derm

¹

[ durm ]

noun

1. a navigational device for making a nearby object conspicuous on a radarscope.

derm-

²

1. variant of dermato- before a vowel:

   dermoid.

-derm

³

1. variant of -dermatous, usually with nouns ( melanoderm; pachyderm ), or variant of -dermis ( blastoderm; ectoderm; mesoderm ).

-derm

combining form

1. indicating skin

   endoderm

Word History and Origins

Origin of derm¹

d(elayed) e(cho) r(adar) m(arker)

Origin of derm²

Probably < French -derme (< Greek -dermos -skinned, adj. derivative of dérma skin; or < -dermis -dermis ); or directly < Greek -dermos

Word History and Origins

Origin of derm¹

via French from Greek derma skin

Example Sentences

Again the swelling is chiefly in the derm, or true skin, and we have what is known as a flesh wart (verucca carnea).

From Project Gutenberg

En' do derm cells, cells lining inner cavities in the many-celled animals.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use Derm- or -Derm

Basic definitions of derm- and -derm

Derm- and -derm are combining forms used for various senses related to “skin.” They both come from the Greek dérma, meaning “skin.”

What does derm- mean?

Derm- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “skin.” It is a variant of dermato-, which you can learn more about in our Words That Use article for the form. Derm- is used in some medical terms.

What does -derm mean?

The combining form –derm is used like a suffix meaning “skin.” It is a variant of -dermatous or -dermis, which you can learn more about in our Words That Use articles for the forms. The form –derm appears in many scientific words.

Also closely related to derm- and -derm are -derma, dermat-, and dermo-. Discover the specific applications for these forms in our Words That Use articles.

Examples of derm- used like a prefix

Dermal is not a big word, but it is one most of us probably don’t see very often. We can put our knowledge of word roots to use by decoding it.

The first part of the word, derm-, refers to the “skin.” The second part of the word, -al, means “of the kind of, pertaining to, having the form or character of.” So, dermal literally means “of or relating to the skin.”

What are some words that use or are related to the combining form derm-?

• dermabrasion
• dermic
• dermoid
• dermis (from epidermis)
• dermestid (using the equivalent form of derm- in Greek)

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

• demi-
• demo-
• demon-
• dendr-
• dento-
• spermat-
• sperm-

Break it down!

The suffix -oid means “resembling” or “like.” Based on the meaning of derm-, what does dermoid mean?

Examples of -derm used like a suffix

A pachyderm can refer to animals like elephants and rhinos. Figuratively, it can refer to someone who is not sensitive to criticism.

The -derm part of the word means “skin.” The first part, pachy-, is a combining form meaning “thick.” So, a pachyderm literally translates to “thick-skinned.”

What are some words that use or are related to the combining form –derm?

• blastoderm
• echinoderm
• ectoderm
• endoderm
• entoderm
• exoderm
• melanoderm
• mesoderm
• phelloderm
• placoderm

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

• demi-
• demo-
• demon-
• dendr-
• dento-
• spermat-
• sperm-

Break it down!

Mesoderm is “the middle germ layer of a metazoan embryo.” Given that the meso- part of the word means “middle,” what does mesoderm literally translate to?