一个月的时间让你的词汇量翻一翻
The 100 most common Latin and Greek roots figure in more than 5,000 English derivatives just beyond the average person’s vocabulary of 10,000 words. They are the ones in all CAPITAL letters. By memorizing these 100 CAPITALIZED Latin and Greek prefixes, suffixes and roots, you will have a short cut to sight read an additional 5,000 words. If you learn all of them (both the caps and non-caps roots), you can double this to 10,000 additional words. Most of these words are used in medicine, law, business, science and technology. These are all words you must know in order to excel on the PSAT, SAT I and GRE, to do well in college and to have a successful career. The most important of these derived words are in CAPITALIZED BOLD print. You must know their meanings. Look these words up in your dictionary to get all the definitions. Put them on your index cards; the word on the front and definitions on the back. Many will not have the same exact meaning as the original Latin or Greek words but they will be close. When you use your dictionary, pay close attention to the Latin or Greek words from which they are derived. The Romans also combined prefixes and roots to derive new words. Many were borrowed straight from the Greek language, but most were combined with Latin to make additional words with similar but distinctive meanings. Try to get a feel for the ETYMOLOGY of these words.
By breaking a word apart into root, prefix and suffix, you will be able to determine its literal meaning. Since you have encountered the word in context, you can then guess at its present meaning. For example, take the word "interposition." The prefix is ‘INTER-’, the suffix is ‘–ION’ and the root word is ‘POSIT’. Inter- means ‘between’, -ion is ‘the act of’ and ‘POSIT’ is from Latin meaning‘to place.’ Therefore, ‘interposition’ literally means ‘the act of placing between.’ Another example is the word "antipathy." The prefix is ‘ANTI-’, the Greek root word is ‘PATH’ and the suffix is ‘-Y.’ Anti- means ‘against’, the suffix,-y, is ‘the state of’ and PATH means ‘to feel.’ Antipathy therefore means ‘the state of feeling against’. Not all derived words have both a prefix and a suffix, many will have one or the other, some will use just the root word and others will combine two root words, as in ‘manuscript’ and ‘astronaut.’ Man- is the Latin root for ‘hand’ and script is the Latin root ‘to write.’ Astro is the Greek word for ‘star’ and ‘naut’ means sailor.
The secret to increasing your vocabulary is not by memorizing a lot of words. The secret is in knowing how combining different prefixes and suffixes with a root word makes new words. For example, let’s take the Latin word gressum which means ‘to walk, to step or move forward’ and by combining the prefixes, A(D)-, CON-, DI-, E-, PRO-, RE-, RETRO- and TRANS- with the combining word "-GRESS-", we get 8 more words. If we add the suffixes –ION, -IVE, and –OR in turn to each of these words we derive 24 additional words for a total of 32 words. By knowing the meaning of the root word, and the 8 prefixes and 3 suffixes you also know the meaning of the 32 derived words. I use this example of making words to show you how easy it is to take words apart and thereby learn their meaning. As an exercise, combine these prefixes and suffixes with the root word to form the 32 words, write them down and look up their meanings.
Since many Greek words were assimilated by the Romans and Latin words also come down to us through French, Italian and Spanish, the modern spelling of some of these words can be quite different from the original Latin or Greek.
The Latin and Greek prefixes, suffixes and root words are listed alphabetically.
1. Latin Prefixes
The prefixes listed below are from Latin prepositions. They are attached to nouns, adjectives and especially to verbs. When taking apart compound verbs and defining them, it is best to translate the prefix as adverbial rather than prepositional. For example, abduct divides into ab (away) and duct (lead) and so means ‘lead away’ and not ‘away from leading’. Some of these prefixes have different forms depending on the initial letter of the root word. This makes the derived word more pronounceable and is known as assimilation. A prime example is the prefix SUB- which also has SUC-,SUF-,SUG-,SUM-, SUP-, SUR-, and SUS- as different forms.
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
| A- | not, without | amoral, APATHY, ANOMALY |
| AB-, ABS- | away from, off, apart | abrupt, ABSCOND, ABSTRACT |
| AD-, AC-, AN-, AS- | toward, against | advent, accurate, ANNOTATE, assent |
| AMBI-, AMB- | around, about, on both sides | AMBIGUOUS, AMBIVALENT |
| ANTE- | before, in front of, early | antecede, antedate, antebellum |
| ARCH- | main, chief | archangel, archbishop, archenemy |
| BI- | two | bifurcate, biannually |
| BENE- | well | BENEFACTOR, benefit, beneficial |
| CIRCUM-, CIRA- | around, about | circumflex, circumference, circa |
| CIS- | on this side of | cislunar, cisalpine |
| CON- | with, together | concur, concede, CONSCRIPT |
| COM-, COR-, COL- | together, with, very | COMPRISE, corrode, colleteral |
| CONTRA- | against | contradict, controversy, contravene |
| COUNTER- | against | counterfeit, counterclockwise |
| DE- | down, down from, off, utterly | deformed, defoliate, descend, depress |
| DEMI- | half, partly belongs to | demisemiquaver, demigod |
| DIS-, DI-, DIF- | apart, in different directions | DIGRESS, divorce, dispute, DISCERN |
| DU-, DUO- | two | duet, duplicate |
| EM-, EN- | in, into | embrace, enclose |
| EX-, E-, EF-, EC- | out, out of, from, away | EXTOL, event, expel, evade, ELUCIDATE |
| EXTRA-, EXTRO- | outside of, beyond | extraordinary, extrovert, EXTRAPOLATE |
| FORE- | before | forestall, forgo, forebear |
| IN-, I-, IL-, IM-, IR- | in, into, on, toward, put into | incision, impel, impulse, irrigate |
| | not, lacking, without | illegal, ignominious, impure, immoral |
| | (same as above) | immodest, indecent, INCOHERENT |
| INDU-, INDI- | a strengthened form of IN- | indigent |
| INFRA- | below, beneath, inferior to, after | infrared, infrasonic |
| INTER-, INTEL- | among, between, at intervals | intercede, intercept, intellect |
| INTRA- | in, within, inside of | intramural, intravenous |
| INTRO- | in, into, within | introduce, introspective |
| JUXTA- | near, beside | juxtapose, juxtaposition |
| MAL-, MALE- | evil, badly | malformed, malicious, malaise, maladroit |
| MEDI-, MEDIO- | middle | median, mediocre |
| MILLI-, MILLE- | thousand | millennium, millimeter |
| MONO- | one | MONARCH, MONOTONE |
| MULTI-, MULTUS- | much, many | multifaceted, multiply, multilevel |
| NE- | not | neuter, NEUTRAL |
| NON- | not (less emphatic than IN or UN) | nonresident, nonconformity |
| NUL-, NULL- | none, not any | nullify, nullification |
| OB-, OF-, OC- | toward, against, across, down, for | oblong, OBDURATE, offer, occasion, occur |
| OP-, O- | toward, against, across, down, for | oppose, opposite, omit, offer |
| OMNI- | all, everywhere | omniscient, omnivorous |
| PED-, PEDI- | foot | pedestrian, pedicure |
| PER-, PEL- | through, by, thoroughly, away | PERMEATE, perfidy, pellucid |
| POST- | behind, after (in time or place) | postpone, postnatal, postorbital |
| PRE- | before, early, toward | precedent, precept, preposition |
| PRO-, PUR- | before, for, forth | proceed, purport, pursue, PROLONG |
| QUADRI-, QUADR- | four times, four fold | quadriceps, quadrisect, quadrangle |
| RE-, RED- | back, again, against, behind | repel, RELEGATE, redeem, redemption |
| RETRO- | backwards, behind | retrogressive, retrofit, retrograde |
| SE-, SED- | aside, apart, away from | secure, seduce, seclude, sedition, select |
| SEMI- | half | semicircle, semiprivate |
| SINE- | without | sinecure |
| SUB-, SUC-, SUF- | under, beneath, inferior | suffer, SUBMISSIVE, succumb |
| SUG-, SUM-, SUP- | less than, in place of, secretly | suggest, subtract, suffuse, support |
| SUR-, SUS- | (same as above meanings) | suspend, surplus |
| SUBTER- | beneath, secretly | subterfuge |
| SUPER-, SUPRA- | over, above, excessively | SUPERFICIAL, SUPERCILIOUS |
| SUR- | over, above, excessively | surcharge, surtax, surplus, surrealism |
| TRANS-, TRA- | across, over, beyond, through | transoceanic, transgression, transit, transition |
| TRI- | three | triangle, triceps |
| ULTRA- | beyond, on other side | ultrasound, ultraconservative |
| UN- | no, not, without | unabashed, unashamed |
2. Latin Suffixes
You will also find a few Old English suffixes here since they are used quite freely with Latin and Greek root words.
| Suffix | Meaning | Examples |
| -ABLE, -ABLY | able to, capable of being | unalienable, insuperable |
| -ACY | state or quality of being | intricacy, democracy |
| -AGE | belonging to, related to | marriage, acreage, postage |
| -AL | pertaining to, act of | infinitesimal, EPHEMERAL |
| -ANA | sayings, writtings, facts of | Americana |
| -AN, -ANT, -ENT | one who is | charlatan, blatant, strident |
| -ANCE | act of, state of being, thing that | ABEYANCE |
| -ARY | belonging to, a relation to | hereditary, subsidiary |
| -ATE | having | alienate, incarnate, insensate |
| -ATION, -ITION | the act of, result of | alteration, compilation, nutrition |
| -AR | relating to, like; the nature of | singular, polar, vicar, scholar |
| -BULUM, -BLE | means, instrument, place | fable, stable |
| -CIDE, -CIDAL | killer; having power to kill | insecticide, suicidal |
| -CRAT, -CRACY | to govern | bureaucracy, plutocracy |
| -CULUM, -CLE | means, instrument, place | curriculum, fulcrum |
| -EN | to become, or cause to be | darken, weaken |
| -ENCE | act, fact, quality, state | conference, excellence, despondence |
| -ENCY | state of being | clemency, dependency |
| -ER, -OR | one who | interlocutor, volunteer |
| -ENT | has, shows, or does | circumvent, INADVERTENT |
| -ERY, -RY | a place to/for; occupation of | tannery, vinery, dentistry, jewelry |
| -ESCE | becoming | obsolescent, COALESCE |
| -FY | to make, cause to be, or become | CLARIFY, horrify |
| -HOOD | state, quality; group of | childhood, priesthood |
| -IAN | belonging to, a relation to | vulgarian, plebian |
| -IER | a person concerned with | soldier |
| -IBLE | able to be | susceptible, flexible |
| -IC | pertaining to | ASCETIC, PROSAIC, ENDEMIC |
| -ICE | state or quality of being | avarice |
| -IL, -ILE | having to do with | docil, missile, civil, fossil |
| -ION | the act or result of, one who | legion, opinion |
| -IUM, -Y, -CE, -GE | the act of | colloquium, colloquy, refuge |
| -CIUM, -TIUM, -GIUM | something connected with the act | consortium, compendium |
| -ISH | of, or belonging to; like | devilish, boyish, foolish, bookish |
| -IST | a person who does, makes, practices | ALTRUIST, artist |
| -ITIOUS | having the nature of | nutritious, seditious |
| -ITUDE, -TUDE | state of being | verisimilitude, aptitude |
| -ITY | state, character, condition | ANIMOSITY, stability |
| -IVE | one who, that which is | pensive, ELUSIVE, deductive |
| -LESS | (OE) without, lacking | relentless, tireless |
| -LIKE | characteristic of; suitable for | manlike, childlike, godlike |
| -LY | specified manner, extent, direction | harshly, hourly |
| -MEN | result, or means | acumen, specimen |
| -MENTUM, -MENT | result, or means of an act | armament, impediment, moment |
| -NESS | state, quality of being | greatness, sadness |
| -OON | one who | buffoon |
| -OR | act, or condition of | error, terror, PRECURSOR |
| -ORY | relating to, thing which, place where | AMBULATORY, laboratory |
| -OSE, -OUS | having, full of, characterized by | IMPERVIOUS, unctuous, perilous |
| -SHIP | quality, condition, state of | fellowship, friendship |
| -SOME | like, tending to be | tiresome, lonesome |
| -TION | state of that which | convocation, commotion |
| -TUDE | state of being | verisimilitude, aptitude |
| -ULUS, -ULOUS | tending to | CREDULOUS, pendulous |
| -URE | state or act of | CENSURE, tenure |
| -UUS, -UOUS | tending to | INNOCUOUS |
| -VOROUS, -VORE | eating, feeding on | omnivorous, herbivore |
| -WISE | direction, manner, in regard to | clockwise |
| -Y | state of being | nullity, APATHY |
3. Latin Number Forms
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
| UNI- | one | UNIFORM, unicorn, unilateral |
| PRIM-, PRIMO- | first | primary, primitive, primogenitor |
| DU- | two | duet, dual |
| BI-, BIN- | two, twice | bicycle, binoculars |
| SECOND- | second | secondary |
| TRI- | three | triangle, tricycle, trinity |
| TERTI- | third | tertiary |
| QUADR-, QUADRU- | four | quadrangle, quadruple |
| QUART- | fourth | quarter |
