Vocabulary
Strategies
© Mary Barrett
Mayo High School
1420 SE 11th Ave.
Rochester, MN 55904
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
These materials may be duplicated for non-profit, educational use
.
Vocabulary is about
learning new words
by studying
Context Clues
by studying
Word Parts
such as
such as
1. Compare/Contrast
2. Direct Explanation
3. Experience
4. Explanation Through Example
5. Familiar Expression
6. Inference
7. Mood/Tone
8. Summary
9. Synonym or Restatement
10. Words in a Series
Prefixes
such as
--come at beginning of word
--change meaning of word
--are used with word or roots
--can appear in multiples
Roots
such as
--carry main word meaning
--can appear in multiples
--combine with prefix/suffix
Suffixes
--come at end of word
--change part of speech
--can appear in multiples
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99% Accuracy?
The man leaned against the current as he waded, waist-deep, upstream. His hands
steadied either end of the FURNWUNCH balanced across his shoulders. He had moved
about 90 yards from the DNUP where he had entered the stream. A few yards ahead, a part
of the wooded bank had been replaced by an ACNRID FRUD. He came abreast of it, and
with effort, pressed the FURNWUNCH up and over his head, and then set it on top of the
FRUD. He placed his hands on his hips, pulled his elbows back, and arched his back in an
attempt to stretch out muscles that were knotted from long exertion.
He relaxed somewhat and began a visual inspection of the FRUD. He moved closer to
it and reached under the water to explore its surface. Moving slowly, he started the search
from the downstream end. At about the RONDTIP he stopped and probed one area intently.
Satisfied that he had located a GRUNDLE, he continued to the upstream end. There was
only one GRUNDLE to contend with. He retrieved the FURNWUNCH and cradled the
heavy implement as he made his way back to the RONDTIP. He gingerly lowered the
FURNWUNCH, holding it perpendicular to the FRUD. When it reached the GRUNDLE,
he slid it in its full length. He held it in place with one hand and turned the expansion lock
handle until the instrument was seated tightly in place. His mission accomplished, he was
clearly relieved. He waded easily downstream to the DNUP.
From: Harris, C. H. Curriculum Based Assessment: A Primer
297 Words/ 6.4 GE Flesch-Kincaid
Why 99% accuracy? This passage has 16 occurrences of six unknown words, or 93% known
words, making it impossible to comprehend. Pre-teach vocabulary words that are essential to
comprehension before students read!
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2 Types of Vocabulary
1. Critical:
Vocabulary that is essential to understanding
key concepts in the subject area
Strategies:
- Preteach directly
- Use Vocab Frames/Flashcards
2. Casual:
Vocabulary that needs to be figured out long
enough to make meaning of the text but that is
not essential to know forever
Strategies:
- Context Clues
- Word Diary
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CONTEXT CLUES Introduction
Name:
Kinds of Context Clues
1.
Date:
Hour:
COMPARE/CONTRAST
Use the knowledge of the word you know to guess the meaning of the new word. Usually you will have a
contrast clue such as the word while or but, or a phrase such as on the other hand.
Ex. Jefferson and Washington were as different as day and night. While Jefferson was a lively
conversationalist with something to say on every subject, Washington was shy and TACITURN.
TACITURN:
2.
DIRECT EXPLANATION
The meaning of the unknown word is given later in the sentence or paragraph.
Ex. Monopoly (only one seller) or oligopoly (only a few sellers) situations do give producers some pricesetting powers.
Oligopolist:
3.
EXPERIENCE
You use your own experience in life to help you guess intelligently about the meaning of a word.
Ex. Anyone could tell by the look on his face that the test filled him with DREAD.
DREAD:
4.
EXPLANATION THROUGH EXAMPLE
Examples that will help you guess the unknown word’s meaning are given in context.
Ex. Jim had been studying for hours and his eyes were tired and scratchy. He decided to take a short break
and stretch. After this RESPITE, Jim was ready to study again.
RESPITE:
5.
FAMILIAR EXPRESSION
This kind of clue lets you figure out a new word because you have heard a similar idiom or know a similar
word. Often, this clue will help you figure out new slang.
Ex. My grandfather smiled knowingly when I said, "That rocks!"
"Yes," he said, "that is the BEE'S KNEES!"
BEE'S KNEES:
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Context Clues Introduction
6.
INFERENCE
This is a combination of all the other clues. You use all the skills you have to understand the new word. In
the end, you just "know" the meaning of the word; you can't point to any one place in the sentence that
provided a clue.
Ex. Sharon came home from her date and told her roommate: "I'm through with blind dates forever! This
one topped them all! What a wasted evening! Every minute was tedious! Even though he was cute, my
date was utterly VAPID."
VAPID:
7.
MOOD / TONE
The context has a general feeling that allows you to guess the meaning of the word.
Ex. The LUGUBRIOUS cries of the child matched the dreary whistling of the wind in the deserted
cemetery.
LUGUBRIOUS:
8.
SUMMARY
At the beginning or end of an explanation or description, one word will summarize the whole paragraph or
sentence.
Ex. Pete Littlefield, the basketball team center, is six feet, five inches tall and weighs 210 pounds. His
teammates call him "Shorty," an obvious MISNOMER.
MISNOMER:
9.
SYNONYM OR RESTATEMENT
Usually you will find the new word followed by: , or
, The word following the or is the
synonym. Sometimes the or is left out and only the commas remain.
Ex. Flooded with spotlights the newly announced queen received her crown from the queen of the year
before. The new queen was the CYNOSURE, or focus, of all eyes for the rest of the Pep Fest.
CYNOSURE:
10.
WORDS-IN-A-SERIES
Several synonyms in a row might contain one word you don't know. The unknown word will have a
meaning similar to the other words in a series.
Ex. The new student was motivated, eager, INDUSTRIOUS, and anxious to learn.
INDUSTRIOUS:
While it is not a specific clue to use WORD PARTS, it is a useful tool. For example, if you see the word exigency,
you might think, "That ends like the word emergency" and base your guess on that. You might see the word directive
and notice the word direct, which you already know. You can also use your knowledge of prefixes (ex-, un-, mis-, dis) to recognize that a word has a negative slant.
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Context Clues Introduction
Now complete the following items as a worksheet exercise.
11.
COMPARISON / CONTRAST
Unlike his older brother, who could meet anyone from the president of the local women's club to the
President of the United States with grace and ease, Bill was quite GAUCHE.
GAUCHE:
12.
DIRECT EXPLANATION
The EXIGENCY that developed when the automatic pilot failed forced the astronaut to ignore some
experiments and fly the shuttle craft manually. Luckily they survived the emergency landing.
EXIGENCY;
13.
EXPERIENCE
Finally the moment of entering the new school arrives. The unexplored world of Mayo lies ahead. Almost
every freshman approaches a new school with some TREPIDATION.
