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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.
updated on September 02, 2019
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Dictionary entries near ophio-
operetta
operose
Ophelia
ophidian
ophidiophobia
ophio-
ophiomancy
ophiophagous
Ophir
Ophiuchus
ophthalmia