litho

Litho- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “stone.”

It is used in medicine, especially in pathology, and in science, especially in geology. In pathology terms, litho- specifically refers to a calculus, “a stone, or concretion, formed in the gallbladder, kidneys, or other parts of the body.” The word calculus itself literally means “little stone.”

Lithography, which uses the equivalent form of litho- in New Latin, is sometimes referred to as litho for short.

Litho- comes from the Greek líthos, meaning “stone.”

What are variants of litho-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, litho- becomes lith-, as in lithify.

The corresponding form of litho- combined to the end of words is -lith, as in nephrolith.

One example of a scientific term that features the combining form litho- is lithophyte, “a polyp with a hard or stony structure, such as a coral.” It can also refer to “any plant growing on the surface of rocks.”

As we know, litho- means “stone.” The -phyte portion of the word is a combining form that means “plant,” from the Greek phytón. Lithophyte literally translates to “stone plant.”

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

• lithoclast
• lithodialysis
• lithography (using the equivalent form of litho- in New Latin form)
• lithology
• lithonephritis
• lithophile

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

• -lite
• -lyte
• lepto-
• lit-

Not every word that begins with the exact letters lith- is necessarily using the combining forming litho- to denote “stone,” such as lithe. Learn the meaning and history of lithe at our entry for the word.

The combining form -graphy is used to describe a process or form of drawing, writing, representing, recording, describing, etc.

With this in mind, what does the art form lithography prepare its images on?