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The combining form -mer is used like a suffix to mean “part,” specifically in reference to portions of molecules. It is often used in scientific terms, especially in chemistry.

The form -mer comes from Greek ��é���Dz�, meaning “part, portion.” From this same source, we also get the combining forms -mere and -merous.

Want to know more? Check out our 51�Թ�s That Use entries for both forms.

An example of a word that features -mer is polymer, “a compound derived by the addition of many smaller molecules or by the condensation of many smaller molecules.” Polymer comes from Greek ��DZ��⳾���ḗs, which uses the equivalent form of -mer.

The first part of the word, poly-, is a combining form meaning “much, many.” The second part, -mer, means “part.” Polymer literally translates to “having many parts.”

What are some words that use the combining form -mer?

• hexamer
• ionomer
• isomer
• metamer
• monomer
• octamer

The combining form mono- means “single” or “one.” With this in mind, what does the term monomer literally mean?