kerato-

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

   keratogenous.

kerato-

combining_form

1. indicating horn or a horny substance

   keratogenous

   keratin

2. indicating the cornea

   keratoplasty

Word History and Origins

Origin of kerato-¹

From Greek kerāto-, combining form of kéras; akin to Latin cornū “horn”; cornu, horn

Word History and Origins

Origin of kerato-¹

from Greek kerat-, keras horn

Words That Use Kerato-

What does kerato- mean?

Kerato- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “horn” or “cornea.” The cornea is the transparent front part of the eyeball. It is used in some scientific and medical terms, including in ophthalmology and dermatology.

Kerato- comes from the Greek kéras, meaning “horn.” The Latin cousin to kéras is cornū, source of corneus, literally “horn-y.” The term cornea comes from the Latin phrase cornea tēla, meaning “horn-y web,” i.e., “hornlike tissue.”

Another word related to this Greek root is karat, or carat, which is a unit of weight for gemstones. It ultimately comes from the Greek word for “little horn.”

What are variants of kerato-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, kerato- becomes kerat-, as in keratin.

Kerato- and kerat- can also be spelled with an initial c-, becoming cerato- or cerat-, as in keratoid or ceratoid. Variants spelled with c- are pronounced with a soft c sound, e.g., [ ser–uh-toid ]. Learn more at our Words That Use articles for the forms.

Examples of kerato-

Keratotomy, meaning “incision of the cornea,” is one example of a medical term that features the combining form kerato-.

As we know, kerato- represents “cornea.” The second portion of the word, -tomy means “incision, cut.” Keratotomy literally translates to “cornea incision.”

What are some words that use the combining form kerato-?

• keratocele
• keratocyte
• keratoconus
• keratoconjunctivitis
• keratoderma
• keratoepithelioplasty
• keratogenous
• keratometer

What are some other forms that kerato- may be commonly confused with?

• kinesi-
• kineto-

Break it down!

The combining form -meter means “measure” and is used to name measuring instruments. What, generally speaking, is the medical instrument keratometer used for?