Etymology
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ophio-

before vowels ophi-, word-forming element meaning "a snake, serpent," from Greek ophio-, combining form of ophis "serpent, a snake," probably from PIE *egwhi- (source also of Sanskrit ahi-, Avestan aži- "snake," and perhaps the first element of a Germanic word for "lizard," i.e. Old High German egi-dehsa). Hence ophiolatry "serpent-worship" (1862), and the 2c. sect of the Ophitæ, who revered the serpent as the symbol of divine wisdom. 

Entries linking to ophio-

ophidian (adj.)

1883, "having the nature or character of snakes or serpents," from Greek ophidion, diminutive of ophis "serpent" (see ophio-). Earlier in zoology, "belonging to the order Ophidia" (comprising snakes, serpents), 1819. As a noun, "reptile of the order Ophidia," from 1819.

ophidiophobia (n.)

1914, "excessive fear of snakes or reptiles," from ophidio- apparently extracted from Modern Latin ophidia, a word coined arbitrarily (to provide an -ia form to serve as an order name in taxonomy) from Greek ophis "serpent" (see ophio-) + -phobia.

updated on September 02, 2019

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Dictionary entries near ophio-

operetta

operose

Ophelia

ophidian

ophidiophobia

ophio-

ophiomancy

ophiophagous

Ophir

Ophiuchus

ophthalmia

© 2001-2022 Douglas Harper