| QUINQUE-, QUINT- | five, fifth | quintet, quintessence |
| SEX-, SEXT- | six, sixth | sextet, sextant |
| SEPT-, SEPTEM- | seven | septet, September |
| OCT- | eight | octet, October |
| OCTAV- | eighth | octave, octagon |
| NOVEM- | nine | November |
| NON- | ninth | nonagon |
| DECEM- | ten | December |
| DECIM- | tenth | decimal, DECIMATE |
| CENT- | hundre | century, centennial |
| MILL- | thousand | millimeter, millennium |
| SESQUI- | one and a half times | sesquicentennial |
| SEMI- | half, partly | semiannual |
4. Latin Base Words
| Latin word | Meaning | Examples |
| abstinere | to hold back | abstain, ABSTINENCE |
| accollare | to embrace | ACCOLADE |
| acerbus, AC, ACR | sharp, bitter, sour | acerbic, acrid, acumen, acrimony |
| actuare | to do, to move | ACTUATE |
| actus, ACT | drive, lead, to do, to act | active, activate, activism, react |
| acurer | to sharpen | ACUTE, acumen, acuity |
| adbaetere | witness, judge | ARBITER |
| adjacere | to lie near | adjacent |
| aemulus | trying to equal, excel | EMULATE |
| aequus | equal | EQUIVALENT |
| affecere, AFFE | a state of feeling, to feign | AFFECTATION, AFFECTED |
| ager, agri, agro, AGR | field | agronomy |
| agere, AG | drive, lead, to do, to act | agility, agitate, AGENDA |
| alacer | eager, quick, brisk | ALACRITY |
| albus | white | albino, albedo, albescent |
| alere, altum, AL, ALT | grow, nourish | altrical |
| alius | other, else | alias, ALIENATE |
| alienus, ALIEN | of another, other | alien, alienation, unalienable |
| alludere | to joke, jest | allude, ALLUSION |
| alter, ALTER | other, another | alternative, altercation, ADULTERATE |
| alter | other of two | ALTERNATIVE |
| altus | high, deep | alto, altimeter, exaltation |
| amare, AM, AMAT | to love, friend | AMIABLE, enamored, amorous |
| ambulare, AMB | to walk, to go | amble, preamble, AMBULATORY |
| amicus | friend | AMITY |
| amplus | large, spacious | ample |
| anecdota | unpublished | ANCEDOTE |
| angere, anxius | to give pain | ANXIOUS, ANXIETY |
| angulus | a corner | angle, ANGULAR |
| anima | breath, spirit, soul | ANIMOSITY, inanimate, unanimous |
| animus, ANIM | reason, mind, soul, life | ANIMATE, magnanimous |
| annus, ANNU, ENNI | year | annual, biennial, centennial, PERENNIAL |
| anomalia | inequality | ANOMALY |
| antiquus | old, ancient | antiquity, antique, ANTIQUATED |
| apertum, APERT | open, uncovered | aperture |
| apparere | to come forth | apparent, appearance, APPARITION |
| appellare, APPELL | address, entreat, call | appellation |
| apprehendere | to take hold of | apprehend, APPREHENSIVE |
| apprenare | to teach | APPRISE |
| aptare, aptus, APT, EPT | to fit, suitable | aptitude, adapt, INEPT |
| aqua | water | aqueous, aqueduct, aquifer, aquarium |
| arabilis | to plow | ARABLE |
| arbit | judge | ARBITRATION, arbitrary |
| arbor | tree | arboretum, arboreal |
| archein, ARCH | to rule | MONARCH |
| ardere ARD | be on fire, to burn | ardor, ARDUOUS |
| arere | to be dry | ARID |
| arguere | make clear | argument |
| arma | implements, weapons | arm, armament, ARMADA |
| arrogare | full of pride | ARROGANT, ARROGANCE |
| arsum, ARS | be on fire | arson |
| ars, artis, ART | skill, craft, method | art, artisan, artist |
| articulare | jointed; utter distinctly | ARTICULATE, inarticulate |
| artificium | art-craft + facere-to make | artifact, artifice, artificial |
| ascendere | to scale, climb | ascend, ASCENDANCY |
| aspergere | to sprinkle on | asperse, ASPERSION |
| assidere | to sit beside, assist | assess, assist |
| assiduitas | constant presence | assiduity, ASSIDUOUS |
| astus | crafty, cunning | ASTUTE |
| auctor | author, enlarger | AUTHORITY, authorize |
| audere, AUD | to dare, be bold | AUDACIOUS, AUDACITY |
| augere, augtum | to increase | augmentation, augur, august |
| audire, AUD | to hear | audible, audio |
| auditum, AUDIT | to hear | audition |
| augere, AUG, AUX | to increase | AUGMENT, auxiliary |
| auctum, AUCT | increase | auction |
| auris | ear | auricle, auriform |
| auspicium | good omen, approval | auspice, AUSPICIOUS |
| authentious | real, genuine | AUTHENTIC |
| avarus | greedy | AVARICE, avaricious |
| avertere | to turn away | avert |
| avis | bird | avian, aviary, aviation, avionics |
| beatus | happy, blessed | beatific, beatitude |
| bella, bellus | beautiful | EMBELLISH |
| bellum, BEL, BELL | to wage war | bellicose, rebellious, BELLIGERENT |
| bene, BEN | well, good | benevolence, BENEFICENT, BENIGN |
| bibere | to drink | bibulous, IMBIBE |
| blaterare | to babble, to roar | BLATANT |
| bonus, BON | good | bonanza, bonny, bon voyage, bonus |
| melior | better | AMELIORATE |
| optimus | best | optimum |
| brachium | an arm | EMBRACE |
| brevis, BRI, BREV | brief, short | BREVITY, abbreviate, abridge |
| burla | a jest | BURLESQUE |
| cadere, CAD | to fall, happen by chance | DECADENT, cadaver, cascade |
| cidere, CID | to fall, happen by chance | coincidence, RECIDIVISM |
| casum, CAS | to fall, happen by chance | cascade |
| caedere, cide | to cut, kill | incision, pesticide |
| calere, CAL | be warm, glow | caloric, calorie |
| callum | hard skin | callus |
| calx, CALC | pebble, to reckon | calculate, calculus |
| candere, CAND | glow, pure, sincere | incandescence, candor, CANDID |
| canere, CANT, CHANT | to sing | RECANT, chant, enchant |
| canis | dog | canine |
| capere, CAP, CAPT | to take, to seize | captive, capture, intercept, CAPTIOUS |
| capra | a she goat (impulsive) | CAPRICIOUS, caprice |
| capere, CIP, CEPT | to take, to seize | INCIPIENT, precept, susceptible |
| caput, CAP, CAPIT | head, headlong | cape, chapter, capital, principle |
| cardo, CARDIN | hinge | cardinal |
| caro, CARN | flesh | carnal, incarnate, carnivore |
| castigare | to purify, chastise | CASTIGATE |
| cauda | a tail | CODA |
| causa | cause, reason | causal, causation |
| cavare, cavus | to make hollow | CAVERNOUS, cavity, excavate |
| cedere, CED, CEED | to go, to yield | recede, precede, exceed, PREDECESSOR |
| cessum, CESS | to go, to yield | concession, access, recess |
| celeber, CELEBR | honored | celebrant, celebrity, celebrate |
| cella | storeroom | cell, cellar |
| censere, CENS | assess, rate, estimate | census, CENSURE |
| centrum, CENTR | center | concentric, concentrate, ECCENTRIC |
| centum, centi | hundred, tenth, ten | percent, centimeter, century |
| cernere, CERN, CERT | distinguish, separate, decide | discern, certitude, DISCERNMENT |
| cerebrum | brain | cerebral, cerebrate, cerebellum |
| cerratanus | seller of Papal indulgences | CHARLATAN |
| cessare | to cease | INCESSANT |
| ciere, citum, CI | move, stir, rouse, call | cite, citation |
| citum, CIT | move, stir, rouse, call | excite, incite, SOLICIT, solicitous |
| civis | citizen, community | civic, civility, civilian |
| clamere, CLAIM | to shout, claim, cry out | CLARIFY, ACCLAIM, RECLAIM |
| clamatum, CLAM | to shout, claim, cry out | CLAMOR, PROCLAIM, declaration |
| clarus | bright, clear, famous | clarion, clarity |
| clausum, CLU | to close, shut | recluse, exclude, include, conclusion, PRECLUDE |
| clavis | key | clavicle, clavier, ENCLAVE |
| clemens | mild, merciful | CLEMENCY |
| clinatum, CLI, CLIN | lean, slope | incline, inclination, CLINOMETER |
| coagulare | to curdle | COAGULATE |
| codex, CODIC | book, tree trun | code, codicil |
| coercere | to surrond, restrain | COERCE |
| cogitare, COG | to think | COGENT, cogitative |
| cogitatum, COGITAT | to think | COGITATE |
| cognoscere, cognitum | to know | INCOGNITO, cognition, ignorant COGNIZANT |
| cohaerere | co-together + haerere-stick | cohere, coherence, INCOHERENT |
| colare | to strain, filter | percolate, colander |
| color | to hide, conceal | coloration, COLOR |
| commodus | suitable | COMMODITY |
| complacere | to be pleased | complacency, COMPLAISANT |
| complere | to fill up | complete, comply, COMPLIANT |
| computare | to compute | count, DISCOUNT |
| comsentire (com + sentire) | to feel with | consent, CONSENSUS |
| concidere | to cut off | CONCISE |
| conciliare | bring together, win over | conciliate, CONCILIATORY, RECONCILE |
| conterere, contritio | ground to pieces, grief | CONTRITE, contrition |
| condensus | dense, compact | CONDENSE |
| condere | to put together, hide | RECONDITE |
| condescendere | to let oneself down | CONDESCEND |
| congruere | come together | CONGRUENT, INCONGRUOUS |
| contemnere | con-with + temnere-scorn | CONTEMPT |
| contendere | stretch out, strive after | CONTENTIOUS, contend, contention |
| copia | abundance | COPIOUS |
| cor, CORD, COUR | heart | courage, cordial, accord |
| corium | skin, hide | excoriate |
| cornu copia | (cornu) horn (copia) plenty | CORNUCOPIA |
| corona | crown | corona, coronary, coronation |
| corpus, CORPOR | body | corporeal, corporation |
| corroborare | to strengthen | CORROBORATE |
| corrumpere | destroy, spoil, bribe | CORRUPT |
| creare, CREA | create, grow | create, creative |
| crescere, CRESC | grow, increase | CRESCENDO, accretion |
| cretum, CRE, CRET | grow, increase | increase, increment |
| credere, CRED | to believe, to trust | credentials, incredible, credence |
| creditum, CREDIT | to believe, to trust | credit |
| cretum, CRET, CRIM | distinguish, separate, decide | secret, DISCRIMINATE, recrimination |
| crimen, CRIMIN | accusation, charge | incriminate, criminology |
| cruce | pot, jug | crucible |
| culminare | peak, summit | CULMINATE |
| culpa, CULP | fault, blame, guilt | culprit, CULPABLE, exculpate |
| cultus, CULT | to till, care | CULTIVATE, culture, cult |
| cumbere, CUB, CUMB | to lie down | incubate, recumbent, SUCCUMB |
| cura, CUR, CURAT | to care for | sinecure, secure |
| currere, CURR | to run | recur, current |
| cursum, CURS | to run | CURSORY, cursive |
| crux, CRUC | cross, to torture | crucial, crucify, excruciating, crusade |
| debere, DEB | to owe | debt, debtor |
| debitum, DEBIT | to owe | debit |
| debilitare | to weaken | DEBILITATE |
| decorus | fit; proper | DECORUM, DECOROUS, indecorous |
| deffere | to bring down, yield | defer, DEFFERENCE |
| delectar | to charm | delectable, DILETTANTE |
| deliberare | to consider, weigh well | DELIBERATE |
| delirare | (to plow crooked) to rave | DELIRIUM, DELIRIOUS |
| deminuere | to lessen from | DEMINISH, diminutive |
| dens, dentis | tooth | denture, dentifrice, endodontia |
| denuntiare | to announce, denounce | denunciation, DENOUNCE |
| depravare | to make crooked | deprave, DEPRAVITY |
| desiccare | to dry up completely | DESICCATE |
| determinare | to set bounds from | DETERMINED |
| deus, dei | god, godly | deify, deity, deism |
| devotus | to show reverence | devout, DEVOTION |
| dexter | right, right hand | dexterous, AMBIDEXTROUS |
| dicere, DIC | to say, to spea | indict, abdicate, PREDICAMENT |
| dictum, DICT | to say, to speak | dictate, verdict, edict, indict |
| dies | day | diurnal |
| difficilis | hard to do | difficult |
| diffidere | to distrust | diffidence, DIFFIDENT |
| dignari | to consider, worthy | deign, DISDAIN, INDIGNANT |
| dignus, DIGN | worthy | dignify, dignitary, INDIGNANT |
| dilatare | dis-apart + latus-wide | dilate, dilation |
| discordia | dis-apart + cor-heart | DISCORD, discordant |
| discurrere (dis + currere) | to run to and fro | DISCOURSE |
| distare | to stand apart | DISTANT |
| distinguere | to separate | DISTINGUISHED |
| docere, DOC | teach | doctrine, document |
| doctum, DOCT | teach | doctor |
| dolere, DOL | be in pain, grieve | doleful, dolorous, INDOLENT |
| domitare | to tame | INDOMITABLE |
| dominus, dominium | a lord, right of ownership | domain, dominate, domineer |
| domus | house, home | domesticity, DOMESTICATE, domicile |
| donare, DON, DOT | give, forgive | CONDONE, donation, donor |
| dormire, dorm | to sleep | dormitory |
| dotare | to endow | ENDOW, ENDOWMENT |
| dubius, DUB | doubt | DUBIOUS, indubitable |
| ducere, DUC | to lead | seduce, induce, subduce, SUBDUE |
| ductum, DUCT | to lead | conduct, ductile |
| durare, durus, DUR | to harden, hard | duress, OBDURATE, DURABLE, ENDURANCE |
| ebullire | to boil up | EBULLIENT |
| effectu | bring to pass, accomplish | effective, EFFECTUAL |
| effluere | to flow out | EFFLUENCE, EFFLUVIUM |
| elicere | to draw out | ELICIT |
| emendare | to correct | EMEND, AMEND |
| emoliri | accomplish | emolument |
| enhaucere | to raise high | ENHANCE |
| equis, EQU, IQU | equal, even | equidistant, INIQUITY, equivalent |
| errare, ERR | wander, go astray | errant, error, err, ERRONEOUS |
| erraticus, ERRAT | wander, go astray | ERRATIC, ABERRATION |
| erudire | to instruct | ERUDITE |
| essentia | to be | ESSENCE, ESSENTIAL |
