Greek & Latin Roots
1) Photos (Greek): light
a. Photograph [graph: write or draw] – picture drawn by light
b. Telephoto [tele: distant] – light from far away
c. Photometer [metron: measure] – a device which measures light
d. Phototropic [tropos: turn] – turning toward light
e. Photophilia [philia: love] – love of light
f. Photophobia [phobos: fear] – fear or dislike of light
g. Photosynthesis [syn: together, thesis: putting] – a process of putting things together by using light
2) Graph [Gram] (Greek): to write or draw
a. Photograph [photo: light] – picture drawn by light
b. Phonograph [phono: sound] – machine for writing [i.e. recording] sound
c. Phonogram [phono: sound] – written symbol for a sound
d. Telegraph [tele: distant] writing from far away
e. Lithograph [lithos: stone] – drawing made on stone
f. Graphite – black carbon used for drawing or writing
g. Autograph [autos: self] – to write one’s own name
h. Hologram [holos: complete] – a three-dimensional photograph of a whole object
3) Tele (Greek): far away, distant
a. Television [video, visum – Latin: see] – seeing distant things
b. Telephone [phone: sound] – sound from far away
c. Telegraph [graph: write] – writing from a distance
d. Telephoto [photo: light] – light from far away
e. Telescope [skopeo: look at] – device for looking at distant objects
f. Telepathy [pathos: feeling] – knowing how someone far away is feeling
g. Telethon [Marathon: a battlefield in ancient Greece] – a telephone fund raiser which runs non-stop, as
Pheidippides ran after the battle of Marathon
4) Metron (Greek): measure
a. Meter – unit of measure – 39.47 inches long
b. Geometry [geo: earth] – measurement of the earth
c. Optometry [opsis: sight] – measure eyesight
d. Symmetry [sym: same, equal] – measure the same
e. Barometer [baros: weight, pressure] – device to measure air pressure
f. Thermometer [thermos: heat] – measure heat
g. Diameter [dia: through, across] – measuring across
h. Centimeter [centum: hundred] – one hundredth of a meter
i. Anemometer [anemos: wind] – measures wind speed
5) Tropos (Greek): turning
a. Tropics – the area of the earth from the equator north to the Tropic of Cancer and south of the Tropic of
Capricorn
b. Tropical – the climate of the earth in the tropics
c. Phototropic [photo: light] – turning toward the light, as leaves and flowers do
d. Heliotrope [helios: sun] – a flower named for its tendency to turn toward the sun
e. Tropophilous [philia: love] – plants or trees which like a change or turning of seasons – hot and cold, wet
and dry
f. Thermotropism [thermos: heat] – turning toward heat, as cats do
6) Philia (Greek): love, friendship
a. Philosopher [Sophia: wisdom] – one who loves wisdom
b. Philadelphia [adelphos: brother] – city of brotherly love
c. Philanthropist [anthropos: man] – one who cares about his fellow man
d. Phillumenist [lumen: light] – one who collects match covers
e. Philogynist [gyne: women] – one who loves women
f. Philtre – love potion
g. Anglophile [Angli: English] – one who loves England
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h. Francophile [Francus: France] – one who loves France
7) Phobos (Greek): fear
a. Phobia – irrational fear
b. Agoraphobia [agora: field] – fear of open space
c. Claustrophobia [claustrum – Latin: lock or bolt] – fear of closed spaces
d. Hydrophobia [hydro: water] – disease which makes it difficult to swallow, thought to be fear of water
e. Phobophobia – fear of fear itself
f. Zoophobia [zoon: animal] – fear of animals
g. Toxikophobia [toxikos: poison] – fear of poison
h. Phobos – a moon of the planet Mars
8) Syn (Greek): with, together
a. Sympathy [pathos: feeling] – to feel with someone else
b. Symphony [phone: sound] – sounds that go together
c. Synthesis [thesis: put, place] – putting together
d. Synthetic – material made by putting chemicals together
e. Photosynthesis [photo: light] – process by which light puts plant nutrients together to make green
chlorophyll
f. Synonym [onoma: name] – two words with the same meaning
g. Synagogue [ago: bring] – place to bring people together
h. Synchronize [chronos: time] – to do things at the same time. “Synchronize your watches!”
