-phane


  1. a combining form occurring in the names of substances, especially minerals, that seem like or have the qualities of that named by the initial element:collophane, hydrophane.

Origin of -phane

1
<Greek -phanēs, adjective derivative of phaínesthai to seem, appear; cf. allophane, -phany

Words Nearby -phane

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use -phane in a sentence

  • He was married to a giantess called Phane; hence Phanefjord.

    A Danish Parsonage | John Fulford Vicary

British Dictionary definitions for -phane

-phane

n combining form
  1. indicating something resembling a specified substance: cellophane

Origin of -phane

1
from Greek phainein to shine, (in passive) appear

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