-thermouscomb. form
Primary stress is attracted to the first syllable of this combining form and vowels may be reduced accordingly; see e.g.
homothermous adj.Origin: A borrowing from Greek, combined with an English element. Etymons: Greek -θερμος , -ous suffix.
Etymology: < ancient Greek -θερμος, combining form (see -therm comb. form) + -ous suffix. Compare -therm comb. form.Formations are found from the 19th cent., e.g. isothermous adj. at isothermal adj. and n. Derivatives, diathermous adj., in early use frequently after French words in -therme (see -therm comb. form).
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online September 2018).
comb. form