genic

The combining form –genic is used like a suffix with a variety of meanings, all essentially meaning “of or related to production or generation.” In some instances, the initial element specifies the thing being produced. For instance, ulcerogenic means “ulcer-producing.” In others, the initial element specifies the location or generator of production, such as costogenic, meaning “arising from a rib.” The form –genic is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology and medicine.

The form –genic comes from the combination of two forms, –gen and –ic. The form –gen means “that which produces,” from Greek –genēs, meaning “born” or “produced.” The suffix –ic means “having some characteristics of,” from Greek –ikos. The Latin translation and cognate of –genēs is nātus, meaning “born,” which is the source of natal, native, and nature. Find out how these terms derive from nātus at our entry for each word.

What are variants of –genic?

While the form –genic doesn’t have any variants, it is related to the combining forms –geny and –gen, as in endogeny and endogen. The form –genic is also closely related to the combining forms –genous, –genesis, and –genetic, as in heterogenous, biogenesis, and epigenetic. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for –geny, –gen, –genous, –genesis, and –genetic.

One example of a medical term featuring the form –genic is otogenic, “of or originating within the ear, especially from inflammation of the ear.”

The form oto– means “ear,” from Greek oûs, and as we have seen, –genic means “of or relating to production.” Otogenic literally means “of or relating to production in the ear.”

What are some words that use the combining form –genic?

• adaptogenic
• allogenic
• clastogenic
• erotogenic
• estrogenic
• eugenic (using the equivalent form of –genic in Greek)
• lactogenic

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

• -gamy
• -gony
• -graphic
• -gyny

The combining form lacto– means “milk” or “lactation.” With this in mind, what does lactogenic mean?