pheno-
- a combining form meaning “shining,” “appearing, seeming,” used in the formation of compound words: phenocryst.
- 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.
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Also especially before a vowel, phen-.
Origin of pheno-
< New Latin phaeno- < Greek phaino- shining, combining form of phaínein to shine, appear; in chemical senses, used orig. with reference to products from the manufacture of illuminating gas
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
pheno-
before a vowel phen-
- showing or manifestingphenotype
- indicating that a molecule contains benzene ringsphenobarbital
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Word Origin
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
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 pheno-
before vowels phen-, word-forming element in science meaning "pertaining to or derived from benzene," from phene.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
pheno-
- Showing; displaying:phenotype.
- Relating to or derived from benzene:phenol.
- Containing phenyl:phenothiazine.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.