ferr-

American  

1. variant of ferri- and ferro- before a vowel.

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Usage

What does ferr- mean? Ferr- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “iron.” Ferr- is occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in chemistry. Ferr- comes from Latin ferrum, meaning “iron.” The Greek equivalent was sídēros, “iron,” which is the source of the combining form sider-, as in siderite. What are variants of ferr-?Ferr- is a variant of both ferro- and ferri-, which lose their -o- or -i- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for ferro- and ferri-.