Building
Vocabulary
from Word
Roots
Lesson 12
Greek and Latin Bases
Clin, cumb, and cub
Clin, Cumb, and Cub
The Latin bases cumb and
cub and the Greek base
clin all mean “lie, lean”
These bases can mean to
both literally and
figuratively lie or lean.
Clin, Cumb,
and Cub
Clin combines with three
directional Latin prefixes de(down), in- (in, on, onto),
and re- (back)
Cumb and cub combine with
four directional prefixes in(in, on, onto), pro- (forward,
ahead), re-(back), and suc(under)
clin= “lie, lean”
In(in, on, onto) + clin(lie, lean) =incline—
“lean” “in” a forward direction, tend
Re(back) + clin (lie, lean) = recline— to
“lean” “back”
Clin + ic = clinic— a ward where sick
people can go to “lie” down
Cumb, cub = “lie, lean”
In (in, on, onto) + cumb(lie, lean)+ ent=
incumbent— someone who “lies” “in” a
position (usually political)
Pro (forward, ahead) + cumb (lie, lean) =
procumbent- “leaning” “forward”
In+cub= Incubus- a worry or anxiety that
“leans” “on” you
Practice
How do the bolded words use the meanings of “lie” and
“lean”? Use context clues to help create a definition.
 After the mother bird died, there was no one to incubate
her eggs, so they did not hatch.
 In political elections, it is always difficult for a new
challenger to unseat an incumbent.
 In archaeopterygids, for example, the premaxillary teeth
are more peg-like and procumbent than are the other
teeth.
Practice
How do the bolded words use the meanings of “lie” and
“lean”? Use context clues to help create a definition.
 After the mother bird died, there was no one to incubate
her eggs, so they did not hatch. To “lie” on the eggs and
keep them warm until they hatch
 In political elections, it is always difficult for a new
challenger to unseat an incumbent. One who “leans” on or
“lies” in a position
 In archaeopterygids, for example, the premaxillary teeth
are more peg-like and procumbent than are the other
teeth. To “lean” “forward” or to stick out ahead of
something
Practice
How do the bolded words use the meanings of “lie” and
“lean”? Use context clues to help create a definition.
My parents are not inclined to let me go to a party
with people they have never met.
Before he passed away, my uncle was in declining
health for several years.
He went to the clinic complaining of stomach
pains, but the nurse soon realized that he was just
hungry because he had skipped breakfast.
Practice
How do the bolded words use the meanings of “lie” and
“lean”? Use context clues to help create a definition.
My parents are not inclined to let me go to a party
with people they have never met. “leaning” “in”
the direction of a particular decision
Before he passed away, my uncle was in declining
health for several years. “leaning” “down” , a
downward trend
He went to the clinic complaining of stomach
pains, but the nurse soon realized that he was just
hungry because he had skipped breakfast. A place
where sick people “lie” down to be treated
Practice
When the incumbent senator lost his
seat, he had to succumb to the
incubus of being voted out of the
senate.
How do each of the bolded words
mean “lie, lean”?
Practice
When the incumbent senator lost his seat, he
had to succumb to the incubus of being voted
out of the senate.
How do each of the bolded words mean “lie, lean”?
Incumbent—someone who “leans” on a position
and occupies it
Succumb—to surrender by “lying” under a
challenge
Incubus—a worry that “leans” on you and
causes anxiety
Practice
When I was sick, I was inclined to go
to the clinic and recline in their
beds, but the nurse declined to see
me.
 How do each of the bolded
words mean “lie, lean”?
Practice
When I was sick, I was inclined to go to the
clinic and recline in their beds, but the nurse
declined to see me.
 How do each of the bolded words mean “lie, lean”?
 Inclined— “leaning” “towards” a decision
 Clinic– a place where sick people can “lie” down to be
treated
 Recline– to “lean” “back”
 Declined– turning or “leaning” “down”; saying no
Test Prep
Clin, cumb, cub—these bases mean _____, ____
She was in her favorite position on Friday
nights: recumbent on the couch, surrounded
by her kitten, the remote control, and a pint
of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, binging on the
latest Netflix series.
Define the word recumbent using a
definition of the base.
Test Prep
Clin, cumb, cub—these bases mean lie, lean
She was in her favorite position on Friday
nights: recumbent on the couch, surrounded
by her kitten, the remote control, and a pint
of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, binging on the
latest Netflix series.
Define the word recumbent using a
definition of the base.
“lying” “back” or reclining in posture
Test Prep
Clin, cumb, cub—these bases mean ____, ___
I don’t have the slightest inclination to work
on cleaning my room this weekend; I’d
much rather spend my time at Kings Island.
Define the word inclination using a
definition of the base.
Test Prep
Clin, cumb, cub—these bases mean lie, lean
I don’t have the slightest inclination to work
on cleaning my room this weekend; I’d
much rather spend my time at Kings Island.
Define the word inclination using a
definition of the base.
“leaning” “in” a certain direction; tending
towards