustus L narrow narrow-banded widow, Dingana angusta;
narrowleaf pansy monkeyflower, Mimulus angustatus;
slimleaf bean, Phaseolus angustissimus;
Prairie acacia, Acaciella angustissima;

sea snail, Vexillum angustissimum

angustusangustaangustumangustatusangustissimusangustissimaangustissimum
antarcticus L of the southern hemisphere chinstrap penguin, Pygoscelis antarcticus;

gummy shark, Mustelus antarcticus;
brown skua, Stercorarius antarcticus

antarcticusantarcticaantarcticum
anthos G ἄνθος (ánthos) flower anthozoans, Anthozoa;

golden wattle, Acacia pycnantha;

All pages with titles beginning with Antho
anthropo- G ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos) man, human being Paranthropus All pages with titles beginning with Anthropo
apis L bee western honey bee, Apis mellifera;

white sage, Salvia apiana

apianusapianaapianumAll pages with titles beginning with Api
aquaticus L found near water eastern mole, Scalopus aquaticus;
wild rice, Zizania aquatica;

water spinach, Ipomoea aquatica;
parrot's-feather, Myriophyllum aquaticum,

aquaticusaquaticaaquaticum
arborescens L tree-like or shrub-like Artemisia arborescens;

Aloe arborescens; Hydrangea arborescens

arborescens
archaeo- G ἀρχαῖος (arkhaîos) ancient Archaeopteryx All pages with titles beginning with ArchaeoAll pages with titles beginning with Archeo
arch-, archi-, archo-, -archus G ἀρχός (arkhos) ruler, leader, prince, highest, greatest Archidendron grandiflorum archiarcho

archoarchus

arctos G ἄρκτος (árktos) bear grizzly bear, Ursus arctos horribilis;

common bearberry, Arctostaphylos

arctosAll pages with titles beginning with Arcto
arena L sand sand iris, Iris arenaria;
sand rock-cress, Arabidopsis arenosa;
sand seatrout, Cynoscion arenarius;
sand-dusted cone, Conus arenatus
arenariusarenariaarenariumarenatusarenataarenosa
arenicolus L sand-dwelling dunes sagebrush lizard, Sceloporus arenicolus;
sand goldenrod, Solidago arenicola;
sanddwelling dewberry, Rubus arenicola;
sandy stargazer, Gillellus arenicola
arenicolusarenicola
argentatus L silvery European herring gull, Larus argentatus argentatusargentataargentatum
argenteus L silvery silver buffaloberry, Shepherdia argentea;
silver tree, Leucadendron argenteum;

silvery lupine, Lupinus argenteus; white mulberry, Pipturus argenteus

argenteusargenteaargenteum
argentum L silver sea snail, Calliostoma argentum argentum
argillicola L living on clay clay Fiddler Crab, Minuca argillicola; Hullsia argillicola argillicola
aromatica G ἄρωμα (árōma) aromatic clove nutmeg, Ravensara aromatica;
Croton aromaticus;
clove, Syzygium aromaticum
aromaticusaromaticaaromaticum
arthro- G ἄρθρον (árthron) joint Arthropoda All pages with titles beginning with Arthro
arvensis L in the field skylark, Alauda arvensis;
field horsetail, Equisetum arvense
arvensisarvense
asiatica L Asian white-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica;
Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus, Persian buttercup, Ranunculus asiaticus
asiaticaasiaticus
asperum L rough, uneven freckled dapperling, Echinoderma asperum; pied warty frog, Theloderma asperum
prickly chaff flower, Achyranthes aspera; Papuan ground boa, Candoia aspera
asperumaspera
astro-, astero- G ἄστρον (ástron) star starfish (class), Asteroidea All pages with titles beginning with AsteroAll pages with titles beginning with Astro
ater L dull black common chuckwalla, Sauromalus ater;
Eurasian coot, Fulica atra;
black swan, Cygnus atratus;
black yarrow, Achillea atrata;
creek chub, Semotilus atromaculatus
see also niger
ateratraatrumatratusatrataatratum
atropurpureus L deep purple, blackish-purple Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'; Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea;
purple-flowered cotoneaster, Cotoneaster atropurpureus
atropurpureusatropurpureaatropurpureum
aurantius, aurantiacus L orange-colored[1] bitter orange, Citrus aurantium aurantiusaurantiaaurantium; aurantiacusaurantiacaaurantiacum
aureus L golden golden jackal, Canis aureus;
Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria)
see also chrysos
aureusaureaaureum
auritus L having (large) ears brown long-eared bat, Plecotus auritus; double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus; long-eared hedgehog, Hemiechinus auritus
moon jellyfish, Aurelia aurita
yerba santa, Piper auritum; blue eared pheasant, Crossoptilon auritum
auritusauritaauritum
australis L southern southern right whale, Eubalaena australis australisaustrale

B

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
baccatus L berry-bearing common yew, Taxus baccata; Conus baccatus, a sea snail baccatusbaccatabaccatum
barbatus L barba bearded bearded catasetum, Catasetum barbatum; bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus; black-chinned siskin, Spinus barbata; Bornean bearded pig, Sus barbatus; golden-beard penstemon, Penstemon barbatus barbatusbarbatabarbatum
bicolor L two-colored bicolor angelfish, Centropyge bicolor; bicolor cleanerfish, Labroides bicolor; bicolored moth, Manulea bicolor bicolor
bicoloratus L two-colored bicolored angle, Macaria bicolorata; Kenya two-headed snake, Micrelaps bicoloratus; orchid, Bulbophyllum bicoloratum bicoloratusbicoloratabicoloratum
bicornis L two-horned black rhinoceros, Diceros bicornis bicornis
biennis L of two years, lasting two years Crepis biennis biennis
bios G βίος (bíos) life amphibian; biota, all living things bios
blandus L pleasant, smooth, alluring Greek windflower, Anemone blanda; Mallos blandus, a spider blandusblandablandum
borealis L northern northern right whale dolphin, Lissodelphis borealis
sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis
northern bedstraw, Galium boreale
borealisboreale
brachion G βραχίων (brakhíōn) arm Przewalski's gerbil, Brachiones przewalskii; Brachiopoda (phylum); Brachiosaurus All pages with titles beginning with Brachio
brasiliensis L Brazilian Brazilian brown bat Eptesicus brasiliensis All pages with titles containing Brasiliensis
brachy- G βραχύς (brakhús) short Brazilian gold frog, Brachycephalus didactylus All pages with titles beginning with Brachy
brachyphyllus G short-leaved extinct plant genus, Brachyphyllum;
flower, Colchicum brachyphyllum;
leaf-nosed bats, Brachyphylla;
shortleaf baccharis, Baccharis brachyphylla;
see also brevifolius
brachyphyllusbrachyphyllabrachyphyllum
brady- G βραδύς (bradús) slow pygmy three-toed sloth, Bradypus pygmaeus All pages with titles beginning with Brady
branchia G βράγχιον (bránkhion) gills Lamellibranchia (class, syn. Bivalva); Branchiopoda (class, brine shrimps) All pages with titles beginning with Branchi
brasiliensis L from Brazil Brazilian marsh rat, Holochilus brasiliensis; Brazilian stick mantis, Brunneria brasiliensis; rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis brasiliensisbrasiliense
brevi- L brevis short silvery-cheeked hornbill, Ceratogymna brevis brevisbreveAll pages with titles beginning with Brevi
brevicaudatus L short-tailed bearded leaf chameleon, Rieppeleon brevicaudatus; sea snail, Lophiotoma brevicaudata; short-tailed ceratosoma, Ceratosoma brevicaudatum brevicaudatusbrevicaudatabrevicaudatum
brevicollis L short-necked short-necked oil beetle, Meloe brevicollis brevicollisbrevicolle
brevifolius L short-leaved Joshua tree, Yucca brevifolia;
short-leaved dudleya, Dudleya blochmaniae subsp. brevifolia;
shortleaf sneezeweed, Helenium brevifolium;
zig-zag bog-rush, Schoenus brevifolius;
see also brachyphyllus
brevifoliusbrevifoliabrevifolium
brevirostris L short beak pignosed arrowtooth eel, Dysomma brevirostre;
shortnose ponyfish, Leiognathus brevirostris
brevirostrisbrevirostre
britannicus L from Great Britain Rumex britannica, a knotweed; British yellowhead, Inula britannica; Cortinarius britannicus, a mushroom; Geastrum britannicum, an earthstar fungus britannicusbritannicabritannicum
bulbus G βολβός bulb bulbous buttercup, Ranunculus bulbosus;
onion cone, Conus bulbus
bulbusbulbosusbulbosa

C

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
caecus L blind blind mole, Talpa caeca; northern eyed hawkmoth, Smerinthus caecus caecuscaecacaecum
caeruleus L blue Eurasian blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus; blue passion flower, Passiflora caerulea caeruleuscaeruleacaeruleum
californicus L California California blue dorid, Felimare californiensis californicuscalifornicacaliforniensis
callosus L calloused large vesper mouse, Calomys callosus; tree fern, Cyathea callosa; orchid, Paphiopedilum callosum callosuscallosacallosum
calvus L bald Altolamprologus calvus, Isbrueckerichthys calvus, both fish
Banasa calva, a stink bug; Trichocorixa calva, a water boatman
Intrasporangium calvum, a bacterium; Bulbophyllum calvum, an orchid
calvus- calvacalvum
cambricus L, from Cambria from Wales wild cotoneaster, Cotoneaster cambricus; Alalcomenaeus cambricus, fossil arthropod
Welsh wave, Venusia cambrica; Welsh eyebright, Euphrasia cambrica
Welsh poppy, Papaver cambricum; limestone polypody, Polypodium cambricum
Welsh groundsel, Senecio cambrensis; Flexicalymene cambrensis, a fossil trilobite
cambricuscambricacambricumcambrensis
canadensis L from Canada bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis canadensiscanadense
candidus L brightly white, shining white Madonna lily, Lilium candidum candiduscandidacandidum
canescens L turning grey- or white-haired Geraea canescens (desert sunflower); Atriplex canescens canescens
canis L dog coyote, Canis latrans; Dipylidium caninum (a tapeworm) caniscaninuscaninacaninum
canorus L canōrus melodious common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus; Chinese hwamei, Garrulax canorus
Cuban grassquit, Phonipara canora; Campylocheta canora, a tachinid fly
canoruscanoracanorum
canus L gray (haired), pale gray grey-headed woodpecker, Picus canus; woolly groundsel, Senecio canus canuscanacanum
caprae L of a goat Staphylococcus caprae capraecapri
castaneus L chestnut(-colored) chestnut bolete, Gyroporus castaneus; reddish carpenter ant, Camponotus castaneus
chestnut, Castanea; chestnut short-tailed bat, Carollia castanea
chestnut leek orchid, Prasophyllum castaneum; red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum
castaneuscastaneacastaneum
cauda L tail long-tailed tit, Aegithalos caudatus; thintail skate, Dipturus leptocaudus; northern short-tailed shrew, Blarina brevicauda
caulos G καυλός (kaulós) stem, stalk stemless gentian, Gentiana acaulis acaulisacaule
cephalo- G κεφαλή (kephalḗ) head Mediterranean gull, Larus melanocephalus; blue-spotted grouper, Cephalopholis argus All pages with titles beginning with Cephal
-ceps L caput head pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps; biceps (two-headed muscle)
ceros L cornū G κέρας (kéras) horn narwal, Monodon monoceros; rhinoceros (nose horn)
cest L cestus G κεστός (kestós) girdle, belt, stitched Cestoda All pages with titles beginning with Cest
chaetes G χαίτη (khaítē) flowing hair, or mane wildebeest, Connochaetes gnou; bristle worms, Polychaeta; earthworms, Oligochaeta
chilensis L from Chile paradise tanager, Tangara chilensis chilensischilense
chinensis L from China China rose, Rosa chinensis;
Chinese onion, Allium chinense;
Chinese sumac, Rhus chinensis;
see also Sinense, below
chinensischinense
chloro- G χλωρός (khlōrós) pale green common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus; green algae, Chlorophyta All pages with titles beginning with Chloro
chordatus L spined chordates; Stylephorus chordatus, Tinospora cordifolia chordatuschordatachordatum
chroma G χρῶμα (khrôma) color clown loach, Chromobotia macracanthus All pages with titles beginning with Chrom
chrysos G χρυσός (khrusós) gold Chrysochloridae (golden moles);
golden pheasant, Chrysolophus pictus;
maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus; Chrysophyceae (golden algae)
see also aureus
All pages with titles beginning with Chryso
chrysophyllus G gold-leaved golden chinquapin, Chrysolepis chrysophylla;
golden-leaved Jerusalem sage, Phlomis chrysophylla;
satinleaf, Chrysophyllum oliviforme
chrysophylluschrysophyllachrysophyllum
cilium L eyelash Ashland thistle, Cirsium ciliolatum;
bristleworm, Polydora ciliata;
eyelash gecko, Correlophus ciliatus;
queen angelfish, Holacanthus ciliaris;
Australian red cedar, Toona ciliata;
sickle-leaved cymodocea, Thalassodendron ciliatum
ciliarisciliareciliatusciliataciliatumciliolatum
cinereus L ash, ash-colored masked shrew, Sorex cinereus;
Australian sea lion, Neophoca cinerea;
gray thrasher, Toxostoma cinereum;
common gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus
cinereuscinereacinereum
cirrhus G κιρρός (kirrhós) orange fringe-lipped bat, Trachops cirrhosus;
mrigal carp, Cirrhinus cirrhosus;
silverspotted sculpin, Blepsias cirrhosus
cirrhosuscirrhosacirrhosum
citri L citrus the citrus blossom moth, Prays citri citri
colchicus L from Colchis (Greek Κολχῐ́ς, Kolchís) or Georgia common pheasant, Phasianus colchicus; Phoxinus colchicus, a minnow
Caucasian bladdernut, Staphylea colchica; Colchic holly, Ilex colchica
Colchic nase, Chondrostoma colchicum; Cyclamen colchicum, a primrose
colchicuscolchicacolchicum
cneme G κνήμη (knḗmē) shin, leg white-legged damselfly, Platycnemis pennipes
-cola L -cola inhabitant Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola; paddyfield warbler, Acrocephalus agricola
The forms -colus and -colum are also found, although they are not considered to be correct Latin: deepwater grenadier, Coryphaenoides profundicolus; black-sided flowerpecker, Dicaeum monticolum.[2]
clathratus L grated, latticed kelp bass, Paralabrax clathratus; clathrate nassa, Nassarius clathratus
slender-armed starfish, Luidia clathrata; latticed sandperch, Parapercis clathrata
Allium clathratum, an onion; Vexillum clathratum, a sea snail
clathratusclathrataclathratum
collaris L collared ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris; collared pika, Ochotona collaris
collared carpetshark, Parascyllium collare; mottled sand grasshopper, Spharagemon collare
collariscollare
communis L common common juniper, Juniperus communis; common myrtle, Myrtus communis
star jelly, Nostoc commune; great golden maidenhair, Polytrichum commune
communiscommune
compressus L compressus slender, pressed together slender oatgrass, Danthonia compressa; slender crayfish, Faxonius compressus
emerald cockroach wasp, Ampulex compressa; empire gudgeon, Hypseleotris compressa
Dendrobium compressum, an orchid
compressuscompressacompressum
concolor L having uniform color throughout cougar, Puma concolor; white fir, Abies concolor
conno- G κόννος (kónnos) beard wildebeest, Connochaetes gnou All pages with titles beginning with Conno
copros G κόπρος (kópros) excrement Copris, genus of dung beetles;
coprophilous, 'growing on animal dung'
corax L corvus G κόραξ (kórax) crow, raven common raven, Corvus corax corax
cordatus L heart-shaped cordate (leaf shape);
small-leaved lime, Tilia cordata;
sea potato, Echinocardium cordatum
cordatuscordatacordatum
cordifolius L heart-shaped leaves heartleaf aster, Symphyotrichum cordifolium;
heart-leaved moonseed, Tinospora cordifolia;
Tucson bur ragweed, Ambrosia cordifolia
cordifoliuscordifoliacordifolium
coriaceus L, from corium ("leather") leathery Pajahuello tick, Ornithodoros coriaceus; beach bird's eye, Alectryon coriaceus
blue china vine, Holboellia coriacea; leatherback sea turtle, Dermochelys coriacea
green tea-tree, Leptospermum coriaceum; inland rock orchid, Dendrobium coriaceum
coriaceuscoriaceacoriaceum
cornu L cornū horn garden snail, Cornu aspersum;
great ramshorn, Planorbarius corneus
All pages with titles beginning with Cornu
coronatus L crowned crowned lemur, Eulemur coronatus;
crowned turban shell, Lunella coronata
coronatuscoronatacoronatum
costatus L ribbed ribbed slipper shell, Maoricrypta costata; striped Raphael catfish, Platydoras costatus costatuscostatacostatum
crassus, crassi- L thick, fat creeping blueberry, Vaccinium crassifolium;
inflated spiny crab, Rochinia crassa;
mouthless crab, Cardisoma crassum
crassuscrassacrassum
cristatus L crested aardwolf, Proteles cristatus;
blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata;
crested wheatgrass, Agropyron cristatum
cristatuscristatacristatum
crocos G κρόκος (krókos) yellow bicoloured white-toothed shrew, Crocidura leucodon;
saffron, Crocus sativus;
spotted hyena, Crocuta crocuta
All pages with titles beginning with croc
cryo- G κρύος (krúos) cold Cryodraco; Cryolophosaurus; Cryosophila All pages with titles beginning with Cryo
crypto- G κρυπτός (kruptós) hidden Cryptococcus; Cryptosporidium All pages with titles beginning with Crypto
culminicola L summit dweller Elaeocarpus culminicola; Euxoa culminicola; Pinus culminicola, Potosi pinyon All pages with titles containing culminicola
cursor L runner, racer cream-colored courser, Cursorius cursor; cursorial akodont, Akodon cursor; Lacépède's ground snake, Erythrolamprus cursor cursor
curvirostris L curved beak boxer snipe eel, Nemichthys curvirostris;
curve-billed thrasher, Toxostoma curvirostre
curvirostriscurvirostre
cyano- G κυανός (kuanós) blue-green azure-winged magpie, Cyanopica cyanus;
big blue octopus, Octopus cyanea;
blue orchid, Aganisia cyanea
All pages with titles beginning with Cyanocyaneuscyaneacyaneum

