1959 as a shortening of monophonic; earlier used among printers for "monotype machine" (c.1925) and generally for monochrome (motorcar, etc.), 1940s. From 1964 as short for mononucleosis.
word-forming element meaning "one, alone; containing one (atom, etc.)," from Greek mono-, comb. form of monos "single, alone," from PIE root *men- "small, isolated" (cf. Greek manos "rare, sparse," Armenian manr "thin, slender, small," and perhaps English minnow).
mono- or mon-
pref.
One; single; alone: monomorphic.
Monomolecular; monatomic: monolayer.
Containing one atom, molecule, or group: monomer.
mono mon·o (mŏn'ō)
n.
Infectious mononucleosis.
mono- A prefix that means "one, only, single," as in monochromatic, having only one color. It is often found in chemical names where it means "containing just one" of the specified atom or group, as in carbon monoxide, which is carbon attached to a single oxygen atom. |