oxy-

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

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Origin of oxy-

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

Words nearby oxy-

oxtail, oxter, oxtongue, ox-tongue partisan, Oxus, oxy-, oxyacetylene, oxyacetylene torch, oxyacid, oxyaldehyde, oxybenzene

Other definitions for oxy- (2 of 2)

oxy-²

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. 2023

How to use oxy- in a sentence

"Nothing here but Oxy and coal," says one of the subjects of Sean Dunne's mournful documentary Oxyana.
How Drugs Ruined This Small Town|David Frum|April 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After the Food and Drug Administration approved Oxy in 1995, it was introduced into the U.S. marketplace the following year.
‘Oxyana’ Documentary at Tribeca Exposes the OxyContin Epidemic|Marlow Stern|April 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
By 2001, sales of the drug exceeded $1 billion, making Oxy the bestselling nongeneric narcotic pain reliever in the country.
‘Oxyana’ Documentary at Tribeca Exposes the OxyContin Epidemic|Marlow Stern|April 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And since a single 30mg Oxy pill sells for $45 on the street, the dealer stands to make $20,250 per “transaction.”
‘Oxyana’ Documentary at Tribeca Exposes the OxyContin Epidemic|Marlow Stern|April 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Moore says he witnessed the Oxy cravings firsthand at his dental office.
‘Oxyana’ Documentary at Tribeca Exposes the OxyContin Epidemic|Marlow Stern|April 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He fitted one varium-protected oxy-tank to his helmet and tucked another one under his arm for Captain DeCastros.
The Marooner|Charles A. Stearns
The oxy-hydrogen jet of the welding machine the dwarfs were hoisting would make short work of their final defense.
The Great Dome on Mercury|Arthur Leo Zagat
Undoubtedly the work of experts, and they must have used an oxy-acteylene blowpipe flame to cut through that door.
The Golden Boys and Their New Electric Cell|L. P. Wyman
Mechanically his hand touched the valve of his oxy-acetylene torch.
White Fire|Roy J. Snell
The oxy-hydrogen flame develops a heat far below that of oxy-acetylene, namely 4500 Fahrenheit.
Oxy-Acetylene Welding and Cutting|Harold P. Manly

British Dictionary definitions for oxy- (1 of 2)

oxy-¹

combining form

denoting something sharp; acuteoxytone

Word Origin for oxy-

from Greek, from oxus

British Dictionary definitions for oxy- (2 of 2)

oxy-²

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