yotta-

/ˈjɒtə/

yotta-

English Prefix

Definition

In the International System of Units and other metric systems of units, multiplying the unit to which it is attached by 10²⁴ (a short scale septillion or long scale quadrillion). Symbol: Y

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ὀκτώ (oktṓ, “eight”), for the eighth order of 10³. The consonants ct are reduced to tt; the final a conforms to the finals vowel of the SI series from mega- upwards; the letter y was added, as the second term in a series running through the alphabet backwards (from zetta-).