TREPIDATION:
14.
EXPLANATION THROUGH EXAMPLE
Bob's reaction to his new stepmother was characterized by a strange AMBIVALENCE -- faith conflicting
with distrust.
AMBIVALENCE:
15.
FAMILIAR EXPRESSION
In his eagerness to be elected, he tried hard to impress his fellow students. He made posters, handed out
name stickers, and appeared on the Spartan Scene. As a result of this INORDINATE effort, he was elected.
INORDINATE:
16.
INFERENCE CLUE
While driving his father's new car, Mike had a serious collision. People who saw the accident
CORROBORATED his statement that he had been driving carefully.
CORROBORATED:
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Context Clues Introduction
17.
MOOD OR TONE CLUE
The anger in his voice and the frown on his face warned us that Father was in a CAPTIOUS mood.
Absolutely nothing could satisfy him. Dinner was too late; the meat was too cold; the coffee was too hot.
CAPTIOUS:
18.
SUMMARY CLUE
The stories about Jim, invented from bits and scraps of gossip and legend, soon developed into a terrible
rumor, and an innocent student became the victim of CALUMNY.
CALUMNY:
19.
SYNONYM CLUE
Three times in a row, the football team's players charged their opponent's line without gaining an inch of
ground. The line proved IMPREGNABLE, or unbreakable.
IMPREGNABLE:
20.
WORDS IN A SERIES CLUE
His qualities as a leader made it hard for him to express his ideas. The Student Council members disliked
his finality, his decisiveness, his PEREMPTORY manner.
PEREMPTORY:
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Context Clues Sample #1
from "Gray Matters" by Sharon Begley
1.
"...active regions of the brain use more glucose than quiescent areas and so emit
radioactivity, which PET detects."
What does QUIESCENT mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
2.
"If women's brains are paragons of holism, while men's are a house divided, it could
explain findings."
What does PARAGONS OF HOLISM mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
3.
"The brain is so malleable that rats raised in a cage filled with toys and mazes grow
more connections between their neurons than rats raised in a bare cage."
What does MALLEABLE mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
4.
"...researchers catch brains in the very act of cogitating, feeling, or remembering."
What does COGITATING mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
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CONTEXT CLUES Sample #2
1.
"She had marked a turning off here with a pile of stones and pine cones. With relief
and triumph she saw the beam of the flashlight illuminate her private CAIRN.
from p. 122 Anne Granger Murder Among Us
What does CAIRN mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
2.
You're right that basal-cell cancer rarely spreads -- METASTASIZES -- to internal
organs.
from p. 4E Pioneer Press August 1997
What does METASTASIZES mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
3.
"I love prom because it changes so dramatically from year to year -- the styles, colors,"
Bessler says. She has to buy her dress lines months before prom, meaning she has to
be PRESCIENT about what is going to be popular.
from p. 1B Rochester Post Bulletin September, 1997
What does PRESCIENT mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
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Context Clues Sample #3
1.
Miss Barrett decided, after the computer had crashed three times, that she was going to
become a LUDDITE and give up computers forever.
What does LUDDITE mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
2.
This sunny midweek afternoon, a BALMY breeze makes for a LANGUOROUS
atmosphere in the little ball park where baseball is played with a passion as mild as the
weather. (Time, 3/20/98 p. 76)
What does BALMY mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
What does LANGUOROUS mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
3.
"--all are monstrous CALUMNIES that now seem to pass for accepted truth."
(Newsweek, 3/30/98 p. 35)
What does CALUMNIES mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
4.
"... not easy to fix because CFCs are UBIQUITOUS in almost every society. They're
used in refrigeration and air conditioning. They're used as cleaning solvents in
factories. They're used as blowing agents to create certain kinds of plastic foam. In
many countries CFCs are still spewed into the air as part of aerosol sprays.
What does UBIQUITOUS mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
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Vocabulary in Context - OH Sample #4
Examples
1.
Guangyong seemed more PRAGMATIC than emotional about the decision to keep
his daughter or give her away.
from "Family Secret" Pioneer Press 2/25/98 p. 4B
PRAGMATIC means:
Type of clue:
2.
He's the guardian of the true, the champion of the real, the friend of
VERISIMILITUDE.
VERISIMILITUDE means:
Type of clue:
3.
You could buy a paper shredder for up to $2,000. On the other hand, LUDDITES can
buy a nice ambidextrous Durasharp stainless steel scissors with a 10-year warranty for
$7.70.
LUDDITES means:
Type of Clue:
4.
Daniel Maida's heart was beating rapidly and not pumping blood, a condition known as
FIBRILLATION.
FIBRILLATION means:
Type of clue:
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5.
To poke fun at the superstitious, organizers will hold limbo dances under a ladder, toss
mirrors and play superstition trivia games -- all in the name of helping
FRIGGATRISKAIDEKAPHOBES, or those who fear Friday the 13th.
FRIGGATRISKAIDEKAPHOBES means:
Type of clue:
6.
The old Greeks had a word for it: HUBRIS. It was their explanation of why bigshots
- the rich, the famous, the powerful - do the inexplicable things they sometimes do, and
often destroy themselves doing it.
HUBRIS means:
Type of clue:
7.
He hated how the Sahara had left a permanent coat of fine sand on his skin, how the
grains found their way between his teeth and into every meal he ate. He said he hated
watching the sand women's SISYPHEAN LABOR, the same sand spilling back into
the spaces they had cleared.
SISYPHEAN LABOR means:
Type of clue:
8.
The mountain climber expected to face ADVERSITY, or trouble, on his ascent of
Everest. But he did not expect to watch five of his part die.
ADVERSITY means:
Type of clue:
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Word Diary
Date
Name
Unfamiliar Word
Hour
Dates:
Context: Sentence in which you found the word
to
Guess
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Your grade depends on the following:
1) The word is spelled correctly; 2) the word is used in the sentence in which you found it; 3) the word is highlighted or underlined
within the sentence; 4) your handwriting is legible; and 5) your guess makes sense when it is substituted for the new word in the
context of the sentence.
Your Word Diary is due after each 10 diary entries. Thanks!
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
Due Date:
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Word Diary
Date
Name
Unfamiliar Word
Hour
Dates:
Context: Sentence in which you found the word
to
Guess
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Your grade depends on the following: 1) The word is spelled correctly; 2) the word is used in the sentence in which you found it; 3) the word is highlighted or
underlined within the sentence; 4) your handwriting is legible; and 5) your guess makes sense when it is substituted for
the new word in the context of the sentence.
Your Word Diary is due after each 10 diary entries. Thanks!