D

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Example Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
dactyl-, dactylo- G δάκτυλος (dáktulos) finger or toe black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla; Pterodactylus All pages with titles beginning with Dactyl
deca-, deka- G δέκα (déka) ten alfonsino, Beryx decadactylus All pages with titles beginning with Deca
decem L ten Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata
delphis G δελφύς (delphús) womb virginia opossum, Didelphis virginiana
dendr-, dendri-, dendro-, -dendron, -dendrum G δένδρον (déndron) tree Philodendron, Dendrobium, Rhododendron dendrodendrondendrum
derma G δέρμα (dérma) skin yellow staining mushroom, Agaricus xanthodermus All pages with titles beginning with Derm
di- G δι- (di-) two Christmas orchid, Dipodium punctatum Too common a letter combination for any useful search
diffusus L diffundere diffuse diffuse spineflower, Chorizanthe diffusa;
fly, Paralimnophila diffusior;
rush, Juncus diffusissimus;
spreading groundsmoke, Gayophytum diffusum;
spreading lupine, Lupinus diffusus;
spreading phlox, Phlox diffusa
diffususdiffusadiffusumdiffusiordiffusissimus
digitatus L having fingers finger rush Juncus digitatus;
baobab, Adansonia digitata;
dead man's fingers, Alcyonium digitatum
digitatusdigitatadigitatum
dilatatus L dilated, extended dallisgrass, Paspalum dilatatum;
Maianthemum dilatatum
dilatatusdilatatadilatatum
dioica L dioicous common nettle, Urtica dioica dioica
dino-, deino- G δεινός (deinós) terrifying dinosaur, Deinotherium All pages with titles beginning with Dino
diplo- G διπλός (diplós) double two-eyed orange spider, Diploglena capensis All pages with titles beginning with Diplo
disc, disk G δίσκος (dískos) disc common fungus moth, Metalectra discalis All pages with titles beginning with Discdiscalisdiscale
dodeca- G δώδεκα (dṓdeka) twelve Henderson's shootingstar, Dodecatheon hendersonii All pages with titles beginning with Dodeca
dolicho- G δολιχός (dolikhós) elongated, long knight anole, Anolis dolichocephalus All pages with titles beginning with Dolicho
domesticus L of the house or domestic domestic pig, Sus scrofa domestica;
house sparrow, Passer domesticus
domesticusdomesticadomesticum
dorsum L back back-striped weasel, Mustela strigidorsa All pages with titles beginning with Dors
dubius L doubtful little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius

see also nomina dubia

dubiusdubia
dulcis L sweet almond, Prunus dulcis dulcisdulce
dumetorum L, from dumus, "bramble" "of the thickets" Blyth's reed warbler, Acrocephalus dumetorum; bitter yam, Dioscorea dumetorum; coastal green hairstreak, Callophrys dumetorum dumetorum
dumicola L scrub dweller Acaena dumicola; Cerbera dumicola; Stegodyphus dumicola, African social spider All pages with titles containing dumicola

E

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Example Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
eburneus L eburneus ivory-colored ivory gull, Pagophila eburnea eburneuseburneaeburneum
echinatus L prickly, spiny Edisto crayfish, Procambarus echinatus; shortleaf pine, Pinus echinata echinatusechinataechinatum
echino- L echīnus G ἐχῖνος (ekhînos) hedgehog, sea-urchin great globe thistle, Echinops sphaerocephalus; diadema urchin, Echinothrix diadema; San Pedro cactus, Echinopsis pachanoi All pages with titles beginning with Echino
edulis L edible common cockle, Cerastoderma edule; king bolete, Boletus edulis; oyster, Ostrea edulis; passion fruit, Passiflora edulis edulisedule
elatior L taller true oxlip, Primula elatior elatior
electro- G ἤλεκτρον (ḗlektron) amber, amber-colored or

electric (modern usage)

broad-billed motmot, Electron platyrhynchum;
electric eel, Electrophorus electricus
No simple way to distinguish biological from other uses
elegans L elegant crimson rosella, Platycercus elegans ;
Granastyochus elegantissimus;
Iris iberica subsp. elegantissima; false aralia, Plerandra elegantissima;
Caecum elegantissimum
eleganselegantissimuselegantissimaelegantissimum
emarginatus L having no edges Phongolo suckermouth, Chiloglanis emarginatus;
Gibraltar sea lavender, Limonium emarginatum;
acerola, Malpighia emarginata; bitter cherry, Prunus emarginata
emarginatusemarginataemarginatum
enanti- G ἐναντίος (enantíos) opposite, against Enantiornithes All pages with titles beginning with Enantio
ennea- G ἐννέα (ennéa) nine banded sunfish Enneacanthus obesus; scurvy-grass sorrel, Oxalis enneaphylla All pages with titles beginning with Ennea
ensatus L sword-like California giant salamander, Dicamptodon ensatus ensatusensataensatum
ensis, ensi- L sword, lance jackknife clam, Ensis minor; swordleaf rush, Juncus ensifolius All pages with titles beginning with Ensiensiformis
-ensis L of, from (a place) Tadarida brasiliensis (Brazilian free-tailed bat); Lucy, Australopithecus afarensis
eques L knight, horseman North Atlantic codling, Lepidion eques ; western horse lubber grasshopper, Taeniopoda eques; leafy seadragon, Phycodurus eques
Aspergillus equitis; Cygnus equitum; Hoheria equitum
eques
erectus L upright Homo erectus ("upright man"); upright chickweed, Moenchia erecta erectuserectaerectum
erio- G ἔριον (érion) wool, woolly common cottongrass, Eriophorum angustifolium All pages with titles beginning with Erio
erosus L indented, jagged, serrated jícama, Pachyrhizus erosus; serrated hinge-back tortoise, Kinixys erosa erosuserosaerosum
erythro- G ἐρυθρός (eruthrós) red[3] spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus; dog's-tooth violet, Erythronium dens-canis All pages with titles beginning with Erythro
esculentus L edible edible frog, Pelophylax kl. esculentus; Gyromitra esculenta esculentus esculenta esculentum
europaeus L European European hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus; European owl moth, Brahmaea europaea europaeuseuropaeaeuropaeum
Euryops G wide-eyed euryops, plant genus; Goiter blacksmelt, Bathylagus euryops euryops
excelsus L exalted African teak, Milicia excelsa; excelsior cone, Conus excelsus excelsusexcelsaexcelsum
exiguus L small, slight scanty frog, Cophixalus exiguus; tongue louse, Cymothoa exigua; obese thorn snail, Carychium exiguum exiguusexiguaexiguum

F

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
fallax L false false swift, Borbo fallax; green marvel, Acronicta fallax fallax
falx L sickle sickle milkvetch, Astragalus falcatus; sickle-leaved hare's-ear, Bupleurum falcatum; sicklethorn, Asparagus falcatus; wild pear, Persoonia falcata falcatusfalcatafalcatumfalciformisfalx
familiaris L domestic, common, familiar dog, Canis lupus familiaris
felis L cat black-footed cat, Felis nigripes; cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis
felinus L cat-like, feline cat gecko, Aeluroscalabotes felinus; marine otter, Lontra felina felinusfelinafelinum
-fer L -bearing western honey bee, Apis mellifera; coconut, Cocos nucifera
ferox L ferocious, wild, bold long snouted lancetfish, Alepisaurus ferox; fossa, Cryptoprocta ferox ferox
ferus L wild wild horse, Equus ferus; wild Bactrian camel, Camelus ferus ferusferaferum
ferrugo L rust ferruginous swift, Borbo ferruginea;
reddish-brown corky spine fungus, Hydnellum ferrugineum;
rusty bloodwood, Corymbia ferruginea;
rusty parrotfish, Scarus ferrugineus;
rusty pitohui, Pseudorectes ferrugineus
ferrugineusferrugineaferrugineum
fidelis L faithful faithful sea slug, Goniobranchus fidelis; faithful leafcutting bee, Megachile fidelis; Pacific sideband, Monadenia fidelis fidelis
filum L thread desert fan palm, Washingtonia filifera; thread fern, Blechnum filiforme; thread-leaved sundew, Drosera filiformis filiferfiliferafiliformisfiliforme
fimbriatus L fringed, fibrous Coomsaharn char, Salvelinus fimbriatus; crested gliding lizard, Draco fimbriatus
trumpet cup lichen, Cladonia fimbriata; fringed jumping spider, Portia fimbriata
fringed earthstar, Geastrum fimbriatum; gang-gang cockatoo, Callocephalon fimbriatum
fimbriatusfimbriatafimbriatum
flavus L golden yellow, light yellow yellow pitcher plant, Sarracenia flava; yellow-necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis flavusflavaflavum
floridus L flowery blue palo verde, Parkinsonia florida; floral banded wobbegong, Orectolobus floridus floridusfloridum
flor- L flos flower southern magnolia, Magnolia grandiflora; great white trillium, Trillium grandiflorum All pages with titles beginning with flori
fodiens L fodere digging burying beetle, Nicrophorus defodiens; burying beetle, Nicrophorus infodiens; Eurasian water shrew, Neomys fodiens; lowland burrowing tree frog, Smilisca fodiens
folium L leaf Foliicolous, 'growing on leaves'; American beech, Fagus grandifolia; broad-leaved sermountain, Laserpitium latifolium; Chinese elm, Ulmus parvifolia; Joshua tree, Yucca brevifolia; upright snottygobble, Persoonia longifolia
formosanus L fōrmōsānus from Taiwan (formerly called Formosa) Formosan black bear, Ursus thibetanus formosanus; Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus
Taiwan flower mantis, Acromantis formosana; Taiwanese sweet gum, Liquidambar formosana
red quinoa, Chenopodium formosanum; Taiwan saddled carpetshark, Cirrhoscyllium formosanum
formosanusformosanaformosanum
formosus L fōrmōsus (well-)formed, beautiful beautiful bronzeback tree snake, Dendrelaphis formosus; Asian arowana, Scleropages formosus
Baikal teal, Sibirionetta formosa; least killifish, Heterandria formosa
giant maidenhair, Adiantum formosum; beautiful giant-flowered dendrobium, Dendrobium formosum
formosusformosaformosum
fragilis L frangere breakable brittle bladder-fern, Cystopteris fragilis; brittle willow, Salix × fragilis; candy cap, Lactarius fragilis; Dientamoeba fragilis; dead man's fingers, Codium fragile; fragile wart frog, Limnonectes fragilis fragilis
fructus L fruit Aspergillus fructus, a fungus species; fructose, fruit sugar; fructicolous, 'growing on fruit'
fuliginosus L sooty jet black ant, Lasius fuliginosus; ruby tiger, Phragmatobia fuliginosa; sooty hairstreak, Satyrium fuliginosum; sooty milkcap, Lactarius fuliginosus fuliginosusfuliginosafuliginosum
fulvus L deep yellow, tawny Pacific golden plover, Pluvialis fulva; sulphur leather coral, Rhytisma fulvum; tawny grisette, Amanita fulva; yellow ground squirrel, Spermophilus fulvus fulvusfulvafulvum
furcatus L forked forked viburnum, Viburnum furcatum; forked wormwood, Artemisia furcata; swallow-tailed gull, Creagrus furcatus furcatusfurcatafurcatum
fuscus L dark, dark brown dusky hopping mouse, Notomys fuscus; dusky pitcher-plant, Nepenthes fusca; rusty peat moss, Sphagnum fuscum; sooty tern, Sterna fuscata fuscusfuscafuscum

G

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
gala, galum G γάλα (gála) milk soap plants, Chlorogalum
garrulus L chattering, talkative Garrulus, a genus of jays; Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus
Eupithecia garrula, an inchworm moth; chestnut-winged chachalaca, Ortalis garrula
Chelostoma garrulum, a carder bee; Omicron garrulum, a potter wasp
garrulusgarrulagarrulum
gaster, gastro-, gastr- L gaster G γαστήρ (gastḗr) belly common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster; Gastropoda
geo- G γαῖα, γῆ () Earth Conus geographus, geography cone; Geotrichum
giganteus L giant giganteus (a sea snail); Aldabra giant tortoise, Aldabrachelys gigantea giganteusgiganteagiganteum
gigas G γίγας giant Humboldt squid, Dosidicus gigas; snow morel, Gyromitra gigas; cœur de la mer, Entada gigas All pages with titles containing gigas
glaber L glaber smooth; hairless[4] naked mole-rat, Heterocephalus glaber; smooth sumac, Rhus glabra; Omphiscola glabra (a snail) glaberglabraglabrum
glacialis L found in glaciers North Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis; glacier wormwood, Artemisia glacialis
glacier lantern fish, Benthosema glaciale; Endocellion glaciale, a daisy
glacialisglaciale
glandulosus L having kernels Tasmanian laurel, Anopterus glandulosus, Basilan Island caecilian, Ichthyophis glandulosus;
honey mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa, warty jumping-slug, Hemphillia glandulosa;
skunk currant, Ribes glandulosum,
glandulosusglandulosaglandulosum
glaucus L glaucus G γλαυκός (glaukós) blue-green, blue-gray, gleaming silvery blue butterfly, Lepidochrysops glauca; Glaucidae, nudibranch family glaucusglaucaglaucum
glutinosus L glutinosus sticky common alder, Alnus glutinosa;
viscid black earth tongue, Glutinoglossum glutinosum;
northern slimy salamander, Plethodon glutinosus
glutinosusglutinosaglutinosum
glyco-, glycy-, glyc- G γλυκύς (glukús) sweet liquorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra; soybean, Glycine max
gonatista G γονατιστα kneeling lichen mimic, Gonatista grisea gonatista
gracilis, gracile L slender, graceful western spotted skunk, Spilogale gracilis; slough darter, Etheostoma gracile; Gracilisuchus gracilisgracile
gracilipes L grăcĭlĭpes[5] slender-footed slender frog, Austrochaperina gracilipes; slender-legged bushfrog, Gracixalus gracilipes; slenderstalk monkeyflower, Mimulus gracilipes; slimfoot century plant, Agave gracilipes gracilipes
graniticus L granite granite claw flower, Calothamnus graniticus;
granite poverty bush, Eremophila granitica;
granite serpentweed, Tonestus graniticus
graniticusgraniticagraniticum
graveolens L gravis strong-smelling common rue, Ruta graveolens; lippia, Lippia graveolens graveolens
gregarius L gregārius, from grex (“flock, herd”) sociable sociable lapwing, Vanellus gregarius; goldfish plant, Nematanthus gregarius; desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria; Leptospermum gregarium, an Australian myrtle gregariusgregariagregarium
griseus L (a Neo-Latin loanword from Germanic) grey desert monitor, Varanus griseus; bluntnose sixgill shark, Hexanchus griseus; parent bug, Elasmucha grisea; lichen mimic, Gonatista grisea
paperbark maple, Acer griseum; white-banded house jumping spider, Hypoblemum griseum
griseusgriseagriseum
groenlandicus L from Greenland (Old Norse Grœnland) harp seal, Pagophilus groenlandicus; spiny lobster, Lebbeus groenlandicus
Arctic woolly bear moth, Gynaephora groenlandica; elephanthead lousewort, Pedicularis groenlandica
bog Labrador tea, Rhododendron groenlandicum
groenlandicusgroenlandicagroenlandicum
gyrino-, gyrinus G γυρῖνος (gurînos) tadpole spring salamander, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus; e.g. Crassigyrinus, Proterogyrinus

