-lyte

¹ American  

1. a combining form used in the formation of compound words that denote something subjected to a certain process (indicated by a noun ending in-lysis ).

   electrolyte.

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-lyte ² American  

1. variant of -lite.

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-lyte British  

combining form

1. indicating a substance that can be decomposed or broken down

   electrolyte

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Usage

What does -lyte mean? The combining form -lyte is used like a suffix that has two distinct senses.The first of these senses is “something subjected to a certain process” ending in -lysis, and this form of -lyte is occasionally used in a variety of scientific and technical terms. The form -lyte in this sense comes from Greek lytós, meaning “able to be untied or loosened; soluble."The second of these senses is “mineral or fossil,” and this form of -lyte is very rarely used in a variety of scientific terms, especially in mineralogy. The form -lyte in this sense comes from Greek líthos, meaning “stone."What are variants of -lyte with the sense “mineral or fossil”?The form -lyte is sometimes spelled with an -i- rather than a -y-, becoming -lite, as in aerolite. The suffix -lyte is also related to the combining forms -lyse, -lyze, -lytic, and -lysis. The forms -lyse and -lyze are used to form verbs relating to nouns ending in -lysis, as in analyze. The form -lytic is used to form adjectives relating to -lysis, as in analytic. The form -lysis means “breaking down, loosening,” as in electrolysis. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for these forms.

Etymology

Origin of -lyte

< Greek lytós able to be untied or loosened, soluble, verbid of lȳ́ein to loose, dissolve; cognate with Latin luere to loose

Example Sentences

“Shining Star” has been sampled by dozens of hip-hop acts, including MC Lyte and the Roots; in 2004, the Recording Academy inducted “That’s the Way of the World” into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

From Los Angeles Times

The thing that first brought MC Lyte to Los Angeles?

From Los Angeles Times

This year has been a particularly celebratory — and busy — one for MC Lyte as she’s been celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop music.

From Los Angeles Times

In August, MC Lyte was featured in the Netflix series “Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop,” on which she is also an executive producer.

From Los Angeles Times

“What it means to me is everything because I’m always trying to a shine the light on newcomers as well as those who have been around for a long time,” says MC Lyte, who also celebrated the 35th birthday of her debut album, “Lyte as a Rock,” this year.

From Los Angeles Times