lepido-

Lepido- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “scale.” It is used in some scientific terms, especially in mineralogy and zoology.

Lepido- comes from the Greek lepís, meaning “scale.” The disease leprosy, which can cause skin to appear scaly, ultimately comes from this same Greek word. Find out more in our About This Word article on leprosy.

One example of a scientific term that features the combining form lepido- is lepidopterous, “belonging or pertaining to the Lepidoptera.” Lepidoptera is an order of insects comprising the butterflies, moths, and skippers, that in the adult state have four membranous wings more or less covered with small scales.”

Lepido- means “scale,” as we now know. So, what about the -pterous portion of the word? It means “having wings,” from the Greek pterón. Lepidopterous literally translates to “having scaly wings.”

What are some words that use or are related to  the combining form lepido-?

• lepidocrocite
• lepidolite
• lepidopteran
• lepidopteron
• lepidopterology
• lepidosiren

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

• labio-
• leio-
• lepto-
• lympho-

Lepidolite is a type of mineral that can occur in white-, rose-, or lilac-colored scaly masses. The combining form -lite can be used to name minerals or fossils. It comes from the Greek líthos, meaning “stone.” With this in mind, what does lepidolite literally translate to?