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pleuro-

  1. a combining form meaning “side,” “rib,” “lateral,” “pleura,” used in the formation of compound words:

    pleuropneumonia.



pleuro-

combining_form

  1. of or relating to the side

    pleurodynia

    pleurodont

  2. indicating the pleura

    pleurotomy

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pleuro-1

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Word History and Origins

Origin of pleuro-1

from Greek pleura side
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Example Sentences

After being inoculated for pleuro, they travelled on to Mount Emu, in September, 1864.

After crossing the range, the pleuro broke out amongst my bullocks, and I lost one whole team.

The House committee on agriculture last week discussed in a general way the subject of pleuro pneumonia in cattle.

One was tempted to pray that such pleuro might last for the season, save that the Commissioners were so costly, and the dear cattle were having an unusually sanguinary Bull Run.

From forty ships, Thoas, Andræmon's son, Had landed his Ætolians; for extinct Was Meleager, and extinct the house Of Oeneus all, nor Oeneus self survived; To Thoas therefore had Ætolia fallen;785 Him Olenos, Pylene, Chalcis served, With Pleuro, and the rock-bound Calydon.

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Words That Use pleuro-

What does pleuro- mean?

Pleuro- is a combining form used like a prefix variously meaning “side,” “rib,” “lateral,” and “pleura.” Pleura is a term for the membrane around the lungs and makes a lining for the chest cavity; its adjective form is pleural.

Pleuro- is often used in medical and scientific terms, including in anatomy and zoology.

Pleur- comes from the Greek pleurá, meaning “side (of the body); rib.”

What are variants of pleuro-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, pleuro- becomes pleur-, as in pleuralgia.

Examples of pleuro-

An example of a medical term you may have encountered that features pleuro- is pleurocentesis. Also known as thoracentesis, pleurocentesis is a medical procedure that involves the insertion of a hollow needle into the pleural cavity of the chest.

The first part of the word, pleuro-, refers to the pleura (of the lungs). The second portion of the word, -centesis, means “a puncture or perforation,” especially to remove fluid. While the word pleurocentesis may seem intimidating, now you know the word literally just means “side puncture.”

Another medical term that derives from the Greek pleurá is pleurisy, “inflammation of the pleura, with or without a liquid effusion in the pleural cavity, characterized by a dry cough and pain in the affected side.”

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

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

While identical in pronunciation and close spelling, the adjectives pleural (which is related to pleuro-) and plural are not related. Discover the history of plural at our entry for the word.

Break it down!

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare form of cancer, most common in young children. Based on the name alone, where does the cancer originate?

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pleurisy rootpleurocarpous