Meaning: slender, thin
Root word: Greek λεπτός leptós
Roots with similar meanings:
- tenu- meaning “slender, thin”
Roots with opposite meanings:
- crass- meaning “thick”
- dens- meaning “thick”
- hadr- meaning “thick”
- pach- meaning “thick”
- visc- meaning “thick”
Roots that could be confused:
- lep- meaning “flake, peel, scale”
- lepsi- meaning “grasp, seize”
Notes: Lept- is used frequently in scientific names of species, referring to a thin structure that is characteristic of the genus or species. In physics, lept- takes on the meaning of “small, light (not heavy)”, as in leptons.
Derived English Words
Commonly encountered words are in bold.
Leptin: A hormone produced primarily by adipose (fat) cells that helps to regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger.
Lepton: A subatomic particle, such as an electron or neutrino, that does not undergo strong interactions.
Lepta: A subdivision of the Greek currency, the drachma; plural of lepton.
Leptene: An early stage in meiosis characterized by chromatin condensation.
Leptid: Pertaining to slender or thin organisms or structures.
Leptiform: Having a slender or thin form.
Leptocentric: Having a small or slender center.
Leptocephalan: The larval stage of eels and some other fish, characterized by a thin, elongated body.
Leptocephalia: A condition where the head is abnormally narrow.
Leptocephalic: Having a narrow head shape.
Leptodactyl: Having slender fingers or toes.
Leptodactylous: Characterized by slender digits.
Leptodermatous: Having thin or delicate skin.
Leptokurtic: In statistics, a distribution with positive kurtosis, indicating a sharp peak.
Leptology: The study of minute details or fine distinctions.
Leptomatic: Showing thin or slender characteristics.
Leptome: The inner, conducting tissue in certain types of vascular plants.
Leptomeninges: The thin layers that cover the brain and spinal cord, specifically the arachnoid and pia mater.
Leptomeningeal: Pertaining to the thin membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Leptomonad: Relating to a genus of flagellate protozoa.
Leptonecrosis: The death of slender or delicate tissue.
Leptonema: The first stage of prophase in meiosis where chromosomes begin to condense.
Leptopellic: Having a thin or slender pelvis.
Leptophyllous: Having thin or narrow leaves.
Leptoprosope: Having a long and narrow face.
Leptorrhinian: Having a narrow nose.
Leptosome: A body type characterized by thinness or slenderness.
Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection spread by animals, often causing fever, headache, and liver or kidney problems.
Leptospira: The genus of spirochete bacteria that causes leptospirosis.
Leptus: The larval stage of certain mites.
Other Uses
Links
List of Greek and Latin roots in English – Wikipedia
Other Roots Used in These Words
| Root | Meaning |
|---|---|
| centr- | center |
| cephal- | head |
| dactyl- | digit, finger, toe |
| form- | shape |
| log-, -logy | word, reason, speech, thought |
| mening- | membrane |
| necr- | dead |
| phyll- | leaf |
| prosop- | face |
| rhin- | nose, snout |
| soma- | body |
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