1
INTRODUCTION
&
LESSON ONE
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
2
Greek Morphemes
Introduction
In the English language, big words are often made up of small word parts,
called morphemes, that come from other languages – especially Greek.
When you know the meanings of these small word parts, you can
unlock the meaning of some real jawbreakers.
For example, take the word
You have no idea what it means. But once you know the
following, you can figure out the word.
MICRO- = small
ARCHAE = ancient
So --
GYN = woman
-PHOBIAC = one who has a fear of
You ask, “Is it a REAL word?” It is if enough people use it.
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
3
Greek Morphemes
Introduction
In the English language, big words are often made up of small word parts,
called morphemes, that come from other languages – especially Greek.
When you know the meanings of these small word parts, you can
unlock the meaning of some real jawbreakers.
Or, take the name
This is a name with a definite meaning...
THEO = God
So --
PHIL = love
(O)US = full of
This is the name given to the person
to whom the book of Acts is addressed.
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
4
Greek Morphemes
Introduction
Some morphemes are “place bound” – that is, some are prefixes and
always come at the beginning of a word (for example the morpheme “pre-”)
and others are suffixes and always come at the end (for example the
morpheme “-ology”). Still others, known as roots, can come anywhere in a
word, and these can have prefixes and suffixes attached to them.
In each lesson, you’ll start by taking notes on some Greek roots,
then add prefixes and suffixes.
Start by heading your paper properly, and for the name of
this assignment write Greek Morphemes Lesson 1 Notes.
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
5
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our first Greek root in Lesson One is the morpheme ANTHROP.
On page 2 of your student book, write the morpheme meanings.
Roots
1. anthrop =
man; mankind
Now think -- what word do you already know that has ANTHROP in it?
Chances are you probably thought of the word
ANTHROPOLOGY or ANTHROPOLOGIST
What does an anthropologist study?
Societies, civilizations, people, ...
So ANTHROP means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
6
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek root in Lesson One is a morpheme that has two forms:
BIBL and BIBLIO.
Roots
1. anthrop = man or mankind
2. bibl, biblio =
book
Now think -- what words do you already know
that have BIBL or BIBLIO in them?
Chances are you probably thought of the words
BIBLE and BIBLIOGRAPHY.
What do these words have in common?
A book, a list of books ...
So BIBLIO and BIBLIO mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
7
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek root has two forms: GRAPH and GRAM.
Roots
Now think -- what words
do you already know
with GRAPH or GRAM in them?
1. anthrop = man or mankind
2. bibl, biblio = book
3. graph, gram =
GRAPH
write, draw, record
GRAPHITE
GRAMMAR
BIOGRAPHY
TELEGRAM
TELEGRAPH
PROGRAM
What do these words have in common?
A drawing, lead in a pencil, a written record of a
person’s life, language, a message, ...
So GRAPH and GRAM mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
8
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek root is MISO.
Roots
1. anthrop = man or mankind
2. bibl, biblio = book
3. graph, gram = write, draw, record
4. miso =
This one is not so obvious – but
with a mental trick you can
remember it.
hate
Just keep in mind that a MISer
would HATE to part with his gold,
and you’ll remember that MISO
means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
9
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek root is PHIL.
Roots
1. anthrop = man or mankind
2. bibl, biblio = book
3. graph, gram = write, draw, record
You know the name of a city –
Philadelphia. The nickname
of this city is “the city of
brotherly love.”
4. miso = hate
5. phil =
love
Did you think of the word PHILOSOPHY?
This word literally means “the love of wisdom.”
So – the “city of brotherly love”
and the “love of wisdom.”
PHIL must mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
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Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek root is PHON.
Roots
1. anthrop = man or mankind
2. bibl, biblio = book
How many words can you think
of with PHON?
3. graph, gram = write, draw, record
PHONOGRAPH
4. miso = hate
5. phil = love
6. phon =
sound
MEGAPHONE
TELEPHONE
PHONICS
MICROPHONE
STEREOPHONIC
What do these words have in common?
The sounds of letters, a funnel device to make the voice
sound louder, device that carries voice sound over a
distance, an electronic device that amplifies sound, a device
that plays music, sound coming from two directions, ...
So PHON mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
11
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our last Greek root in Lesson One is a morpheme that has two forms:
SCOP and SKEPT.
Roots
1. anthrop = man or mankind
2. bibl, biblio = book
Now think -- what words
do you already know
with SCOP or SKEPT in them?
3. graph, gram = write, draw, record
MICROSCOPE
4. miso = hate
TELESCOPE
5. phil = love
PERISCOPE
6. phon = sound
7. scop, skept =
SKEPTIC
look at; examine
What do the first three words have in common?
