A combining form or prefix meaning circular, cyclic, or relating to cycles; also used informally as a prefix in chemistry for cyclic compounds.
From Greek kyklos meaning 'circle' or 'wheel.' Used as a productive prefix in English scientific terminology starting in the 19th century to indicate circular or closed-chain structures.
The prefix 'cyclo-' appears in hundreds of chemistry terms (cyclone, cyclops, encyclopedia) showing how ancient Greek fascination with circles shaped how we name and understand circular structures across science.
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