pheno-

1.
a combining form meaning “shining,” “appearing, seeming,” used in the formation of compound words:
phenocryst.
2.
a combining form used in the names of chemical compounds that contain phenol or the phenyl group, are related to aromatic compounds, or derive from benzene:
phenobarbital.
Also, especially before a vowel, phen-.
Origin
< Neo-Latin phaeno- < Greek phaino- shining, combining form of phaínein to shine, appear; in chemical senses, used orig. with reference to products from the manufacture of illuminating gas
British Dictionary definitions for pheno-

pheno-

combining form
1.
showing or manifesting: phenotype
2.
indicating that a molecule contains benzene rings: phenobarbital
Word Origin
from Greek phaino- shining, from phainein to show; its use in a chemical sense is exemplified in phenol, so called because originally prepared from illuminating gas
Word Origin and History for pheno-

before vowels phen-, word-forming element in science meaning "pertaining to or derived from benzene," from phene.

pheno- in Medicine

pheno- or phen-
pref.

  1. Showing; displaying: phenotype.

  2. Relating to or derived from benzene: phenol.

  3. Containing phenyl: phenothiazine.