epi-

American  

1. a prefix occurring in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “upon,” “on,” “over,” “near,” “at,” “before,” “after” (epicedium; epidermis; epigene; epitome ); on this model, used in the formation of new compound words (epicardium; epinephrine ).

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epi- British  

prefix

1. on; upon; above; over

   epidermis

   epicentre

2. in addition to

   epiphenomenon

3. after

   epigenesis

   epilogue

4. near; close to

   epicalyx

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Etymology

Origin of epi-

< Greek, prefixal use of epí, preposition and adv.