pheno-

1. a combining form meaning “shining,” “appearing, seeming,” used in the formation of compound words:

   phenocryst.

2. a combining form used in the names of chemical compounds that contain phenol or the phenyl group, are related to aromatic compounds, or derive from benzene:

   phenobarbital.

pheno-

combining_form

1. showing or manifesting

   phenotype

2. indicating that a molecule contains benzene rings

   phenobarbital

Word History and Origins

Origin of pheno-¹

< New Latin phaeno- < Greek phaino- shining, combining form of phaínein to shine, appear; in chemical senses, used originally with reference to products from the manufacture of illuminating gas

Word History and Origins

Origin of pheno-¹

from Greek phaino- shining, from phainein to show; its use in a chemical sense is exemplified in phenol, so called because originally prepared from illuminating gas

Example Sentences

The pseudoscientific synonym pheno-methylene-formate carries the idea that Pyo-Atoxin is a definite chemical substance.

From Project Gutenberg