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
Due Date:
14
Monarchy
Oligarchy
Archetype
Archrival
Anarchy
Archenemy
Patriarchy
arch, archae, arche
first, chief, ruler,
ancient, primitive
Architect
Matriarchy
Archeologist
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Archive
Archaic
Archdeacon
Archangel
15
Using Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes
Description: Can you figure out what this word means?
pneumoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
If you use your knowledge of prefixes and suffixes, you could
break it down into the following parts:
pneumo (air, wind)
ultra (beyond the normal)
micro (small)
scopic (to see)
silico (hard stone)
volcano (fire)
coni (dust)
osis (disease)
You read Latin from right to left, so literally this word means
the dust from burning a hard stone and that is too small to see in
the air.
This is the longest word in the dictionary, and it is a term for
black lung disease. (Miners breathed in a very fine coal dust
that coated their lungs and made it difficult for the miners to
breathe. Many coal miners died of black lung disease.)
Not only could you figure out this word if you had some
knowledge of Greek and Latin prefixes, roots, and suffixes, you
could also pronounce it! A college dictionary will give you the
etymology of the word, including its roots and their meanings.
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OUR GREEK AND LATIN ROOTS
LECTURE NOTES
LATIN
Latin Lang families
Romance Languages
Number One
--Latin
unus
--Italian
uno
--Spanish
uno
--France
un
--Portuguese
um
--Romanian
un
Numbers -10 almost identical
Rome invades Britain
originally spoken by Romans
--developed from Latin of the Holy Roman Empire
--Julius Caesar invaded Britain in 55 B.C.E. and 54 B.C.E.
EX: Caesar = Kaiser = Czar
--Romans introduced towns, laws, roads
--Romans stayed in Britain until the 5th century C.E.
--Latin was the language of the Christian church and Latin spread as
Christianity spread
Anglo Saxon
--words in our language today from the Old English (Anglo-Saxon) are often
kinship terms (modor = mother) or words for basic functions and
emotions (drincan = drink; saed = sad)
--Saxons, Jutes, and Angles invaded in 5th-6th century C.E.
--Anglo-Saxon languagebecame leading everyday language of Britain
Latin
--Latin was the language of religion, diplomacy, business, trade
Norman Invasion
--Normans invaded Britain in 1066 (C.E.)
--French became language of court, government, schools, nobility
--Latin was the language of international communications
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Latin influences
--10,000 Latinate words
--75% of these words are still in use
Renaissance
--during the Renaissance (1500-1650 C.E.) new flood of Roman words
entered the language as Roman civilization was rediscovered
--Latin language of the educated
--Latin international language
dictionary
--1755 Samuel Johnson pub. English Dictionary
--standardized spelling
--standardized meanings
Structure of Words
prefix
PREFIX
--come at the beginning of the word or before the root
--change the meaning of the entire word
--have variant spellings because of pronunciation
ex. a-, ac-, ad-, af-, ag-, an-, ar-, as-, at- meaning " to or toward"
--may exist in multiples (un inter rupted) in a word
--may affect the spelling of the word
root
ROOTS
--carries the primary meaning of the word
--may appear in multiples (metro nome, manu script))
--may change slightly in mng today from orig. mng
--may have variant spellings
--are affected by prefixes and suffixes
suffix
SUFFIXES
--come at the end of the word
--do not change the word mng
--determine the POS of the word
--may appear in multiples (re spect ful ly)
--may affect the spelling of a word
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GREEK
--as late as 700 B.C.E., the Greeks did not have a written lang.
--poets like Homer had to keep poetry in their heads
--Phoenician alphabet adapted by Greeks
--influence on English entirely through books, not speaking
--300-600 B. C. E. books of history, poetry, plays, philosophy, geometry,
and studies of nature
--major influence beg. 200 C. E. with dev't of parchment books
knowledge
--Grks first div knowledge in dif categories
--Eng wds are derived from special skill or study
ex: history, arithmetic, mathematics, physics, music, drama
Sample Greek wds
--telephone, telegram, telegraph, telescope, telepathy, telephoto
arts
--theatre, architecture
Med terms
--diagnosis, hyppodermic, epidemic
abbrev
--i.e.
id est = 'that is'
--e.g.
exemplis gratia = 'for example'
--etc
et cetera = ' and others'
--a.m.
ante meridian = before noon
--p.m.
post meridiem = after noon
--P.S.
post scriptum = 'written later'
--v.
versus = 'against'
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Open Notes Quiz
Our Latin and Greek Roots Lecture
1.
2.
were the early inhabitants of the British Isles.
The power which dominated the region with its language and culture from 43 (C.E.) to 400 (C.E.)
was
3.
.
Later, Germanic tribes including the
and the
brought their additions to the language.
4.
With the invasion of William the conqueror in 1066,
was added to the
language of politics and the courts.
5.
With the coming of the Renaissance and the printing press, Latin became the language of
and
6.
.
Eighteenth century advances in science and technology led to many
in Latin.
7.
Greek words in the language relate primarily to the
in
knowledge.
Our Latin and Greek Roots Quiz 2 – Open Note
1.
In what years did Julius Caesar invade Britain?
2-5.
In addition to the Romans, what four other groups invaded Britain?
6-7.
Give two subject areas where Latin words dominated the language in Britain.
8.
Who published the English dictionary in 1755?
9-11.
What are the three word parts in English that are based on our Latin heritage?
12.
What is one similarity between prefixes and suffixes?
13.
What is one difference between prefixes and suffixes?
14.
What does POS stand for?
15.
What characteristics of language did Greek introduce into English?
16.
Give one area where many English words have Greek roots.
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Master List: Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes that occur in English
PREFIX
Origin Meanings
Example of Use
a-, ab-, absL
away from
absent, abstinent
a- ac-, ad-, af-, agL
to, toward
adhere, annex, accede, adapt
an-, ar-, as-, atambi, amb
L
both, around
ambidextrous, ambiguous, amble
amphi
L
both
amphibious, amphitheater
anteL
before
antebellum, antedate, anteroom, antecedent
antiL
against
anticommunist, antidote, anticlimax
beOE
on, away
bedeck, bestow, belabor
bene-, bonL
well
benefit, benefactor, benevolent, bonus, bonanza
bi-, bisL
two
biped, bicycle
cataL
down, against
catapult, catastrophe, catalog
circum-, circL
around
circumference, circumlocution
co-, com-, conL
together, with
combination, connect
contra-, counterL
against
controversy, contradict, counterpart
deL
down, from, opposite
descend, decline, detract, demerit
dis-, dif-, diL
apart
disperse, difference
epiL
upon, on top of, in
epilogue, epidermis
addition
equiL
equal
equivalent
ex-, ef-, eL
out, from
eject, exalt, exit
extra-, extro
L
beyond, outside
extraordinary, extracurricular, extrovert
foreOE
before in time
forecast, foretell, foreshadow
hemi-,, semiFr
half
hemisphere, semicircle
hyperL
over
hypersensitive, hyperactive, hypercritical
hypoL
under
hypodermic, hypoactive, hypothesis
il,- ir-, in-, imL
not
illegal, irregular, inactive, immoral
in-, il-, imL
into
inject, inside, illustrate, impose, imprison
mal-, maleL
bad, ill
malpractice, malevolent, maladjusted, malady
misoL
indicates hate
misogyny
monoL
alone, one, single
monotone, monopoly
multiL
many
multifaceted, multicultural
nonL
not
nonsense
ob-, of, op, oc
L
in front, against
obviate, obvious, offend, oppose, occur
omniL
everywhere, all
omnipresent, omnipotent
perL
through
perceive, pervade, perfect, permanent
preL
thoroughly
persuade, persecute, permutation
polyL
many
polygon
postL
after
posterior, postpone
preL
before
precursor, preface
proL
forward, in favor of
proceed, promote
reL
back, again
recall, recede, redo
seL
apart
secede
sub- (suf-, sug-,
L
under
subliminal, subway, subhuman, subversive
sup-, sus-)
suffer, sufficient, suggest, support, suspect
superL
greater, beyond
supernatural, superstition
trans-, tra
L
across, beyond
transpire, transcontinental, transfusion
un-, uniL
one
unilateral, unity
un
OE
not
unethical, unlocked
KEY:
L = Latin
Gr = Greek
OE = Old English
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SUFFIXES
-able, -ible (adj)
-ade (n.) (-actus)
-age (n.) (-actus)
-al (adj.)
