- a combining form meaning “nucleus of a cell,” used in the formation of compound words: karyotin.
combining form
- indicating the nucleus of a cellkaryogamy
before vowels kary-, word-forming element used since c.1874 in biological terms referring to cell nuclei, from Greek karyon “nut, kernel,” possibly from PIE root *kar- “hard” (see hard (adj.)).
pref.
- Cell nucleus:karyogamy.