-phyllous

American  

1. a combining form meaning “having leaves” of the kind or number specified by the initial element.

   diphyllous; monophyllous.

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-phyllous British  

combining form

1. having leaves of a specified number or type

   monophyllous

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Usage

What does -phyllous mean? The combining form -phyllous is used like a suffix meaning “having leaves.” It is occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in biology.The form -phyllous ultimately 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.Closely related to -phyllous are the combining forms phyllo-, phyll-, and -phyll, which you can learn more about in our Words That Use articles on the forms.

Etymology

Origin of -phyllous

< Greek -phyllos, derivative of phýllon leaf