hepta-

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

   heptahedron.

hepta-

combining_form

1. seven

   heptameter

Word History and Origins

Origin of hepta-¹

< Greek, combining form of heptá seven; cognate with Latin septem; akin to Old English seofon seven

Word History and Origins

Origin of hepta-¹

from Greek

Example Sentences

Photograph: Hepta/Barcroft Media Consumers are to be asked whether they will accept traces of horsemeat in their food if it proves too costly and technically difficult to check thoroughly for levels of contamination under 1%.

From The Guardian

We explicate the various "thlons" - penta, deca and hepta.

From New York Times

Above 39� C., however, the hexahydrate, with six molecules, is less soluble, and a rapid conversion of the hepta- into the hexahydrate occurs if the former is heated above the transition point.

From Project Gutenberg

Heptad, a term in chemistry to denote an atom that is the equivalent of seven atoms of hydrogen, from hepta, seven.

From Project Gutenberg

Now the Greek for seven, hepta, has only four characters, the aspirate being marked over the initial vowel.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use Hepta-

What does hepta- mean?

Hepta- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “seven.” It is used in a number of scientific and other technical terms.

In chemistry, hepta- is specifically used to indicate seven atoms or seven groups of atoms in compounds, e.g., heptachlor.

Hepta- comes from the Greek heptá, meaning “seven.” The English word seven, as different as it may look, is actually related to the Greek heptá.

What are variants of hepta-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, hepta- becomes hept-, as in heptane.

Examples of hepta-

One example of a word you may have encountered that features hepta- is heptagon, “a polygon having seven angles and seven sides.”

The first part of the word, hepta, means “seven,” as we know. The -gon portion of the word may also look familiar: it is a combining form meaning “angled” or “angular,” from the Greek gōnía. Heptagon literally translates to “seven-angled.”

Heptagon comes from the Greek heptágōnos, which features the equivalent form of hepta- in the language.

What are some words that use the combining form hepta- or hept-?

• heptachord (using the equivalent of form of hepta- in Greek)
• heptad
• heptahedron
• heptahydrate
• heptameter (using the equivalent of form of hepta- in Greek)
• heptangular
• heptarchy
• heptastich

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

• hecto-
• hepat-
• hepato-
• hendeca-

Break it down!

The combining form -archy means “rule” or “government.” A government described as a heptarchy would be run by how many people?