Chalco
/ˈkælkoʊ/noun
A combining form in scientific terms relating to copper or bronze.
Did you know?Ancient Greek chalkos referred not only to copper and bronze but also to copper objects used as money, linking the root to both metallurgy and wealth.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
χαλκός (khalkos)
“Copper; bronze; a copper or bronze object”
Hellenistic Greek
Greek
chalkos-
“A combining form meaning copper or bronze”
Late Antiquity
Latin
chalcus
“Copper; a copper coin or small monetary unit”
17th–18th Century
New Latin
chalco-
“Scientific combining form relating to copper”
19th Century
English
chalco-
“Used in mineralogical and chemical compounds involving copper”
Modern English
English
chalco-
“A technical prefix meaning copper-related”