diplo-

American  

especially before a vowel, dipl-.

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

   diplococcus.

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diplo- British  

combining form

1. double

   diplococcus

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Usage

What does diplo- mean? Diplo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “double” or "in pairs." This form is frequently used in scientific terms, especially in zoology and botany.Diplo- comes from Greek diplóos, meaning “twofold” or “double-folded.” Distantly related is Latin duplex, which also literally means “twofold.”What are variants of diplo-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, diplo- becomes dipl-, as in diploid.

Etymology

Origin of diplo-

< Greek, combining form of diplóos twofold