1
The Word within the Word
a
(not)
apathy, amoral, atheist
Greek
-a
(plural)
data, bacteria, trivia
Greek
ab
(away)
abnormal, absent, abrupt, abduct
Latin
acr
(sharp)
acrimonious, acrid
Latin
acro
(high)
acrobat, acropolis
Greek
act
(to do)
activate, action, react, transact
Latin
ad
(to)
adhesive, adapt, addition, advocate
Latin
aden
(gland)
adrenal, adenoid, adenoma
Greek
aer
(air)
aerobic, aerosol, malaria
Greek
ag
(to do)
agile, agree, agent, agitate
Latin
agog
(leader)
pedagogue, synagogue
Greek
alb
(white)
albino, albumen
Latin
alt
(high)
altitude, altar, altimeter
Latin
alter
(other)
alternative, altercation
Latin
amat
(love) `
amatory, amiable, amity, amigo
Latin
ambul (walk)
ambulatory, ambulance
Latin
amphi (both)
amphibious, amphibian, amphitheater
Greek
an-
anemia, anaerobic, anarchy
Greek
andro (man)
polyandry, android, androgens
Greek
anim
(mind)
animal, animosity, magnanimous
Latin
ann
(year)
annual, anniversary, perennial
Latin
ante
(before)
antedate, antecedent
Latin
anthropo (man)
anthropology, misanthrope
Greek
anti
(against)
antiaircraft, antibody
Greek
apo
(away or up)
apostasy, apogee, apology
Greek
(without)
2
The Word within the Word
apt
(fit)
adapt, aptitude, aptness
Latin
aqua
(water)
aquarium, aquatic
Latin
-ar
(relating to)
lunar, secular, linear, circular
Latin
archy (government)
monarchy, hierarchy, patriarch
Greek
ard
drunkard, coward, sluggard, laggard
Germanic
arthro (joint)
arthritis, arthropod
Greek
ase
(enzyme)
luciferase, proteinase
Greek
astr
(star)
astronomy, astrology, asterisk, astrophysics
Greek
ate
(cause)
create, domesticate, dominate, placate
Latin
audi
(hear)
audience, audition, auditorium, audiology
Latin
auto
(self)
autobiography, automobile, autograph
Greek
bas
(low)
bass, base, basic, debase
Latin
-be
(life)
microbe, aerobe
Greek
bell
(war)
rebel, belligerent
Latin
bene
(good)
benefit, benevolent, beneficial
Latin
bi
(two)
bicycle, bimonthly, binocular
Latin
biblio (book)
bibliography, Bible, bibliomania
Greek
bio
biography, biology
Greek
blasto (embryo)
blastocyst
Greek
bon
bona fide, bonus
Latin
brachio (arm)
brachiopod, brachiate
Greek
brachy (short)
brachycephalic, brachylogy
Greek
branchio (gills)
branchiopod, branchiate
Greek
brev
(short)
brevity, abbreviation, brief
Latin
caco
(bad)
cacophony, cacography
Greek
(always)
(life)
(good)
3
The Word within the Word
cad
(fall)
cascade, cadaver, decadent
Latin
cant
(sing)
cantata, recant, descant
Latin
cap
(take)
capture, captivate, captivity
Latin
capit
(head)
capital, capitol, decapitate
Latin
carn
(flesh)
carnal, incarnate, carnivorous
Latin
cede
(go)
recede, precede, secede, succeed
Latin
cent
(one hundred)
century, bicentennial, centipede
Latin
centri (center)
centrifugal, concentric, decentralize
Latin
chlor
chlorophyll, chloroplasts
Greek
(green)
chrom (color)
chromatic, chromosome, chrome, polychrome Greek
chron (time)
chronological, chronic, synchronize
Greek
cide
herbicide, homicide, suicide
Latin
circum (around)
circumference, circus, circumnavigate
Latin
cise
(cut)
excise, decision, precise
Latin
clam
(cry out)
clamor, exclamation, declaim
Latin
cle
(small)
molecule, follicle, minuscule, particle
Latin
clud
(close)
exclude, include, occlude
Latin
co
(together)
cooperate, coordinate, coauthor
Latin
cogn
(know)
recognize, cognizant
Latin
com
(together)
combination, comfort, common
Latin
con
(together)
confidence, contact, confederation
Latin
contra (against)
contradict, contrary, contrast
Latin
cor
(heart)
core, discord, courageous, cordial, coronary
Latin
corp
(body)
corpse, corporation, corpulent
Latin
cred
(believe)
credit, incredible, credible, incredulous
