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-phane

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a combining form occurring in the names of substances, especially minerals, that seem like or have the qualities of that named by the initial element: collophane, hydrophane.
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Origin of -phane

<Greek -phanēs, adjective derivative of phaínesthai to seem, appear; cf. allophane, -phany
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use -phane in a sentence

  • He was married to a giantess called Phane; hence Phanefjord.

    A Danish Parsonage|John Fulford Vicary

British Dictionary definitions for -phane

-phane

n combining form
indicating something resembling a specified substancecellophane

Word Origin for -phane

from Greek phainein to shine, (in passive) appear
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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