The Language of Science
Many unfamiliar words can be broken down to be understood. Some words found in science news and documents are made of a prefix and a base. Here are some examples of prefixes found in technical documents, science books or news stories. Knowing what the prefixes mean make it easier to understand the word or at least figure out generally what it means.
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
| astro-, cosmo- | stars, celestial | astronaut, cosmonaut, astronomy, cosmic |
| bio- | life | biology, biochemistry, biodegradable |
| cata- | completely, downward or contrary | cataclysm, cataract, catalyst |
| cryo- | ice | cryogenic |
| eco- | nature, environment (from Greek oikos - house) | ecology, ecohazard, economy |
| endo- | within, internal | endotherm, endocrine, endoscope |
| exo-, ecto- | outside, external | exobiology (life beyond earth), exoskeleton, ectotherm |
| geo- | the earth | geology, geophone (to listen to earth sounds), geomorphic (earth formations) |
| hydro- | water (or hydrogen from water) | hydroelectric, hydrocarbon (hydrogen from water + carbon), hydrology |
| iso- | equal | isobars (equal pressure), isoseismic |
| macro- | large | macromolecule, macroevolution |
| meso- | middle | Mesozoic, meso-America, mesosphere |
| meta- | after, change, along with, beyond | meta-analysis, metamorphosis, metaphysical |
| micro- | small | microscopic, microwave, microorganism |
| mono-, di-, poly- | one, two, many | monosaccharide, dipole, polyunsaturated |
| paleo- (palaeo-) | ancient, old | paleontology, paleolithic, Paleozoic |
| photo- | light | photograph, photosynthesis, photoelectric |
| pseudo- | false | pseudoscience, pseudopod (false foot), pseudonym (false name) |
| psycho- | mind, spirit | psychology, psychogenic (originating from the mind), psychosomatic (mind-body) |
| sub- | under, imperfect | substrate, subduction, subdivision |
| super- | over and above, exceeding the norm | supernatural, supercomputer, superposition |
| trans- | across, beyond | transatlantic, transcription, transect (cut across) |
| xeno- | foreign, different, out-of-place | xenotransplantation (use of animal transplant organs), xenophobia, xenolith |
| zoo- | animal life, mobile | zoology, zootropic |