Latin
(kill)
4
The Word within the Word
crypt
(hidden)
cryptic, cryptologist, cryptogram
Greek
culp
(blame)
culprit, culpable
Latin
cur
(care for)
cure, curator, secure
Latin
curr
(run)
current, recurrent, currency
Latin
curs
(run)
cursive, cursor, precursor
Latin
cyan
(blue)
cyanide, cyan
Greek
cyt
(cell)
cytology, cytoplasm
Greek
dactylo (finger)
pterodactyl, dactylography
Greek
de
(down)
deduct, descent, deplete, demolish
Latin
dec
(ten)
decade, decathlon, decimal
Greek
demi
(half)
demitasse, demirep
Latin
demo (people)
democracy, demography
Greek
derm
dermatologist, hypodermic
Greek
dexro (right or clockwise)
dextrose, dexterity, dexterous
Latin
dia
diameter, dialogue, diagonal
Greek
dicho (in two parts)
dichotomy, dichotomize
Greek
dict
(say)
dictionary, predict, contradict
Latin
dign
(worthy)
dignity, indignation, dignitary
Latin
diplo
(double)
diploid, diplomacy
Greek
dis
(away)
distract, distort, dismiss
Latin
dom
(rule)
dominate, predominant, domain
Latin
dorm
(sleep)
dormitory, dormant
Latin
dors
(back)
dorsal, dorsum, dorsal fin
Latin
dox
(opinion)
orthodox, doxology, paradox, indoctrinate
Greek
duct
(lead)
conduct, induct, reduction, product
Latin
(skin)
(across)
5
The Word within the Word
dyna
(power)
dynamic, dynamite, dynasty
Greek
dys
(bad)
dysentery, dyslexia, dysfunction
Greek
eco
(house)
ecology, economy, ecosystem
Greek
ecto
(outer)
ectoderm, ectothermic
Greek
ef
(out)
effusive, efficacy, effluent
Latin
ego
(I)
egotistical, egomaniac
Latin
emia
(blood)
anemia, toxemia
Greek
endo
(within)
endoplasm, endoskeleton
Greek
enter
(intestine)
gastroenterology, enteritis
Latin
epi
(on)
epidemic, epitaph
Greek
equi
(equal)
equation, equilibrium, equilateral
Latin
erg
(work)
energy, synergy
Greek
erythro (red)
erythrocyte, erythrism
Greek
ess
lioness, princess, seamstress
Greek
ethno (race or culture)
ethnic, ethnologist, ethnography
Greek
eu
(good)
eulogy, euphony
Greek
ex
(out)
exit, except, exorbitant
Latin
exo
(out)
exodus, exotic
Greek
extra
(beyond)
extraordinary, extravagant, extrovert
Latin
fer
(carry)
transfer, infer, conifer, defer
Latin
fic
(make)
fiction, fortification, horrific
Latin
fid
(faith)
fidelity, confidence
Latin
fil
(thread)
filament, defile, filigree
Latin
fin
(end)
final, define, infinite
Latin
form
(shape)
formation, formative, formula, uniform
Latin
(female)
6
The Word within the Word
fort
(strong)
fortitude, fort, comfort, fortify
Latin
fract
(break)
fracture, infraction, fraction, refraction
Latin
frat
(brother)
fraternity, fraternal
Latin
fug
(flee)
fugitive, centrifuge, refugee
Latin
fus
(pour)
transfusion, confusion, infusion
Latin
fy
(make)
fortify, rectify, horrify
Latin
gamy
(marriage)
monogamy, polygamy, gamete
Greek
gastro (stomach)
gastronomy, gastroenteritis
Greek
gen
(origin)
genetics, Genesis, hydrogen, gene
Greek
geo
(earth)
geography, geology, geometry
Greek
germ
(vital or related)
germane, germinate, germ
Latin
gest
(carry)
gestation, digest, gesture
Latin
glyc
(sweet)
glycerin, glucose
Greek
gon
(angle)
pentagon, decagon, hexagonal, diagonal
Greek
gram
(writing)
telegram, grammar, pentagram
Greek
graph (write)
bibliography, photograph, autograph
Greek
grat
(pleasing)
gratitude, grateful, ingrate
Latin
greg
(group)
gregarious, segregate, congregate
Latin
gress
(step)
congress, digress, aggression, regress
Latin
gyn
(woman)
gynecologist, gynophobia
Greek
gyro
(turn)
gyroscope, gyrate
Greek
haplo (single or simple)
haploid, haplology
Greek
hedron (sided object)
polyhedron, tetrahedron, octahedron
Greek
helio
heliocentric, heliograph, aphelion
Greek
hematic, hematology, hematoma
Greek
(sun)
hema (blood)
7
