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definitions

pico-

a combining form meaning “one trillionth” (10−12): picogram.

Nearby words

  1. pico de aneto,
  2. pico de são tomé,
  3. pico de teide,
  4. pico della mirandola,
  5. pico rivera,
  6. picofarad,
  7. picogram,
  8. picoline,
  9. picometer,
  10. picong

Origin of pico-

< Spanish pico peak, beak, bit. See pic2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for pico-

pico-

prefix

denoting 10 –12picofarad Symbol: p

Word Origin for pico-

from Spanish pico small quantity, odd number, peak
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 pico-

pico-

word-forming element used in making names for very small unites of measure, 1915 (formally adopted c.1952 as a scientific prefix meaning "one trillionth"), from Spanish pico "a little over, a small balance," literally "sharp point, beak," of Celtic origin (cf. Gaulish beccus "beak").

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for pico-

pico-

pref.

One-trillionth (10-12):picogram.
Very small:picornavirus.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.