-opsy
viewing, examination
From Greek -opsia, sight, view (as in autopsia, seeing for oneself)
Meaning
What does -opsy mean?
-opsy is a suffix meaning viewing, examination. It comes from Greek -opsia, sight, view (as in autopsia, seeing for oneself).
In biopsy the bi is bi/o, life, not bi-, two: tissue from a living person is examined.
In real words
Medical words with -opsy
examination of a body after death, often to find out why the person died · In the dictionary
an autopsy, especially one done on an animal · In the dictionary
removal of a small sample of cells or tissue from the body so a pathologist can examine it, often under a microscope
Don't mix it up
Parts easily confused with -opsy
Sources
Checked against
Written for biofideX in plain words, after checking these references:
- Suffixes – Medical Terminology: An Interactive Approach
- -OPSY Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
- -opsy - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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Tests and instruments
-opsy is one of 8 parts in this lesson. Learn them together, then take real words apart.
Start the Lesson