LEARNING WORDS BY THEIR ROOTS

  Prefixes

PREFIXES                  Meaning                     Example

ab                                from                             aberration

ad                                to                                 adequate

ambi                            both                             ambidextrous

an, a                            without                                     anarchy

anti                              against                                    anticlimatic

ante                            before                         antecedent

be                                throughout                   belie

bi                                 two                              bilateral

cata                             down                           catacomb

circum                                    around                                     circumference

com, cor                     together                       confluence

contra                                     against                                    contraindicate

de                                down (negative)                      debase

deca                            ten                               decathlon

decem                                    ten                               decimal

di                                 two                              dipole

dia                               through, between        dialectic

dis                               apart (negative)                       disprove

du                                two                              duplication

dys                              abnonnal, impaired     dysmenorreah

epi                               upon                            epicenter

equi                            equal                           equitable

ex                                out                               extricate

extra                           beyond                                    extracurricular

fore                             in front of                     foreword

hemi                            half                              hemisphere

hyper                         excessive                    hyperboleventilate

hypo                            too little                        hypothennia

in, ir                            not                               inefficient

in, ir                            very                             invite, inflammable

inter                            between                      interloper

intro, intra                 inside                           introduce

kilo                              one thousand             kilometer

meta                            changing                     metaphysics

micro                         small                           microcosm

mili,  milli                    one thousand             millisecond

mis                              bad, hate                     misanthrope

mono                         one                              monopoly

multi                            many                           multiply

neo                             new                             neophyte

nil, nihil                      nothing                                    nihilism

non                             not                               nonentity

ob, oc, of, op                         against                                    obstinate

pan                              all                                 panoramic

para                            beside                                     paranormal

per                              throughout                   permeate

peri                             around                                     periscope

poly                             many                           polygon

post                            after                             posterity

pre                              before                         predecessor

prim                            first                              primate

pro                              forward                                    procession

quad                           four                              quadruple

re                                again                           reiterate

retro                           backward                    retrograde

semi                            half                              semiliterate

sub,suc, sup             under                           succumb

super, supra             above                         superannuated

syn, sym, syl               together                       synthesis

trans                           across                                     transgression

un                                not                               unkempt

uni                               one                              unique

                                    Suffixes

Suffix                          Meaning                     Example

able, ible                    capable of                   credible

acy                              state of                                    celibacy

ant                               full of                            luxuriant

ate                               to make                                   legitimate

er, or                           one who                      censor

fic                                making                                    traffic

ism                              belief                            fascism

ist                                one who                      racist

ize                               to make                                   victimize

oid                               like                               steroid

ology                           study of                                   geology

ose                              full of                            verbose

ous                              full of                            pious

tude                            state of                                    gratitude

ure                              state of, act                 primogeniture

ROOT LIST

A, AN-  not, without

amoral, atrophy, asymmetrical, anarchy, anesthetic, anonymity, anomaly

AB, A-  from, away, apart

abnormal, abdicate, aberration, abhor, abject, abjure, abortive, abrogate, abscond, absolve, abstemious, annul, avert, aversion

AC, ACR-  sharp, sour

acid, acerbic, exacerbate, acute, acuity, acumen, acrid, acrimony

AD, A-  to, toward

adhere, adjacent, adjunct, admonish, adroit, advent, abeyance, abet, accede, acquiesce, affluent, aggrandize, aggregate, alleviate, allude,  ascribe, aspersion, aspire, assail, attest

ALl, ALTR-  another

alias, alienate, inalienable, altruism

AM, AMI-  love

amorous, amicable, amiable, amity

AMBI, AMPHI-  both

ambiguous, ambivalent, ambidextrous, amphibious

AMBL, AMBUL-  walk

amble, ambulatory, perambulator, somnambulist

ANIM-  mind, spirit, breath

animal, animosity, unanimous, magnanimous

ANN, ENN-  year

annual, annuity, superannuated, biennial, perennial

ANTE, ANT-before

antecedent, antediluvian, antebellum, antepenultimate, anterior, antiquity, antiquated, anticipate