9) Thesis (Greek): put, place, position
a. Thesis: a position taken in an argument supported by a set of reasons
b. Theme: an essay or composition on a certain subject with a statement and supporting reasons
c. Parenthesis [para: beside] – statement beside (or inside) a main sentence
d. Synthetic [syn: together] – elements put together to make a material like a natural one (synthetic rubber)
e. Synthesizer [syn: together] – instrument which puts sounds together like real musical instruments
10) Kinesis (Greek): movement
a. Kinetic: relating to the movement of bodies
b. Kinesiology [logos: word or study] – study of human movement
c. Kinescope [skopeo: look at] – a machine that shows pictures of movement (old term for television)
d. Cinema: motion pictures (Greeks had no “c” – they used “k”)
e. Cinamatographer: motion picture photographer
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11) Phone (Greek): sound
a. Phonograph [graph: write or draw] – writing with sound
b. Telephone [tele: far away] – sound from far away
c. Phonogram [gramma: letter] – written sound
d. Euphony [eu: well, good] – good or pleasant sound
e. Symphony [syn: together] – sounds that go together
f. Megaphone [mega: big] – device to make sounds BIG
g. Microphone [mikros: small] – device to transmit or record small sounds
12) Sonus (Latin): sound
a. Sound – vibrations perceived by our ears
b. Sonic – relating to what we can hear
c. Sonnet – a form of rhyming Italian poetry
d. Sonovox – a machine that makes sound effect voices
e. Sonar – device that hears sound under water
f. Sonata – an instrumental musical composition with three or four movements
g. Sonsonant [con: with] – speech sounds made with lips, tongue, or teeth
13) Skopeo (Greek): look at, inspect, consider, examine
a. Scope – all that the eye can see
b. Microscope [mikros: small] – device to look at small objects
c. Telescope [tele: distant] – device for seeing distant objects
d. Periscope [peri: around] – device for seeing around obstacles
e. Kaleidoscope [kalos: beautiful, eidos: form] – device for seeing changing beautiful forms or arrangements
of small fragments of glass, etc.
f. Episcopal [epi: on, over] – overseen by bishops or “overseers”
g. Bishop – a church overseer
14) Video / Visum (Latin): see
a. Television [tele – G: distant] – machine for seeing things far away
b. Videophone [phone – G: sound] – TV screen for seeing the person you are talking to on the telephone
c. Montevideo [mons, montis: mountain] – “Mountain View” – a city in Uruguay
d. Video – picture portion of television
e. Evidence [e, ex: out] – out of what one can see
f. Advise [ad: to, toward] – look and tell your view
g. Invisible [in: not] – not to be seen
15) Logos (Greek): word, study
a. Logic – reasoning to gain knowledge or wisdom
b. Geology [geo: earth] – study of the earth
c. Astrology [astron: star] – knowledge from the stars
d. Biology [bios: life] – study of physical life
e. Zoology [zoo: animal] – study of animals
f. Technology [techne: art, skill] – study of how to improve an art or a skill
g. Anthropology [anthropos: man] – study of mankind
h. Psychology [psyche: soul, life] – study of the soul or mental life of a man
i. Legend – a story to be read
16) Verbum (Latin): word
a. Verb – the action word in a sentence
b. Proverb [pro: forward] – a wise or profound saying
c. Verbal – of, or pertaining to, words
d. Verbiage – use of too many words; chatter
e. Verbose [-osus: full of] – wordy, full of words
f. Verbatim – word-for-word copy or record
g. Verbalize – to express in words
h. Verberium – game in which a word is changed into others by rearranging its letters
17) Nomen / Nominis (Latin): name
a. Nominate – suggest someone’s name for office
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b. Nomination – act of naming a candidate for office
c. Nominal – in name only; not real or actual
d. Nomenclature [calo, calatum: call] – system of names used to classify knowledge; what we call things
e. Nom de plume [French] – pen name of an author
f. Denomination [de: down from] – names of classes or categories, e.g. religions, money
g. Denominator – part of a fraction below the line
18) Pro (Latin): for, before, forward, in place of
a. Profess [fateor, fassus sum: admit, reveal] – to admit that one is an expert
b. Professional – one who claims to be an expert
c. Problem [ballein – G: throw] – anything thrown forward to be worked on, or solved
d. Proboscis [boskein – G: feed or graze] – trunk or snout for grazing
