haplo-

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

   haplology.

haplo-

combining_form

1. single or simple

   haplosis

   haplology

Word History and Origins

Origin of haplo-¹

< Greek, combining form of haplóos single, simple; akin to Latin simplex

Word History and Origins

Origin of haplo-¹

from Greek haplous simple

Example Sentences

The woman received a “haplo/cord transplant” that included a mixture of stem cells from a relative and stem cells from an infant’s umbilical cord.

From Washington Post

The half-matched “haplo” cells from her relative propped up her immune system until the cord blood cells became dominant, making the transplant much less dangerous, said Dr. Marshall Glesby, an infectious diseases expert at Weill Cornell Medicine of New York and part of the research team.

From Seattle Times

Haplo-, in Greek compounds, single; as Haplostemonous, having only one series of stamens.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use haplo-

What does haplo- mean?

Haplo– is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “single” or “simple.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology.

Haplo– comes from Greek haplóos, meaning “single” or “simple.” The Latin cognate of haplóos is simplex, also meaning “single” or “simple.” Simplex is the source of English words such as simple and simplicity. To learn more, check out our entries for both words.

What are variants of haplo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, haplo– becomes hapl–, as in haplosis. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article on hapl-.

Examples of haplo-

One example of a technical term that features the form haplo– is haplography, “the accidental omission of a letter or letter group that should be repeated in writing, as in Missippi for Mississippi.”

The haplo– part of the word means “simple,” while –graphy refers to “writing,” from Greek –graphia. Haplography literally translates to “simple writing.”

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

• haplobiont
• haplogroup
• haplology
• haplophase
• haploscope
• haplotype

What are some other forms that haplo– may be commonly confused with?

• hali-
• halo-

Break it down!

The combining form –scope means “instrument for viewing.” With this in mind, what does haploscope literally mean?