The Word within the Word
hemo (blood)
hemophilia, hemoglobin, hemorrhage
Greek
hetero (different)
heterodox, heterogeneous, heteronym
Greek
hexa
hexagon, hexapod
Greek
hippo (horse)
hippopotamus, hippodrome
Greek
holo
holocaust, hologram, holistic
Latin
homo (same)
homogenize, homonym, homophone
Greek
hum
humus, humble, human
Latin
hydro (water)
hydroplane, dehydrate, hydrogen, hydrant
Greek
hyper (over)
hyperactive, hyperbole, hypertension
Greek
hypo
(under)
hypodermic, hypothermia, hypocrite
Greek
-I
(plural)
fungi, alumni, octopi
Latin
ician
(specialist)
technician, musician, physician
Latin
ics
(art)
politics, graphics, ethics
Greek
idio
(peculiar)
idiot, idiosyncrasy
Greek
il
(not)
illegal, illiterate, illegible
Latin
im
(not)
impossible, imperfect, immobile
Latin
in
(in or not)
insane, inscribe, insomnia
Latin
ine
(nature of)
canine, crystalline
Greek
infra
(beneath)
infrared, infrasonic
Latin
inter
(between)
interlude, interject, international, interstate
Latin
intra
(within)
intrastate, intramural
Latin
intro
(into)
introduce, introvert, introspective
Latin
ism
(doctrine)
capitalism, Catholicism
Greek
iso
(equal)
isosceles, isometric, isothermal
Greek
itis
(inflammation)
appendicitis, arthritis
Greek
(six)
(whole)
(earth)
8
The Word within the Word
ium
(an element)
effusive, efficacy, effeminate
Latin
-ive
(function)
active, representative, detective
Latin
ject
(throw)
eject, reject, interject
Latin
junct
(join)
junction, conjunction
Latin
jus
(law)
justice, unjust, justify
Latin
kin
(motion)
kinetic, hyperkinetic
Greek
labor
(work)
labor, elaborate, collaborate
Latin
lat
(side)
bilateral, latitude, collateral
Latin
leg
(read)
legible, legend, alleged
Latin
lent
(full of)
virulent, excellent, succulent
Latin
leuko (white)
leukemia, leucoplast
Greek
liber
(free)
liberate, liberty, liberal
Latin
lite
(mineral or fossil)
stalactite, anthracite
Greek
lith
(rock)
paleolithic, lithograph
Greek
loco
(place)
locomotive, local, location
Latin
log
(word or reason)
logic, monologue, illogical
Greek
logy
(science)
biology, anthropology, geology
Greek
loqu
(talk)
circumlocution, eloquent, soliloquy
Latin
luc
(light)
lucid, translucent
Latin
lum
(light)
illuminate, luminous
Latin
luna
(moon)
lunar, lunatic, luna moth
Latin
lys
(break down)
analysis, electrolyte
Greek
macro (large)
macrobiotic, macron
Greek
magn (great)
Magna Carta, magnanimous, magnificent
Latin
mal
malicious, malady, malign
Latin
(bad)
9
The Word within the Word
man
(hand)
manual, manicure, manipulate
Latin
mar
(sea)
marina, marine, submarine
Latin
matri
(mother)
matron, matriarch, matrimony
Latin
medi
(middle)
median, mediate, medium
Latin
mega (large)
megalopolis, megaphone
Greek
mel
(song)
melody, melodrama, melodious
Greek
mem
(remember)
memory, commemorate, memo
Latin
meso
(middle)
mesomorph, Mesopotamia
Greek
meta
(change)
metamorphic, metaphor, metabolism
Greek
meter (measure)
thermometer, odometer, millimeter
Greek
micro (small)
microscope, microwave, microphone
Greek
migr
(wander)
migrate, emigrant, immigrant
Latin
millo
(thousandth)
milligram, millipede, million
Latin
mir
(wonder)
miracle, mirror, admire
Latin
mis
(bad)
mistake, misdeed, misfit
Germanic
miss
(send)
missile, dismiss, missionary
Latin
mob
(move)
mobility, immobile, demobilize
Latin
mono (one)
monotonous, monotone
Greek
morph (shape)
amorphous, metamorphic
Greek
mort
(death)
mortal, mortician, immortality
Latin
muta
(change)
mutation, immutable
Latin
myo
(muscle)
myocardium, myopia
Greek
nat
(born)
natural, native, nativity, prenatal
Latin
necro (death)
necrophobia, necrotic
Greek
neo
neonatal, neon, Neolithic
Greek
(new)
10
ness
