megalo-

1. a combining form with the meanings “large, great, grand,” “abnormally large,” used in the formation of compound words:

   megalopolis; megalocardia.

megalo-

combining_form

1. indicating greatness, or abnormal size

   megalopolis

   megaloblast

Word History and Origins

Origin of megalo-¹

< Greek, combining form of megal- (stem of mégas ) great, large

Word History and Origins

Origin of megalo-¹

from Greek megas great

Example Sentences

It seemed to be chiefly full of the greatuncles of trumpets, megalo-trombones and railway brakes.

From Project Gutenberg

Words That Use Megalo-

What does megalo- mean?

Megalo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “large, great, grand, abnormally large.” It is used in many scientific and medical terms.

Megalo- ultimately comes from the Greek mégas, meaning “great, large.”

What are variants of megalo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, megalo- becomes megal-, as in megalopsia.

Another variant of megalo- are you may be familiar with is mega-, as in megaphone or megabyte. Mega- is also used as a unit of measure prefix to indicate a fact of one million (e.g., megahertz).

Corresponding forms of megalo- combined to the end of words are -megaly and -megalia.

Examples of megalo-

You may have come across the combining form megalo- from the word megalomania. In psychiatry, megalomania refers to delusions of greatness, wealth, and the like. The term is also more generally used to mean “an obsession with doing extravagant or grand things” and “extreme self-importance.”

The combining form megalo- means “abnormally large,” as we’ve seen. The combining form -mania means “excessive excitement or enthusiasm.” Megalomania has a little sense of “great enthusiasm.”

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

• megaloblast
• megalocyte
• megalodontia
• megaloencephaly
• megaloglossia
• megalopenis
• megalopolis
• megalosaur (based on the equivalent form of megalo- in New Latin)

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

• macro-
• magneto-
• magni-
• mechano-
• melano-
• metallo-

Break it down!

The combining form -polis means “city.” With this in mind, what is a megalopolis?