-androus

1. a combining form meaning “male,” occurring as final element of a compound word:

   polyandrous.

-androus

combining form

1. (in botany) indicating number or type of stamens

   diandrous

Word History and Origins

Origin of -androus¹

< New Latin -andrus. See andr-, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of -androus¹

from New Latin -andrus, from Greek -andros, from anēr man

Words That Use -androus

What does -androus mean?

The combining form -androus is used like a suffix meaning “male.” It is very occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in botany.

In terms from botany, -androus is used to specifically indicate the number or type of stamens, the pollen-bearing organ of a flower. In some terms, such as polyandrous, the form is used to indicate “husband.”

The form -androus comes from Latin -andrus, essentially meaning “male.”  This suffix, in turn, derives from Greek anḗr, “man.”

What are variants of -androus?

While -androus doesn’t have any variants, it is related to other combining forms: andro-, andr-, and -andry. Want to know more? Check out our Words that Use articles for each form.

Examples of -androus

One example of a term from botany that features the form -androus is diandrous, “having two stamens.” Diandrous comes from Latin diandrus, which uses the equivalent form of -androus.

The form di- means “two” or “twice,” from Greek dís, and -androus means “male.” Diandrous literally translates to “twice male.”

What are some words that use the equivalent of the combining form -androus in Greek?

• anandrous
• gynandrous
• monandrous
• polyandrous

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

• -aceous
• -ance
• -ancy

Break it down!

The combining form mon- means “one.” With this in mind, what does the botanical term monandrous mean?