biologic
UK[ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪk]US[ˌbaɪəˈlɑːdʒɪk]
adj
Relating to biology or living organisms.
adj
(Of a drug or medical treatment) Derived from a living organism.
Morpheme Breakdown
bio
log
ic
bio
life
log
study, discourse
ic
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'biologic' is a modern scientific formation built directly from classical Greek roots. The first element, bio-, originates from the Greek bios, meaning "life" or "mode of life." The second element, -log-, derives from logos, a term with a rich semantic field encompassing "word," "reason," and "discourse." When combined, -logy came to signify "the study of" a particular subject. The adjectival suffix -ic, of Greco-Latin origin, is then appended to form a word meaning "pertaining to the study of life." Thus, the term's logic follows a clear path from its constituent parts—life + study + pertaining to—to its contemporary meaning relating to the science of living organisms or products derived from them.
Analysis
Structure: bio (life) + log (study, discourse) + ic (adjective suffix)
- bio: From Greek bios (life). Denotes life or living organisms.
- log: From Greek logos (word, reason, discourse). In compound words, it denotes a field of study or science.
- ic: From Latin -icus, Greek -ikos (adjective-forming suffix). Means "pertaining to" or "characteristic of".
Examples
The vaccine's biologic components are produced using advanced cellular cultures.
Researchers are studying the biologic mechanisms behind cellular aging.
This treatment represents a shift from chemical to biologic therapies.