From Greek 'monos' (alone, single) — hiding in disguised forms like 'monk' (one who lives alone) and 'monastery.'
A prefix meaning 'one,' 'single,' or 'alone,' derived from Greek and used to form words indicating singularity, unity, or solitary existence.
From Greek 'monos' (μόνος, alone, single, only, solitary), of uncertain deeper etymology; possibly from PIE *men- (small, isolated) but the connection is debated. Greek 'monos' generated a vast family of compounds: 'monarkhos' (sole ruler, source of 'monarchy'), 'monakhos' (solitary person, source of 'monk' and 'monastery'), 'monodía' (solo song, source of 'monody'), and 'monolíthos' (single stone). As a prefix in scientific English from the 17th century onward, 'mono-' contrasts with 'di-' (two), 'poly-' (many), and 'hemi-' (half). In modern chemistry
The word 'monk' is a deeply disguised form of 'mono-.' It descends from Greek 'monakhós' (μοναχός, solitary), from 'mónos' (alone), through Latin 'monachus' and Old English 'munuc.' A monk is etymologically 'one who is alone' — a person who has chosen solitary devotion. The word 'monastery' follows the same path: it is literally 'a place for being alone,' even though monasteries are communities, because the original ideal was solitary contemplation