hexa-

American  

especially before a vowel, hex-.

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

   hexapartite.

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hexa- British  

combining form

1. six

   hexachord

   hexameter

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Usage

What does hexa- mean? Hexa- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “six.” It is used in a great many scientific and other technical terms. In chemistry, hexa- is specifically used to indicate six atoms or six groups of atoms in compounds, e.g., hexachloride. Hexa- comes from the Greek héx, meaning “six.” The Latin for “six” is sex, source of the combining forms sex- and sexi-, which you can learn more about at our Words That Use articles for the terms. And we know what you’re thinking: the Latin sex has no relation to that common English meaning of sex. What are variants of hexa-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, hexa- becomes hex-, as in hexose.

Etymology

Origin of hexa-

Combining form representing Greek héx six