- a combining form occurring in loanwords from Greek, meaning “five” (Pentateuch); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (pentavalent).
combining form
- fivepentagon; pentameter; pentaprism
word-forming element meaning “five, containing five,” from Greek penta- (before a vowel pent-), comb. form of pente “five,” related to Aeolian pempte (see five), with -a- by analogy of hepta-, ennea-, deka-. pref.
- Five:pentameter.
- Containing five atoms, molecules, or groups:pentose.