argento-

American  

especially before a vowel, argenti-;

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

   argento-cuprous sulfide.

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Usage

What does argento- mean? Argento- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “silver.” It is very occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in chemistry. Argento- comes from the Latin argentum, meaning “silver.” The name of the South American country of Argentina ultimately comes from this same Latin word. Find out how at our entry for Argentina. The Greek cognate of argentum is árgyros, the source of argyria, a gray discoloration of the skin that results from silver deposits. What are variants of argento-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, argento- becomes argent-, as in argentite. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article on argent-. A rare variant of argento- is argenti-, as in argentiferous.

Etymology

Origin of argento-

< Latin argent ( um ) + -o-