H

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
haema-, hema- G αἷμα (haîma) blood Haemosporida; Bacteria sp., Haemophilus influenzae, House finch, Haemorhous mexicanus
hali-, halio- G ἅλς (háls) of the sea, salt Steller's sea eagle, Haliaeetus pelagicus; grey seal, Halichoerus grypus; black abalone, Haliotis cracherodii
hamatus L hooked Slender-billed kite, Helicolestes hamatus; Ruitersbos pincushion, Leucospermum hamatum; Dark Tiger (butterfly) Tirumala hamata hamatushamatumhamata
haplo- G ἁπλόος (haplóos) simple, single mountain beaver, Aplodontia rufa; Mongolosaurus haplodon
hedra- G ἕδρα (hédra) seat, facet Chinese ephedra, Ephedra sinica
helio- G ἥλιος (hḗlios) sun sunflower, Helianthus annuus; sun spurge, Euphorbia helioscopia
hemisphaerica G half-sphere sand laurel oak, Quercus hemisphaerica, sulphur rose, Rosa hemisphaerica Hemisphaerica
hetero- G diversely or different melancholy thistle, Cirsium heterophyllum, Leucanthemum heterophyllum, Smith's cress, Lepidium heterophyllum heterophyllum
hexa- G ἕξ (héx) six water primrose, Ludwigia hexapetala
hibernicus L from Ireland Irish whitebeam, Sorbus hibernica; Atlantic ivy, Hedera hibernica; Southern bristetail, Dilta hibernica; Irish hare, Lepus timidus hibernicus; Mycobacterium hiberniae; Pisidium hibernicum hiberniaehibernicushibernicumhibernica
hibridus L hybrid butterbur, Petasites hybridus, brown spider monkey, Ateles hybridus; kelp goose, Chloephaga hybrida; alsike clover, Trifolium hybridum; hibridushybridushibridahybridahibridumhybridum
hippo- G ἵππος (híppos) horse seahorse, Hippocampus; lesser horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros
hirsutus L hairy hairy bittercress, Cardamine hirsuta;
hairy fruit-eating bat, Artibeus hirsutus;
hairy St John's-wort, Hypericum hirsutum
hirsutushirsutahirsutum
hispidus L rough, shaggy, bristly, prickly banded coral shrimp, Stenopus hispidus; shaggy bracket, Inonotus hispidus
ringed seal, Pusa hispida; wax gourd, Benincasa hispida
bristly starbur, Acanthospermum hispidum; white butterfly triggerplant, Stylidium hispidum
hispidushispidahispidum
homo L human, man modern human, Homo sapiens; Neanderthal, Homo neanderthalensis
hortensis L hortus from the garden broad-leaved anemone, Anemone hortensis;
garden orache, Atriplex hortensis;
Mexican longwing, Heliconius hortense;
Orphean warbler, Sylvia hortensis
hortensishortense
humilis L low, small, humble Mediterranean dwarf palm, Chamaerops humilis; Talaud flying fox, Acerodon humilis
Argentine ant, Linepithema humile; Italian jasmine, Jasminum humile
humilishumile
hydro- G ὕδωρ, ὑδρο- (húdōr, hudro-) water Chinese water deer, Hydropotes inermis; capybara, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
hyemalis L hiems winter dark-eyed junco, Junco hyemalis; winter aconite, Eranthis hyemalis
rough horsetail, Equisetum hyemale; putty root, Aplectrum hyemale
Mucor hiemalis and Hebeloma hiemale, both fungi
hyemalishyemalehiemalishiemale
hyper- G ὑπέρ (hupér) over, above St John's wort, Hypericum perforatum
hyperboreus G ὑπέρ Βορέᾱ (hupér Boréā) from the Arctic region (Hyperborea) glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus; tundra fleabane, Erigeron hyperboreus
tangle or cuvie, Laminaria hyperborea; estuary beggarsticks, Bidens hyperborea
boreal bur-reed, Sparganium hyperboreum; boreal haircap moss, Polytrichum hyperboreum
hyperboreushyperboreahyperboreum
hypo-, hyp- G ὑπό (hupó) under, beneath zebra pleco catfish, Hypancistrus zebra; common cat's-ear, Hypochaeris radicata

I–K

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
iliacus L having a distinctive flank redwing, Turdus iliacus; Etaxalus iliacus, a beetle
fox sparrow, Passerella iliaca; Rhytiphora iliaca, a beetle
iliacusiliaca
imbricatus L tiled Mountain owl's-clover, Orthocarpus imbricatus imbricatusimbricataimbricatum
indicus L Indian Malaysian tapir, Tapirus indicus indicusindicaindicum
inaequalis L unequal variable ladybird, Coelophora inaequalis inaequalisinaequale
inedulis L inedible fungus, Caloboletus inedulis inedulisinedule
inermis L unarmed, defenceless water deer, Hydropotes inermis; henna tree, Lawsonia inermis
turkey-berry, Canthium inerme; white milkwood, Sideroxylon inerme
inermisinerme
ingratus L offensive See Ingrata ingrataingratusingratum
innotatus L unmarked unmarked dagger moth, Acronicta innotata innotata
irregularis L unusual or irregular variable burrowing asp, Atractaspis irregularis; viper's bugloss, Hadena irregularis irregularisirregulare
japonicus L Japanese food wrapper plant, Mallotus japonicus; Japanese pagoda tree, Styphnolobium japonicum; Japanese spiraea, Spiraea japonica; see also nipponensis japonicusjaponicajaponicum
jubatus L iubātus having a mane, crested cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus; Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus
purple pampas grass, Cortaderia jubata; maned forest lizard, Bronchocela jubata
foxtail barley, Hordeum jubatum; Piptochaetium jubatum, a speargrass species
jubatusjubatajubatum
kentuckiensis L from Kentucky Kentucky lady's slipper, Cypripedium kentuckiense; Kentucky lichen moth, Cisthene kentuckiensis kentuckiensiskentuckiense

L

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
lact- L lac milk, sap, milky white Chinese peony, Paeonia lactiflora; milk-caps, Lactifluus; Lactophrys; Aspalathus lactea
laetus L pleasant, bright Crombrugghia laetus, scarce light plume moth; Myoporum laetum, mousehole tree; Parhelophilus laetus laetuslaetum
laevis L smooth red-eyed assassin bug, Platymeris laevicollis; smooth bedstraw, Cruciata laevipes All pages with titles containing Laevis
lagus G λαγώς (lagṓs) hare European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus; viscachas, Lagidium spp.
lancea L lance sculptured seamoth, Pegasus lancifer; swamp lousewort, Pedicularis lanceolata
lateralis L side black-flanked rock-wallaby, Petrogale lateralis
lapponicus L from Lapland/Sápmi (Neo-Latin Lapponia) Lapland longspur, Calcarius lapponicus; Lapland mountain sorrel, Rumex lapponicus
bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica; pincushion plant, Diapensia lapponica
Lapland rosebay, Rhododendron lapponicum; Lapland poppy, Papaver lapponicum
lapponicuslapponicalapponicum
latus L flank; broad horse-eye jack, Caranx latus; wideleaf waterparsnip, Sium latifolium; wych elm, Ulmus glabra 'Latifolia Aurea'
laxus L wide, yielding American globeflower, Trollius laxus; Cyperus laxus, a sedge
flowering grass, Freesia laxa; tufted forget-me-not, Myosotis laxa
Bredasdorp conebush, Leucadendron laxum; false lily turf, Chlorophytum laxum
laxuslaxalaxum
lepidus L pleasant, pleasing, charming rock rattlesnake, Crotalus lepidus; ocellated lizard, Timon lepidus
desert woodrat, Neotoma lepida; embossed hawthorn buprestid, Dicerca lepida
greenthroat darter, Etheostoma lepidum; Leccinellum lepidum, a bolete
lepiduslepidalepidum
lepis, lepido- G λεπίς (lepís) scale, rind, husk, flake large-scale mullet, Liza macrolepis; Lepidoptera
lepto-, lepti- G λεπτός (leptós) light Leptictidium auderiense, Leptospira kirschneri
lepus L hare black-tailed jackrabbit, Lepus californicus
leuco-, leuc- G λευκός (leukós) white white-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
leucocephalus G white-headed bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus;
white-crowned pigeon, Patagioenas leucocephala;
white-headed marsh tyrant, Arundinicola leucocephala;
white-headed stilt, Himantopus leucocephalus;
also see albiceps
leucocephalusleucocephalaleucocephalum
leucodon G white-toothed bicolored shrew, Crocidura leucodon;
lesser mole-rat, Spalax leucodon;
white-toothed cowry, Cypraea leucodon;
white-toothed woodrat, Neotoma leucodon;
also see albidens
leucodon
leucurus G white-tailed white-tailed ptarmigan, Lagopus leucura;
white-tailed robin, Cinclidium leucurum;
white-tailed stonechat, Saxicola leucurus
leucurusleucuraleucurum
lignum L wood Guaiacum, lignum-vitae; Vitex lignum-vitae, yellow hollywood tree; lignicolous, 'growing on wood'; Lignum nephriticum
limosus L muddy limosa harlequin frog, Atelopus limosus;
mud amnicola, Amnicola limosus
limosuslimosalimosum
lineatus L lined or striped thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Ictidomys tridecemlineatus; Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata
lobos L lobus G λοβός (lobós) lobe three-lobe buttercup, Ranunculus trilobus
longi- L longus long frog shark, Somniosus longus, galingale, Cyperus longus;
Turmeric, Curcuma longa;
Long pepper, Piper longum,
longuslongalongumAll pages with titles beginning with longi
longicaudatus L long-tailed long-tailed pygmy rice rat, Oligoryzomys longicaudatus;
longtail catfish, Olyra longicaudata;
longtail tadpole shrimp Triops longicaudatus
longicaudatuslongicaudatalongicaudatum
longicollis L long-necked eastern long-necked turtle, Chelodina longicollis longicollislongicolle
longifolius L long-leaved long-leaf persoonia, Persoonia longifolia;
long-leaf wild buckwheat, Eriogonum longifolium;
long-leaved butterwort, Pinguicula longifolia;
longleaf bush lupine, Lupinus longifolius;
longleaf sunflower, Helianthus longifolius
longifoliuslongifolialongifolium
longirostris L long beak longbeak buttercup, Ranunculus longirostris;
longsnout blacksmelt, Dolicholagus longirostris
longirostrislongirostre
luctuosus L sorrowful, mournful forget-me-not bug, Sehirus luctuosus;
white-shouldered tanager, Tachyphonus luctuosus;
four-spotted moth, Tyta luctuosa
luctuosusluctuosaluctuosum
luminosus L glowing cucubano, Ignelater luminuosus;
New Zealand glowworm, Arachnocampa luminosa;
striped flying squid, Eucleoteuthis luminosa
luminuosusluminuosaluminuosum
lupus, lupo- L (resembling a) wolf grey wolf, Canis lupus; wolf blenny, Omox lupus; headwater catfish, Ictalurus lupus; wolfsnout goby, Luposicya lupus lupus
luteus L yellow, saffron-colored yellow mariposa lily, Calochortus luteus;
yellow vetch, Vicia lutea;
red-billed leiothrix, Leiothrix lutea
luteuslutealuteum

M

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
macro- G μακρός (makrós) long, large big-headed mole rat, Tachyoryctes macrocephalus; rock onion, Allium macrum; sea snail, Turbonilla macra macramacrum
macroura G long-tailed hooded skunk, Mephitis macroura macroura
maculatus L spotted tiger quoll, Dasyurus maculatus; spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularius maculatusmaculatamaculatum
madagascariensis L from Madagascar Madagascar day gecko, Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis; Malagasy ground boa, Acrantophis madagascariensis; Malagasy tree boa, Sanzinia madagascariensis; Madagascar fruit-bat argasid, Ornithodoros madagascariensis madagascariensis
magnus L great, large streaked spiderhunter, Arachnothera magna magnusmagnamagnum
major L greater great tit, Parus major
malabaricus L from Malabar chestnut-tailed starling, Sturnia malabaricus
marginatus L bordered gold edge Japanese euonymus, Euonymus japonicus 'Aureomarginatus' ; marginated tortoise, Testudo marginata marginatusmarginatamarginatum
maritima L of the sea sea beet, Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima;
samphire, Crithmum maritimum, sea holly, Eryngium maritimum;
polar bear, Ursus maritimus, sea rush, Juncus maritimus,
maritimamaritimummaritimus
mauretanicus L from Mauretania (the Maghreb, northwest Africa) Balearic shearwater, Puffinus mauretanicus; Moroccan hairstreak, Tomares mauretanicus
Adscita mauretanica, a moth; Marginella mauretanica, a sea snail
mauretanicusmauretanicamauretanicum
mauro- G μαυρός (maurós) dark, black dark shrew, Crocidura maurisca
maximus L largest royal tern, Thalasseus maximus
mega- G μέγας (mégas) large, great megalodon shark, Otodus megalodon
megacephalus G big-headed Andriyashev large-headed sculpin, Andriashevicottus megacephalus; big-head rush, Juncus megacephalus; big-headed ant, Pheidole megacephala; big-headed tiger beetle, Megacephala megacephala; coastal plain hawkweed, Hieracium megacephalum; large-headed rice rat, Hylaeamys megacephalus megacephalusmegacephalamegacephalum
mel L honey black sage, Salvia mellifera; Nephelium melliferum; western honey bee, Apis mellifera
melano- G μελανός (melanós) black black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris melanusmelana
melanocephalus G black-headed black-headed fleabane, Erigeron melanocephalus; black-headed snake, Tantilla melanocephala; ghost ant, Tapinoma melanocephalum melanocephalusmelanocephalamelanocephalum
melanophyllus G black-leaved Melanophylla; Melanophyllum melanophyllusmelanophyllamelanophyllum
melanops G black-eyed, black-faced black-eyed blue, Glaucopsyche melanops; black-fronted dotterel, Elseyornis melanops; gray spiny mouse, Scolomys melanops melanops
mephitis L bad odor striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis; yellow-pigmented bacteria, Luteimonas mephitis
meridionalis L southern southern oak bush cricket, Meconema meridionale; Andean blueberry, Vaccinium meridionale
southern mammoth, Mammuthus meridionalis; Zimbabwe grey baboon tarantula, Ceratogyrus meridionalis
meridionalemeridionalis
micro- G μικρός (mikrós) small littleleaf pussytoes, Antennaria microphylla
microphyllus G small-leaved baby sage, Salvia microphylla; boxleaf azara, Azara microphylla; littleleaf box, Buxus microphylla; littleleaf mock-orange, Philadelphus microphyllus; small-leaf climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum microphyllusmicrophyllamicrophyllum
minimus L smallest least flycatcher, Empidonax minimus
minor L smaller great frigatebird, Fregata minor
minuta L small dwarf waterclover, Marsilea minuta, little cuckoo, Coccycua minuta;
little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus, harvest mouse, Micromys minutus;
little willowherb, Epilobium minutum,
minutaminutusminutum
mitra LG headband, turban or mitre Mitra spp., mitre shells; Gyromitra esculenta, false morel; Psittacara mitratus, mitred conure; Presbytis mitrata, mitered langur All pages with titles beginning with Mitramitratusmitratamitratum
monile L necklace Conus monilifer
mono- G μόνος (mónos) single Swinhoe's storm-petrel, Oceanodroma monorhis; Monotreme
monoica L monoicous the sandpaper saucer-berry, Cordia monoica monoica
monospermus L Having a single sperm cell one-seed juniper Juniperus monosperma monospermusmonospermamonospermum
monspeliensis L from Montpellier Montpellier cistus, Cistus monspeliensis monspeliensismonspessulanusmonspessulanamonspessulanum
montanus L mons of the mountains mountain bottlebrush, Melaleuca montana; mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus montanus; mountain thistle, Acanthus montanus; tree sparrow, Passer montanus montanus
morpho- G μορφή (morphḗ) shape Menelaus blue morpho, Morpho menelaus
mus, mys L mūs G μῦς (mûs) mouse house mouse, Mus musculus; as rodent, e.g. Phoberomys, Telicomys
mulgere G to milk European nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus Caprimulgus
muralis L growing on the wall annual wall-rocket Diplotaxis muralis, Psammophiliella muralis

N

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
naevius L having moles or spots varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius; spotted salamander, Hynobius naevius
striped cuckoo, Tapera naevia; common grasshopper warbler, Locustella naevia
spotted oncidium, Oncidium naevium; Cyrtidium naevium, a fungus
naeviusnaevianaevium
nanos G νᾶνος (nânos) L nanus dwarf brown-capped woodpecker, Dendrocopos nanus;
dwarf birch, Betula nana;
dwarf shrew, Sorex nanus
nanus
natans L floating Water caltrop, Trapa natans
neomexicanus L from New Mexico New Mexico whiptail, Aspidoscelis neomexicanus;
New Mexican yucca, Yucca neomexicana;
New Mexico thistle, Cirsium neomexicanum
neomexicanusneomexicananeomexicanum
naevius L having moles or spots varied thrush, Ixoreus naevius; spotted salamander, Hynobius naevius
striped cuckoo, Tapera naevia; common grasshopper warbler, Locustella naevia
spotted oncidium, Oncidium naevium; Cyrtidium naevium, a fungus
naeviusnaevianaevium
nexus L tied, bound Eschmeyer nexus, a fish
Phragmatiphila nexa, a moth
nexusnexanexum
nippon(ensis) L from Japan (natively known as Nippon) freshwater shrimp, Macrobrachium nipponense; Japanese bobtail squid, Sepiolina nipponensis; Sika deer, Cervus nippon; Crested ibis, Nipponia nippon
See also: japonicus
nipponensisnipponensenippon
nitidus L nitere shining Baja cape kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula nitida;
Mauritius blue pigeon, Alectroenas nitidissima;
shining pea clam, Pisidium nitidum;
shining tree iguana, Liolaemus nitidus
nitidusnitidanitidum
nix L snow snow buckwheat, Eriogonum niveum;
snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis;
snow petrel, Pagodroma nivea;
snow sheep Ovis nivicola;
snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus;
snowy primrose, Primula nivalis;
snowy sunflower, Helianthus niveus;
nivalisniveusniveaniveumnivosus
nonus L ninth honey fungus, Armillaria nabsnona
norvegicus L from Norway Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus; brown rat, Rattus norvegicus; rose fish, Sebastes norvegicus; Northern krill, Meganyctiphanes norvegica; highland cudweed, Gnaphalium norvegicum; norvegicusnorvegicanorvegicum
nothos G νόθος (nóthos) L nothus false, wrong bluefin notho killifish, Nothobranchius rachovii;
New Zealand red beech, Nothofagus fusca
noton G νῶτον (nôton) back black-backed antshrike, Thamnophilus melanonotus
notos G νότος (nótos) southern fawn hopping mouse, Notomys cervinus
novaeangliae L from New England humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae; Sphaerophoria novaeangliae, a syrphid fly
New England boneset, Eupatorium novae-angliae; New England aster, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
novaeangliaenovae-angliae
novaehollandiae L from New Holland (Australia) emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae; New Holland rattlepod, Crotalaria novae-hollandiae; Sepia novaehollandiae, a cuttlefish novaehollandiaenovae-hollandiae
novaeseelandiae L from New Zealand southern boobook, Ninox novaeseelandiae
New Zealand scallop, Pecten novaezelandiae
yellow-dabbled flounder, Brachypleura novaezeelandiae
New Zealand horned orchid, Orthoceras novae-zeelandiae
red bidibid, Acaena novae-zelandiae
novaeseelandiaenovae-zelandiaenovae-zeelandiaenovaezeelandiaenovaezelandiae
noveboracensis L from New York (Novum Eboracum) margined carrion beetle, Oiceoptoma noveboracense;
New York fern, Thelypteris noveboracensis;
northern waterthrush, Seiurus noveboracensis
noveboracensisnoveboracense
novem L nine nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus;
nine-spotted lady beetle, Coccinella novemnotata
nucifera L bearing nuts butter-nut of Guiana, Caryocar nuciferum;
coconut, Cocos nucifera
All pages with titles containing nucifera
nutans L nodding nodding madia, Harmonia nutans;
nodding spurge, Euphorbia nutans
nutans

