helio

¹

[ hee-lee-oh ]

noun

, Informal.

, plural he·li·os.

1. a heliogram.
2. a heliograph.

helio-

²

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

   heliolatry.

helio-

combining_form

1. indicating the sun

   heliocentric

   heliolithic

Word History and Origins

Origin of helio¹

By shortening

Origin of helio²

< Greek, combining form of hḗlios sun

Word History and Origins

Origin of helio¹

from Greek, from hēlios sun

Example Sentences

BREAKOUT MOMENT: Shaking her hips—Elvis be damned—during a too-hot-for-prime time samba with partner Helio Castroneves in 2007.

From The Daily Beast

The helio was veiled in cloud, and there were no sounds of war.

From Project Gutenberg

But this deep-set theoretic notion had to give way, and the helio-centric theory may, in its turn, have to give way also.

From Project Gutenberg

The helio was slanting downward, and was now less than five miles distant from the fast vanishing bus.

From Project Gutenberg

On Mason's order the government chauffeur swiftly heeled the helio about.

From Project Gutenberg

Thought images as well as words, Kriijorl had explained during their flight so long ago in the helio.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use helio-

What does helio- mean?

Helio- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “sun.” It is frequently used in a variety of scientific and technical terms.

Helio- comes from Greek hḗlios, meaning “sun.” The Latin cognate, sōl, is the source of several words related to the sun, such as solar and solstice.

What are variants of helio-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, helio- becomes heli-, as in heliencephalitis. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for heli-.

Examples of helio-

One example of a term that features the form helio- is heliolatry, meaning “worship of the sun.”

We know helio- means “sun,” and the -latry portion of the word refers to “worship,” from Greek -latria. Heliolatry literally translates to “sun worship.”

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

• heliodor (using the equivalent form of helio- in German)
• heliogram
• heliograph
• heliometer
• heliophyte
• heliosphere
• heliotype

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

• helic-
• helico-

Break it down!

The combining form -phyte means “plant with a specific habitat.” With this in mind, what kind of plant does the botanical term heliophyte refer to?