Monoxide
/mɒˈnɒksaɪd/noun
A compound containing one atom of oxygen.
Did you know?The “mono-” in monoxide comes from Greek μόνος (monos), meaning “single” or “alone,” the same root behind words like monotone and monastery.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μόνος (monos)
“single, alone”
Late Latin
Latin
monō-
“combining form meaning one”
18th–19th Century
French/English
oxyde / oxide
“oxide, a compound of oxygen with another element”
19th Century
English
monoxide
“a compound containing one atom of oxygen”
Modern English
English
monoxide
“a compound with one oxygen atom, especially carbon monoxide”