| ethicus | character, custom | ETHICAL |
| evitare | to shun, avoid | evitable, INEVITABLE |
| exemplum | a pattern, example | EXEMPLARY, EXEMPLIFY |
| exhaustus | to draw out, exhaust | EXHAUSTIVE |
| exhortari | ex-out + hortari-to urge | EXHORT, exortation |
| exigere, exigens | to drive out | exigency, EXIGENT |
| exoticus | foreign, strange | EXOTIC, exotica |
| exorbitare | to go out of the track | EXORBITANT |
| expeditus | hasen, dispatch | EXPEDITE, EXPEDIENT |
| exponere | to put forth | expound, expose, EXPOSITION |
| expungere | mark for omission, erase | EXPUNGE |
| extirpare | to root out | EXTIRPATE |
| extraneare | to treat as a stranger | ESTRANGE |
| extremus | last, outermost | EXTREME, extremity |
| extricatus | to disentangle | EXTRICATE |
| exuberare | to come forth in abundance | EXUBERANT, exuberance |
| fabula | story | fable, fabulous |
| facilis | easy, to make easy | facile, facility, FACILITATE |
| facere, factum, FAC, FIC | to do, to make | facsimile, EFFACE, fiction, SURFEIT |
| facetia | a jest, witty | facetiae, FACETIOUS |
| factum, FACT | to do, to make | manufacture, factory |
| fallere | to deceive, disappoint | FALLACIOUS, infallible |
| fama | fame, reputation | famous, INFAMOUS |
| fanaticus | enthusiastic | FANATIC |
| fanus, fanum | a temple | PROFANE, PROFANITY |
| fari, FAB, FAM | speak | fame, fable, AFFABLE, famous |
| fastidium | loathing, disgust | FASTIDIOUS |
| fatuus | silly | FATUOUS, fatuity |
| fecundus | fertile, fruitful | FECUND, fatuity |
| femina | woman | female, feminine, femininity |
| fendere, FEND | to resist, hit, strike | defend, offend, offense |
| ferre, FER | to carry, to bear | refer, transfer, conference, proffer |
| ferrum | iron | ferric, ferrous, ferrotype |
| fertilis | to bear fruit | FERTILE, fertility |
| fervere, FERV | boil, ferment | FERVOR, EFFERVESCENT, fervid |
| fetidus | to stink | FETID |
| fidere, fides, FID | faith, trust, rely on | fidelity, PERFIDY, perfidious, fiduciary |
| figare, fixus | to fasten, attach | fixative, crucifix, suffix |
| firmare, FIRM | to make firm, strengthen | AFFIRM, confirm, firmament |
| fingere | to touch, handle | feint, FEIGN |
| finire, finis, FIN | to end, limit | final, finite, infinity, confinement |
| fissum, FISS | split, burst | fissure |
| fictum, FICT | form, shape, mold | fiction, fictitious |
| finis, FIN | end, limit | final, definite |
| flagrare, FLAG, FLAM | to burn, flame, blaze | flammable, FLAGRANT, conflagration |
| flare, flatus | blow | deflate, inflation |
| flectere, FLECT | bend, turn | deflection, inflection, reflect |
| flexum, FLEX | bend, turn | flexible |
| fligere, FLICT | to strike, drive, dash | afflict, inflict, conflict, PROFLIGATE |
| florere, FLOR | thrive, to flower | FLOURISH, florid |
| fluitas, (superfluere) | to overflow | SUPERFLUOUS, SUPERFLUITY |
| fluere, FLU | flow | confluence, fluid, flume, influence |
| fluxum, FLUX | flow | influx |
| foris | out of doors, beyond | FORFEIT, FORFEITURE |
| forma, FORM | shape, beauty, constant | UNIFORM, REFORM, FORMAL |
| fortis, FORT | strong, brave | fortify, force, forte, comfort, FORTITUDE |
| fortuna, FORT | chance, luck | fortunate, FORTUITOUS |
| fundare, FOUND, FUND | bottom | foundation, fundamental, PROFOUND |
| frangere, FRANG | to break | frangible, fragment |
| frangere, FRAG | to break | fragment, fragile |
| fractrum, FRACT | to break | fraction, fracture |
| frater, FRATR | brother | fraternal, fraternize |
| fraus, FRAUD | deceit, trickery | fraud, FRAUDULENT |
| frivolus | fragile, silly | FRIVOLOUS, frivolity |
| fructus, FRUIT, FRUG | fruit, produce | fruitful, fruition |
| frugalis | proper, worthy | FRUGAL |
| fugere, FUG | flee, escape | fugacious |
| fugitum, FUGIT | flee, escape | fugitive |
| fulmen | lightning, thunderbolt | FULMINATE |
| fumus | smoke | fumitory, fumarole |
| fundere, FUND | to pour out, shed, scatter | refund, FUSILLADE |
| fungi, FUNG | perform, do, discharge | function |
| functum, FUNCT | perform, do, discharge | functionary |
| funus, FUNER | death, funeral | funeral, funereal |
| furere, FUR | rave, rage | fury, furious, infuriate |
| furtum | theft, stealthy | FURTIVE |
| fusum, FUS | pour, shed, scatter | diffuse, PROFUSE, effusive |
| futilis | worthless, untrustworthy | FUTILE, futility |
| garrire | chatter | GARRULOUS |
| genialis | of birth, generation | GENIAL, congenital, CONGENIAL |
| genus, GEN, GENER | birth, race, kind | GENRE, generic, generous, generation |
| gestum, GEST | carry, wear, wage | gestation, gesture |
| gladius | sword | gladiator, gladiate |
| globus | ball, sphere | globe, global |
| glutire | to devour | GLUTTON, gluttonous |
| gradior, GRAD, GRADI | walk, step; move foreward | gradual, retrograde, gradient |
| gressum, GRESS | walk, step; move foreward | progress, aggressive, REGRESS |
| grandis, GRAND | great | grandeur, grandiose, grandiloquent, AGGRANDIZE |
| gratia | favor, grace | grace |
| gratus, GRAT | pleasing, favorable | gratitude, congratulate, INGRATIATE |
| gravis, GRAV, GRIEV | heavy, serious | grave, grievance, AGGRAVATE, gravid, grief, AGGRIEVE, GRAVITY |
| grex, GREG | flock, herd | congregate, segregate, GREGARIOUS |
| habere, HAB | to have, hold, keep | habit, inhabit |
| habeo, HABIT | to have, hold, keep | habitual, habituate |
| haerere, HER, HES | to cling, stick | adhesive, cohesive, adherent, INHERENT |
| haeresis | school of thought, sect | heretic, HERESY |
| harmonicus | fitting, agreement | HARMONY, harmonic |
| heres, HERED | heir | hereditary, heredity |
| herba | grass, herb | herbivorous, herbaceous |
| hilarare, hilaris | to gladden, merry | hilarious, exhilarate |
| histrio | actor | HISTRIONICS |
| homo, HOMIN | man, human being | homicidal, hominize |
| horrere, HORR | shudder, stand stiff | horrendous, abhor |
| hostis | enemy | hostile |
| humanus | mankind | humanity |
| humere, HUM | be moist, damp | humid |
| humilis | lowly | HUMILITY, humiliate |
| id | one’s own | IDIOM, idiosyncrasy |
| ignis | fire | ignite, ignition, igneous |
| ignorare | to have no knowledge of | ignore, ignorant |
| imbuere | to wet, soak | IMBUE |
| imitari, IMIT | to copy | imitative |
| imitatum, IMITAT | to copy | imitate, imitation |
| immunis | tax exempt | IMMUNE |
| impedire (im + pes) | to hold the feet, entangle | IMPEDE |
| imponere | to place upon | IMPOSE |
| inanis | empty, vacant | INANE |
| incidere | occur, to fall upon, likely | incident, INCIDENTAL |
| incisio, incisivus, CIS | to cut | excise, incision, INCISIVE, incisor |
| inchoare | to begin | INCHOATE |
| incurrere | to run into, attack | incur, INCURSION |
| indulgere | be kind to, yield to | indulge, INDULGENT |
| iners (in + ars) | without skill or art | inertia, INERT |
| infere (in + ferre) | to carry in | INFER |
| ingenerare | to beset | ENGENDER |
| ingenuus | native, inborn, frank | INGENUOUS |
| inhibere | hold back, restrain | INHIBIT |
| inimicus | hostile | INIMICAL |
| iniquus | uneaqual | INIQUITY, INIQUITIOUS |
| innovare | to renew | INNOVATE |
| inquirere | to seek | inquire, INQUISITIVE |
| instigare | to incite, stimulate | INSTIGATE |
| insula, isola | island, to isolate | isolate, insulate, INSULAR |
| integritas | whole, entire | INTEGRITY |
| intendere | aim at, stretch for | intend, intense, INTENSIFY |
| intricare | to entangle, PERPLEX | INTRICATE, intricacy |
| intus | within | INTIMATE |
| iratus | to be angry | IRATE, IRASCIBLE |
| ire, itum, IT | to go | initiate, transit |
| iter, ITINER | journey, walk | ITINERANT |
| jacere, JAC | to throw, cast down | ejaculate, adjacent |
| jactum, JECT | to throw, cast down | eject, reject, trajectory, ejecta, object, OBJECTIVE |
| jejunus | hungry or meager | jejune |
| jocus | joke | jocund, jocular, jocose, jocosity |
| Jovis | Roman god Jupiter | JOVIAL |
| judex, JUDIC | judge, judgement | JUDICIOUS, judicial, adjudicate |
| jugum | a yoke | SUBJUGATE |
| jungere, JUNG | to join, to meet | conjugal, conjugate, CONJOIN |
| junctum, JUNCT | to join, to meet | junction, injunction |
| jus, JUR, JUST | right, law, take an oath | abjure, PERJURY, CONJURE, jurisprudence |
| juvenile | oung | juvenile, REJUVENATE |
| labi, LAB | slide, slip, fall | labile |
| laborare | to work | collaborate, ELABORATE |
| lapsum, LAPS | slide, slip, fall | lapse |
| labor | work, exertion | labor, laboratory, laborious |
| lacrima | a tear | lachrymal, lachrymouse |
| lamentium | a mourning, wailing | LAMENT |
| languere | to be faint, listless | languid, LANGUISH, languor |
| lassus | faint, weary | LASSITUDE |
| latus, LATER | wide, sideways | LATITUDE, lateral, UNILATERAL |
| latere | to lie, hidden | LATENT |
| latum, -LAT | to bear, to carry | relate, translate |
| laudare | to praise, glory | LAUDABLE |
| lavere, LUT, LUG, LAV | to wash | dilute, DELUGE, lavatory |
| laxus | to be loose | LAX, laxity |
| legare | to send | RELEGATE, delegate |
| legere, LEG | gather, choose, read | legend, elegant, ELEGANCE |
| lectum, LECT | gather, choose, read | dialect, election, collect, select |
| lethargia | idle | lethargic, LETHARGY |
| lex, LEGIS | law | legislature, illegitimate, legal |
| levare, LEV | light, to lift, rise | LEVITY, elevate, ALLEVIATE, RELIEVE |
| liber | free | liberate, libertine, deliberate |
| liber, LIBR | book | library, libel |
| licere, lictum, LICT | leave, quit, permitted | license, licet |
| ligare | to bind | allegiance, oblige, ligature |
| ligne, LIGN | line, cord | align |
| lignum | wood | LIGNEOUS |
| linqua | tongue, language | linguistics, lingual |
| linquere, LINQU | leave, quit | relinquish |
| liquere, LIQU | to flow, be fluid, clear | liquid, PROLIX |
| litigare | to dispute | LITIGATE, LITIGANT |
| littera | letter of the alphabet | literature, obliterate, literal, literati |
| livere | be black and blue | livid |
| locus | place | dislocate, ALLOCATE |
| longus | long | PROLONG |
| loquax, LOQUAC | talkative | LOQUACIOUS |
| loqui, LOQU | speak, talk | eloquent, soliloquy |
| locutum, LOCUT | speak, talk | elocution, CIRCUMLOCUTION |
| lucere, LUC, LUM, LUS | shine, be light | LUMINOUS, translucent, LUCID, luster |
| lucidus | light, clear | ELUCIDATE |
| ludere, LUD | to play, to mock | interlude, delude, ludicrous, elude, prelude |
| lugere, lugubris | to mourn | lugubrious |
| lusum, LUS | to play, to mock | illusion, COLLUSION |
| lumen | bright light | luminance, luminary, LUMEN |
| luna | moon | lunatic, lunate, lunation |
| lupus | wolf | lupine |
| lympha | water | lymph, lymphatic |
| macer | lean, thin | MEAGER |
| macerare | make soft, or tender | MACERATE |
| magister, MAGISTR | teacher, master | magistrate |
| magnus, MAGNA | big, great, large | magnitude, magnify, MAGNANIMOUS |
| major, MAJ | greater, bigger, larger | major, majestic |
| maximus, MAX | greatest, biggest, largest | maximum, maxim |
| manere, MAN | remain, dwell | manse, manor |
| mansum, MANS | remain, dwell | mansion |
| malleare | to beat with a hammer | MALLEABLE |
| malus, MAL | bad, evil, wrong | maladjusted, MALICE, malignant |
| malus, pejor | worse | PEJORATIVE |
| malus pessimus | worst | pessimist, pessimism, PESSIMISTIC |
| mandare (manus + dare) | to order, command | mandate, commandment, MANDATORY |
| manus, MAN, MANI | hand | manual, MANIFEST, manumit, manipulate |
| mare | sea | mariner, aquamarine |
| margo | boarderland | margin, MARGINAL |
| Martialis | of Mars (the god of war) | MARTIAL |
| matea | a hoe, club | MACE |
| mater, MATR | mother, women | maternity, MATRIARCH |
| materia | matter | MATERIAL, materialism, materialize |
| mecari | to trade, buy | merchant, market |
| medius, mediocris | middle | intermediary, medieval, MEDIOCRE |
| melior | better | meliorate, AMELIORATE, melioration |
| mellifer | honey | MELLIFLUOUS |
| memoria, MEMIN | remember | memoir, memorable, memorandum |
| mendax, MENDAC | lying, false | mendacious, MENDACITY |
| mens | mind | mention |
| mensurare | to measure | measure, COMMENSURATE |
| merces | pay, wages | mercenary |
| mergere | to dip, sink | merge, MERGER |
| merx, MERC | goods, wares | merchant, merchandise |
| metus, meticulosus | fear, fearful | METICULOUS |
| migrare, MIGR | move, change places | emigrant |
| migratum, MIGRAT | move, change places | MIGRATORY, migration |
| militare, MILIT | to serve as soldiers | militia, military, demilitarize |
| ministre, MINISTR | attendant, servant, helper | minister, ministration |
| min | small | minute, miniature, diminish |
| minor | smaller, less | minor, minority |
| mimimus | smallest, least | minimal, minimize |
| minure | to lessen | DIMINISH |
