What does the suffix -trophy mean?

What does the suffix -trophy mean?

• A. To cut
• B. Development or growth
• C. One
• D. Urine

Answer: (B)

Suffix -trophy signals growth or development. It comes from a Greek root meaning nourishment, and when attached as a suffix it denotes a process of growth or development of a tissue, organ, or body part. That’s why terms like hypertrophy refer to increased size from growth, while atrophy shows reduced growth due to a negating context, illustrating how the concept of growth underlies these terms. The other ideas don’t fit because they come from different word parts: cutting is shown by endings like -tomy or -ectomy, “one” by prefixes such as mono- or uni-, and “urine” by endings like -uria.

Suffix -trophy signals growth or development. It comes from a Greek root meaning nourishment, and when attached as a suffix it denotes a process of growth or development of a tissue, organ, or body part. That’s why terms like hypertrophy refer to increased size from growth, while atrophy shows reduced growth due to a negating context, illustrating how the concept of growth underlies these terms. The other ideas don’t fit because they come from different word parts: cutting is shown by endings like -tomy or -ectomy, “one” by prefixes such as mono- or uni-, and “urine” by endings like -uria.