milli-

1. a combining form meaning “thousand” ( millipede ): in the metric system, used in the names of units equal to one thousandth of the given base unit ( millimeter ).

milli-

prefix

1. denoting 10 ^–3 m

   millimetre

milli–

1. A prefix that means “one thousandth,” as in millimeter, one thousandth of a meter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of milli-¹

< French < Latin, combining form of mille thousand

Word History and Origins

Origin of milli-¹

from French, from Latin mille thousand, this meaning being maintained in words borrowed from Latin ( millipede )

Example Sentences

N er fr Gretti at segja; hann lt skamt hǫggva milli, ar til er jǫtunninn d. Gekk Grettir innar eptir hellinum.

From Project Gutenberg

The leader scowled at him, and some words were interchanged, but it ended in Milli being sent for.

From Project Gutenberg

Milli was an experienced swimmer, for the undersea folk enjoyed the privilege of a large indoor pool.

From Project Gutenberg

George and Milli then took up again the problem of saving the outer earth from the threatened invasion.

From Project Gutenberg

Silently Hakin and Abbot sprang upon the guard and throttled him; then released Milli.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use milli-

What does milli- mean?

Milli- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “thousand.” In names of units of measure, particularly in the metric system, milli- means “one thousandth.” It is often used in scientific and technical terms.

Milli– comes from the Latin mille, meaning “thousand.” The Greek translation of mille is chī́lioi, “a thousand,” which is the source of English terms such as kilogram and kilometer. To learn more, check out our entries for both words.

Examples of milli-

An example of a word you may have encountered that features milli– is millisecond, “one thousandth of a second.”

The milli– part of millisecond literally means “thousand.” But, because –second is a unit of measure (of time), here milli– means “one thousandth.” Millimeter literally means “one thousandth of a second.”

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

• milliampere
• millibar
• millicurie
• millimeter (using the equivalent form of milli- in French)
• millipede (using the equivalent form of milli- in Latin)

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

• melano-
• melo-

Not every word that begins with the exact letters milli-, such as milliner, is necessarily using the combining form milli– to denote “thousand.” Learn why milliner means “hat-maker” at our entry for the word.

Break it down!

The combining form –pede means “having a foot.” With this in mind, what does millipede literally mean?