kilo-

Meanings

1. In the International System of Units and other metric systems of units, multiplying the unit to which it is attached by a thousand (1000).
2. Synonym of kibi- (“multiplying the unit to which it is attached by 2¹⁰ = 1024”).

Etymology

Borrowed from French kilo-, irregularly derived from Ancient Greek χίλιοι (khílioi, “one thousand”). The etymologically "correct" form would be chili- or chilo-, resulting in forms such as chiliasme (“chiliasm”) or chilopode (“centipede”); but the French, when creating the prefix, had to avoid a possible (standard) pronunciation of chi as /ʃi/, too close to the vulgar verb chier (“to shit”).