�������t¶��

Hemi– is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “half.” It is often used in medical terms, especially in pathology and anatomy.

Hemi– comes from Greek ��ŧ����-, meaning “half.” The Latin cognate of ��ŧ����– is ��ŧ����-, also meaning “half,” which is the source of English terms such as semicircle and semimonthly. To learn more, check out our entries for both words.

One example of a medical term that features the form hemi– is hemialgia, “pain or neuralgia involving only one side of the body or head.”

The hemi– part of the word means “half,” as we know, but what about the –algia part of the word? The combining form –algia means “pain,” from Greek á�����Dz�. Hemialgia literally translates to “half pain.”

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

• hemiballismus
• hemicardia
• hemidystrophy
• hemiglobin
• hemihedral
• hemilateral

What are some other forms that hemi– may be commonly confused with?

• hem-
• hemo-

The combining form –cardia refers to the heart. With this in mind, what does hemicardia literally mean?