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The combining form metalli- is used like a prefix meaning “metal.” It is very rarely used in scientific terms, especially in chemistry.

The form metalli- comes from Greek ��é�ٲ������Dz�, meaning “metal, mine, quarry.” Yes, quarry! Discover why at our entry for metal.

What are variants of metalli-?

Metalli- is a variant of metall-, which gains an -i- when combined with words or word elements beginning with -f-. When combined with words or word elements that begin with other consonants, metall- becomes metallo-, as in metallograph. Want to know more? Check out our 51�Թ�s That Use articles for both forms.

One of the very few terms that features the form metalli- is metalliferous, “containing or yielding metal.”

The metalli- part of the word represents “metal,” but what about the -ferous part of the word? The form -ferous, ultimately from the Latin suffix -fer, has a variety of meanings, including “containing,” “bearing,” or “yielding.” Metalliferous literally translates to “containing metal.”

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

• metallifacture
• metallification
• metalliform

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

• meta-
• myel-
• myelo-

The combining form -form means “having the form of.” Given the meaning of metalli-, what does metalliform mean?