| mirare | to look at, wonder at | mirage, miracle, admiral |
| miscere, MISC | to mix | admixture, miscellaneous, PROMISCUOUS |
| miser | wretched, unhappy | MISER, miserable, miserly |
| miserari | to pity | misery, COMMISERATE |
| mitigare | to make mild, soft, tender | MITIGATE |
| mittere, MIT, MITT | send, let, go | emissary, remit, admittance, transmit |
| missum, MIS, MISS | send, let, go | missive, remission, demise, SURMISE |
| modestus | keeping due measure | MODEST, modesty |
| modus, MOD | measure, manner, means | mode, modal, modify |
| moles | mass, bulk, pile | moleculr, molecular |
| monere, MON | to warn, advise, remind | monument, summons, remonstrate |
| monitum, MONIT | to warn, advise, remind | monitor, admonition, ADMONISH |
| monotonus | one tone | monotone, monotony, MONOTONUS |
| mons, MONT | mountain | montage, monticule |
| morbus | disease | morbid |
| mordere, MORD | bite | REMORSE, mordacious |
| morsum, MORS | bite | morsel |
| morsus | peevish, fretful | MOROSE |
| mors, MORT | death, to die | immortal, morgue, MORBID, moribund |
| mos, MOR | manner, custom | MORALITY, mores |
| movere, MOV | to move | locomotive, MOTIVE, MOTILITY |
| motum, MOT | to move | motion, motor, MOTIF |
| multus, MULTI | many | multitude, multiply, multimedia |
| munificus | bountiful | MUNIFICENT |
| murmure | to murmur, roar | MURMUR |
| murus | wall | mural, intramural |
| mus, MUR | mouse | murid, murine |
| musivus | artistic, of a muse | MOSAIC |
| mutare, mutatum, MUT | to change | mutation, mutant, permutation, MUTABLE, IMMUTABLE |
| nasci, NAT, NAS, NAI | to bear, be born | native, prenatal, natural, INNATE, RENAISSANCE |
| nativus | natural, native | NAÏVE, naivete |
| navis | ship | navy, navigate |
| negare | to deny | negation, abnegate |
| nemus, NEMOR | wood, grove | nemophila |
| nervous | tendon, sinew | nervous, nervy, nerve |
| neuter | ne-not + uter-neither | neuter, NEUTRAL, neutrality |
| nihil, NIHIL | none, nothing, not any | ANNIHILATE, nihilism, nil |
| nocere, NEC, NOC, NOX | to harm, injure | internecine, INNOCUOUS, obnoxious |
| momen, NOM, NYM | name | nominate, misnomer, nomenclature |
| norma | rule | normative |
| noster | ours | NOSTRUM |
| notare | to mark, note | notation, connotation, annotation |
| notum, NOT | know | notable, notation |
| novus, NOV, NOU | new, fresh | renovate, NOVICE, NOVEL |
| nox, NOCT | night | nocturnal, equinox |
| nullus, NUL, NULL | not any, none | null, annul, NULLIFY |
| numerou | number | enumerate, numerable, INNUMERABLE |
| numisma | a coin | numismatic, NUMISMATIST |
| nuntiare | to announce | DENOUNCE |
| nutrire | nourish | nutriment |
| nutiare, NOUNC, NUNC | to report, tell | announce, RENOUNCE, pronounce |
| nucella, nux, NUC | nut | nucellus, nuclear |
| obliterare | to blot out | OBLITERATE |
| obscurus | covered over | OBSCURE |
| obstare | to stand against, oppose | OBSTINATE |
| obviare | to prevent | OBVIATE |
| oculus | eye | monocle, binocular, ocular |
| odium | hatred | odium, ODIOUS |
| officius | to do work | office, OFFICIOUS |
| ominosus | evil omen | OMINOUS |
| omnis, OMNI | all | omnipotent, omniscient |
| onus, ONER | burden | onerous, EXONERATE |
| opacus | shady dark | OPAQUE, APACITY |
| opponere, oppositus | against | opposite, OPPOSITION |
| optare | choose | option, opinion |
| optimus, OPTIM | best | optimum, OPTIMISM |
| opus, OPER | work | operative, opus, opera, operate |
| ordo, ORDIN | rank, row, order | ordinal |
| oriri, ORI | rise | origin, original |
| os, OSS | bone | ossicle, OSSIFY |
| oscillare | to swing | OSCILLATE |
| ostendere | to show against | ostensible, OSTENTATION |
| palatum | to the palate | PALATABLE |
| palpare | to feel, stroke | palpable, PALPITATE |
| pallere, PALL | be pale, yellow, or faded | PALLID, PALOR |
| palliare | to conceal, cloak | PALLIATE, palliative |
| par, parare | equal, to make equal | par, DISPARATE |
| paradigma | to show, example | PARADIGM |
| parage | rank | PEER |
| parcere | to spare | PARSIMONY |
| parens, parere | to appear | apparent, TRANSPARENT |
| parere, PAR | prepare, get ready, equal | DISPARATE, parity, preparedness |
| pars, PART | part | particle, PARTISAN, BIPARTISIAN |
| passus, pati, passum | suffer, endure | patient, PASSIVE, passion |
| pater, PATR | father | paternal, patronize, EXPATRIATE |
| pauci, PAU | few | PAUCITY, pauper |
| pauper, PO, POV, PU | poor person, poor | poverty, IMPOVERISH, pauper |
| pax, PAC, PEAC | peace | pacify, APPEASE, pact |
| pecunia | money | pecuniary, impecunious |
| pejor | worst | PEJORATIVE |
| pellere, PELL | driven, to push | compel, expel, propellant |
| pelsum, PULS | to push | pulsate, IMPULSIVE |
| pendere, PEND | to hang, weigh, play | impending, appendage, suspend, pending, PENCHANT |
| penser, pensum, PENS | to hang, weight, play | expense, dispense, pensive, indispensable |
| penuria | want, scarcity | PENURY, PENURIOUS |
| perfidia | faithlessness, to deceive | perfidy, perfidious |
| perfungi | get rid of, discharge | PERFUNCTORY |
| peroratus | to pray, speak, orate | PERORATE |
| perquisitum | something required | PERQUISETE |
| pervadere (per + vadere) | to go through | PERVADE, pervasive |
| pervius | per (through) via (way) | pervious, IMPERVIOUS |
| pes, PED, POD | foot | pedal, PEDESTRIAN, expedition, podiatrist |
| pessimus | worst | pessimist, pessimism, pessimistic |
| pestis | plague | pestilence, pestiferous, PESTILENT |
| petere, PET, PIT | aim at, seek, attack | impetuous, PETULANT, propitious |
| petitum, PETIT | aim at, seek, attack | petition |
| pictum, PICT | paint, tattoo | picture, pictorial |
| pius | devoted to duty, godly | PIOUS, piosity |
| placere, PLAC | please, be agreeable | PLACATE, placebo, IMPLACABLE |
| placitum, PLACIT | please, be agreeable | PLACID, COMPLACENT |
| planus | flat, even | plane |
| plaudere, PLAUD | beat, clap, approve | applaud, plaudit, implode |
| plausum, PLAUS | beat, clap, approve, true | PLAUSIBLE |
| plexum, PLEX, PLIC | weave, plait, fold, tangle | complicate, IMPLICATE, complex |
| plenus | full | plenty, replenish, PLETHORA |
| plicare, PLIC, PLICAT | to fold, bend | complicate, EXPLICIT, IMPLICIT |
| plere, PLE, PLET, PLEN | to fill, full | complete, IMPLEMENT, DEPLETE, replete |
| plus, pluris, PLU | more, further | surplus, plurality, NONPLUS |
| poenalis, PEN, PUN | to pay, compensate | penalty, punitive, penance |
| pompa | SOLEMN procession | pomp, POMPOUS, POMPOSITY |
| ponderare | to weigh | PONDER, PONDEROUS |
| ponere, PON | to place, put | component |
| positum, POS, POUND | to place, put | position, opposite, EXPOUND |
| populus | people | populace, popularity |
| portere, PORT | carry | portable, portage, export, import |
| portio | share, portion | apportion, proportion |
| posterus | next, following | PREPOSTEROUS |
| potens | powerful, able | potentate, potent, potential |
| praecedere | to precede | precedence, UNPRECEDENTED |
| praecipitare | before, ahead | precipice, PRECIPITATE |
| praedicare | to proclaim, declare | PREACH |
| precarius, PREC | to request, beg, prayer | precarious, imprecate |
| prediligere | to prefer | PREDILECTION |
| prehendere, PREHEND | seize, grasp | apprehend, comprehend |
| prehensum, PREHENS | seize, grasp | REPREHENSIBLE, COMPREHENSIVE |
| PRISE | seize, grasp | comprise, REPRISAL |
| pressare | to press, squeeze | press, pressure, REPRESS |
| pressum, PRESS | squeeze | depress, oppress, impress, SUPPRESS |
| pretiare, PREC | to value | precious, depreciation |
| primus, PRIMO | first | primordial, primary, PRIME |
| pristinus | former | PRISTINE |
| privare | separate, peculiar | privilege, deprive |
| probare, PROB | to prove, test | probation, prove, PROBITY |
| prodigere | wasteful | PRODIGAL |
| prodigiosus | marvelous | PRODIGIOUS, PRODIGY |
| profanus | before a temple | PROFANE, PROFANITY |
| progresse | to step, to go forward | progress, PROGRESSIVE |
| proles | offspring | prolific, PROLIFERATE |
| prolongare | lengthen, extend in time | prolong |
| promere | to bring forth | PROMPT |
| promittere | to promise | COMPROMISE |
| prope | near | approach, REPROACH |
| propendere | to hang or lean foreward | propend, PROPENSITY |
| propinquus | near | PROPINQUITY |
| proprius | ones’ own, peculiar | property, proprietary, PROPRIETY |
| prosa | direct speech | PROSE, PROSAIC |
| prosperare | succeed, thrive, grow | prosper, PROSPEROUS |
| providere, providens | to see before, cautious | provide, PRUDENT, providence, IMPROVIDENT |
| provincia | territory outside of Rome | province, PROVINCIAL |
| proximus | nearest | proximity, approximate |
| pudere, pudens | to feel shame, modest | IMPUDENT |
| pugnare, PUG | to fight, boxer | pugilist, REPUGNANT |
| pugnare, PUGN | to fight, boxer | pugnacious, IMPUGN, REPUGNANT |
| pungere, PUNG | prick, sting | PUNGENT, EXPUNGE |
| punctum, PUNC | prick, sting | punctual, puncture, compunction |
| pungere, POIGN, POINT | prick, sting | poignant, pointed |
| pulcher, PULCHR | beautiful | pulchritude |
| purgare | to clean | purge, purgatory |
| putare, PUT | to think, reckon, consider | computer, compute |
| putatum, PUTAT | to think, reckon, consider | reputation, COMPUTATION |
| putris | rotten | putrid, PUTRIFY |
| quaerere, QUE | ask, seek | conquer, quest, acquire, query |
| quaesitum, QUIS | ask, seek | INQUISITIVE, exquisite, acquisition |
| qualis | of what sort, kind | QUALITY, QUALIFY |
| quantus, quande | how great, how much | QUANDARY |
| quattuor | four | quarterly, quatrain, quaternary |
| queri | complain | QUERULOUS |
| quies, QUI | quite | tranquil, ACQUIESCE, QUIESCENT |
| quotus | how many | QUORUM, quotient |
| rabies | madness | RABID |
| radius | ray, beam, rod | radian, radiation |
| radix, RADIC | root | radicle, radical, ERADICATE |
| rancere, RANC | be stinking | rancid |
| rapere, RAP | to seize, snatch | rape, rapacious, rapine |
| raptum, RAPT | to seize, snatch | rapture, rapt |
| ratio, RATION | reckoning, account | reason, ration |
| ratum, RAT | think, suppose, consider | rational, IRRATIONAL |
| ratus | to reckon | RATIFY |
| raucus | to mutter, give hoarse cries | RAUCOUS |
| recalcitrare | to kick back | RECALCITRANT |
| reciprocus | returning | reciprocate, RECIPROCAL |
| rectificare | to correct | RECTIFY |
| recipere | to take back | receive, receipt, RECEPTIVE |
| rectum, RECT | direct, in a straight line | rectitude |
| redundare | to overflow | REDUNDANT |
| refere, relatus | to bring back | refer, relate, CORRELATE |
| reformare | to make better | REFORM |
| refutare | to repel | REFUTE |
| regere, rectus | right, to make straight | erect, RECTITUDE |
| regere, rex, regis | to rule, king, direct | regimen, direct, regular, regency |
| regnum | to reign | INTERREGNUM |
| removere | to remove | REMOTE |
| renda | to tear apart | rend |
| renuntiare | to tell back | RENOUNCE |
| repletus | to fill again | REPLETE, REPLETION |
| repellere | to repel, reject | repulse, repellent, repel |
| repressus | to hold back | REPRESS |
| reprobare | rebuke, censure | REPROVE |
| repudiare | to put away, divorce | REPUDIATE |
| rescindere | to cut off | RESCIND |
| residere | remainding | residue, RESIDUAL |
| resilire | (salire) to jump, (re-) back | resile, RESILIENT |
| respectus | to look at, look back on | respect, RESPITE |
| resplendere | shining brightly | RESPLENDENT |
| retrahere | to draw back | RETRACT |
| revelatio, revelare | disclose, reveal | REVELATION |
| rex, REG | king | regal |
| ridere, risum, RID, RIS | to laugh at | DERISION, ridicule, risible, DERIDE |
| rigere, RIG | to be stiff, numb | rigor, RIGOROUS, rigid, RIGIDTY |
| rogare, ROG | ask, stretch out the hand | arrogance |
| rogatum, ROGAT | ask, stretch out the hand | INTERROGATE, rogation, abrogate |
| rotare, rotatus, rota | to turn, wheel, turned | rotation, rotary, rotor, ROTUND |
| ruffelen | to scratch | ruffle |
| rumpere, RUMP | to break, destroy | abrupt, rupture |
| ruptum, RUPT | to break, destroy | interrupt, CORRUPT, corruptive |
| rus, RUR | country | rural |
| saccharum | sugar | SACCHARINE |
| sacrare, SANCT, SECR | holy | DESECRATE, CONSECRATE, sanctify |
| sacrare, SACR | holy | sacred, sacrament |
| sagax, sagacis, sapare | wise, to know, to taste | sage, SAGACIOUS, sapient |
| sal | salt | saline |
| salire, SAL, SIL | to leap, jump | sally, salutatory, salient, RESILIENT |
| saltum, SAULT, SULT | to leap, jump | assault, desultory, somersault |
| salus, SALUT | health, safety | salute, SALUTARY, SALUBRIOUS |
| salvare | to save | salvation, salvage, save |
| sanctus, SANCT | holy | sanctify, SANCTION, sanctuary |