-an, ian (n.)
-ance, ancy (n.)
(-ans)
-ant (adj.) (-ans)
-ary, -ery, -ory (n.)
(-arius)
-ate (v.)
-cy (n.) (-tia)
-dom (n.)
-en (adj.)
-ence, ency (n.)
- er, -or (n.)
-fic (adj.)
-ful (adj.)
-fy (v.)
-hood (n.)
-ian (n.)
-ic (adj.)
-ile (adj.)
-ion, -sion, -tion
(n.)
-ish (adj.)
-ist (n.)
-ity, (n.)
-ive (adj.)
-ize (v.)
-less (adj.)
-ly (adj.)
-ment (n.)
-ness (n.)
-ology, -logy (n.)
-ous (adj.)
-ship (n.)
-some (adj.)
-tude (n.)
-ure (n.)
-ward (n.)
-y (adj.)
KEY:
Origin
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
OE
OE
L
L
L
OE
L
OE
L
OE
L
L
OE
L
L
L
L
OE
OE
L
OE
OE
L
OE
L
L
L
OE
L
Meaning
able, can do
result of action
act of, state of
relating to
native of, relating to
action, process, state
Examples of Use
capable, agreeable, suitable, visible, edible
blockade, lemonade
salvage, storage
natural, sensual, gradual, manual
American, Canadian
assistance, allowance, truancy, defiance
performing agent
connected with, engaged
with
cause, make
quality, condition
quality, realm, office
made of, make
action, state, quality
one who
making, causing
full of
make
order, condition
having skill or art
like, characteristic
relating to, suited to
act of, state of
assistant, servant
dictionary, bravery, dormitory
origin, nature
one who
state of, quality
causing, tendency
toward
make
without
like, manner of
product, means, action
state of
study, science
full of, having
office, state, skill
like, apt, tending to
state of, condition of
state of, act, process
in the direction of
condition, state of being,
quality
foolish, clownish
realist, dentist, centrist
captivity, clarity
abusive, exhaustive
liquidate, segregate, inculcate
hesitancy, prophecy, normalcy, criteria
kingdom, wisdom, freedom, dukedom
silken, frozen, oaken, wooden, lighten
difference, conference, urgency
dancer, rider, baker, teacher, doctor
terrific, scientific, specific
frightful, helpful, careful
fortify, simplify, amplify
manhood, womanhood, brotherhood
musician, magician, beautician, physician
metallic, heroic, poetic, acidic
juvenile, senile, missile
contagion, aversion, infection
emphasize, publicize, idolize
baseless, careless, artless, fearless, helpless
carelessly, fearlessly, hopelessly, shamelessly
contentment, amendment
carelessness, restlessness
biology, anthropology, geology, neurology
gracious, nervous, spacious, vivacious
friendship, authorship, dictatorship
lonesome, threesome, gruesome
attitude, gratitude, multitude
culture, literature, rupture
eastward, forward, backward
cheery, crafty, faulty
L = Latin
Gr = Greek
OE = Old English
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
22
ROOTS
Origin
acer, acid, acri
act, ag, acro
act, agi
acu, acuere
aero
aesthet
agog
agon
agri
ali, alter
alt
ambi
ambulo
amo
andr
ang
animus, anima
annus, anni, enni
anthropo
apert
apt, ept
aqua
arch archae,
arche
art
arti
Week 2
astro, ast, astr
aud, aus
aug, auc
auto
baro
bas
bellum, belli
bellus
bene, bon
bi, du
biblio, bibl
bio
breve
cad, cas, cid
calor, cal
cande
cam, camp
cap, cept, cip
capit, capt
cardi, card, cord
Week 3
carn
caus, caut
cause, cuse, cus
ced, cess, cede,
ceed
Meanings
bitter, sour, sharp
height, edges, pointed
move, do, go
sharp
air
feeling, perception
leader
contest, struggle
field
other
high
around
walk
love
man, human
corner
make alive, mind, spirited
year
man, mankind
open
suitable
water
first, chief, ruler
primitive, ancient
skill
joint
Derivations
acerbic, acidity, acrimonious
acrophobia, acropolis, acrobat
react, enactment, activities, transact, actuary, agitate
acute
aerobics, aerodynamics
kinesthesia, anesthesia, esthetics, aesthete
pedagogue, demagogue
agony, antagonize, protagonist
agriculture, agronomy
alias, alternative
altitude, exaltation, alto, altimeter
ambient, ambiguous, ambition
amble, perambulator, preamble, ambulance, ambulant
amorous, amour, amateur
android, androgynous
triangle, angular, angulate
animal, animate, magnanimity, pusillanimous, unanimity
annual, annuity, perennial, anniversary, millennium
anthropology, anthropomorphic
aperture
aptitude, ineptitude
aquamarine, aquifer
archetype, monarch, oligarchy, anarchy, archangel
archaic, archive
artisan, artificial
article, articulate, arthritis (Greek)
star
hear
increase
self
weight
low
war
pretty
good, well
two
book
life
short
fall, happen
heat
shine, glow
field
take, seize
head
heart
asteroid, astronomy, astrology, asterisk, disaster
audience, audible, audition, audio
augment, auction
automatic, autobiography, autograph, automobile
barometer, baritone, isobar
basement
rebellion, belligerent, bellicose, ante-bellum, rebel
belle, belladonna, beau, beauty
benevolent, bonus, benediction, bona fide, benefactor
biannual, bipartisan, bicameral, biceps, duplicate, duo
bibliography, bibliophile, bible
biography, microbe, biopsy, amphibian, biochemistry
abbreviate, brevity
cadence, cascade, coincide, cadaverous, accident
calorie
candle
camp, campus, campaign, champion, scamper
capture, incapacitate, captive, capsule, forceps
capital, capitulate, cap, caption, caprice, precipitate
cordial, cardiac, cardiology
flesh
burn, heat
cause, motive
yield, move, go
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
carnation, carnal, carnivorous, reincarnated, carnival
caustic, cauterize
excuse
recede, intercede, secede, cede, recession, precedent
23
ROOTS
ceive, cept, cip
cent
centric, centr
cephalo
cern, cerno
cert, certus, -a
chrom
chrono, chron
cis, cide
cite, cit
civis, civ
clam, claim
clar
claus, clud, clus
clemen
cline
cog, nosc, gnosi
col, cul
commun
corpus, corp
cosmo, cosm
cracy, crat
crea
cred
cresc, cret,
crease, cru
crit
Week 4
crux, cruc
crypt
cub, cumb
cum
curr, curs
cura
cycle, cycl,
cyclo
cyto
deci, deca
demo, dem
denti, dent, dont
derm
di
dic, dict
dies
doc, doct, dox,
dogma
domin
don, donat
dorm
drome
duc, duct
dura
dynam
ego
Origin
Meanings
take, receive
hundred
center
skull, head, brain
separate
sure
color
time
cut, kill
arouse, summon, call
citizen
