Prefix and Root Word Study – Lesson One
Terms with Definitions
“Language is the most perfect work of art in
the world. The chisel of a thousand years
retouches it.” Henry David Thoreau
Review the following twenty prefix and root word meanings.
1. ambi - both (ambidextrous, ambivalent, ambiguous).
2. astro - star (astronaut, astonomy, astrology).
3. aud/audi- to hear (audio, auditorium, audition).
4. com/con – with (connect, communicate, compare).
5. chron - time (chronicle, chronic, chronological, synchronize).
6. cid/cis – a cut or gash (homicide, genocide, incision).
7. circum – around (circumvent, circumstances, circumference).
8. dyn/dyna – power (dynamite, dynamic, dynamo, dynasty).
9. equi – equal (equidistant, equilateral, equator).
10.hyper – over, above (hyperactive, hyperbole, hypersensitive).
11.hypo – under (hypodermic, hypothermia, hypoglycemia).
12.mal – bad or evil (malevolent, malice, maladjusted, malicious).
13.micro – small (microwave, microscope, micromanage).
14.mis – wrong (misuse, mistake, misunderstand).
15.omni – all or everywhere (omnivore, omnipotent, omnipresent).
16.poly – many (polytheistic, polygamy, polygon).
17.pre – before (prefix, preliminary, predict).
18.post – after (postscript, post office, postwar).
19.pro – forward (propaganda, protagonist, proceed).
20.un – not (unfair, unrewarding, unaware, unhappy).
Latin Word Parts & Phrases – Word Part Lesson 2
1. bene – good. Examples: benefit, benign, benevolent.
2. corp – (from Latin “corpus”) body. Examples: corpse, U.S. Marine Corps.
3. crypt – hidden. Examples: cryptogram, cryptic, crypt.
4. frater – brother. Examples: fraternity, fraternize.
5. jur- or jus – law. Examples: justice, jury, judicial, jurisprudence.
6. mater – mother. Example: maternal, maternity, alma mater.
7. pac – peace. Examples: pacify, Pacific Ocean, pacifist.
8. pater – father. Examples: paternal, paternity, patricide, patriotic.
9. path – feeling, suffering. Examples: sympathy, apathy, empathy, telepathy.
10. pel – push. Examples: propel, repel, compel.
11. phil – love. Examples: Philadelphia, philosophy, philanderer.
12. psych – mind. Examples: psychology, psychologist, parapsychology, psychic.
13. re – again. Examples: revise, regain, revisit, recur, review, repeat.
14. scrib or scribe – to write. Examples: transcribe, scribble.
15. simil – same. Examples: similar, simile, facsimile (fax).
Latin Phrases
16. Et cetera: and so on (abbreviated as “etc.”).
17.In absentia: while absent (one can be tried in court “in absentia”).
18.Veni, vidi, vici: “I came, I saw, I conquered.” These famous words were purportedly
spoken by Julius Caesar after a conquest.
19.Mens rea: “guilty mind;” if a person commits a crime by accident, s/he didn’t possess
mens rea.
20.E pluribus unum – from many, one.
21. Semper Fidelis – always faithful; motto of the United States Marine Corps.
22. Ad nauseum – to the point of sickness.
23. Quid pro quo – something for something.
24. Alma mater – “nourishing mother” is the literal definition; however, this term has come
to mean a college from which a person earned a degree.