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• phyllo
  phyllo

  noun

  flaky, tissue-thin layers of pastry used in baked desserts and appetizers.
• phyllo-
  phyllo-

  a combining form meaning “leaf,” used in the formation of compound words.

phyllo

¹ American  

[fee-loh] / ˈfi loʊ /

Or filo

noun

Greek and Middle Eastern Cooking.

1. flaky, tissue-thin layers of pastry used in baked desserts and appetizers.

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phyllo- ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “leaf,” used in the formation of compound words.

   phyllopod.

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phyllo ¹ British  

/ ˈfɪləʊ /

noun

1. a variant of filo

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phyllo- ² British  

combining form

1. leaf

   phyllopod

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Usage

What does phyllo- mean? Phyllo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “leaf.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology. Phyllo- comes from Greek phýllon, meaning “leaf.” The Latin cognate of phýllon is folium, also meaning “leaf,” which is the source of words such as foil, foliage, and folio. To learn more, check out our entries for these three terms. What are variants of phyllo-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, phyllo- becomes phyll-, as in phyllite. When combined as a suffix at the end of the word, this combining form becomes -phyll or -phyl, as in chlorophyll. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles on phyll-, -phyll, and -phyl.

Etymology

Origin of phyllo¹

1945–50; < Modern Greek phýllo ( n ) literally, leaf; see phyllo-

Origin of phyllo-²

< Greek, combining form of phýllon

Related Words

• bread
• cake
• croissant
• doughnut
• pie