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septi-

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a combining form meaning “seven,” used in the formation of compound words: septilateral.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WORDS THAT USE SEPTI-

What does septi- mean?

Septi– is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “seven.” It is occasionally used in scientific and technical terms. In terms from medical and biological science, septi– denotes “septum,” meaning “a dividing wall or membrane in a plant or animal structure.”

Septi– comes from Latin septem, meaning “seven.” The Greek cognate of septem is heptá, meaning “seven,” which is the source of terms such as heptagon, a seven-sided polygon. To learn more, read our Words That Use article on the combining form hepta-.

Examples of septi-

One example of a scientific term that features the form septi– is septivalent, also known as heptavalent, “having a valence of seven.”

The septi– part of the word here means “seven.” The form -valent means “having a valence,” from Latin valent-, literally meaning “being strong.” Septivalent literally translates to “having a valence of seven.”

What are some words that use the combining form septi-?

  • septichord
  • septicolored
  • septifolious
  • septifronted
  • septisyllable

What are some other forms that septi– may be commonly confused with?

Break it down!

Given the meaning of septi-, what does septisyllable mean?

British Dictionary definitions for septi- (1 of 2)

septi-1

before a vowel sept-


combining form
sevenseptivalent

Word Origin for septi-

from Latin septem

British Dictionary definitions for septi- (2 of 2)

septi-2

combining form
septumsepticidal
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
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