O

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Example Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
obscurus L dark dark bolo mouse, Necromys obscurus; dusky dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obscurus; obscure morning glory, Ipomoea obscura; rare clubmoss, Lycopodium obscurum obscurusobscuraobscurum
obsoletus L obsolete, degenerate Pantherophis obsoletus; Great Plains skink, Plestiodon obsoletus obsoletusobsoletum
occidentalis L western eastern arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis; western clover, Trifolium occidentale occidentalisoccidentale
ocean G ὠκεανός (ōkeanós) ocean oceanic gecko, Gehyra oceanica;
Mediterranean tapeweed, Posidonia oceanica
oceanicusoceanica
octo-, octa- G ὀκτω- ὀκτα- eight common octopus, Octopus vulgaris
-odon, -odus G ὀδών (odṓn), ὀδούς (odoús) tooth Dimetrodon, Rhizodus
oeso- G οἰσέμεν (oisémen), οἰσ- carry Oesophagostomum
officinalis L for the workshop; medicinal ginger, Zingiber officinale;
rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis
officinalisofficinale
oleraceus L used as a vegetable cabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, and so on, Brassica oleracea; common sowthistle, Sonchus oleraceus oleraceusoleraceaoleraceum
oleum, olearis L oil Omphalotus olearius, jack o'lantern mushroom
ommato- G ὄμμᾰ (ómma), gen. ὄμμᾰτος (ómmatos) eye Ommatokoita, Ommatochila, Ommatospila All pages with titles beginning with Ommato
ophis G ὄφις (óphis) serpent Carphophis vermis, western wormsnake
ophrys G ὀφρύς (ophrús) eyebrow bee orchid, Ophrys; Central American bushmaster, Lachesis stenophrys
Melanophrys, fly genus; Cyanophrys, butterfly genus
All pages with titles beginning with Ophry
-ophthalmus G ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós) eye common rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus; Ariosoma ophidiophthalmus, an eel; Spanish ling, Molva macrophthalma; Hippopsicon macrophthalmum, a beetle; Cyprinion microphthalmum, a fish; gold-eye lichen, Teloschistes chrysophthalmus
ops G ὤψ (ṓps) face, eye Triceratops
-opsis G ὄψις (ópsis) resembling Carolina parakeet, Conuropsis carolinensis
orientalis L eastern Oriental cockroach, Blatta orientalis orientalisorientale
ortho- G ὀρθός (orthós) straight Orthoptera
oryza G ὄρυζα (óruza) rice Asian rice, Oryza sativa; rice rats, Oryzomys
ovatus L egg-shaped shagbark hickory, Carya ovata ovatusovataovatum

P

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
pachy- G παχύς (pakhús) thick, stout Pachycephalosaurus
palaemon G Παλαίμων (Palaímōn) Palaemon, a sea god whose name means "wrestler" Palaemon, crustacean genus; chequered skipper, Carterocephalus palaemon
Palaemonias, Palaemonella and Palaemonetes, shrimp genera
palaemon
pallidus L pale Dalmatian iris, Iris pallida palliduspallidapallidum
palustris L paluster of the marsh mugger crocodile, Crocodylus palustris; marsh marigold, Caltha palustris; Sphagnurus paluster, mushroom; palustrispalusterpalustrepalustrium
pan- panto- G πᾶν (pân) all Pancratium (a flower); Pangaea
paradoxus L, from G παράδοξος (parádoxos) contrary to expectation, strange, uncharacteristic Pallas's sandgrouse, Syrrhaptes paradoxus, puzzle sunflower, Helianthus paradoxus
ghost mantis, Phyllocrania paradoxa, paradoxical frog, Pseudis paradoxa
green-banded broodsac, Leucochloridium paradoxum, few-flowered garlic, Allium paradoxum
paradoxusparadoxaparadoxum
parilis L equal Syngrapha parilis, a moth; Metasphenisca parilis, a fruit fly
Nephroma parile, a fungus; Malmesbury pincushion, Leucospermum parile
parilisparile
parviflorus L small-flowered small-flowered mallow, Malva parviflora;
thimbleberry, Rubus parviflorus
parviflorusparvifloraparviflorum
parvifolius L small-leaved Chinese elm, Ulmus parvifolia;
littleleaf ceanothus, Ceanothus parvifolius;
small-leaved lomatium, Lomatium parvifolium
parvifoliusparvifoliaparvifolium
parvus L small dwarf catshark, Asymbolus parvus;
mountain pygmy possum, Burramys parvus;
small onion, Allium parvum
parvusparvum
pecten L comb Venus comb murex, Murex pecten
ped L pēs foot showy lady slipper, Cypripedium reginae
pelagicus L, G πελαγικός of the open sea pelagic cormorant, Phalacrocorax pelagicus pelagicuspelagicapelagicum
penn- L penna feather, wing Darwin's rhea, Rhea pennata;
great auk, Pinguinus impennis
penta- G πέντε (pénte) five five-fingered skink, Chalcides pentadactylus
pes-caprae L pēs, L caprae goat's foot Beach morning glory, Ipomoea pes-caprae pes-caprae
petro- G πέτρα (pétra), L petra rock, stone Roberts's flat-headed bat, Sauromys petrophilus;
rock daisy, Erigeron petrophilus
phago- G ἔφαγον eat African scat (fish), Scatophagus tetracanthus;
Icthyophaga, the ("fish-eating") sea eagle
phalloides G like a phallus Amanita phalloides, the death cap, a poisonous basidiomycete fungus species
phenolicus L able to degrade phenol Pseudoalteromonas phenolica phenolicusphenolicaphenolicum
philippinensis L from the Philippines katmon tree, Dillenia philippinensis;
Philippine cobra, Naja philippinensis
pholis G φολῐ́ς (pholís) horny scale bluespotted grouper, Cephalopholis argus
phyllo- G φύλλον (phúllon) leaf garden lupin, Lupinus polyphyllus
physi- G φύσις (phúsis) nature Symphysia ("naturally joined") (a plant)[6]
phyto- G φυτόν (phutón) plant Astrophytum, Astrophytum myriostigma (a cactus); epiphyte
pictus L painted Pimelodus pictus, a catfish;
painted skipper, Hesperilla picta;
painted tunicate, Clavelina picta;
Abutilon pictum, a shrub
pictuspictapictum
platy- G πλατύς (platús) flat and broad flathead trout, Salmo platycephalus; platypus
pleio- G larger, greater in quantity Pleiogynium timoriense, Burdekin plum, sweet plum, tulip plum;
pleiotropy, (a gene) exhibiting multiple phenotypic expression
All pages with titles beginning with Pleio
plicatilis L flexible, pliable fan-aloe, Kumara plicatilis; lobed river mullet, Cestraeus plicatilis
Dendrobium plicatile, an orchid; Cormohipparion plicatile, an extinct horse
plicatilisplicatile
plumosum L feathered big tarweed, Blepharizonia plumosa; buzzer midge, Chironomus plumosus plumosusplumosaplumosum
pod- G πούς (poús) foot, leg, stem red-footed spikesedge, Eleocharis erythropoda; Arthropoda; Gastropoda
poliocephalus G grey-headed ashy-headed goose, Chloephaga poliocephala;
grey-crowned flatbill, Tolmomyias poliocephalus;
grey-headed flying fox, Pteropus poliocephalus;
grey-headed goshawk, Accipiter poliocephalus;
hoary-headed grebe, Poliocephalus poliocephalus;
white-headed langur, Trachypithecus poliocephalus;
yellow-lored tody-flycatcher, Todirostrum poliocephalum
poliocephaluspoliocephalapoliocephalum
poly- G πολύς (polús) many, much common knotgrass, Polygonum aviculare
pomum L fruit apple maggot, Rhagoletis pomonella;
apple murex, Phyllonotus pomum;
codling moth, Cydia pomonella;
emu apple, Kunzea pomifera;
Osage orange, Maclura pomifera
pomumpomiferpomiferapomonella
ponticus G Πόντος (Póntos) Pontic; from Pontus, Turkey Black Sea field mouse, Apodemus ponticus;
Pontic adder, Vipera pontica;
Pontic rhododendron, Rhododendron ponticum;
Roman wormwood, Artemisia pontica
ponticusponticaponticum
praecox L early early onion, Allium praecox;
neon rainbow, Melanotaenia praecox;
wintersweet, Chimonanthus praecox
praecox
praestans L excelling Kamchatka bilberry, Vaccinium praestans;
goliath webcap mushroom, Cortinarius praestans;
(a butterfly), Ypthima praestans;
(a ground beetle), Lesticus praestans;
Tulipa praestans
praestans
praeustus L burned at the end, scorched, withered brownback trevally, Carangoides praeustus; Adetus praeustus, a beetle
Serixia praeusta, a beetle; Tricholauxania praeusta, a fly;
Trogoxylon praeustum, a beetle
praeustuspraeustapraeustum
prātum L meadow Inyo meadow lupine, Lupinus pratensis;
meadow foxtail, Alopecurus pratensis;
meadow sedge, Carex praticola;
meadow waxcap, Cuphophyllus pratensis
pratensispratensepraticola
princeps L first, leader, principal, princely Korean wormwood, Artemisia princeps; princely spiny-tailed lizard, Uromastyx princeps; American pika, Ochotona princeps princeps
proto- G πρῶτος (prôtos) first Protozoa
pruinosus L pruinose, "frosted", covered in white granules Tibetan blue bear, Ursus arctos pruinosus; frosted myotis, Myotis pruinosus
fuzzywuzzy airplant, Tillandsia pruinosa; frosted hawthorn, Crataegus pruinosa
crimson-tailed marsh hawk, Orthetrum pruinosum; dotted blue-eyed grass, Sisyrinchium pruinosum
pruinosuspruinosapruinosum
prunicolor L plum-colored plum-colored worm lizard, Amphisbaena prunicolor prunicolor
pruriens L itching velvet bean, Mucuna pruriens pruriens
pseudo- L G ψευδής (pseudḗs) false or fake Brazilian false rice rat, Pseudoryzomys simplex;
pastel flower, Pseuderanthemum variabile
psych- G ψυχή (psychḗ) mind, soul psychedelic All pages with titles beginning with Psy
psychrophilus G ψυχρός (psukhrós) cold-loving bacterial rod, Flavobacterium psychrophilum;
bacterium, Geobacter psychrophilus;
whip-lash squid, Mastigoteuthis psychrophila
psychrophiluspsychrophilapsychrophilum
pterus, -pter G πτερόν (pterón) wing, feather white-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus;
Pteranodon (winged toothless);
Pterodactylus (winged finger);
Pteridophyta; Diptera;
Coleoptera
ptyo- G πτύον (ptyon) fan fan-fingered geckos, Ptyodactylus; crag martin, Ptyonoprogne All pages with titles beginning with Ptyo
puberulus L having short, soft hairs Hydroporus puberulus, a diving beetle; Leptomyrmex puberulus, an ant
mountain bellwort, Uvularia puberula; hairy melicope, Melicope puberula
plains flax, Linum puberulum; red berry stick plant, Teucrium puberulum
puberuluspuberulapuberulum
pubescens L downy downy oak, Quercus pubescens pubescens
pugil L pugil a boxer fighting conch, Strombus pugilis pugilis
pulchellus L pretty little[7] beautiful sunbird, Cinnyris pulchella;
green pygmy goose, Nettapus pulchellus
pulchelluspulchellapulchellum
pumilus L dwarf Cape dwarf chameleon, Bradypodion pumilum;
dwarf cuckoo, Coccycua pumila;
dwarf mouse-ear, Cerastium pumilum;
eastern forest bat, Vespadelus pumilus;
shaggy fleabane, Erigeron pumilus;
Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila
pumilapumiluspumilum
punctatus L spotted, marked with punctures dotted thyme-moss, Rhizomnium punctatum;
thirteen-spotted lady beetle, Hippodamia tredecimpunctata
punctatuspunctatapunctatum
pungens L pungens pungent blue spruce, Picea pungens;
pungent slippery jack, Suillus pungens
pungens
purpurascens L somewhat purple veiled purple hygrophorus, Hygrophorus purpurascens purpurascens
purpureus L purpureus purple purple amole, Chlorogalum purpureum;
purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea;
purple finch, Haemorhous purpureus
purpureuspurpureapurpureum
pygmaeus L, from the Pygmaeī pygmy, dwarf Bornean orangutan, Pongo pygmaeus; pygmy three-toed sloth, Bradypus pygmaeus; Western Greece goby, Economidichthys pygmaeus; western pygmy marmoset, Cebuella pygmaea; smooth spike-primrose, Epilobium pygmaeum; alpine glacier poppy, Papaver pygmaeum pygmaeuspygmaeapygmaeum
pygargus G πῡ́γᾰργος (pū́gargos) white-rumped Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus pygargus pygarga
pygo- G πυγή (pugḗ) tail, rump chinstrap penguin, Pygoscelis antarcticus

Q

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Example Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
quadri- L quattuor four, square burr grass, Festuca quadriflora (four-flowered);
four-coloured bushshrike, Telophorus quadricolor;
fourspot butterflyfish, Chaetodon quadrimaculatus;
whorled loosestrife, Lysimachia quadrifolia (four-leaved)
All pages with titles beginning with Quadri

R

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
radix L root or radish taproot fleabane, Erigeron radicatus radixradicansradicatusradicis
rāmus L branch branched draba, Draba ramosissima;
branched murex, Chicoreus ramosus
ramosusramosaramulosus
regalis L royal Synalpheus regalis;
regal moth, Citheronia regalis;
royal lily, Lilium regale
regalisregale
repandus L repandus curved upwards, turned up dragon's tongue, Hemigraphis repanda;
hedgehog mushroom, Hydnum repandum;
Peruvian apple cactus, Cereus repandus
repandusrepandarepandum
repens L creeping, crawling (rēpēns) creeping buttercup, Ranunculus repens
repens L unexpected (rĕpēns) white clover, Trifolium repens
reptans, rept- L creeping, crawling bugle, Ajuga reptans;
creeping cinquefoil, Potentilla reptans; Reptilia
reptans
reticulata L reticulated mandarin orange, Citrus reticulata reticulatusreticulatareticulatum
rhino- G ῥίς (rhís) nose orange leaf-nosed bat, Rhinonicteris aurantia; rhinoceros
rhiza G ῥίζα (rhíza) root bushy seedbox, Ludwigia helminthorrhiza; Rhizobium (nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria)
rhodo- G ῥόδον (rhódon) rose, rose-colored Rhododendron

Butter Cap, Rhodocollybia butyracea

rhynchos G ῥύγχος (rhúnkhos) beak or snout mallard, Anas platyrhynchos; Rhamphorhynchus
rhytis G ῥῠτίς (rhutís) wrinkled, folded shaggy moss, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus; Rhytidodon (syn. Rutiodon)
rigidus L rigid, stiff big galleta, Hilaria rigida rigidusrigidarigidum
rossicus L from Russia Pliosaurus rossicus
rostr- L rōstrum beak, bill, snout common crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
rostralis L with a beak buttoned snout moth, Hypena rostralis rostralisrostrale
rostratus L rōstrātus having a beak beaked sedge, Carex rostrata;
beaked yucca, Yucca rostrata;
Caribbean sharp-nose puffer, Canthigaster rostrata;
longnose surgeonfish, Zebrasoma rostratum
rostratusrostratarostratum
ruber, rubr- L ruber red red maple, Acer rubrum;
red valerian, Centranthus ruber;
ruby bolete, Hortiboletus rubellus;
summer tanager, Piranga rubra
ruberrubrarubrumrubellusrubrescens
ruder- L rūdus, rūderis rubbish Cannabis ruderalis;
Porophyllum ruderale;
ruderal bumblebee, Bombus ruderatus
ruderalisruderaleruderatus
rudis, rud- L rough, rude coarse chameleon, Trioceros rudis;
pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis;
rough gecko, Naultinus rudis;
rough mabuya, Eutropis rudis
rudisrude
rufus, ruf- L red, reddish red wolf, Canis rufus;
rufous rubber cup, Galiella rufa
rufusrufarufumrufescens
rupestris L living on cliffs or rocks Eurasian crag martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris; rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris
rock campion, Atocion rupestre; alpine tea-tree, Leptospermum rupestre
rupestrisrupestre
rupicola L cliff dweller Diplacus rupicola, Death Valley monkeyflower; Narcissus rupicola; Tabernaemontana rupicola All pages with titles containing rupicola
russus L reddish Lophocampa russus, a moth; Toxitiades russus, a beetle; Schistura russa, a stone loach; Steccherinum russum, a fungus russusrussarussum
russulus L little reddish one greater white-toothed shrew, Crocidura russula; Mimeresia russulus, a butterfly; pinkmottle woodwax, Hygrophorus russula; Bryum russulum, a moss russulusrussularussulum