If someone shows you something and you are
skeptical of it, what do you do to it?
So SCOP and SKEPT mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
12
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Now we are ready to take notes on a set of prefixes.
Notice that there is a dash after each prefix to remind you
that this is where you add the root(s) – following the prefix.
The first Greek prefix in Lesson One is a morpheme that has two forms:
A– and AN–.
7. scop, skept = look at; examine
Now think -- what words
Prefixes
do you already know that have
the prefix A– or AN–
8. a–, an– = not; without
at the front of them?
ANEMIC
ANESTHETIC
ASEXUAL
What do the three words have in common?
Not having enough red blood cells, something that
makes pain go away, and cells that reproduce by
dividing – there is no male or female
So A– and AN– mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
13
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek prefix is CACO–.
7. scop, skept = look at; examine
Prefixes
8. a–, an– = not; without
9. caco– =
bad; ill
Again, this one is not so obvious –
but with a mental trick you can
remember it.
Imagine that you drank some cocoa
made with sour milk. It tasted BAD
and it made you ILL.
CACO– (which sounds something
like cocoa) means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
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Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek prefix is EU–.
Prefixes
8. a–, an– = not; without
9. caco– = bad, ill
10. eu– =
good
Perhaps you know the word
EULOGY as name for the speech
at a funeral where the speaker
tells many good things about
a person who passed away.
And perhaps you know that
“passed away” is a
EUPHEMISM for “died”?
EU– means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
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Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek prefix is MACRO–.
Prefixes
8. a–, an– = not; without
This one is easy to remember
as an opposite.
9. caco– = bad, ill
10. eu– = good
11. macro– =
large
The prefix MACRO– means the
opposite of MICRO-, which you
already know means “small.”
So MACRO– means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
16
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek prefix has two forms: MEGA– and MEGALO–.
Prefixes
8. a–, an– = not; without
9. caco– = bad, ill
10. eu– = good
Now think -- what words do you
already know
with MEGA– or MEGALO– in them?
MEGAPHONE
11. macro– = large
MEGAVITAMIN
12. mega–; megalo– =
large
MEGALOMANIAC
What do the three words have in common?
Something that enlarges the sound of a voice,
a big dose of vitamins, and a person
who has delusion of grandeur
So MEGA– and MEGALO– mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
17
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek prefix is MICRO–.
Prefixes
And you know
8. a–, an– = not; without
MICROSCOPE
9. caco– = bad, ill
MICROPHONE
10. eu– = good
MICROBE
11. macro– = large
12. mega–; megalo– = large
13. micro– =
small
You know that MICRO– means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
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Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek prefix has two forms: SYM– and SYN–.
Prefixes
8. a–, an– = not; without
9. caco– = bad, ill
10. eu-– = good
Now think -- what words do you
already know
with SYM– or SYN– in them?
SYMPHONY
SYNONYM
SYMPATHY
SYNCHRONIZE
SYMPTOM
“LIP SYNC”
11. macro– = large
12. mega–; megalo– = large
13. micro– = small
14. sym–; syn– =
with; together
In a symphony, how do the instruments play – one at a time?
No, they play WITH each other, they play TOGETHER.
How do the ideas of “with” or “together” work in the other words?
SYN– and SYM– mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
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Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our last Greek prefix has two forms: TEL– and TELE–.
Prefixes
8. a–, an– = not; without
9. caco– = bad, ill
Now think -- what words do you
already know
with TEL– or TELE– in them?
10. eu– = good
TELESCOPE
11. macro– = large
TELEPHONE
12. mega–; megalo– = large
TELEVISION
13. micro– = small
14. sym–; syn– = with; together
15. tel–; tele– = far;
distant
Something that carries your voice over a distance,
something that allows you to see far away, ...
TEL– and TELE– mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
20
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Now we are ready to take notes on a set of suffixes.
Notice there is a dash in front of each suffix to remind you that
this is where you would add the root(s) – before the suffix.
The first Greek suffix in Lesson One is the morpheme –IC.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
16. –ic =
makes n. or adj.
Many English words end in the
letters –IC, and if they do they
are either a noun or an
adjective – they name or
describe something.
So –IC at the end of a word...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
21
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The next Greek suffix is the morpheme –MANIA.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
16. –ic = makes n. or adj.
17. –mania =
a madness for
So what does it mean to have a
“MANIA” for something?
Some people have a mania for
collecting comic books, others
a mania for cleanliness, and
others a mania for chocolate.
