ultra-
- a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, with the basic meaning “on the far side of, beyond.” In relation to the base to which it is prefixed, ultra- has the senses “located beyond, on the far side of” (ultramontane; ultraviolet), “carrying to the furthest degree possible, on the fringe of” (ultraleft; ultramodern), “extremely” (ultralight); nouns to which it is added denote, in general, objects, properties, phenomena, etc., that surpass customary norms, or instruments designed to produce or deal with such things (ultramicroscope; ultrasound; ultrastructure).
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Origin of ultra-
< Latin ultrā (adv. and preposition) on the far side (of), beyond, derivative of *ult(e)r- located beyond
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
ultra-
- beyond or surpassing a specified extent, range, or limitultramicroscopic
- extreme or extremelyultramodern
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Word Origin
from Latin ultrā beyond; see ultra
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for ultra-
prefix meaning "beyond" (ultraviolet) or "extremely" (ultramodern), from Latin ultra- from ultra (adv. and prep.) "beyond, on the further side," from PIE *al- "beyond." In common use from early 19c., it appears to have arisen from French political designations. As its own word, a noun meaning "extremist" of various stripes, it is first recorded 1817, from French ultra, shortening of ultra-royaliste "extreme royalist."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
ultra-
- Beyond; on the other side of:ultraviolet.
- Beyond the range, scope, or limit of:ultrasonic.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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