erythro-

Erythro- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “red.” It is often used in chemistry and medicine, and occasionally in geology.

Erythro- comes from the Greek erythrós, meaning “red” or “reddish.”

What are variants of erythro-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, erythro- becomes erythr-, as in erythrite.

One word you may be familiar with that uses the prefix erythro- is erythrocyte, a term used in physiology for a red blood cell.

You are now familiar with erythro-, meaning “red.” The combining form –cyte, a variant of cyto-, means “cell.” Putting it all together, an erythrocyte literally translates to “red (blood) cell.” Learn more about the origin cyto- at our entry for the word.

Another word you may have encountered that includes erythro- is erythromycin, an antibiotic widely used to treat bacterial infections.

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

• erythroblast
• erythrophagia
• erythrophil
• erythrosin

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

• arthro-
• eroto-
• etym.

The suffix -phobia means “fear.” With this in mind, what does someone with erythrophobia fear?