zoo-, comb. form

zoo
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zoo_combform%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2017

# zoo-combining form

## Earlier version

- zoo- in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### Where does the combining form zoo- come from?

zoo- is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Partly a borrowing from Greek.

Etymons: Latin zoo-; Greek ζῳο-.

### Nearby entries

1. zonky, adj. 1972–
2. zono-, comb. form
3. zonochlorite, n. 1872–
4. zonociliate, adj. 1885–
5. zonoplacental, adj. 1879–
6. zonular, adj. 1835–
7. zonule, n. 1828–
8. zonulet, n. 1648
9. zonure, n. 1883–
10. zoo, n. 1835–
11. zoo-, comb. form
12. zooarchaeological, adj. 1962–
13. zooarchaeologist, n. 1957–
14. zooarchaeology, n. 1967–
15. zoobenthos, n. 1923–
16. zoocarp, n. 1824–88
17. zoocaulon, n. 1881–
18. zoocentric, adj. 1882–
19. zoochemical, adj. & n. 1844–
20. zoochemistry, n. 1835–
21. zoochlorella, n. 1882–

## Etymology

### Summary

Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Partly a borrowing from Greek.
Etymons: Latin zoo-; Greek ζῳο-.
< (i) post-classical Latin and scientific Latin zoo- (formations in which are found from the 17th cent., e.g. zootomia zootomy n.),

and its etymon (ii) ancient Greek ζῳο-, combining form (in e.g. ζῳογονία…
< (i) post-classical Latin and scientific Latin zoo- (formations in which are found from the 17th cent., e.g. zootomia zootomy n.),

and its etymon (ii) ancient Greek ζῳο-, combining form (in e.g. ζῳογονία zoogony n.) of ζῷον animal (see zoon n.); compare ‑o‑ connective.

### Notes

Attested earliest in the late 16th cent. in zoography n., which is perhaps originally an adaptation from Latin, and slightly later (at the beginning of the 17th cent.) in zoophyte n., an adaptation from French, Latin, and Greek. Secure formations within English are found from the first half of the 19th cent., e.g. zoogeny n., zoophily n.
Compare German zoo- (formations in which are found from the end of the 18th cent.), French zoo- (formations in which are found from the early 19th cent. or earlier).
Chiefly combining with second elements ultimately of Greek origin.
With the variation in pronunciation, compare discussion at zoology n.

