-gnomy

1. a combining form meaning “knowledge,” occurring in loanwords from Greek and used in combination with other elements of Greek origin.

   physiognomy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of -gnomy¹

< Late Latin -gnōmia < Greek. See gnomon, -y ³

When To Use

What does -gnomy mean?

The combining form -gnomy is used like a suffix meaning “knowledge.” It is very occasionally used in scientific terms in fields now generally considered pseudoscience, especially in medicine.The form -gnomy comes from Greek gnṓmōn, meaning “discerner” or “interpreter,” plus the noun-forming suffix -ia.What are variants of -gnomy?While -gnomy doesn't have any variants, it is related to the combining forms -gnosis and -gnostic, as in diagnosis or diagnostic. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles on -gnosis or -gnostic.