Pylimitics

A prefix-root, many of which come from Greek and Latin roots, can be found in front of loads of different words. Take “neo-,” for example. “Neo-” comes from the Greek “néos,” and means “new.” There are dozens of English words beginning with “neo,” from the very specialized “neoblastic” (associated with new growth) to the common “neophyte” (a beginner) to the almost unknown “neolatry” (worship of novelty) and “neoprimitivism” (an artistic movement). 

But there are also occasional words that, probably by accident, appear to have the same root prefix but probably don’t. In the case of “neo-” there is also “neophron,” which is a small vulture found in Egypt. “Neophron” is, I guess, somewhat related — it’s taken directly from the Greek “neophrōn,” which was a man transformed into a vulture in the Metamorphoses by Antoninus Liberalis, a second century AD writer. That like a Latin name, of course, but apparently he was (or at least wrote in) Greek. 

This brings us to a more obscure prefix-root, “neph-,” which comes from the Greek “nephos,” for “cloud.” There are nearly as many English words beginning with “neph-” as with “neo-,” but they’re ALL more obscure. From “nepheloid” (cloudy) to “nephelococcygia” (finding shapes in clouds), there’s not a single “neph” word that’s known by more than a handful of people. And, just like with “neo-” there are some similar words that turn out to differ. While “nephology” is the study of clouds and a “nephogram” is a photo of clouds, “nephalism” is total abstinence from alcohol, and “nephric” means it has to do with kidneys! 

Once again we can blame the Greeks; “nephric” (and a host of related words) having to do with kidneys is because “nephros” was the Greek word for kidney — both the organ and the shape, in fact. 

So let me just say, in closing, that it’s entirely plausible that a nephelococcygial neophyte examining a nephogram might find a nephroid object for his nephrology!