ANTHROP-  human

anthropology, anthropomorphic, misanthrope, philanthropy

ANTI, ANT-  against, opposite

antidote, antipathy, antithesis, antacid, antagonist, antonym

AUD-  hear

audio, audience, audition, auditory, audible

AUTO-  self

autobiography, autocrat, autonomous

BELLI, BELL-  war

belligerent, bellicose, antebellum, rebellion

BENE, BEN-  good

benevolent, benefactor, beneficent, benign

BI-  two

bicycle, bisect, bilateral, bilingual, biped

BIBLIO-  book

Bible, bibliography, bibliophile

BIO-  life

biography, biology, amphibious, symbiotic, macrobiotics

BURS-  money, purse

reimburse, disburse, bursar

CAD, CAS, CID-  happen, fall

accident, cadence, cascade, deciduous

CAP, CIP-  head

captain, decapitate, capitulate, precipitous, precipitate

CAP, CAPT, CEPT, CIP-  take, hold, seize

capable, recapitulate, captivate, deception, intercept, precept, inception, anticipate,

emancipation, incipient, cede, precede, accede, recede, antecedent, intercede, secede

CARN-  flesh

carnal, carnage, carnival, carnivorous, incarnate

CED, CESS-  yield, go

cease, cessation, incessant, cede

CHROM--  color

chrome, chromatic, monochrome

CHRON-  time

chronology, chronic, anachronism

CIDE-  murder

suicide, homicide, regicide, patricide

CIRCUM-  around

circumference, circumlocution, circumnavigate, circumscribe, circumspect, circumvent

CLIN, CLIV-  slope

incline, declivity, proclivity

CLUD, CLUS, CLAUS, CLOIS-  shut, close

conclude, reclusive, claustrophobia, cloister, preclude, occlude

CO, COM, CON-  with, together

coeducation, coagulate, coalesce, coerce, cogent, cognate, collateral, colloquial, commensurate,  compassion, compatriot, complacent, compliant, complicity, compunction, conciliatory, concord, concur, condone, conflagration, congeal, congenial, congenital, conglomerate, conjure, conjugal, conscientious, consecrate, consensus, consonant, constrained, contentious, contrite, convalescence, convene, convivial, convoke, convoluted, congress

COGN, GNO-  know

recognize, cognition, cognizance, incognito, diagnosis, agnostic, prognosis, gnostic, ignorant

CONTRA-  against

controversy, incontrovertible, contravene

CORP -  body

corpse, corporeal, corpulence

COSMO, COSM-  world

cosmopolitan, cosmos, microcosm, macrocosm

CRAC, CRAT -  rule, power

democracy, bureaucracy, theocracy, autocrat, aristocrat, technocrat

CRED-  trust, believe

incredible, credulous, credence

CRESC, CRET -  grow

crescent, crescendo, accretion

CULP-  blame, fault

culprit, culpable, inculpate, exculpate

CURR, CURS-  run

current, concur, cursory, precursor, incursion

DE-  down, out, apart

depart, debase, debilitate, decry, deface, defamatory, defunct, delegate, demarcation, demean, demur, deplete, deplore, depravity, deprecate, deride, desist, detest, devoid

DEC-  ten, tenth

decade, decimal, decathlon, decimate

DEMO, DEM-  people

democrat, demographics, demagogue, epidemic, pandemic, endemic

DI, DIURN-  day

diary, diurnal, quotidian

DIA-  across

diagonal, diatribe

DIC, DICT -  speak

diction, interdict, predict, abdicate, indict, verdict

DIS, DIF, DI-  not, apart, away

disaffected, disband, disbar, disburse, discern, discordant, discredit, disheveled, disparage, disparate, dispassionate, dispirit, dissemble, disseminate, dissension, dissipate, dissonant, dissuade, distend, differentiate, diffidence, diffuse, digress, divert

DOC, DOCT -  teach

doctrine, docile

DOL-  pain

condolence, doleful, dolorous, indolent

DUC, DUCT-  lead

seduce, induce, conduct, viaduct, induct

EGO-  self

ego, egoist, egocentric

EN, EM-  in, into

enter, entice, encumber, endemic, ensconce, enthrall, entreat, embellish, embezzle, embroil,

empathy

ERR-  wander

erratic, aberration, errant

EU-  well, good

eulogy, euphemism, euphony, euphoria, eurythmics, euthanasia

EX, E-  out, out of

exit, exacerbate, excerpt, excommunicate, exculpate, exhume, exonerate, exorbitant, exorcise, expatriate, expedient, expiate, expunge, expurgate, extenuate, extort, extremity, extricate,

extrinsic, exult, evoke, evict, elicit, egress, egregIous

FAC, FIC, FECT, FY, FEA-  make, do

factory, facility, benefactor, malefactor, fiction, fictive, beneficent, affect, magnify, unify, rectify, vilify, feasible

