ἀρχι-

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ᾰ̓ρχῐ- • (ărkhĭ-)

ᾰ̓ρχῐ- (canonical)
ărkhĭ- (romanization)
ἀρχε- (alternative)

Greek: αρχι- (archi-)

→ French: archi-

→ Italian: arci-

→ Portuguese: arqui-

→ Russian: архи- (arxi-), арци- (arci-)

→ Romanian: arhi-

→ Spanish: arqui-

→ English: archi-

→ Latin: archi-

→ Dutch: aarts-

→ German: erz-

→ Old English: ærce-

English: arch-

→ Old Norse: erki-

Danish: ærke-

Norwegian: erke-

Old Swedish: ærke-

Swedish: ärke-

Icelandic: erki-

Faroese: erki-

From ἄρχω (árkhō, “begin, rule”) or ἀρχός (arkhós, “leader”).

denotes primary importance or authority.


ἀ-

ᾰ̓- (canonical)
ă- (alternative)
ἀν- (alternative before-vowel)
νη- (alternative)
νᾱ- (alternative)
νω- (alternative)

> Greek: α- (a-) (inherited)

→ Norwegian Bokmål: a-

Pontic Greek: α- (a-)

→ Laz: ა- -ე (a- -e)

From Proto-Hellenic *ə-, from Proto-Indo-European *n̥-. The form ἀν- (an-) appears when followed by a laryngeal and a vowel: that is, in an open syllable of the *n̥HV- form. Akin to νη- (nē-), νᾱ- (nā-) and νω- (nō-), which are closed-syllable reflexes of the *n̥h₁C-, *n̥h₂C-, *n̥h₃C- forms, respectively.
Cognate with Old English and English un-, Latin in-, Sanskrit अ- (a-), Old Irish in-, an-, Armenian ան- (an-), and Albanian e-.

alpha privativum
alpha privativum#English

The alpha privativum, used to make words that have a sense opposite to the word (or stem) to which the prefix is attached. It is also known as privative a and alpha privative; a-, ab-, an-, anti-, contra-, de-, dis-, ex-, il-, im-, in-, ob-, ne-, non-, not, un-


ἀ-

The alpha intensivum, used to strengthen the force of compounds.


ἀ-

alpha euphonicum
alpha euphonicum#English

The alpha euphonicum, used to soften pronunciation before two consonants.


ἀν-

From Proto-Indo-European *n̥- (“not, un-”) when followed by laryngeal and a vowel: that is, in an open syllable of the *n̥HV- form.

alternative form of ἀ- (a-) used before a vowel


δι-

alternative form of δῐᾰ- (dĭă-), before a vowel


παρα-

→ English: para-

Greek: παρα- (para-)


δια-

δῐᾰ- • (dĭă-)

δῐᾰ- (canonical)
dĭă- (romanization)
δῐ- (alternative before-vowel)
ζα- (alternative Aeolic)

Prefixing form of the preposition διά (diá).

δια- (dia-) + βαίνω (baínō) → διαβαίνω (diabaínō, “step across, pass over”)

δια- (dia-) + σκεδάννῡμι (skedánnūmi) → διασκεδάννῡμι (diaskedánnūmi, “scatter, disperse”)

in different directions
of separation: asunder, apart

δια- (dia-) + φωνέω (phōnéō) → διαφωνέω (diaphōnéō, “be dissonant, disagree”)

in different directions
at variance, against

δια- (dia-) + ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnízomai) → διαγωνίζομαι (diagōnízomai, “contend, struggle against”)

δια- (dia-) + ᾄδω (ā́idō) → διᾴδω (diā́idō, “contend in singing”)

in different directions
of mutual relation: one with another

δια- (dia-) + πέμπω (pémpō) → διαπέμπω (diapémpō, “send off in different directions, send to and from”)

δια- (dia-) + πρέπω (prépō) → διαπρέπω (diaprépō, “appear prominent, strike the eye”)

δια- (dia-) + μάχομαι (mákhomai) → διαμάχομαι (diamákhomai, “fight it out”)

δια- (dia-) + γαληνίζω (galēnízō) → διαγαληνίζω (diagalēnízō, “make quite calm”)

to add strength: thoroughly, out and out

δια- (dia-) + λευκός (leukós) → διάλευκος (diáleukos, “somewhat white”)


δυσ-

From Proto-Hellenic *dus-, from Proto-Indo-European *dus-, possibly from *dews-. Cognate to Proto-Germanic *tuz- (“hard, difficult, wrong, bad”) (English tore) and Proto-Iranian *duš- (“bad”).


