endo

endo — combining form

1. A word part placed at the start of scientific and medical terms to show the mean

1.構詞成分C2
釋義

A word part placed at the start of scientific and medical terms to show the meaning 'inside' or 'within.'

例句

Gabriel studied the endoskeleton of a large sea turtle at the marine lab.

endoskeleton = internal skeleton

The endoscopy showed a patch of irritated tissue in Quinn's oesophagus that needed further testing.

endoscopy = internal examination procedure

同義詞
  • intra-

    also means 'within,' but intra- appears in more general contexts (intranet, intravenous), while endo- is mainly used in biology and medicine

  • intro-

    means 'inward' and suggests movement or direction, unlike endo- which describes position or location

反義詞
  • ecto-

    means 'outside' or 'external' — the direct opposite of endo-

文法句型

endo- + noun

用法筆記

Common in biology and medicine; opposite of ecto- or exo- (outside).

常見錯誤

❌The intraskeleton supports the animal from inside.
✅The endoskeleton supports the animal from inside.
💡intra- also means 'within' but endo- is the correct combining form for biological structures inside an organism.

2. A word part placed at the start of scientific terms to show the meaning 'taking

2.構詞成分C2
釋義

A word part placed at the start of scientific terms to show the meaning 'taking in' or 'absorbing.'

例句

Felix watched an endothermic reaction slowly pull heat from the cold water.

endothermic = absorbing heat from the surroundings

Ilan's biology film showed a white blood cell using endocytosis to engulf an invading bacterium.

endocytosis = cell engulfing external material

反義詞
  • exo-

    means 'giving out' or 'external' — the opposite process of endo- in scientific terms

文法句型

endo- + noun/adjective

用法筆記

Mainly found in chemistry and biology; compare with exo- (giving out or releasing).