Inventions Vocabulary Project
Greek and Latin Root Words,
Prefixes, and Suffixes
by Mindy Ittenbach
Ellicott Mills Middle School
April, 2015
BRAINSTORMING
• Have you ever wondered what it would be like
to solve one of the world’s biggest problems. .
.
Ex: Finding a cure for cancer, or finding a
solution to air pollution
Or perhaps solve a big problem that you have?
Ex: You can’t keep track of your agenda book,
or your little brother keeps getting in your
stuff?
BRAINSTORMING (continued)
1. Determine which problem you would like to
solve!
2. Think about how you would like to resolve it.
3. Think about an invention that would help you
with your problem (it can be as crazy as you like)
Let’s take a look at one idea. . .
BRAINSTORMING (continued)
Ex: Problem- My brother keeps coming in my
room and messing with my stuff!
Solution- I would like to keep my brother OUT
of my room forever!
BRAINSTORMING (continued)
My Invention- A scanner installed outside
of my bedroom that scans anyone who
enters.
The scanner can tell the difference
between my mom, dad, and my brother
(and my cat and dog, too).
When it detects my brother is trying to
enter my room, a laser beam streams
particles at him, and then a shield pops up
and blocks the doorway from him.
I will call my new invention the:
Littlebrotherdoorstopperlaserscanner
VOCABULARY CONNECTION
• What do Greek and Latin root words, prefixes,
and suffixes have to do with inventions?
• That’s easy! If you want people all over the
world to understand what your invention is all
about, you need to use a language or
languages that many people can understand.
GETTING TO THE ROOT
Many English words and parts of words can be
traced back to Latin or Greek. If you know the
meaning of a word's parts, you can probably
guess what it means.
A root (also called a stem) is the part of the word
that gives its basic meaning, but can't be used by
itself. Roots need other word parts to complete
them: either a prefix at the beginning, or a suffix
at the end, or sometimes both.
Latin Roots
• The root -aqua- means water; example: aquarium
• The root -ject- means to throw; example: reject
• The root -mem- means to keep in mind; example:
memory
• The root -port- means to carry; example: transport
• The root -scrib-/-script- means to write; example:
prescription
Latin Prefixes
• The prefix co- means together; example: cooperate
• The prefix de- means away, off; example: defrost
• The prefix inter- means between, among; example:
international
• The prefix pre- means before; example: prevent
• The prefix re- means again; example: replace
• The prefix sub- means under; example: subway
Latin Suffixes
• The suffix -able/-ible means capable or worthy of; example:
workable
• The suffix -fy/-ify, means make or cause to become;
example: horrify
• The suffix -ly means like, to the extent of; example: highly
• The suffix -ous means full of; example: wondrous
• The suffix -ty/-ity means state of, power to; example: purity
Greek Roots
• The root -chron- means time; example: chronology
•
• The root -bio- means life; example: biology
• The root -dem- means people; example: democracy
• The root -phon- means sound; example: telephone
• The root -psych- means mind, soul, spirit; example:
psychology
• The root -scope- means to see; example: telescope
Greek Prefixes
• The prefix a-/an- means without, not; examples:
anaerobic, amoral
• The prefix auto- means self; example: autopilot
• The prefix geo- means Earth; example: geography
•
• The prefix micro- means small; example: microscope
• The prefix tele- means far off; example: television
Greek Suffixes
• The suffix-ism means act, state, theory of; example: realism
• The suffix-ist means one who believes in, practices;
example: capitalist
• The suffix-graph means write, draw, describe, record;
example: photograph
• The suffix-logy means talk, speech, study; example: biology
• The suffix-meter means measure, measuring device;
example: kilometer
Directions:
1.Think about a problem you have or see that you’d like to
change.
2.Think about what you would do to solve/fix this problem.
3.Using your imagination, design an invention that will help you
solve/fix the problem you have identified.
4.Name your invention (must be at least 4 words in length).
5.Write a description of your invention. Be sure to include:
A.Title of invention (4 or more words)
B.Translated title (Latin or Greek only, labeled)
C.Describe the problem the invention is intended for.
D.Explain HOW the invention works (Use complete
sentences)
E.Complete a diagram of the invention, with parts clearly
labeled
DIRECTIONS:
1. Log in to your computer
2. Go to iKeepBookmarks:
Find: ITTENBACH
INVENTIONS
Latin & Greek Roots
Select
G Geoudegymnmiasm
geo
earth (Greek)
ude
ground (Greek)
gymn
bare (Greek)
miasm
Pollution (Greek)
The Geoudegymnmiasm makes litter
a thing of the past. You plant the seed, add
water, and a special plant grows. The pollen
spreads across a 100-mile radius, destroying
trash in that area. This invention is safe for
plants and animals, does not aggravate
allergies, and comes with a money-back
guarantee!
by
References
• The World Almanac for Kids 2004. Copyright © 2003
by World Almanac Education Group, Inc. The World
Almanac and The World Almanac for Kids are
registered trademarks of World Almanac Education
Group, Inc.
• http://www.archives.nd.edu/words.html