"pertaining to the principles of equilibrium of fluids," 1670s, from hydro- "water" + -static "stabilizing" (see -stat). Related: Hydrostatics (1650s); hydrostatical.
Entries linking to hydrostatic
hydro-
before vowels hydr-, word-forming element in compounds of Greek origin, meaning "water," from Greek hydro-, combining form of hydor "water" (from suffixed form of PIE root *wed- (1) "water; wet"). Also sometimes a combining form of hydrogen.
-stat
word-forming element used in making names of devices for stabilizing or regulating (such as thermostat), from Greek statos "standing, stationary," from PIE *ste-to-, suffixed form of root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm." First used in heliostat "an instrument for causing the sun to appear stationary" (1742). Related: -static.