cry out
clear
close, shut
merciful
lean
know
inhabitant, settlement
common
body
universe, world
govern, rule, strength
create
believe
increase, rise, grow
Derivations
deceive, precept, inception
centimeter, century, cent, centennial
central, centrifuge, egocentric, ethnocentric
hydrocephalus, microcephalus, cephalopod
discern, secretive, discretion, concern, certain
certain, certificate
chromatic, chromosome, chromatography
chronology, synchronize, chronic, anachronism
scissors, concise, precise, homicide, germicide, incisors
recite, citation, excite, incite, cite, recital
civic, city, civilize, civilian, civility
clamor, claim, declamation, reclamation
clarify, clarion, clarinet, claret, declare
closet, close, closure, recluse, foreclose, claustrophobia, preclude
clemency
incline, recline, decline
cognitive, agnostic
colony
community, communism
corpse, corps, corpulent, corporal, corporeal
cosmic, cosmopolitan, macrocosm, cosmos
democracy, autocracy, technocracy, bureaucracy
creation, creator
credible, creed, credo, credit, credence
crescent, crescendo, accrue, crew, recruit
separate, choose
critical
cross
hidden
lie down, lean back
heap
run
care
circle, wheel
crusade, cross, crucifix, crux, excruciate, crucial
cryptogram, cryptic, crypt
encumber, recumbent
cumulative, accumulate
current, concurrent, corridor, recur, curriculum
cure, accurate, security, curative, curiosity, curator
bicycle, cyclic, encyclopedia
cell
ten
people
tooth
skin
two
say, speak
day
teach, belief, opinion
cytoplasm, cytology, cytogenesis
decimeter, decimate, decade, December
pandemic, epidemic, demography, endemic, democrat
dentist, dentine, dent, indent, dentifrice, orthodontist
taxidermist, epidermis, pachyderm, hypodermic
dilemma, dichotomy, dichromatic
dictionary, dictation
diary, diet, journey, sojourn, adjourn
doctrine, document, documentary, doctor indoctrinate, docile,
orthodox, paradox, dogma
dominate, dominant, domino, domineer, domain
donate, donor, date, pardon, condone
dormitory, dormant
syndrome
induce, introduce, deduce, conducive, ductile
durable
thermodynamics, dynamo, dynamite, dynamometer
superego, egotist
master, rule
give
sleep
to run, step
to lead
hard, lasting
power
I, self
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
24
ROOTS
Origin
Week 5
endo, end
equi, equ
erg
err
eth(os)
eu
fac, fact, fic, fect
fall, fals
femino
fer
fid, fide, feder
fig
fil
fin
firm
fix
flex, flect
flu, flue, fluv
form
fort, forc
frag, fract
Week 6
frater
fric
fug
fum
funct
gam
gastro
gen, genus
geo
germ
gest
gloss, glot
glom
G
glu
L
glyph
gon
grad, gress
gram, graph
grat
grav
greg
gyn
habit
hab, hib
hap
OE
helio
hemi
hemo, hema
here, hes
hetero
Meanings
Derivations
within
equal
work
to wander
custom
good, well
make, do
deceive
female
carry, bear
trust, faith
form
son
end
securely fixed
fix
bend
flow
shape, form
strong
break
endocrine, endosperm, endoskeleton, endothermic
equality, equanimity
energy, ergonomics
erratic, aberration
ethnic
eulogy, euphemism, euphoria, euphonious
fact, facile, facsimile, facilitate, faction, feasible, facility
fallacy, fallacious, false
feminine
transfer, circumference, deference, fertile, offer
confident, fiduciary, diffidence, infidel, fidelity, Fido
figment, effigy
filial, affiliation
final
affirm, firmament
fix, transfix, crucifix
flexible, reflect
fluid, fluent, flux, influx, affluent, influence, fluvial, flush
transform, formative, formation
fortress, fortify
fragile, fraction, fracture, frail, refraction, fragment, infraction
brother
rub
flee
smoke
perform
marriage
stomach
origin, birth, race, kind
earth
sprout, offshoot
carry, bear
tongue
ball
glue
carve
angle
step, grade
written, drawn
pleasing
heavy
group, flock
woman
have, hold
live
luck, chance
sun
half
blood
stick, cling
different
fraternity, fraternal
friction, fricative
fugitive, fugue, refugee, subterfuge
fumigate, fumes
function, dysfunctional
misogamy, polygamy, bigamy, monogamy
gastronomy, gastric
homogenize, eugenics, gene, genesis, generation, gender
geology, geography, geode, geo-politics
germination, germ, germinal
gestation, ingest, digest
glottal, polyglot
conglomerate
gluten, glue
hieroglyph, petroglyph, glyph
pentagon, tetragonal, octagon, nonagon
gradual, graduate, digress, ingredient, egress, progress
hexagram, telegram, program, cardiogram, graphic
gratitude, gratify, grace, gratis, gratuitous, congratulate
gravity, grave, gravitate, aggravate, grieve, gravid
congregate, segregate, gregarious, egregious
gynecology, philogyny, misogyny, gynarchy
habitual, habit, inhibit, habitude,
habitation, habitat, hibernation
happen, haphazard
heliocentric, heliotrope, heliotherapy
hemisphere, hemicycle, hemiplegia
hemophilia, hemostat, hemoglobin, hemorrhage, anemia
adhere, adhesive
heterogeneous, heteronym, heterosexual
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
25
ROOTS
Week 7
hexa
hiero
homo
homo
honor
hosp, host
hum,
human
hydro, hydr,
hydra
hypn
iatric, iatr
idio
ignis
imag
init
integ
iso
jac, ject
junct, join
jud, judi, judic,
jus, jur
juven
kine, cine
labor, lab
laps, lat
lat
lat
laut, lav, lot, lut
leg, lect
legis, leg
levis
lic, licit
lingua
lit, letter, liter
litho, lith
liver, liber
loco, loc
log, logo, logue,
logy
Week 8
loqu, locut
lude, lud, lus
lumen, luc, lum,
lus
luna
lust
lysis, lys
macro
magnus, magn
mal
mand
Origin
G
L
Meanings
Derivations
six
sacred
same
man
honor
host, guest
earth, ground
man
water
hexagon, hexagram, hexameter
hierarchy, hieroglyphic
homonym, homogenous, homologous, homosexual
homicide, Homo Sapiens, hombre
honor, honorable, dishonor, honorarium, honorary
hostel, hospital, host, hospitality
humility, exhume, inhumation, posthumous
human
dehydrate, hydrogen, hydrophobia, hydraulic
sleep
medical treatment
individuality
fire
likeness
beginning
whole
equal
throw
join, connect
judge, lawyer, law,
right
young, youth
move
work
slip
carry
side, broad
wash
read, select
law
light
permit
language
