'amylo' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'amylon,' where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'mylon' meant 'ground' or 'milled.'

'amylon' transformed into the Latin word 'amylum,' and eventually became the modern English prefix 'amylo-' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'not ground or milled,' referring to the raw form of starch, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'relating to or resembling starch.'