Ultimate Latin Prefixes
PREFIX / MEANING / EXAMPLESab-, a-, abs- / away, from / abduct, abject, abnormal, avert, aborigine
ad-, ac-, at-, al-, ag-, etc. / to, toward / advocate, aggression, attract, addendum, addition, addict, advent
ambi- / both, around / ambivalent, ambidextrous, ambient, ambiturner (Zoolander)
ante- / before / antecedent, anteroom, antebellum, ante meridiem, antepenultimate, antediluvian
bi- / two / bilateral, bicycle, binary, bimonthly, biped, bipolar, binocular, bicuspid, bisexual, biceps
circum- / around / circumference, circumnavigate, circumcision, circuit, circuitous
con-, com-, co-, etc. / with, together, very / connect, conduct, compose, compress, collect, conjugal, codependent, conjunction, congenital
contra-, contro-, counter- / against / contradict, contraband, controversy, counteract, counter-terrorism, counterclockwise
de- / down, down from, of / descend, deject, describe, deposit, decrepit, deplete, demote, deciduous
dis-, di-, dif- / apart, in different directions, not / disable, divert, differ, distract, distort, dissonant, disperse, dismiss, dissuade, disprove, disgust
ex-, e-, ef- / out, from / expel, exonerate, eloquent, evade, efficient, exodus, excoriate, exonerate
extra-, extro- / outside, beyond / extraordinary, extrovert, extraterrestrial, extravagant
in-, im-, ig-(before n) / not / ineffective, immoral, impartial, illegal, irresponsible, ignoble, immortal, incognito, inhumane, incest, inclement, insuperable
in-, im-, en-, em- / in, into, against / inject, impose, impel, superimpose , illuminate, endure, embrace
infra- / below, beneath / infrared, infrastructure, infrasonic
inter- / between, among / interrupt, intercept, interpersonal, interim, intercede, interstate, internet
intra-, intro- / within / intramural, intravenous, intracranial, intrastate, intranet
iuxta- / next to / juxtapose
mal- / bad / malicious, maladjusted, malign, malignant, malevolent, malcontent, malady, malapropism, Malfoy
non- / not / nonresident, nonstop, nonprofit, none, nonconformity, nonplussed, nonchalant
ob-, oc-, op- / face-to-face, toward, against / obstruct, obstacle, occur, offer, oppress, opponent
per- / through, completely; wrongly, bad for / permeate, persecute, perfect, permeable, perjury, perfidy, pervert
post- / after, behind / postpone, post bellum, postgraduate, posthumous, postscript, posterity, posterior
pre- / before, in front of / prevent, prelude, preposition, premonition, premature, predict, predecessor, precocious, prerequisite
re-, red- (before vowels) / back, again / renew, recall, redemption, recede, recession
retro- / backward, behind / retrospective, retroactive, retrograde
se-, sed- / aside, away / secede, segregation, sedition, seclusion
sub-, sus-, suc-, etc. / under, up from under, secretly / submerge, subversive, suspend, sustain, succession, submarine, subliminal, subcutaneous, subpoena,
super-, sur- / above, over / Superman, surreal, supervise, superb, superior, superfluous, supercilious, supernatural, superimpose, insuperable
trans-, tran-, tra- / across, through / transfer, transparent, transsexual, transvestite, transcribe, transcend, traverse
ultra- / beyond, exceedingly / ultramodern, ultraviolet, ultrasound
Ultimate Greek Prefixes
PREFIX / MEANING / EXAMPLESa-, an- / not, without / atypical, atheist, agnostic, asymmetrical, anesthetic, amoral, analgesic, anonymous, anarchy, anemia, anomaly, anorexic
acro- / topmost, high / acropolis, acrobat, acronym, acrostic, acrophobia, acroteria
amphi- / both, on both sides of, around / amphitheater, amphibious
anti- / against / antifreeze, antisocial, anticlimax, antiaircraft, antibody, antitoxin, antithesis
