-cele

¹ American  

1. a combining form meaning “tumor,” used in the formation of compound words.

   varicocele.

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-cele ² American  

1. variant of -coele.

   hematocele.

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-cele British  

combining form

1. tumour or hernia

   hydrocele

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Usage

What does -cele mean? The combining form -cele is used like a suffix that has two distinct senses.The first of these senses is “tumor,” and this form of -cele is frequently used in a variety of medical terms, particularly in pathology. It is generally used to denote a hernia, meaning "the protrusion of an organ or tissue through an opening in its surrounding walls, especially in the abdominal region." This meaning of -cele comes from Greek kḗlē, meaning “tumor.”The second of these senses is “cavity,” and this form of -cele is very occasionally used in a variety of medical terms. This meaning of -cele comes from Greek koîlos, meaning "hollow."What are variants of -cele with the sense “cavity”?The combining form -cele in the sense of "cavity" is more commonly spelled -coele and -coel, as in enterocoele and blastocoel. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for -coele and -coel.

Etymology

Origin of -cele

Combining form representing Greek kḗlē a tumor; akin to Old English hēala hydrocele