| sanguis, SANGUIN | blood (cheerful) | SANGUINE, consanguinity |
| sanitas, sanatorius | health, healthy | sanitation, sanitary |
| sanus | sound | sanity |
| sapor, sapere | to taste | SAVOR, INSIPID |
| satis, satiare, SAT | enough, to fill, full | sated, INSATIABLE, satisfy, satiate |
| satura | a satire, poetic medley | satire, SATIRIC |
| saquire | perceive clearly | SAGACIOUS |
| scala | stairs, ladder | SCALE |
| scandere, SCAND | climb | ascend, ascension, descendant |
| scire, SCI | to know, knowing | OMNISCIENT, science, conscious |
| scribere, SCRIB | write, incise, scratch | scribe, describe, TRANSCRIBE |
| scriptum, SCRIPT | write, incise, scratch | subscription, script, manuscript |
| scrupus | sharp stone | scruple, SCRUPULOUS |
| scrutari | to search into carefully | scrutiny, SCRUTINIZE |
| secare, SEC | to cut | section, sectional, sector |
| sectum, SECT | to cut | intersection |
| securus | free from care | secure, security |
| sedere, SED | to sit | sediment, preside, RESIDE |
| semen, SEMIN | to sow, seed | seminal, DISSEMINATE, SEMINARY |
| senex, SEN | old man | senate |
| sensus, SENSU | feeling | sensual |
| sentiere, SENT | to feel, perceive, think | SENTIENT, sentiment, consent, DISSENT |
| sensum, SENS | to feel, perceive, think | sensation, sensible, sensory, dissension |
| sepsis | poison, rotting | septic, ANTISEPTIC, aseptic |
| sequi, SEQ | to follow, following | SEQUENTIAL, sequence |
| secutum, SEC, SECUT | to follow | second, prosecute |
| sera | a saw | serrate, SERRATED, serration |
| serenus | dry, clear, calm | SERENE, SERENITY |
| servere, SERV | save, protect, keep, hold | servant, reserve, RESERVED |
| servus | slave | SERVITUDE, service |
| sessum, SESS, SED, SID | to sit, plan, plot | session, preside, residual, subsidy |
| severitas | harsh, strict | severity, SEVERE |
| sidere | to settle | SUBSIDE |
| signare, SIGN | to sign, to mark out | signature, CONSIGN, RESIGNATION |
| simplex, SIMPLIC | single, simple | simple, simplex, SIMPLICITY |
| similare, similis | to make like | similar, facsimile, simulation, assimilate |
| sinister | lefthanded, unlucky | SINISTER |
| sinus | a bend | SINUOUS |
| sobrius | sober, moderate | SOBER, SOBRIETY |
| socius, sociare | companion, follower | society, social, association |
| sol | sun | solar, solstice |
| solare, solus, SOL | to make lonely, alone | solo, SOLITARY, SULLEN |
| sollicitus | anxious, worried | SOLICIT, solicitous |
| soloecismus | speaking incorrectly | SOLECISM |
| solutum, SOL | loosen, release, undo | dissolute, soluble, RESOLUTE |
| solvere, SOLV | loosen, release, undo | solvent, resolve, INSOLVENT |
| somnus | sleep | somnolent, sopor, soporific |
| sonus, sonare | to sound | DISSONANCE, unison, sonorous |
| sonus, sonare | to sound | RESOUND, SONATA, DISSONANT |
| sors, sortis | lot, a share | sort, consortium |
| spatiosus | large area | SPACIOUS |
| specere, SPEC, SPIC | see, look at | specimen, CONSPICUOUS, specific |
| spectum, SPECT | see, look at | inspect, spectacle, RETROSPECT |
| spirere, SPIR | to breathe, breath | aspire, INSPIRE |
| spiratum, SPIRAT | breath | respiration, inspiration |
| spondere, sponsus | to pledge, promise | sponsor, respond, RESPONSIVE |
| spontaneus | of free will | SPONTANEOUS, SPONTANEITY |
| sporadicus | to scatter | SPORADIC |
| spurius | false, illegitimate | SPURIOUS |
| squalere, SQUAL | be rough, foul, or filithy | SQUALID, squalor |
| squandere | to scatter | SQUANDER |
| stagnare | pool, swamp | stagnate, STAGNATION |
| stare, stet, STA | to stand | stable, stagnant, contrast |
| statum, STAT | to stand | status, statue, STATIC, STANZA |
| stellare, stella | to shine, star | stellar, constellation |
| sterilis | barren | STERILE |
| stinguere, STINGU | to prick, to quench | DISTINGUISH, EXTINGUISH |
| stinctum, STINCT | to prick, to quench | distinct, distinction, distinctive |
| stolidus | firm, slow, stupid | STOLID |
| strategema | act of a general | strategy, STRATAGEM |
| stratum, STRAT | layer, spread | STRATIFY, STRATUM |
| striare | groove, channel, lined | STRIATED |
| stringere, STRING | draw tight, bind | astringent, STRINGENT |
| strictum, STRICT | draw tight, bind | strict, constriction |
| stridere | rasp | STRIDENT |
| struere, STRU | build, construct, spread | structure, MISCONSTRUE, instrument |
| structum, STRUCT | build, construct, spread | instruct |
| studere, STUD | diligent, zealous, study | student, studious |
| stupere, STUP | be stunned | STUPOR |
| suavis, SUA | sweet, smooth | suave, ASSUAGE, persuade |
| substare (sub + stare) | to stand under, present | substance, SUBSTANTIVE |
| subtilis | fine, thin, precise | SUBTLE, subtlety |
| succedere | to go under, follow after | succeed, succession, SUCCESSIVE |
| succinctus | short, contracted | SUCCINCT |
| summonere | to remind privily | SUMMONS, summon |
| summus | highest | summit |
| sumptus | expense, cost | SUMPTUOUS |
| superlatus | excessive | SUPERLATIVE |
| supplantare | to trip up | SUPPLANT |
| supponere | to suppose, assume | SUPPOSITION |
| surgere, surrection | to rise, risen | insurgency, INSURRECTION, resurrection |
| surrepticius | to take away secretly | SURREPTITIOUS |
| sycophania | informer, toady | SYCOPHANT |
| symbolus | token, pledge | SYMBOLISM |
| tabula | board, tablet | tablet, tabloid, table |
| tacere, TAC, TIC | to be silent | TACIT, TACITURN, RETICENT |
| taedet | to disgust, offend | tedium, TEDIOUS |
| taliare | to cut, split, prune | TAILOR |
| talio | punishment in kind | retaliate, RETALIATION |
| tangere, tactus, TANG | to touch | tangent, TANGIBLE, TANGENTIAL |
| tactum, TACT | to touch | TACTILE, tactual |
| tardus | to make slow | TARDY, RETARD |
| tegere, TEG | cover, hide, defend | integument |
| tectum, TECT | cover, hide, defend | detection, protect |
| temere, temeritas | rashly, blindly | TEMERITY |
| temetum | strong drink | ABSTEMIOUS |
| temnere | to scorn | contemn, CONTEMPT |
| temperare | to temper, mix, regulate | TEMPERATE, temperance, TEMPERAMENT |
| tempus, TEMPOR | time | temporal, contemporize, temporize |
| tendere, TEND | stretch, spread, aim | contend, tend, EXTEND, DISTEND |
| tentum, TENT, TEN | stretch, spread, aim | PRETENTIOUS, EXTENSIVE |
| tensum, TENS | stretch, spread, aim | tension, tensor |
| tendere | to stretch, extend, tend | tendency, TENDENTIOUS |
| tenere, TEN, TAIN | hold, keep | TENACIOUS, contain, detain, tenure |
| tentare, tent | to touch, try | TENTATIVE |
| tenuis, TEND, TENS | thin, stretched | extend, tenuous, tendency, tendon |
| tenuis, TENT, TENU | thin, stretched | tentative, contend, TENUOUS, extenuating |
| tepere | be lukewarm | tepid |
| tergere | to wipe | TERSE |
| terminus | boundry, end | terminator, terminal, DETERMINE |
| terere, TER, TRIT | rub away, tread, wear out | detriment |
| terra | land, earth | terrace, terra firma |
| terrere, TERR | frighten | terror, DETER, terrorism |
| testis | witness | testament, testify, testimony |
| texere, textum, TEXT | weave, build | text, texture, textual, texturized |
| theoria | a looking at, speculation | theory, THEORETICAL |
| timere, TIM | fear | timid, TIMOROUS |
| tingere, TING | dip, soak, moisten, dye | tinge |
| tinctum, TINCT | dip, soak, moisten, dye | tincture |
| tirare | to draw fire | TIRADE |
| tirer | to draw | retire, RETIRING |
| tonsum, TONS | shear, clip, shave | tonsorial, tonsure |
| torpere, TORP | be stiff, numb | torpid, TORPOR |
| torquere, TORQU | to twist, turn | torque |
| tortum, TORT | to twist, turn | contortionist, extort, torture, TORTUOUS |
| torrere, TORR | parch, scorch | torrid |
| toxicare, toxicum | to smear with poison | toxic, toxin, toxicant |
| tradere | to deliver | EXTRADITE, tradition |
| traducere | exhibit, disgrace | TRADUCE |
| trahere, TRA | to draw, drag | TRAIT, TRACE |
| tractum, TRACT | to draw, drag, pull | subtract, TRACTABLE, PROTRACT |
| tradere | to give, deliver over | TRADITION, treason |
| tragicus | suffer | TRAGIC, tragedy |
| transcendere | trans + scandere- to climb | transcend, transcendent |
| transigere | to come to a settlement | transact, INTRANSIGENT |
| transire (trans + ire) | to go across | transit, TRANSITORY |
| tremere, TREM | quake, quiver | tremble, tremendous, tremor |
| trepidare | to tremble | tremulous, TREPIDATION |
| tribuere, tributus, tribus | to assign, allot, pay | tribute, distribute, attribute |
| trivialis | commonplace, unimportant | TRIVIAL, trivia, trivialize |
| trudere | to thrust | ABSTRUSE |
| truncus | stem, trunk | TRUNK, truncate, truncheon |
| trux, TRUC | wild, rough, fierce | TRUCULENT |
| trudere, TRUD, TRUS | to push, thrust | protrude, intrusion, UNOBTRUSIVE |
| tumere, TUM | swell, be swollen | tumescence, tumult, TUMOR |
| turba, TURB | uproar, disturbance | perturb, turbulence, turbid |
| turpis | base, vile | TURPITUDE |
| ubique | (ubi) where, (qua) any | UBIQUITOUS, ubiquity |
| ultimus, ULTI | last | ultimate |
| umber (sub+umbrare) | shade, (under the shade) | SOMBER, ADUMBRATE |
| universus | all together | universal, universality, university |
| unda, UND | wave | undulate, abundant |
| uniformis | one form, unchanging | UNIFORM, uniformity |
| unus, UNI | one | unicorn, unicycle |
| urbs, URB | city | urban, exurb |
| usum, US | to use | usage, abuse, usurp |
| uter | neither | neuter, NEUTRAL |
| utor, UTI | to use | utility, utilization, UTILIZE |
| vacare, vacuus | empty | VACUOUS, evacuate |
| vacillare | to stagger | VACILLATE |
| vadere, vasun, VAD | to go, make ones way | vademecum, EVADE, EVASIVE |
| vagari, vagus | to wander | vagrant, vagaries, VAGUE |
| vanescere | to vanish | EVANESCENT |
| vanus | vain, boastful | vaunted |
| vasum, -VAS | a vessel, dish | vascular, vasectomy |
| valere, validum, VAL | to be strong, be well | valor, valid, evaluate, validity |
| varicar | to straddle, walk crookedly | PREVARICATE |
| varius | colored, DIVERSE | variable, variant, vary, VARIEGATED |
| vehemens | eager | VEHEMENT |
| vehere | carry | vehicle, vehicular |
| velle, volens | to wish, willing | VOLITION, BENEVOLENT |
| vena | blood vessel | vein, venous |
| vendere, VEND | sell | vend, vendor, venal |
| venenum | poison | venom, venomous |
| veneratus | to worship | VENERATE, veneration |
| venire, VENI, VEN | come, move toward | intervene, convention, CONTRAVENE |
| ventum, VENT, VENU | come, move toward | adventure, venue, invention |
| ventus | wind | VENT, VENTILATE |
| venter, VENTR | stomach | ventral, ventricle |
| verbum, VERB | word | VERBATIM, proverb, adverb, verb |
| vereri | to feel awe | REVERE |
| vergere | to turn, bend | CONVERGE, DIVERGENT |
| vermis | worm | vermin, verminous |
| verus, VER | true | VERIFY, aver, verdict, VERACITY |
| versum, VERS | to turn, change | versatile, AVERSION, DIVERSE |
| vestire, VEST | to dress, garment | vestment, vest, divest, investiture |
| vestigium | track, footprint | VESTIGIAL, VESTIGE |
| vertere, VERT, VER | to turn, change | revert, introvert, subvert, introversion, diverse, DIVERT |
| verticalis | the top, turning point | VERTICAL, VERTEX |
| vexare, VEX | shake, toss, trouble | VEX |
| vexatum, VEXAT | shake, trouble, distress | vexation |
| via | way, road | via, viaduct |
| videre, VID | to see | evident, provide, PROVIDENT |
| visum, VIS, VIEW | to see | visual, visible, review, supervise, VISIONARY |
| vigere, VIG | thrive, flourish | vigorous, VIGOR, vigorish |
| vilis | cheep, base | vile, VILIFY |
| vincere, VINC | conquer, win | invincible, convince, CONVICTION |
| vindicta | revenge, to claim, avenge | VINDICTIVE, VINDICATE |
| violare, violatus | to use force | violate, INVIOLATE, violence |
| victum, VICT | conquer, win | victor, victory, victorous |
| vino, vinum, vinosus | wine | vinous, vintage, viticulture |
| vir, virtus | man, manliness, worth | virtue, VIRTUOUS, triumvirate |
| virus | slime, poison | virus, VIRULENT, virulence |
| vitium | fault, flaw, offence | vitiate |
| vivere, vita, VIV, VI | to live, life, lively | REVIVE, convivial, VITAL, VIVID |
| victum, VIC, VICT | to live, life, lively | vicarious, VIABLE, VITALITY |
| vocere, VOC, VOK | to call, voice | vocal, invoke, revoke, PROVOCATIVE |
| vocatum, VOCAT | to call, voice | vocation, convocation, vocative, ADVOCATE |
| vociforatus | to cry out | VOCIFEROUS, vociferate |
| vocitus, vacare | to be empty | void, vacant |
| voluntas | free will | VOLUNTARY, VOLUNTEER |
| volvere, volutum | to turn | revolve, devolve, revolt, voluble |
| vorere | to eat, devour | VORACIOUS, carnivore, omnivorous |
| vocalis, vox, VOC | voice | vocal, vocalise |
| volare | to fly | VOLATILE |
| volo, VOL | to wish, towill | VOLUNTARY, VOLITION |
