Which prefix means 'sleep'?

Which prefix means 'sleep'?

• A. Iso-
• B. Hypno-
• C. Malign-
• D. Dura-

Answer: (B)

Understanding prefixes: many medical terms start with a small word part that sets the basic meaning. The form that denotes sleep is hypno-, coming from the Greek hypnos, the personification of sleep. This prefix appears in terms like hypnotic, hypnosis, and hypersomnia, where sleep or sleeping is central to the idea of the word. In contrast, iso- means equal or the same (as in isometric or isobaric), malign- relates to something harmful or cancerous (malignant), and dura- refers to hard or tough, as in the dura mater, the tough outer layer around the brain. So, when you’re identifying a term related to sleep, hypno- is the one that fits.

Understanding prefixes: many medical terms start with a small word part that sets the basic meaning. The form that denotes sleep is hypno-, coming from the Greek hypnos, the personification of sleep. This prefix appears in terms like hypnotic, hypnosis, and hypersomnia, where sleep or sleeping is central to the idea of the word.

In contrast, iso- means equal or the same (as in isometric or isobaric), malign- relates to something harmful or cancerous (malignant), and dura- refers to hard or tough, as in the dura mater, the tough outer layer around the brain. So, when you’re identifying a term related to sleep, hypno- is the one that fits.