colpo-

combining_form

1. indicating the vagina

   colpotomy

   colpitis

Word History and Origins

Origin of colpo-¹

from Greek kolpos womb

Example Sentences

The deep bell of the Mangia tower tolled, and then the signal was given, un colpo di mortaletto, and the pageant began.

From Project Gutenberg

"The heat, I have no doubt; a 'colpo di sole,' as they tell us everything is," said De Barre.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use colpo-

What does colpo- mean?

Colpo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “vagina.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy and pathology.

Colpo- comes from the Greek kolpos, meaning “womb.”

Another ancient Greek word for womb, hystéra, is the root of the word hysteria. Learn what hysterical has to do with wombs—and why using it may be offensive—in our slideshow, “These Common Words Have Offensive Histories.”

What are variants of colpo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, colpo- becomes colp-, as in colpitis.

Examples of colpo-

One example of a medical term that features the combining form colpo- is colpotomy, meaning “incision of the vagina.”

As we have seen, colpo- means “vagina.” The second part of the word, -tomy, means “cutting, incision.” Putting it all back together, colpotomy literally translates to “vagina incision.”

What are some words that use the combining form colpo- or its variant colp-?

• colpalgia
• colpectomy
• colpocele
• colpocystitis
• colpohyperplasia
• colpomicroscopy
• colpopexy
• colpoplasty
• colpospasm

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

• carpo-
• coel-
• collo-

Break it down!

The combining form -odynia means “pain.” With that in mind, what does the medical condition of colpodynia involve?