e. Prologue [logos – G: word or study] – words before beginning of a play or book
f. Proclaim [clamo, clamatum: shout] – announce, cry out, publish
g. Proceed [cedo, cessurus: move, yield] – move forward
h. Pronoun [nomen: name] – word that stands for a noun
19) Prae (Latin): before, in front of
a. Predict [dico, dictum: say] – say beforehand, foretell
b. Preamble [ambulo, ambulatum: walk] – that which goes before
c. Precaution [caveo, cautum: be on guard] – being on guard beforehand
d. Precursor [curro, cursum: run] – one who runs ahead
e. Prefer [fero, latum: bear, carry] – carry to a forward position or rank
f. Pregnant [gigno, genitum: bring forth] – condition before birth
g. Prejudice [judicium: judgment] – make judgment beforehand
20) Ad (Latin): to, toward, near, next to
a. Adequate [aequus: level, even, flat] – even with or equal to
b. Adhere [haereo, haesum: stick to, stay] – stick to
c. Adjective [jacio, jactum: throw] – word “thrown at” a noun to modify it
d. Admire [miror, miratum: be amazed, wonder] – look at with wonder or amazement
e. Admonish [moneo, monitum: warn] – give warning to
f. Admit [mitto, missum: send] – send to; allow entrance to a place or to the mind
g. Advertise [verto, versum: turn] – turn people to what you are offering
21) Jacio / Jactum (Latin): throw
a. Eject [e, ex: out] – throw out
b. Interject [inter: between] – throw between
c. Object [ob: against] – throw against
d. Objection – arguments against a situation
e. Project [pro: forward] – throw forward
f. Projectile – a thing throw forward (e.g. arrow, bullet, rock)
g. Reject [re: back, again] – throw back
22) Pono / Positum (Latin): lay, put, place
a. Pose – position or attitude
b. Post – fixed or established place; military post
c. Postage – payment for messages sent from post to post
d. Position – established place
e. Deposit [de: down, away from] – lay away; put aside
f. Repose [re: again, back] – lie back, pause, rest
g. Depose [de: down, away from] – put down from a throne or high office
h. Impose [in: in, on, upon] – to put upon
i. Component [con: together] – put together
23) Cum (Latin): with, together
a. Cooperate [operor, operatum: work] – work with
b. Cognate [nascor, gnatus: be born] – born together, having the same ancestors
c. Collaborate [laboro, laboratum: work] – work with
d. Collect [lego, lectum: gather] – gather together
e. Combat [battuo: beat, fight] – fight with
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f. Commemorate [memoro, memoratum: remember] – remember something together
g. Community [munio, munitum: build, fortify] – group which builds together
h. Content [teneo, tentum: hold] – held together
i. Confection [facio, factum: do, make] – made together
24) Figo / Fixum (Latin): fix, fasten, attach
a. Fix – fasten or make firm; set in place
b. Fixture – a thing fastened in place
c. Crucifix [crux, crucis: cross] – picture, medal, or statue of Christ fastened to the cross
d. Áffix (noun) [ad: to] – thing fastened to something; syllable added to a word at either end
e. Affix (verb) – act of fastening or attaching
f. Prefix [prae: before] – letter or syllable added to the beginning of the word
g. Suffix [sub: under] – letter or syllable added to the end of the word
25) Jungo / Junctum (Latin): join, unite, connect
a. Join – connect; fasten together
b. Joint – place where two parts are connected
c. Conjugal – relating to the joining of people in marriage
d. Conjugation – a set of verb endings joined with the stem
e. Conjunction – word joining two parts of a sentence
f. Disjointed [dis: separate] – separated at the joints
g. Junction – point of connection; railway crossing
h. Subjugate [sub: under] – to connect under the yoke of power
26) Digitus (Latin): finger, toe, inch
a. Digit – finger; numerals from 0 to 9; unit of measure the width of a finger (3/4 of an inch)
b. Digital computer – computer which uses numerals to mean whole numbers and decimal fractions
c. Digitalis – the “foxglove” plant from which heart medicine is made
d. Prestidigitation [praesto: at hand, prompt] – a fast-fingered or sleight-of-hand performance of magic or of
card tricks
27) Caput / Capitis (Latin): head
a. Capital – top of a column; head, chief, or foundation money
b. Capitalism – system where the “head money” makes money
c. Captain – head of a group of soldiers
d. Capitulate – put headings on chapters or divisions in a piece of writing
e. Recapitulate [re: again] – to list again the “headings” in a piece of writing
f. Cabbage – vegetable “head”
