pyro

[ pahy-roh ]

/ ˈpaɪ roʊ /

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noun, plural py·ros.Informal.

a pyromaniac.

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Origin of pyro

By shortening; cf. -o

Other definitions for pyro (2 of 2)

pyro-

a combining form meaning “fire,” “heat,” “high temperature,” used in the formation of compound words: pyrogen; pyrolusite; pyromancy.

Chemistry. a combining form used in the names of inorganic acids, indicating that the acid's water content is intermediate between that of the corresponding ortho- (more water) and meta- (least water) acids (pyroantimonic, H4Sb2O7, pyroarsenic, H4As2O7, and pyrosulfuric, H2S2O7, acids). The combining form is also used in the names of the salts of these acids. If the acid ends in -ic, the corresponding salt ends in -ate (pyroboric acid, H2B4O7, and potassium pyrobate, K2B4O7, or pyrosulfuric, H2S2O7, and pyrosulfate, N2S2O7); if the acid ends in -ous, the corresponding salt ends in -ite (pyrophosphorous acid, H4P2O5, potassium pyrophosphite, K4P2O5).

Also pyr-.

Origin of pyro-

<Greek pyro-, combining form of pŷrfire

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use pyro in a sentence

It is the particular business of a chemical called “pyro” to release this latent image.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge|Various
It is to him more than to any other, for instance, that is due the first steps in our knowledge of pyro-(or thermo-) electricity.
Catholic Churchmen in Science|James J. Walsh
Place a small heap of dry granulated soda (or half a dozen tablets of sodic hydroxide) by the side of the pyro tablets.
The Elements of Bacteriological Technique|John William Henry Eyre
She lighted the little pyro stove, opened a closet and took out a saucepan, a bottle of milk, a sugar dish and some spoons.
A Modern Cinderella|Amanda M. Douglas

According to Reichenbach, pyro-acetic spirit may be extracted in considerable quantity from beech tar.
A Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines|Andrew Ure

British Dictionary definitions for pyro

pyro-

before a vowel pyr-

combining form

denoting fire, heat, or high temperaturepyromania; pyrometer

caused or obtained by fire or heatpyroelectricity

chem

denoting a new substance obtained by heating anotherpyroboric acid is obtained by heating boric acid
denoting an acid or salt with a water content intermediate between that of the ortho- and meta- compoundspyro-phosphoric acid

mineralogy

having a property that changes upon the application of heatpyromorphite
having a flame-coloured appearancepyroxylin

Word Origin for pyro-

from Gk pur fire

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

Medical definitions for pyro

pyro-

pref.

Fire; heat:pyrophobia.

Relating to the action of fire or heat:pyrolysis.

Fever:pyrogen.

Derived from an acid by the loss of a water molecule:pyrophosphoric acid.