myrmeco-comb. form

Etymology: < Hellenistic Greek μυρμηκο- (in e.g. μυρμηκολέων (see Myrmeleon n.), μυρμηκοειδής myrmecoid adj.), combining form of ancient Greek μυρμηκ-, μύρμηξ, ant, probably cognate with classical Latin formīca formica n.¹ (with dissimilation of consonants in Latin). Compare scientific Latin myrmeco- (formations in which are found the mid 18th cent. or earlier), French myrméco- (formations in which are found from the late 18th cent. or earlier), Italian mirmeco- (formations in which are found from the early 19th cent. or earlier), German myrmeco-, myrmeko- (formations in which are found from the second half of the 19th cent. or earlier).Attested in loans from scientific Latin (first half of the 19th cent.: see e.g. Myrmecobius n.), German (late 19th cent.: see myrmecophyte n.), and Italian (early 20th cent.: see myrmecochore n.). Formations in English are found from the 19th cent. (apparently earliest in myrmecophagous adj.).