auto- / self, (move by) self / autopilot, automobile, automatic, automaton, autocrat, autonomy, autonomous, autopsy, autobiography, autograph
cata- / down / catastrophe, cataract, cataclysm, catapult, catacomb, catalogue, catatonic, catalyst
dia- / through, between; thoroughly / diameter, diaphanous, diatribe, diagnosis, diagonal, diagram, dialogue, diaphragm
dyn- / power / dynasty, dynamic, dynamo, dynamite, hydrodynamics, thermodynamics
epi- / on , upon / epidermis, epitaph, epicenter, epigram, epilogue, epiglottis
eu- / good, well / eulogy, euthanize, euphemism, euphony, euphoria
exo, ecto- / outside / exoskeleton, exotic, exogamy, exothermic
endo-, ento- / within / endoskeleton, endoplasm, endocrine, endogamous, endothermic
hetero- / different / heterogeneous, heterosexual (cf. homosexual)
homo- / same / homogenous, homogenize, homosexual, homonym, homophone
hyper- / over, excessive / hyperactive, hypertension, hypercritical, hyperextend, ADHD, hyperbole
hypo- / under / hypodermic, hypochondria, hypothermia, hypotenuse, hypocrite, hypothetical, hypocaust
iso- / equal / isometric, isosceles, isotope
mega- / great, large / megalith, megaphone, megalomania, megalopolis, megahertz, megaton
meta- / change, beyond / metabolism, metaphor, metaphysics, metamorphosis, metacarpals, metatarsals, metacognitive
mis- / hate / misanthrope, misogyny
mono- / one / monotheism, monk, monastery, monopoly, monotonous, monogamy, monolith, monochromatic, monogram, monologue, mononucleosis
neo- / new / neologism, neophyte, neon, neolithic, neoclassic, neonatal
ortho- / straight / orthopedics, orthodontist, orthodox, orthography, orthogonal
pan- / all / Pan-American, pantomime, panorama, pandemonium, panacea, pantheism, Pantheon, pandemic, panegyric, pangaea
para- / beside / paraprofessional, paramedic, paranoid, parable, paraphrase, paradigm, paradox, parody, paragon, paralegal, parallel, paraphernalia, parasite, parody; NB: NOT parasol or parachute
peri- / around, near / periphery, periscope, perimeter, periodontal, periodic, perigee
poly- / many / polygon, polytheism, polytechnic, polygamy, polyphony, polyglot, polygraph, polymorphic
proto- / first / prototype, proton, protoplasm, protocol, protozoa
pseudo- / false / pseudo, pseudoscience, pseudonym, pseudo pod
semi- / half / semifinal, semiconscious, semicircle, semicolon, semiconductor, semiformal, semiprecious
syn-, sym-, syl- / together / synthesis, synthetic, synopsis, synagogue, symmetrical, syndrome, syntax, symposium, symphony, synergistic, syllogism
tele- / far / telescope, telephone, telegraph, television, telekinesis, telepathy, teleology, telex
WORD STUDY ASSIGNMENT
Of your assigned words, you MUST follow the examples below. This assignment will be worth 3 homework grades and is due on Monday.
EXAMPLE #1
Definition
abduct, to carry off or lead away (a person) illegally and in secret or by force, esp. to kidnap
Part of Speech:
Verb
Word Origin:
Latin, ab, away + ducere, to lead
Explanation:
This compound verb is easily explained by adding the preposition ab to ducere.
Used in a Sentence:
My psychotic aunt Bertha had a real fear of being abducted by aliens.
EXAMPLE #2
Definition
deject, to depress the spirits of; dispirit; dishearten
Part of Speech:
Verb
Word Origin:
Latin, dejectus, past participle of deicere, from de- down + jacere to throw. In iacere, the consonantal “i” becomes a a “j”.
Explanation:
One’s emotions or feelings are quite literally thrown down to the ground.
Used in a Sentence:
Latin students often get dejected after not getting a date to the prom.
