It's Greek To Me!

Greek and Latin Prefixes, Roots and Suffixes used in English
This page © 1999 by Nicholas E. Miller


Basic term

Meaning

Greek
Latin
Prefix
Suffix

gyne, gyno, -gynous

woman

Yes
.
Yes
Yes

Examples

Definition

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androgyne (5)

(noun) - man + woman = Someone who has the characteristics of both male and female.

androgynous (3) )

(adj.) - man + woman = having the characteristics of both male and female; neither male or female; suitable to or for either sex. Androgyny is the noun form.

gynandromorph (5)

(noun) - woman + man + shape = an atypical person with characteristics of both sexes. Gynandromorphic is the adjective form, gynandromorphism and gynandromorphy are nouns.

gynecocracy (5)

(noun) - woman + rule, government, power = political supremacy of women. Gynecocratic is the adjective form.

gynecoid (5)

(adj.) - woman + shape = typical or characteristic of a human female.

gynecology (2)

(noun) - woman + speak = a branch of medicine that deals with the diseases and care of women's reproductive systems. Gynecologic and gynecological are adjectives, while gynecologist is the noun for a person who does this.

gynecomastia (4)

(noun) - woman + breast = excessive development of breasts in a man.

gynephobia (4)

(noun) - woman + fear = fear of women.

gynoecium (5)

(noun) - woman + place = the collection of pistils in a flower. The plural is gynoecia.

gynogenesis (5)

(noun) - woman + origin = development of an embryo with only maternal chromosomes due to sperm activating the egg without fusing with its nucleus. Gynogenetic is the adjective form..

gynophore (5)

(noun) - woman + carry = extension of the receptacle of a flower, with the gynoecium at its high point.

hypogynous (5)

(adj.) - beneath + woman = inserted on the receptacle or axis of a flower below the gynoecium. Hypogyny is the noun form.

misogyny (3)

(noun) - hate + woman = hatred of women. Misogynic and misogynistic are adjectives while misogynist can be a noun or adjective.

monogyny (4)

(noun) - one + woman = the custom of having only one wife at a time.

perigynous (5)

(adj.) - around, near + woman = on a ring or cup of the receptacle surrounding a pistil or related to having perigynous stamens and petals. Perigyny is the noun form.

polygyny (3)

(noun) - many + woman = having more than one wife at one time. The noun for a person who does this is polygynist and polygynous is an adjective. See bigamy, polyandry and polygamy.