arthr-

1. variant of arthro- before a vowel.

Words That Use arthr-

What does arthr- mean?

Arthr- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “joint” or “jointed.” It is often used in medical and scientific terms.

Arthr- comes from the Greek árthron, meaning “a joint.” Related to arthr- and deriving from a Greek word based on árthron is arthritis, “acute or chronic inflammation of the joint.”

Arthr- is a variant of arthro-, which loses its –o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.

Want to know more? Read our Words That Use arthro– article.

Examples of arthr-

One word you have likely come across that features the combining form arthr- is arthralgia, “pain in a joint.”

The word arthralgia is made of two combining forms. The first, arthr-, means “joint.” The second, -algia, refers to “pain.”

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

• arthrectomy
• arthrosis (in its pathological sense of “degenerative joint disease”)

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

 

• arteri- 

 

If you type arthr-, your spellchecker may suggest Arthur, a male given name that is unrelated to the Greek árthron. Arthur may come from a Celtic or Latin source. What famous people named Arthur come to mind? Discover a few at our entry for the name.

Break it down!

The combining form –ectomy means “excision.” With this in mind, what kind of medical procedure is an arthrectomy?