What prefix indicates "half" or "partial"?

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Study for the Medical Terminology Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and detailed explanations. Ensure exam readiness!

The prefix that indicates "half" or "partial" is "semi-." This prefix is derived from Latin, where it means "half." It is commonly used in medical terminology and other fields to denote something that is not complete but rather a part of something larger or a reduced version. For example, "semicircle" refers to half of a circle.

While "hemi-" also denotes half, it is derived from Greek and is used in specific contexts, particularly in medical terminology (such as "hemisphere," meaning half of a sphere, often used in reference to the brain). However, "semi-" is the more universally recognized prefix for indicating partiality in broader contexts.

The other prefixes, such as "mono-," indicate singularity or one, and do not imply anything about being half or partial, which further clarifies that "semi-" is indeed the correct choice for this question.

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