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Gyn- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “woman,” “female.” It is used in some academic, medical, and scientific terms.

Gyn- comes from the Greek �����ḗ, meaning “woman,” among other related senses.

Gyn- is a variant of gyno-, which loses its -o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Gyno- is itself a variant of the combining form gyneco-. Another variant of gyneco- is gyne-. Some corresponding forms of gyneco- combined to the end of words include -gyne, -gynous, and -gyny. Learn about their overlap and distinctions in the 51�Թ�s That Use articles for each form.

As you can see, the Greek �����ḗ has proven to be very productive in English.

One example of a term that uses gyn- is gynarchy, also known as a gynocracy, A gynarchy is “a government by women.” (Literal “girl power,” anyone?!)

The combining form gyn- means “woman,” as we’ve seen. The second part of the word, -archy, is used to mean “rule” or “government.” So, gynarchy indeed literally translates to “government by women.”

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

• gynantherous
• gynandrism
• gynandroblastoma
• gynandrous (using the equivalent form of gyn- in Greek)
• gynandry
• gyniatrics

What are some other forms that gyn- may be commonly confused with?

• glyc-
• gon-
• gymn-
• gyr-

The combining form –iatrics is used to mean “healing,” “medical practice,” as in geriatrics.

Using this information and the meaning of gyn-, what is gyniatrics? Can you think of a more common name for this branch of medicine?