Other definitions for pyro- (2 of 2)
a combining form meaning “fire,” “heat,” “high temperature,” used in the formation of compound words: pyrogen; pyrolusite; pyromancy.
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, H4Sb2O7, pyroarsenic, H4As2O7, and pyrosulfuric, H2S2O7, 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, H2B4O7, and potassium pyrobate, K2B4O7, or pyrosulfuric, H2S2O7, and pyrosulfate, N2S2O7); if the acid ends in -ous, the corresponding salt ends in -ite (pyrophosphorous acid, H4P2O5, potassium pyrophosphite, K4P2O5).
Origin of pyro-
2- Also pyr-.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for pyro-
denoting fire, heat, or high temperature: pyromania; pyrometer
caused or obtained by fire or heat: pyroelectricity
chem
denoting a new substance obtained by heating another: pyroboric acid is obtained by heating boric acid
denoting an acid or salt with a water content intermediate between that of the ortho- and meta- compounds: pyro-phosphoric acid
mineralogy
having a property that changes upon the application of heat: pyromorphite
having a flame-coloured appearance: pyroxylin
Origin of pyro-
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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