myxo-

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

   myxoneurosis.

myxo-

¹

combining_form

1. mucus or slime

   myxomycete

myxo

²

/ ˈmɪksəʊ /

noun

1. slang.
   short for myxomatosis

Word History and Origins

Origin of myxo-¹

Combining form representing Greek mýxa

Word History and Origins

Origin of myxo-¹

from Greek muxa slime, mucus

Example Sentences

The myxo virus, native to a wild species of Brazilian rabbit, had been observed to cause a lethal epidemic in European domestic rabbits, which are a different species.

From Literature

The problem was that the myxo virus evolved to serve its own interests, which differed from ours as well as from those of the rabbits.

From Literature

As a result, a less lethal myxo virus spreads baby viruses to more rabbits than did the original, highly virulent myxo.

From Literature

In April 2009, after the Myxo ring had been subject to an FDA investigation and a Senate inquiry, the FDA retroactively cleared the device under a new name, saying it was safe.

From Scientific American

The controversy began in 2008 when Nalini Rajamannan, an assistant professor of medicine, accused McCarthy of implanting in one of her patients an experimental annuloplasty ring, the Myxo ring, manufactured by Edwards Lifesciences.

From Forbes

Words That Use myxo-

What does myxo- mean?

Myxo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “mucus” or “slime.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in pathology.

Myxo- comes from the Greek mýxa, meaning “mucus” or “slime.” The word mucus, from Latin, is related to the Greek mýxa.

What are variants of myxo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, myxo- becomes myx–, as in myxadenoma.

Examples of myxo-

One example of a scientific term that features myxo- is myxocyte, a type of cell found in mucus tissue.

The word myxocyte is made of two combining forms. The first, as we’ve seen, is myxo-, meaning “mucus.” The second, -cyte, means “cell.” Myxocyte literally translates, then, to “mucus cell.”

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

• myxobacteria
• myxochondroma
• myxoedema
• myxofibroma
• myxolipoma
• myxopapilloma

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

• myo-

While myxo- sounds like the word mix, the two are unrelated—and you definitely wouldn’t want your mixologist adding in any mucus or slime into your drinks.

Break it down!

Myxovirus is a name for a group of viruses, some of which can cause the common cold.

Based on their name, these viruses react to proteins that can be found in what substance?