Poly- , multi-, mani-

Franco   Tue Aug 07, 2007 6:49 am GMT
What is the difference between these prefixes? Do they all mean the same?
furrykef   Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:17 pm GMT
"Poly" is from Greek and "multi" is from Latin. They have the same meaning, but "poly" is usually used when combined with Greek roots, and "multi" otherwise. Thus it's "polytechnic" rather than "multitechnic" because "technic" comes from Greek "technos".

I don't think "mani-" is a prefix. The only word I can even think of that starts with it is "manifold".

- Kef