The Word within the Word
(quality)
softness, politeness, darkness, vagueness
Old English
neuro (nerve)
neuron, neurosurgeon, neurologist
Greek
nomy (law)
Deuteronomy, astronomy, economy
Greek
non
nonstop, nonprofit, nonconformity
Latin
nounce (tell)
denounce, pronounce, enunciate
Latin
nov
novel, novice, renovate
Latin
numer (number)
numeral, enumerate numerology
Latin
nym
(name)
homonym, pseudonym, anonymous
Greek
octa
(eight)
octagon, octave, octopus
Greek
ocul
(eye)
binocular, ocular
Latin
old
(appearance)
anthropoid, asteroid, android
Greek
oligo
(few or small)
oligarchy, oligosaccharide
Greek
omni
(all)
omnipotent, omniscient, omnivorous
Latin
opia
(sight)
myopia, biopsy
Greek
ornith (bird)
ornithologist, ornithology
Greek
ortho (straight)
orthopedics, orthodontist, orthodox
Greek
ose
(sugar)
lactose, sucrose, glucose
Greek
osis
(condition)
neurosis, psychosis, meiosis
Greek
osteo (bone)
osteoporosis, osteopath, osteology
Greek
ous
(full of)
luminous, glorious, vivacious, pompous
Latin
pac
(peace)
pacify, pacifist, pacific
Latin
paleo (old)
paleolithic, paleontologist, paleography
Greek
pan
(all)
panorama, pandemic, pantheism
Greek
para
(beside, near)
parable, paradox, paraphrase
Greek
parl
(speak)
parliament, parlor, parley
Latin
(not)
(new)
11
The Word within the Word
pater
(father)
paternal, paternity, patriarch
Latin
path
(feeling)
sympathy, empathy, apathy
Greek
patho (disease)
pathogenic, pathological, idiopathic
Greek
ped
(foot or child)
orthopedist, pedestrian, expedition
Latin
pend
(hang)
pending, pendulum, pendant, suspend
Latin
penta (five)
pentagon, pentathlon
Greek
per
(through)
perception, percolate, perforation
Latin
petr
(rock)
petrify, petroleum
Latin
phag
(eat)
phagocyte, bacteriophage
Greek
phile
(love)
philosopher, bibliophile, philanthropy
Greek
phobia (fear)
claustrophobia, hydrophobia
Greek
phon
(sound)
symphony, cacophony, telephone
Greek
phor
(carry)
euphoria, metaphor
Greek
phos
(light)
phosphorus, phosphine
Greek
photo (light)
photograph, photosynthesis, photogenic
Greek
phyll
chlorophyll, phyllopod
Greek
phylo (kind)
phylum, phylogeny
Greek
phyt
phytotoxic, gametophyte
Greek
plasto (molded)
plastic, plaster, plasticity
Greek
platy
(flat)
plateau, platypus, plate
Greek
pleo
(more)
pleomorphic, pleonasm
Greek
plu
(more)
plural, plus
Latin
pod
(foot)
pseudopod, podiatrist, arthropod
Greek
polis
(city)
metropolis, police, acropolis
Greek
poly
(many)
polygon, polygyny, polyphony
Greek
(leaf)
(plant)
12
The Word within the Word
pond
(weight)
ponderous, ponder, pound, compound
Latin
pop
(people)
popular, population, populous
Latin
port
(carry)
transport, report, porter, deport
Latin
post
(after)
postgraduate, postscript
Latin
potent (power)
potential, omnipotent, potentate
Latin
pre
(before)
prelude, predict, predecessor
Latin
prim
(first)
prime, primary
Latin
pro
(forward)
provide, program, prognosis, pronounce
Greek
proto (first)
prototype, proton, protoplasm
Greek
pseudo (false)
pseudonym, pseudopod, pseudoscience
Greek
psych (soul)
psychology, psychopathic
Greek
pugn
pugnacious, repugnant, pugilist
Latin
punct (point)
punctual, punctuate, acupuncture
Latin
put
(think)
reputation, dispute, computer
Latin
pyro
(fire)
pyromania, pyro phobia, pyre
Greek
re
(again)
return, revive, review
Latin
rect
(right)
correct, rectify, direct, rectangle
Latin
reg
(rule)
regulate, regal, regime
Latin
retro
(backward)
retroactive, retrospection
Latin
rhiz
(root)
rhizoid, rhizome
Greek
rhodo (rose)
rhododendron, Rhode Island
Greek
rid
(laugh)
ridicule, ridiculous, deride
Latin
rogat
(ask)
interrogation, arrogate, derogatory
Latin
rupt
(break)
erupt, disrupt, corrupt, rupture
