calci-

The combining form calci- is used like a prefix meaning “calcium.” Specifically, it is used to refer to either “calcium salt” or “calcite,” a mineral found in compounds like limestone. It is often used in scientific terms, especially in chemistry and biology.

The form calci- comes from Latin calx, meaning “limestone.” The Latin calx is, believe it or not, also the source of the word calculator. Discover why at our entry for the word.

What are variants of calci-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, calci- becomes calc-, as in calcite. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for calc-.

One example of a scientific term that features calci- is calciphile, or calcicole, “any plant capable of thriving in calcareous soil.”

The calci- part of the word means “calcium,” while the form -phile means “lover of,” from Greek -philos. Calciphile literally translates to “lover of calcium.”

What are some words that use the combining form calci-?

• calcific
• calcification
• calcifuge
• calciphilia

What are some other forms that calci- may be commonly confused with?

• calli-
• chalco-
• cyclo-

The combining form -phobe means “thing who is afraid of.” With this in mind, what kind of organism is a calciphobe?