Word Stems #8

tropo

turn

heliotrope

A plant that turns toward the sun.

troposphere

The lowest region of the atmosphere, where weather occurs.

tropism

The turning of all or part of an organism in response to an external stimulus.

trophy

A turning or growth resulting from nourishment or development.

phototropism

The growth of an organism in response to light.

apogeotropism

Growth or movement away from the pull of gravity.

gastronomy

The practice or art of choosing, cooking, and eating good food.

gastroscope

An instrument used for inspecting the interior of the stomach.

gastropod

A class of mollusks that include snails and slugs, typically with a coiled shell.

hypogastric

Relating to the lower central region of the abdomen.

gastrolith

A stone formed in the digestive tract of some animals.

arthro

joint

arthropod

An invertebrate animal with an exoskeleton, segmented body, and jointed limbs, such as insects and spiders.

arthralgia

Pain in a joint.

arthrospore

A type of spore formed in some fungi and bacteria by fragmentation.

arthroscopic

Relating to the examination or treatment of a joint using an arthroscope.

ventri

belly

ventral

Relating to the underside or abdominal area of an organism.

ventricle

A hollow part or cavity in an organ, such as one of the chambers of the heart.

dorsoventral

Extending from the back to the belly.

ventriculus

A digestive cavity in some animals.

dors

back

dorsal

Relating to the upper side or back of an organism.

dorsum

The upper surface of an appendage or part.

dorsiventral

Having distinct upper and lower surfaces.

macrobiotic

Relating to a diet thought to prolong life.

macrocephalic

Having a large head.

macrocosm

The universe considered as a whole.

macron

A diacritical mark indicating a long vowel sound.

dextro

right or clockwise

dextral

Relating to the right side or direction.

dexterous

Showing skill, especially with the hands.

dextrorotation

Rotation to the right or clockwise.

brachy

short

brachycephalic

Having a short and broad head.

brachypterous

Having short wings.

brachycranic

Having a short skull.

brachyology

A concise or shortened form of expression.

brachiosaur

A genus of large, long-necked dinosaurs.

brachio

arm

brachiopod

A marine animal with two shells hinged together.

brachiation

Movement by swinging from branch to branch.

brachiate

Having arms or arm-like structures.

brachium

The upper arm.

branchio

gills

branchiopod

A small aquatic crustacean with gill-like structures.

branchiate

Having gills.

branchia

Gills in aquatic animals.

kin

motion

kinescope

A device for showing motion pictures.

hypokinesia

Decreased bodily movement.

hyperkinetic

Excessive motion or activity.

phylo

kind

phylogeny

The evolutionary history of a species or group.

phyla

Multiple groups of organisms sharing a common kind.

phylogenesis

The origin and development of a species.

subphylum

A category below phylum in taxonomy.

blasto

embryo

blastogenesis

The development of an embryo.

erythroblast

An immature red blood cell.

dactyl

finger

dactylic

Relating to a metrical foot in poetry.

dactylology

The use of finger signs in communication, such as sign language.

dactylography

The study of fingerprints.

phos

light

phosphine

A gaseous compound containing phosphorus.

phosphoroscope

An instrument for observing phosphorescence.

phosphoresce

To emit light without heat after exposure to radiation.

gon

angle

orthogonal

Involving or relating to right angles; perpendicular.

lite

mineral or fossil

anthracite

A type of coal with the highest carbon content, used for fuel.

perlite

A volcanic glass used as a soil amendment and in horticulture.

cryolite

A rare mineral that is a source of aluminum.

stalactite

A mineral formation that hangs from the ceiling of a cave, formed by dripping water.

halite

A mineral commonly known as rock salt, composed of sodium chloride.

coprolite

Fossilized excrement, often used to study ancient diets.

vore

eating

voracious

Having a very eager or insatiable appetite for food or something.

fructivorous

Feeding on fruit.

holo

whole

holometabolous

Referring to insects that undergo complete metamorphosis.

holograph

A document written entirely by the author.

holophrastic

Expressing a complex idea with a single word.

haplo

single or simple

haplopia

A condition of having a single image or view from both eyes.

haplosis

The reduction of chromosome number by half during meiosis.

haplology

The omission of one of two similar or identical syllables in a word.

opia

sight

myopia

Nearsightedness, a condition where distant objects are blurry.

hyperopia

Farsightedness, a condition where nearby objects are blurry.

hemeralopia

Difficulty seeing in bright light.

diplopia

Double vision, a condition where a person sees two images of a single object.

lent

full of

corpulent

Having a large, bulky body; fat.

virulent

Extremely harmful or poisonous.

succulent

Full of juice; juicy, often used to describe plants with thick, fleshy leaves.

insolent

Showing a rude or arrogant lack of respect.

indolent

Habitually lazy or avoiding work.