neo-

A prefix meaning new that gets attached to old stuff so that it sounds chic and updated. Like neo-Platonic, whatever. Leaves the unitiated wondering what the hell. "Post-" is used with a similar effect.

Ne"o- (). [Gr. youthful, new. See New.]

A prefix meaning new, recent, late; and in chemistry designating specifically that variety of metameric hydrocarbons which, when the name was applied, had been recently classified, and in which at least one carbon atom in connected directly with four other carbon atoms; -- contrasted with normal and iso-; as, neopentane; the neoparaffins. Also used adjectively.

© Webster 1913.