argento-

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

   argento-cuprous sulfide.

Word History and Origins

Origin of argento-¹

< Latin argent ( um ) + -o-

Example Sentences

Alii amphoras, quas vini plenas extulerunt, eas argento repletas domum reportarunt.

From Project Gutenberg

Neque proposito argento neque tabulis et signis propalam collocatis; that is, to everybodys admiration: compare with Pis.

From Project Gutenberg

But it is very little used in perfumery, if we except its combination in Aqua di Argento.

From Project Gutenberg

Et habet medietatem de farinarium, inde solvit de argento solidos II.'

From Project Gutenberg

Item, fabella, seu orata una argenti facta ad modum unius maze cum manica ligni ligata in argento.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use argento-

What does argento- mean?

Argento- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “silver.” It is very occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in chemistry.

Argento- comes from the Latin argentum, meaning “silver.” The name of the South American country of Argentina ultimately comes from this same Latin word. Find out how at our entry for Argentina. The Greek cognate of argentum is árgyros, the source of argyria, a gray discoloration of the skin that results from silver deposits.

What are variants of argento-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, argento- becomes argent-, as in argentite. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article on argent-.

A rare variant of argento- is argenti-, as in argentiferous.

Examples of argento-

One example of a scientific term that features the form argento- is argentophil, also known as argyrophil, “of or relating to tissue elements capable of impregnation with silver salts and of being made visible through the use of a reducing agent.” Essentially, these are cells that react to silver.

The form argento- means “silver,” while the combining form -phil is a variant of -phile, meaning “lover of, enthusiast for,” from Greek philos. Argentophil literally translates to “lover of silver.”

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

• argentocracy
• argentometer

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

• arche-
• aristo-
• arsen-
• arseno-

Break it down!

The combining form -meter means “measure” and is used in the names of measuring instruments. With this in mind, what is the scientific instrument known as an argentometer used for?