letter
stone
free
place
word, study of, speech,
science of
hypnosis
geriatrics, psychiatry, podiatry, pediatrics
idiosyncrasy, idiom,
ignite, ignition, igneous
image, imagery
initial, initiative
integrate, integer
isotherm, isotope, isosceles, isobar
eject, projectile, interject, adjective, trajectory, dejected
junction, injunction, adjoin, conjunction, join
judiciary, adjudicate, jurisprudence, justice, jurisdiction
speak, talk
play
light
eloquent, loquacity, colloquial, ventriloquist, soliloquy, locution
prelude, ludricus
illuminate, luminary, luminous, luminescence
moon
shine
loosening, destroying
long, large
great, large
bad
command
lunar, lunacy, lunate, lunatic
illustrate, lackluster, luster
paralysis, catalysis, hydrolysis
macroeconomics, macrobiotic, macrocosm, macroscopic
magnify, magnificent, major, magnanimous
malice, malignant, malpractice, malicious, malinger
mandatory
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
juvenile
cinema, kinetic, kinescope
laboratory, labored, elaborate, collaborate, belabor
collapse, elapse
translate, relate
lateral, latitude
lavatory, ablution
collect, select, legible, legend, lectern, lecture, elect
legislature, legal, legitimate, illegal
alleviate, levity
illicit, license
linguist, language, lingo, linguistics
literary, literate, literal, letter, obliterate, illiterate
megalith, lithograph, monolith, Neolithic
liberate, deliver, liberty
location, locus, allocate, locomotion, local
dialog, biology, neologism, logic, catalog, biology
26
ROOTS
mania
manu, man
mar, mari, mer
max
matri, matro,
matric
mechane, mech
medi
mega
mem
ment
merge, mers
meter
Week 9
metry
micro
migra, migr
milli
mim
min
minist
mira
miso
mitt, miss
mon
mono, mon
monst, mist
morph
mort, mori, mors
mov, mob, mot
multi
mut, mutat
narr
nase
nat, nasc
nav
necro
neg
neo
neuro, neur
nom
nomen, nomin,
nym
nomy
nota, not
nounce, nunce,
noun
novus, nov
nox, noc
Origin
Meanings
madness for
hand
sea, pool
greatest
mother
Derivations
pyromania, kleptomania, monomania, maniac
manual, manicure, emancipate, manufacture
marine, submarine
maximum, maxim
matron, matriculate, matrimony, alma mater
machine
half, middle, between
great, large
remember
mind
dip, dive
measure
mechanics, machine, mechanism, machinations
medium, mediocre
megaphone, megaton, megacycle, megalomania
memorandum, remember, memory
mental, mention
emerge, immerse
barometer, thermometer, metronome, meter
measurement
small
wander
thousand(th)
same
small, less
servant, officer
look, wonder
hatred, wrong, bad
send
advise, warn
one
show
form
death
move
many
change, interchange
tell
nose
born
ship
dead
no
recent, new
nerve
law, order
name
geometry, trigonometry, optometry
microscope, micron, microfilm, microbiology
migrate, emigrate, immigrant
millimeter, million, millennium
mimic, mimeograph
minute, minor
minister, administer
admire, miracle, miraculous, mirage, admiration
misanthropy, misconduct, misplace, misadventure
transmit, admit, omit, remit, missive, mission, missile
admonish, monitor
monogram, monogamy, monocle, monarch, monopoly
demonstrate
amorphous, anthropomorphic, metamorphosis
mortal, immortal, mortician, mortify, mortgage, moribund
remove, move, motivation, mobility, commotion
multiply, multicolored, multiform, multilingual, multitude
mutual, commute, mutation, immutable
narrate, narrative
nasal, nostril, nasofrontal
nature, native, innate, naïve, cognate, prenatal
navy, navigate
necrophobia, necrotic, necromancy, necrophile, necropolis
negative, renege
neophyte, neon, neoplasm, Neolithic
neurology, neuralgia, neurosis, neuron
autonomy
nominate, cognomen, ignominious, nominal
systematized
knowledge
note
warn, declare
physiognomy, economy, autonomy, metronome
new
night
novelty, innovate, novel, novice, Novocain, novelette
nocturnal
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
notation, notorious, notice, denote, annotation, noteworthy
announce, denunciate, renounce
27
ROOTS
Week 10
null
numer
octo
ocu, op, opt
omni
onus
onym
oper
opt
ora
ora, orus
ord
orig
ortho
osteo, oss
pac, pax
paleo
pan
par
patho, path
patr, pater
ped, pedo
ped, pod
pel, pulse, pul
pend, pens, pon
pent
peri
persona
petro
pheme
phil
phobia, phob
phono, phon
Week 11
photo, phos
physio, phys
phyte
pict
plac, plais
plasia
plenus
plere
plec, plic, pli,
ply, plex
plu, plur, plus
pneuma,
pneumon
polis, poli
poly
pon, pos, pond
pop
Origin
Meanings
Derivations
none
number
eight
eye
all, every
burden
name
work
best
pray
speak, mouth
row
beginning
straight, correct
bone
peace
ancient, prehistoric
all
equal
feeling, disease
father
child
foot
drive, push, urge
to hang
five
around
person
stone
speech
love
fear of
sound
nullify, annul
enumerate, numerous
octagon, octopus, octogenarian, octet, octave, October
oculist, binoculars, optical, Cyclops
omniscient, omnivorous, omnipotent
onerous, onus
synonym, acronym, pseudonym, anonymous, antonym
operate, opus
optimist, optimal
adoration, oracle
oral, oration, oratory
order, extraordinary
origin, aborigine
orthodontist, orthopedic, orthographic
osteopath, osteoporosis, osteology, ossification
pacify, pacifier, pact
paleontology, Paleozoic, Paleolithic
panorama, pantheism, panacea, panchromatic
parity, disparate, par
sympathy, apathetic, antipathy, pathos, pathology
paternity, paternal
pedagogy, pediatrician, pedophile
pedal, pedestrian, pedestal, pedicure, tripod, podiatry, podium
propel, repellent, expel, repulsive, compulsion, pulse, compulsory,
repulse
pendulum, suspense, impend, pending, propensity
pentagon, pentathlon, pentameter
periscope, perigee, perimeter, peristaltic
personality, personae, parson, personify, impersonate
petrify, petroleum, petroglyph
euphemism, morpheme, grapheme
philosophy, philanthropy, hemophilia, Anglophile
claustrophobia, hydrophobia, triskadekaphobia
phonograph, phonetic, cacophony, telephone, Dictaphone
light
nature, natural
plant
paint
please
mold, change
full
to fill
interweave, fold
