eka-

/ˈeɪkə/

prefix

Used to form prototype names for as-yet undiscovered elements, when prepended to the known element above them in the same group of the periodic table.

OriginSanskrit एक (eka) ← Proto-Indo-Aryan *Háykas ← Proto-Indo-Iranian *Háykas →
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Meanings

prefix
  1. chemistryUsed to form prototype names for as-yet undiscovered elements, when prepended to the known element above them in the same group of the periodic table.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
proto-

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*ís?
  2. Proto-Indo-European*h₁óynos
  3. Proto-Indo-Iranian*Háykas
  4. Proto-Indo-Aryan*Háykas
  5. Sanskritएक (eka)
  6. Englisheka-

Borrowed from Sanskrit एक (eka, “one, first”).

More words from Sanskrit

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

eka-. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eka-

MLA

“eka-.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eka-. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “eka-,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eka-.

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