xeno-, xen-, -xenic, -xenism, -xenist, -xenous, -xeny
(Greek: foreign, foreigner; alien; different; extraneous; strange, stranger; and by extension, guest)
The "x" in xeno- is pronounced "z"; "zeno". Greeks are said to have considered any stranger a "guest" and modern Greek includes xenodocheion a "guest house" or "house for guests" or its modern version of "hotel".
The etymological meaning usually denotes some aspect of a relationship involving guests or visitors of some kind.
The chemical element (symbol Xe) with an atomic number of 54: A xenon is a noble gas that is colorless, odorless and unreactive, and especially used in camera flash technology.
An apprehension of foreign pickpocket specialists, which should not be considered a strange anxiety: When Adam and his family were traveling in Mexico, they had what is called xenonosocomiophobia because many thieves are known to live there, according to their friends who had such experiences when they were traveling there the month before.
An ectoparasite that becomes pathogenic when the resistance of its host weakens: A xenoparasite is a strange organism not usually parasitic on the host but that becomes so because of a weakened condition of the host.
An strong interest in foreign people, traditions, or culture: Sharon was fascinated by the ways of people of other countries, so she joined others who enjoyed the world of xenophilia and went on trips to many countries around the globe.
xenophilic (adjective), more xenophilic, most xenophilic
A reference to a person who is fond of people. and customs of other lands: Mr. and Mrs. Lawson were both xenophilic, and got together with their xenophilic friends to go on trips around the world, and were known to be globe-trotters
1. An irrational fear or hatred of being around foreigners or strangers and of unfamiliar situations: When people are possessed by xenophobias, they usually cannot tolerate having anything to do with others or with situations that they have no knowledge or experiences with.
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Xenophobias often involve dreads of things that are different from the normal habits or social environments of people who have such anxieties.
2. Etymology: from Greek xenos, "strange, foreign" + phobos), "fear, dread".Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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xenophobic (adjective), more xenophobic, most xenophobic
Descriptive of someone who has a dread of being around strangers: When Ray's wife suggested that they should go on a trip to France and England to visit friends, he rejected the idea because, as a xenophobic person, he had a terrible fear of being around so many foreign people.
When the couple from outer space saw the unfamiliar baby, they were totally xenophobic and the shock they had was impossible to describe.
A strange speech defect marked by an alteration in accent and intonation: Jeff had a speech disorder causing xenophonia resulting in an altered accent when talking to people.
Inflammation caused by the presence of a foreign body in the eye: Jenny's right eye hurt terribly, and when at the ophthalmologist's, she was told not to worry because there was only a tiny piece of hair in it and could be removed easily. y
A genus of eastern African Lower Miocene apes: In the now extinct Xenopithecus group, these apes are known from partial and rudimentary fossil remains and perhaps on the ancestral line of the oranguta
xenoplastic (adjective) (not comparable)
Pertaining to the transplantation between different species: A very interesting type of a xenoplastic operation is the transplantation of a pig's heart into a human being.
1. An African water frog which is native to southern Africa: The xenopus belongs to the genus Xenopus and is one of many aquatic tongueless clawed frogs, some of which are used for biological research.
2. Etymology: from Greek xeno-, "stranger, foreigner" + pous "foot".
2. Etymology: from Greek xeno-, "stranger, foreigner" + pous "foot".
1. An older term for pica or an appetite for and the eating of matter which is not fit as food for humans: Xenorexia includes the consumption of sand, clay, or paint:
2. An eating disorder manifested by a craving to ingest any material not fit for food: The number of things consumed in the eating disorder xenorexia includes starch, clay, ashes, toy balloons, crayons, cotton, grass, cigarette butts, soap, twigs, wood, paper, metal, or plaster.
2. An eating disorder manifested by a craving to ingest any material not fit for food: The number of things consumed in the eating disorder xenorexia includes starch, clay, ashes, toy balloons, crayons, cotton, grass, cigarette butts, soap, twigs, wood, paper, metal, or plaster.
- This condition is seen in pregnancy, chlorosis, hysteria, helminthiasis, and certain psychotic situations.
- It may also be associated with iron-deficiency anemia.
- The importance of this condition, the etiology (cause) of which is unknown, stems from the toxicity of ingested material (e.g., paint that contains lead) or from ingesting materials in place of essential nutrients.
- The inclusion of compulsive ingestion of nonfood and food items; such as, licorice, croutons, chewing gum, coffee grounds, or oyster shells as examples of pica is controversial.
xenosaprobic (adjecrtive) (not comparable)
Relating to the lowest water saturation rate with decomposing organic substances in any body of water: Joe wanted to know what the xenosaprobic measurement was for the saprobity in the lake near his home.
A genus of abelisaurid theropod dinosaur: The "strange tarsus lizar" (or "Abel's lizard") in the category Xenotarsosaurus is from Late Cretaceous Argentina.
The Xenotarsosaurus was named by Argentinian paleontologists Rubén Martinez, Olga Giménez, Rodriguez, and Graciela Bochatey in 1986.