## Meaning & use

1. Forming nouns and adjectives with the sense ‘of or relating to an animal or animals’ or more generally ‘of or relating to life or living things’.
   In biological and botanical terms the prefix may denote motility or the power of spontaneous movement (previously thought to be a distinctive characteristic of animals): see zoocarp n., zoogamete n., zoogonidium n., zoosperm n., zoospore n., zoozygosphere n.
   1. zoosophy, n. 1662–1848
      The knowledge or study of animals; spec. (a)…
   1. zoophysiology, n. 1803–
      Animal physiology.
   1. zoomania, n. 1807–
      Passionate enthusiasm for or interest in animals.
   1. zooscopic, adj. 1817–
      †a. Of or relating to the scientific study of…
   1. zoodynamic, adj. ?1819–
      (Originally) of or relating to a life force or…
   1. zoophysical, adj. 1820–
      †a. Of or relating to a life force or vital…
   1. zoo-organic, adj. 1821–90
      a. Of or relating to a life force or vital force…
   1. zoocarp, n. 1824–88
      A motile spore or single-celled organism, esp. a…
   1. zoomagnetism, n. 1824–
      A supposed invisible force having physical…
   1. zootaxy, n. 1833–
      Zoological classification, animal taxonomy.
   1. zoochemistry, n. 1835–
      The biochemistry of animals.
   1. zoogeology, n. 1838–
      The field of study concerned with the…
   1. zoogeological, adj. 1841–
      Of or relating to zoogeology.
   1. zoopathology, n. 1841–
      The branch of science concerned with diseases of…
   1. zootechny, n. 1841–
      The practice or activity of keeping domesticated…
   1. zoochemical, adj. & n. 1844–
      a. adj. Of or relating to zoochemistry (now…
   1. zoogeologist, n. 1844–
      An expert or specialist in zoogeology.
   1. zoonosology, n. 1845–
      The scientific study of the diseases of animals…
   1. zoospermatic, adj. 1845–79
      Of or relating to a zoosperm.
   1. zoopsychology, n. 1847–
      The psychology of animals; the scientific study…
   1. zootheca, n. 1852–
      (In algae, fungi, and various lower plants) a…
   1. zootypic, adj. 1853–
      (Originally) of or relating to an animal form or…
   1. zoogonidium, n. 1857–
      (In algae) a motile gonidium.
   1. zoomelanin, n. 1858–
      A dark-coloured pigment found in animals, esp. in…
   1. zoonosologist, n. 1860–
      An expert or specialist in zoonosology.
   1. zoomantist, n. 1861
      A person who a person who practises divination by…
   1. zootechnic, adj. 1861–
      Of or relating to zootechny; produced by means of…
   1. zootechnics, n. 1863–
      = zootechny, n.
   1. zooxanthin, n. 1868–
      A yellow carotenoid pigment found in the plumage…
   1. zooerythrin, n. 1871–
      A red carotenoid pigment found animals, esp. in…
   1. zoofulvin, n. 1871–
      A yellow carotenoid pigment (xanthophyll) found…
   1. zoothome, n. 1872–
      A group of individual coral polyps living in a…
   1. zooculture, n. 1873–
      The practice or activity of rearing and breeding…
   1. zoometry, n. 1878–
      The measurement of the dimensions and proportions…
   1. zoogamete, n. 1879–
      (In algae and fungi) a motile gamete; = planogamete, n.
   1. zootheism, n. 1879–
      The worship or veneration of animals; a belief…
   1. zootheist, n. 1879–
      A person who worships or venerates animals; cf…
   1. zootheistic, adj. 1879–
      Of, relating to, or characterized by zootheism.
   1. zoothecium, n. 1880–
      An aggregate of the fused shells or protective…
   1. zoozygosphere, n. 1880–
      (In algae and fungi) a motile gamete; also called…
   1. zoocaulon, n. 1881–
      The branched supporting stalk of certain colonial…
   1. zoocentric, adj. 1882–
      Centred on or principally concerned with the…
   1. zoonerythrin, n. 1882–
      A red carotenoid pigment found animals, esp. in…
   1. zootype, n. 1883–
      a. An animal, or figure of an animal, used as the…
   1. zoophysics, n. 1887–
      The scientific study of the physical structure of…
   1. zoodynamics, n. 1888–
      (In plural with singular agreement) (the branch…
   1. zoomancy, n. 1888–
      Divination by observing the actions of animals.
   1. zoomechanics, n. 1888–1903
      (Originally) = zoodynamics, n.; (in later use)…
   1. zoophobia, n. 1888–
      Fear of or strong aversion to animals.
   1. zoomythic, adj. 1889–
      Of or relating to a mythology in which the gods…
   1. zooscopy, n. 1891–
      A hallucination in which animals are visualized…
   1. zoometric, adj. 1892–
      Of or relating to zoometry.
   1. zoomechanical, adj. 1897
      Of or relating to zoomechanics.
   1. zoopathologist, n. 1898–
      An expert or specialist in zoopathology; an…
   1. zoosematic, adj. 1898–1909
      Resembling an animal; symbolizing an animal; cf…
   1. zoocultural, adj. 1899–
      Of, relating to, or used in zooculture.
   1. zootoxin, n. 1906–
      A toxin derived from an animal; cf. phytotoxin, n. 1.
   1. zoobenthos, n. 1923–
      The aquatic fauna of the region at or near the…
   1. zooplankter, n. 1935–
      An individual or species of the zooplankton; a…
   1. zooarchaeologist, n. 1957–
      A person who investigates the animal remains from…
   1. zooarchaeological, adj. 1962–
      Of, relating to, or concerned with…
   1. zoosemiotics, n. 1963–
      (In plural with singular agreement) the study of…
   1. zooarchaeology, n. 1967–
      The study of the animal remains from…
   1. zooplanktivorous, adj. 1971–
      Feeding on zooplankton; characterized by such…
   1. zooplanktivore, n. 1972–
      A fish or other aquatic animal which feeds on…

## Pronunciation

Stress is usually determined by a subsequent element and vowels may be reduced accordingly.

## Forms

### Variant forms

1. 1600s–
   zoo-
2. 1700s–1900s
   zoö-
3. 1800s–1900s
   zöo-

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zoography, n. 1593–
   The geographical distribution of animals; the…

1. zoophyte, n. 1606–
   Originally: an animal thought to resemble or have…

1. zoographer, n. 1646–
   A person who produces descriptions of animals and…

1. zoosophy, n. 1662–1848
   The knowledge or study of animals; spec. (a)…

1. zoologer, n. 1663–
   = zoologist, n.