28) Manus (Latin): hand
a. Manufacture [facio, factum: making] – make by hand
b. Manifest [festus: hit] – to hit by hand; easily perceived
c. Manicotti [manica: sleeve] – sleeve-like pasta
d. Manuscript [scribo, scriptum: write] – writing, written by hand
e. Manumit [mitto, missum: send] – to send forth or release from one’s hand or grasp; to release from
slavery
29) Pes / Pedis (Latin): foot
a. Pedestal – foot of a column
b. Pedestrian – walker, on foot
c. Pedal – foot lever
d. Peddle / Peddler – house-to-house salesman
e. Pedicab – bicycle taxi
f. Pedicure [curo, curatum: care] – care for the feet
g. Pedigree [“pied de grue”: crane’s foot] – genealogy charts
h. Pedometer – measures distance walked
i. Pawn (ala chess) – foot soldiers
30) Bracchium (Latin): arm
a. Brace – two of a kind (one for each arm)
b. Embrace [em: into] – to take into one’s arms
c. Bracelet – ornament for the arm or wrist
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d. Brachiate – to swing by the arms on bars or tree branches
e. Brachiopod [podos – G: foot] – two-shelled creature with two “arms” inside with which to bring food
f. Bracero – Spanish word for day laborer (with two strong arms)
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31) Dens / Dentis (Latin): tooth
a. Dent – tooth-like notch in gears, locks, etc.; a small depression
b. Dentist – tooth doctor
c. Dentate – having a toothed edge (leaves)
d. Dental – pertaining to teeth
e. Dentifrice [frico, fricatum: rub] – toothpaste
f. Dentition – development of teeth; teething
g. Denture – set of teeth (false)
h. Dentiform [forma: shape] – shaped like a tooth
i. Indent – set a line of print in from the margin (bite)
j. Dandelion [“dent a lion”]: plant called “tooth of the lion” with dentate leaves
32) Corpus / Corporis (Latin): body
a. Corporeal – pertaining to the body
b. Corps – military division, organized as a body
c. Incorporate – to make into a body
d. Corporation – legally formed group, a body
e. Corpse – dead body
f. Corpulence – an excess of body, fat
g. Corpus – main body of a fund of wealth, estate
h. Corpuscle [diminutive of corpus] – small part of the body
33) Unus (Latin): one
a. Unit – one part of a series or of a whole
b. Union – act of making one out of many
c. E pluribus unum – motto of the U.S.A. “One out of many” states
d. United – together as one
e. Universe [verto, versum: turn] – star galaxy which turns as one entity, like a cosmic pinwheel
f. University [verto, versum: turn] – many colleges joined together to function as one body
g. Unicorn [cornu: horn] – mythical horse with one horn on its head
h. Unison [sonus: sound] – voices singing or musical instruments playing together the same notes at the
same time (as one)
34) Duo (Latin): two
a. Duet – music played or sung by two people
b. Duplicate [plico, plicatum: fold] – make a second copy
c. Dual – two (as in dual purpose)
d. Dubious – doubtful, “of two minds”
e. Duel – fight between two people
f. Duplex [plico, plicatum: fold] – two homes in one building
g. Duplicity – two-facedness or to “double cross”
35) Tres (Latin): three
a. Trio – three acting or performing together
b. Tricycle [cycle: wheel] – a three-wheeled vehicle
c. Tripod [podos – G: foot] – a three-legged stand for a camera or other equipment
d. Triangle [angulus: corner angle] – a figure with three straight sides and three corner angles
e. Triennial [annus: year] – every three years
f. Triceratops [keras: horn; tops – G: face] – three-horned face
g. Trilobite [lobus: a rounded division] – a prehistoric animal having three rounded divisions of the body
(looks like three worms stuck together side-by-side)
h. Tribe – early Rome was divided into three family social groups, or clans, called tribes
36) Quattuor (Latin): four
a. Quadruped [pes, pedis: foot] – four-footed animal
b. Quadricycle [kyclos – G: wheel] – four-wheeled vehicle
c. Quadrilateral [latus: side] – having four sides
d. Quadragenarian [quadraginta: forty] – person in his/her 40’s
e. Quaternity – group of four people
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f. Quatrain – a stanza or verse of poetry four lines long
g. Quadrille – square dance for four couples
h. Quadri – prefix meaning four
37) Quinque (Latin): five
a. Quinquennial [annus: year] – five-year period or celebration
b. Quinquagenarian [quinquageni: fifty each] – person who is 50-59 years old
c. Quinquesyllable [syllaba: several letters taken together to make one sound] – a word of five syllables (e.g.