photograph, photogenic, photosynthesis, phosphoresce
physiotherapy, physics, physiology, astrophysical
neophyte, dermophyte, microphyte
pictorial, picturesque, depict
pleasure, complacent, please, pleasant, placebo, complaisance
plastic, plasticize, plaster
replenish, plenitude
complete, complement, replete, comply, compliment, expletive
complex, Plexiglas, plywood, multiply, pliable, implicate
more
breath
plus, surplus, plural
pneumonia, pneumonic
city
many
put, place
people
politics, cosmopolitan, metropolis, police, metropolitan
polygon, polygamy, polytechnic, polyester, polymer
expound, exponent, opponent, postpone, dispose, deposit
population, populace, popular, depopulated
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
28
ROOTS
port
portio
poss, pot
prehend
press
proto
prim, prime
pseudo
psych
pug
punct
put
pyro
quad
quer, ques, quis
quies
rad
ras
ratio
reg, recti, rect
Week 12
ri, ridi, risi
rog, roga
rupt
sac, sect
sal
salv, salu
san
sat, satis
scend
sci
scope
scrib, script
sect
sed, sess, sid
sem
semi
sen, seni
sent, sens
sequ, secu, sue
serv
sign, signi
silic
simil, simul, sim
sist, sta, stat,
stit, stet
sol
solus, sol
solv, solu
somn
son
Origin
G
L
Meanings
carry
part, share
power, ability
seize
press
first
first
false
mind
fight
point
think
fire
four
inquire
at rest
ray, spoke
scrape
reason
rule, direct, straighten
Derivations
transport, portage, purport, important, importune, portend
proportion, apportion
potential, potent, possible
apprehend, comprehend, reprehensible
pressure, press, express, suppress, depress, repress, impression
prototype, protoplasm, proton, protocol, protozoan
primitive, prime
pseudonym, pseudopodia, pseudoscience
psychic, psychopath, psychology, psychosomatic
pugnacious, impugn
punctual, punctuation, punctilious
computer, putative
pyrotechnics, Pyrex, pyre, pyromania
quadrangle, quadrant, quadrilateral, quadruped
question, inquest, inquisitive, requisition, perquisite
acquiesce, quiescence
radio, radius
erase, rasp
rational, ration, rationale, reason, rationalize, ratio
regal, regimen, regalia, regent, regulate, Regina
laughter
ask
break out
holy
jump
safe, healthy
health
enough
climb
know
see
write
cut
sit, settle
seed
half
old
feel
follow
serve, save
sign, mark, seal
flint
like, resemble
stand
ridicule, derisive
interrogate, derogatory
erupt, disrupt, abrupt, corrupt, interrupt, bankrupt
sacred, sacrifice, sacrilege, desecrate, sacrilegious
assault, salient, assail, resilient, sally, resultant
salubrious, salvation, salutary
sanitary, sanity
satisfactory, sate
ascend, descendent
science, prescient, conscious, conscience, omniscient
microscope, gyroscope, periscope, stethoscope, scope
script, conscript, scripture, prescription, describe, scribble
section, dissect
sediment, sedan, sedation, supersede, residue, sedentary
seminal, semen
semicircle, semiconscious, semidetached, semifinal
senator, senile
sentiment, sentient, sensitive, insensitive
sequence, sequential, prosecute, consequent, subsequent
reservation, servant, conserve
signature, signet, significant
silicon
simulation, assimilate, similar
assist, stationary, constituent, stable, estate, statue, statute, stature,
constant, static
solar, solarium, solstice, parasol, Sol
solo, solitaire, solipsism, soliloquy, solitude
dissolve, solvent, absolution, soluble, resolve, dissolution
insomnia, somnambulist, somnolent
sonar, sonnet
sun
alone
to loosen
sleep
sound
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
29
ROOTS
Week 13
soph
spec, spic, spect
spir
sphere
spond, spons
stell
stereo
stimu
sto, stat, sisto
string, strict
stru, struct
sum
sume, sump
surg, surr
syn, sym
tact, ting, tang,
tag, tig
tax
techno, techni
tele
tempo, temp
ten, tin, tain
tend, tent, tens
Week 14
terra, terr
term
test
tex
theo, the
therapy
therm
thesis, thet
tome, tom
tort, tors
toxic, tox
tract, tra
tri
trib
trope
trophy
trud, trus
tui, tuit, tut
turb, turbo
type
type
ultima
un, uni
Origin
Meanings
Derivations
wise, wisdom
see, look
breathe
circle
pledge, answer
star
3 dimension, solid
goad
stand, cause to stand
draw tight
build
highest
take, use, waste
rise
together, same time
touch
sophisticated, philosophy, sophomore
spectator, perspicacity, perspective, specimen, prospect
respiration, aspirate, inspiration
atmosphere, sphere, hemisphere, stratosphere
sponsor, response,
constellation, stellar
stereophonic, stereoscope, stereotype
stimulate, stimulus
insist, statue
strict, stringent, strain, redistrict, stricture, distraught
construction, instruction, structure, instrumental
sum, summit
consume, consumption, assumption, presume
resurrect, resurgent
symmetry, synchronicity, synchronize, system
contact, tactile, tingle, tangible, tangent, contagious, contiguous
systematic arrangement
skill, art, craft
far
time
hold
stretch
taxonomy, syntax, tactics, taxation
technique, technical, technology
telescope, telegraph, telephone, telemetry, television
temporary, temporal, extemporaneous, tempus fugit
tenant, tenet, pretend, pertinacious, tenor, lieutenant
extend, distend, contention, tendon, portend, ostensible
earth
end
to bear witness
weave
god
cure
heat
place, put, position
cut
twist
poison
draw, pull
three
pay, bestow
turning
nourishment
push
guard, protect, look at
disturb, whirl
model, impression
print
last
one
terrain, terra firma, terrestrial
terminate, exterminate, terminal
testimony, protest, attest
text, textile
theology, atheist, monotheism, polytheism
psychotherapy, hydrotherapy, therapeutic, therapist
thermos, thermostat, isotherm, thermometer
antithesis, thesis
dichotomy, tonsillectomy, atom, anatomy, epitome
distort, torture, extort, tortilla, tort, retort
toxicology, toxic, intoxicated, antitoxin
tractor, contract, retract, tract, traction, extract, intractable, trail
tricycle, triad, tricolor, trident, triplicate
tribute, contribute, distribute
entropy, heliotrope, tropic
atrophy, dystrophy
extrude, obtrusive
tutor, intuit, intuition
