stego-

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

   stegosaur.

Word History and Origins

Origin of stego-¹

Combining form of Greek stégos roof

Words That Use Stego-

What does stego- mean?

Stego- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “cover.” It is used in a few scientific terms, especially in paleontology.

Stego- comes from the Greek stégos, meaning “roof.”

Examples of stego-

The stegosaur was a plant-eating dinosaur from the genus Stegosaurus. It had a heavy, bony armor and a row of bony plates along its back. It could grow to a length of 20–40 feet (6–12 meters). Its tail also had an arrangement of defensive spikes.

Wait, that's not Sophie the Stegosaurus! Tuojiangosaurus was a different species of Stegosaur found in China. It had thinner and more triangular plates along its back – perhaps used for display and to ward off predators by making it look bigger!🦖 #Dinovember #SpecimenSpotlight pic.twitter.com/PIMhXWxBEh

— NHM Learning (@NHM_Learn) November 20, 2020

The stego- portion of the word means “cover,” a reference to the creature’s bony protective plates on its back. The -saur part of the word comes from the Greek saûros, meaning “lizard.” So, stegosaur literally translates to “covered lizard.” The word stegosaur comes from New Latin, using an equivalent form of stego-.

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

• stegocarpous
• stegocephalous
• stegodon
• stegomyia

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

• scato-
• steno-
• stetho-

Break it down!

Stegomyia is a former name for a type of mosquito. Given that –myia means “fly,” what does stegomyia literally translate to?