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epi-

a prefix occurring in loanwords from Greek, where it meant “upon,” “on,” “over,” “near,” “at,” “before,” “after” (epicedium; epidermis; epigene; epitome); on this model, used in the formation of new compound words (epicardium; epinephrine).

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Also ep-, eph-.

Origin of epi-

<Greek, prefixal use of epí, preposition and adv.

Words nearby epi-

ephod, ephor, Ephraim, Ephraimite, Ephrata, epi-, epiandrosterone, epibenthos, epibiosis, epibiotic, epiblast
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for epi-

epi-

eph- or before a vowel ep-

prefix

on; upon; above; overepidermis; epicentre
in addition toepiphenomenon
afterepigenesis; epilogue
near; close toepicalyx

Word Origin for epi-

from Greek, from epi (prep)
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 epi-

epi-

pref.

On; upon:epineural.
Over; above:epibasal.
Around:epicystitis.
Close to; near:epimer.
Besides:epiphenomenon.
After:epigenesis.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.