lyo-

prefix

solvent, dissolving, dispersion; freeze-drying

OriginAncient Greek λύω ← Proto-Indo-European *lewH- →
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Meanings

prefix

alternative ly-

  1. chemistrysolvent, dissolving, dispersion; freeze-drying

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*lewH-
  2. Ancient Greekλύω“to loosen, to dissolve”
  3. Englishlyo-

Late 19th century, in terms like lyophilization (1894). From Ancient Greek λύω (lúō, “to loosen, to dissolve”), by analogy with -lysis, of same origin; from Proto-Indo-European *lewH- (English loose).

More words from Ancient Greek, Proto-Indo-European

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

French lyo-
  • lyo-Translations
Italian lio-
  • lio-Translations
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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