So –MANIA at the end of a word means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
22
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The next Greek suffix is the morpheme –MANIAC.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
If “–mania” means “a madness
for,” then a MANIAC would be...?
16. –ic = makes n. or adj.
17. –mania = a madness for
18. –maniac =
one who has a madness for
So –MANIAC at the end of a word means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
23
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The next Greek suffix you already know is –PHOBIA.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
16. –ic = makes n. or adj.
17. –mania = a madness for
18. –mania = one who has a madness for
19. –phobia =
What does it mean to have a
PHOBIA of something?
Some people have a phobia of
spiders, some of snakes, still
others of homework...
a fear of
So –PHOBIA at the end of a word means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
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Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
And since you know “phobia,” you also know –PHOBIAC.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
If “–phobia” means “a fear of,”
then –PHOBIAC would be...?
16. –ic = makes n. or adj.
17. –mania = a madness for
18. –mania = one who has a madness for
19. –phobia = a fear of
20. –phobiac =
one who has a fear of
So –PHOBIAC at the end of a word means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
25
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The last suffix – and last morpheme of this lesson is –Y.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
16. –ic = makes n. or adj.
Think of the many English words
ending in –Y. A few are...
BEAUTY
17. –mania = a madness for
HONESTY
18. –mania = one who has a madness for
BRAVERY
19. –phobia = a fear of
20. –phobiac = one who has a fear of
21. –y =
makes abstract noun
The suffix –Y indicates a specific
grammar identification – it makes
the name of something that
is not tangible.
The suffix –Y at the end of a word makes...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
26
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Now we have the set of Greek suffixes for Lesson One.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
You now have all of the notes
for Lesson One (of Twelve).
16. –ic = makes n. or adj.
Lesson One is the longest because
it is the foundation on which you
17. –mania = a madness for
will build in the coming other
18. –mania = one who has a madness for eleven Greek Morpheme lessons.
19. –phobia = a fear of
20. –phobiac = one who has a fear of
21. –y = makes ab. n.
When you finish these lessons, your vocabulary and
your ability both to figure out and to create words will
be MUCH GREATER than when you began!
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
27
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Words to Work
Part Two: WORDS TO WORK - Applying what you now know...
Now you are ready to use your knowledge to decode words.
In Lesson One you will find the following words to “work” – that is,
to analyze their meanings by (1) identifying the Greek morphemes and
meanings in each, (2) synthesizing that knowledge in a possible definition,
and (3) comparing your synthesis to a dictionary definition.
Words to Work
1. anthropophobiac
9. macroscopic
2. philanthropy
10. telegraph
3. misanthrope
11. bibliophile
4. bibliomaniac
12. symphony
5. euphonious
13. megalomaniac
6. cacography
14. skeptical
7. megaphone
15. aphonic
8. microscope
16. bibliography
These words are on page 4,
instructions are on page 5,
and space to work your words
is on pages 6 and 7.
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
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Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Words to Work
Part Two: WORDS TO WORK - Applying what you now know...
How to “Work a Word”
Let’s begin the first assignment together. On page 6,
start by writing the first word...
Then beneath it, one morpheme per line, identify
the ones you find in the word.
Next, synthesize your knowledge...
Finally, compare your knowledge...
1. anthropophobiac
anthrop = man; mankind
-phobiac = one who has a fear of
M.D. = “my definition”
D.D. = “dictionary
definition”
M.D. = one who has a fear of mankind
D.D. = one who has an intense fear
of human society
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
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Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Words to Work
Part Two: WORDS TO WORK - Applying what you now know...
“Working Words”
Your first assignment is to work the first 8 words on page 5 in the
numbered spaces on page 6 of your book.
For each word, compare and see how close you
can come with your knowledge to what the
all-knowing dictionary has to say...
Tomorrow, be prepared to share
how you worked your words.
DAY 1 HW
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
30
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Words to Work
Part Two: WORDS TO WORK - Applying what you now know...
“Working Words” continued
Your second assignment is to work the last 8 words on page 5 in the
numbered spaces on page 7 of your book.
For each word, compare and see how close you
can come with your knowledge to what the
all-knowing dictionary has to say...
Tomorrow, be prepared to share
how you worked your words.
DAY 2 HW
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
31
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Context Clues
Part Three: CONTEXT CLUES - Hints for a Reader...
(page 8 in your book)
Sometimes when we read, we come across a word we’ve never seen
before, and we could use a clue to figure it out.
There are four main types of clues that often help solve a “mystery
word,” and as a writer you can use one of these clues to give
your readers a hint for a challenging word:
1. Definition
in context
The aphonic giraffe was incapable of making a vocal sound.
