biohazard
UK[ˈbaɪəʊˌhæzəd]US[ˈbaɪoʊˌhæzərd]
n
A biological agent or condition that constitutes a risk to humans or the environment, especially one produced by biological research.
n
The international symbol (☣) used to warn of the presence of such a hazard.
Morpheme Breakdown
bio
hazard
bio
life
hazard
danger
Etymology
The term 'biohazard' is a modern compound, coined in the 1970s to address the specific dangers emerging from advanced biological research. Its first element, 'bio-', draws directly from the ancient Greek concept of bios, the course or way of living. The second element, 'hazard', entered English through French and Arabic, originally tied to the unpredictability of dice games. The fusion of these morphemes logically creates a term for a danger whose source is not mechanical or chemical, but specifically biological life itself, reflecting a new category of risk in the technological age.
Analysis
Structure: bio (life) + hazard (danger)
- bio: From Greek bios, meaning "life, course of living." In English, it functions as a combining form denoting life or living organisms.
- hazard: From Old French hasard, meaning "game of chance, risk," likely via Spanish from Arabic az-zahr, meaning "the dice." In English, it functions as a noun meaning a source of danger.
Examples
All laboratory waste must be disposed of in special containers marked with the biohazard symbol.
The accidental release of the engineered virus was classified as a major biohazard incident.
Researchers must wear full protective suits when handling materials of an unknown biohazard level.