S

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
sanctus L sacred See sanctus (species) sanctus
sanguis L blood bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis sanguinis
sapiens L wise recent subspecies of humans: Homo sapiens sapiens ("wise wise man")
saponaria L soapy[8][9] soapworts (Saponaria spp.), soapbark (Quillaja saponaria), Ramaria flavosaponaria saponaria
sativus L sown, cultivated oat, Avena sativa;
pea, Pisum sativum;
rice, Oryza sativa
sativussativasativum
saura, -saur G σαῦρος (saûros) lizard, reptile lancetfish, Alepisaurus; Maiasaura (dinosaur)
saxum L rock saxicolous, 'growing on rocks/stones';
common rock thrush, Monticola saxatilis;
Saxicola, stonechats; Saxifraga, rockfoils; Saxifragaceae, herbaceous plant family
scriptus L written, scribbled, scrawled Cape bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus; scrawled filefish, Aluterus scriptus
pond slider, Trachemys scripta; long hoverfly, Sphaerophoria scripta;
Grammatophyllum scriptum, an orchid; Steindachneridion scriptum, a catfish
scriptusscriptascriptum
sculptus L sculpted reed-stemmed orchid, Epidendrum sculptum;
sculpted lanternshark, Etmopterus sculptus;
sculpted puffball, Calvatia sculpta
sculptussculptasculptum
septem L seven seven-spot ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata
septentrionalis L Northern Hemisphere (septentrional, "of the seven plough-oxen", a reference to The Plough) northern rockling, Ciliata septentrionalis
northern spleenwort, Asplenium septentrionale
septentrionalisseptentrionale
setosus L bristly or shaggy hairy Atlantic spiny rat, Trinomys setosus;
arctic iris Iris setosa,
Diadema setosum
setosussetosasetosum
sidero- G σίδηρος (sídēros) iron Siderostigma, Sideroxylon; lesser horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros All pages with titles beginning with Sidero
silvestris, sylvestris silvaticus L from woodland or forest; wild wildcat, Felis silvestris;
snowdrop anemone, Anemone sylvestris;
Wood frog, Lithobates sylvaticus
silvestris, sylvestrissilvestre, sylvestresilvaticus, sylvaticus
similis L similar Callinectes similis similissimile
simplex L simple see List of species named simplex simplex
sinensis L from China tea, Camellia sinensis sinensissinense
smaragdinus G σμάραγδος (smáragdos) emerald green grass lizard, Takydromus smaragdinus; Carabus smaragdinus, a beetle
Smaragdina, beetle genus; Asian weaver ant, Oecophylla smaragdina
Epidendrum smaragdinum, an orchid; Smaragdia, snail genus
smaragdinussmaragdinasmaragdinumSmaragdia
speciosus L showy queen's crape-myrtle, Lagerstroemia speciosa;
Japanese lily, Lilium speciosum
speciosusspeciosaspeciosum
sperma G σπέρμα (spérma) seed African daisies, Osteospermum
sphen-, spheno- G σφήν (sphḗn) wedge tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus
squamatus L with scales scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus, scaled woodcreeper, Lepidocolaptes squamatus
stellatus L starry carrageenan moss, Mastocarpus stellatus;
Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata
autumn onion, Allium stellatum
stellatusstellatastellatum
stichus, sticticus G στίχος (stíkhos) line, file Ochlerotatus sticticus, a mosquito; western erete, Eretes sticticus
Acalolepta stictica, a beetle; Punctelia stictica, a lichen
Trypetisoma sticticum, a fly; Diorygma sticticum, a lichen
Toothfish, Dissostichus
sticticussticticasticticum
stoma G στόμα (stóma) mouth, opening stomate, Gnathostomata
striatus L striped African striped skink, Trachylepis striata;
striated heron, Butorides striatus;
striped Barbados lily, Hippeastrum striatum
striatusstriatastriatum
strictus L straight, narrow, erect chocolate lily, Dichopogon strictus;
Oxalis stricta; Babiana stricta; Nardus stricta,
bog haircap moss, Polytrichum strictum
strictusstrictastrictum
strix, strig- L or G owl kākāpō or owl parrot, Strigops habroptilus;
tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides;
tawny owl, Strix aluco
suber L cork cork oak, Quercus suber
suchos, -suchus G σοῦχος (soûkhos) crocodile (from Egyptian) Eusuchia;
Koolasuchus
sulcatus L furrowed furrowed wakerobin, Trillium sulcatum;
grooved helmet-orchid, Nematoceras sulcatum
sulcatussulcatasulcatum
symbio G συμβίωσις (sumbíōsis) symbiosis Symbiodinium; Symbiontida symbio
syriacus L Syrian common milkweed, Asclepias syriacus syriacussyriacasyriacum

T

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
tardus, tardi- L slow, late great bustard, Otis tarda;
Chisos Mountains oak, Quercus tardifolia
tele-, tel- G τῆλε (têle) far, distant New South Wales waratah, Telopea speciosissima
tenax L clinging, tenacious bear grass, Xerophyllum tenax;
tough bully, Sideroxylon tenax;
tough-leaved iris, Iris tenax
tenax
tenuis L thin, slender, fine slender rush, Juncus tenuis;
plealeaf knotweed, Polygonum tenue
tenuistenue
terrestris, terrestre L terrestrial large earth bumblebee, Bombus terrestris
bent orchid, Geodorum terrestre
terrestristerrestre
tetra- G τετρα- four four-leaved allseed, Polycarpon tetraphyllum; Tetrapoda
therium, ther- G θηρίον (thēríon), θήρ (thḗr) beast, wild animal giant ground sloth, Megatherium americanum;
stinkpot turtle, Sternotherus odoratus;
gelada, Theropithecus gelada
timidus L shy, timid Mountain hare, Lepus timidus; Rhene timidus, a jumping spider; dwarf three-toed slider, Lerista timida; Elysia timida, a sea slug; Zodarion timidum, an ant spider timidustimidatimidum
tinctorius L for dyeing woad, Isatis tinctoria tinctoriustinctoriatinctorium
tomentosus L furry bristle-tail filefish, Acreichthys tomentosus;
fuzzy mock-orange, Philadelphus tomentosus;
woollyleaf ceanothus, Ceanothus tomentosus
tomentosustomentosatomentosum
tortus L twisted Didymoceras tortus, an extinct ammonite
corkscrew beggarticks, Bidens torta; Fusiturris torta, a sea snail
Bulbophyllum tortum, an orchid; Chloroleucon tortum, a plant
tortustortatortum
trachy- G τραχύς (trachys) rough Trachyscorpia, fish genus; Trachyaretaon, insect genus All pages with titles beginning with trachy
tri-, tris- L tri-, G τρι- (tri-) three black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla;
three-cornered garlic, Allium triquetrum
tricho-, -thrix G θρίξ (thríx), τριχ- (trikh-) hair cloud ear fungus, Auricularia polytricha
tripartitus L three-part threepart violet, Viola tripartita;
threetip sagebrush, Artemisia tripartita
tripartitustripartita
tristis L sad, disagreeable, bitter, foul ever-flowering gladiolus, Gladiolus tristis
American goldfinch, Carduelis tristis
Mupli beetle, Luprops tristis
trivialis L commonplace, ordinary tree pipit, Anthus trivialis;
southern dewberry, Rubus trivialis;
northern water plantain, Alisma triviale;
Bulbophyllum triviale, an orchid
trivialistriviale
troglodytes L G τρωγλοδύτης (trōglodútēs) cave-dweller chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes;
wren, Troglodytes troglodytes
tropicalis L tropical Candida tropicalis (yeast);
Rostraureum tropicale (fungus)
tropicalistropicale
truncatus L truncated, foreshortened common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus;
pink fairy armadillo, Chlamyphorus truncatus;
rattlesnake flower, Brazoria truncata;
false Christmas cactus, Schlumbergera truncata;
Shantung maple, Acer truncatum;
truncate leek orchid, Prasophyllum truncatum
truncatustruncatatruncatum
trygon G τρῡγών (trygōn) stingray
turtledove
Fontitrygon, Hemitrygon, Trygonoptera, all ray genera
Geotrygon and Trugon, dove genera
trygontrugonAll pages with titles beginning with trygo
typhlo- G τυφλός (typhlós) blind Typhlobarbus nudiventris, fish species; Typhlochactidae, scorpion family All pages with titles beginning with typhl
tyranno- G τύραννος (túrannos) tyrant, tyrannical Tyrannosaurus rex; Tyrannodoris; Tyrannoneustes; Tyrannotitan;

U

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Example Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
ulmus L elm American elm, Ulmus americana; elmleaf goldenrod, Solidago ulmifolia; Siberian elm, Ulmus pumila; Ulmus
ulos G οὖλος (oûlos) woolly Uloborus; Ulotrichi; Ulotrichopus All pages with titles beginning with Ulo
unus L one Monotropa uniflora; unicolor woolly lemur, Avahi unicolor
ura G οὐρά (ourá) of the tail mourning dove, Zenaida macroura; coral snake, Micrurus corallinus

V

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Examples Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
vaginalis L sheathed, vaginal Alyce clover, Gardnerella vaginalis vaginalis
variabilis L variable grey bunting, Emberiza variabilis variabilisvariabile
varians L varying (usually in color) Chameleon shrimp, Hippolyte varians
Chelidonura varians; Chelidonura varians
varians
variegatus L variegated variegated laughingthrush, Garrulax variegatus; croton, Codiaeum variegatum variegatusvariegatavariegatum
varius L different, variegated, variable lace monitor, Varanus varius; yellow-bellied sapsucker, Sphyrapicus varius
barred owl, Strix varia; purple crown vetch, Securigera varia
variable triplefin, Forsterygion varium; grass cerith, Bittiolum varium
variusvariavarium
velox, velocis L swift swift fox, Vulpes velox; Velociraptor velox
ventralis L ventral, of the belly Hispaniolan parrot, Amazona ventralis;
southern dwarf chameleon, Bradypodion ventrale
ventralisventrale
venustus L beautiful giraffe hap, Nimbochromis venustus; beautiful pit viper, Trimeresurus venustus
flamevine, Pyrostegia venusta; orchard spider, Leucauge venusta
Himalayan maidenhair, Adiantum venustum; magnificent leafy moss, Plagiomnium venustum
venustusvenustavenustum
vernicosa L varnished varnished maxillaria, Maxillaria vernicosa vernicosusvernicosavernicosum
vernus, vernalis L spring (season) spring gentian, Gentiana verna;
spring pheasant's eye, Adonis vernalis;
spring sneezeweed, Helenium vernale
vernalisvernale
verrucosus L rough-skinned Javan warty pig, Sus verrucosus; reef stonefish, Synanceia verrucosa verrucosusverrucosaverrucosum
versicolor L many-colored varied honeyeater, Lichenostomus versicolor; Vietnam mouse-deer, Tragulus versicolor versicolor
verticillata L whorled spaghetti bryozoan, Amathia verticillata; whorled plectranthus, Plectranthus verticillatus verticillatusverticillataverticillatum
verus L true, genuine true aloe, Aloe vera; lady's bedstraw, Galium verum verusverum
victoriae L Victorian Victoria's bar, Cigaritis victoriae victoriae
villosus L[10] hairy, shaggy hairy nightshade, Solanum villosum;
hairy stonecrop, Sedum villosum;
hairy vetch, Vicia villosa;
hairy woodpecker, Picoides villosus;
shaggy hawkweed, Hieracium villosum;
villous deadly carrot, Thapsia villosa
villosusvillosavillosum
virginiana L Virginia Virginia opossum, Didelphis virginiana; Rosa virginiana, the Virginia rose virginianavirginianum
viridis L green frog orchid, Coeloglossum viride;
green alder, Alnus viridis;
green wrasse, Labrus viridis
viridisviride
virosus L poisonous cowbane, Cicuta virosa; poisonous lettuce, Lactuca virosa virosusvirosa
viticola
(vitis-cola)
L grape vine inhabitant or cultivator Phomopsis viticola; Plasmopara viticola; Schizomyia viticola viticola
volans L flying flying dragon, Draco volans; southern flying squirrel, Glaucomys volans volans
vulgaris L common common octopus, Octopus vulgaris; common privet, Ligustrum vulgare vulgarisvulgare

X–Z

[edit]
Latin/Greek Language English Example Search for titles containing the word or using the prefix:
xanthos G ξανθός yellow yellow staining mushroom, Agaricus xanthodermus All pages with titles beginning with Xanth
zebratus L cross-striped Kolombatovic's goby, Chromogobius zebratus
zoster G ζωστήρ (zōstḗr) belt, girdle white-eyes, Zosterops; Zosterophyllum; Zosterocarpus abyssicola All pages with titles beginning with Zoster
zygos G ζυγός joined Zygophyllum; Zygoptera All pages with titles beginning with Zygo

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
In systematic nomenclature, particularly in and , Latin and Greek words form the core building blocks for scientific names, enabling precise descriptions of organisms' characteristics such as morphology, , color, and through roots, prefixes, and suffixes. This approach stems from the system established by in works like Species Plantarum (), which standardized naming using Latinized forms for universality among scholars, as Latin and Greek were the lingua franca of educated Europeans at the time. The list of such words compiles frequently used elements to assist in deciphering taxonomic names, where Greek terms are often transliterated into Latin grammar—for instance, chlorophyllum combines Greek chloros (green) and Latin folium (leaf) to denote green leaf-like structures, while rhinoceros derives from Greek rhis (nose) and keras (horn). Governed by codes like the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) and the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), these elements ensure consistent, descriptive naming across global scientific communities, with Greek often providing descriptive roots and Latin handling grammatical forms such as plurals (e.g., spora becomes sporae). Beyond biology, Latin and Greek roots extend to chemical systematic nomenclature, where prefixes like Greek tetra- (four) or Latin-derived ferro- (iron) specify molecular composition and structure, as outlined in IUPAC recommendations for precision in naming compounds. Common examples include bio- (life, from Greek bios) in biology, cardio- (heart, from Greek kardia) in cardiovascular, and derm- (skin, from Greek derma) in epidermis, highlighting how these classical terms facilitate learning and recall in scientific terminology.

Introduction

Purpose and Scope

This article catalogs the Latin and Greek roots, prefixes, and suffixes commonly employed in systematic scientific across disciplines such as , chemistry, and , highlighting their function in generating precise, descriptive, and internationally consistent terms for organisms, compounds, and processes. In , systematic names form the basis of , where each receives a two-part designation consisting of a name followed by a species , both typically derived from Latin or Greek to describe characteristics like appearance, habitat, or behavior. Similarly, in chemistry, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) rules utilize these roots to construct names for organic and inorganic compounds, incorporating numerical prefixes from Greek (e.g., tetra- for four) or Latin (e.g., bi- for two) to denote structure and composition. The scope encompasses descriptive adjectives and nouns from Latin, often as standalone elements, alongside Greek combining forms that facilitate compound creation, including hybrid constructions blending both languages for clarity and brevity. While classical meanings provide the foundation—such as Greek photo- denoting "light" and synthesis meaning "putting together," which combine in "photosynthesis" to describe light-driven assembly—their scientific adaptations may extend or specialize these senses to fit modern contexts like biochemical pathways. This evolution underscores a key distinction: original etymological intent versus tailored usage in nomenclature to ensure descriptive accuracy without ambiguity. The reliance on Latin and Greek stems from their adoption for universality following Carl Linnaeus's establishment of in the , as these "dead" languages remain stable across cultures, preventing shifts in meaning that could arise from terms and promoting unbiased global communication in science.

Linguistic Origins

Latin, an Indo-European language originating from , serves as a for descriptive terms in scientific , such as adjectives like albus meaning "white," which contribute to forming precise identifiers for characteristics in systematic names. Greek, an ancient Indo-European language originating in the Mediterranean region around 2000 BCE with the earliest attestations in c. 1400 BCE, provides the foundation for many technical terms adopted into scientific vocabulary through cultural and scholarly transmission, influencing fields requiring specialized descriptors. Key grammatical features of these languages have been adapted for nomenclature. In Greek, combining forms often use a connective vowel like -o- to join roots, as seen in bio-logy (life-study), facilitating the creation of compound words that convey complex concepts efficiently. Latin's declension system, which originally varied endings for case, number, and gender across five classes, has been simplified in scientific use to fixed, invariable forms that maintain universality while preserving etymological clarity. This adaptation ensures terms like genus plurals (genera) follow classical patterns without full inflectional complexity. The influence of other languages on this nomenclature is minimal, with Latin and Greek dominating due to their established roles in scholarly communication, avoiding significant borrowings from Arabic or Hebrew. These roots evolved through Medieval Latin, preserved in ecclesiastical and academic texts, and experienced revival during the Renaissance, when scholars revived classical forms to standardize emerging scientific discourse. Pronunciation guidelines for these roots emphasize classical conventions adapted to modern usage. For Greek, the digraph ch (chi) is pronounced as /k/, as in chorus ("KOR-us"); for Latin, the diphthong ae is typically rendered as /iː/, similar to the "y" in "try," as in Caesarea ("see-SAIR-ee-a"). These rules, drawn from Latin pronunciation akin to Italian or Spanish, aid in consistent oral communication of terms. The Linnaean system relies on these linguistic foundations to ensure binomial names are internationally intelligible.