Latin
sacro
(holy)
sacred, sacrifice, consecrate
Latin
(fight)
13
sanct
The Word within the Word
(holy)
sanctuary, sanctify
Latin
sangui (blood)
sanguinary, consanguinity
Latin
sapro (rotten)
saprophytic, saprogenic
Greek
schizo (divide)
schism, schizopod
Greek
sci
science, conscience, omniscience
Latin
scope (look)
telescope, microscope, endoscope
Greek
scrib
(write)
scribble, scribe, transcribe
Latin
se
(apart)
secede, secret, separate, segregate
Latin
sect
(cut)
dissect, section, bisect
Greek
sed
(sit)
sediment, sedate, sedative
Latin
semi
(half)
semicircle, semiannual
Latin
sen
(old)
senile, senior, seniority
Latin
sens
(feel)
sense, sensitive, sensation
Latin
sequ
(follow)
consecutive, sequence, sequel
Latin
sess
(sit)
session, obsessed, sessile
Latin
sol
(alone)
solitary, solo, desolate, consolidate
Latin
som
(body)
chromosome, somatic, somatology
Greek
son
(sound)
sonar, unison, supersonic
Latin
soph
(wisdom)
sophomore, sophisticated, philosophy
Greek
soror
(sister)
sorority
Latin
spir
(breathe)
inspire, inspiration, expire, spirit, respiration
Latin
spor
(seed)
endospore, sporophyte
Greek
sta
(stop)
status quo, stationary, static, station
Latin
stell
(star)
stellar, constellation
Latin
stereoscope, stereotype
Greek
(know)
stereo (solid)
14
The Word within the Word
string (bind)
string, stringent
Latin
struct (build)
construct, destruction, instruction, structure
Latin
sub
submarine, subtract
Latin
super (over)
supervise, superb, superior
Latin
sur
(over)
surplus, surpass, surmount
Latin
surg
(rise)
insurgent, surge, resurgent
Latin
sym
(together)
sympathy, symbol, symmetry
Greek
syn
(together)
synonym, synopsis, synthetic
Greek
tact
(touch)
tactile, contact, tactful
Latin
tang
(touch)
tangible, tangent, tangle
Latin
taxis
(arrangement)
taxidermy, syntax
Greek
tele
(far)
telescope, telephone
Greek
tempor (time)
temporal, contemporary, temporarily
Latin
tetra
(four)
tetrameter, tetragon
Greek
theo
(god)
theology, pantheism, atheism
Greek
thermo (heat)
thermos, thermostat, thermo tropic
Greek
tion
(act or state)
completion, creation
Latin
tomy
(cut)
tonsillectomy, appendectomy, anatomy
Greek
topo
(place)
topographical, topology, topic
Greek
tort
(twist)
contorted, torture, distort
Latin
tox
(poison)
toxic, antitoxin
Greek
tract
(pull)
tractor, traction, attractive
Latin
trans
(across)
transfer, transmit, translate
Latin
tri
(three)
triangle, tricycle, triceps
Greek
trib
(worthy)
tribute, contribution, attribute
Latin
(under)
15
trich
The Word within the Word
(hair)
trichinosis, trichinosis
Greek
troph (nourishment)
autotroph, atrophy
Greek
tropo (turn)
troposphere, tropism
Greek
tude
multitude, solitude, aptitude
Latin
ultima (last)
ultimate, ultimatum
Latin
ultra
(beyond)
ultraconservative, ultramarine
Latin
un
(not)
unfit, unequal, unearned
Old English
uni
(one)
unicycle, union, uniform, united, unison
Latin
urb
(city)
urban, suburbs
Latin
vac
(empty)
vacuum, vacant, vacation, evacuate
Latin
val
(worth)
valiant, valid, evaluate
Latin
ventri (belly)
ventricle, ventral
Latin
ver
(true)
verify, veracity, verdict
Latin
vert
(turn)
convert, divert, vertex, introvert
Latin
vest
(clothes)
vestry, vest, vestibule
Latin
vid
(look)
video, evidence, provide
Latin
vita
(life)
vitamin, vital, viable
Latin
viv
(life)
revive, vivacious, vivid
Greek
voc
(voice)
vocal, vociferously, invocation
Latin
vol
(will)
volunteer, volition, benevolent
Latin
volv
(roll)
revolve, involved
Latin
vore
(eating)
omnivore, herbivore, voracious
Latin
zo
(animal)
zoo, protozoa, zooplankton
Greek
zygo
(yoke)
zygote, zygodactyl
Greek
zym
(ferment)
enzyme, zymology, zymogen
Greek
(state of)