ox-

var. of OXY-(2).

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I. combining form or oxo-

Etymology: French, from oxygène oxygen — more at oxygen

1. : containing oxygen — especially in the names of various cyclic compounds

oxazole

2. usually oxo- : containing oxygen in a carbonyl group specifically regarded as formed by replacement of two hydrogen atoms in a methylene group by oxygen — in names of ketones or compounds (as heterocyclic compounds) that are not true ketones because the carbonyl group is not attached to two carbon atoms

oxo-acetic acid

2-oxo-indoline

oxindole

— distinguished from oxy-; compare ket-

II. combining form

Etymology: by shortening

: oxal-

oxamide

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Chem.

a combining form meaning "containing oxygen": oxazine.

[short for OXYGEN]

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comb. form variant spelling of oxy- II reduced before a vowel (as in oxazole)

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ox-

a formative of chemical terms.

1. = oxy- from oxygen; as in ox- or oxyacetic, -acid; oxanthracene, oxiodic, etc.

2. A shortening of oxal-, as in oxamic, oxaldehyde, oxamide, oxanilic.

3. Form of oxa- before a vowel.