zo-

American  

1. variant of zoo- before a vowel.

   zooid.

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zo ¹ British  

/ zəʊ /

noun

1. a Tibetan breed of cattle, developed by crossing the yak with common cattle

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zo- ² British  

combining form

1. a variant (before a vowel) of zoo-

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Usage

What does zo- mean? The combining form zo- is used like a prefix meaning “living being” or "animal." It is very occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in biology. The form zo- comes from Greek zôion, meaning “animal.” The word zoo also ultimately comes from this Greek root. Zoo is shortened from zoological garden. What are variants of zo-?The form zo- is a variant of zoo-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. When combined as a suffix, zo- becomes -zoa or -zoon, as in protozoa or ectozoon. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for zoo-, -zoa, and -zoon.

Etymology

Origin of zo

C20: from Tibetan