ἀρι-

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ᾰ̓ρῐ- • (ărĭ-)

Probably related to ᾰ̓ρείων (ăreíōn) ᾰ̓́ρῐστος (ắrĭstos)

(mostly early Epic and Lyric) strengthening prefix, generally with a sense of goodness, excellence


ἡμι-

ἡμῐ- • (hēmĭ-)

Greek: ημι- (imi-)

→ English: hemi-

→ French: hémi-

→ Spanish: hemi-

From Proto-Indo-European *sēmi (“half”). Cognates include Sanskrit सामि (sāmi), Latin sēmi-, and Old High German sami-.


περι-

→ English: peri-

περι- (peri-) + τειχίζω (teikhízō, “build a wall”) → περιτειχίζω (periteikhízō, “build a wall around”)

περι- (peri-) + τρέχω (trékhō, “run”) → περιτρέχω (peritrékhō, “run around”)


προ-

Greek: προ- (pro-)

Examples: πρόδομος (pródomos), προάστειον (proásteion), πρόθυρον (próthuron), προπύλαια (propúlaia)

Examples: πρόεδρος (próedros), προεδρία (proedría), προάγων (proágōn), πρόλογος (prólogos), προοίμιον (prooímion), προπάτωρ (propátōr)

Examples: πρόμαντις (prómantis), πρόξενος (próxenos)

Examples: πρόχειρος (prókheiros), πρόθυμος (próthumos), πρόφρων (próphrōn)

Examples: προθέλυμνος (prothélumnos), πρόρριζος (prórrhizos)

Examples: πρόμοιρος (prómoiros), πρόωρος (próōros)

Examples: πρόπας (própas), πρόπαρ (própar), προπάροιθε (propároithe), πρόκακος (prókakos), πρόπαλαι (própalai)

Examples: προβαίνω (probaínō), προβάλλω (probállō), προτίθημι (protíthēmi), προκινδυνεύω (prokinduneúō), προμάχομαι (promákhomai)

(with substantives)
(denotes position before or in front)
(with substantives)
(denotes priority of rank, order)
(with substantives)
(denotes standing in another's place)
(with substantives)
(with adjectives)
(denotes proximity, readiness)
(with adjectives)
(denotes a coming forth)
(with adjectives)
(denotes prematureness)
(with adjectives)
(denotes intensity)
(with adjectives)
(with verbs)
(of place) before, forwards

Examples: προέλκω (proélkō), προφέρω (prophérō), προγράφω (prográphō), προειπεῖν (proeipeîn), προκεῖμαι (prokeîmai)

Examples: προδίδωμι (prodídōmi), προΐημι (proḯēmi)

Examples: προαιροῦμαι (proairoûmai), προτῑμάω (protīmáō)

Examples: προαισθάνομαι (proaisthánomai), προγίγνομαι (progígnomai), προκαταλαμβάνω (prokatalambánō), προνοέω (pronoéō), προοράω (prooráō)

(with verbs)
before, beforehand, of foresight


εὐ-

eu- (romanization)
ἐϋ- (alternative Epic)

English: eu-


ἀπο-

apo- (romanization)
ἀπ- (alternative before-vowel)
ἀφ- (alternative before-vowel)

Greek: απο- (apo-)

ἀποβαίνω (apobaínō, “step off”)

ἀποτέμνω (apotémnō, “cut off”)

Indicating breaking one part from another: un-, asunder, apart, off

ἀπαλγέω (apalgéō, “put away sorrow for”), ἀπόσῑτος (apósītos, “having eaten nothing”)

Indicating ending or finishing, or almost like the negative ἀ- (a-, “not”), especially in adjectives

ἀποδίδωμι (apodídōmi, “give back”)

Simply emphasizing the meaning of the verb


μετα-

meta- (romanization)
μετ- (alternative before-vowel)
μεθ- (alternative before-vowel)

English: meta-

Affixive form of the Ancient Greek preposition μετά (metá).

concerning action in common with another

(most frequent) concerning change in position or condition


τρι-

English: tri-

Portuguese: tri-

Combining form of τρεῖς (treîs, “three”, cardinal numeral) and τρῐ́ς (trĭ́s, “thrice”, “three times”, adverbial numeral).


