Advertisement

Advertisement

rhizo-

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

    rhizophagous.



rhizo-

combining_form

  1. root

    rhizomorphous

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhizo-1

< Greek, combining form of rhíza root 1
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhizo-1

from Greek rhiza

Advertisement

Discover More

Words That Use rhizo-

What does rhizo- mean?

Rhizo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “root.” It is often used in scientific terms, including in botany, zoology, and medicine.

Rhizo- comes from the Greek rhíza, meaning “root.”

What are variants of rhizo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, rhizo- becomes rhiz-, as in rhizoid, which means “rootlike.”

Examples of rhizo-

Rhizosphere, or the area of soil that surrounds the roots of a plant, is an example of a scientific term that features rhizo-.

As we know, rhizo- means “root.” The second part of the word, -sphere, refers to “ball” or “globe,” from the Greek sphaîra (cf. atmosphere). So, rhizosphere literally translates to “root ball.”

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

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

Break it down!

The combining form -genic means “causing or producing.” Certain cells in plants can be referred to as rhizogenic. What do they produce?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


rhizanthousrhizobium