FAL, FALS-  deceive

false, infallible, fallacious

FERV -  boil

fervent, fervid, effervescent

FLU, FLUX-  flow

fluent, flux, affiuent, confluence, effluvia, superfluous

FORE-  before

forecast, foreboding, forestall

FRAG, FRAC-  break

fragment, fracture, diffract, fractious, refract

FUS-  pour

profuse, infusion, effusive, diffuse

GEN-  birth, class, kin

generation, congenital, homogeneous, heterogeneous, ingenious, engender, progeny

GRAD, GRESS-  step

graduate, gradual, retrograde, centigrade, degrade, gradation, gradient, progress, digress, transgress

GRAPH, GRAM-  writing

biography, bibliography, epigraph, grammar, epigram

GRAT -  pleasing

grateful, gratitude, gratis, ingrate, congratulate, gratuitous, gratuity

GRAY; GRIEV-  heavy

grave, gravity, aggravate, grieve, aggrieve, grievous

GREG-  crowd, flock

segregate, gregarious, egregious, congregate, aggregate

HABIT, HIBIT -  have, hold

habit, inhibit, cohabit, habitat

HAP- by chance

happen, haphazard, hapless, mishap

HELlO, HELl-  sun

heliocentric, helium, heliotrope, aphelion, perihelion

HETERO-  other

heterosexual, heterogeneous, heterodox

HOL-  whole

holocaust, catholic, holistic

HOMO-  same

homosexual, homogenize, homogeneous, homonym

HOMO-  man

homo sapiens, homicide, bonhomie

HYDR-  water

hydrant, hydrate, dehydration

HYPER-  too much, excess

hyperactive, hyperbole, hyperventilate

HYPO-  too little, under

hypodermic, hypothermia, hypochondria, hypothesis, hypothetical

IN, IG, IL, IM, IR-  not

incorrigible, indefatigable, indelible, inept, inert, inexorable, insatiable, insentient,  insolvent, insomnia, interminable, intractable, incessant, inextricable, infallible, infamy, inoperable, insipid, intemperate, intrepid, inviolable, ignorant, ignominious, ignoble,  illicit, immaculate, immutable, impasse, impeccable, impertinent,  implacable, impotent, impregnable, impassioned, impervious, irregular, invade, incandescent, incarcerate, incense, indenture, induct, ingratiate, introvert, inception, incisive, infer

IN, IL, IM, IR-  in, on, into

infusion, innate, inquest, inscribe, insinuate, inter, illustrate, imbue, immerse, implicate, irrigate, irritate

INTER-  between, among

intercede, intercept, interject, interlocutor, interloper, intermediary, intermittent, interpolate, interpose, interrogate, intersect, intervene

INTRA, INTR-  within

intrastate, intravenous, intramural, intrinsic

IT, ITER-  between, among

transit, itinerant, reiterate, transitory

JECT, JET-  throw

eject, interject, abject, trajectory, jettison

JOUR-  day

journal, adjourn, sojourn

JUD-  judge

judge, judicious, prejudice, adjudicate

JUNCT, JUG-  join

junction, adjunct, injunction, conjugal, subjugate

JUR-  swear, law

jury, abjure, adjure, conjure, perjure, jurisprudence

LAT -  side

lateral, collateral, unilateral, bilateral, quadrilateral

LEG, LEC, LEX-  read, speak

legible, lecture, lexicon

LEV-  light

elevate, levitate, levity, alleviate

LIBER-  free

liberty, liberal, libertarian, libertine

LIG, LI, LY-  bind

ligament, oblige, religion, liable, liaison, lien, ally

LING, LANG-  tongue

lingo, language, linguistics, bilingual

LITER-  letter

literate, alliteration, literal

LITH-  stone

monolith, lithograph, megalith

LOQU, LOC, LOG-  speech, thought

eloquent, loquacious, colloquial, soliloquy, circumlocution, interlocutor, monologue,

