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Glite Dictionary
-opsy

-opsy

9.5
A suffix in medical words that means to look at or examine tissue
  • other
  • Specialized
: -oscopía
  • The suffix -opsy is found in medical terms like 'biopsy' and 'autopsy'.

Examples

  • Doctors performed a biopsy, a procedure whose name uses the combining form -opsy.

  • The suffix -opsy signifies a procedure to examine tissue, as seen in 'biopsy' and 'autopsy'.

  • When you see -opsy at the end of a word, it often relates to viewing or examining.

  • Biopsy now!

  • Autopsy performed.

  • In medical terminology, -opsy indicates the act of viewing, such as during a biopsy.

  • The term 'autopsy' includes the suffix -opsy, which means to investigate or examine closely.

Surface Forms

-opsy main

Etymology

-Opsy comes from the ancient Greek word opsis, meaning 'sight' or 'view'. You find it at the end of medical words like biopsy, with bio- = 'life', and autopsy, with auto- = 'self', where it points to 'looking at' or 'examining' tissue or a body. That's why -opsy means 'to view' or 'inspect' in medical words.