ROOTS-BASES/PREFIXES-MEANINGS-EXAMPLES

Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions

abyss - without bottom; achromatic - without color;
a/n not, without Greek
anhydrous - without water
a on Latin afire - on fire; ashore - on the shore; aside - on the side
abduct - carry away by force; abnormal - away from
a, ab/s from, away, off Latin normal, not normal; absent - away, not present; aversion -
the act of turning away from; abbreviate: to shorten.
accelerate - to increase the speed of; accessible - easily
a/c/d to, toward, near Latin entered, approached, or obtained; admittance - allowing
into;
acrobat - a "high walker"; acronym - a word formed from
top, height, tip,
acro Greek the first (capital) letters of a word; acrophobia - fear of
beginning
height
aerate - to let air reach something; aerial - relating to the
aer/o air Greek
air; aerospace - the air space
agriculture - management of the land, agribusiness -
Latin
agr/i/o farming making money by utilizing land; agrarian - relating to the
Greek
management of land
neuralgia - pain caused by a nerve; analgesic - a drug that
alg/o pain Latin
makes one pain free; nostalgia - aching for the familiar
ambidextrous - able to use both hands equally; ambiguous
both, on both
ambi, amphi Latin - having more than one meaning; ambivalence -
sides, around
conflicting or opposite feelings toward a person or thing
amble - to walk in a slow, relaxed way; ambulant -
ambul walk, move Latin walking or moving around; ambulance - a vehicle that
moves a patient
amiable - friendly, pleasant, lovable; amity - friendly and
ami/o love Latin
peaceful relations; amorous - showing romantic love
analysis - a close examination of something; anatomy -
up, back, against,
ana Greek the structure of something as visible when cut up for
again, throughout
analysis; anachronism - not being in the right place in time
androgynous - being both male and female; android -
andr/o man, male Greek
resembling a human; misandry - hatred towards men
animal - a living organism; animate - to make alive;
anim life, spirit Latin
equanimity - of balanced spirit
anniversary - a date observed once a year; annual -
ann/enn year Latin
happening once a year; millennium - 1,000 years
antecede - to come before something in time;
ante before, in front Latin antemeridian - before noon; anteroom- a small room
before the main room
chrysanthemum and amaranth - names of flowers;
anth/o flower Greek anthology - a collection of treasured writings; anthozoan -
half plant, half animal, like anemones and corals.
anthropology - the study of mankind; anthropomorphism -
anthrop/o human Greek giving human form to non-human things; philanthropy -
the love to mankind (expressed through good deeds)
antibody - a substance that destroys micro-organisms;
against, opposite
anti Greek antiseptic - preventing infection; antisocial - opposing
of
social norm
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
aphorism - a short expression of a general truth; apology -
away, off,
apo, apho Greek an explicit expression of regret, apostrophe - a small dash
separate
used in place of an omitted letter
aquarium - a water container for fish; aquatic- relating to
aqu/a water Latin
water; aqueduct - a pipeline for water
arborist - someone working with trees; arbor - a shady
arbor tree Latin
area formed by trees; arborous - having many trees
archbishop - the highest ranking bishop; archenemy -
chief, most
arch/i Greek chief or worst enemy; matriarch - a female who rules a
important, rule
group; monarch - a king or queen
archaeology - the study of ancient cultures; archaic -
arch/a/i primitive, ancient Greek belonging to an earlier period; archive - a collection of
historical materials
arthroscope - a tool to see inside a joint; arthritis -
Latin
arthr/o joint inflammation of a joint; arthropod - invertebrates with
Greek
jointed legs, like spiders, crustaceans, insects
artifact - object made by a person's skill; artisan - a person
art skill Latin
skilled in a craft; artist - a person who creates skillfully
astronaut - a person traveling to the stars; astronomer -
astro, star, stars, outer
Latin someone who studies the stars; asterisk - a star-shaped
aster space
sign used as a reference tool
audible - loud enough to be heard; audience - people who
aud/i/io hear Latin listen to a program; audiovisual - relating to sound and
vision
autocrat - a person who governs with absolute power;
auto self, same, one Greek autograph - a person's own signature; automatic - moving
by itself
aviary - a large enclosure for birds; aviatrix - a female
avi/a bird Latin airplane pilot; aviation - the art of designing or operating
aircraft
baric - pertaining to pressure, esp. of the atmosphere;
bar/o pressure, weight Greek milliard - metric unit, equal to 1/1000th of a bar; baryon -
heavy elementary particle
bellicose - warlike; belligerent - hostile, ready to fight;
bell/i war Latin
rebel - person who opposes and fights
benefactor - person who gives money to a cause;
bene good, well Latin beneficial - producing a good effect; benevolent - showing
kindness or goodwill
biannual - happening twice a year; binoculars - optical
two, twice, once
bi/n Latin device with two lenses; bilateral - of or involving two
in every two
sides
bibliography - a list of books used as sources; bibliomania
bibli/o book Greek - an extreme love of books; bibliophile - a person who
loves books
biography- a life story written by another person; biology
bio life, living matter Greek - the science of life; biosphere - Earth's surface inhabited
by living things
blastula - an early stage of embryonic development;
cell, primitive,
blast/o Greek fibroblast - a cell that forms connective tissue; blastoderm
immature cell
- the layer surrounding the inside of an egg
burs pouch, purse Latin bursar- an administrative officer in charge of funds;
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
bursary- the treasury of a college or monastery;
disburse- to expend especially from a public fund
calcite; calcium- the flame of acetylene gas generated by
calc stone Latin reaction of calcium carbide with
water; calcification- impregnation with calcareous matter
candid- free from bias, prejudice, or malice; candle-
glowing,
cand Latin something that gives light; incandescent- white, glowing,
iridescent
or luminous with intense heat
intercept - to stop or interrupt;
capt, cept, ceive take, hold Latin
perceive - to take notice of something; captivating - taking
hold of
cardiac - relating to the heart; cardiogenic - resulting from
cardi/o heart Greek
heart disease; cardiologist - a heart doctor
carnivorous - flesh-eating; carnal - pertaining to the body
carn/i flesh, meat Latin
or flesh; incarnate - given bodily form
down, against
cataclysm - a flood or other disaster, catalog - a complete
completely,
cata Greek listing; catastrophe - turning for the worst, a substantial
intensive,
disaster
according to
cauterize - to burn with a hot instrument; caustic - capable
caust, Latin
to burn of burning or eating away; holocaust - total devastation,
caut Greek
especially by fire
cede,
exceed - to go beyond the limits; recede - to go back;
ceed, go, yield Latin
accessible - easily entered, approached, or obtained;
cess
accelerate - to increase the speed of; decelerate - to reduce
celer fast Latin
the speed of
hundred, centennial- the 100th anniversary; centimeter - 1/100 of a
cent/i Latin
hundredth meter; century - 100 years
egocentric - self-centered; eccentric - not having a
centr/o/i center Greek common center, not according to norm; centrifugal -
moving outward from a center
encephalitis - inflammation of the brain; cephalic -
pertaining to the head; cephalopod - marine mollusks like
cephal/o head Greek
octopus and squid who have tentacles growing from their
head
cerebral - pertaining to the brain; cerebrate - to use the
cerebr/o brain Latin brain; cerebrospinal - pertaining to the brain and the spinal
cord
ascertain- to find out something with certainty; certain -
cert sure Latin being absolutely sure; certify - to state that something is
true
chrom/o chromat/o, achromatic - without color; chromium - a blue-white
color, pigment Greek
chros metallic chemical element, chromatics - the study of color
chronic - lasting for a long time; chronological - arranging
chron/o time Greek events in time order, synchronize - happening at the same
time
chrysanthemum and helichrysum - golden/yellow flowers;
chrys/o gold, yellow Greek
chrysolite - a yellowish gem
cide, cise cut, kill Latin homicide - murder; incisor - a sharp tooth for cutting food;
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
insecticide - a chemical used to kill insects
circum, circumnavigate - to sail around; circumscribe - to draw
around, about Latin
circle around; circumspect - looking around
clamor - to shout and make noise; exclaim - to cry out
claim, clam shout, speak out Latin loudly and suddenly; proclamation - something announced
officially in public
clarification - an explanation; clarify - to make something
clar clear Latin
clear; declare - to state something clearly
conclusion - the end or last part; exclusion - shutting out,
clud, clus close, shut Latin
rejecting; seclude - to keep away from; to isolate
inclination - a leaning toward; incline - a surface that
cline lean Latin
slopes or leans; recline - to lean back and relax
coauthor - writer who collaborates with another author;
with, together, coeducation - educating males and females together;
co Latin
joint cohousing - planning your neighborhood in an intentional
neighborly fashion
Collaborate - to work together; collision - smashing
col together, jointly Latin
together; colloquial - words formed by everday interaction
commemorate - to memorize together; composition - an
com together, common Latin arrangement or putting together of parts; commune -
living together while owning things in common
cognition - process of acquiring knowledge; incognito -
cogn/i know Latin disguised so no one knows you; recognize - to discover
that one knows
concur - to agree with someone; contemporary - of the
con with, jointly Latin same time period as others; convention - a gathering of
people with a common interest
contradict to argue against, Contraflow, contraception,
contra/o against, opposite Latin
contrary not in agreement, controversy disagreement
corporation - a company recognized by law as a single
corp/o body Latin body; corpse - a dead body; corporal - pertaining to the
body
cosmonaut - a Russian astronaut; cosmos - the universe;
cosm/o universe Greek
microcosm - a miniature universe
opposite, counteract - to oppose the effects of an action;
counter contrary, countermand - to cancel a previous order;
opposing counteroffensive - attack against an attack
craniology - the study of skull characteristics; cranium -
cranio skull Greek
skull of vertebrates; cranial - pertaining to the skull
credence - belief that something is true or valid; credulous
cred believe Latin - believing things too easily, gullible; incredible -
unbelievable
crucial-characteristic of or having the form of a cross ;
cruc cross Latin crucifix- the cross itself as a Christian emblem;
excruciating- so intense as to cause great pain or anguish
cryptic - of hidden meaning; cryptography - science of
crypto hidden, secret Greek
secret codes; encrypt - encode into secret code
accumulate - to gather or pile up; cumulative - gradually
cumul mass, heap Latin
building up
curr, curs run Latin concurrent- running parallel; current- flowing easily and
smoothly; cursive- having a flowing, easy, impromptu
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
character
bicycle - a vehicle with two wheels; cycle - a sequence
cycl circle, ring Greek
that is repeated; cyclone - a storm with circling winds
reduce, away, decelerate - to slow down, reduce speed; dethrone - to
de Latin
down, remove remove from power; debug - to remove bugs
decade - 10 years; decathlon - athletic contest that
dec/a, includes 10 disciplines in which each participant
ten Greek
deka competes; December - formerly the 10th month of the
Roman calendar
deciliter - a tenth of a liter; decimate - reduce
deci one tenth Latin dramatically; decibel - one tenth of the sound volume unit
bel
democracy - government of the people; demographic - the
dem/o people Greek study of people; epidemic - spreading among people in a
region
demitasse - a small cup of coffee; demimonde - someone
demi half, less than Latin
of little respected life style
philodendron - a climbing plant that grows on trees;
dendr/o/i tree Greek dendrochronology - dating events by studying growth
rings in trees; dendriform - in the shape of a tree
dental - relating to teeth; dentist - a doctor for the teeth;
dent, dont tooth Latin
dentures - a set of false teeth
dermatologist - a doctor for the skin; pachyderm - a class
derm/a skin Greek of animals with very thick skin (elephant, rhinoceros);
dermatitis - inflammation of the skin
dichromatic - displaying two colors; diploma - a
di/plo two, twice Greek certificate, literally "a letter folded double"; dilemma - a
situation that requires a choice between two alternatives.
apart, away, digression - a departure from the main issue, subject;
di/s not, to the Latin disappear - to move out of sight; dissect - to cut apart
opposite piece by piece.
diabetes - disease characterized by excessive thirst and
through, between,
discharge of urine; diagnosis - understanding a condition
dia Greek
by going through a detailed review of symptoms; dialog -
apart, across
conversation between two people.
contradict - to express the opposite of; prediction - a
dict speak Latin statement foretelling the future; dictate - to speak out loud
for another person to write down.
dominate - to be the master of; domineering - excessively
domin master Latin
controlling; predominate - to have more power than others
donation - a contribution or gift; donor - someone who
don/at give Latin gives something; pardon - to give forgiveness for an
offense
conduct - to lead musicians in playing music; educate - to
duc/t lead Latin lead to knowledge; deduction - a subtraction of an
amount.
duplicate - make an identical copy; duet - a musical
du/o two, twice Latin composition for two voices or instruments; duo - a pair
normally thought of as being together.
harden, to last, durable - having the quality of lasting; duration - the
dur Latin
lasting length of time something lasts; enduring - able to last.
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
power, energy, dynamo - a generator of energy; dynamic - having
dyn/a/am Greek
strength physical energy/power; dynamite - a powerful explosive.
dyspepsia - abnormal digestion; dystopia - an imaginary
dys abnormal, bad Greek place of total misery; dyslexia - impairment of the ability
to handle words.
eloquent - speaking beautifully and forcefully; emissary -
e- out, away Latin a representative of a country or group sent on a mission;
eject - throw out forcefully.
Latin egoistic - self-centered; alter ego - a higher aspect of
ego self
Greek oneself; egomania - excessive preoccupation with oneself.
into, cover with, empathy - intention to feel like another person; empower -
em, en
cause put into power; engorge - make larger.
endotherm - a creature that can keep its inside temperature
fairly constant; endocrine - relating to glands that secrete
endo within, inside Greek
directly into the blood or lymph; endogamy - the custom
to marry within one's clan, tribe etc.
bicentennial - of or relating to an age or period of 200
enn/i, anni years Latin years; centennial - of or relating to an age or period of 100
years; perennial -lasting through many years.
envision - to picture in the mind; enclose - lock inside;
en, in inside, inwards Latin
inwards - towards the inside.
on, upon, over, epidemic - the rapid spread of something negative;
ep/i among, at, after, Greek epilogue - a short speech delivered after a play; epicenter -
to, outside the center of an earthquake.
equidistant - an equal distance from two points;
equ/i equal, equally Latin equanimity - calm temperament, evenness of temper;
equation - a statement of equality.
ergonomics - study of the working environment; energy -
erg/o work Greek the power to accomplish work; energetics - science that
looks at energy and its transformation.
esthetician - someone who beautifies; aesthetic -
feeling, sensation,
esth/aesth Latin pertaining to a sense of beauty; kinesthesia - the sensation
beauty
of bodily movement.
ethnic - pertaining to a defined group of people;
ethno race, people Greek ethnocentric - focusing on the ethnicity of people;
ethnology - the science of people and races.
euphemism - replacing an offensive word with an
eu good, well Greek inoffensive one; euphonious - having a pleasant sound;
euphoria - feeling of well-being.
excavate - to dig out; exhale - to breathe out; extract - to
ex from, out, Latin
pull out.
extraordinary - beyond ordinary; extraterrestrial - outside
extra, extro outside, beyond Latin
the Earth; extrovert - an outgoing person.
artifact - an object made by a person; factory - a place
fac/t make, do Latin where things are made; malefact - a person who does
wrong.
confer - to bring an honor to someone; ferry - a boat that
fer bear, bring, carry Latin
carries passengers; transfer - to move to another place.
confide - place trust in someone, fidelity - faithfulness;
fid faith Latin
fiduciary - a trustee;
flect bend Latin deflect - to bend course because of hitting something;
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
inflection - a bending in the voice's tone or pitch; flexible
- easily bending.
flor/a, florist - someone working with flowers; floral -
flower Latin
fleur flowerlike; flora - the plant life of a particular time or area
completely (used
to intensify forsaken or forfeited - completely lost; forgiven -
for
the meaning of a completely given (a release of debt).
word)
in front of, forebear - ancestor; forebode - to give an advance warning
fore
previous, earlier of something bad; forecast - a preview of events to be.
conformity- correspondence in form, manner, or
form shape Latin character; formation- something that is
formed; reformatory- intended for reformation
fracture - a break; fragile - easy to break; fragment or
fract, frag break Latin
fraction - a part or element of a larger whole;
fugitive - a person who is running away; refuge - a
flee, run away,
fug Latin sheltered place to flee to; refugee - a person seeking
escape
protection
defunct - no longer working or alive; function - to work or
funct perform, work Latin perform a role normally; malfunction - to fail to work
correctly.
confusion - being flooded with too much information that
fus pour Latin is hard to make sense of; fuse - to melt by heating; infuse -
to put into.
gastric - pertaining to the stomach; gastronomy - serving
gastr/o stomach Greek the stomach by providing good food; gastritis -
inflammation of the stomach.
genealogy - the study of the history of a family;
gen/o/e/ birth, production,
Greek generation - all the people born at approximately the same
genesis formation, kind
time; genetic -relating to heredity encoded in the genes.
geography - study of the earth's surface; geology - study
geo earth, soil, global Greek of the structure of the earth; geoponics - soil based
agriculture.
geriatrics - medicine pertaining to the elderly;
ger old age Greek gerontocracy - the rule of the elders; gerontology - the
science of aging.
gigabyte - unit of computer storage space; gigahertz - unit
giga a billion Greek of frequency (one billion Hz/sec); gigawatt unit of electric
power (one billion watts).
decagon - a polygon with 10 angles; diagonal - a slanting
Latin
gon angle line running across a space; octagon - a geometrical figure
Greek
with 8 angles.
diagram - a simple drawing; grammar - rules of how to
gram letter, written Greek write words in sentences; telegram - a message sent by
telegraph.
granary- a storehouse or repository for grain especially
after it is threshed or husked; granola- a mixture of rolled
gran grain Latin
oats and other ingredients; granule- a little grain (as of
sugar)
graph/y writing, Greek Graphology - the study of handwritings; autograph -
recording, written written with one's own hand; seismograph - a machine
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
noting strength and duration of earthquakes.
gratify - to please someone; grateful - feeling thankful;
grat pleasing Latin
gratuity - a tip, token of appreciation.
gynecology - the science of female reproductive health;
gyn/o/e woman, female Greek gynephobia - fear of women; gynecoid - resembling a
woman.
digression - a departure from the main issue, subject, etc.;
gress, grad/e/i to step, to go Latin progress - movement forward or onward; gradual - step by
step.
hectoliter - 100 liters; hectare - metric unit equaling 100
hect/o, hecat hundred Greek
ares or 10,000 square meters; hectometer - 100 meters.
helicopter - an aircraft with horizontal rotating wing; helix
helic/o spiral, circular Greek
- a spiral form; helicon - a circular tuba.
heliotropism - movement or growth in relating to the sun;
heliograph - apparatus used to send message with the help
heli/o sun Greek
of sunlight; helianthus - genus of plants including
sunflowers.
hemicycle - a semicircular structure; hemisphere - one
hemi half, partial Greek
half of the earth; hemistich - half a line of poetry.
hemorrhage - clotting of the blood; hemorrhoids -
Latin
hem/o/a blood swelling of the blood vessels; hemoglobin - red blood
Greek
particle.
hepatitis - inflammation of the liver; hepatoma - a tumor
hepa liver Latin
of the liver; hepatotoxic - toxic and damaging to the liver.
heptagon - a shape with seven angles and seven sides;
Heptateuch - the first seven books of the Old Testament;
hept/a seven Greek
heptameter - a line of verse consisting of seven metrical
feet.
herbicide - any chemical used to kill unwanted plants,
herbi grass, plant Latin
etc.; herbivorous - plant-eating; herbal - relating to plants.
heterogeneous - made up of unrelated parts; heteronyms -
hetero different, other Greek words with same spelling but different meanings;
heterodox - not conforming to traditional beliefs.
hexagon - a shape with six angles/sides; hexameter - a
hex/a six Greek
verse measured in six; hexapod - having six legs.
histology - study of the microscopic structure of tissues;
histo tissue Greek histochemistry - study of the chemical constitution of cells
and tissues.
homogeneous - of the same nature or kind; homonym -
homo, Latin
like, alike, same sounding alike; homeopath - a therapy that is based on
homeo Greek
treating "same with same"
hydrate - to add water to; hydrophobia - intense fear of
hydr/o liquid, water Greek water; hydroponics - growing plants in liquid nutrient
solution; hydraulic - operated by force created by a liquid.
hygrometer - tool used to measure humidity; hygrograph -
moisture,
hygr/o Greek instrument for recording variations in atmospheric
humidity
humidity.
too much, over, Latin hyperactive - very restless; hypercritical - too critical;
hyper
excessive, beyond Greek hypertension - above normal pressure.
hyp/o under Greek hypoglycemia - an abnormally low level of sugar in the
blood; hypothermia - abnormally low body temperature;
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
hypothesis - a theory that is unproven but used under the
assumption that it is true.
geriatrics - medical care of the elderly; pediatrician - a
iatr/o medical care Greek doctor who treats children; podiatry - medical care for
feet.
icon - an (often religious) image, in modern usage a
Latin simplified graphic of high symbolic content; iconology -
icon/o image
Greek science of symbols and icons; iconoclast - someone who
destroys religious images and traditional beliefs.
idiomatic - Peculiar to a particular language; idiosyncracy
peculiar,
idio Greek - a physical or mental characteristic typical or a particular
personal, distinct
person; idiot - someone who is distinctly foolish or stupid.
illuminate - to give light to; innovation - a new idea,
il, in in, into Latin method, or device; inspection - the act of examining or
reviewing.
ig, il, im, illegal - not legal; impossible - not possible; inappropriate
not, without Latin
in, ir - not appropriate; irresponsible - not responsible.
image - a likeness of someone; imaginative - able to think
imag likeness Latin up new ideas or images; imagine - to form a picture or
likeness in the mind.
infrastructure - underlying framework of a system;
infra beneath, below Latin
infrared - below the regular light spectrum.
international - involving two or more countries;
between, among,
inter Latin intersection - place where roads come together; intercept -
jointly
to stop or interrupt the course of.
intrastate - existing in one state; intravenous - inside or
intra,
within, inside Latin into a vein; introvert - shy person who keeps within
intro
him/herself.
irredeemable - not redeemable; irreformable - not
ir not Latin
reformable; irrational - not rational.
isobar - a line on a map connecting points of equal
barometric pressure; isometric - having equality of
iso equal
measure; isothermal - having equal or constant
temperature.
eject - to throw someone/something out; interject - to
ject throw Latin throw a remark into a discussion; project - to cast or throw
something.
judgment - a decision of a court of law; judicial - having
jud law Latin to do with judges or courts of law; judiciary - a system of
courts of law.
conjunction - a word that joins parts of sentences;
junct join Latin disjunction - a disconnection; junction - a place where two
things join.
juvenile - youthful or childish; rejuvenate - to bring back
juven young Latin
to youthful strength or appearance.
kilobyte - 1,000 bytes; kilometer - 1,000 meter; kilograms
kilo thousand Greek
- 1,000 grams.
kinetics - study of the force of motion; psychokinesis or
kine/t
motion, division Greek telekinesis - the ability to move objects with your mind;
/mat
cinematography - motion picture making.
lab work Latin collaborate - to work with a person; elaborate - to work
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
out the details; laborious - requiring a lot of hard work.
lactate - to give milk, nurse; lactose - the sugar contained
lact/o milk Latin
in milk; lactic acid.
bilateral - of or involving two sides; unilateral - affecting
later side Latin
one side of something.
leukemia - abnormal increase of white blood cells in the
leuk/o,
white, colorless Greek blood; leukocyte - a mature white blood cell; leucine - a
leuc/o
white, crystalline amino acid.
lexicology - the study and history of words; alexia -loss of
word, law,
lex Greek the ability to read; illegal - not authorized by the official
reading
rules or laws.
liberate - to set free; libertine - a person with a free, wild
liber free Latin
lifestyle; liberty - freedom.
linguist - one who studies languages; multilingual - able to
lingu language, tongue Latin communicate in multiple languages; linguine - long, flat
"tongue-shaped" pasta.
liposuction - the mechanical removal of fat reserves in the
lip/o fat Greek tissue; lipase - enzyme that breaks down fat; lipoid -
resembling fat.
lite, ite, mineral, rock, apatite - a group of common minerals; granite - a hard,
Greek
lith/o fossil granular rock; monolith - a remarkable, unique stone.
dislocate - to put something out of its usual place; location
loc place Latin
- a place; relocate - to move to a new place.
logic - correct reasoning; monologue - a long speech by
word, doctrine,
log/o Greek one speaker;analogy - similarity, especially between
discourse
things otherwise dissimilar.
eloquent - speaking beautifully and forcefully ; loquacious
loqu, locu speak Latin
- very talkative; elocution - art of public speaking.
elucidate - to explain, to throw light on; lucid - easily
luc light Latin understood, giving off light; translucent - allowing light
through.
prelude - introduction to the major performance; illusion -
lud, lus to play Latin misleading optical image or impression; delude - to
mislead, deceive.
lumin light Latin illuminate - to fill with light; lumen - unit measuring light.
lunar - relating to the moon; lunarscape - the surface of
lun/a/i moon Latin
the moon; lunatic - insane (as if driven mad by the moon).
macroevolution - large scale evolution; macromolecule - a
macro large, great Greek large molecule; macroeconomics - study of the overall
forces of economy.
magnify - make larger; magnificent - grand; magnate - a
magn/a/i great, large Latin
powerful person, especially in business or industry.
malcontent - wrong content; malaria - "bad air", infectious
disease thought to originate from the "bad air" of the
mal/e bad, ill, wrong Latin
swamps, but caused by the bite of an infected mosquito;
malicious - showing strong ill will.
maneuver - to move by hand; manual - done with the
man/i/u hand Latin
hands; manuscript - a book written by hand.
command - an order or instruction; demand - a hard-to-
mand to order Latin
ignore order; mandate - an official order.
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
madness,
bibliomania - a crazy love of books; egomania - a mad
mania insanity, Greek
love of oneself; maniac an insane person.
excessive desire
marina - a harbor for pleasure boats; maritime - relating to
mar/i sea Latin the sea; submarine - an undersea boat; aquamarine - color
of sea water.
mater, maternal - relating to motherhood; maternity - the state of
mother Latin
matr/i being a mother; matriarch - a woman head of a household.
maximal - the best or greatest possible; maximize - to
max greatest Latin make as great as possible; maximum - the greatest
amount.
medieval - pertaining to the Middle Ages; medium - in the
medi middle Latin
middle; mediocre - only of medium (inferior) quality.
megalopolis - an area with many nearby cities;
great, large,
mega Greek megaphone - a device that projects a loud voice;
million
megastructure - huge building or other structure.
melancholy - a state of dark emotions; melanoma -
melan/o black Greek malignant dark tumor of the skin; melodrama - a dark,
pathetic drama.
commemorate - to honor the memory of, as by a
ceremony; memorial - related to remembering a person or
memor/i remember Latin
event; memory: an ability to retain knowledge or an
individual's stock of retained knowledge.
merge, immerge or immerse - to put or dip something into a
dip, dive Latin
mers liquid; submerge to dip something completely into wate.r
Latin Mesoamerica - Middle America; meson - elementary
meso middle
Greek particle with a mass between an electron and a proton.
metaphysics - study of nature and reality; metamorphosis -
change, after,
meta Greek a complete change of form; metastasis - the transmission
beyond, between
of disease to other parts of the body.
audiometer- an instrument that measures hearing
meter,
measure Greek acuteness; chronometer- an instrument that measures time;
metr/y
metric - measured.
microbe - a very small living thing; microchip - a tiny
very small, short,
micro Greek wafer with an integrated circuit; microscope - a device to
minute
see very small things.
midriff - the area between the chest and the waist;
Latin
mid middle midterm - middle of a term in school; midway - halfway
Greek
between.
immigrant - a person who moves to a new country to
migr move Latin settle; migrant - person who moves from place to place;
migration - the process of moving.
millimeter - one thousandth of a meter; millibar - one
milli onethousandth Latin
thousandth of a bar; milliliter - one thousandth of a liter.
mini - something that is very small; minuscule - extremely
min/i small, less Latin
tiny; minutiae - very small or trivial details.
bad, badly,
misbehave - to behave badly; misprint - an error in
mis/o wrong, wrongly, Greek
printing; misnomer - an error in naming a person or thing.
to hate
miss, mit send, let go Latin dismiss - to send someone away; missile - a weapon sent
into the air; emit - to send something out; admittance -
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
entry.
immobilize - to stop from moving; mobile - able to move
mob move Latin
freely; mobility - the quality of being able to move.
monochromat - having one color; monologue - a speech
mon/o one, single, alone Greek
spoken by one person; monotheism - belief in one god.
motion - the act of moving; motivate - to move someone
mot, mov move Latin to action; promote to move someone forward; removable -
able to be taken or carried away.
metamorphosis - complete change of form; endorphins -
morph/o form Greek chemical in the brain able to transform pain; amorphous -
without distinct shape or form.
immortal - living forever, unable to die; mortal - certain to
mort death Latin
die; mortician - an undertaker.
many, more than multicolored - having many colors; multimedia - using a
multi Latin
one or two range of media; multitasking - doing many things at once.
immutable - not changing; mutant - an organism that has
mut change Latin
undergone change; mutate - to undergo a change.
myocardium - the middle muscle of the heart; myasthenia
my/o muscle Latin - muscle fatigue or weakness; myosin - common protein
in muscle tissue.
narrate - to tell a story; narrative - a story; narrator - a
narr tell Latin
person who tells a story.
innate - included since birth; natal - relating to birth;
nat born Latin
natural - gotten at birth, not afterward.
circumnavigate - to sail around a place; naval - relating to
nav ship Latin a navy or warships; navigate - to sail a ship through a
place.
necrophil - loving death; necrosis - the death of tissue due
necr/o dead, death Greek to disease or injury; necrology - a list of persons who have
recently died.
negate - to say it didn't happen; negative - meaning "no";
neg no Latin
renege - to go back on a promise.
neoclassic - a revival of classic form, neocolonialism - the
indirect ("new") economical and political control of a
neo new, recent
region by a more powerful foreign power; neonatal - a
newborn child, especially the first few weeks.
nephritis - inflammation of the kidneys; nephrotomy -
nephr/o kidney Greek surgical incision of a kidney; nephron - a single, excretory
unit in the kidney.
neuralgia - pain along a nerve; neurologist - doctor
neur/o nerve Greek specializing in the nerves; neurotic - mental disorder that
usually does not include an impaired perception of reality.
misnomer - an error in naming a person or thing; nominal
- being something in name only but not in reality;
nom/in name Latin
nominate - to name for election or appointment, to
designate.
nondescript - with no special characteristics; nonfiction -
non no, not, without Latin
true, real, not made-up; nonsense - without sense.
notable - marked as worthy of attention; notarize - to
not mark Latin certify a signature on a legal document; annotate - to add
remarks.
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
announce - to declare in public; denounce - to proclaim
noun,
declare Latin harsh criticism; enunciate - to speak or declare something
nunc
clearly.
innovate - to introduce a new way; novelty - something
nov new Latin new; novice - a person who is new at a job; renovate - to
make something like new again.
enumerate - to name a number of items on a list;
numer number Latin numerology - the study of magical uses of numbers;
numerous - a large number.
object - to be against something; obscure - hard to
in the way,
ob, op Latin understand; opposition - the act of resistance or action
against
against.
octagon - a figure with 8 sides and 8 angles; octogenarian
oct/a/o eight Greek - person in his or her 80s; octopus - sea animal with 8
arms.
binoculars - lens device for seeing distances; monocula -
ocu eye Latin
relating to one eye; oculist - an eye doctor.
diode- an electron tube having two electrodes, a cathode
and an anode; odometer- an instrument attached to a
od path, way Greek
vehicle to measure the distance traversed; triode- an
electron tube with an anode, a cathode, and a control grid
omnipotent - with all the power; omniscient - knowing all
omni all Latin
things; omnivorous eating all foods.
eye, visual optic - relating to the eyes; optician - a person who fits
op/t/s Greek
condition, sight eyeglasses; autopsy - the examination of a dead body.
optimal - the best, the most desirable; optimize - to make
opt best Latin
the best of; optimum - the best something could be.
orthodontist - a dentist that straightens teeth; orthopedic -
ortho straight Greek a doctor concerned with the proper alignment of the
bones; orthography - the correct way of writing.
osteoarthritis - inflammation caused by degeneration of
the joints; osteopathy - therapy that uses among others
osteo bone Greek
manipulation of the skeleton to restore health; osteology -
the study of bones.
goes beyond,
Outgoing - being of lively, sharing nature; outdoing -
out surpasses,
doing better than; outdoor - outside.
exceeds
overconfident - more confident than is appropriate;
over excessive Latin overstock - more supplies than is desirable; overexcited
- ,more excited than one should be.
oxymoron - combining two ideas that sharply contradict
oxi/oxy sharp Greek
each other; oxidize - corrode a surface.
paleontology - study of ancient fossils; paleography - the
pale/o ancient Greek study of ancient forms of writing; Paleolithic - period of
the Stone Age.
panacea - a cure for all diseases or problems; panorama -
pan all, any, everyone Greek an all-around view; pantheism - the worship of all gods;
pandemic - affecting all.
para beside, beyond, Greek parasite - an organism that lives on and off another living
abnormal, being; parallel - alongside and always an equal distance
assistant apart; paragraph - a portion of a writtenn document that
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
presents a distinct idea.
parachute - protection from falling; parasol - an umbrella
para protection from
used to protect from the sun;
pater, Latin paternal - relating to fathers; paternity - fatherhood;
father
patr/i Greek patriarch - a man who rules a group.
antipathy - a feeling of great dislike; apathy - a lack of
path feeling, emotion feeling or interest; empathy - ability to understand
another's feelings.
pedal - a lever pushed by the foot; pedestrian - one who
ped/i/e foot, feet Latin
walks; pedicure - cosmetic treatment of feet and toes.
compel - to force someone to act; expel - to drive
pel drive, force Latin
someone out of a place; repel - to force back.
pentagon - shape having 5 angles and 5 sides, pentagram -
a five-pointed star formerly used as a symbolic figure in
pent/a five Greek
magic; pentathlon - an athletic contest that includes five
events.
pept, dyspepsia - abnormal digestion; peptic - aiding digestion;
digestion Greek
peps pepsin - a digestive enzyme.
permanent - lasting throughout all time; permeate - to
through,
per Latin spread throughout; persist - to continue for a long time;
throughout
perennial - lasting through many years.
periodontal - pertaining to bone and tissue around a tooth;
peri around, enclosing Greek peripheral - lying outside of the center; perimeter - the
outer boundary of an area.
esophagus - muscular tube that carries food to the
phag/e to eat Greek stomach; anthropophagy or sarcophagy - cannibalism;
xylophagous - feeding on wood.
philanthropist - one who loves humanity; philology - the
phil/o love, friend Greek love of words; philosophy - the love of wisdom; bibliophil
- loving books.
cacophony - loud, unpleasant sounds; microphone - a
phon/o
sound Greek device that records and amplifies sound; phonetic -
/e/y
relating to human speech sounds.
photogenic - caused by light; photograph - image made on
phot/o light Greek light-sensitive film; photon - the smallest possible unit of
light.
chlorophyll - a group of green pigments found in leaves;
phyll/o leaf Greek phyllotaxis - the arrangement of leaves on a stem; phyllite
- a rock that forms sheets, similar to slate.
nature, medicine, physical - relating to the body; physician - a doctor;
phys Greek
the body physique - nature and shape of one's body.
epiphyte - a plant growing independently on the surface of
another; hydrophyte - a plant that grows only in water;
phyt/o/e plant, to grow Greek
neophyte - a beginner, especially a person recently
converted to a new belief.
protoplasm - something that is the first made or formed,
to form, also the living portion of a cell; plastic - able to be
plas/t/m development, Greek formed, especially when warm; plaster - a mixture of
forming cells lime, sand and water that forms a smooth solid covering
for walls.
plaud, plod, plaus, approve, clap Latin applaud- to show approval of especially by clapping the
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
hands; explosion- an act of exposing something as invalid
plos
or baseless; plausible- worthy of being applauded
breathing, lung, pneumonia - inflammation of the lungs; pneumatic - using
pneum/o Greek
air, spirit the force of air; dyspnea - difficulty breathing.
podiatrist - a doctor for the feet; podium - a small platform
pod/e foot Greek
to stand on; tripod - a stand or frame with 3 legs.
metropolis - a large city; police - people who work for the
poli city Greek government to maintain order in a city; politics - actions
of a government or political party.
polychrome - with many colors; polyglot - a person fluent
many, more than
poly Greek in many languages; polygon - shape with 3 or more
one
straight sides.
opponent - a person who places him/herself against an
pon place, put Latin
action, idea, etc.; postpone - to put off doing something.
popular - appealing to a lot of people; population - all of
pop people Latin the people who live in a particular area; populist - a
supporter of the rights of people.
export - to carry goods out of a place to another; portable -
port carry Latin
able to be carried; porter - a person who carries luggage.
deposit - to place or drop something; expose to place out
pos place, put Latin into the open for all to see; position - the place where
someone is.
posthumous - after someone's death; postpone - to delay
post after, behind Latin something; postscript - an addition to an already
completed document.
preamble - a part in front of a formal document; prepare -
earlier, before, in
pre Latin to get ready in advance; prediction - a statement
front of
foretelling the future.
before, in front prognosis - a prediction of what will happen; prologue - a
Greek
pro of, passage before the main part; prophet - a person who
Latin
for, forward foretells the future.
prototype - the first of a kind; proton - on of the very basic
primitive, first,
prot/o Greek parts of an atom; protocol - a first draft from which a
chief
document is prepared.
pseudonym - a fictitious name; pseudoscience - theories
pseud/o wrong,false Greek presumed without proof of a scientific nature;
pseudopregnancy - a false pregnancy.
psyche - the human spirit or soul; psychic - relating to the
psych/o mind, mental Greek human mind or someone who has supernatural mental
abilities; psychology - the study of the mind.
pugnacious - having a quarrelsome or aggressive nature;
pugn/a,
to fight Latin repugnant - distasteful, offensive or revolting; pungent -
pung
piercing.
compulsion - a very strong urge; expulsion - to someone
pul urge out; impulsive - having a spontaneous urge to do
something.
purge - remove anything undesirable; purgatory -
according to Roman Catholics a place where souls must
purg clean Latin
clean themselves of sin; expurgate - remove objectionable
passages from a publication.
put think Latin computer - an electronic thinking device; dispute - to
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
disagree with what another person thinks; input -
contribution of one's thinking.
pyrotechnics - the art of making fireworks; pyrometer - a
pyr/o fire, heat Greek thermometer for measuring high temperature; pyretic -
relating to or producing fever.
quadrant - open space with buildings on 4 sides;
quad/r/ri four Latin quadrennium - period of 4 years; quadruped - a 4-footed
animal.
quarter - one fourth; quart - a fourth of a gallon; quartet - a
quart fourth Latin musical composition or group involving 4 voices or
instruments.
quintett - a composition for 5 voices or instruments;
quintessence - pure essence, based on the ancient
quin/t five, fifth Latin
philosophy that there was a fifth element that was present
in all things; quintuple - fivefold.
eradicate - pull out at the roots; radical - fundamental,
radic,
root Latin looking at things from a drastic point of view; radish - an
radix
edible root of the mustard family.
radioactive - emitting radiation; radiologist - someone
radio radiation, ray
diagnosing or treating via radiation.
ramification - the resulting consequence of a decision;
ram/i branch Latin
ramify - to spread or branch out; ramus - a branchlike part.
rebound -to spring back again; rewind - to wind
again, back,
re Latin something backward; reaction: a response; recognize: to
backward
identify someone or something seen before.
regent - a person who rules on behalf of a king or queen;
reg guide, rule Latin regime - a government that rules; regulate - to apply a
rule.
retroactive - relating to something in the past; retrogress -
retro backward, back Latin to go back to an earlier condition; retrospect - the
remembering of past events.
rhinoceros - a species of animals with a big horn on the
rhin/o nose Greek snout; rhinoplasty - surgery of the nose; rhinovirus -
viruses that are causing the common cold.
rhododendron - a flower with red/pink flowers; rhodium -
rhod/o red Greek an element which produces a red solution; rhodopsin - a
purple pigment in the retina that is needed for vision.
deride - to make fun of someone; ridicule - to make fun or
rid laugh Latin
mock; ridiculous - silly, causing laughter.
diarrhea - abnormally excessive bowl movement;
rrh/ea Latin
flow, discharge hemorrhage - heavy blood flow; catarrh - inflammation of
/oea/ag Greek
a mucous membrane, especially the nose and throat.
ruby - deep red color and a precious stone of the same
rub red Latin color; rubella - measles; bilirubin - reddish pigment in
bile.
bankrupt - unable to pay because you're "broke"; interrupt
rupt break, burst Latin - to break into a conversation or event, to disturb; rupture -
a break in something.
sane - mentally healthy; sanitary - relating to cleanliness
san health Latin and health; sanitation - maintenance of public health and
cleanliness.
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
ascend - to climb upward; crescendo - a climbing up of
scend climb, go Latin
the volume of music; descend - to go or climb down.
conscience - sense of knowing right from wrong;
sci know Latin conscious - knowing what is happening; omniscient -
knowing everything.
arteriosclerosis - hardening of the arterial walls; multiple
sclerosis - disease which causes the tissue of the brain and
scler/o hard Greek
spinal cord to harden; sclerometer - instrument for
measuring hardness.
microscope - a device used to see tiny things; periscope -
see, examine,
scop/e/y Greek a seeing instrument on a submarine; telescope - a device
observe
used to see over a distance.
inscribe - to write letters or words on a surface; scribe - a
scrib,
write, written Latin person who writes out documents; describe - to represent
script
with words or pictures.
secede - to formally break away from; seclude - to keep
se apart Latin
away from; serum - a liquid isolated out of another.
dissect - to cut apart piece by piece; intersection - the
sect cut Latin place or point where two things cross each other; bisect -
to cut into two equal parts.
reside- be stationed; sediment- the matter that settles to
sed, sid, sess sit Latin the bottom of a liquid; session- an actual or constructive
sitting of a body
self-discipline - the ability to discipline yourself; self-
of, for, or by
self respect - respect for yourself; selfish concerned only with
itself
your own interests.
semiannual - every half year; semicircle - half a circle;
semi half, partial Latin
semiconscious - partly conscious
September - this used to be the seventh month in the
sept/i seven Latin Roman calendar; septet - a group of seven musicians;
septuagenarian - a person in his/her seventies.
conserve - to save or keep something safe; preserve - to
serv save, keep Latin
save something; reservation - a place kept for a person.
sextet or sextette - a composition or group of six, sextuple
sex six Latin
- sixfold; sexagenarian - person in his/her sixties.
desolate - lonely, dismal, gloomy; solitary - done alone,
sol alone Latin by yourself; solo - a performance done by one person
alone.
solar - involving the sun; parasol - umbrella protecting
sol sun Latin from the sun; solarium - a room where one is exposed to
sun light.
insomnia - inability to fall asleep; somniloquy - talking in
somn/I sleep Latin
your sleep; somnolent - feeling sleepy.
consonant - a speech sound; sonorous - producing loud,
son sound Latin full, rich sounds; supersonic - faster than sound; unison -
as one voice.
philosopher - a wise person; sophisticated - wise about the
soph wise Greek ways of the world; sophism - a clever but misleading
argument.
spec/t, see, look Latin circumspect - cautious, looking all around; retrospective -
spic a looking back at past things; spectator - a person who
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
sees an event.
biosphere - the whole round surface of the earth;
sphere ball Greek
hemisphere - half the earth spherically shaped like a ball.
inspire - to stimulate or animate; transpire - to give of
spir breathe Latin vapor with waste product through the skin or a membrane;
spirit - invisible life force.
stable - standing steady and firm; stagnant - standing still,
sta stand Latin
not moving; stationary - at a standstill, fixed.
constellation - a group of stars that forms a pattern;
stell star Latin
interstellar - between the stars; stellar - relating to stars.
construct - to build; destruction - the act of destroying
struct build Latin something that was built; structure - something built;
infrastructure - underlying framework of a system.
under, lower than,
submarine - an underwater boat; submerge - to put
sub Latin
underwater; substandard - inferior to accepted standards.
inferior to
sum - the combined total of everything; summation - the
sum highest Latin
total, highest amount; summit the highest point or top.
Super bowl - the final annual football game; superior -
higher in quality
super Latin above average, better in quality; supersonic - faster than
or quantity
the speed of sound.
symmetry -similarity in size, form or arrangement;
sy/m together, with,
Greek synergy - the combined effect; synchronize - to cause to
/n/l/s same
occur at the same time.
contact - a state in which two things touch; tactile -
tact, tang touch Latin relating to the sense of touch; tangible - able to be
touched; intact - with nothing missing.
syntax - the systematic arrangement of words; taxonomy -
tax/o arrangement Greek the science of classification; ataxia - loss of the ability to
coordinate muscle action.
technology - the practical application of knowledge;
techno technique, skill Greek technocracy - rule of technology; technologically -
characterized by technology.
telephone - a device to talk to a distant person; telescope -
far, distant, a device to view distant objects; television - a device to
tel/e/o Greek
complete receive pictures from afar; telecommuting - working
remotely, bridging the distance via virtual devices.
contemporary- existing at the same time; temporal -
temp/or time Latin
relating to time; temporary - lasting for a limited time.
continent- serving to restrain or limit; detention- the act
ten, tin, tent hold Latin or fact of detaining, tenacious- having parts or elements
strongly adhering to each other
attrition- the act of rubbing together or wearing
down; detritus- a product of disintegration or wearing
ter, trit rub Latin
away; trite- used or occurring so often as to have lost
interest, freshness, or force
determine - to find something out at the end of an
term/ina end, limit Latin investigation; terminate - to end; exterminate - to destroy
or get rid of completely.
extraterrestrial - existing outside the earth; terrain - ground
terr/a/i land, earth Latin
or land; territory - an area of land.
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
tetrapod - having 4 legs; tetrarchy - government by 4
tetra four Latin
rulers; tetrose - a monosaccharide with four carbon atoms.
bibliotheca- a list or catalog of books; theme- a
proposition for discussion or argument; thesis- a
the put Greek
dissertation embodying results of original research and
especially substantiating a specific view
monotheism - belief in one god; polytheism - worshiping
the/o god Greek more than one god; theology - the study of religion, god,
etc.
thermal - relating to heat; thermos - an insulated jar that
therm/o heat Greek
keeps heat in; thermostat - a device that controls heat.
contortion - a twisted shape or position; distort - to alter
the shape or condition of; retort - reply in a manner that is
tort twist Latin
supposed to change the effect of something previously
said.
detoxification - the process of removing poisons; toxic -
tox poison Latin poisonous; toxicology - the study of poisons; intoxicated -
influenced by drugs.
attract - to pull objects nearer; distract - to drag attention
tract pull, drag Latin away from something; tractor - a motor vehicle that pulls
things.
transcontinental - across the continent; transfer - to move
across,beyond,
trans Latin from one place to another; transport - to carry something
through
across a space.
three, once in triangle - a figure with 3 sides and 3 angles; triathlon - an
Greek
tri every three, athletic contest with 3 events; tricycle - a 3-wheeI vehicle
Latin
third with pedals.
ultrahigh - extremely high; ultramodern - more modern
beyond, extreme,
ultra Latin than anything else; ultrasonic - sound waves beyond
more than
human hearing.
not,opposite of, unabridged - not shortened; unfair - opposite of fair;
un Latin
lacking unfriendly - lacking friendliness.
unicycle - a vehicle with one wheel; unilateral - decided
uni one, single Latin by only one person or nation; unique - the only one of its
kind; unison - as one voice.
suburb - residential area on the edge of a city; urban -
urb city Latin
relating to a city; urbanology - the study of city life.
evacuate - to empty a dangerous place; vacant - empty,
vac empty Latin
not occupied; vacation - a time without work.
circumvent - to go around or bypass restrictions;
ven/t come Latin convention - a gathering or assembly of people with a
common interest; intervene - to come between.
veracious - truthful, honest; veracity - the truth; verify - to
ver/I truth Latin
make sure that something is true.
verbalize - to put into words; adverb - a word relating to a
verb word Latin verb; proverb - a short saying that expresses a well-known
truth.
reverse - to turn around; introvert - being turned towards
vers, the inside; version - a variation of an original; controversy
turn Latin
vert - a conversation in which positions are turned against each
other.
Roots/Bases/Affixes Meanings Origin Examples and Definitions
acting in place of,
vice Latin vice-president - the person next in rank to the president
next in rank
vid see Latin evident clearly seen
vince, convince - to win someone over; invincible - not able to
conquer Latin
vic be conquered; victory - the conquest of an enemy.
vision - the ability to see; envision - to picture in the mind;
vis, vid see Latin
evident - clearly visible.
viv/i revival - the act of bringing back to life; vital - pertaining
live, life Latin
vit to live; vivacious - high-spirited and full of life.
advocate - to speak in favor of; equivocate - to use
voc/i voice, call Latin misleading language that could be interpreted two
different ways; vocalize - to produce with your voice.
benevolent - showing good will and kindness; volition -
vol/i/u wish, will Latin the act of making a choice or decision, voluntary -
resulting from your own free will.
vor, carnivorous - meat-eating; voracious - desiring or eating
eat Latin
vour food in great quantities; devour - to eat quickly.
xanthium- a genus of coarse and rough or spiny
xanth yellow Latin herbs; xanthochromia- yellowish discoloration (as of the
skin or cerebrospinal fluid); xanthogenic
xenophobic - afraid of foreigners; xenogenesis - the
xen/o foreign Greek creation of offspring that is completely different from
either parent; xenophile - attracted to foreigners.
xerophyte - a plant that grows in dry climate; xerography -
xer/o/I dry Greek a dry photocopying process; xeric - requiring small
amounts of moisture.
xylocarp; xyloid- resembling wood; xylophone-an organ
xyl wood Greek
percussion stop of similar tone quality
zoology - study of animals; zooid - resembling an animal;
zo/o animal life Greek
zooplankton - minute floating aquatic animals.
zygote - a cell formed by the union of two gametes and
the organism developing from that; zygomorphic -
zyg/o pair Greek
pertaining to organisms that can be divided into
symmetrical halves along one axis only.