1. Ecology: This is the most common meaning, referring to the relationship between organisms and their environment. It comes from the Greek word "oikos," meaning "house" or "dwelling."
* Examples:
* Ecology: the study of ecosystems
* Ecologist: a scientist who studies ecology
* Ecosystem: a community of living organisms and their physical environment
2. Economics: This meaning is less common but still valid, referring to the branch of knowledge concerned with the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth. It comes from the Greek word "oikos" and "nomos," meaning "law."
* Examples:
* Economy: the system of production, distribution, and consumption in a country
* Economic: related to the economy
* Economist: a person who studies economics
3. Other meanings:
* Sometimes, "-eco" is used in a broader sense to refer to something related to the environment, nature, or sustainability.
* It can also be a shortened form of "ecological," like "eco-friendly" or "eco-tourism."
It's important to consider the context of the word when interpreting the meaning of "-eco."