deutero-

1. a combining form meaning “second,” used in the formation of compound words:

   deuterocanonical.

deutero-

combining_form

1. second or secondary

   deuterogamy

   deuterium

2. (in chemistry) indicating the presence of deuterium

deutero–

1. A prefix meaning “second” or “secondary,” as in deuterostome, an animal whose mouth is the second opening to develop.

Word History and Origins

Origin of deutero-¹

< Greek, combining form of deúteros

Word History and Origins

Origin of deutero-¹

from Greek deuteros second

Example Sentences

Three neuromeres—a proto-, deutero-, and trito-cerebrum—corresponding to those three prosthomeres are sharply marked in the embryo.

From Project Gutenberg

What is said of compounds beginning with deutero, electro, pseudo, sulpho, thermo, and the like?

From Project Gutenberg

Compounds unless very unusual, beginning with deutero, electro, pseudo, sulpho, thermo, etc., are run solid; electrotype, pseudonym, thermostat.

From Project Gutenberg

As Moses wittneseth Deutero. viij. sayēge: Remēber all ye waye by which ye lord thy God caried ye this .xl. yeres in ye wildernesse / to vmble the & to tēpte or proue the / yt it might be knowen what were in thine hert.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use Deutero-

What does deutero- mean?

Deutero- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “second.” It is used in some technical terms, especially in biology.

Deutero- comes from the Greek deúteros, meaning “second.”

What are variants of deutero-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, deutero- becomes deuter-, as in deuteranopia.

Shortened forms of deutero- are deuto-, as in deutoplasm, and deut-, as in deutoxide.

Examples of deutero-

Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament of the Bible. It’s written in the form of Moses reiterating laws for the Israelites, including the Ten Commandments.

The deutero- part of the word means “second.” The -nomy part of the word comes from the Greek for “law.” Deuteronomy literally translates to “second law”—that is, as a second statement (copy) of Mosaic law.

The word Deuteronomy comes from the Greek Deuteronómion, which uses the equivalent form of deutero- in the language.

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

• deuterocanonical
• deuterogamy (using the equivalent form of deutero- in Greek)
• deuteromycete (fusing the equivalent form of deutero- in New Latin)
• deuteropathy
• deuteroplasm
• deuterostome
• deuterotoky

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

• di-
• dermato-
• dodeca-
• duo-
• neutro-

Break it down!

Deuterogamy, also known as digamy, is a term for getting married after the death of or divorce from a first spouse.

Given that -gamy here means “marriage,” what does deuterogamy literally translate to?