1. zoolite, n. 1768–
   A fossil animal.

1. zoolatry, n. 1784–
   The worship of animals. Also hyperbolically…

1. zoophagous, adj. 1788–
   Feeding on animals or animal matter; carnivorous…

1. zoonomy, n. 1800–
   The branch of science concerned with the laws or…

1. zoophysiology, n. 1803–
   Animal physiology.

1. zoomania, n. 1807–
   Passionate enthusiasm for or interest in animals.

1. zooscopic, adj. 1817–
   †a. Of or relating to the scientific study of…

1. zoodynamic, adj. ?1819–
   (Originally) of or relating to a life force or…

1. zoophysical, adj. 1820–
   †a. Of or relating to a life force or vital…

1. zoo-organic, adj. 1821–90
   a. Of or relating to a life force or vital force…

1. zoomorphism, n. 1822–
   The attribution of animal form or nature to a god…

1. zoocarp, n. 1824–88
   A motile spore or single-celled organism, esp. a…

1. zoomagnetism, n. 1824–
   A supposed invisible force having physical…

1. zoosperm, n. 1824–
   A spermatozoon; a sperm cell; = spermatozoon, n…

1. zoogeny, n. 1826–
   The process of animal reproduction and…

1. zoophilist, n. 1829–
   A person who is emotionally attached to animals…

1. zoophily, n. 1830–
   Emotional attachment to, or love of, animals…

1. zootaxy, n. 1833–
   Zoological classification, animal taxonomy.

1. zoochemistry, n. 1835–
   The biochemistry of animals.

1. zoogeology, n. 1838–
   The field of study concerned with the…

1. zoogeological, adj. 1841–
   Of or relating to zoogeology.

1. zoopathology, n. 1841–
   The branch of science concerned with diseases of…

1. zootechny, n. 1841–
   The practice or activity of keeping domesticated…

1. zoogenic, adj. 1842–
   Formed by or derived from animals or their parts…

1. zoospore, n. 1842–
   A motile flagellate spore, as produced by certain…

1. zoochemical, adj. & n. 1844–
   a. adj. Of or relating to zoochemistry (now…

1. zoogeologist, n. 1844–
   An expert or specialist in zoogeology.

1. zoonosology, n. 1845–
   The scientific study of the diseases of animals…

1. zoospermatic, adj. 1845–79
   Of or relating to a zoosperm.

1. zoopsychology, n. 1847–
   The psychology of animals; the scientific study…

1. zooid, adj. 1849
   Resembling an animal, esp. in being motile.

1. zoomorphic, adj. 1849–
   That represents or imitates animal forms, esp. in…

1. zoophagy, n. 1849–
   The act or practice of eating animals or animal…

1. zoogeography, n. 1851–
   The geographical distribution of animals; the…

1. zootheca, n. 1852–
   (In algae, fungi, and various lower plants) a…

1. zootypic, adj. 1853–
   (Originally) of or relating to an animal form or…

1. zooplastic, adj. a1855–
   With reference to sculpture, art, etc.: that…

1. zoogonidium, n. 1857–
   (In algae) a motile gonidium.

1. zoomelanin, n. 1858–
   A dark-coloured pigment found in animals, esp. in…

1. zoonosologist, n. 1860–
   An expert or specialist in zoonosology.

1. zoomantist, n. 1861
   A person who a person who practises divination by…

1. zootechnic, adj. 1861–
   Of or relating to zootechny; produced by means of…

1. zootechnics, n. 1863–
   = zootechny, n.

1. zoogeographical, adj. 1864–
   Of or relating to zoogeography; = zoogeographic, adj.

1. zoophilism, n. 1867–
   In early use: emotional attachment to, or love…

1. zoogeographer, n. 1868–
   An expert or specialist in zoogeography.

1. zooxanthin, n. 1868–
   A yellow carotenoid pigment found in the plumage…

1. zooerythrin, n. 1871–
   A red carotenoid pigment found animals, esp. in…

1. zoofulvin, n. 1871–
   A yellow carotenoid pigment (xanthophyll) found…

1. zoothome, n. 1872–
   A group of individual coral polyps living in a…

1. zooculture, n. 1873–
   The practice or activity of rearing and breeding…

1. zoogeographic, adj. 1875–
   Of or relating to zoogeography; = zoogeographical, adj.

