Here's a breakdown:
General Meaning:
* City: The core meaning of "-opolis" is "city".
* Urban Center: It implies a place of significant population, economic activity, and often cultural importance.
Specific Meanings:
* Type of City: "-opolis" can denote a specific type of city, such as:
* Metropolis: A large, important city, often the capital or center of a region.
* Necropolis: A city of the dead, a cemetery.
* Acropolis: A fortified city on a hilltop, often used for religious purposes.
* Characteristic of City: "-opolis" can also signify a specific characteristic of the city, such as:
* Cosmopolis: A city that embraces people from all over the world and has a diverse population.
* Astropolis: A city known for its astronomical observatories or its connection to space exploration.
* Cyberopolis: A city heavily reliant on technology and the internet.
Examples:
* Metropolis: New York City, London, Tokyo
* Necropolis: The ancient Egyptian city of Thebes, with its vast cemeteries.
* Acropolis: The famous Acropolis of Athens, Greece.
* Cosmopolis: London, New York City, Hong Kong
* Astropolis: Green Bank, West Virginia (home to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory).
* Cyberopolis: Silicon Valley, California.
In essence, "-opolis" adds a sense of urbanity and importance to words, highlighting a place as a significant gathering of people and activities.