stetho-

Word Origin

a combining form meaning “chest,” used in the formation of compound words:

stethoscope.

Origin

combining form of Greek stêthos

Related Words

stethometer
stethoscope

stetho-a word element meaning 'chest'.

Also, (before vowels), steth-. [combining form representing Greek stethos]

stetho-|stɛθəʊ|before a vowel steth-, combining form repr. Gr. στῆθος breast, chest, occurring in medical terms. ˌstetho-ˈcardiograph, an instrument for automatically recording at once the movements of the lungs and of the heart (cf. stethograph, cardiograph). steˈthendoscope [Gr. ἔνδον within + -scope], an instrument for examining the inside of the chest by means of Röntgen rays. ˌstethogoniˈometer [Gr. γωνία angle + -meter], an instrument for measuring the angles and determining the configuration of the chest. (See also following words.)1876A. Ransome Stethometry iii. 35 Dr. Burdon Sanderson's *stetho-cardiograph is essentially a pair of callipers provided with similar drums.1899Lancet 12 Aug. 438/2 Dr. Walsham..showed his *stethendoscope for the examination of the chest.1858S. S. Alison Phys. Exam. Chest (1861) 367 The *stetho-goniometer..is intended to measure the angles at which the planes of different parts of the thorax are inclined to each other.

stetho- /ˈstɛθəʊ/ combining form. Before a vowel also steth-.

ORIGIN: from Greek stēthos breast, chest: see -o-.

Medicine. Of or pertaining to the chest.

DERIVATIVE steˈthendoscope noun (now rare) a fluoroscope for examining the chest L19.
stethogram noun a stethographic tracing L19.
stethophone noun a stethoscope, esp. one enabling several people to hear stethoscopic sounds simultaneously M19.

stetho-
combining form
see steth-

stetho-
steth-

Prefix

chest

Etymology

From Ancient Greek στῆθος (stêthos).

Derived terms

English words prefixed with stetho-