dialogue, eulogy, philology, neologism

LUC, LUM-  light

lucid, illuminate, elucidate, translucent

LUD, LUS-  play

ludicrous, allude, delusion, allusion, illusory

MACRO-  great

macrocosm, macrobiotics

MAG, MAJ, MAS, MAX-  great

magnify, majesty, master, maximum, magnanimous, magnate, magnitude

MAL-  bad

malady, maladroit, malevolent, malodorous

MAN-  hand

manual, manuscript, emancipate, manifest

MAR-  sea

submarine, marine, maritime

MATER, MATR-  mother

maternal, matron, matrilineal

MEDI-  middle

intermediary, medieval, mediate

MEGA-  great

megaphone, megalomania, megalith

MEM, MEN-  remember

memory, memento, memorabilia, reminisce

METER, METR, MENS-  measure

meter, thermometer, perimeter, metronome, commensurate

MICRO-  small

microscope, microorganism, microcosm, microbe

MIS-  wrong, bad, hate

misunderstand, misanthrope, misapprehension, misconstrue, misnomer, mishap

MIT, MISS-  send

transmit, emit, missive

MOLL-  soft

mollify, emollient, mollusk

MON, MONIT-  warn

admonish, monitor, premonition

MONO-  one

monologue, monotonous, monogamy, monolith, monochrome

MOR, MORT -  dead

morbid, moribund, mortal, amortize

MORPH-  shape

amorphous, metamorphosis, morphology

MOY, MOT, MOB, MOM-  move

remove, motion, mobile, momentum, momentous

MUT -  change

mutate, mutability, immutable, commute

NAT, NASC-  born

native, nativity, natal, neonate, innate, cognate, nascent, renaissance

NEG-  not, deny

negative, abnegate, renege

NEO-  new

neoclassical, neophyte, neologism, neonate

NIHIL-  none, nothing

annihilation, nihilism

NOM, NYM-  name

nominate, nomenclature, nominal, cognomen, misnomer, ignominious, antonym, homonym,

pseudonym, synonym, anonymity

NOX, NIC, NEC, NOC-  harm

obnoxious, noxious, pernicious

NOY-  new

novelty, innovation

NUMER-  number

numeral, numerous, innumerable, enumerate

OB-  against

obstruct, obdurate, obfuscate, obnoxious, obsequious, obstinate, obtrusive

OMNI-  all

omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, omnivorous

ONER-  burden

onerous, onus, exonerate

OPER-  work

operate, cooperate, inoperable

PAC-  peace

pacify, pacifist, pacific

PALP-  feel

palpable, palpitation

PAN-  all

panorama, panacea, panegyric, pandemic

PATER, PATR-  father

paternal, paternity, patriot, compatriot, expatriate, patrimony, patricide, patrician

PATH, PASS-  feel, suffer

sympathy, antipathy, empathy, apathy, pathos, impassioned

PEC-  money

pecuniary, impecunious

PEL, PULS-  drive

compel, compelling, expel, propel, compulsion

PEN-  almost

peninsula, penultimate, penumbra

PEND, PENS-  hang

pendant, pendulous, compendium, suspense, propensity

PER-  through, by, for, throughout

percipient, perfunctory, permeable, perturbation, perusal, perennial

PER-  against, destruction

perfidious, pernicious, perjure

PERI-  around

perimeter, periphery, peripatetic

PET-  seek, go toward

petition, impetus, impetuous, petulant, centripetal

PHIL-  love

philosopher, philanderer, philanthropy, bibliophile, philology

PHOB-  fear

phobia, claustrophobia, xenophobia

PHON-  sound

phonograph, megaphone, euphony, phonetics, phonics

PLAC-  calm, please

placate, implacable, placid, complacent

PON, POS-  put, place

postpone, proponent, exponent, preposition, posit, interpose, juxtaposition, depose

PORT-  carry

portable, deportment, rapport

POT -  drink

potion, potable

POT-  power

potential, potent, impotent, potentate, omnipotence

PRE-  before

precede, precipitate, preclude, precocious, precursor, predilection, predisposition, preponderance,

prepossessing, prescient, prejudice, predict, premonition, preposition

PRIM, PRI-  first

prime, primary, primal, primeval, primordial, pristine

PRO-  ahead, forth

proceed, proclivity, procrastinator, profane, profuse, progenitor, progeny, prognosis, prologue,

propel, proponent, propose, proscribe, protestation, provoke

PROTO-  first

prototype, protagonist, protocol

PROX, PROP-  near

approximate, propinquity, proximity

PSEUDO-  false

pseudoscientific, pseudonym

PYR-  fire

pyre, pyrotechnics, pyromania

QUAD, QUAR, QUAT-four

quadrilateral, quadrant, quadruped, quarter, quarantine, quaternary

QUES, QUER, QUIS, QUIR-  question

quest, inquest, query, querulous, inquisitive

QUIE-  quiet

disquiet, acquiesce, quiescent, requiem

QUINT, QUIN-  five

quintuplets, quintessence

RADI, RAMI-  branch

radius, radiate, radiant, eradicate, ramification

RECT, REG-  straight, rule

rectangle, rectitude, rectify, regular

RETRO-  backward

retrospective, retroactive, retrograde

RID, RIS-  laugh

ridiculous, deride, derision

ROG-  ask

interrogate, derogatory, abrogate, arrogant

RUD-  rough, crude

rude, erudite, rudimentary

RUPT -  break

disrupt, interrupt, rupture

SACR, SANCT-  holy

sacred, sacrilege, consecrate, sanctify, sanction, sacrosanct

SCRIB, SCRIPT, SCRIV -  write

scribe, ascribe, circumscribe, inscribe, proscribe, script, manuscript, scrivener

