�y��vlog

Pleo– is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “more.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology.

Pleo– comes from Greek �����íō��, meaning “more.” The Latin cognate of �����íō�� is ���ū�� “more,” which is the source of terms such as plural and plus. To learn more, check out our entries for these two words.

What are variants of pleo-?

In some rare instances, pleo– is spelled with an –i-, becoming pleio–, as in pleiotropism. In even rarer cases, the –e– in pleo– is replaced with an –i-, becoming plio–, as in pliotron. Want to know more? Read our �y��vlogs That Use articles about pleio– and plio-.

One example of a scientific term that features the form pleo– is pleochroic, meaning “characterized by pleochroism, a property of certain crystals of exhibiting different colors when viewed from different directions under light.”

As we have seen, pleo– means “more,” but what about the –chroic part of the word? The form –chroic means “having a color,” from Greek �����ṓs. Pleochroic literally translates to “having more colors.”

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

• pleocytosis
• pleomastia
• pleomorphism
• pleonasm (using the equivalent form of pleo– in Greek)
• pleoptics (using the equivalent form of pleo– in German)

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

• paleo-
• plat-
• poly-

Cytosis is a disorder of the cells. With this in mind, what does pleocytosis mean?