Historical Context

Development in Biological Nomenclature

The development of biological nomenclature, particularly the integration of Latin and Greek words, began with the foundational work of Carl Linnaeus in the mid-18th century. In his 1753 publication Species Plantarum, Linnaeus systematically applied binomial nomenclature to plants, assigning each species a two-part name consisting of a genus and a specific epithet, both formed in Latin or latinized Greek to ensure universality and precision. This system replaced earlier, cumbersome polynomial descriptions with concise, standardized terms, such as Rosa canina for the dog rose, drawing on classical languages for their grammatical flexibility and international accessibility. Linnaeus extended this approach to animals in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae in 1758, establishing it as the starting point for zoological nomenclature, with examples like Felis catus for the domestic cat, where "felis" derives from Latin for "cat" and "catus" from Latin for "domestic." These works not only cataloged thousands of species but also embedded Latin and Greek roots—such as "homo" (Latin for "man") in Homo sapiens (1758)—as the linguistic foundation for taxonomic naming, promoting consistency across scientific communication. Following Linnaeus, the 19th century saw expansions influenced by evolutionary theory, notably Charles Darwin's (1859), which shifted taxonomic focus toward phylogenetic relationships and encouraged the use of descriptive Latin and Greek terms reflecting ancestry and adaptation. Darwin's emphasis on prompted taxonomists to coin names like Darwinia (a genus honoring him, from Latinized Greek) or terms incorporating roots such as "phylon" (Greek for "tribe" or "race") to denote evolutionary lineages, integrating classical with emerging biological concepts. This period marked a transition from purely morphological to one incorporating evolutionary descriptors, though the core Linnaean structure remained intact. Standardization accelerated in the through international codes that formalized the use of Latin and Greek forms. The (ICZN), first established in 1905 and revised through subsequent editions (e.g., 1964, 1985, 1999), mandates that animal names be spelled using the Latin alphabet and treated as Latin, even when derived from Greek, with specific rules for gender agreement and latinization of new coinages, such as forming adjectival epithets like -oides (Greek for "resembling"). Similarly, the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and (ICN), originating from Alphonse de Candolle's 1867 Lois de la Nomenclature Botanique and codified in editions like the 1905-1906 International Rules, requires plant names to be in Latin form regardless of origin, including provisions for hybrid names using the (×) followed by latinized parental epithets, as standardized by committees at botanical congresses (e.g., 1950 Stockholm Code). These codes, overseen by bodies like the and the International Association for Plant Taxonomy, addressed ambiguities in hybrid formations—such as × Cupressocyparis leylandii (a hybrid)—by enforcing grammatical rules from classical languages, ensuring stability amid growing taxonomic complexity. By the late , these frameworks had solidified Latin and Greek as indispensable for precise, globally recognized biological names.

Adoption in Other Sciences

The adoption of Latin and Greek words in systematic extended beyond during the , largely influenced by the precedent set by Linnaean binomial systems in classifying organisms, which emphasized precise, root-based descriptors for universality across sciences. In chemistry, early precursors to the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) rules incorporated Greek numerical prefixes to denote atom counts in compounds, facilitating systematic naming amid rapid discoveries in . For instance, prefixes such as mono-, di-, and tri-—derived from Greek words for one, two, and three—were applied to hydrocarbons like (one carbon) and (two carbons), reflecting a shift from labels to structured conventions by chemists like . In medicine, the Renaissance revival of Galen's ancient Greek terminology further propelled this interdisciplinary spread, as scholars retranslated and integrated terms from his works into Latin anatomical studies, bridging classical knowledge with emerging empirical observations. Examples include cardio- from the Greek kardia (heart), used in compounds like cardiology to describe heart-related functions, which gained prominence through dissections by figures such as Andreas Vesalius. This tradition persisted into modern pharmacology, where the World Health Organization (WHO) standardizes International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) using Latin and Greek stems to indicate therapeutic classes, such as -olol (from Greek roots denoting blockers) for beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists like propranolol. Cross-disciplinary hybrids emerged as fields overlapped, blending biological and chemical roots; the term biochemistry, coined in the mid-19th century from Greek bios (life) and the Latin-influenced chemistry, exemplifies this fusion, denoting the study of chemical processes in living organisms and highlighting nomenclature's role in unifying sciences. However, challenges arose from field-specific variations, particularly in chemistry where systematic IUPAC names (e.g., 2,2,4-trimethylpentane for isooctane) often clashed with retained trivial names (e.g., acetone for propan-2-one), stemming from historical priorities and practical usage since the 1892 Geneva Congress. These discrepancies underscore the tension between precision and tradition in non-biological applications.

Usage Across Disciplines

In Biology and Taxonomy

In and , Latin and Greek words form the foundation of systematic nomenclature, enabling precise and universal identification of organisms across hierarchical ranks from to . This system, rooted in the Linnaean tradition of , mandates the use of Latinized forms derived from classical languages to ensure stability and international consistency. At higher taxonomic levels, standardized suffixes derived from Latin and Greek are appended to base names, typically drawn from a type genus, to denote ranks such as families and orders. For animals, the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) specifies that family names end in -idae (e.g., Felidae from Felis, meaning cat-like, derived from Latin felis), superfamilies in -oidea, subfamilies in -inae, and tribes in -ini. In contrast, for plants, algae, and fungi, the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) requires family names to end in -aceae (e.g., Rosaceae from Rosa, the rose family, from Latin rosa), orders in -ales (e.g., Rosales), subfamilies in -oideae, and suborders in -ineae. These suffixes must conform to Latin or Greek grammatical endings, with the base name Latinized if necessary, to reflect the rank rather than the taxonomic content itself. At the genus and levels, Latin and Greek roots are often used descriptively to convey characteristics such as , morphology, or , providing etymological insight into the organism's traits. For instance, the specific riparius (Latin for "of the riverbank") is applied to inhabiting riparian zones, as in Carex riparia, a sedge found along waterways. Similarly, spinosa (Latin for "spiny") describes thorny plants like Opuntia spinosa, highlighting their morphological features. names may combine Greek elements, such as Hippocampus (from Greek hippos, horse, and kampos, sea monster), referring to seahorses with their horse-like heads. The binomial name Canis lupus exemplifies Latin usage, combining canis (dog or wolf) and lupus (wolf) to denote the gray . These descriptive terms must be treated as Latin adjectives or nouns in agreement with the name's and case. Regulatory frameworks enforced by the ICZN and ICN prioritize Latin and Greek derivations to maintain nomenclatural stability, with all scientific names required to use the Latin alphabet and be Latinized regardless of origin. The principle of priority ensures the oldest valid name prevails, favoring descriptive terms over later eponyms ( names like linnaei for ) unless the latter have precedence under specific exceptions. Eponyms, often genitive forms of personal names, contrast with descriptive names by honoring individuals rather than describing traits, but both must adhere to Latin grammatical rules; for example, ICZN Article 31 allows species-group names to be adjectives in the nominative or . Violations, such as non-Latinized forms, render names unavailable, underscoring the codes' emphasis on classical languages for universality.

In Chemistry

In chemistry, Latin and Greek roots underpin the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature system, enabling the systematic construction of names for organic and inorganic compounds based on their structural features, functional groups, and substituent counts. This approach ensures unambiguous identification of molecular compositions, drawing heavily from classical languages to describe elements like carbon chains, bonds, and multiplicities. The 2013 IUPAC Blue Book formalized these conventions, emphasizing hierarchical naming priorities for complex structures. Numerical prefixes, primarily of Greek origin, quantify the number of identical substituents or structural units in a compound. For instance, di- (from Greek dis, meaning two) and tri- (from Greek treis, meaning three) denote two or three occurrences, as seen in trichloromethane (CHCl₃), where tri- indicates three atoms attached to the backbone. These prefixes extend to higher numbers, such as tetra- (four) and penta- (five), following IUPAC rules for simple and complex multiplicities, with modifications like tetrakis- for intricate ligands to avoid ambiguity. Functional group nomenclature incorporates suffixes and prefixes rooted in Latin and Greek to signify specific reactive sites. The suffix -ol, denoting alcohols (compounds with a hydroxyl group, -OH), derives from "alcohol," a term of origin (al-kuḥl) adopted into Latin and later standardized in IUPAC, as in (C₂H₅OH). Complementing this, the prefix hydro- (from Greek hydōr, meaning ) describes water-related additions or hydrogen content, such as in hydrocarbons or hydrated ions, highlighting the linguistic blend for aqueous or hydrogenous features. For hydrocarbons, root names and suffixes systematically convey saturation and bonding using Greco-Latin elements. The suffix -ane identifies saturated alkanes (single bonds), -ene unsaturated compounds with double bonds, and -yne those with triple bonds; these endings are appended to stems like meth- (from Greek/Latin for wood or wine derivatives) to form names such as (C₂H₆) or (C₃H₄). A notable example is (C₁₄H₁₀), a named from Greek anthrax (meaning coal), reflecting its isolation from and bluish akin to glowing embers. Illustrative compounds further demonstrate this integration. combines the root eth- (from or early naming) with -ol to specify the alcohol functional group on a two-carbon chain. Similarly, glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), a key in photosynthetic pathways, derives its name from Greek gleukos (sweet wine), capturing its sweet taste and role as a intermediate. These terms, while rooted in classical languages, evolved through early chemical discoveries influenced briefly by biological observations of natural substances. Recent IUPAC updates, including the 2013 recommendations, extend these principles to emerging fields like nanomaterials by incorporating Greek-derived prefixes such as nano- (from nanos, meaning dwarf) to denote structures at the 1–100 nm scale, as in nanocrystalline carbon or nanodiamonds, ensuring consistency in naming nanoscale modifications of traditional compounds.

In Medicine and Pharmacology

In medicine and pharmacology, Latin and Greek roots form the foundation of anatomical terminology, enabling precise descriptions of body structures. The prefix cardio- derives from the Greek kardia, meaning "heart," and is used in terms like cardiology to denote cardiac-related conditions or procedures. Similarly, neuro- originates from the Greek neuron, signifying "nerve," as seen in neurology for the study of the nervous system. The Latin word corpus, meaning "body," appears in terms like corpuscle, referring to small cellular bodies such as red blood corpuscles in hematology. These roots facilitate standardized naming in clinical contexts, promoting clarity across languages. Pathological terms often employ Greek suffixes to indicate disease processes, enhancing diagnostic specificity. The suffix -itis, from Greek meaning "inflammation," is appended to roots to describe inflammatory conditions, as in appendicitis for inflammation of the appendix. The suffix -oma, derived from Greek oma ("mass" or "tumor"), denotes neoplastic growths, exemplified by carcinoma for malignant tumors of epithelial origin. These elements allow for concise yet descriptive nomenclature in pathology reports and . Pharmacological naming draws on these roots to reflect drug actions and origins, aiding in therapeutic classification. Analgesic combines the Greek prefix an- ("without") and algos ("pain"), describing agents that relieve pain without loss of consciousness, such as opioids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics like penicillin derive from the Latin Penicillium, the mold genus (penicillus meaning "little brush" due to its spore structure) from which it was isolated. Examples include hypertension, from Greek hyper- ("over" or "high") and Latin tensio ("stretching" or "pressure"), indicating elevated blood pressure. Another is aspirin, chemically acetylsalicylic acid, where "salicylic" stems from Salix (Latin for "willow"), the plant source of its active precursor salicin used historically for pain relief. Standards such as the Nomina Anatomica (historical international anatomical nomenclature) and the International Nonproprietary Names (INN) system ensure consistent use of Latin and Greek-derived terms in medical practice. The Nomina Anatomica, developed from 1895 to 1983, standardized anatomical descriptors primarily in Latin with Greek influences to support global education and research. The INN program, managed by the World Health Organization, assigns generic drug names using stems from Greek and Latin roots (e.g., -vir for antivirals from Latin virus), promoting unambiguous identification in pharmacology.

Alphabetical List

A

The section on prefixes and roots beginning with "A" in systematic highlights common elements derived from classical languages, primarily used to denote absence, position, color, or environmental conditions in scientific naming conventions across , chemistry, , and related fields. These terms facilitate precise description in , , and chemical compounds, often combining with other roots to form binomial names or technical descriptors. A table summarizing key examples is provided below, focusing on their linguistic origins, primary meanings, and representative applications in systematic names.
Prefix/RootOriginMeaningExamples in Systematic Names
a-/an-Greekwithout, not, lackingIn biology, anaerobic describes organisms or processes lacking oxygen, as in anaerobic bacteria; in chemistry, anhydrous refers to substances without water molecules.
ab-Latinaway from, off, downIn botany, abaxial denotes the side of a leaf or organ facing away from the stem axis; in anatomy, abductor muscles move parts away from the body's midline.
acantho-/acanth-Greek (from akantha, thorn)thorn, spine, prickleIn biology, Acanthaceae is a plant family characterized by spiny structures, such as in the genus Acanthus; acanthocyte describes spiny red blood cells in medical pathology.
acro-Greek (from akros, top)top, peak, extremityIn medicine, acrocephalic refers to a condition of abnormal head shape with a peaked top; in botany, acropetal describes development from base to apex in inflorescences.
aero-Greek (from aēr, air)airIn biology, aerobe denotes organisms requiring oxygen, as in aerobic respiration; in chemistry, aerosol describes suspensions of fine solid or liquid particles in air.
albi-/alb-Latin (from albus, white)white, paleIn taxonomy, species names like Lupus albus indicate white coloration; in medicine, albumin refers to white proteins in blood plasma.
ambi-/amphi-Latin/Greek (from ambi both, amphi around)both, around, on both sidesIn biology, amphibian classifies animals living in both aquatic and terrestrial environments, such as frogs in the class Amphibia.
andro-Greek (from anēr/andros, man/male)male, manIn medicine and endocrinology, androgen denotes male sex hormones like testosterone; in botany, androecium refers to the male reproductive structures in flowers.
angio-Greek (from angeion, vessel)vessel, containerIn biology, angiosperm names flowering plants with seeds enclosed in vessels (ovaries); in medicine, angiogram is an imaging technique for blood vessels.
antho-Greek (from anthos, flower)flowerIn botany, Anthoceros is a genus of hornworts with flower-like reproductive structures; anthozoan describes flower-animal-like cnidarians such as sea anemones.
anti-Greek (from anti, against)against, oppositeIn pharmacology, antibiotic refers to substances that act against bacteria, such as penicillin; in medicine, antibody denotes proteins countering pathogens.
aqua-/aqu-Latin (from aqua, water)waterIn taxonomy, epithets like aquatica denote aquatic habitats, as in Myosotis aquatica (water forget-me-not); in chemistry, aqueous describes solutions in water, as in aqueous acids.
These elements are integral to constructing descriptive names in the Linnaean system and modern scientific terminology, ensuring clarity and universality in interdisciplinary communication.

B

The root bacca-/ bacc- originates from Latin bacca, denoting a berry or small fruit, and is employed in botanical nomenclature to describe plants bearing berry-like structures. For instance, the genus Vaccinium (encompassing blueberries and related species) draws from classical Latin vaccinium, a term for berry-producing plants, reflecting their small, succulent fruits. This root emphasizes descriptive morphology in systematic names, aiding identification in taxonomy. The element barb- stems from Latin barba, meaning beard, and appears in names highlighting hair-like or bristled features in plants. In bryology, the moss genus Barbula derives its name from barbula, a diminutive form signifying "little beard," referring to the tufted, hair-like peristome teeth surrounding the spore capsule. This usage underscores microscopic anatomical traits in moss classification. The prefixes bi- and bis- trace to Latin bi- (from bis, twice) and parallel Greek di-, both indicating duality or repetition, and are prevalent in biological and chemical nomenclature for denoting paired or double elements. In biology, bipedal describes organisms like humans that locomote on two feet, combining bi- with pes (foot). In chemistry, binary compounds involve exactly two distinct elements, such as sodium chloride (NaCl), where the term originates from Latin bini (two together). The prefix bio- derives from Greek bios, meaning life, and forms the basis for terms across biology, ecology, and medicine that pertain to living processes or organisms. The discipline of biology itself combines bio- with logos (study), denoting the scientific study of life. In ecology, biome refers to large-scale communities of life forms adapted to specific climates, coined in the early 20th century from bio- and the suffix -ome (mass or body). Medically, biotin (vitamin B7) gets its name from Greek biotos (sustenance for life), highlighting its role in metabolic functions essential for cellular growth. Brachy- comes from Greek brakhus, signifying short, and is used in zoological names to indicate abbreviated body parts or structures. The class Brachypoda (short-footed) within Cephalocarida crustaceans combines brachy- with pous (foot), describing their compact appendages. This root facilitates precise taxonomic differentiation based on proportional morphology. The combining form broncho- originates from Greek bronkhos, referring to the windpipe or trachea, and is integral to medical terminology for respiratory anatomy. In conditions like bronchitis, it denotes inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways branching from the trachea into the lungs.

C

The section on terms beginning with "C" in systematic nomenclature highlights prefixes and roots often denoting colors, anatomical features, and biological structures, particularly in biology, botany, medicine, and mycology. These elements draw from Latin and Greek to describe visual traits like blue or green hues, or structural aspects such as heads, hearts, or cells, aiding in the precise classification of organisms and compounds. Caeci- or caec-, from Latin caecus meaning "blind," refers to blind-ended or closed structures in anatomical and taxonomic contexts. It appears in the genus Caecum (family Caecidae), a group of minute, tube-dwelling gastropod mollusks whose shell morphology resembles a blind pouch. Caeruleo-, derived from Latin caeruleus meaning "" or "sky-colored," is commonly used in and to denote bluish features. For instance, the caerulea describes the flowers of , a in the passionflower native to . , a Latin meaning "," forms the basis of the in the Canidae, encompassing wolves, coyotes, , and domestic dogs. This taxonomic usage reflects the shared canid characteristics, with Canis lupus as the gray . Capit-, from Latin caput meaning "head," denotes head-like or terminal structures, especially in botanical descriptions. In botany, capitate describes heads or clusters, such as the capitate stigma of the primrose (Primula), where the stigma forms a rounded, head-shaped tip. Cardi-, originating from Greek kardia meaning "heart," is a key root in medical and anatomical nomenclature for heart-related terms. It appears in cardiovascular, referring to the heart and blood vessels system, as in cardiovascular diseases affecting cardiac function. Carp-, from Greek karpos meaning "fruit," is used in mycology and botany to describe fruiting bodies or fruit-like structures. In fungi, it forms terms like sporocarp, the fruiting body producing spores, analogous to a fruit in higher . Chloro-, derived from Greek chlōros meaning "green" or "pale green," indicates green coloration or components in biological and chemical names. This is evident in chlorophyll, the green pigment essential for in and algae. Chromo-, from Greek chrōma meaning "color," relates to colored bodies or staining properties in cellular . It underlies chromosome, the colored (stainable) thread-like structures in cell nuclei carrying genetic information. Cirrh-, from Greek kirrhos meaning "tawny" or "yellowish," describes tawny or orange-yellow appearances in medical pathology. In medicine, it forms cirrhosis, a characterized by tawny scar tissue formation. Cyto-, from Greek kytos meaning "hollow vessel" or "cell," pertains to cells or cellular components in biological . This prefix is seen in cytoplasm, the cell's internal material excluding the nucleus, encompassing organelles and .

