a combining form meaning "false," "pretended," "unreal," used in the formation of compound words ( pseudoclassic; pseudointellectual ): in scientific use, denoting close or deceptive resemblance to the following element ( pseudobulb; pseudocarp ), and used sometimes in chemical names of isomers ( pseudoephedrine ).
Also, esp. before a vowel, pseud- .
[ pseudés false, pseûdos falsehood ]