copr-

1. variant of copro- before a vowel:

   copremia.

Words That Use Copr-

What does copr- mean?

Copr- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “dung,” “feces,” “excrement.” It is used in some medical and scientific words.

Copr- comes from the Greek kópros, meaning “dung.” The combining form scat-, from another Greek root for “dung” (skôr), is used similarly to copr-.

Copr- is a variant of copro-, which loses its -o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.

Want to know more? Read our Words That Use copro- article.

Examples of copr-

One, not-for-the-squeamish, example of a medical term that features the combining form copr- is copremesis, “fecal vomiting.”

The combining form copr- means “feces,” as we know. The second part of the word, -emesis, refers to the act of vomiting. Copremesis literally translates to “the act of vomiting feces.” (Yeah, this one’s a doozy.)

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

• copragogue
• copremia
• coproma
• coprosma (using the equivalent form of copro- in New Latin)

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

• colpo-
• corp.
• cupro-

Not every word that begins with the exact letters copr- is necessarily using the combining form copr- to denote “excrement,” such as copra. Learn the history and meaning of the very non-excremental word copra at our entry for the word.

Break it down!

The combining form -emia denotes a blood condition. What does the medical condition of copremia involve?