The prefix meaning 'half' is which?

The prefix meaning 'half' is which?

• A. Semi-
• B. Hemi-
• C. Mono-
• D. Bi-

Answer: (B)

Half is conveyed in medical terms by the prefix hemi-, from Greek hemi- meaning half or one side. It is used for structures that are literally one half of a whole, such as a hemisphere (one half of a sphere, like the brain) or hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body). While semi- also means half or partial, it often indicates a partial or not strictly half, and is used in non-anatomical contexts (semicircle, semiannual). Mono- means one, and bi- means two, which don’t describe half. So hemi- is the best fit.

Half is conveyed in medical terms by the prefix hemi-, from Greek hemi- meaning half or one side. It is used for structures that are literally one half of a whole, such as a hemisphere (one half of a sphere, like the brain) or hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body). While semi- also means half or partial, it often indicates a partial or not strictly half, and is used in non-anatomical contexts (semicircle, semiannual). Mono- means one, and bi- means two, which don’t describe half. So hemi- is the best fit.