metallo-

American  

1. a combining form representing metal in compound words.

   metallography.

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metallo- British  

combining form

1. denoting metal

   metallography

   metalloid

   metallurgy

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Usage

What does metallo- mean? The combining form metallo- is used like a prefix meaning “metal.” It is occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in chemistry and medicine. The form metallo- comes from Greek métallon, meaning “metal, mine, quarry.” Yes, quarry! Discover why at our entry for metal. What are variants of metallo-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, metallo- becomes metall-, as in metallurgy, from Greek metallourgós. A rare variant of metallo- is metalli-, as in metalliferous. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for both metalli- and metallo-.

Etymology

Origin of metallo-

< Greek, combining form of métallon