but-

prefix

Denotes the presence of four carbon atoms in the parent chain when forming names of organic compounds.

OriginAncient Greek βούτῡρος (boútūros) ← Proto-Hellenic *tūrós ← Proto-Indo-European *tuh₂rós →
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Meanings

prefix
  1. chemistryDenotes the presence of four carbon atoms in the parent chain when forming names of organic compounds.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*gʷṓws
  2. Proto-Hellenic*gʷous
  3. Ancient Greekβοῦς (boûs)
  4. Proto-Indo-European*tewh₂-
  5. Proto-Indo-European*tuh₂rós
  6. Proto-Hellenic*tūrós
  7. Ancient Greekτῡρός (tūrós)
  8. Ancient Greekβούτῡρος (boútūros)
  9. Englishbut-

From butyl. Ultimately from Ancient Greek βούτυρος (boúturos, “butter”).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

but-. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/but-

MLA

“but-.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/but-. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “but-,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/but-.

Source: but- on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.