| volumen | a roll, scroll | volume, VOLUMINOUS |
| votum, VOT | promise, wish, vow | vote, votive, vow |
| vox | voice | voice, vocal, VOCALISE |
| vulgus | the common crowd, rabble | vulgar, vulgarize, VULGARIAN |
| vulnerare | to wound | vulnerable |
5. Greek Prefixes
| Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
| A-, AN- | not, without | apolitical, anoxia, amoral, ATYPICAL |
| ACRO- | top, end | acrobat |
| ALLO- | other | ALLOCATE |
| AMB-, AMPHI- | around | amphitheater, ambit, AMBIANCE |
| AMB-, AMPH- | both, more than one | amphibious, AMBIGUOUS, AMBIVALENT |
| ANA-, AN- | up, back, again, similar to | anadromous, anagram, analogy |
| ANDRO-, ANDR- | human, male | androgynous, android |
| ANTI-, ANT- | instead, against | antacid, antisocial, antipodes, ANTIPATHY |
| APO-, AP- | away, from, off, utterly | apogee, APOCRYPHAL, apostasy |
| ARCHAE- | ancient | archaeology |
| AUTO- | self | automatic, autocrat, AUTONOMY |
| BI- | two, twice | bipolar, biannual, bigamy, BILATERAL |
| CACO- | bad | CACOPHONY |
| CATA-, CAT- | down, down from, against | catacomb, catapult, CATASTROPHE |
| DECA- | ten | decade |
| DERMAT- | skin | dermatitis |
| DEUTERO- | second, farther | Deuteronomy |
| DIA-, DI- | through, across | diagram, dialysis, DIALECT, dialogue |
| DIS-, DI- | two, through, across | dilemma, dissect |
| DYS- | bad, difficult, faulty | dysfunctional (ill-, un-, mis-) |
| EC-, EX- | out, from, off | exit |
| ECO- | environment, habitat | ecosphere, ecosystem, ecotype |
| ECTO- | on the outside, without | ectoderm, ectomorphic |
| EN-, EM- | in, into | energy |
| ENDO- | within, inside, internal | endocrine, endocranium |
| ENNEA- | nine | ennead |
| EPI-, EP- | upon, at, over, near | epicenter, EPISODE, epidermis |
| ESO- | inward, within | esorteric, esotropia |
| EU- | good, well | EUPHONY, euphemism, eugenics, euphoria |
| EXO- | outside, external | exoteric, exclude |
| HECATO- | hundred | hecatomb |
| HEMI | half | hemisphere |
| HEPTA- | seven | heptagon |
| HETERO- | unlike, other | heterogeneous, HETERODOXY |
| HEXA- | six | hexagon |
| HIER- | sacred | HIEROGLYPHICS |
| HOLO- | whole | holistic |
| HOMEO- | like, similar | HOMEOPATHY, HOMEOSTASIS |
| HOMO- | like, similar | homogeneous, homonym |
| HYPER- | over, above, beyond | hyperactive, HYPERBOLE |
| HYPO- | under, less than | HYPOCRITE, hypodermic, HYPOTHETICAL |
| IDIO- | individual | IDIOSYNCRASY |
| IDEO- | idea | ideologue |
| ISO- | equal | isometric, isobar |
| KILO- | thousand | kilogram, Kilohertz |
| MACRO- | large | macroscopic |
| MEGA-, MEGALO- | large | megaton, megalopolis, MEGALOMANIA |
| MESO- | middle | Mesolithic, mesoderm |
| META- | among, between, beyond | metathesis, metaphysical |
| MICRO- | small | microscopic |
| MONO- | one | monorail |
| MYRIAD- | ten thousand | MYRIAD |
| NEO- | new | neoclassical |
| OCTO- | eight | octogenarian, octopus |
| OLIG- | few | oligarchy |
| ORTHO- | straight, regular, upright | orthopedic, orthogenesis |
| PALEO- | ancient | Paleolithic |
| PALIN-, PALI- | back, again, backwards | palindrome |
| PAN- | all | pandemic, panorama, PANACEA, Pan-American |
| PARA- | beside, beyond, near, incorrectly, resembling | paragraph, paranormal, PARADOX, PARADIGM |
| PACHY- | thick | pachyderm |
| PENTA- | five | pentagon, pentagram |
| PERI- | around, about | perimeter, PERIPHERY, perihelion, perigee |
| POLY- | many | polychromatic, polyglot, polygamy |
| PRO- | before, forward, for | procrastinate |
| PROS- | to, toward, besides | prosenchyma |
| PROTO- | first | prototype, protoplasm |
| PSEUDO- | false | PSEUDONYM |
| SCHIZO- | cleave, cut, split | schizophrenia |
| SYN-, SYM-, SYS- | together, with | symmetric, SYNOPSIS, SYNTHESIS |
| TAUTO- | same | tautological |
| TELE- | far, distant | telephone, telegraph |
| TELEO- | end, result | teleology |
| TETRA- | four | tetrameter |
| TRI- | three | trimester |
6. Greek Suffixes
| Suffix | Meaning | Examples |
| -AC, -IAC | pertaining to | cardiac, hypochondriac |
| -AGIA, -ALGIA | pain | neuralgia |
| -AST | one who does | dicast |
| -CRACY | government | democracy |
| -CLASM | destruction | iconoclasm |
| -EMIA | condition of the blood | anemia |
| -GENESIS | creation, formation | parthenogenesis |
| -GENIC | suitable | photogenic |
| -GRAM | record | electrocardiogram |
| -GRAPH | written | monograph, telegraph |
| -GRAPHY | process/method of writing | photography, calligraphy |
| -IA, -Y | act, state of | polity, EUPHORIA, dyslexia |
| -IATRICS | treatment of disease | pediatrics |
| -IATRY | healing | psychiatry |
| -IC | pertaining to, one who | DOGMATIC, aristocratic |
| -ICAL | pertaining to, made of | political, angelical |
| -IC, -ICE | art, science, study of | politics |
| -INE | used to form feminine nouns | heroine |
| -ITE | inhabitant of, product | sybarite, Lucite |
| -ITIS | inflammation | tendonitis, bronchitis, neuritis |
| -ISE, -IZE | to make to give | PROSELYTIZE, sanitize |
| -ISK, -ISCUS | little | asterisk |
| -ISM | the belief in, profession of | hylozoism, euphemism, baptism |
| -IST | one who believes in | Platonist |
| LATRY | worship of | idolatry |
| -LITE, -LITH | stone | megalith |
| LOGUE | manner of speaking | monologue |
| LOGY | science or study of | geology |
| -LYSIS | loosening | analysis |
| -MA, -M, -ME | result of | dogma, theorem, theme |
| -MANCY | prophecy | necromancy |
| -MANIA | madness for | pyromania |
| -METER | to measure | centimeter |
| -OID | resembling, like, shaped | humanoid, android |
| -OLOGY | science or study of | geology |
| -OMA | tumor | melanoma |
| -ORAMA | view | panorama |
| -OSIS | abnormal condition | halitosis |
| -PATHY | feeling, disease | ANTIPATHY, osteopathy |
| -PHILIA | love, affinity for | Anglophilia, homophilia |
| -PHILIC | love, affinity for | audiophilic |
| -PHOBIA | fear of | claustrophobia |
| -PHOR | that which carries | metaphor |
| -PHORIA | production of | EUPHORIA |
| -PHOROUS | producing | phosphorous |
| -POLY | sale, selling | monopoly |
| -SCOPE | instrument for visual exam | telescope, microscope |
| -SIS | act, state of | metamorphosis |
| -THERAPY | to nurse, care for | hydrotherapy |
| -TIC | pertaining to | STATIC, enigmatic |
| -Y | state of being | ANTIPATHY |
7. Greek Number Forms
8. Greek Base Words
| Word | Meaning | Examples |
| acro | tip, top, apex | acropolis, acrophobia |
| aesth, AESTH | feeling | AESTHETICS |
| aer, AER | lower air | aerobic, aerodynamic |
| aden | gland | adrenal |
| agogos, AGOG | leader | DEMAGOGUE, pedagogic |
| agon, AGON | contest, struggle | antagonist, agony |
| agro, agros | field, earth, soil | agriculture, agronomy |
| aigis | goatskin cloak; shield | AEGIS |
| akme | top point | acme |
| algia | pain | neuralgia |
| allos, ALLO | other | allotropic, allomorph, allopathic, allogamy |
| anthropos, ANTHROP | man, stamen | anthropomorphic |
| anemo | wind | anemometer, anemophilous |
| athl | prize | decathlon |
| ainigma | riddle | ENIGMA, enigmatic |
| anthropos | man | anthropology |
| archos, ARCH | chief, first, rule | monarch, archangel, archipelago, ANARCHY |
| archaeo, archaios | ancient, old | archaeology, archeozoic |
| aristo, aristos | best | aristocracy, aristocrat |
| arithmos | number | arithmetic |
| askein | exercised, austere | ASCETIC |
| aster, astro, ASTR | star | astronomy, astronaut, astral |
| atmos | steam, vapor | atmosphere |
| auto, autos, AUTO | self | autoimmune, autobiography |
| axioma | authority, to think worthy | AXIOM |
| ballein, BAL | throw | ball, ballistics |
| baro, baros, BAR | weight, pressure | barometer, barograph |
| barbaros | foreign, barbarian | BARBARIC, barbarous |
| barys | heavy | hyperbaric |
| bat, BAT | go | acrobat |
| batho, BATHO | depth | bathysphere |
| biblos, BIBLIO, BIBL | book | bibliography, bible |
| bios, BIO | life | biography, bionics, biopsy |
| blasphemein | speak evil of | BLASPHEMY |
| caco | bad, poor, evil | CACOPHONY |
| CAUT, CAUST | burn | cauterize, CAUSTIC |
| center | center | center |
| cephal | head | encephalitis |
| chiro, CHIR | hand | chiropractor, criropter |
| chroma | color | monochromatic |
| chronos, CHRON | time | chronicle, CHRONOLOGY, SYNCHRONIZE |
| CLIN | lean | incline, thermocline |
| cosmos, COSM | order, world | cosmology, cosmic |
| CRAT, CRAS | type of government | bureaucrat, theocracy, democracy |
| CRIT | judge | criticize |
| crypto, CRYPT | hide, conceal | ENCRYPTION, CRYPTOGRAM |
| cyclos, CYCLE | circle, wheel | bicycle, cyclorama |
| Cynicus | a Greek philosopher | CYNIC, cynicism |
| deleisthai, deleterios | destroyer, harmful | DELETERIOUS |
| demos, DEM, DEMO | the people | ENDEMIC, demographic, democrat |
| dendron | tree | dendroid |
| derma, DERM | skin | dermatology, hypodermic, endodermic |
| diatribe | a wearing away | DIATRIBE |
| didakikos | apt at speaking | DIDACTICS |
| didonai, dosis | give | dose, dosage |
| doxo, DOX | belief, opinion | ORTHODOX, HETERODOXY, doxology |
| dran, DRA | to do, act | DRAMATIZE |
| DROM | running course | aerodrome |
| dynamis, DYN | force, power | dynamic, dynamo, dyne |
| eidyllion | form, figure, image | idyll, IDYLLIC |
| eirene | peace | IRENIC |
| eiron | dissemble in speech | irony, IRONIC, ironical |
| eklegein | to select, pick out | ECLECTIC |
| elektron, ELECTRO | amber (electric) | electron |
| ekleipsis | a defect, fall short | ellipsis, elliptical, ELLIPSE |
| enkomion | hymn to a victor | ENCOMIUM |
| ENTOM | insect | entomology |
| EP | word | epigraph |
| ephemeros | for the day, shortlived | EPHEMERAL, ephemeris, ephemeron |
| episteme | knowledge | EPISTEMOLOGY |
| ergon, ERG | work, deed | ergonomic |
| esoteikos | inner | ESOTERIC |
| esthesia | feel sensation | anesthesia, AESTHETICS |
| ETHER | upper air | ETHEREAL |
| ethnos, ETHN | nation, people | ethnic |
| ethos, ETH | character, moral | ethos, ethical |
| ETYM | root | etymology |
| exo | outside | exocarp |
| galakt | milk | galactic |
| gamos, GAM | marriage | polygamy, monogamy |
| gastro | belly, stomach | gastric, gastritis |
| geno, GEN | kind, type, race | gender, Genesis |
| ge, GEO | earth | geography, geodesic, geometry, apogee |
| glossal, GLOT | language | polyglot, glossary, monoglot |
| GLYPH | carving | HIEROGLYPHICS, petroglyph |
| GNO, GNOS | know | diagnosis, ignore, incognito, cognitive |
| GON | angle | polygon, pentagon |
| gonos | to produce | cosmogony, theogony |
| gramma, gram | written, drawn | telegram, lithography |
| graphein, GRAM | write, record | telegram |
| graphein, GRAPH | write, record | graphic |
| GYN | woman | gynecology, MISOGYNY |
| hedonikos | pleasure | hedonic, HEDONISTIC, hedonism |
| hedra, hedron | side, base | hexahedral, polyhedron |
| hemi | half | hemisphere |
| hemo, hema, HEM | blood | hemoglobin, hemorrhage, hemotoma |
| homos, HOMO | one and the same | homonym, homogeneous, homosexual |
| helios, HELIO | sun | heliocentric, heliotropic, aphelion |
| helix, HELIC | spiral | helix, helicoid |
| hemisus, hemi | half | hemisphere |
| hiero | sacred, holy | HIEROGLYPHIC |
| hippos, HIPP | horse | hippodrome |
| histanai, STA, STE | stand | STATIC |
| hybris | exaggerated pride | HUBRIS |
| hydor, HYDR | water | hydrotherapy, hydrology, hydroponics |
| hypno | sleep | hypnosis, hypnotoxin |
| hypocrita | stage actor | HYPOCRITE, HYPOCRISY |
| ICON | image | icon |
| ICTHY | fish | ichthyology |
| ideo | idea | ideogram |
| iris, IRID | rainbow, iris | IRIDESCENT |
| isos, ISO | equal, alike | isometric, isotope |
| k(c)ine, KINE, CINE | movement | kinesthetic, cinema |
| k(c)ardia), CARD | heart | cardiac |
| k(c)lastes | breaker, broken | ICONOCLAST |
| K(C)LINO, CLI | to bend, slant | inclination, declination, decline, recline |
| k(c)oma | deep sleep | comatose |
| k(c)ranion | skull | cranial |
| k(c) risis, CRIT | to sift, separate | crisis, criterion, critic, critical |
| K(C)RYPTO | hidden | crypt, CRYPTIC, cryptography |
| lakon | a Lanconian, Spartan | LACONIC |
| laos | the people | laity, laic, liturgy |
| latreia | service, worship | idolatry |
| legein | to choose, pick | LOGIC |
| lemma | proposition | DILEMMA |
| lithos, LITH | stone | megalith |
| logos, LOG | word, reason, study | monologue, logic |
| lysis | loosen | analysis, electrolysis |
| macros, macro | enlarged | macrocosm |
| malagma | an emollient | AMALGAM |
| mania | madness | pyromania, kleptomania |
| mega | large, powerful | megalith |
| megalo | great, enlarged | megalomania |
| metron, METER | measure | metric, geometrical, thermometer |
| micros, micro | small | microcosm |
| mimos, MIM | imitate | mime, MIMIC |
