Cyto
/ˈsaɪ.toʊ/noun
A combining form meaning “cell,” used in scientific terms like cytology and cytoplasm.
Did you know?Cyto- comes from Greek kytos, meaning “hollow vessel” or “container,” which is why so many biology words treat the cell like a tiny enclosed chamber.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
GRK
kytos
“a hollow vessel, container, or cavity”
Late Greek
GRK
kytos
“used in learned scientific and anatomical contexts for a cell-like chamber”
19th Century
EN
cyto-
“a learned combining form used in biology for cells”
Modern English
EN
cyto-
“a prefix meaning cell, as in cytology and cytoplasm”