USEFUL ONLINE SOURCES:
merriam-webster.com
etymonline.com
dictionary.com
Greek and Latin
suffixes
Latin-ician / specialist / technician, musician, beautician, physician, statistician, clinician
Greek
-itis / inflammation / appendicitis, tonsillitis, bursitis, arthritis, gastroenteritis
-ology / biology, anthropology, geology, entomology, philology, mythology
-cide / kill / herbicide, homicide, matricide, suicide, regicide, genocide, fratricide
-tomy / cut
Stems!!!
The Word Within the Word. List #2
archy / (government) / monarchy, oligarchy, hierarchy, anarchy, matriarchal, patriarch / Greekard / (always) / drunkard, coward, braggart, laggard, dullard, sluggard, niggardly / Germanic
cide / (kill) / herbicide, homicide, matricide, suicide, regicide, genocide, fratricide / Latin
ician / (specialist) / technician, musician, beautician, physician, statistician, clinician / - / Latin
itis / (inflammation) / appendicitis, tonsillitis, bursitis, arthritis, gastroenteritis / Greek
aqua / (water) / aquarium, aquatic, aquaplane, aqueduct, aquifer, aqueous, semiaquatic / Latin
audi / (hear) / audiophile, audience, audition, auditory, audiometer, audit, audiology / Latin
bell / (war) / bellicose, belligerent, rebel, casus belli, counterrebellion / Latin
cap / ( take) / capture, captive, captor, captious, captivate, captivity, caption, capsule / Latin
cise / (cut) / excise, incisors, incision, circumcise, incisive, precise, concise, decision / Latin
bio / (life) / biography, biology, biomorphic, biochemistry, exobiology, biogenesis / Greek
auto / (self) / autobiography, automobile, autograph, automatic, automaton, autocracy / Greek
port / (carry) / transport, import, report, porter, deport, important, portage, portly, comport / Latin
scrib / (write) / scribble, inscribe, scribe, describe, conscription, transcribe, ascribe / Latin
logy / (science) / biology, anthropology, geology, entomology, philology, mythology / Greek
dict / (say) / dictionary, predict, malediction, dictation, addict, interdict, contradict / Latin
cred / (believe) / credit, incredible, credible, incredulous, discredited, credibility, credo / Latin
cent / (one hundred) / century, bicentennial, centimeter, centipede, centurion / Latin
neo / (new) / Neologism, neophyte, neon, Neolithic, neoclassic, neoPlatonist, neonatal / Greek
ad / (to) / adhesive, adapt, addendum, addition, adherent, addict, advent, advocate / Latin
cede / (go) / recede, precede, antecedent, proceed, secede, concede, intercede, succeed / Latin
miss / (send) / dismiss, remiss, missile, admission, missionary, emission, promissory / Latin
centri / (center) / centrifugal, centripetal, centrist, concentric, decentralize, eccentric / Latin
biblio / (book) / bibliography, bibliophile, bibliolatry, bible, bibliomania, bibliophobia / Greek
anthropo / (man) / anthropology, anthropomorphic, anthropoid, lycanthrope, misanthrope / Greek
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The Word Within the Word. List #3
homo / (same) / homogenize, homonym, homophone, homologous, homozygous / Greekspec / (look) / spectacles, specter, specious, spectrum, respect, inspect, prospectus / Latin
duct / (lead) / conduct, ductile, induct, product, reduction, deduction, reproduction / Latin
fer / (carry) / transfer, infer, refer, defer, conifer, Lucifer, aquifer, auriferous / Latin
pend / (hang) / pending, pendulum, pendant, impending, depend, pendulous, suspend / Latin
micro / (small) / micron, microscope, microwave, microphone, microcosm, microbiotic / Greek
hydro / (water) / hydroplane, hydroponics, dehydrate, hydrant, hydrogen, hydrophobia / Greek
photo / (light) / photograph, photometer, photon, photogenic; photosynthesis / Greek
pan / (all) / panorama, panoply, pandemic, pantheism, pantheon, Pan-American / Greek
