ecto-
a combining form meaning “outer,” “outside,” “external,” used in the formation of compound words: ectoderm.
QUIZZES
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We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Also especially before a vowel, ect-.
Origin of ecto-
Combining form of Greek ektós outside
Words nearby ecto-
ectatic, ectental, ectethmoid, ecthlipsis, ecthyma, ecto-, ectoantigen, ectoblast, ectocardia, ectocervix, ectocommensal
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for ecto-
ecto-
combining form
indicating outer, outside, externalectoplasm
Word Origin for ecto-
from Greek ektos outside, from ek, ex out
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for ecto-
ecto-
pref.
Outer; external:ectoparasite.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.