kal/i
potassium
From New Latin kalium, potassium, from kali, alkali (Arabic qili, plant ash)
Meaning
What does kal/i mean?
kal/i is a root meaning potassium. It comes from New Latin kalium, potassium, from kali, alkali (Arabic qili, plant ash).
Inside words it is spelled kal.
From kalium, the Latin name behind potassium's symbol K; don't confuse it with calc/i, calcium.
In real words
Medical words with kal/i
hyperkalemia
an abnormally high level of potassium in the blood · UK spelling: hyperkalaemia
hypokalemia
too little potassium in the blood · UK spelling: hypokalaemia
pseudohyperkalemia
a falsely high potassium result, most often because red blood cells burst in the blood sample · UK spelling: pseudohyperkalaemia
Don't mix it up
Parts easily confused with kal/i
Sources
Checked against
Written for biofideX in plain words, after checking these references:
- 17.2 Word Components Related to the Endocrine System – Medical Terminology 2e
- 17.1 – Introduction to Endocrine System – Building a Medical Terminology Foundation 2e
- Word Parts and Structural Terms – Medical Terminology: An Interactive Approach
Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.
Glands, sugar and salts
kal/i is one of 9 parts in this lesson. Learn them together, then take real words apart.
Start the Lesson