potamo-, potam-

(Greek: river, stream)


autopotamous, autopotamic
A reference to organisms adapted to stream environment and which complete their life cycles in streams or rivers.
benthopotamous
Living on the bed (bottom) of a river or stream.
eupotamic
Pertaining to an aquatic organism thriving in both flowing and standing fresh water.
hippopotamic
Belonging to, like, or suggesting a hippopotamus; huge, unwieldly.
hippopotamoid
Resembling a hippopotamus.
hippopotamus
A pachydermatous quadruped, the African river-horse.
2. Hippopotamus amphibius, a very large beast with a thick heavy hairless body, large muzzle and tusks, and short legs, inhabiting many African rivers, lakes, and estuaries.
hippopotamus (s), hippopotami (pl)
1. A large, amphibious, short-legged, thick-skinned African pachyderm related to the pigs (Hippopotamus amphibius), having a massive body and a very broad obtuse muzzle.
2. Among living quadruped, it ranks next to the elephant in size, but is still much smaller.
3. Etymology: "river horse".

The hippopotamus, whose name comes from two Greek words meaning, "river horse", as stated above; is one of the largest and heaviest land mammals. Its Latin name is Hippopotamus amphibius.

Although strictly a plant eater, the hippopotamus has massive jaws with formidable tusks, as well as an unpredictable temperament and the ability to bite through small boats and slice crocodiles in half.

Male hippos aggressively fight each other over territory; with tusks that can be up to 50 cm (20 in) long, and are sharp enough to rip open a lion or seriously wound a rival. Hippos live in Africa, and spend their lives partly in water and partly on land.

—Compiled from information found at
MSN.Encarta, Quiz Results, "Nature's Killers".
Mesopotamia
A proper name for the tract between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. Sometimes used allusively in the etymological sense for a tract (in the middle) between two rivers.
Mesopotamian
1. A reference to the area of Mesopotamia.
2. A native or inhabitant of Mesopotamia (the larger part of which is now Iraq).
mesopotamic
A district between two rivers.
potamian
1. A river tortoise or a mud turtle.
2. Of or pertaining to the Potamites or Trionychidae, the soft-shelled river tortoises.
potamic
Pertaining to rivers, or transport by river currents; fluviatile.
potamicole, potamicolous
Living in rivers.
potamicolous, potamicole
Living or thriving in rivers.
potamium
A community of river dwellers.

Cross references of word families that are related directly, or indirectly, to: "river, stream": amni-; fluvio-; meand-; oceano-; ripari-.


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