ligni-

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

   ligniform.

ligni-

combining_form

1. indicating wood

   lignocellulose

Word History and Origins

Origin of ligni-¹

< Latin, combining form representing lignum wood

Word History and Origins

Origin of ligni-¹

from Latin lignum wood

Example Sentences

This is clearly the species found by Batsch "ligni demortui putridi in interiore corticis pagina."

From Project Gutenberg

Soot tea; Infusum fuliginis ligni, L. Antacid and stimulant.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Fidenter affirmavit inferorum terram vices obire ligni, & ipsam ardere per sese.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use ligni-

What does ligni- mean?

Ligni– is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “wood.” It is occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in biology.

Ligni– comes from Latin lignum, meaning “wood.” A Greek translation is hȳ́lē, meaning “wood” or “matter,” as in the substance of the universe, source of the combining form hylo–. Another Greek-based combining form meaning “wood” is xylo–. To learn more, check out our Words That Use article on the forms.

What are variants of ligni-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, ligni– becomes lign–, as in lignin. In some instances, ligni– becomes ligno–, as in lignocellulose. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles on lign– and ligno-.

Examples of ligni-

An example of a scientific term that features the form ligni– is ligniform, “having the form of wood.”

We know ligni– means “wood,” and the –form portion of the word refers to “having the form of,” from Latin –fōrmis. Ligniform literally translates to “having the form of wood.”

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

• lignicolous
• lignify
• lignivorous

What are some other forms that ligni– may be commonly confused with?

• glio-
• linguo-
• -ling

Break it down!

The combining form –vorous means “eating.” With this in mind, what does lignivorous literally mean?