ur-

1 of 3

combining form (1)

variants or uro-
1
: urine
uric
2
: urinary tract
urology
3
: urinary and
urogenital
4
: urea
uracil

ur-

2 of 3

combining form (2)

variants or uro-
: tail
uropod

ur-

3 of 3

prefix

ˈu̇r
often capitalized
1
: original : primitive
ur-form
2
: original version of
urtext
3
: prototypical : arch-
ur-anticommunist

Word History

Etymology

Combining form (1)

New Latin, from Greek our-, ouro-, from ouron urine, from ourein to urinate — more at urine

Combining form (2)

New Latin, from Greek our-, ouro-, from oura tail — more at ass

Prefix

German, from Old High German ir-, ur- thoroughly (perfective prefix) — more at abide

Dictionary Entries Near ur-

Cite this Entry

“Ur-.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ur-. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Geographical Definition

Ur

geographical name

ˈər How to pronounce Ur (audio)
ˈu̇r
city of ancient Sumer

Note: The site of Ur is northwest of Basra in southern Iraq.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!