Suffix · forms nouns
From Greek "lysis" (loosening, dissolving): indicates decomposition, separation or dissolution. Analysis, dialysis.
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
The suffix -lysis comes from Greek "lysis" (to loosen, to dissolve) and indicates a process of decomposition, separation or dissolution of a substance or structure. From "ana-" (up, through) comes "analysis" (separating into parts to examine); from "dia-" (through) comes "dialysis" (filtering blood through a membrane). Spanish: analysis → análisis, dialysis → diálisis, paralysis → parálisis, hydrolysis → hidrólisis.
analysis = separating something into its parts to examine them paralysis = loss of muscle function (nerves "dissolved") dialysis = blood filtration through a membrane hydrolysis = chemical breakdown by water electrolysis = decomposition by electric current photolysis = decomposition by light catalysis = acceleration of a reaction by a catalyst psychoanalysis = Freudian analytical method hemolysis = rupture of red blood cells fibrinolysis = dissolving of blood clots
-lysis is the noun; its full family: -lyze (US) / -lyse (UK) = the verb: to analyze/analyse, to paralyze/paralyse, to dialyze/dialyse. -lytic = adjective: analytic/analytical, catalytic, paralytic. Full example: hydrolysis → to hydrolyze/hydrolyse → hydrolytic. Practical example: catalytic converter (car exhaust cleaner) uses catalysis.
Greek/Latin root (what is dissolved or how) + lysis.
Family: -lysis (noun), -lyze/-lyse (verb), -lytic (adjective). analysis → analyze/analyse → analytical. catalysis → catalyze/catalyse → catalytic converter.
-lysis/lɪsɪs/ · sounds like 'LIH-sis'
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analysis (not "analysys" or "analisys"). Plural: analyses /ˈænəlɪsiːz/.
"paralysis" is the singular noun; "paralyses" /pəˈræləsiːz/ is the plural noun. Do not confuse with the verb "paralyses" (3rd person: "the disease paralyses him").
In English: "dialysis" (no accent). Pronunciation: daɪˈæl.ɪ.sɪs = die-AL-ih-sis.
A trick to remember it
-lysis = decomposition, separation or dissolution of something. Most common: analysis, paralysis, dialysis. Verb: -lyze/-lyse (analyze/analyse). Adjective: -lytic (analytic, catalytic). Practical everyday example: catalytic converter in cars.
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
What is the American English verb form of "analysis"?
Exercise 3 · Pick the right one
"Dialysis" is used to...
The suffix -lysis from Greek "lysis" (loosening, dissolving): indicates decomposition, separation or dissolution. Analysis, dialysis. In Spanish it usually maps to -lisis.
The ending -lysis is pronounced /lɪsɪs/ · sounds like 'LIH-sis'. For example, "analysis".
"ana (apart)" becomes "analysis". It is a typical example of the -lysis suffix.
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