turbulent, trouble, turbid, perturb, turbine, disturb
archetype, typical, type, typify
typewriter, prototype
ultimate, penultimate
unicycle, unite, unite, uniform, Unitarian, unison, unilateral
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ROOTS
Week 15
unda
urb
vac
vag
vad, vas
vale
vali, val
var
ven, vent
ver, veri
verb
vert, vers
vest
vic, vicis
vict, vinc
vid, vis
vir
vita, viv, vivi
voc, vok
void
vol
vola
volcan, vulcan
volu, volvo,
volv
vor
zoo
Origin
Meanings
Derivations
wave, flow
city
empty
wander
go
farewell
strength, worth, valor
different
come
true
word
turn
clothe, dress
change, substitute
conquer
see, perceive
man
life, alive
call
empty
will, wish
fly
fire
roll, turn
undulate
urban, suburb, exurb
vacuum, vacation, vacuous
vague, vagabond
evade, pervasion
valediction, valedictory
valiant, value
variety, variegated
convention, convenient, venue, contravene, circumvent, revenue
verify, verity, veritable
verbal, proverbial, verbiage, verbatim
convert, subversion, vertebra, vertigo, versatile, inversion
vestment, invest, divest
vicar, vicarious
victorious, invincible
video, provident, supervisor, visa, advise
virile
vital, vitality, vitamin, vivacious, revive
vocal, vociferous, voice, convoke, provocative, avocation
avoid, devoid
volunteer, volition
volatile
volcano, vulcanize
revolve, evolve, convoluted, revolt, voluminous
devour
animal
voracious
zoo, zoology, zoophobia, zodiac
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Roots and Prefixes
Preparing for the SAT by Gary Gruber
Is there a short cut way to learn vocabulary? Well, there certainly is a more efficient way to learn the meaning of
words than memorizing a word list. The SAT chooses words from a list of over 30,000. Did you know that a
reliable study has shown that 20 prefixes and 14 roots can help you to get the meanings of over 100,000 words?
Well, here are those roots and prefixes, and one or two more:
ROOT
MEANING
EXAMPLE
act, ag
do, act
activity, agent
apert
open
aperture
bas
low
basement
cap, capt
take, seize
capable, capture
ced, cess
give in, go
concede, concession
cred
believe
credible
curr, curs
run
current, precursor
dict
speak
dictionary, predict
duc, duct
lead
induce, conduct
equ
equal
equality, equanimity
fac, fact, fic
make, do
facile, artifact
fer
bear, carry
offer, conference
graph
write
monograph, graphite
log
word, study of
dialog, biology
mitt, miss
send
permit, admission
par
equal
parity, disparate
plic
fold
complicated
pon
put, place
component
scrib, script
write
transcribe, subscription
sequ, secu
follow
sequel, consecutive
spec, spect
see
specimen, aspect
sto, stat, sisto
stand, cause to stand
statue, insist
tact
touch
contact, tactile
ten
hold
retentive, tenacious
tend, tent, tens
stretch
extend, tension
un, uni
one
unilateral, unanimous
ven, vent
come
convenient, advent
ver
true
verify, verisimilitude
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PREFIX
MEANING
EXAMPLE
a, ab, abs
away, from
absent, abstinent
ad, a, ac, af
to toward
adhere, annex, accede, adapt
bi, bis
two
biped, bicycle
circum
around
circumference, circumlocution com, con
together, with
combination, connect
de
opposite, from
detract, demerit
dis, dif, di
apart
disperse, difference
epi
upon, on top of
epilogue
equi
equal
equality, equitable
ex, ef, e
out, from
eject, exalt, exit
in, en
in, into
inject, endure
mal, male
bad, ill
malpractice, malevolent
mis
wrong
misplace, misunderstand
mono
alone, one, single
monotone, monopoly
non
not
nonsense
ob
in front, against
obviate, obvious
omni
everywhere, all
omnipresent, omnipotent
per
through
perceive, pervade
poly
many
polygon
post
after
posterior, postpone
pre
before
precursory, preface
pro
forward
proceed, promote
re
again
recall, recede
se
apart
secede
sub
under
subliminal, subway
super
greater, beyond
supernatural, superstition
trans
across
transpire, transcontinental
un, uni
one
unilateral, unity
un (pronounced uhn)
not
unethical
ag, al, an, ap, ar, as, at,
You will find that this list will be of considerable help in getting at the meaning of words. For example,
take the word DISPARITY. If you remember what the list tells you -- that PAR means equal and DIS
means apart -- you can reason that DISPARITY means dissimilarity or difference.
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
33
VOCABULARY FRAMES
Vocabulary frames are a flash card method of learning new vocabulary. You DO
NOT use vocabulary frames for every vocabulary word you encounter. Some
words are explanations of a totally new concept; you put those words on a
vocabulary frame flash card.
Look Backwards
look forward,
foretelling
PRE DICT ION
speak
(noun)
Dictator Napoleon
looked ahead by
gazing into a crystal
ball.
Top Right Corner:
Write the word's definition.
Top Left Corner:
Write the word's opposite and cross it out.
Lower Left Corner:
Write a silly sentence that uses the definition of the word.
Lower Right Corner:
Draw a graphic to help you visualize the concept.
In the Center:
Isolate any prefixes.
Isolate the root.
Note the meaning of the root.
Isolate any suffixes.
Label the part of speech in parenthesis.
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
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VOCABULARY FRAME
Example with labels:
Definition
Opposite
stimulate
to force learning
Prefix
Root
Suffix
IN CULC ATE
Root meaning
trample
Part of Speech
(Verb)
The cult members were forced
to learn about government.
Sentence
mabarrett@rochester.k12.mn.us
Graphic
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Two-Sided Vocab Frame
PRE DICT ION
speak
(Noun)
Front
Look backwards
Look forward,
foretelling
Dictator Napoleon looked
ahead by gazing into a
crystal ball.
Back
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IN CULC ATE
trample
(Verb)
Front
Stimulate
To force learning
The cult members were forced
to learn about government.
Back
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