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Necro- is a combining form used like a prefix variously meaning “the dead,” “corpse,” or “dead tissue.” It is used in technical and scientific terms, including in biology and medicine.

Necro- comes from the Greek �Ա���ó��, meaning “dead person, corpse” or “dead.” Similar in meaning and use to necro- is the common combining form thanato–, from the Greek �ٳ�á�Բ��ٴDz�, “death.”

What are variants of necro-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, necro- becomes necr-, as in necrectomy.

One example of a term you may have come across that features the combining form necro- is necromancy,”a method of divination through alleged communication with the dead.” Divination is the practice of trying to see the future, like prophecy.

The first part of the word, necro- means “the dead,” as we know. The -mancy part of the word means “divination,” from the Greek �����Գٱ�í��. Necromancy literally translates to “divining (by means of) the dead.”

A term you may have come across that features the combining form necr- is necropsy, also known as an autopsy, “the examination of a body after death.”

The form necr- means “the dead, corpse.” The -opsy portion of the word denotes “a medical examination or inspection,” ultimately from the Greek ó�������. Necropsy literally translates to “looking at a corpse.”

What are some words that use the combining form necro- or necr-?

• necrectomy
• necrobiosis
• necrocytosis
• necrogenic
• necrolatry
• necrology
• necrolysis
• necromania
• necropolis
• necrophobia
• necrophilia (using the equivalent form of necro- in New Latin)
• necrophilous
• necrophagous
• necrosis (from the Greek ��é���ō������)
• necrotic (formed from necrosis)
• necrotomy
• necrotroph

What are some other forms that necro- or necr- may be commonly confused with?

• micro-
• narc-
• narco-
• nephr-
• nephro-
• noct-
• nocto-

The combining form -latry means “worship.” With this in mind, what is the practice of necrolatry?