sarco-

American  

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

   sarcocarp.

---

sarco- British  

combining form

1. indicating flesh

   sarcoma

---

Usage

What does sarco- mean? Sarco- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “flesh.” It is often used in medicine and biology. Sarco- comes from the Greek sárx, meaning “flesh.” Did you know the word sarcasm also comes from this Greek root? What could “bitter derision” or “harsh irony” possibly have to do with flesh? Learn more at our entry for sarcasm. What are variants of sarco-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, sarco- becomes sarc-, as in sarcoma.

Etymology

Origin of sarco-

< Greek sark- (stem of sárx ) + -o-