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

See Examples For:

cryo-

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