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Topo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “place” or “local.” It is often used in scientific and other technical terms.

Topo- comes from the Greek ��ó��Dz�, meaning “place” or “commonplace.” Commonplace? Yep, discover why at our entry here. The word topic also ultimately comes from the Greek ��ó��Dz�.

What are variants of topo-?

When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, topo- becomes top-, as in topalgia.

One term you may have encountered that uses topo- is topology, a branch of mathematics that concerns the properties of geometric forms that aren’t affected by bending, stretching, and other such transformations.

The first part of the word, topo-, means “place.” What about -logy? The second part, -logy, comes from the Greek ��ó���Dz�, meaning “word” and is widely used in English to indicate an area of study. Topology literally means “place study” (think spatial relations).

You have probably heard of a topographical map, which provides a detailed picture of the physical features of an area, such as a city. Topography ultimately comes from the Greek �ٴDZ�Dz��������í��, featuring the Greek forms of topo- and -graphy and literally meaning “place drawing.”

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

• topochemistry
• topolect
• toponarcosis
• topotype

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

• tropho-
• tropo-
• typo-

Chemistry is the study of the composition and properties of substances and matter.

Based on the meaning of topo-, can you guess what topochemistry specifically studies?