quin-que-syl-la-bic)
38) Sex (Latin): six
a. Sexennial [annus: year] – six-year period or celebration
b. Sexagenarian [sexageni: sixty each] – person who is 60-69 years old
c. Sexdigital [digitus: finger, toe] – having six fingers or toes
d. Sexcentenary [centum: hundred] – a 600-year period or celebration
39) Septem (Latin): seven
a. September – seventh month in the Roman calendar
b. Septennial [annus: year] – seven-year period or celebration
c. Septangle [angulus: corner angle] – a flat plane figure with seven sides and seven angles
d. Septuagenarian [septuageni: seventy each] – person who is 70-79 years old
40) Octo (Latin): eight
a. October – eighth month in the Roman calendar
b. Octennial [annus: year] – eight-year period or celebration
c. Octogenarian [octogeni: eighty each] – person who is 80-89 years old
d. Octopus [pous, podos – G: foot] – eight-footed ocean creature
e. Octagon [gonia – G: angle] – figure with eight sides and eight corners or angles
41) Novem (Latin): nine
a. November – ninth month in the Roman calendar
b. Novena – devotions for nine days in the Roman Catholic church
c. Novennial [annus: year] – nine-year period or celebration
d. Novemdigitate [digitus: finger] – having nine fingers
e. Novendial [dies: day] – lasting nine days
42) Decem (Latin): ten
a. December – tenth month in the Roman calendar
b. Decennial [annus: year] – tenth anniversary or celebration
c. Decemdentate [dens, dentis: tooth] – having ten teeth
d. Decemfoliate [folium: leaf] – having ten leaves
e. Decempedal [pes, pedis: foot] – having ten feet
f. Decemplicate [plico, plicatum: fold] – tenfold or ten copies
43) Centum (Latin): hundred
a. Cent – one hundredth of a dollar
b. Century – a set of one hundred
c. Centurion – Roman military officer over 100 men
d. Centimeter [metron: measure] – one hundredth of a meter
e. Centennial [annus: year] – hundred-year anniversary or celebration
f. Percent [per: through] – number of parts in every hundred
g. Centipede [pes, pedis: foot] – hundred-footed “bug”
h. Centigrade [gradus: step, degree] – temperature scale with one hundred degrees between freezing and
boiling
44) Mille (Latin): thousand
a. Mile – a thousand paces
b. Mill – one thousandth of a dollar
c. Millimeter [metron: measure] – one thousandth of a meter
d. Millenium [annus: year] – thousand-year period or anniversary
e. Millipede [pes, pedis: foot] – thousand-footed “bug”
45) Pyro (Greek): fire
a. Pyrotechnics [techne: work, skill] – fireworks
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b. Pyrotechnician [techne: work, skill] – one who is skilled with fireworks
c. Pyre – huge bonfire for burning bodies at ancient funerals
d. Pyromaniac [mania: craze] – a crazy person who plays with fire
e. Empyrean [em: in] – the heavens
f. Pyrometer [metron: measure] – instrument to measure very hot temperatures
46) Ignis (Latin): fire
a. Igneous [ous: full of] – pertaining to fire
b. Ignite – to set on fire
c. Ignition – act of “firing up” or starting an engine; setting anything afire
47) Vulcanus (Latin): Vulcan – Roman God of Fire
a. Volcano – a crack in the earth pouring out hot magma and gases
b. Volcanic – like or pertaining to volcanoes
c. Vulcanize – to treat raw rubber with heat and sulphur to make it harder and more durable
d. Vulcanite – hard rubber, treated with heat and sulphur
e. Vulcanology [logos: word, study] – the study of volcanoes
48) Hydros (Greek): water
a. Hydroplane [planus – L: flat surface] – boat that glides on the surface of the water
b. Hydrophobia [phobos: fear] – fear of water
c. Dehydrate [de: down or away from] – take water away
d. Hydrogen [genos: origin] – a gas which, when burned, produces water
e. Hydrophone [phone: sound] – instrument to “hear” under water
f. Hydrology [logos: word, study] – study of water
g. Hydroelectric [electron: amber] – electricity produced by moving water
49) Aqua (Latin): water
a. Aquarium – a pond or tank of water where fish or water plants can live
b. Aqueduct [duco, ductum: lead] – a structure for bringing water to where it is needed
