It's Greek To Me!

Greek and Latin Prefixes, Roots and Suffixes used in English
This page © 1999 by Nicholas E. Miller


Basic term

Meaning

Greek
Latin
Prefix
Suffix

fissi

split

.
Yes
Yes
.

Examples

Definition

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binary fission (3)

(noun) - two by two + split = asexual reproduction of a cell by division into two more or less equal parts.

fissile (3)

(adj.) - split = able to be split or divided in the direction of the grain or along normal planes of separating; capable of undergoing fission. Fissility is the noun form.

fission (2)

(noun) - split = splitting into parts; splitting an atomic nucleus with a release of a large amount of energy; asexual reproduction by division of the body into two or more parts each of which grows into a complete organism. Fission can also be used as a verb.

fissionable (3)

(adj.) - split + to handle = able to be split or divided. Fissionability and fissionable are noun forms.

fissiparous (5)

(adj.) - split + give birth = tending to break up into parts. Fissiparousness is the noun form.

fissure (2)

(noun) - split = a long narrow opening.

non-fissionable (3)

(adj.) - not + split + to handle = not able to fissile.