Latin Prefixes and Suffixes
In science courses, you will often find yourself faced with unfamiliar and, let’s face it, bizarrelooking and sounding vocabulary words. This is because most of the words are based on Latin, the
common language in science. A common knowledge of a small handful of Latin root words, prefixes and
suffixes, can help you break down any number of new science vocabulary words to decipher their
meaning. You have been given a list of some of the most commonly used root words in science. In order
to familiarize you with this list, you are going to be using it to determine the meaning of the following
list of words.
On your own paper, write down the vocabulary word then, using your master list of prefixes and
suffixes, determine the meaning of the word. EVEN IF you actually know the definition in different
terms, base your definition on this master prefix and suffix list. Please make sure that your definition is
worded to make sense. For example, if you were given the term CYTOLOGY, which breaks down into
CYTO = cell and LOGY = study of, do not write down your definition as “cell the study of.” Write it as “the
study of cells” or “the study of the cell.”
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20.
Cephalopod
Microscope
Hemisphere
Centimeter
Homogenous
Zoology
Thermometer
Apnea
Macroevolution
Cytoplasm
Unicellular
Morphology
Psychopathy
Biology
Osteoporosis
Mesoderm
Lactose
Metaphase
Arthritis
Lactase
When you have completed these 20 words, using the first TEN words on the list, come up with a word
that you already know that uses that prefix or suffix (and it CANNOT be one that is used in the list
above!) This will help you remember the meaning of that prefix and will help you on your first quiz!