Drôme

¹

[ drohm ]

noun

1. a department in SE France. 2,533 sq. mi. (6,560 sq. km). : Valence.

-drome

²

1. a combining form meaning “running,” “course,” “racecourse” ( hippodrome ); on this model used to form words referring to other large structures ( airdrome ).

Drôme

¹

/ drom /

noun

1. a department of SE France, in Rhône-Alpes region. Capital: Valence. Pop: 452 652 (2003 est. Area: 6561 sq km (2559 sq miles)

-drome

²

combining form

1. a course, racecourse

   hippodrome

2. a large place for a special purpose

   aerodrome

Word History and Origins

Origin of Drôme¹

Combining form of Greek drómos dromos

Word History and Origins

Origin of Drôme¹

via Latin from Greek dromos race, course

Example Sentences

Lester flopped heavily, and skidded across the bottom of the 'drome.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the asas made another fetter, by one-half stronger, and this they called Drome.

From Project Gutenberg

This was where he would perhaps have been wise to have thrown up and returned to his 'drome.

From Project Gutenberg

In the roughest weather, when even within the distant breakwater the Sound is turbulent, the sea-drome is calm as a duck-pond.

From Project Gutenberg

Connie was to leave the sea-drome at eight-thirty in that fine flying-liner Atlantis.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use -drome

What does -drome mean?

The combining form -drome is used like a suffix meaning “running,” “course,” or “racecourse.” It is occasionally used in technical terms.

The form -drome comes from Greek drómos, meaning “a running,” “course,” or “place for running.”

What are variants of -drome?

In adjectives that correspond to nouns that end in -drome, the form becomes -dromous, as in heterodromous.

Examples of -drome

One example of a technical term that uses the form -drome is motordome, “a rounded course or track for automobile and motorcycle races.”

The motor- part of the word refers to motor-powered vehicles, either automobiles or motorcycles. As we know, the -drome portion of the word means “racecourse.” Motordrome literally translates to “automobile or motorcycle racecourse.”

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

• airdrome
• hippodrome (using the equivalent form of -drome in Greek)
• palindrome (using the equivalent form of -drome in Greek)
• seadrome
• syndrome (using the equivalent form of -drome in Greek)
• velodrome (using the equivalent form of -drome in French)

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

• -derm
• -dom
• -rama

Break it down!

The combining form hippo- means “horse.” With this in mind, what does hippodrome mean?