stauro-
(ˈstɔːrəʊ, stɒˈrɒ)
before a vowel staur-, combining form of Gr. σταυρός cross, employed in several terms, chiefly scientific. stauractin(e [Gr. ἀκτιν-, ἀκτίς ray], ‘hexactinellid spicules of the dermal sponge-layer in which two of the arms are atrophied, leaving the remaining four in the form of a cross’ (Cent. Dict. Suppl. 1909). stauro-baryte Min., an obsolete synonym of harmotome (Chester Dict. Min. 1896). staurology nonce-wd., a science or doctrine of the cross. stauro-microscope (see quots.). staurotypous a. Min. [Gr. τύπος type n.; cf. eccl. Gr. σταυρότυπος marked with the sign of the cross], ‘having mackles or spots in the form of a cross’ (Ogilvie 1850).
| 1905 Jrnl. R. Micros. Soc. Apr. 190 The earliest regular form of spicule was the *stauractine. |
| 1893 C. T. Cruttwell Hist. Early Christianity I. 53 Justin, who presses nearly every allusion to a tree or a piece of wood into the service of a mechanical *Staurology. |
| 1879 Rutley Stud. Rocks ix. 75 For the purpose of investigating the optical properties of minerals various instruments, such as..the stauroscope,..Rosenbusch's *stauro-microscope, &c., have from time to time been devised. |
| 1843 Chapman Pract. Min. 190 *Staurotypous kouphone spar. |