D

The prefix dactyl-, derived from the Greek daktylos meaning "finger," is used in biological to denote structures resembling fingers or toes, such as digits in or finger-like projections in . For instance, the grass Dactylis (e.g., , cock's-foot grass) refers to its finger-like seed heads, a naming convention in that highlights morphological features. Deca-, originating from the Greek deka meaning "ten," serves as a numerical prefix in chemistry and other sciences to indicate a quantity of ten, particularly in naming compounds with ten units or atoms. A representative example is (C₁₀H₂₂), an with ten carbon atoms, systematically named under IUPAC conventions to denote chain length in . The combining form dendro-, from the Greek dendron meaning "tree," is employed in biology and medicine to describe branching, tree-like structures, evoking the arborized patterns observed in nature. In neurobiology, dendrite refers to the branched extensions of neurons that receive synaptic inputs, a term that underscores their resemblance to tree branches in facilitating signal propagation. Similarly, in botany, Dendrocalamus denotes a genus of bamboos with tree-like growth habits. Di- (Greek, from dis meaning "twice" or "two") and duo- (Latin, from duo meaning "two") are prefixes indicating duality or a pair in scientific , often used interchangeably but with di- predominant in Greek-derived terms and duo- in Latin contexts. In chemistry, dioxide (e.g., , CO₂) specifies two oxygen atoms bonded to another element. In , diploid describes cells with two sets of chromosomes (2n), a fundamental concept in for organisms like humans. These prefixes share numerical patterns with bi-, both denoting two in multiplicative contexts across disciplines. Dorso-, stemming from the Latin dorsum meaning "back," is a prefix in anatomy and zoology referring to the dorsal or posterior aspect of an organism or structure. For example, dorsalis is used in terms like arteria dorsalis pedis (dorsal artery of the foot), indicating its location on the back of the foot in human anatomy. The prefix dys-, from the Greek dys- meaning "bad," "hard," or "difficult," prefixes terms in medicine and biology to signify abnormality, impairment, or dysfunction. A common application is dyslexia, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in reading and language processing due to impaired phonological awareness.

E

In systematic , roots beginning with "e" often denote external characteristics, , internal versus external positioning, and functional aspects like energy or authenticity, drawing from and Greek to describe morphological, physiological, or qualitative traits in , , and related fields.
  • eburn-: Derived from the Latin ebur meaning "," this root is used to describe with ivory-like coloration or texture, as in the avian specific eburneus (ivory-colored), applied to taxa resembling polished ivory in appearance.
  • echin-: From the Greek echinos meaning "" or "spiny," this prefix refers to spiny or prickly structures, prominently featured in the name Echinodermata, which encompasses with spines on their endoskeleton-covered skin./28%3A_Invertebrates/28.05%3A_Superphylum_Deuterostomia/28.5A%3A_Phylum_Echinodermata)
  • ecto-: Originating from the Greek ektos meaning "outside" or "external," this prefix denotes outer layers or surfaces, as seen in ectoplasm, the external region of cytoplasm in eukaryotic cells adjacent to the plasma membrane.
  • edul-: From the Latin edulis meaning "," this root highlights palatability or suitability for consumption, commonly used in for non-toxic fungi, such as the specific edulis in , denoting its culinary value.
  • endo-: Derived from endon meaning "within" or "inner," this prefix indicates internal structures or processes, exemplified in endocrine, referring to glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream rather than through ducts.
  • epi-: From the Greek epi meaning "upon," "over," or "on," this prefix describes superficial or overlying features, as in epidermis, the outermost layer of vertebrate skin that protects underlying tissues.
  • ergo-: Stemming from the Greek ergon meaning "work" or "energy," this root is employed in chemical nomenclature for compounds related to metabolic energy, such as ergosterol, a sterol in fungal cell membranes that serves as a precursor to vitamin D2 upon ultraviolet irradiation.
  • eu-: From the Greek eu meaning "true," "good," or "well," this prefix signifies authenticity or well-formed structures, notably in eukaryote, organisms with membrane-bound nuclei and complex organelles distinguishing them from prokaryotes.

F

The Latin adjective fallax denotes "deceptive" or "false," derived from the verb fallere meaning to deceive. In systematic nomenclature, particularly in zoology, it describes taxa with misleading morphological traits that resemble other species. For instance, the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne fallax receives this epithet due to its deceptive similarity to M. chitwoodi, complicating identification in agricultural contexts. The Latin root fel-, from the noun felis (genitive felis), translates to "cat." This stem is foundational in zoological taxonomy for naming felid genera and species, reflecting their feline nature. The genus Felis, established by Linnaeus, encompasses small cats such as the domestic cat (Felis catus), emphasizing shared anatomical and behavioral traits within the Felidae family. The Latin verb stem fer-, from ferre (to bear, carry, or produce), indicates capacity for supporting or generating. In , it appears in descriptors like fertilis (fertile), denoting reproductive productivity in , such as fertile fronds in ferns or seed-bearing structures in angiosperms. This usage highlights adaptive traits in , where distinguishes life cycle stages. The Latin noun stem fibr-, from fibra, signifies "fiber" or "filament," referring to thread-like structures in biological tissues. In medical and biological terminology, it forms compounds like fibroblast, a connective tissue cell responsible for synthesizing fibrous extracellular matrix components such as collagen. This root underscores the role of fibroblasts in wound healing and tissue maintenance across vertebrate physiology. The Latin noun stem foli-, from folium (leaf), denotes leafy structures or foliage. In botanical systematic names, it appears in family or generic descriptors like Foliaceae (though not a standard family, evoking leaf-dominant traits) or epithets such as unifolius (one-leaved), classifying plants by leaf arrangement and morphology. This root is prevalent in taxonomy to indicate vegetative characteristics, aiding identification in herbarium classifications. The Latin noun stem fruct-, from fructus (fruit), refers to fruit or produce. In , it derives terms like fructose, a abundant in fruits and honey, systematically named as D-(-)- under IUPAC conventions to distinguish its structure from glucose. This reflects fructose's natural occurrence in ripe plant fruits, informing biochemical classifications.

G

The root gala- or galact-, derived from the Greek gála (stem galakt-), meaning "milk," is commonly used in systematic nomenclature to denote milk or substances related to it. In chemistry, it forms the basis for galactose, a monosaccharide that constitutes half of the lactose disaccharide found in mammalian milk. In biology, the root appears in terms such as galactolipid, referring to glycolipids containing galactose that are prevalent in plant and animal cell membranes, particularly in the brain and myelin sheath. Although primarily astronomical, galaxy traces to the same etymology, describing the Milky Way's milky appearance, which has influenced biological naming conventions for milky fluids in some contexts. The prefix geo-, from the Greek , meaning "earth," is widely applied in biological and taxonomic nomenclature to indicate relations to the earth or land. In biology, it features in geotropism (also known as gravitropism), the directional growth response of plants toward or away from the earth's gravitational pull. The term underpins geology, the scientific study of the earth's physical structure and history, which intersects with biology in paleontology and environmental science. In taxonomy, geo- briefly references earth-related habitats, such as in geophyte, describing perennial plants with underground storage organs adapted to terrestrial environments. Gloss-, originating from the Greek glōssa, meaning "tongue," serves as a combining form in medical for terms involving the or related structures. A key example is , an inflammation of the often caused by nutritional deficiencies, infections, or irritants. This root also appears in glossectomy, the surgical removal of the or part of it, used in treatments for . It extends metaphorically to speech-related conditions, such as glossolalia in psychiatric contexts, though primarily rooted in anatomical descriptions. The root glyc-, from the Greek glykys, meaning "sweet," is prevalent in biological and chemical nomenclature for sugar-related compounds. In biology, glycogen represents a branched polysaccharide that serves as the primary energy storage form in animals and fungi, synthesized from glucose in liver and muscle cells. It forms the basis for glycolysis, the metabolic pathway breaking down glucose to produce energy. In chemistry, this root denotes glycosides and other sweet-tasting or carbohydrate-derived molecules, emphasizing their role in cellular processes. Gono-, derived from the Greek gonos, meaning "seed" or "progeny," is used in medical nomenclature, particularly for reproductive or generative processes. The term exemplifies this, historically denoting a "flow of seed" due to the purulent discharge mistaken for semen by ancient physicians like . In broader medical contexts, it appears in gonadotropin, hormones stimulating gonadal function in reproduction. The root underscores seed-like or seminal aspects in and . The Latin root grav-, from gravis, meaning "heavy," is employed in biological nomenclature to describe states of burden or fullness, especially . In , gravid refers to a carrying developing young, as in gravid uterus in studies. This usage highlights the physiological weight of , paralleling terms like gravidity, the condition or fact of being pregnant. It contrasts with lighter reproductive phases and is standard in veterinary and . Gymno-, from the Greek gymnos, meaning "naked" or "bare," is a key root in for exposed or uncovered structures. In , gymnosperm designates a division of plants with ovules and seeds not enclosed in an , such as and cycads, distinguishing them from angiosperms. This term, coined in the , reflects the "naked seeds" borne on scales or leaves. The root also appears in gymnospore, referring to naked spores in certain and fungi.

H

The prefix haem- or hem-, derived from the Ancient Greek haima meaning "blood," is commonly used in scientific nomenclature to denote terms related to blood components or functions, particularly in medicine and chemistry. For instance, hemoglobin refers to the iron-containing protein in red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport. The prefix hali-, originating from the Greek hals meaning "salt" or "sea," appears in taxonomic names associated with marine environments or salinity. An example is Halichondria (a genus of sea sponges), where the name reflects sea-related habitats. Haplo-, from the Greek haplous signifying "single" or "simple," is employed in to describe uncomplicated or singular structures, such as in haploid cells that contain a single set of chromosomes, contrasting with diploid cells. This usage underscores simplicity in genetic and cellular contexts. In systematic naming, hetero- stems from heteros, meaning "different" or "other," and denotes variation or dissimilarity across disciplines like and chemistry. For example, heterogeneous mixtures in chemistry involve non-uniform components, while in , heterosexual involves different sexes. The numerical prefix hexa-, derived from the Greek hex for "six," is standard in chemical nomenclature to indicate six units, as seen in hexane, a hydrocarbon with six carbon atoms in its chain. It follows the Greek series from penta- and precedes hepta-. Hydro-, from the Greek hydor meaning "water," is widely used in chemistry to signify water-related compounds, such as hydrate for substances incorporating water molecules, and in medicine for water-based therapies like hydrotherapy, which involves treatment with water to alleviate pain or promote healing. The prefix hyper-, rooted in the Greek hyper denoting "over" or "excess," is prevalent in medical terminology to describe conditions of elevation or surplus, exemplified by hypertension, a state of abnormally high blood pressure. Conversely, hypo-, from the Greek hypo meaning "under" or "deficient," indicates reduction or below-normal states in nomenclature, particularly in medicine, as in hypodermic injections administered beneath the skin or hypotension for low blood pressure.

I–K

The prefixes and roots beginning with "I," "J," or "K" in systematic nomenclature, particularly in medicine and pharmacology, derive primarily from Latin and Greek, denoting anatomical locations, equality, geographic origins, horny structures, motion, and spinal deformities. These elements facilitate precise descriptions in anatomical, biological, and taxonomic contexts, such as muscle names, chemical compounds, species designations, and pathological conditions. iliac- (Latin, pertaining to the ilium or groin region): This prefix originates from the Latin ilia, meaning "groin" or "flank," referring to the uppermost and largest part of the hip bone, the ilium. In anatomical nomenclature, it describes structures associated with the pelvic area, such as the iliacus muscle, which originates from the iliac fossa and aids in hip flexion. The term extends to vascular elements like the common iliac artery, which supplies blood to the lower limbs and pelvis from the abdominal aorta bifurcation. iso- (Greek isos, equal): Derived from Ancient Greek ἴσος (ísos), meaning "equal" or "like," this prefix is widely used in scientific names to indicate uniformity or similarity in structure, composition, or function. In chemistry, it forms terms like isotope, denoting atoms of the same element with equal atomic numbers but differing mass numbers due to neutron count variations. Biologically, it appears in isogamy, describing reproduction where gametes are morphologically identical in size and form, as seen in certain algae and fungi. japonic- (Latin japonicus, of or pertaining to Japan): This adjective stems from Modern Latin japonicus, a derivative of Japon (a Latinized form of "Japan"), used in binomial nomenclature to specify species native to or characteristic of Japan. In botany, it denotes plants like Camellia japonica, the common camellia shrub originating from East Asia, including Japan. Zoological examples include Rana japonica, a frog species endemic to Japanese islands, highlighting geographic specificity in taxonomy. kerato- (Greek kéras, horn): From Ancient Greek κέρας (kéras), meaning "horn" or "something horny," this prefix refers to hard, keratinized tissues or corneal structures in medical and biological nomenclature. In dermatology and biology, keratin describes the fibrous protein forming the outer skin layer, hair, and nails, providing protective rigidity. Ophthalmologically, it prefixes terms like keratitis, inflammation of the cornea—the transparent, horn-like anterior eye layer. kine- (Greek kínēsis, movement): Originating from Ancient Greek κίνησις (kínēsis), meaning "movement" or "motion," this root is employed in terms related to bodily motion and mechanics. In medicine, kinesiology encompasses the study of human movement, analyzing muscle and joint functions for therapeutic applications like physical rehabilitation. It also forms kinesin, a motor protein that facilitates intracellular transport along microtubules, essential in cellular biology and pharmacology. kypho- (Greek kyphós, hump or bent): This prefix derives from Ancient Greek κυφός (kyphós), denoting a humpbacked or crooked condition, particularly of the spine. In orthopedics, kyphosis describes an excessive forward curvature of the thoracic spine, often resulting in a hunchback posture, as classified in medical diagnostics. Related terms include kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure using balloon inflation to correct vertebral compression fractures associated with this deformity.

L

The section on "L" encompasses Latin and Greek roots commonly employed in systematic across , , and chemistry, particularly those denoting milky substances, lateral positions, hares, slenderness, whiteness, wood, and stones.
  • lact-: Derived from the Latin lac (genitive lactis), meaning "," this root is frequently used in chemical and biological terms to indicate milk-related components. For instance, refers to the present in , highlighting its role in biochemistry.
  • later-: Originating from the Latin latus (genitive lateris), meaning "side" or "flank," this root denotes positional aspects in anatomical . It appears in terms like lateral, describing structures situated toward the side away from the midline, as in the lateral aspects of the .
  • lepor-: From the Latin lepus, meaning "," this root is applied in zoological to designate species within the family . The Lepus exemplifies this, encompassing various hare species such as the (Lepus europaeus).
  • lepto-: Stemming from the Greek leptos, meaning "slender" or "thin," this prefix is used in medical and microbiological contexts to describe fine or narrow forms. In leptospirosis, it refers to the slender, coiled spirochete bacteria of the genus Leptospira that cause this zoonotic infection.
  • leuco-/leuk-: Borrowed from the Greek leukos, meaning "white" or "clear," these variant forms (with leuco- in British English and leuk- in American English) denote pale or colorless elements in hematology and pathology. The term leukocyte describes white blood cells, which are colorless nucleated components of the immune system involved in defending against infections. This Greek root parallels Latin descriptors like albi- for whiteness but is preferred in modern medical nomenclature for cellular terms.
  • lign-: From the Latin lignum, meaning "wood," this root signifies woody or lignified structures in botany and chemistry. Lignin is the complex polymer that provides rigidity and water impermeability to plant cell walls, essential for vascular plant support.
  • lith-: Derived from the Greek lithos, meaning "stone," this root is common in medical procedures involving calculi. Lithotomy refers to the surgical incision to remove stones, historically from the bladder but now applied to gallstones or kidney stones.