κατα-

κᾰτᾰ- • (kătă-)

κᾰτᾰ- (canonical)
kătă- (romanization)
κατ- (alternative before-vowel)
καθ- (alternative before-vowel)


ἁ-

ᾰ̔- (canonical)
hă- (romanization)
ἀ- (alternative)
ὀ- (alternative)

From Proto-Hellenic *hə-, from Proto-Indo-European *sm̥-, zero-grade of *sem-. The form without the rough breathing is due to Grassmann's law or analogy.

The alpha copulativum, used to express union or likeness.


ὀκτα-

From ὀκτώ (oktṓ, “eight”), modeled after ἑπτᾰ́ (heptắ, “seven”), τετρᾰ- (tetră-, “four”). Compare ἑξᾰ- (hexă-), πεντᾰ- (pentă-, “five”), etc.


συν-

σῠν- (canonical)
sŭn- (romanization)
ξυν- (alternative)
συ- (alternative)
συγ- (alternative)
συλ- (alternative)
συμ- (alternative)
συρ- (alternative)
συσ- (alternative)

Prefix version of the preposition σύν (sún, “with”).


ὑπο-

ῠ̔πο- (canonical)
hŭpo- (romanization)
ὑπ- (alternative before-vowel)
ὑφ- (alternative before-vowel)

Prefix variant of the preposition ὑπό (hupó).

under, sub-, hypo-
of the casing or covering

under, sub-, hypo-
of the agency or influence (by)


ἐπι-

ἐπῐ- (canonical)
epĭ- (romanization)
ἐπ- (alternative before-vowel)
ἐφ- (alternative before-vowel)

(place) on, upon, on top of, all over, covering

(addition, accompaniment) in addition to, as interest on, with

addition; accompaniment; addition; accompaniment

(of superiority, authority, motivation) over, at, for, against

authority; motivation; authority; motivation


ἀνα-

ᾰ̓νᾰ- • (ănă-)

ᾰ̓νᾰ- (canonical)
ănă- (romanization)
ἀν- (alternative before-vowel)

Greek: ανα- (ana-)

→ English: ana-

indicating repetition or improvement: re-, again


ἐκ-

ek- (romanization)
ἐξ- (alternative before-vowel)

Expressing completion or totality: utterly


προσ-

pros- (romanization)
ποτι- (alternative Doric Epic)

Prefix version of the preposition πρός (prós, “towards”).

motion towards, accession to, or nearness to


εἰσ-

εἰσ- (eis-) + ἔρχομαι (érkhomai, “to go”) → εἰσέρχομαι (eisérkhomai, “to enter”)


ἑξα-

English: hexa-

Hungarian: hexa-

Latin: hexa-

Forming compound words with the sense of "six"


νη-

* From Proto-Indo-European *n̥- (“not, un-”) when followed by the laryngeal *h₁ and a consonant (i.e. *n̥h₁C-), which yielded Proto-Hellenic *nē-
* In Attic–Ionic, also derived from sequences of *n̥- followed by *h₂ and a consonant (i.e. *n̥h₂C-), which yielded Proto-Hellenic *nā- and νᾱ- (nā-) in other dialects


να-

νᾱ- (canonical)
nā- (romanization)
νη- (alternative)

From Proto-Indo-European *n̥- (“not, un-”) when followed by the laryngeal *h₂ and a consonant (i.e. *n̥h₂C-).


νω-

From Proto-Indo-European *n̥- (“not, un-”) when followed by the laryngeal *h₃ and a consonant (i.e. *n̥h₃C-).