| misein, MIS, MISO | hate | MISANTHROPE, misogynist |
| mnem | | memory, mnemonic |
| monos | one, alone | monocle, monosyllable |
| MORPH | form, shape | amorphous, metamorphosis |
| mucus, muco | slime | mucous |
| mytho | myth | mythological |
| naus, nautes, NAU | ship, sailor | nautical, astronaut |
| necro | death, corpse | necropolis |
| neos, NEO | new, young | NEOPHYTE, neologism |
| neuron, neuro | nerve | neurology, neuritis |
| nom | rule | ANOMALY, ANOMALOUS |
| nomos | law, science | astronomer |
| nostos | a return | NOSTALGIA |
| oasis | fertile spot | OASIS |
| od | path | exodus |
| odont | tooth | odontoid, odontology |
| oikos | house | ecology |
| oikonomia | household management | economy, ECONOMICAL |
| oligio | few, scant, small | oligarchy |
| onoma, ONYM | name | acronym, homonym, ANONYMOUS |
| opsis, optic | sight, view, eye | optician, optical, SYNOPSIS, SYNOPTIC |
| ophthalmo | eye | ophthalmologist |
| ornis, ORNITH | bird | ornithology |
| oro | mountain | orology |
| orthos | right, correct | orthogenesis |
| OSTEO | bone | osteopath |
| pais, paidos | child | pediatric |
| paleo | ancient, early | Paleolithic |
| panegyris | public meeting | PANEGYRIC |
| pas, PAN, PANT | all, entire, every | panoply, PANDEMONIUM, pantheon |
| pater, PATR | father | patrician, patron, paternal, patriarch |
| PATH | disease | PATHOLOGY, PATHOGEN |
| pathos, PATHO | feeling, suffering | EMPATHY, ANTIPATHY, SYMPATHY |
| ped, PED | child, instruction | pediatric, encyclopedia, PEDAGOGUE |
| pelagos | sea | pelagic |
| periphos | moving around | periphery, PERIPHERAL |
| petros, PETR | rock, stone | petrified |
| phago, PHAG | eat, eating | phagocyte, esophagus |
| PHAN | show, make appear | phantom, fantasy, emphasis |
| philanthropia | love of mankind | PHILANTHROPY |
| philos, PHIL | love, tendency | philharmonic, philately, philosophy, bibliophile |
| phobos, PHOB | fear, flight | zoophobia |
| phone, PHON | voice, sound | phonograph, telephone, EUPHONY, CACOPHONY |
| phos, PHOT | light | photograph |
| phylo, PHYLL | leaf | chlorophyll |
| physica, PHYS | nature | physical, physician, physics, METAPHYSICS |
| plasm, plast | shape, substance | plasma, plastic |
| plethore | to be full | PLETHORA |
| PLUT | wealth | plutocrat |
| pneuma, PNEUM | wind, spirit | pneumatic |
| pneumon | lung | pneumonia |
| POD | foot | podiatrist |
| polemikos, polemos | a war | POLEMIC |
| polit, polis | city | cosmopolitan, metropolitan |
| polys | many | polynomial |
| prattein, PRAG | do | PRAGMATIC, pragmatism |
| poblema | to throw forward | problem, PROBLEMATIC |
| protos, PROTO | first | prototype, proton, protozoa |
| pseudes, PSEUDO | false | pseudoscience, pseudointellectual |
| psyche, PSYCH | mind, soul | parapsychology, psychosis |
| ptero | feather, wing | pterosaur |
| pyro, pur, PYR | fire | pyrotechnics, pyromaniac |
| RHEA, RHAG | flow, gush, break | diarrhea, hemorrhage |
| rhis, RHIN | nose | rhinology, rhinoscope |
| rhiza | root | rhizoid, rhizome |
| schisma, SCHIS, SCHIZ | cleave, split | schism, schist, schizophrenic |
| scopos | to watch, see | telescope |
| seismo | earthquake | seismic |
| SEPT | poison, from rot | septic |
| SKEP, SCOP | examine, look at | SKEPTICAL, scope |
| SOMA | body | SOMATIC |
| sophos, SOPH | wise | sophisticated, sophomoric, sophist |
| sperma, SPERM | seed | sperm |
| sphero | sphere, ball | atmosphere, spheroid |
| STAT | stand | status, ELECTROSTATIC |
| stizein, STIG | mark, tattoo | STIGMA |
| stoa | porch | Stoicism, STOIC, stoical |
| STROPH | turn | catastrophe |
| TACT, TAX | arrangement | tactics, syntax |
| TAPH | tomb | EPITAPH |
| techne, TECH | art, craft, skill | technical, tectonic, technocrat, technician |
| TELE | far away | telemetry, telescope |
| temno, tomos | cut, cut off | appendectomy, lobotomy |
| tetra | four | tetrarch |
| thanatos | death | thanatopis, thanatology, EUTHANASIA |
| theos, THEO | god | THEOLOGY, atheist, theocracy |
| THERAP | cure | therapeutic |
| thermos, THERM | heat, warm, hot | thermometer, thermodynamics, thermograph |
| thesis | position | SYNTHESIS, thesis |
| thorax | body | thorax |
| temnein, TOM | cut | appendectomy, tome, epitome, DICHOTOMY |
| tonos, TON | tone | monotone, TONIC |
| topo, TOP | place | topography, topic |
| TOX | poison | toxic |
| tracheia, tracheo | windpipe | tracheotomy |
| TROP | respond to | trophy |
| TROPH | nourish | ATROPHY |
| typos | type, model | typify, typical, typical, atypical |
| xenos, xeno | stranger | xenophobia, xenophilia, xenial |
| zelos | ardor, zeal | ZEALOUS, zealot |
| zoo, ZO | animal | zoo, zoology |
9. Greek, Latin, French, Italian, Spanish, German phrases and words
One of the most creative aspects of the English language is the absorbsion of foreign words and phrases. Quite often there are no precise English words to describe some particular thing or action so that expression or word is taken as is from the French, Italian and Latin language. English has also taken many words from literature and mythology. These words are included here for your information and education. You may not see many of them on the vocabulary section of the SAT, but you will see them in your reading and be expected to understand and use them in your college writing.
Ab Ovo (From the egg) From the beginning.
Ad hoc (To this) For this special purpose. For a special case only without general application.
Ad lib ad libitum ( it pleases) At pleasure; as one pleases. To improvise spontaneously; spoken or done extemporaneously.
Ad hominem (To the man) Appealing to ones prejudices rather than reason.
Ad infinitum (To infinity) Endlessly; forever; without limit.
Ad nauseam To the point of disgust; to a sickening degree.
Adonis A very handsome young man. Adonis was the youth loved by Aphrodite in Greek mythology
Affaire d’ amour A love affair.
Affaire de coeur Affair of the heart; a love affair.
Affaire d honneur An affair of honor; a duel.
Aficionado A devoted follower of some sport; a devotee.
A’ haute voix (In high voice) Aloud.
A’ la carte All menu items are priced separately.
A la francaise In the French manner.
A la mode In the fashion of; stylish.
A la morte (to the death) Seriously ill; dejected; mortally.
Al dente (to the tooth) Firm to the bite: chewy.
Al fresco (In the cool) In the open air.
Alma mater (FOSTER mother) The college or school that one attended; it’s official anthem or hymn.
Alpha and Omega (First and last letters of the Greek alphabet) The beginning and the end. The be all and end all.
Amor Patriae Love of ones’ country; patriotism.
Animus (Soul, mind, passion) An animating force or underlying purpose; intention.
Anno Domini (A.D.) In the year of the Lord. Used to indicate that a time division falls within the Christian era.
Ante diluvian Before the Bibical flood. Extremely old; old fashioned or primitive.
Ante meridian (AM) Before noon.
Ante mortem Made or done just before ones’ death.
A posteriori (From what comes later) From effect to cause, or from particular instances to a generalization; Empirical. Opposed to a priori.
A priori From cause to effect or from a generalization to particular instances; deductively. Opposed to a posteriori.
Apropos (English spelling), ƒ propos (French spelling) At the right time; fitting the occasion; RELEVANT. Apropos of-; in connection with.
Aqua vitae (Water of life) Brandy or strong liquor.
Arriviste A person who has recently gained power, wealth and success and is regarded as an upstart; PARVENU.
Ars longa, vita brevis Art is long, life is short.
Ars poetica The art of poetry.
Au courant Informed, up to date.
Au contraire On the contrary.
Au naturel In the natural state; nude.
Au pair An arrangement in which services are exchanged on an even basis.
Avant garde The leaders in new or UNCONVENTIONAL movements, especially in the arts. Vanguard.
A votre sant¾ To your health. A toast in drinking.
Bacchanal A devotee of Bacchus, the Greek god of wine. A wild, uninhibited and drunken orgy.
Banal Dull or stale because of overuse. TRITE; HACKNEYED
Bas-relief Sculpture in which figures are carved in a flat surface so that they project only a little from the background.
Belles-letters Literature as one of the fine arts.
BÃ te noire (Black beast) A person or thing feared, disliked and avoided.
Billet-doux A love letter.
Bistro A small wine shop, restaurant, nightclub or bar.
Blasé Bored from overindulgence.
Bonbon A small piece of candy
Bon homie Good nature; a pleasant, affable manner.
Bon mot (Good word) An apt, clever or witty remark.
Bon vivant A person who enjoys good food, good wine and good times.
Bon voyage Pleasant journey; a farewell to a traveler.
Bona fide Made in good faith; the real thing.
Boutique A small shop where fashionable expensive clothes and other items are sold.
Bourgeois A person whose beliefs, attitudes and practices are conventionally middle class. CONVENTIONAL;smug; materialistic.
Boutonniere A flower worn in a lapel buttonhole.
Bowdlerize To expunge a book by omitting or modifing parts considered vulgar. To modify by abridging, simplifying, or distorting in style or content. From Thomas Bowdler, an 18th century Englishman who tried to expurgate the works of Shakespeare.
Boycott To engage in a concerted refusal to have any dealings with a person, store or organization as a form of protest and coercion. Charles C. Boycott was a English land agent in Ireland who refused to lower rents.
Braggadocio A braggart. Vain, noisy boasting.
Bravado Pretended courage or defiant confidence where there is little or none.
Bravura A bold attempt or display of daring; dash.
Carte blanche (White card) i.e. A paper bearing only a signature, allowing the beared to fill in conditions. Full authority.
Cassandra A daughter of Priam endowded with the gift of prophecy but fated never to be believed. One who predicts misfortune or disaster.
Causus belli (An occurrence of war) An event provoking war or the used as a pretext for making war.
Cause c¾ lÀ bre A celebrated law case, trial or controversy. Popular cause or issue.
Caveat emptor (Buyer beware) One buys at his own risk.
Charg¾ d’affaires A diplomatic official sent to a foreign nation to represent his government.
Chauvinism Excessive or blind patriotism. Undue partiality or attachment to a group or place to which one belongs. An attitude of superiority towards members of the opposite sex. From Nicholas Chauvin, a character noted for his excessive patriotism and devotion to Napoleon in the French play La Cocarde Tricolore.
Chiaroscuro (Italian for clear dark) From the Latin clarus-clear + obscurus-dark. The treatment of light and shade in a painting or drawing to produce the illusion of depth. Sometimes used to describe a personality that’s a bit two sided.
Chimera A fire-breathing she-monster in Greek mythology having a lion’s head, a goat’s body, and a serpent’s tail. An illusion or fabrication of the mind; an unrealizable dream.
Cinematheque A place where early avante-garde motion pictures are collected and shown.
Circa (c.) About. Used to identify a period of time when the exact date is unknown.
Circe In Homer’s Odessey, an enchantress who turned men into pigs.
Comme il faut As it should be; proper; fitting
Commedia del l’arte A type of Italian comedy with stereotyped plot, improvised dialogue and stock characters.
CONNOISSEUR A person who has expert knowledge and ken discrimination in some field, especially the fine arts or in matters of taste.
Corps de ballet The ensemble of a ballet company.
Corpus delicti (Body of the crime) The facts constituting or proving a crime.
Coup de grce Death blow; a finishing stroke.
Coup d’¾ tat The sudden, forcible overthrow of a government; coup.
Couture The business of designing new fashions in womans’ clothes.
Crème de la crème The best of the best.
Crescendo A gradual increase in loudness or intensity.
Croix de guerre A French military decoration for bravery in action.
Cui bono? Who benefits? Who stands to gain? An assumption that the person who benefits the most might have committed the crime or questionable act.
Cuisine The style of cooking. Manner of preparing food.
Cul-de-sac A passage or position with only one exit. A blind alley. A situation from which there is no escape.
Culpa Fault; guilt; NEGLIGENCE
Cum laude With praise; Graduarion with honors.
Curriculum vitae (C.V.) (Course of life) A complete summary of ones personal history and professional qualifications as submitted by a job applicant. Much more detailed than a resume.
Déclassé Lowered in social status.
Decolletage The neckline or top of a dress cut low so as to bear the neck and shoulders thereby revealing cleavage.
