Word origins

• chyometerAn instrument for measuring the specific gravity of liquids, consisting of a tube with a piston inside.
• chytridiomycosisAn infectious disease of amphibians caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (amphibian chytrid fungus) or (chiefly in salamanders and newts) by Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans.
• cine-film, movie, cinema (moving pictures).
• cirsoidvaricose
• cissoidAny of a family of curves defined as the locus of a point, P, on a line from a given fixed point and intersecting two given curves, C₁ and C₂, where the distance along the line from C₁ to P remains constant and equal to the distance from P to C₂.
• cladusA branch of a ramose spicule, which collectively form the cladome.
• -clasefracture (having a fracture of such a form)
• -clasisFragmentation, breaking
• clasmatocyteSynonym of macrophage.
• -clastSomething that breaks or destroys.
• clastogenAny agent that causes breaks in chromosomes.
• clastogenesisThe process resulting in additions, deletions, or rearrangements of parts of the chromosomes that are detectable by light microscopy.
• clastosomeA part of the nucleus of a cell that contains proteasomes
• cledonismDivination through the interpretation of words (written or spoken) encountered by chance.
• cledonomancyDivination through interpreting chance remarks or events.
• cledonomanticOf or pertaining to cledonomancy.
• -cleisisClosure, blockage, shutting.
• cleistocarpSynonym of cleistothecium.
• cleistogamousPertaining to cleistogamy.
• cleistogamyThe production of flowers which do not open and are self-fertilized in the bud.
• cleistotheciumA closed ascocarp, in some fungi, from which spores are released following decay or disintegration
• cleithrumA large bone in fishes, which extends upward from the base of the pectoral fin and anchors to the cranium above the gills, forming the posterior edge of the gill chamber.
• cleromancyDivination by casting lots (sortilege).
• cleronomyinheritance, heritage
• cleruchicOf or relating to cleruchy.
• climacophobiaThe fear of staircases or of falling down stairs.
• climacteriumThe bodily and mental changes linked to the reproductive and endocrine function in men and women occurring during the latter part of middle age.
• -clinalhaving a specified slope
• cliniumclinanthium
• clino-slope or angle
• clinohedriteA monoclinic-domatic mineral that is a mixed silicate of calcium and zinc
• ClitusA male given name from Ancient Greek.
• clothoidA plane curve whose curvature at any point is proportional to distance along it.
• clysisThe infusion of a fluid, either as therapy or to cleanse.
• clysmicIn the direction of or pertaining to the Gulf of Suez.
• cnem-Skin, calve.
• cnemeTibia; shin.
• cnemialRelating to, or located at, the shinbone, or tibia.
• cnemidA greave: a bronze shin protector worn in combat by Ancient Greek warriors.
• cnemid-Skin, calve.
• cnemido-Skin, calve.
• cnidaA nematocyst.
• coccobacteriumOne of various round variety of bacteria.
• coccoliteThe mineral diopside.
• coccolithA microscopic skeletal plate of calcite on the surface of certain marine phytoplankton; it forms chalk and limestone when fossilized
• coccolithophoreAny of many minute mostly marine planktonic biflagellated organisms with brown chromatophores and complex calcareous, less commonly siliceous, shells.
• coccosphereA small rounded marine organism, capable of breaking up into coccoliths.
• -coelA cavity.
• coelanaglyphicIn the form of cavo-rilievo (“sculpture in relief within a sinking made for the purpose, so no part of it projects beyond the surrounding surface”).
• cœliaCavity of an abdomen.
• coelo-hollow; cavity; as
• -coeloushollowed out, relating to concavity
• coen-common
• coenesthesiopathyCenesthopathy
• coenoclineA gradient of organisms (typically plants) from the base to the summit of a hill or mountain
• coenocyteA cell with multiple nuclei, found in fungi, algae, protists and slime molds.
• coenosarcA living body (structure, such as a tube or mesoglea) that is held in common by many organisms included in a composite zoophyte (such as the polyps of a coral, or the zooids of a hydroid), by which they are in connection with each other.
• coenurethe larva of Taenia coenurus, the canine tapeworm - causes staggers in sheep
• ColchianOf or relating to Colchis.
• collenchymaA living, elongated, mechanical and flexible ground tissue with angular pectin depositions; present just under leaves, tendrils and stems of climbers; formed before vascular differentiation.
• colloblastA kind of cell found in the tentacles of ctenophores, used to capture prey by adhesion.
• collocyteAny of various cells that produce gluey substances, that bind or capture prey or objects by securing them with gluey materials and structures, or that simply have a smooth and gelatinous appearance.
• collophoreA sucker-like organ on the ventral side of the abdomen of springtails belonging to the Collembola.
• collybistA money changer.
• colobomaAn abnormal hole present from birth in one of the structures of the eye, such as the lens, eyelid, or retina.
• colpo-Vagina.
• colpocleisisThe surgical closure of the vagina, used to treat prolapse.
• columbiadA form of cannon from the 19th century, mostly used for seacoast protection. It is a large-caliber, smoothbore, muzzle-loading cannon designed for launching shot or shells with heavy charges of powder, at both high and low angles of elevation.
• comastA reveler, usually drunken or riotous.
• conarionpineal gland.
• condylarthAny of a group of extinct placental mammals, early ungulates, known from the Paleocene and Eocene epochs.
• conidiumA fungal spore produced asexually in a conidiophore.
• coniineA poisonous alkaloid found in poison hemlock and the yellow pitcher plant; it is a neurotoxin which disrupts the peripheral nervous system.
• coniosisAny disease caused by the inhalation of dust.
• coniteA magnesian variety of dolomite.
• copro-Relating to excrement or dung.
• coprophobiaA fear of feces.
• cordaxA lascivious dance featuring in Ancient Greek comedy.
• cormophyteAny plant having a proper stem or axis of growth, which is distinct from its leaves, phyllophyte
• cormusA corm.
• corybantiasmA kind of frenzy in which the patient is tormented by fantastic visions and lack of sleep.
• coryneformAny bacterium of the genus Corynebacterium
• corypheneA fish of the genus Coryphaena.
• corytophanidAny lizard in the family Corytophanidae; a casquehead or helmeted lizard.
• -cosa-Combines with the prefixes for 1–9 to form complex prefixes referring to 21–29.
• cosmo-universe, world
• cosmocratOne who rules the world.
• cosmodicyA justification of the fundamental goodness of the universe, especially in regard to the existence of evil and suffering in the world; a work or discourse justifying the ways of the universe.
• cosmographyThe creation of maps of the universe.
• cosmolabeAn instrument resembling the astrolabe, formerly used for measuring the angles between heavenly bodies.
• cosmotheticAssuming or positing the actual existence or reality of the physical or external world.
• cothonAn artificial, protected harbor in a Phoenician city, especially and originally the one in Carthage.
• coulrophobiaThe fear of clowns.
• crasisOne's constitution; the balance of humours in a person's body.
• craspedophytechoanoflagellate
• -crasytemperament, constituent pattern.
• creaticRelating to, or produced by, meat.
• cremocarpThe fruit of fennel, carrot, parsnip, etc., consisting of a pair of carpels pendent from a supporting axis.
• creno-Spring, fountain, well, waters.
• creo-Meat, flesh.