Amylo

/ˈæmɪloʊ/ prefix

Definition

A combining form meaning 'starch' or 'starch-like,' used to create compound scientific words.

Etymology

From Greek amylon, meaning 'starch' (literally 'not ground'). The a- is a negative prefix and myle means 'to grind,' so amylon literally meant starch that hasn't been ground. This root appears in hundreds of scientific terms.

Kelly Says

The prefix amylo- unlocks a whole category of starch-science words—amylase (breaks starch), amyloid (starch-like protein), amylose (a starch component). Once you know 'amylo' means starch, you can guess at dozens of biochemistry terms!

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