The word root ped- (usually in the combining forms peda-, pedi-, and pedo-) in English and various other Western languages has multiple Latin and Ancient Greek roots, and multiple meanings. Ped- (sometimes spelled paed-, pæd-, or rarely paid-, depending on the word and the language or dialect) is a root in English and many other Western languages, often with divergent spellings, such as pet-, pie-, pei-, etc.

Meanings

Ped- conveys multiple meanings, from different Latin and Ancient Greek root words: In meanings 2, 3, and 4, the spelling remains ped- in Commonwealth English words that begin with these letters. Not all derived words do; e.g., petard (a small bomb) is from meaning 4, and entered English from Middle French pétard for the same thing (originally literally meaning 'fart', it remains an uncommon Modern French word for 'firecracker').

Relating to children

Commonly in English, it is from the Greek pais (παῖς), originally meaning 'boy'. as well as 'child'. Contemporarily, it is more associated with the word 'child'. Words derived from this particular root are spelled paed- most cases in Commonwealth English varieties (formerly with a ligature, pæd-).

Relating to feet

Meanings related to feet are from Latin pes (pedis, 'foot'): A Greek-derived equivalent, pod-, is often employed instead, as in "podiatry". The Greek-based -pus conveys the same meaning, as in "octopus".

Relating to soil or plains

Ped- can also refer to soil. This root is from Greek pédon (πέδον, 'soil', 'the ground') The derived Greek word and pedíon (πεδίον, 'field or plain')

Relating to flatulence

Another meaning, relating to flatulence, is from Latin pēdō (infinitive pēdere, 'to fart'). It does not appear in English except in loan words but is the root for words referring to flatulation in several Western languages, often in modified form such as pet-

Other uses

It may also be used at the end of a word, as with encyclopedia (encyclopaedia), and orthopedics (orthopaedics). Some common English words with this derivation include: