Lesson 3: Roots and Affixes
If you want to know more about how a machine works, one thing you can do is take it apart. The same is true for words. You can figure out a lot about words from how they are put together. Many words are made up of roots and affixes. Roots are the base words with simple meanings. Affixes are word parts that are added to roots to change their meaning. Learning some common word parts will give you insight into the meanings they create when they are combined.
Take, for example, the word antidisestablishmentarianism. (Yes, it's a real word.) At the heart of the word is the root establish. You probably know that this word means "to make" or "to set up." Several prefixes have been added to the beginning of the root, and several suffixes have been added to the end. The definition for each word part, including the root, is shown:
anti against, preventing
dis the opposite of
establish to make or set up
ment the result of an action
arian believer, supporter
ism action, process
All these parts add up to create a word that means "a movement against the people who oppose the established order." Simple, right?
Okay, that was a tricky one. But with a little knowledge about word parts—and a little practice you can take apart thousands of affixed words and work out their meanings.
A Living Language
Though you might expect it to be dry or dull, the history of English is a stirring tale of the people who have spoken it. Imagine the clang of swords as the Normans stormed England's shores, or the howl of winds the settlers endured in their first winter at Jamestown.
As you learn about the roots and affixes that make up English words, imagine the hardy people who first uttered them. With the following tips, we'll try to turn a simple list of words into the story of the world's most widely spoken language.
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TIP 1: The earliest English word parts are Anglo-Saxon.
The first language that could be called English started around 1,500 years ago, after the British Isles were invaded by Germanic tribes. The languages spoken by these bands of invaders—including the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes—were similar, and they blended with the language of the native Celts to become Old English.
Life in fifth- and sixth-century England was hard and crude, and this is reflected in Old English vocabulary. Notice the earthy images presented in words such as hearth, man, woman, foot, stone, go, water, and wail. Read these words again out loud and listen for the low, throaty vowel sounds. English words that change vowels in their different forms (e.g., from find to found, or tooth to teeth) have Germanic origins.
The Angles and Saxons were later followed by the Vikings from Denmark and Norway, who began invading Britain in the 800s. The Vikings brought a new influence to the language.
Read over these tables and use them to answer Numbers 1 and 2.
Anglo-Saxon Roots
Root / Meaning / Examplesbind / tie, fasten / binder
drif / carry along / drifter, adrift
fod/fed / food / feed, fodder, foster
kne / joint of the leg / knee, kneel, knicker
lack / to be without / lackadaisical
step / to stamp / stepladder
ster / guide, direct / steer
tru / faithful / truth, betrothed
Anglo-Saxon Prefixes
Prefix / Meaning / Examplesbe- / make / befriend, bewitch
fore- / before, front / forearm, forego
mis- / badly, wrongly / misconception, misdirect
out- / beyond, outside, more than / outmaneuver, outlandish
un- / not, opposite of / unconstitutional, unavailable
up- / rising, above, high / upswing, upriver, uproar
with- / back, away, against / withdraw, wither
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Anglo-Saxon Suffixes
Suffix / Meaning / Examples-er / comparison,
one who does something / stealthier, provider
-ful / full of, characterized by / boastful, woeful
-ish / in the manner of, relating to / brutish, impoverish
-ly / in the manner of / sheepishly, frantically
-ness / condition or state of being / greatness, laziness
-ship / condition, profession, skill / courtship, professorship
1. What does the word misdiagnosis mean?
A. an opposite diagnosis
B. a premature diagnosis
C. a professional diagnosis
D. an incorrect diagnosis
2. Something that has a lackluster appearance can best be described as
A. full of shine.
B. overly shiny.
C. without shine.
D. deprived of shine.
TIP 2: Latin and Greek added important prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
As if Britain had not seen enough invaders, along came the Normans to conquer England in 1066. From their home in Normandy (in northern France), they brought Old French. This is called a "Romance language" because it came from the Romans' language, Latin.
Thousands of French words were adopted by the people of Britain, and their language evolved into Middle English. The French rulers added a more courtly, sophisticated lilt to the language. Words with smooth, flowing sounds such as April, liquid, virtue, engender, and flower all come from Old French. Words from Romance languages often feature double vowels such as the ui in liquid or the ue in virtue.
During the Renaissance (1400s to 1600s), the study of Latin and Greek became popular, and the influence of these classical languages increased. Most prefixes and suffixes you use are Latin or Greek in origin. Latin and Greek roots also are key elements of many English words.
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Greek and Latin Affixes
Prefix / Sourcea- (without, not) / Greek
anti- (against, opposite) / Greek
auto- (self) / Greek
de- (reverse, remove) / Latin
di- (two, through) / Greek
dis- (undo, not) / Latin
extra- (beyond) / Latin
im-, in- (into, not) / Latin
micro- (small) / Greek
mono- (one) / Greek
non- (not) / Latin
post- (after) / Latin
pre- (before) / Latin
pro- (forward, for) / Greek
re- (again, back) / Latin
tele- (far off) / Greek
Suffix / Source
-able, -ible (able to) / Latin
-ance (state, action) / Latin
-ant (agent, receiver) / Latin
-ary (related to) / Latin
-ation, -ion, -tion
(state, process, result) / Latin
-graphy (writing of) / Greek
-ible (capable of being) / Latin
-ic (characteristic, relating to) / Latin
-ile (of, relating to) / Latin
-ity (state, quality) / Latin
-logy, -ology (study of) / Greek
-ment (result, action) / Greek
-phobia (fear of) / Greek
Latin and Greek Roots
Root / Sourceandro (man) / Greek
anthropo (human) / Greek
audi (hear) / Latin
biblio (book) / Greek
bio (life) / Greek
cede (go, yield) / Latin
circum (around) / Latin
did (speak) / Latin
duct (lead) / Latin
fac (do, make) / Latin
fer (to carry) / Latin
gyn (woman) / Greek
gen (race, stock) / Greek
Root / Source
geo (rock) / Greek
homo (same) / Greek
liber (free, book) / Latin
lum (light) / Latin
mega (large) / Greek
meter (measure) / Greek
morph (shape) / Greek
philo (love of) / Greek
patho (suffering) / Greek
polis (city) / Greek
pseudo (false) / Greek
psycho (mind) / Greek
rect (straight) / Latin
Root / Source
sect (cut) / Latin
sede (to sit) / Latin
soph (wisdom) / Greek
stas (stand) / Greek
theo (god) / Greek
therm (heat) / Greek
trac(t) (draw) / Latin
vert (turn) / Latin
vis (sight) / Latin
vit (life) / Latin
voca (call) / Latin
vol (to fly) / Latin
volv (to roll) / Latin
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Don't forget the Latin numbers:
Latin Numbers1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 100 / 1,000
uni- / di- / tri- / quad- / quint- / sex- / sept- / oct- / nona- / deca- / cent- / mill
Use the table above and the tables on page 36 to answer Numbers 3 through 6.
3. Choose two Greek and two Latin roots, and write an English word based upon each pair.
4. Which word means "to turn toward"?
A. revolution
B. liberate
C. advertise
D. attract
5. What is the meaning of the word amorphous?
6. The Latin root word cipher means "message" or "code." Which of these words describes a message that cannot be understood?
A. ciphering
B. decipher
C. indecipherable
D. encipherment
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TIP 3: Use your knowledge of word parts to understand vocabulary in other subjects.
Language arts isn't the only subject area in which you learn new words. You can pick up new vocabulary in your other classes, as well. You can use your knowledge of word parts to understand unfamiliar words in many subject areas.
Break down longer words into the roots and affixes you know. A word such as ultrasonic might seem complicated, but you may understand more of the word than you think. The prefix ultra- means "beyond," and the root sonic means "sound." The word ultrasonic is used to describe something with a sound frequency higher than the human ear can hear.
7. Based on the affixes and roots on page 36, what does anthropology mean?
A. the study of ants
B. the fear of heights
C. a collection of stories
D. the study of people
Practice Activity
Directions: The following is a list of words that you are likely to encounter in your other classes. Using your knowledge of word parts, write the meaning of each word. You may refer to the tables on page 36 for help.
1. circumference
2. perimeter
3. amendment
4. autocracy
5. liberation
6. megalopolis
7. decomposition
8. bibliophile
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9. prediction
10. anthropomorphic
Summing Up
· To determine the meanings of words based on their origins and structures, remember the following tips:
· The earliest English word parts are Anglo-Saxon.
· Latin and Greek added important prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
· Use your knowledge of word parts to understand vocabulary in other subjects.
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DIRECTIONS: Read this passage and then answer questions 1 through 8.
The Apache Trail
Arizona is known for its many scenic drives. These hidden highways can provide a break from the sameness of daily driving. However, for those who love adventure, the Apache Trail can't be beat. The trail, which appears on maps as Route 88, is a forty-one-mile-long byway that begins outside Mesa at Apache Junction, navigates among a variety of geologic wonders, and ends at a town called Globe. Visitors on the trail pass by the Superstition Mountains, circle three lakes, and go through several mining towns. The trail, which is part of America's Historic Roads, was described by President Theodore Roosevelt as "one of the most spectacular, best-worth-seeing sights in the world."
For those who make the journey, be forewarned: not all the road is paved. Much of it hugs mountain switchbacks (zigzagging roads or trails). In addition, spring rains can start flash floods that may divert you from your travel plans, and the little communities along the trail offer very few services. In fact, certain car rental companies refuse to let their RVs onto the trail. However, a good sedan or station wagon will do just as well, and the sights along the way make the small hassles of the trip worth the effort.
The trail has had some interesting history over the last thousand years. Salado Indians once lived in the area surrounding the Superstition Mountains. Much later, Apache Indians traveled the trails, raiding the little towns along the Salt River. By 1903, the people of Arizona benefited economically when a dam was built on the river. The desert cities Phoenix and Mesa got the water they needed to begin developing rapidly.
Miners in search of gold, silver, and copper had already discovered the region. A gold strike helped create the Goldfield Mining District in 1892. Travelers heading northeast on Route 88 will drive into Goldfield. Although it is eerily described as a "ghost town;' tourists will still be able to visit the town's saloon and underground mine. Another interesting site, located outside of Goldfield, is Lost Dutchman State Park. Named after the legendary Jacob Waltz, the park offers hiking trails that lead into the Superstition Wilderness area. The area is also home to Waltz's gold mine, which was lost after his death. Those who feel lucky may try to find it.
The road steepens past Goldfield and bends toward the northwest. After curving in an easterly direction, the road comes to Canyon Lake. The lake offers fishing and boating fans lots of opportunities to enjoy the water, with a marina and campgrounds available. The lake is stocked with bass and trout. Mountain trails lead into the Tonto National Forest, where occasional bighorn sheep are sighted, and where cliffs overlook steep ravines and canyons.
Beyond Canyon Lake, the small former stagecoach stop of Tortilla Flat is home to six people and a restaurant. The road turns to gravel east of Tortilla Flat, beyond which lies Apache Lake. The lake is seventeen miles long when full, although it does recede throughout the year. Though it is remote, it has good fishing and boating.
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Travelers can also hike into its nearby hills. Tour guides describe the camping by Apache Lake as among the best in central Arizona.
Keep traveling in a northeast direction, and the road comes to the Theodore Roosevelt Dam, the tallest brick and concrete dam in the world. The 18-milelong lake, formed in 1911 upon completion of the dam, helped the Phoenix area get the water it needed. Today, the lake offers boating and camping, as well as trails that lead into the hills. Not far from the lake, a trail leads to thousand-year-old cliff dwellings where ancient people once lived.