De facto Existing or being such in actual fact though not by legal establishment or official recognition.
De jure By right or legal establishment.
Déjà vu (Already seen) The illusion that one has previously had an experience that is actually new to one.
Delirium tremens A violent delirium with hallucinations resulting chiefly from excessive drinking.
De marche A line of action; move or countermove.
Denouement The outcome, solution,or unraveling of a plot in a drama or story; any final revelation or outcome.
De profundis From the deepest sorrow or misery.
Détente A lessing of tension or hostilities between nations through treaties and trade agreements.
De rigueur Required by custom or fashion; indispensible
Deus ex machina In ancient Greek and Roman plays, a deity brought in by stage machinery to intervene in the action. Any unconvincing character or event brought artificially into the plot of a story to settle an involved situation in a quick and easy manner.
Dishabille The state of being only partially dressed, or in night clothing.
Dolce vita (Sweet life) A casual way of life.
Doppelganger (doppel- double + ganger-goer) A ghostly counterpart of a living person; a double; alter ego; a person who has the same name as another.
Double-entendre A term with two meanings where one of them has a risque or INDECOROUS connotation.
Draconian Characteristic of Draco or his severe code of laws. A cruel, harsh punishment. From Draco, a particularly harsh Athenian lawgiver.
‹clat Brilliant or CONSPICUOUS success.
Élan Spirited self assurance; verve; dash; PANACHE.
Embarras de richesses An embarrassment of wealth. Too much to choose from.
Émigré A person forced to flee his country for political reasons.
‹minence grise A person who wields great power and influence, but secretely or unofficially.
Enamor To fill with love and charm.
Enfranchise To free from slavery; to admit to citizenship; the right to vote. Disenfranchise, or disfranchise means to deprive one of the rights of citizenship,or the right to vote; to deprive of a privilege, right or power.
En garde In fencing, the opening position from which one may attack or defend. Usually given to warn someone to defend themselves prior to attacking them.
Entourage A group of associates or attendants; retinue.
E pluribus unum Out of many, one. The motto of the U.S.
Esprit de corps Group spirit; sense of pride and honor shared by those in the same group.
Et alii (et al.) And others.
Et cetera (etc.) And others; and the like; and the rest; and so forth. Note: Using etc. in formal writing is inappropriate. In general, you should rewrite to avoid its use and never ever write "and etc."
Etceteras Additional things; customary extras.
Et sequens (et seq.) And following.
Ex cathedra With the authority that comes from one’s rank or office.
Exempli gratia (e.g.) For example.
Ex officio By virtue of one’s office or position.
Ex post facto Done or made afterwards, especially when having retroactive effect.
Extempore Without preparation; offhand.
Fait accompli (An accomplished fact) A thing already done so that opposition or argument is useless.
Falsetto A very high pitched male voice.
Fauna The animals of a specified region or time.
Flora The plants of a specified region or time.
Faux pas (False step) A social blunder; error in etiquette; tactless act or remark.
Femme fatale An alluring woman, especially one who leads men to their downfall or ruin.
Fiasco A complete failure.
Fin de siÀcle (End of the century) Formerly used to refer to progressive ideas and customs, but now generally used to indicate decadence.
Forte The thing that a person does particulary well.
Gauche Left handed; clumsy; or INEPT.
Habeas corpus An order requiring that a detained person be brought before a court at a stated time and place to decide the legality of his detention. This law safeguards one against illegal detention or imprisonment.
Habitu¾ A person who frequents a certain place or places.
Halcyon Calm, peaceful prosperous times. A bird identified with the kingfisher and held in ancient times to nest at sea at the time of the Winter solstice and calm the waves.
Haut mond¾ High society.
Herculean Of or relating to Hercules, a mythical Greek hero renowned for his great strength. Requiring extraordinary power or strength.
Hermetic Relating to the Gnostic writings of Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary author of works embodying magical, astrological, and alchemical doctrines. Relating to occultism or abstruseness; recondite. Also the belief that he invented a magic seal to keep vessels airtight. Impervious to external influence.
Homo sapiens Modern man; mankind; human being.
Hors de combat Put out of action; disabled.
Hors d’oeuvres Appetizers; canapes; party snacks.
Hydra A many headed monster in Greek mythology slain by Hercules. A multifarious evil not overcome by a single effort.
Ibidem (ibid) In the same place. Used in refering to the book, or page previously cited.
Ide¾ fixe A fixed idea; obsession.
Idem The same as that previously mentioned.
Id est (i.e.) That is (to say.)
Idiot savant (Wise idiot.) A mentally retarded person who possesses some remarkable special aptitude for music, memorization or rapid mental calculation.
Ignoratio elenchi The fallacy of irrelevant conclusion or missing the point where a proposition other than the one at issue is established by appel to emotion.
Imbroglio An involved and confusing situation. A confused misunderstanding or disagreement.
Impasse Dead end. An argument where no agreement is possible; deadlock.
In Absentia (In Absence) Although not present.
Infra dig(nitatem) Beneath one’s dignity.
In flagrant delicto In the act of commiting the offense; red-handed.
Ingénue An innocent, naïve young woman. An actress playing such a role in the theater.
Imprimature License or permission to publish or print a book, or article. Specifically such permission as granted by an ecclesiastical order.
IMPROMPTU Without preparation or advanced thought.
Incognito With true identity unrevealed or disguised; under an assumed name.
In memoriam In memory of.
Innuendo An indirect remark, gesture or reference, usually implying something derogatory; an insinuation.
Insouciance Calm and unbothered; carefree; INDIFFERENT.
Ipso facto By the very fact.
In perpetuum Forever.
Inter alia Among other things.
Inter alias Among other persons.
Inter nos Between ourselves.
Interregnum An interval between two successive reigns when the country has no sovereign.
In vino veritas In wine there is truth. Alcohol relaxes inhibitions and allows people to speak their minds freely.
Jejune Lacking nutritive value. Devoid of significance or intrest; dull. Juvenile and puerile in regard to life and art.
J’accuse (I accuse) Any strong accusation or denunciation.
Joie de vivre Joy of living; zestful enjoyment of life.
Junoesque A woman marked by stately beauty. From Juno, the Roman goddess of light, birth, women and marriage and the wife of Jupiter.
Junta A small military ruling group responsible for the overthrow of the previous government rulers.
Laissez faire The policy of letting people act without interference or direction.
Lilliputian Small, miniture; petty. An undersized individual. Relating to the Lilliputians or the island of Lilliput, an island in Swift’s book, Gulliver’s Travels where the inhabitants are six inches tall.
Loco citato (loc. cit.) In the place cited.
Lothario A man whose chief interest is seducing women. A seduced in the play The Fair Penitent by Nicholas Rowe.
Machiavellian Of or relating to Niccolo Machiavelli, author of The Prince, and suggesting his principles of conduct emphasising cunning, duplicity and bad faith. Machiavellianism is his view that politics is amoral and that any means, however unscrupulous, can justifiably be used in achieving political power.
Macho A strong virile man; masculine, manly.
Magna cum laude With great praise. Signifies graduation with high honors.
Magnum opus A great work, especially of art or literature; masterpiece. A person’s greatest work or undertaking.
Maitre d Headwaiter.
Malaise A vague feeling of physical discomfort or uneasiness, as early in an illness.
Mal de mer Seasickness.
Martinet A strict militaristic disciplinarian. From Jean Martinet, a 19th century French General.
Maverick An unbranded range animal; a motherless calf. An independent individual who does not go along with the group. A nonconformist. Taken from Samuel Maverick, a 19th century Texas rancher who did not brand his calfs.
Mea culpa Through my fault
Mélange A mixture or medley; hodgepodge.
Mercurial Relating to Mercury, the Roman god of travel and cunning. Having qualities of eloquence, ingenuity or thievishness attributed to the god Mercury. Rapid and unpredictable changeableness of mood.
Modus operandi Mode of operation. A way of doing or making; any established procedure.
Modus vivendi Manner of living or of getting along.
Mores Folkways that are considered conductive to the welfare of society and so, through general observance, develop the force of law, often becoming part of the formal legal code.
Ménage ´ trois An arrangement by which a married couple and the lover of one of them live together.
Mot juste The right word; the exact appropriate word or phrase.
Motif A main element, idea,or feature to be elaborated on or developed in art, music or literature.
Narcissistic Narcissus was a beautiful youth in Greek mythology who pines away for love of his own reflection and is turned into the narcissus flower. Self-absorbed and exceedingly vain.
Nemesis Nemesis was the Greek god of retributive justice. One that inflicts retribution or vengeance. A formidable opponent.
Noblesse oblige Honorable behavior expected of someone of high birth or rank.
Nolo contendere (I do not wish to contend.) Acceptance of the facts in an indictment, as opposed to a formal plea of guilty, on which a judge would pass judgment.
Non compos mentis (Not of sound mind.) Legally insane or incompetent.
Nom de plume Pen name; pseudonym. A false name used to hide an authors true identity
Nom de guerre A pseudonym. False name used in under cover operations.
Non sequitur A conclusion or inference which does not follow from the premises. A remark having no bearing on what was just said.
Nota bene (n.b.) Note well. Take particular notice.
Nouveau riche A person who has only recently become rich; often connoting tasteless ostentation and lack of culture.
Odyssey In Homer’s poem the Odyssey, Odysseus was the king of Ithaca and leader of the Greeks in the Trojan War, who after the war wanders 10 years before reaching home. A long wandering or voyage usually marked by many changes of fortune. An intellectual or spiritual quest.
Opere citato (op. cit.) In the work previously cited.
Outr¾ Eccentric; bizarre
Par excellence In the greatest degree of excellence; beyond comparison; preeminently; the epitome of something.
Parvenu A person who has suddenly acquired wealth or power, especially one who is not fully accepted socially by the class into which he has risen; upstart.
Per Contra On the contrary; By way of contrast; As an offset
Per se By or in itself; intrinsically.
Personna The characters of a drama, play or novel. The outer personality or FAÇADE presented to others by an individual.
PiÀ ce de résistance The principle dish of a meal. The main item or event. An outstanding accomplishment.
Prima facie At first sight; on first view. Evidence adequate to establish a fact or raise a PRESUMPTION of fact unless refuted.
Post meridiem (PM) After noon.
Post scriptum (P.S.) Postscript. A note added below the signature line of a letter as an afterthought.
Pro bono publico (For the public good.) Free legal representation for a beneficial cause.
Pro forma As a matter of form or custom.
Pro se (For himself.) Representing oneself in court rather than retaining a lawyer.
Pro tempore (pro tem) Temporarily
Prot¾ g¾ A person guided and helped, especially in the furtherance of his career, by another more influential person.
Provocateur Agitator; revolutionary.
Quasi As if; in a sense or manner; seamingly; in part; i.e. A quasi scholar. A quasi intellectual.
Qui vive? Who goes there? A sentry’s challenge. On the qui vive.(on the look out; on alert.)
Quid pro quo One thing in return for another. Something equivalent; substitute.
Quixotic Blindly idealistic and romantic. From the main character in Cervante’s Don Quixote de la Mancha.
Quod erat demonstratum (QED) Which was to be demonstrated or proved.
Quod vide (q.v.) Which see.
Raison d etre Reason for being.
Rapprochement Establishing or restoring harmony and friendly relations.
Recherch¾ Rare; choice; uncommon. Having refinement or studied elegance. Too refined; too studied
Repartee A quick, witty reply. A series of such rejoinders.
Respondez s’il vous plaÐ t (RSVP) Please reply. Usually found on formal invitations. The recipient is obligated to respond as to their acceptance. Whether you plan on accepting or not, you must let the host know either way as soon as possible but not later than the given date. To not respond or to say that you can’t accept and then to show up is as serious a breach of etiquette as responding affirmatively and then failing to attend.
Rosetta Stone A black basalt stone found in 1799 with both Egypian heiroglyphics and Greek writing, which enabled archiologists to translate Egypian heiroglyphics for the first time. Something that gives a clue to understanding.
Sadism To take delight in the cruel infliction of physical or mental pain on others. Named after the French nobleman the Marquis de Sade. Masochism is the infliction of pain on oneself for pleasure.
Sangfroid (Cold blood) Cool self-possession or composure.
Sanguine Of the color of blood; ruddy complexion. Cheerful and confident; optimistic; hopeful.
Saturnine Gloomy or taciturn. From the Roman god Saturn.
Savoir faire Ready knowledge of what to do or say, and of when and how to do or say it.
Semper fidelis Always faithful. Motto of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Sic So, thus. Intentionally as written. Used after a printed word or passage to indicate that it is intended exactly as printed or to indicate that it exactly reproduces an orginal, errors and all.
Sine die Without a day being set for meeting again. For an indefinite period.
Sine qua non An essential condition or qualification Indispensable thing; absolute prerequisite.
Sobriquet A nickname; an assumed name
Soup¸on A suspicion. A slight trace as of a flavor; hint; suggestion A tiny amount.
Soir¾e An evening party, or gathering.
Stentorian A person having a loud, deep voice. From Stentor, a Greek herald in the Trojan War noted for his loud voice.
Tabula Rasa Smooth Tablet. The mind in its hypothetical primary blank or empty state before receiving outside impressions. Something existing in its original pristine state.
Tantalize To tease or torment by presenting something desirable to the view, but continually keeping it out of reach. Tantalus was the king of Lydia condemned to stand up to the chin in a pool of water in Hades and beneath fruit ladden boughs only to have the water or fruit recede at each attempt to eat or drink.
Titanic Having great power, magnitude, or power. From the Titans, mythical giants who ruled the earth until overthrown by the Olympian gods. A titan is someone who stands out for greatness of achievement.
Status Quo The current state of affairs.
Sui generis Legally competent to manage one’s own affairs, because of legal age and sound mind.
Summa cum laude With the greatest praise. Signifies graduation with the highest honors.
Tà te-´ -tà te (Head to head) A private or intimate conversation between two people that excludes all others.
Tour de force An unusually skillful or ingenious creation, production or performance.
Vaunt-courier A soldier sent out in advance of an army; a scout; a forerunner; precursor
Versus (vs.) As against, in contrast to.
Vignette A short, delicate literary sketch.
VIRTUOSO A person displaying great technical skill in some fine art, especially music.
Vide infra (v.i.) See below
Videlicet (viz.) That is; namely
Vide supra (v.s.) See above.
Vis-à-vis (Face to face.) Opposite to. In comparison with or in relation to.
Zeitgeist The spirit of the age; trend of thought and feeling in a period.
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