pico-

Meanings

1. In the International System of Units and other metric systems of units, multiplying the unit to which it is attached by 10⁻¹² (short scale trillionth or long scale billionth).
2. Used to designate sizes, especially, of cells, smaller than those prefixed by nano- or micro-; sized between 0.2 and 2.0 μm.

Etymology

Etymology tree Latin beccus Old Spanish bico Spanish picobor. English pico- Borrowed from Spanish pico (“beak, little bit, speck”)