ἀντι-

anti- (romanization)
ἀντ’- (alternative abbreviation apocopic)

→ English: anti-

Greek: αντι- (anti-)

Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂ent-
Proto-Indo-European *h₂énts
Proto-Indo-European *-i
Proto-Indo-European *h₂éntider.
Ancient Greek ἀντί (antí)
Ancient Greek ἀντι- (anti-)
From ἀντί (antí) used as a prefix.


συ-

σῠ- (canonical)
sŭ- (romanization)
z (romanization)


συγ-

σῠγ- (canonical)
sŭg- (romanization)
g (romanization)
k (romanization)
x (romanization)
kh (romanization)


συλ-

σῠλ- (canonical)
sŭl- (romanization)
l (romanization)


συμ-

σῠμ- (canonical)
sŭm- (romanization)
p (romanization)
b (romanization)
ph (romanization)
m (romanization)


συρ-

σῠρ- (canonical)
sŭr- (romanization)
r (romanization)


ὑπερ-

From ὑπέρ (hupér), from Proto-Indo-European *upér.


ἐ-

From Proto-Indo-European *é (“and then”). Cognate with Sanskrit अ- (a-), Phrygian ε- (e-).

the augment, a prefix marking indicative past tenses


αὐτο-

Greek: αυτο- (afto-)

→ English: auto-

From αὐτός (autós, “himself/herself/oneself”).


ἐξ-

alternative form of ἐκ- (ek-) (used before vowels)


ἐπ-

alternative form of ἐπῐ- (epĭ-), used before a vowel with smooth breathing


ἐν-

en- (romanization)
ἐγ- (alternative)
ἐμ- (alternative)

Prefixed form of the preposition ἐν (en).


ἐν-

From Proto-Indo-European *ím, accusative case of *éy (“that”).

Appears in medial/proximal place/source/destination demostratives


ξυγ-

5th-century BC Attic through 10th-century AD Byzantine

with, together, co-, syn-


ἀμφι-

added before a noun, adjective or verb to create words that indicates something on two sides or in two places; amphi-, ambi-, bi-:


ἐγ-

alternative form of ἐν- (en-) used before the velar consonants γ, κ, ξ, χ


λυσι-

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λῠσῐ- • (lŭsĭ-)

λῠσῐ- (canonical)
lŭsĭ- (romanization)
λυσ- (alternative abbreviation apocopic)

From λύσις (lúsis, “loosening, releasing, parting”)


λυσ-

alternative form of λυσι- (lusi-), used before a vowel


ἐπανα-

epana- (romanization)
ἐπαν- (alternative before-vowel)

Greek: επανα- (epana-)

From ἐπι- (epi-) + ἀνα- (ana-). ἀνα means "up" and "back" and ἐπι means "on" and "even more." "(up + on) + (back + more)" = "(up - up) + (again)" = "re." More naturally idiomatically analyzed epana-root, not epi-(ana-root).


ἐπαν-

alternative form of ἐπανα- (epana-), used before a vowel


πεντα-

πεντᾰ- (canonical)
pentă- (romanization)

→ Catalan: penta-

→ English: penta-

→ Finnish: penta-

→ French: penta-

→ German: penta-

→ Hungarian: penta-

→ Italian: penta-

→ Polish: penta-

→ Portuguese: penta-

→ Romanian: penta-

→ Spanish: penta-


ἀγα-

From Proto-Hellenic *əga-, from Proto-Indo-European *m̥ǵh₂-, zero-grade prefix from *méǵh₂s (“big, great”).


ἐρι-

(chiefly Epic and Lyric) intensifying prefix: very, greatly


ζα-

Aeolic form of δια- (dia-, “intensifying prefix”)


ἐμ-

alternative form of ἐν- (en-) used before the labial consonants β, μ, π, φ, ψ


ἐσ-

Ionic, Old Attic, and Doric form of εἰσ- (eis-, “into”)


ξυλο-

ξῠ́λο- • (xŭ́lo-)

ξῠ́λο- (canonical)
xŭ́lo- (romanization)
ξυλ- (alternative before-vowel)

Prefix variant of the noun ξῠ́λον (xŭ́lon).