SE-  apart, away

separate, segregate, secede, sedition

SEC, SECT, SEG--  cut

sector, dissect, bisect, intersect, segment, secant

SED, SID-  sit

sedate, sedentary, supersede, reside, residence, assiduous, insidious

SEM-  seed, sow

seminar, seminal, disseminate

SEN-  old

senior, senile, senescent

SENT, SENS-  feel, think

sentiment, nonsense, assent, sentient, consensus, sensual

SEQU, SECU-  follow

sequence, sequel, subsequent, obsequious, obsequy, non sequitur, consecutive

SIGN-  mark, sign

signal, designation, assignation

SIM, SEM-  similar, same

similar, semblance, dissemble, verisimilitude

SOL-  sun

solar, parasol, solarium, solstice

SOL-  alone

solo, solitude, soliloquy

SOMN-  sleep

insomnia, somnolent, somnambulist

SON-  sound

sonic, consonance, dissonance, assonance, resonate

SOPH-  wisdom

philosopher, sophistry, sophisticated, sophomoric

SPEC, SPIC-  see, look

spectator, circumspect, retrospective, perspective

SPER-  hope

prosper, prosperous, despair, desperate

SPERS, SPAR-  scatter

disperse, sparse, aspersion, disparate

SPIR-  breathe

respire, inspire, spiritual, aspire, transpire

STRICT, STRING-  bind

strict, stricture, constrict, stringent, astringent

STRUCT, STRU-  build

structure, construe, obstruct

SUB-  under

subconscious, subjugate, subliminal, subpoena, subsequent, subterranean, subvert

SUMM-  highest

summit, summary, consummate

SUPER, SUR-  above

supervise, supercilious, supersede, superannuated, superfluous, insurmountable, surfeit

SURGE, SURRECT -  rise

surge, resurgent, insurgent, insurrection

SYN, SYM-  together

synthesis, sympathy, synonym, synopsis, symposium, symbiosis

TACIT, TIC-  silent

tacit, taciturn, reticent

TACT, TAG, TANG-   touch

tact, tactile, contagious, tangent, tangential, tangible

TEN, TIN, TAIN-  hold, twist

detention, tenable, tenacious, pertinacious, retain

TEND, TENS, TENT-  stretch

intend, distend, tension, tensile, ostensible, contentious

TERM--  end

terminal, terminate, interminable

TERR--  earth, land

terrain, terrestrial, extraterrestrial, subterranean

TEST-  witness

testify, attest, testimonial, testament, detest, protestation

THE-  god

atheist, theology, theocracy

THERM-  heat

thermometer, thermal, thermonuclear, hypothermia

TIM-  fear, frightened

timid, intimidate, timorous

TOP-  place

topic, topography, utopia

TORP-  stiff, numb

torpedo, torpid, torpor

TORT-  twist

distort, extort, tortuous

TOX-  poison

toxic, toxin, intoxication

TRACT -  draw

tractor, intractable, protract

TRANS-  across, over, through, beyond

transport, transgress, transient, transitory, translucent, transmutation

TREM, TREP-  shake

tremble, tremor, tremulous, trepidation, intrepid

TURB-  shake

disturb, turbulent, perturbation

UMBR-  shadow

umbrella, umbrage, adumbrate, penumbra

UNI, UN-  one

unify, unilateral, unanimous

URB--  city

urban, suburban, urbane

VAC-empty

vacant, evacuate, vacuous

VAL, VAIL-  value, strength

valid, valor, ambivalent, convalescence, avail, prevail, countervail

VEN, VENT --  come

convene, contravene, intervene, venue, convention, circumvent, advent

VER-  true

verify, verity, verisimilitude, veracious, aver, verdict

VERB-  word

verbal, verbose, verbiage, verbatim

VERT, VERS-  turn

avert, convert, pervert, revert, incontrovertible, divert, subvert, versatile, aversion

VICT, VINC-  conquer

victory, conviction, evict, evince, invincible

VID, VIS-  see

evident, vision, visage, supervise

VIL-  base, mean

vile, vilify, revile

VIV; VIT -  life

vivid, vital, convivial, vivacious

VOC, VOK, VOW-  call, word

vocal, equivocate, vociferous, convoke, evoke, invoke, avow

VOL-  wish

voluntary, malevolent, benevolent, volition

VOLV; VOLUT -  turn, roll

revolve, evolve, convoluted

VOR-  eat

devour, carnivore, omnivorous, voracious

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