618: hypo- and hyper- Aug 17, 2016

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The prefixes 'hyper-' and 'hypo-' generally can be added to the same words with opposite effect, such as with 'hypothermia' and 'hyperthermia'. 'Hyper-', much like the adjective, 'hyper' (which comes from 'hyperactive) means 'above', and is related through the Indo-European root to 'over' 'Hypo', meaning under, is related surprisingly to the word 'up'. When there is no equivalent, it is not due to grammar but to logic, as a 'hypodermic (needle)' is one that goes 'under the skin'. One could perhaps say that clothing is 'hyperdermic', but it would be odd.

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