1. zoolater, n. 1876–
   A person who worships animals. Also…

1. zoolatrous, adj. 1876–
   Of, relating to, or practising zoolatry.

1. zoometry, n. 1878–
   The measurement of the dimensions and proportions…

1. zoogamete, n. 1879–
   (In algae and fungi) a motile gamete; = planogamete, n.

1. zoophilite, n. 1879–
   An opponent of cruelty to animals, esp. an…

1. zootheism, n. 1879–
   The worship or veneration of animals; a belief…

1. zootheist, n. 1879–
   A person who worships or venerates animals; cf…

1. zootheistic, adj. 1879–
   Of, relating to, or characterized by zootheism.

1. zoocytium, n. 1880–
   The outer support sheath or matrix of certain…

1. zoodendrium, n. 1880–
   The branched support stalk of certain colonial…

1. zoogyroscope, n. 1880–
   A modified form of zoetrope used to project a…

1. zoothecium, n. 1880–
   An aggregate of the fused shells or protective…

1. zoozygosphere, n. 1880–
   (In algae and fungi) a motile gamete; also called…

1. zoocaulon, n. 1881–
   The branched supporting stalk of certain colonial…

1. zoophilous, adj. 1881–
   Ecology. Of a plant or flower: pollinated by…

1. zoopraxiscope, n. 1881–
   A modified form of zoetrope used to project a…

1. zoocentric, adj. 1882–
   Centred on or principally concerned with the…

1. zoonerythrin, n. 1882–
   A red carotenoid pigment found animals, esp. in…

1. zoomorph, n. 1883–
   A representation of an animal form in art; a…

1. zootype, n. 1883–
   a. An animal, or figure of an animal, used as the…

1. zoophilic, adj. 1884–
   Relating to or characterized by emotional…

1. zoophile, n. 1885–
   A person who is very fond of, or compassionate…

1. zoophysics, n. 1887–
   The scientific study of the physical structure of…

1. zoodynamics, n. 1888–
   (In plural with singular agreement) (the branch…

1. zoomancy, n. 1888–
   Divination by observing the actions of animals.

1. zoomechanics, n. 1888–1903
   (Originally) = zoodynamics, n.; (in later use)…

1. zoophobia, n. 1888–
   Fear of or strong aversion to animals.

1. zoomythic, adj. 1889–
   Of or relating to a mythology in which the gods…

1. zoopraxinoscope, n. 1889–
   A modified form of zoetrope used to project a…

1. zoopraxography, n. 1891–
   a. The branch of knowledge that deals with animal…

1. zooscopy, n. 1891–
   A hallucination in which animals are visualized…

1. zoometric, adj. 1892–
   Of or relating to zoometry.

1. zoophilia, n. 1894–
   Sexual desire aroused by or directed towards…

1. zoomechanical, adj. 1897
   Of or relating to zoomechanics.

1. zooplankton, n. 1897–
   With singular or plural agreement. Plankton…

1. zoopathologist, n. 1898–
   An expert or specialist in zoopathology; an…

1. zoosematic, adj. 1898–1909
   Resembling an animal; symbolizing an animal; cf…

1. zoocultural, adj. 1899–
   Of, relating to, or used in zooculture.

1. zoophagic, adj. 1903–
   Feeding on animals or animal matter; spec. (of a…

1. zoochore, n. 1904–
   A plant whose seeds, spores, etc., are dispersed…

1. zootoxin, n. 1906–
   A toxin derived from an animal; cf. phytotoxin, n. 1.

1. zooflagellate, n. & adj. 1911–
   A flagellate (protist) belonging to any of…

1. zooplanktonic, adj. 1912–
   Relating to, consisting of, or constituting…

1. zoobenthos, n. 1923–
   The aquatic fauna of the region at or near the…

1. zooplankter, n. 1935–
   An individual or species of the zooplankton; a…

1. zooarchaeologist, n. 1957–
   A person who investigates the animal remains from…

1. zooarchaeological, adj. 1962–
   Of, relating to, or concerned with…

1. zoosemiotics, n. 1963–
   (In plural with singular agreement) the study of…

1. zooarchaeology, n. 1967–
   The study of the animal remains from…

1. zooplanktivorous, adj. 1971–
   Feeding on zooplankton; characterized by such…

1. zooplanktivore, n. 1972–
   A fish or other aquatic animal which feeds on…

zoo-, comb. form was revised in June 2017.

zoo-, comb. form was last modified in June 2025.