chalco-

1. a learned borrowing from Greek meaning “copper,” used in the formation of compound words:

   chalcolithic.

chalco-

combining_form

1. indicating copper or a copper alloy

   chalcopyrite

   chalcolithic

Word History and Origins

Origin of chalco-¹

< Greek chalko-, combining form of chalkós copper

Word History and Origins

Origin of chalco-¹

from Greek khalkos copper

Example Sentences

The other source of confusion is in the successive campaigns against or conquests of the same province, as of Chalco for example.

From Project Gutenberg

Scott passed around Lake Chalco to the southwest, and thence moved west skirting the south shore.

From Project Gutenberg

After remaining here two days, the march was again resumed along the southern shores of Lake Chalco.

From Project Gutenberg

The population of Chalco he does not give, nor the population of the very numerous villages whose names he mentions.

From Project Gutenberg

Corts approached through fertile fields, plantations, and maguey-vineyards till they reached Lake Chalco.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use chalco-

What does chalco- men?

Chalco- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “copper.” It is occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in mineralogy.

Chalco- comes from Greek chalkós, meaning “copper.” The Latin equivalent is cupr-, “copper.” Want to know more? Check out our Words That Use article on cupr-.

What are variants of chalco-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, chalco- becomes chalc-, as in chalcosis.

Examples of chalco-

An example of a technical term that features the form chalco- is chalcography, “the art of engraving on copper or brass.”

While chalco- means “copper,” -graphy refers to “a process or form of writing or drawing,” from Greek -graphia. Chalcography literally means “copper writing.”

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

• chalcocite
• chalcogen
• chalcogenide
• chalcolite
• chalcopyrite
• chalcotrichite (using the equivalent form of chalco- in German)

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

• chlor-
• chloro-
• chondr-
• chondro-

Break it down!

The combining form -lite is used to name minerals. With this in mind, what kind of substance is chalcolite?