pyro

¹

[ pahy-roh ]

noun

, Informal.

, plural py·ros.

1. a pyromaniac.

pyro-

²

1. a combining form meaning “fire,” “heat,” “high temperature,” used in the formation of compound words:

   pyrogen; pyrolusite; pyromancy.

2. Chemistry. a combining form used in the names of inorganic acids, indicating that the acid's water content is intermediate between that of the corresponding ortho- (more water) and meta- (least water) acids ( pyroantimonic, H 4 Sb 2 O 7 , pyroarsenic, H 4 As 2 O 7 , and pyrosulfuric, H 2 S 2 O 7 , acids ). The combining form is also used in the names of the salts of these acids. If the acid ends in -ic, the corresponding salt ends in -ate ( pyroboric acid, H 2 B 4 O 7 , and potassium pyrobate, K 2 B 4 O 7 , or pyrosulfuric, H 2 S 2 O 7 , and pyrosulfate, N 2 S 2 O 7 ); if the acid ends in -ous, the corresponding salt ends in -ite ( pyrophosphorous acid, H 4 P 2 O 5 , potassium pyrophosphite, K 4 P 2 O 5 ).

pyro-

combining_form

1. denoting fire, heat, or high temperature

   pyromania

   pyrometer

2. caused or obtained by fire or heat

   pyroelectricity

3. chem
   1. denoting a new substance obtained by heating another

      pyroboric acid is obtained by heating boric acid

   2. denoting an acid or salt with a water content intermediate between that of the ortho- and meta- compounds

      pyro-phosphoric acid

4. mineralogy
   1. having a property that changes upon the application of heat

      pyromorphite

   2. having a flame-coloured appearance

      pyroxylin

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyro¹

By shortening; -o

Origin of pyro²

< Greek pyro-, combining form of pŷr fire

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyro¹

from Gk pur fire

Example Sentences

It is the particular business of a chemical called “pyro” to release this latent image.

From Project Gutenberg

It is to him more than to any other, for instance, that is due the first steps in our knowledge of pyro-(or thermo-) electricity.

From Project Gutenberg

Place a small heap of dry granulated soda (or half a dozen tablets of sodic hydroxide) by the side of the pyro tablets.

From Project Gutenberg

She lighted the little pyro stove, opened a closet and took out a saucepan, a bottle of milk, a sugar dish and some spoons.

From Project Gutenberg

According to Reichenbach, pyro-acetic spirit may be extracted in considerable quantity from beech tar.

From Project Gutenberg