hepta-
Origin of hepta-
Words nearby hepta-
WORDS THAT USE HEPTA-
What does hepta- mean?
Hepta- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “seven.” It is used in a number of scientific and other technical terms.
In chemistry, hepta- is specifically used to indicate seven atoms or seven groups of atoms in compounds, e.g., heptachlor.
Hepta- comes from the Greek heptá, meaning “seven.” The English word seven, as different as it may look, is actually related to the Greek heptá.
What are variants of hepta-?
When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, hepta- becomes hept-, as in heptane.
Examples of hepta-
One example of a word you may have encountered that features hepta- is heptagon, “a polygon having seven angles and seven sides.”
The first part of the word, hepta, means “seven,” as we know. The -gon portion of the word may also look familiar: it is a combining form meaning “angled” or “angular,” from the Greek gōnía. Heptagon literally translates to “seven-angled.”
Heptagon comes from the Greek heptágōnos, which features the equivalent form of hepta- in the language.
What are some words that use the combining form hepta- or hept-?
- heptachord (using the equivalent of form of hepta- in Greek)
- heptad
- heptahedron
- heptahydrate
- heptameter (using the equivalent of form of hepta- in Greek)
- heptangular
- heptarchy
- heptastich
What are some other forms that hepta- may be commonly confused with?
How to use hepta- in a sentence
The Ptolemies united it to the mainland by means of a pier, named Hepta-stadium, in allusion to its length.
Heptad, a term in chemistry to denote an atom that is the equivalent of seven atoms of hydrogen, from hepta, seven.
The Nuttall Encyclopaedia|Edited by Rev. James WoodHepta- (in words of Greek origin), seven; as Heptagynous, with seven pistils or styles.
The Elements of Botany|Asa Gray