thalasso-

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

   thalassocracy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of thalasso-¹

Combining form representing Greek thálassa sea

Example Sentences

High-end travelers are exacting and often have last-minute requests, including for bodyguards, drivers, maids, butlers, limos, luxury cars, helicopter services and yachts to explore the Greek islands, said Apostolos Geladaris, a manager at Royal Myconian Hotel & Thalasso Spa Center, one of 10 Myconian Collection luxury hotels on the island of Mykonos.

From Seattle Times

The focus of this resort, built in 2006 on the detached southern arm of Motu Piti A’au, is on the seawater coursing through and around it: “Thalasso” refers to “thalassotherapy,” therapeutic spa treatments that use seawater.

From Wall Street Journal

The lakes where he had witnessed similar bubbling activity were in the tropics and polluted — ideal conditions for the production of methane, said Thalasso, a scientist with the Center for Research and Advanced Studies at the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico.

From Washington Post

Another scientist, Frederic Thalasso, had traveled from Mexico City and spent days taking gas measurements around the lake.

From Washington Post

Under overcast skies at Playa de Pescadores, or Fishermen’s Beach, the bathers practice thalassotherapy, which derives from the Greek “thalasso,” for “sea,” and draws on the ocean’s healing properties.

From Washington Times

Words That Use thalasso-

What does thalasso- mean?

Thalasso– is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “sea.” It is occasionally used in a variety of scientific and technical terms.

Thalasso– comes from Greek thálassa, meaning “sea.” The Latin translation of thálassa is mare, also meaning “sea,” which is the source of words such as marine and maritime. Check out our entries for both words to learn more.

What are variants of thalasso-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, thalasso– becomes thalass-, as in thalassic.

Examples of thalasso-

An example of a technical term that features thalasso– is thalassocrat, “a nation that has dominion over the seas.”

We know thalasso– means “sea,” and the –crat portion of the word refers to “ruler,” from Greek –kratēs. Thalassocrat literally translates to “sea ruler.”

What are some words that use the combining form thalasso– or thalass-?

• thalassaemia (using the equivalent form of thalass– in Latin)
• thalassemia
• thalassocracy
• thalassography
• thalassotherapy

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

• thalamo-
• thallo-

Break it down!

The combining form –graphy is used to denote a process of drawing, representing, or recording. With this in mind, what is the practice of thalassography?