oxy-

a combining form meaning “sharp,” “acute,” “keen,” “pointed,” “acid,” used in the formation of compound words: oxycephalic; oxygen; oxymoron.

Nearby words

oxpecker, oxtail, oxter, oxtongue, oxus, oxy-, oxyacetylene, oxyacetylene torch, oxyacid, oxyaldehyde, oxybarbiturate

Origin of oxy-

< Greek, combining form of oxýs sharp, keen, acid

Definition for oxy- (2 of 2)

oxy-

a combining form representing oxygen in compound words, sometimes as an equivalent of hydroxy-: oxychloride.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for oxy- (1 of 2)

oxy-

combining form

denoting something sharp; acuteoxytone

Word Origin for oxy-

from Greek, from oxus

British Dictionary definitions for oxy- (2 of 2)

oxy-

combining form

containing or using oxygenoxyacetylene

a former equivalent of hydroxy-

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for oxy-

oxy-

word-forming element meaning "sharp, pointed; acid," from Greek oxy-, comb. form of oxys "sharp, pungent" (see acrid). Also used as a comb. form of oxygen.

Medicine definitions for oxy-

oxy-

pref.

Oxygen, especially additional oxygen:oxygenation.