c. Aquaculture [cultura: till, cultivate] – growing food in water (fish, oysters, seaweed)
d. Aquamarine – blue-green color of water
e. Aquaplane [planus: flat surface] – surf board
f. Aquarius – a constellation called “Water Carrier”
g. Aqueous Humor [humor: moisture] – fluid in the eye between the lens and the cornea
h. Aquifer [fero, latum: carry] – a layer under the earth where water flows
50) Bonus (Latin): good
a. Bonus – something extra good
b. Bon Bon [French]: beautifully decorated candy; a good “goody”
c. Bonny [Scottish]: good looking
d. Boon: a good deed; a favor
e. Bounteous [-ous: full of] – plentiful good
f. Bounty: plenty or reward
g. Bonanza [Spanish: fair weather, prosperity] – rich find in a gold mine
h. Debonaire [French: of good disposition] – kindly, jaunty
51) Helios (Greek): sun
a. Helios – sun god; also called Apollo or Phaethon
b. Heliotrope [tropos: turn] – plant which turns toward the sun
c. Helium – light gas used in balloons
d. Perihelion [peri: around or near] – closest point to the sun in earth’s orbit
e. Aphelion [apo: away from] – furthest point from the sun in earth’s orbit
f. Helioscope [skopeo: look] – telescope for looking at the sun
g. Heliometer [metron: measure] – instrument for measuring the diameter of the sun
52) Sol (Latin): sun
a. Solar – pertaining to the sun
b. Solar system – the sun with the objects which revolve around it
c. Solarium – a sun dial; a glass-enclosed sun room
d. Solaster [astron: star] – a star fish with more than five rays; a sun-star fish
e. Parasol [Italian: parare: to ward off] – a light portable sunshade
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f. Solstice [sisto, statum: set, cause to stand] – stopping or standing still of the sun
g. “Old Sol” – folk name for the sun
53) Luna (Latin): moon
a. Lunar – of or pertaining to the moon
b. Lunatic – mad; affected by the moon
c. Lunacy – madness caused by the moon; “moonstruck”
d. Clair de Lune (French): moonlight
e. Lunambulist [ambulo, ambulatum: walk] – one whose sleep walking is supposedly caused by the moon
f. Lunarium – instrument showing the phases and motions of the moon
g. Interlunar [inter: between] – time between old and new moon when the moon is invisible
h. Lunation – 29 ½ days – a lunar month or the time from one new moon to the next
54) Dia (Greek): through, between, across, apart
a. Diabolical [bole: shot, blow] – shot through, possessed (by a devil)
b. Diadem [desmos: bond] – bound across the forehead, a wreath or crown
c. Diagnosis [gnosis: knowledge] – thorough knowledge
d. Diagonal [gony: knee] – line between two non-adjacent corners in a figure of four or more sides
e. Diagram [graph: write, draw] – a cross-section drawing
f. Diameter [metron: measure] – measure across
g. Diamond [a: not + damas: tame] – hardest substance
h. Diacritical [krinein: separate] – marks to separate long and short vowel sounds
55) Trans (Latin): across, over, beyond, through
a. Transport [porto, portatum: carry] – carry across
b. Transaction [ago, actum: do, drive] – trade, exchange
c. Transcript [scribo, scriptum: write] – speech put into writing
d. Transfer [fero, latum: carry] – carry across
e. Transform [formo, formatum: form, shape] – change over to a different form
f. Transplant [planta: sprout, plant] – move a plant
g. Transparent [pareo: appear] – appear or be seen through
56) Geo (Greek): earth
a. Geography [graph: write or draw] – draw the earth (make maps) and write about it
b. Geographer: one who makes maps and writes about the earth
c. Geology [logos: word or study] – study of the earth and its formations
d. Geologist – one who studies of the earth and its formations: rocks, minerals, oil, etc.
e. Geometry [metron: measure] – branch of study on ways to measure the earth
f. George [ergon: work] – one who works the earth; a farmer
57) Terra (Latin): land
a. Territory: land under control of a government or owner
b. Terrace: raised platform of earth
c. Terra cotta [coquo, coctum: cook] – “cooked earth”; fired clay pottery, tiles, etc.