M

The prefix macro-, derived from the Greek makros meaning "long" or "large," is widely employed in biological and chemical nomenclature to denote structures or entities of relatively large size or extent. In biology, it appears in terms such as Macrochelys temminckii (a genus of large turtles) and macrophage (a large phagocytic cell involved in immune responses). In chemistry, it forms names like macromolecule, referring to polymers such as proteins and nucleic acids that exhibit large molecular weights. The prefix mal-, originating from the Latin malus meaning "bad" or "evil," is used in medical and biological systematic names to indicate something harmful, abnormal, or defective. A prominent example is malaria, historically denoting a condition attributed to "bad air" but now referring to a caused by species, as in the binomial . It also appears in terms like malformation for abnormal developmental structures in organisms. Mega-, from the Greek megas meaning "great" or "large," serves as a prefix in biological nomenclature to describe entities of significant scale, often contrasting with smaller counterparts in taxonomic hierarchies. For instance, it is used in megaspore (a large spore in seed plants and ferns, such as in Selaginella species), and in broader contexts like megafauna for large animals such as Megalodon. This prefix also aligns with metric scaling in scientific measurement, though its primary role in systematics emphasizes size distinctions. The combining form melano-, rooted in the Greek melas (genitive melanos) meaning "black" or "dark," is commonly applied in medical nomenclature to terms involving dark pigmentation or melanin-related structures. It features in melanoma, a malignant tumor of melanocytes, as classified under histological types in oncology. Similarly, melanocyte denotes pigment-producing cells, essential in dermatological and biological descriptions of skin coloration across species. Meso-, derived from mesos meaning "middle" or "intermediate," is a key prefix in biological for designating central or intermediary layers, regions, or forms. In , it names the mesoderm, the middle embryonic giving rise to structures like muscles and bones in vertebrates. Taxonomically, it appears in genera such as (an extinct reptile from intermediate aquatic habitats) and mesophyll in , referring to the middle tissue layer in leaves. The prefix micro-, from the Greek mikros meaning "small," is fundamental in biological and chemical nomenclature for indicating minute scales or microscopic features. In biology, it forms terms like microbiology (the study of microorganisms, including genera such as Micrococcus) and microspore (small spores in plants). In chemistry, it denotes small entities as in micromolecule, though more commonly in measurements like micrometer for nanoscale compounds. This prefix facilitates distinctions in size-based taxonomy, such as between macro- and micro-organisms. Mono-, originating from the Greek monos meaning "alone" or "single," is extensively used in chemical and biological nomenclature to specify a single unit or occurrence. In chemistry, it appears in monoxide (compounds with one oxygen atom, e.g., carbon monoxide, CO) and monomer (a single repeating unit in polymers). Biologically, it denotes singularity in terms like monocotyledon (plants with one seed leaf, as in the class Monocotyledonae) and monophagous for organisms feeding on a single food source.

N

The prefix neo-, derived from Ancient Greek néos meaning "new," is commonly used in systematic nomenclature to denote novelty or recency in scientific contexts. In chemistry, it appears in the element name neon, referring to the "new" gas discovered in 1898. In medicine, neoplasm combines neo- with the Greek plasma ("formation") to describe a new or abnormal growth, such as tumors. The combining form neuro-, from Ancient Greek neûron meaning "nerve" or "sinew," forms the basis for terms related to the nervous system in biology and medicine. It originates from the Proto-Indo-European root *(s)neur-o- denoting tendons or nerves. In medical nomenclature, neurology uses neuro- with Greek -logia ("study of") to refer to the branch of science dealing with nerve disorders. Similarly, neuron itself denotes the fundamental unit of the nervous system, as coined in the 19th century from this root. The root noct-, stemming from Latin nox (genitive noctis) meaning "night," is employed in biological terms to indicate nocturnal activity or nighttime phenomena. This element traces back to the Proto-Indo-European nekwt-, the source of words for night across . In , nocturnal applies to organisms active at night, such as certain mammals or , contrasting with diurnal forms. It also features in noctilucent clouds, high-altitude atmospheric phenomena visible after sunset. The prefix nom-, from Ancient Greek nómos meaning "law," "custom," or "order," is integral to taxonomic and classificatory nomenclature, emphasizing arrangement or regulation. Derived from the Proto-Indo-European *nem- ("to assign"), it underlies terms like taxonomy, which combines Greek taxis ("arrangement") and nomia ("law") to denote the science of classifying organisms based on shared characteristics. In broader systematic names, nomy endings, as in astronomy or economy, reflect this sense of ordered study. The prefix noto-, borrowed from Ancient Greek nôton meaning "back," is used in zoological nomenclature to refer to dorsal or posterior structures in chordates. This term contributes to notochord, a flexible rod-like structure along the back of embryonic chordates, formed by combining noto- with Greek chordē ("cord" or "string"), as introduced by anatomist in 1848 to describe the primitive axial support in vertebrates. In , it highlights key evolutionary features, such as in lancelets where the notochord persists into adulthood.

O

The prefix oo- derives from the word ōon, meaning "egg," and is commonly used in to denote structures or processes related to eggs or ova. For instance, in , it appears in terms like , referring to a female gametocyte that develops into an through . The combining form ophthalm- originates from the ophthalmos, signifying "eye" or "the organ of sight," and is prevalent in for conditions or studies involving the eye. A key example is , the branch of dedicated to the and treatment of eye disorders. Ortho- stems from the Greek orthos, meaning "straight," "right," or "correct," and is employed across disciplines to indicate alignment, rectification, or perpendicularity. In medicine, it features in orthodontics, the dental specialty focused on straightening misaligned teeth and jaws. In chemistry and crystallography, orthorhombic describes a crystal system with three unequal axes intersecting at right angles, representing straight alignments in atomic structures. The prefix osteo- comes from the Ancient Greek osteon, denoting "bone," and is widely used in medical and anatomical terms related to the skeletal system. For example, osteoporosis refers to a condition characterized by reduced bone density and increased fragility due to porous bone tissue. Oto- is derived from the Greek ous (stem ōt-), meaning "ear," and serves as a combining form in terms pertaining to the auditory system. In medicine, otology encompasses the study and treatment of ear diseases and related hearing impairments.

P

pan-
The prefix pan- derives from the Greek word πᾶν (pân), meaning "all," "every," or "whole," and is commonly employed in systematic nomenclature to indicate universality or completeness across a group or entity. In medical terminology, it appears in terms like pandemic, which describes a disease prevalent throughout an entire population or region. This usage extends to botanical names, such as Panax, denoting plants reputed for their all-healing properties, akin to a panacea.
ped- / pedo-
The prefix ped- has dual origins: from Latin pēs (foot), signifying the foot or related to walking, and from Greek pais (child), indicating children or youth. In taxonomic contexts, the Latin form is used for structures involving feet, as in quadruped for four-footed animals. The Greek variant appears in pediatrics, the branch of medicine focused on child health.
photo-
The prefix photo- originates from the Greek phōs (light), used in scientific names to denote processes or phenomena involving light. In biology and chemistry, it features prominently in photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. This term underscores light's role in the light reactions of plant photosynthesis, where photons drive electron transport.
phyco-
The prefix phyco- stems from the Greek phŷkos (seaweed), applied in biological nomenclature to refer to algae or seaweed-like organisms. In botany, phycology designates the scientific study of algae, encompassing their classification and ecology. Examples include phycocyanin, a pigment found in certain algae that aids in light absorption.
ptero-
The prefix ptero- comes from the Greek pterón (wing or feather), utilized in systematic names to describe winged or feathered structures, particularly in zoology and paleontology. In paleontology, pterodactyl refers to extinct flying reptiles with wing-like membranes, derived from pterón and dáktylos (finger). This prefix also appears in pterosaur, denoting a group of Mesozoic flying vertebrates.
pyro-
The prefix pyro- derives from the Greek pŷr (fire), employed in chemical and scientific terms to indicate involvement of heat, fire, or combustion. In chemistry, pyrolysis describes the thermal decomposition of materials in the absence of oxygen, a process fundamental to organic synthesis. It also features in pyrophosphate, compounds formed by heating phosphates, highlighting thermal transformation.

Q–R

The prefix quadr-, derived from the Latin quattuor meaning "four," is employed in systematic nomenclature to indicate multiplicity or quadripartite structures in biological and anatomical contexts. In anatomy, it forms terms like quadriceps, denoting the four-headed femoral muscle (Musculus quadriceps femoris), which extends the leg. This prefix also appears in zoological genera such as Quadrula, a bivalve mollusk group characterized by quadrangular shells, reflecting the shape's four-sided nature. In chemistry, it briefly references four-carbon chains, as in quadric acid derivatives, though Greek tetra- is more common for inorganic compounds. The root reg-, stemming from the Latin regere ("to rule" or "to direct") and related to rex ("king"), signifies , , or linear guidance in taxonomic and biological naming conventions. In taxonomy, it underlies genera like Regulus, the kinglets (family Regulidae), where regulus translates to "," alluding to the birds' diminutive size and ornate crown-like crests resembling royal headgear. This root also informs terms such as regal in , as in the regal fritillary butterfly (Speyeria idalia), evoking majestic or ruling qualities in species descriptions. Broader applications include regulatory proteins like the REG family in , which "rule" cellular regeneration and responses. The prefix retro-, from Latin retro meaning "backward" or "behind," is utilized in biological and medical to describe reversal, retrogression, or posterior positioning. In , it defines retrovirus, a class of RNA viruses (family Retroviridae) that employ to synthesize DNA from RNA, inverting the typical genetic flow—a process termed "retro" for its backward transcription. Medically, it appears in retroperitoneal, referring to structures behind the , such as retroperitoneal lymph nodes in . This prefix highlights evolutionary or pathological regressions, as in retrograde amnesia in , where memory formation reverts. The root rhiz-, originating from the Greek rhiza ("root"), denotes root-like structures or origins in botanical and mycological systematic names. In , it forms rhizome, a horizontal underground stem that produces roots and shoots, as seen in ginger (Zingiber officinale) and irises (Iris spp.), facilitating vegetative propagation. Taxonomically, it appears in genera like , nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria forming root nodules on , emphasizing symbiotic root associations. Related terms include mycorrhiza, a fungal-root partnership enhancing nutrient uptake in . The noun rosa, Latin for "rose," serves as the basis for , particularly in naming the genus and its family. In systematic , Rosa encompasses over 150 with pinnate leaves and showy flowers, cultivated for ornament and fragrance since antiquity. The family derives directly from Rosa, comprising about 2,500 of herbs, shrubs, and trees—including apples (), strawberries (), and almonds ()—unified by hypanthial flowers and often edible fruits. This nomenclature reflects the rose's archetypal status in and .

S

The prefix sal-, derived from the Latin noun sal meaning "salt," is commonly employed in systematic within chemistry and to denote substances or solutions related to salt or . For instance, in chemistry, it forms terms like saline, referring to salt-based compounds or solutions, as seen in derivatives essential for balance. In medical contexts, saline describes isotonic solutions used for hydration or , highlighting the prefix's role in naming ionic compositions derived from natural salts. The prefix sarco-, originating from the Greek sarx (genitive sarkos) meaning "," is utilized in scientific names to indicate fleshy or structures, particularly in and . A prominent example is sarcophagus, a stone coffin named for its reputed ability to consume rapidly due to the limestone's properties, reflecting ancient observations of . In medicine, sarcoma designates malignant tumors arising from connective tissues, emphasizing the prefix's application to flesh-derived growths in . Scler-, from the Greek sklēros meaning "hard," serves as a prefix in systematic names to denote , rigidity, or hardening processes, especially in medical and biological contexts. It is exemplified in sclerosis, which refers to the pathological hardening of tissue, as in where neural sheaths become rigid, impairing . This usage underscores the prefix's precision in describing sclerotic conditions across various organ systems. In , it briefly appears in terms for hardened plant tissues, such as sclerenchyma, which provide structural support. The prefix somato-, rooted in the Greek sōma meaning "body," is applied in biology and medicine to terms relating to the physical body or bodily structures, distinguishing them from mental or spiritual aspects. For example, somatic cells denote non-reproductive body cells in organisms, crucial for growth and maintenance in . This prefix facilitates nomenclature in fields like , where somatic mutations affect bodily tissues rather than gametes. Sperma-, derived from the Greek sperma meaning "," functions as a prefix in biological and medical to refer to seeds, reproductive cells, or seminal fluids. It is notably used in , denoting male gametes or spermatozoa, which carry genetic material for fertilization in . The term extends to concepts like , the process of seed-like cell production, integral to understanding fertility and . The prefix stell-, from the Latin stella meaning "star," is incorporated into anatomical and descriptive scientific names to indicate star-like shapes or arrangements. In anatomy, stellate describes structures radiating from a central point, such as stellate cells in the liver or ganglia with star-shaped extensions facilitating neural communication. This starry connotation aids in visualizing branching patterns in histological nomenclature.

T

The prefix tect-, derived from the Latin noun tectum meaning "roof" or "covering," is employed in systematic , particularly in and , to denote structures that form a protective or overlying layer. For instance, in , the tectum refers to the roof-like dorsal portion of the , involved in visual and auditory reflexes. This usage stems from the verb tegere, "to cover," highlighting protective enclosures in biological contexts. The prefix tele-, originating from the Ancient Greek adverb tēle meaning "far" or "distant," is widely used in scientific terms to indicate operation or perception over distance. In optics and astronomy, telescope combines tele- with skopeō ("to look"), referring to instruments that enable distant observation, a concept foundational to modern observational sciences. Similarly, in psychology and parapsychology, telepathy pairs tele- with pathos ("feeling"), describing supposed mind-to-mind communication at a distance, though its scientific validity remains debated. Terra-, from the Latin noun terra meaning "earth" or "land," appears in systematic names within and to specify terrestrial or land-based features. In biological classification, terrestrial describes organisms adapted to environments, as opposed to aquatic ones, such as in the study of terrestrial ecosystems where and continental habitats are emphasized. This root underscores distinctions in habitat nomenclature across taxa. The root therm-, drawn from the thermē meaning "," is integral to in physics, chemistry, and for terms related to or processes. The , formed by combining therm- with metron ("measure"), is a device for quantifying , central to experimental sciences since the 17th century. In chemistry, thermal denotes heat-related reactions, such as , aiding in the classification of energy-involved processes. Tri-, a numeral prefix from the Ancient Greek treis (or Latin trēs) meaning "three," is commonly used in systematic names across , , and chemistry to indicate tripartite structures or quantities. In , triangle derives from tri- and gōnia (""), denoting a three-sided fundamental to spatial classifications. In , triceps (from Latin caput, "head") refers to the three-headed muscle of the , illustrating its role in describing muscular morphology. Additionally, in botanical , trinomial nomenclature employs tri- implicitly in three-part designations (genus, , ) for precise infraspecific categorization. The noun tumor, from the Latin tumor meaning "swelling," is a key term in medical for abnormal growths or enlargements, originally encompassing any bodily inflation but now specifically denoting neoplasms. In , it classifies pathological swellings, distinguishing benign from malignant forms based on cellular proliferation, a distinction formalized in modern . This reflects its historical use by physicians like to describe any localized expansion.

U–V

The prefix uni- originates from the Latin word unus, meaning "one" or "single," and is widely employed in systematic to indicate unity or singularity. In biological contexts, it describes structures or organisms with a single component, such as unicellular organisms like , which consist of one cell. In medical terminology, unilateral denotes conditions affecting one side, as in unilateral , where only one develops. The root ur-, often appearing as uro-, stems from two distinct Greek sources and serves dual roles in scientific naming related to excretion and anatomy. From ouron ("urine"), it forms terms for urinary functions, exemplified by urology, the branch of focused on the urinary tract and . From oura ("tail"), it refers to caudal structures, such as uropod in arthropods, the paired appendages forming the fan in crustaceans like lobsters. Vacca- derives from the Latin vacca, signifying "cow," and influences names in botanical where associations with occur. The element vari- comes from Latin varius, denoting "various," "diverse," or "changing," and is integral to taxonomic designations highlighting variability. In botanical and zoological , it underlies variety (abbreviated var.), a rank below for intra-specific differences, as in Solanum tuberosum var. tuberosum for a cultivar of . It also appears in names like Varicella-zoster , reflecting the varied, spotted lesions of . Ventr-, from Latin venter meaning "belly" or "abdomen," is a key root in anatomical terminology for positional descriptors. The term ventral specifies the belly-facing or anterior aspect, contrasting with dorsal (back), as in the ventral aorta in vertebrate embryology or ventral tegmental area in neuroanatomy. Vit- draws from Latin vita ("life") and vitis ("vine" or "wine-bearing plant"), applying to both biochemical and botanical contexts. In chemistry and medicine, vitamin was coined in 1912 by Casimir Funk from vita + amine (later shortened), denoting organic compounds essential for life, such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid). In botany, it names the family Vitaceae, derived from the genus Vitis for grapevines, which produce wine and encompass species like Vitis vinifera.

W–Z

The section on roots beginning with W through Z in Latin and Greek etymologies for systematic names is notably sparse, as the classical languages lack the letter entirely and use Y sparingly, primarily in loanwords or later adaptations; X and Z appear more frequently but still less commonly than earlier letters in scientific . This scarcity reflects the phonetic and orthographic constraints of and Latin, where such initial sounds were rare, leading to fewer derivatives in fields like , chemistry, and . Nonetheless, several influential roots from Greek have been adopted, particularly in botanical, zoological, and cellular terminology. Xylo- derives from the xýlon (ξύλον), meaning "wood" or "timber," often referring to cut wood or even the cross in religious contexts. In systematic , it denotes wood-related structures or substances, as in the botanical Xylosma (woody with hard wood) or chemical compounds like , a derived from plant fibers used in . This root underscores the emphasis on in , appearing in terms like xylem, the woody in essential for . Zoo- (or zo-) originates from the Ancient Greek zôion (ζῷον), signifying "animal" or "living being." Widely used in biological systematic names, it refers to animal life or interactions, exemplified by zoology (the study of animals) and zoonosis, a disease transmissible from animals to humans, such as rabies. In taxonomy, it forms elements like zoo- in zoochory (seed dispersal by animals) or genera like Zoanthus (colonial animals). This prefix highlights animal-centric classifications in Linnaean systems. Zyg- (or zygo-) stems from the zygón (ζυγόν), meaning "yoke" or "union," implying joining or pairing. In , it describes cellular or genetic unions, most prominently in zygote, the single cell formed by the fusion of gametes during fertilization, a foundational concept in . Taxonomic uses include zygodactyl (toes joined in pairs, as in certain birds) or Zygophyllum (a genus with yoke-like seed pods). This root is pivotal in reproductive and morphological .

References

  1. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Brachypoda
  2. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/kinesi-
  3. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/kyphosis
  4. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/tele-
  5. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Terra
  6. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/zoo-
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.