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Building Vocabulary: Common Root Words

Author/Creation: Andrew Davis, June 2010. Summary: Lists and defines common Greek and Latin root words. Learning Objectives: To list common root words and their definitions. To expand vocabulary. To increase reading comprehension.

Rootwordsprovidethebasicstructureandmeaningtowords.Englishrootwordsandtheirmeanings arecommonlyderivedfromGreekandLatinroots.Forexample,therootsophisderivedfromtheGreek rootsophosmeaningwise.Learningandrecognizingthesecommonrootscanhelpyoudecipher meaning.Forexample,ifyouwereunfamiliarwiththewordsophisticatedbutknewtherootwordsoph, youcouldgathersomesortofmeaningforthewordfromtherootmeaning,wise. Inmanycases,knowingtherootwordwillbeenoughtohelpyoudecipherthemeaningofawordina sentence;inothercases,youllwanttousethedictionarytounderstandthewordfully.Ineither instance,therootanditsmeaningwillatleastgiveapartialunderstandingofamorecomplete definition.Forinstance,sophisticatedmeansfinelyexperiencedandaware(MerriamWebsters CollegiateDictionary,2007,p.1190). Whatfollowsisalistofcommonrootswordsthatyoucanremembertohelpexpandyourvocabulary andincreaseyourreadingcomprehension.Tohelpbuildyourvocabulary,youcanaddwordsthatyou arefamiliarwith,orwordsthatyoucomeacrossasyouread,tothelastcolumnofthetable. Root alter ami,amic amphi ann,enni anthrop aqua,aque arch Meaning other love bothendsorallsides year human,man water chief,leader,ruler Word alternate,alterego amiable,amicable amphibian,amphitheater anniversary,annual,biennial, perennial anthropology,anthropomorphic, misanthrope aquatic,aquarium,aqueduct archangel,monarch,archaic, archenemy

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Root aud bell biblio bio brev cap carn ced chrom chron cogn cord/chord corp crac,crat

Meaning sound war book life short take,seize meat yield,go color time know cord body rule,ruler believe cross shell hidden guilt god people

Word auditorium,audible,audiologist, audiotape belligerent,bellicose bibliography,bibliophile biography,autobiography, biology,antibiotic brief,abbreviate,brevity capture,captivate,capacity carnivorous recede,secede,proceed, intercede,concession chromatic,monochrome, polychrome chronicle,chronology, chronometer,synchronize recognize,cognitive,incognito harpsichord corpus,corpse,corporal, aristocracy,autocrat, democracy,bureaucrat credible,credulous,credibility, credit,credo,incredible crucifix,crucial crustacean cryptogram,cryptology,cryptic culpable,culprit deity,deify demography,democracy, epidemic

cred cruc crusta crypt culp dei demo

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Root derm dic dox duc,duct duo dynam ego equ fac fil frater gam geo grad,gress graph gyn hemo,hema,hem holo hydro,hydr ject

Meaning skin speak,say belief,opinion lead two power self equal make,do threadlike brother marriage earth step writing,printing woman blood whole,entire water throw

Word dermatology,epidermis, hypodermic dictate,predict,diction,indict orthodoxy,paradox,heterodoxy induce,deduce,seduction, conduct,abduction duo dynamo,dynamics egotist,egomania equal,equity,equanimity, equate,equidistant manufacture,factory, benefactor filament fraternal,fraternize monogamy,polygamy,bigamy geopolitical,geology,geography, geothermal gradual,progression, transgression graphology,biography, telegraph,geography gynecologist,androgynous, misogyny hemophilia,hematology, hemoglobin holograph dehydrate,hydraulics, hydroelectric,hydroplane inject,reject,subject,projection

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Root leg,lect liter loc log luc magn man mar mat,mater

Meaning read,choose letter place word light large hand sea mother behind,between,beyond measure small send move warn death form,structure change nerve name new

meta metri,meter min mit,miss mob,mot,mov mon mor,mort morph mut neuro nomen,nomin nov

Word legible,lectern,lecturer,election literature,illiterate,literal local,location monologue,epilogue lucid,elucidate magnify,magnate,magnificent manufacture,manual, manuscript marine,mariner maternal,maternity,matriarchy, matricide metacognition,metaphysics geometric,thermometer, odometer minority,minuscule,minute permit,submission,mission, emit, mobile,automobile,motion, promote,movie premonition,admonition mortal,mortician,immortality metamorphosis,amorphous, morphology mutant,mutability,mutate neurology,neurosis,neuron nominal,nominate, nomenclature novel,renovate,innovation

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Root nym,onym odonto ortho pac pater path ped,pod pel,puls pend phon,phono plan pneum pod port pot psych pug,pugna quer,quis scent,scend schizo,schiz

Meaning word,name tooth straight,correct peace father feeling,suffering foot push hang,weigh sound,voice flat lung feet carry power soul,spirit,mind fight ask climb division,split

Word synonym,acronym,anonymous, pseudonym orthodontist orthodox,orthodontist, orthopedic pacify,pacifist paternal,paternity,patricide, patriotic sympathy,apathy,empathy, telepathy,pathology pedal,pedometer,centipede, gastropod pulsate,repulsive,impulse, compel,propel append,depend,pendulum, pendant,suspend,pending cacophony,euphony, phonograph,telephone, planar,plantation,plane pneumatic,pneumonia podiatrist,tripod portable,transport,portage, report potent,omnipotent,potentate psychology,psychic pugnacious,pugilist query,inquisition, ascend,ascent schizophrenic,schism

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Root sci scrib,script sec,sect sed,sess sens,sent sequ,secu serv simil siphon sol son soph spec,spic spir spir spond,spons spont stat tang,tact temp ten ter,terr theo

Meaning know write cut sit feel,beaware follow serve,protect same tube sun sound wisdom,knowledge look,see coil breathe promise,answerfor byone'sownforce stand,position touch time hold earth god,deity

Word scientific manuscript,scribe,scripture dissect,section sedentary,session sensible,sentient sequence,sequel,consecutive service,servile similar,assimilate,simile, facsimile siphon solar sonar,resonate,unison philosophy,sophomoric spectacles,spectator, inauspicious,prospect spiral inspire,respiration,conspire, perspiration respond,responsible spontaneous station,status tangible,tactile temporary,temporize tenable,tenant subterranean,terrain,terrestrial, disinter theology,polytheism,atheist

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Root therm trophy uro vac ven,vent ver vert vit voc

Meaning heat nutrition,food urine empty come,go truth turn life call

zoo animal Nowthatyourefamiliarwithcommonrootwords,werecommendthatyoucontinuewiththehandouts BuildingVocabulary:CommonPrefixesandBuildingVocabulary:CommonSuffixes. Also,thehandoutsandUnderstandingDictionaryEntriesandUsingtheDictionary:WordOriginswill helpyouinbuildingyourvocabularybyshowingyouhowtouseadictionaryandhowtouseawords origintodevelopabasicunderstandingofaword.

Word thermal,thermos,thermometer atrophy urologist vacuum,vacuous,vacant intervene,convene,contravene veracity,verify,verity introvert,irreversible,vertigo vital,revitalize,vitamin revoke,invocation,vocal, evocative,convocation zoo,zoology,zoolatry

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