2. Synonym
The final letter e of the word was aphonic, soundless.
3. Antonym
The gorilla was loudly vocal; but the giraffe, aphonic.
4. Examples
In the words cake, hope, and file, the final letter e
is aphonic.
DAY 3
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
32
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Context Clues
Part Three: CONTEXT CLUES - Hints for a Reader...
Your third assignment has two steps:
Step A: Select any 8 of the 16 words you worked and create
a context clue sentence with each (on page 9 in your book).
Use at least one clue of each of the four types.
Tomorrow you’ll have the opportunity to read aloud your sentences,
saying “blank” for the word you chose, and see if your instructor
or another learner can use your clue to identify
what word from the Lesson One list belongs in the blank.
Step B: Using the roots, prefixes, and suffixes from Lesson One,
create and work two new words. In place of the DD, write a context
clue sentence (CCS) for your new word (on page 9 in your book).
Tomorrow, you’ll have the opportunity to challenge
your instructor or another learner with your created words.
DAY 3 HW
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
33
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Pencil & Paper Review
Part Four: REVIEW...
The fourth assignment for Lesson One is a three-step review.
Step A: Practice breaking apart the words on the first review
sheet (page 10) by drawing braces and writing meanings
above each work (see the first one for an example).
Step B: Once you have determined morpheme meanings and a possible
definition for each “word,” try matching the “funny definitions” on the
second review sheet (page 11) with what you have on the first sheet.
Hopefully, you’ll get a laugh or two
(or possibly a groan) as you figure them out.
Tomorrow, we’ll go over the sheets just before taking
a quiz on Greek Morphemes Lesson One.
The quiz will have about 8 words for you to work –
through the level of My Definition.
DAY 4 HW
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
34
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Pencil & Paper Review
Part Four: REVIEW...
Step C: Make yourself a set of study cards (refer to page 12).
In the back of your book you will find twelve sheets
of color paper – one for each lesson.
To make your study cards, tear out the page for Lesson One, cut it apart on the
marked lines, and hole-punch each card in the upper corner as indicated.
LESSON
anthrop
ONE
man;
mankind
Take a card and write your first morpheme
on the front of it.
Now turn that card over so the hole is at the bottom,
and write the meaning on the back.
Set that card aside, and do the same
for each of the other morphemes.
Now place the card with “Lesson One” written on it on the
top of your stack, hook them together with a band or ring,
and begin reviewing. If you have a three-ring binder for
English materials, hook your cards there for easy access.
DAY 4
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
35
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Pencil & Paper Review
Part Four: REVIEW...
Step C continued: When you finish making your set of cards, begin using
them to review and check and improve your knowledge.
Start with the cards in your hand
so that the LESSON ONE is showing.
Flip over the title card and look at
the first morpheme – anthrop.
LESSON
ONE
anthrop
man or
mankind
Say silently to yourself the meaning
of the morpheme anthrop.
Now flip the card over the check yourself
against the answer on the back.
man;
mankind
Now flip over that card and do the same with the next one – and the
rest. Once you learn them Greek-to-English, trying reviewing
them English-to-Greek.
DAY 4
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
36
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Pencil & Paper Review
LESSON
ONE
In future lessons you will have the opportunity
to make these study cards immediately
after you take the notes.
LESSON
TWO
LESSON
THREE
LESSON
LESSON
FOUR LESSON
SEVEN
LESSON
FIVE
LESSON
EIGHT
LESSON
SIX
NINE
LESSON
TEN
LESSON
Thus you will have the cards as a study aid
throughout the entire lesson.
ELEVEN
LESSON
TWELVE
Whenever you have a bit of extra time,
pull out your cards and review.
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
37
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Taking the Quiz
Part Five Coming Tomorrow: Demonstrating What You Know...
The quiz will have about 8 words for you to work through the MD level.
Unless you are told otherwise on a very few words,
you do NOT need to memorize a dictionary definition.
Most of them will be “real words,” but there may be
one or two of your “created words” as well.
There will be one “point” for identifying each morpheme in the words,
and one point for synthesizing your knowledge into a definition.
REMEMBER -- If a word has two or more morphemes, and you remember
one but not the other, make a PARTIAL DEFINITION for PARTIAL CREDIT.
1. microbibliophobia
micro– = small
+1 point
biblio = book
+1 point
–phobia =
0 point
Back to Sample
Plan
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H.Lesson
Harris, Ph.D.
© 2009.
MD Something to do with small books + 2/3 point
DAY 4 TEST PREVIEW
equals
+2 2/3
points
out of 4