necr- combining form ornecro- Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek nekr-, nekro-, from nekros dead body, dead person — more at noxious 1. a.: those that are dead : the dead : corpses < necrophilism > b.: one that is dead : corpse < necropsy > 2.: death < necrobiosis > : conversion to dead tissue : atrophy < necrosis > 3.: extinct : fossil < necrotype >