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Hepta- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “seven.” It is used in a number of scientific and other technical terms.

In chemistry, hepta- is specifically used to indicate seven atoms or seven groups of atoms in compounds, e.g., heptachlor.

Hepta- comes from the Greek �����á, meaning “seven.” The English word seven, as different as it may look, is actually related to the Greek �����á.

What are variants of hepta-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, hepta- becomes hept-, as in heptane.

One example of a word you may have encountered that features hepta- ������heptagon, “a polygon having seven angles and seven sides.”

The first part of the word, hepta, means “seven,” as we know. The -gon portion of the word may also look familiar: it is a combining form meaning “angled” or “angular,” from the Greek ��ō��í��. Heptagon literally translates to “seven-angled.”

Heptagon comes from the Greek �����ágōnos, which features the equivalent form of hepta- in the language.

What are some words that use the combining form hepta- or hept-?

• heptachord (using the equivalent of form of hepta- in Greek)
• heptad
• heptahedron
• heptahydrate
• heptameter (using the equivalent of form of hepta- in Greek)
• heptangular
• heptarchy
• heptastich

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

• hecto-
• hepat-
• hepato-
• hendeca-

The combining form -archy means “rule” or “government.” A government described as a heptarchy would be run by how many people?