cryo-

American  

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

   cryogenics.

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cryo- British  

combining form

1. indicating low temperature; frost, cold, or freezing

   cryogenics

   cryosurgery

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Usage

What does cryo- mean? Cryo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “icy cold," "frost.” It is often used in medical and scientific terms. Cryo- comes from the Greek krýos, meaning “ice cold” or "frost." Can you guess what cryology is? The study of snow and ice. Related to cryo- is the combining form crymo-, as in crymotherapy.

Etymology

Origin of cryo-

Combining form representing Greek krýos

Example Sentences

Specialized clinics and programs Catheter procedures offered to one or more patients in past year including stent implantation, transcatheter occlusion of cardiac shunts, and cryo- or RF ablation for tachycardia.

From US News • Jun. 2, 2010