nycto-

1. variant of nyct-.

Words That Use Nycto-

What does nycto- mean?

Nycto- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “night.” It is used in some technical terms.

Nycto- comes from the Greek nýx, meaning “night.” English’s own word night, in fact, shares an ancient root with the Greek nýx. Also related to nýx is the Latin word for nox, source of the combining forms nocti- and noct-.

What are variants of nycto-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, nycto- becomes nyct-, as in nyctalgia.

In some instances, particularly in terms from biology, nycto- becomes nycti-, as in nyctitropic.

Examples of nycto-

One example of a scientific term that features the combining form nycto- is nyctophobia, “an irrational or disproportionate fear of night or nighttime darkness.”

As we have seen, the form nycto- means “night.” The -phobia part of the word may also look familiar. It means “fear,” from the Greek phobos. Nyctophobia literally translates to “fear of night.”

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

• nyctophilia
• nyctophonia
• nyctotyphlosis
• Nyctophilus

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

• myco-
• myxo-

Break it down!

The combining form -philia means “love or liking.” With this in mind, what is nyctophilia?