ultra-

1.
a prefix occurring originally in loanwords from Latin, with the basic meaning “on the far side of, beyond.” In relation to the base to which it is prefixed, ultra-, has the senses “located beyond, on the far side of” (ultramontane; ultraviolet), “carrying to the furthest degree possible, on the fringe of” (ultraleft; ultramodern), “extremely” (ultralight); nouns to which it is added denote, in general, objects, properties, phenomena, etc., that surpass customary norms, or instruments designed to produce or deal with such things (ultramicroscope; ultrasound; ultrastructure).
Origin
< Latin ultrā (adv. and preposition) on the far side (of), beyond, derivative of *ult(e)r- located beyond
British Dictionary definitions for ultra-

ultra-

prefix
1.
beyond or surpassing a specified extent, range, or limit: ultramicroscopic
2.
extreme or extremely: ultramodern
Word Origin
from Latin ultrā beyond; see ultra
Word Origin and History for ultra-

prefix meaning "beyond" (ultraviolet) or "extremely" (ultramodern), from Latin ultra- from ultra (adv. and prep.) "beyond, on the further side," from PIE *al- "beyond." In common use from early 19c., it appears to have arisen from French political designations. As its own word, a noun meaning "extremist" of various stripes, it is first recorded 1817, from French ultra, shortening of ultra-royaliste "extreme royalist."

ultra- in Medicine

ultra- pref.

  1. Beyond; on the other side of: ultraviolet.

  2. Beyond the range, scope, or limit of: ultrasonic.