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bio-

 - 4 dictionary results

bio-

 
Use bio- in a Sentence
a combining form meaning “life” occurring in loanwords from Greek (biography); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (bioluminescence).
Also, especially before a vowel, bi-.

Origin:
comb. form of Gk bíos life; akin to L vīvus living, Skt jīvas. See quick
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To bio-
bio- or bi-  
pref.  

  1. Life; living organism: biome.

  2. Biology; biological: biophysics.


[Greek, from bios, life; see gwei- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

bio- 
from Gk. bio-, comb. form of bios "life, course or way of living" (as opposed to zoe "animal life, organic life"), from PIE base *gweie- "to live" (cf. Skt. jivah "alive, living;" O.E. cwic "alive;" L. vivus "living, alive," vita "life;" M.Pers. zhiwak "alive;" O.C.S. zivo "to live;" Lith. gyvas "living, alive;" O.Ir. bethu "life," bith "age;" Welsh byd "world"). The correct usage is that in biography, but in modern science it has been extended to mean "organic life."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

bio- or bi-
pref.

  1. Life; living organism: biology.

  2. Biology; biological: biophysics.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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