What does the root word poikilo mean?

The root word "poikilo" comes from the Greek word "ποικίλος" (poikilos), which means varied, diverse, or mottled.

It's often used in biological and medical contexts to describe something that is characterized by variation or irregularity, such as:

* Poikilocytosis: A condition where red blood cells have irregular shapes.

* Poikilothermy: The condition of having a body temperature that varies with the environment (like reptiles).

* Poikiloderma: A skin condition with mottled pigmentation and irregular skin texture.

So, when you see "poikilo" in a word, it generally refers to something that is not uniform or consistent.