epi-
|ep-i|
/ˈɛpɪ-/
on/upon; outer/over; after
Etymology
'epi-' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'ἐπί (epi)', where 'ἐπί' meant 'on, upon, over, near'.
'epi-' passed into English via Latin/Medieval Latin and New Latin as a combining form (from Greek 'ἐπί' to Latin/Medieval Latin 'epi-') and became established in Modern English scientific and learned vocabulary as 'epi-'.
Initially it meant 'on' or 'upon' in Greek; over time it retained that spatial sense and expanded in English usage to include senses such as 'outer', 'over', and 'after' when forming compound words.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Particle 1
a combining form from Greek meaning 'on', 'upon', 'over' used to form words indicating position or location (e.g., epidermis — outer layer of skin).
The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin; 'epi-' here means 'on' or 'upon'.
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Particle 2
used in words to indicate 'outer' or 'external' (e.g., epicardium — the outer layer of the heart).
The epicardium is the outer layer surrounding the heart.
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Last updated: 2025/11/27 16:54