dioxide
UK[daɪˈɒksaɪd]US[daɪˈɑːksaɪd]
n
A chemical compound containing two atoms of oxygen combined with another element or group.
Morpheme Breakdown
di
oxide
di
two
oxide
compound of oxygen
Etymology
The word 'dioxide' is a modern scientific compound formed in the early 19th century. It logically combines the Greek numerical prefix 'di-', meaning "two", with the term 'oxide', which itself denotes a compound of oxygen. The term 'oxide' originates from the French 'ox(ygène)'—coined from Greek roots meaning "acid-former"—and 'acide'. Thus, 'dioxide' transparently describes a molecule where two atoms of oxygen are bonded to another element, as seen in carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Analysis
Structure: di (two) + oxide (compound of oxygen)
di: From Greek, a prefix meaning "two" or "double".
oxide: From French oxide, from ox(ygène) (oxygen) + (ac)ide (acid). The root 'ox' refers to oxygen.
Examples
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas released by burning fossil fuels.
The patient's blood showed dangerously low levels of carbon dioxide.
Silicon dioxide is a common compound found in sand and quartz.