penta / (five) / pentagram, pentagon, pentameter, pentathlon, pentarchy, pentahedron / Greek
tele / (far) / telescope, telephone, telekinesis, telepathy, teleology, telex / Greek
vid / (look) / video, invidious, Montevideo, evidence, provide, videogenic, vide / Latin
omni / (all) / onmifarious, omnipotent, omnivorous, omniscient, omnibus, omnipresent / Latin
ex / (out) / exit, except, excise, exculpate, elucidate, exorbitant, eccentric, enumerate / Latin
poly / (many) / polyphony, polygyny, polygamy / Greek
re / (again) / return, review, retouch, reiterate, retail, revive, regenerate, regurgitate / Latin
hypo / (under) / hypodermic, hypocrite, hypotenuse, hypothermia, hypothesis / Greek
pseudo / (false) / pseudonym, pseudopod, pseudomorphic, pseudoscience, pseudoevent / Greek
neuro / (nerve) / neuron, neurosurgeon, neurosis, neurology, neuralgia, neurotomy / Greek
tomy / (cut) / tonsillectomy, appendectomy, neurotomy, dichotomy, anatomy, lobotomy / Greek
hema / (blood) / hematic, hematite, hematology, hematoma, hemal, hematogenesis / Greek
proto / (first) / protoplasm, prototype, Protozoa, proton, protohuman, protomorphic / Greek
phon / (sound) / symphony, telephone, phonetic, phonograph, euphony, cacophony / Greek
mono / (one) / monotonous, monomania, monocular, monogamous, monolithic, monotone / Greek
viv / (life) / vivid, vivisection, vivacious, convivial, bon vivant, viva, viviparous, revive / Greek
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The Word Within the Word. List #4
morph / (shape) / amorphous, morphology, polymorphously, mesomorph, protomorphic / Greekvest / (clothes) / vestry, vestment, vestibule, vest, investiture, divest, divestiture / Latin
bene / (good) / benefit, benevolent, beneficial, benediction, benefactor, benign / Latin
pond / (weight) / ponderous, ponder, preponderant, pound, imponderable, compound / Latin
corp / (body) / corpulent, corporation, corporeal, corporal, corpse, corpuscle / Latin
dorm / (sleep) / dormitory, dormant, dormer, dormancy, dormi4ve, dormient / Latin
pater / (father) / paternalistic, patronize, paternity, patriarch, expatriate, paterfamilias / Latin
nov / (new) / novel, nova, novice, novitiate, Nova Scotia, innovation, renovate / Latin
punct / (point) / punctuate, punctilious, puncture, punctual, acupuncture, contrapuntal / Latin
ject / (throw) / eject, reject, conjecture, dejected, inject, subject, projection, interject / Latin
tion / (act or state) / completion, reaction, devastation, production, creation, transition / Latin
loco / (place) / locomotive, location, local, locus, relocate, dislocate, localize, locomotor / Latin
dox / (opinion) / orthodox, heterodox, doxology, indoctrinate, paradox / Greek
amphi / (both) / amphibious, amphitheater, amphibian, amphigory, amphibolous / Greek
magn / (great) / Magna Carta, magnanimous, magnate, magnificent, magnum opus / Latin
eu / (good) / Eucharist, euphony, eulogy, euphemism, Europe, eugenics, euglena / Greek
endo / (within) / endoplasm, endocrine, endogamous, endoskeleton, endothermic / Greek
phobia / (fear) / claustrophobia, acrophobia, xenophobia, agoraphobia, hydrophobia / Greek
ortho / (straight) / orthopedics, orthodontist, orthodox, orthography, orthogonal / Greek
put / (think) / reputation, putative, impute, dispute, computer, disreputable / Latin
ver / (true) / verify, veracity, veritable, verdict, verisimilitude, aver, cinema verite / Latin
matri / (mother) / matricide, matron, matriarch, matrimony, matrilineal / Latin
mega / (large) / megalith, megaphone, megalomania, megalopolis, megahertz, megaton / Greek
pop / (people) / popular, populist, populate, population, popularize, populous / Latin
sangui / (blood) / sanguinary, sanguine, consanguinity, sangfroid, sangria / Latin
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