-lyte

¹ American  

1. a combining form used in the formation of compound words that denote something subjected to a certain process (indicated by a noun ending in-lysis ).

   electrolyte.

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-lyte ² American  

1. variant of -lite.

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-lyte British  

combining form

1. indicating a substance that can be decomposed or broken down

   electrolyte

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Usage

What does -lyte mean? The combining form -lyte is used like a suffix that has two distinct senses. The first of these senses is “something subjected to a certain process” ending in -lysis, and this form of -lyte is occasionally used in a variety of scientific and technical terms. The form -lyte in this sense comes from Greek lytós, meaning “able to be untied or loosened; soluble."The second of these senses is “mineral or fossil,” and this form of -lyte is very rarely used in a variety of scientific terms, especially in mineralogy. The form -lyte in this sense comes from Greek líthos, meaning “stone."What are variants of -lyte with the sense “mineral or fossil”?The form -lyte is sometimes spelled with an -i- rather than a -y-, becoming -lite, as in aerolite. The suffix -lyte is also related to the combining forms -lyse, -lyze, -lytic, and -lysis. The forms -lyse and -lyze are used to form verbs relating to nouns ending in -lysis, as in analyze. The form -lytic is used to form adjectives relating to -lysis, as in analytic. The form -lysis means “breaking down, loosening,” as in electrolysis. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for these forms.

Etymology

Origin of -lyte

< Greek lytós able to be untied or loosened, soluble, verbid of lȳ́ein to loose, dissolve; cognate with Latin luere to loose