helio

¹ American  

[hee-lee-oh] / ˈhi liˌoʊ /

noun

Informal.

plural

helios

1. a heliogram.

2. a heliograph.

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helio- ² American  

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

   heliolatry.

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helio- British  

combining form

1. indicating the sun

   heliocentric

   heliolithic

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Usage

What does helio- mean? Helio- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “sun.” It is frequently used in a variety of scientific and technical terms. Helio- comes from Greek hḗlios, meaning “sun.” The Latin cognate, sōl, is the source of several words related to the sun, such as solar and solstice. What are variants of helio-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, helio- becomes heli-, as in heliencephalitis. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article for heli-.

Etymology

Origin of helio¹

By shortening

Origin of helio-²

< Greek, combining form of hḗlios sun

Example Sentences

The helio was slanting downward, and was now less than five miles distant from the fast vanishing bus.

From The Women-Stealers of Thrayx by Holden, Fox B.

Sanders, working round the Isisi River, with ten Houssas and an attack of malaria, got a helio message: "Go Akasava and settle that infernal woman palaver.—Administration."

From Sanders of the River by Wallace, Edgar

He had scarcely uttered the last word when a helio began to twinkle from the hill above Foreland.

From The World Peril of 1910 by Griffith, George Chetwynd

Upon the high tower of Beccles Church is established a signal station, communication being made constantly with Lowestoft by helio by day, and acetylene lamps by night.

From The Invasion by Le Queux, William

While coming along this afternoon we saw something like helio signals flashing in the air.

From Uncle Sam's Boys as Sergeants or, Handling Their First Real Commands by Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)