-dromous

The combining form -dromous is used like a suffix meaning “of or related to running,” “course,” or “racecourse.” It is occasionally used in technical and scientific terms, especially in biology.

The form -dromous comes from a combination of two forms, -drome and -ous. The combining form -drome comes from Greek drómos, meaning “a running, course, place for running.” The suffix -ous comes from Latin -ōsus, meaning “full of” or “like.”

A technical term that uses the form -dromous is heterodromous, “moving in the opposite direction.”

The form hetero- means “different” or “other,” from Greek héteros. The -dromous portion of the word means “of or related to running.” Heterodromous translates to “of or related to running in different (directions).”

What are some words that use the combining form -dromous?

• anadromous (using the equivalent form of -dromous in Greek)
• catadromous
• diadromous

What are some other forms that -dromous may be commonly confused with?

• -dom
• -ferous
• -ous
• -rama

The combining form cata- means “down,” “against,” or “back.” With this in mind, what does catadromous literally mean?