Building
Vocabulary
from Word
Roots
Unit 1: Lesson 2
Latin Prefixes
dis-, di-, dif-
dis-, di-, difThe Latin prefixes dis-,
di-, and dif- have two
different meanings.
In a directional sense,
they can mean “apart”
or “in different
directions.”
In a negative sense, they
can mean “not.”
Write down a short definition for each
of the words below. Use the words
“apart,” “in different directions,” or
“not” in your definitions.
disburse=
discomfort=
dissect=
disinterested=
Match each dis-, di-, dif- word with its
description. Explain how the prefix means
“apart,” “in different directions,” or “not.”
Disburse
Dissect
Discomfort
Disinterested
–To cut something “apart”
–The state of “not” being comfortable
–To scatter “in different directions”
–“Not” interested in something
When you encounter dis-, di-, dif- words
that you do not know, you will need to try
out both prefix meanings to determine
which one makes the most sense.
Disburse
Dissect
Discomfort
Disinterested
TIP: When dis- means “not,” it is
usually followed by a recognizable
word (like “comfort” or “interested”
above).
THINK: How do these dis-, di-, dif- words
mean “apart,” “in different directions,” or
“not”?
The students enjoyed the teacher’s digressions
from the topic.
Our attention was diverted by the loud music.
She divulged a secret that changed all their
lives!
Sometimes people distort the truth.
The talk was disjointed and hard to follow.
His clothes were in a state of disarray.
Divide and Conquer
Dis-= “apart,” “in different directions,” or
“not”
tract = “pull, draw, drag”
Distract means to “draw” something or
someone “in a different direction.”
diverse: turned “in different directions”
disconnected: “not” connected
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
digress
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Gres=step,
go
To step in a
different
direction
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
dispel
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Pel=push
To push or
drive apart
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
discredit
not
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Cred=believe
To not believe
something as
truth
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
distractions
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Tract=pull,
draw, drag
Something that
draws or pulls
one’s attention
aside
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
dissent
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Sent=think,
feel
To think or feel
in a different
direction; to
differ in opinion
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
disruptive
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Rupt=break
To break
apart
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
distended
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Tend=stretch
To stretch or
extend out
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
divert
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Vert=turn
To turn in
different
directions
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
dismiss
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Mis=send
To send away,
in a different
direction
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
dispense
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Pend=weigh,
hang
To deal out or
pay in different
directions
Do Now! Copy these phrases down on a
piece of notebook paper, skipping lines
in between.
A diffident attitude
To disseminate a message
To create a diversion
To divulge a secret
To dissect a specimen
A disparity of resources
A room that is in disarray
To distort a story