Which combining form means two being linked end to end?

• A. Strept/o
• B. Dipl/o
• C. Hydr/o
• D. Leuk/o

Answer: (B)

Dipl/o denotes double or twofold, which fits the idea of two units connected or paired. When you see two items linked end to end, that sense of a paired, doubled arrangement is exactly what dipl/o signals. For example, diplopia describes double vision, and diplococci refers to two cocci joined together. The other combining forms don’t convey a simple two-part linkage: strept/o means twisted or in a chain (a longer chain of units), hydr/o means water, and leuk/o means white.