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The combining form -zoon is used like a suffix meaning “a�Ծ�������” or “organism.” It is occasionally used in scientific terms, particularly to refer to a single member of classes in zoology. In zoology, class has a specific meaning that refers to taxonomy.

The form -zoon comes from Greek ��ô���Dz�, meaning “animal.” The word zoo also ultimately comes from this Greek root. Zoo is shortened from zoological garden.

What are variants of -zoon?

While -zoon doesn’t have any variants, it is related to the form , which is the plural form of -zoon, as in Protozoa.

When combined as a prefix, becomes or , as in or . Want to know more? Read our 51�Թ�s That Use articles for zoo-, zo-, and -zoa.

In some instances, -zoa is made singular by adding an -n to the end of the word, rather than using the combining form -zoon, as in sporozoan.

An example of a scientific term that features the form -zoon is ectozoon, “any animal parasite, as the louse, that lives on the surface of its host.”

The combining form ecto- means “outside” or “external,” from Greek ����ó��. As we have seen, -zoon means “organism.” Ectozoon literally translates to “external organism.”

What are some words that use the combining form –zoon?

• entozoon
• epizoon (using the equivalent form of -zoon in Latin)
• hematozoon
• protozoon (using the equivalent form of -zoon in Latin)
• spermatozoon (using the equivalent form of -zoon in Latin)

What are some other forms that –zoon may be commonly confused with?

• -oon
• -zygous

The combining form hemato- means “blood.” With this in mind, what does the scientific term hematozoon literally mean?