-zoic, comb. form¹

zoic
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zoic_combform1%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 2010

# -zoiccombining form1

## Factsheet

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

-zoic is a borrowing from Greek, combined with an English element; probably modelled on a French lexical item.

Etymons: Greek ζωή, ‑ic suffix.

### Nearby entries

1. zodiac ring, n. 1895–
2. zodiographer, n. 1650
3. zoea, n. 1828–
4. zoeal, adj.?1870–
5. zoetrope, n. 1866–
6. zographer, n. 1570
7. zography, n. 1570
8. zograscope, n. 1753–
9. Zohar, n. 1682–
10. zoic, adj. 1863–
11. -zoic, comb. form¹
12. -zoic, comb. form²
13. zoid, n. 1856–
14. zoid, adj. 1864–
15. zoidiophilous, adj. 1872–
16. zoidogamous, adj. 1899–
17. Zoilean, adj. 1846–
18. Zoilism, n. 1609–
19. Zoilist, n. 1594–
20. Zoilitical, adj. 1665
21. Zoilous, adj. 1577–

## Etymology

### Summary

A borrowing from Greek, combined with an English element; probably modelled on a French lexical item.
Etymons: Greek ζωή, ‑ic suffix.
< ancient Greek ζωή life (see zoism n.) + ‑ic suffix, probably after French ‑zoïque (in prozoïque prozoic adj.…
< ancient Greek ζωή life (see zoism n.) + ‑ic suffix, probably after French ‑zoïque (in prozoïque prozoic adj.).

### Notes

Earliest in the 1830s in Palaeozoic adj., Protozoic adj.1
Compare earlier hylozoic adj.

## Meaning & use

1. Forming adjectives designating geological eras characterized by the presence (or absence) of the remains of living organisms, and the rocks or organisms belonging to such eras. Also: forming nouns denoting such eras, or rocks formed in such eras.
   geology

## Pronunciation

Primary stress is attracted to the first syllable of this combining form and vowels may be reduced accordingly; see e.g. Phanerozoic adj.2 & n.

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. Protozoic, adj.¹ 1838–
   Designating rocks which contain fossils of the…

1. Cenozoic, adj. & n. 1840–
   Designating the most recent era of geological…

1. Archaeozoic, n. & adj. 1872–
   With the. The part of Precambrian time, ending…

1. Cryptozoic, adj.¹ & n. 1881–
   Designating the eon before the beginning of the…

1. Proterozoic, adj. & n. 1887–
   Of, relating to, or designating the eon…

1. Phanerozoic, adj.² & n. 1930–
   Of, relating to, or designating the eon covering…

-zoic, comb. form¹ was first published in November 2010.

-zoic, comb. form¹ was last modified in December 2024.