benzo-
1.
a combining form used in the names of chemical compounds in which benzene, benzoic acid, or one or more of the phenyl groups is present:
benzocaine.
Also,
especially before a vowel,
benz-
.
Origin
benz(ene)
or
benz(oic)
+
-o-
British Dictionary definitions for
benzo-
benzo-
combining form
1.
indicating a benzene ring fused to another ring in a polycyclic compound:
benzofuran
2.
indicating derivation from benzene or benzoic acid or the presence of phenyl groups:
benzophenone
Word Origin
from
benzoin
benzo-
in Medicine
benzo-
or
benz-
pref.
Benzene; benzoic acid:
benzodiazepine.