subject: What Are Number Prefixes [print this page] What Are Number Prefixes What Are Number Prefixes
Number prefixes are prefixes which denote numbers or numerals and quantity. Such prefixes are used to create words from a number that they represent and the word attached to it to create new meaning. These prefixes represent numbers from 1 to 10 and there are still other number prefixes used in the English words. Read the following prefixes and their corresponding meanings:
1 mono-, uni-
2 bi-, di-, du-
3 tri-
4 quad-
5 penta-, quin-
6 hexa, sexa-
7 septa-
8 octa-
9 nona-, novem-
10 deca-
few olig
many poly-, multi-
100 centi-
1000 milli-, kilo-
Below are examples of words that are formed with the number prefix, along with it are the meaning of the word and an example of a sentence containing the word.
1. mono - monochromatic (having one color)
The theme of the part was monochromatic.
monogamy (having one sexual partner)
It is the belief of Christian churches to practice monogamy.
2. bi - bimonthly (occurs every two months)
The company requires the employees a bimonthly evaluation.
di - dicephalus (having two head)
The ultrasound revealed a dicephalic conjoined twin.
duo - duathlon (sports competition with two events)
It was her first time to represent her school for the duathlon.
3. tri - tricycle (pedal-driven vehicle with 2 wheels at the back and 1 at the front)
Today was George's first day to ride a tricycle.
4. quad - quadrangle (an open rectangular area)
The students were called to assemble in the quadrangle.
5. penta - pentadactyl (having five fingers on each hand or five toes on each foot)
Under Zoology, humans are considered to be pentadactyls.
quin - quincunx (arrangement of five objects in a square where 4 objects
are on the sides and one object is in the center)
The plates were assembled in a quincunx manner to avoid breakage.
6. hexa - hexacord (arrangement of six musical notes)
Hexacords were one of the tools used in learning new music in the European
Middle Ages.
sexa - sexagenary (someone between the age of 60 to 69)
Some say that sexaginarians only enjoy life after retirement.
7. septa - septuplicate (make seven copies)
My boss specifically asked produce septuplicates of this file.
8. octa - octarchy (ruled by 8 persons)
The class was ruled by an octarchy of brainiacs.
9. nona - nonagonal (with nine angles)
The formation of the dancers was in a nonagonal figure.
novem - novena (recitation of prayers for nine consecutive days)
She was able to complete the novena to the Blessed Mary.
10. deca - decades (a period of ten years)
The mother and her daughter waited a decade to be reunited.
11. olig - oligopoly (few number of sellers)
The sellers decided to utilize oligopoly at the Sunday trade fair to be able to
mark-up their prices.
12. multi - multitalented (having exceptional abilities in different fields)
My friend Victoria can play the piano, the violin, the guitar and even sings
well. She is multitalented.
poly - polyclinic (clinic offering many specialties)
The physician was financially and professionally capable to build his own
polyclinic.
13. centi - centennial (relates to a period of a hundred years)
The university held their centennial celebration with a bang!
14. kilo - kilometer (1000 meters)
We registered for the 20-kilometer fun run that was a fund raiser event.
milli - millipede (a rare species with 36-750 legs, derived the term milli(1000),
pes(foot), but does not have 1000 legs
The millipede has more legs than those of a centipede.
Expand your vocabulary exercising with, and using number prefixes.
