DictionaryRoot: -ikos
Greek
-ikos
connected with or characteristic of
Forms
- -ikos
- -ic — The ending shortened as Greek words entered Latin, French, and English.
Origin
Greek -ikos continued an older Indo-European ending used to describe a connection or kind.
Note
English extended this borrowed ending to newly coined words.
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adjective
hepatic
hih-PAT-ik/hɪˈpætɪk/
Relating to the liver.
Etymology
The Greek noun for “liver” becomes an adjective meaning “pertaining to the liver.” The English medical sense preserves this direct relationship to the organ.
Related word entries
- aesthetic
- analytic
- analytical
- anatomic
- angelic
- apocalyptic
- apoplectic
- archaic
- architectonic
- Arctic
- aristocratic
- aromatic
- arrhythmic
- arthritic
- ascetic
- asthmatic
- athletic
- authentic
- axiomatic
- barbaric
- basilica
- botanic
- cataleptic
- catalytic
- catholicBroad interests
- CatholicRoman church
- caustic
- cephalic
- ceramic
- choleric
- chronicLong-lasting or recurring
- chronicPotent marijuana
- chronicle
- cleric
- clinic
- colic
- conic
- cosmetic
- cosmic
- critic
- critique
- cryptic
- cubic
- cyclic
- cynicAncient Greek philosophy follower
- cynicDistrustful person
- democraticPopular control
- DemocraticPolitical party affiliation
- diabolic
- dialectic
- diatonic
- didactic
- dogmatic
- dramatic
- dynamic
- eclectic
- economic
- emetic
- emphatic
- empiric
- empirical
- epic
- epidemic
- epileptic
- erotic
- esoteric
- ethic
- ethics
- ethnic
- grammatical
- harmonic
- hegemonic
- hepatic
- heretic
- heroic
- heroics
- hieroglyphic
- hydraulic
- hysteric
- hysterical
- iambic
- iconic
- laconic
- lethargic
- logic
- lyricSong words
- lyricPersonal poetic expression
- magic
- mechanic
- melodic
- metabolic
- metallic
- mimic
- mnemonic
- music
- musical
- mystic
- mythic
- ophthalmic
- optic
- organicCarbon chemistry
- organicFarming and food standards
- organicNatural development
- organicLiving organisms
- panegyric
- panic
- parabolic
- paralytic
- parasitic
- pathetic
- patriotic
- peptic
- phallic
- philanthropic
- philosophic
- phonetic
- physic
- physics
- physique
- platonic
- pneumatic
- polemic
- politicPrudent and tactful
- politicGovernment and public affairs
- political
- politician
- pragmaticLanguage in context
- pragmaticPractical approach
- problematic
- prognostic
- prophetic
- prophylactic
- psych
- psychic
- psychological
- rheumatic
- rhythmic
- scenic
- semantic
- somatic
- sophisticate
- sophistication
- spastic
- sporadic
- staticUnchanging state
- staticSignal interference
- stoic
- stoicism
- strategic
- sycophantic
- syntheticArtificial material
- syntheticCombining elements
- syntheticGrammar through word forms
- systematicOrganized method
- systematicWhole-system scope
- technique
- tectonic
- thematic
- tonic
- topic
- toxic
- traumatic
- tropic