d. Terrarium: garden in a small glass container
e. Terrrestrial: pertaining to the earth
f. Extraterrestrial [extra: outside] – outside the earth’s atmosphere
g. Terrier: small dog which hunts for burrowing game
h. Mediterranean Sea [medius: middle] – the sea in the middle of the land
58) Dormio, dormitum (Latin): sleep
a. Dormant: sleeping
b. Dormant spray: insecticide for plants used in the non-growing season
c. Dormitory: place for sleeping
d. Dormer window: bedroom window set into a roof
e. Dormouse: sleeping (hibernating) mouse
f. Dormeuse: railway sleeping car
g. Dormitive: something that causes sleep
h. Dormition: act of sleeping
59) Hypnos (Greek): sleep
a. Hypnosis: sleep-like state controlled by a hypnotizer
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b. Hypnotize: put into a hypnotic sleep or trance
c. Hypnology [logos: word, study] – study of sleep
d. Hypnotic: tending to induce sleep
e. Hypnotherapy [therapeia: treatment] – treatment of disease by hypnosis
f. Hypnophobia [phobos: fear] – fear of sleep
g. Hypnos: god of sleep in Greek mythology; Somnus
60) Annus (Latin): year
a. Annual: yearly
b. Anniversary [verto, versum: turn] – celebration marking the turning of a year
c. Biannual [bi: two] – occurring twice a year
d. Biennial [bi: two] – every two years
e. Triannual [tri: three] – three times a year
f. Triennial [tri: three] – every three years
g. Centennial [centum: hundred] – every hundred years
h. Millennial [mille: thousand] – every thousand years
i. Perennial [per: through] – through the years
j. Annuity: amount of money paid yearly
k. Annals: historical events recorded year by year
61) Lithos (Greek): stone
a. Lithograph [graph: write, draw] – picture drawn on stone
b. Monolith [monos: one, alone] – lone stone
c. Megalith [megas: large] – large stone
d. Lithology [logos: word, study] – study of rocks or stone
e. Lithosphere [sphaira: ball, globe] – rocky crust of the earth
f. Lithic: made of or pertaining to stone
g. Eolithic [eo: dawn] – earliest stone age
h. Paleolithic [paleo: old, ancient] – ancient stone age after the Eolithic period
i. Neolithic [neo: new] – new or late stone age
62) Petros (Greek): rock, stone
a. Petrified [facio, factum: make, do] – made into stone
b. Petrification: process of making into stone
c. Peter: name which means “reliable, like a rock”
d. Petroleum [oleum: olive, olive oil] – oil from rocks
e. Petroglyph [glyphein: carve] – rock carving
f. Petrography [graph: write, draw] – writing about rocks
g. Petrous: hard, stone-like, rocky
63) Astron (Greek): star
a. Aster – star-shaped flower
b. Astronomer [onoma: star] – one who names the stars
c. Asteroid [eidos: form] – in the form of a star
d. Astrologer [logos: word, study] – one who gains knowledge from the stars
e. Astronaut [nauta: sailor] – star sailor
f. Diasaster [dis: separation or parting from] – separation from the good influence of friendly stars
g. Astral – pertaining to stars
h. Astrodome – covered stadium
64) Stella (Latin): star
a. Stellar – pertaining to a star, or stars
b. Constellation [cum: together] – group of stars
c. Interstellar [inter: between] – between the stars
d. Stellate: star-shaped
e. Stellascope [skopeo (Greek): look at] – instrument for looking at the stars; astronomical telescope
f. Stellerid: star fish
g. Stellify [facio, factum: make] – transform a person or thing into a star or constellation
h. Stella: girl’s name meaning “star”
i. Estellita: girl’s name meaning “little star”
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65) Dendron (Greek): tree
a. Rhododendron [rhodos: rose, red] – evergreen shrub with large flowers
b. Lepidodendron [lepidos: scale] – extinct prehistoric tree with scaly bark
c. Dendrophile [philia: love] – lover of trees
d. Dendrometer [metron: measure] – instrument for measuring the height and diameter of trees
e. Dendrolite [lithos: stone] – petrified or fossilized trees
f. Dendriform [forma: form, shape] – having the shape of a tree
66) Arbor, arboris (Latin): tree
a. Arboretum – public garden where trees are cultivated and exhibited
b. Arbor Day – day designed for planting trees – usually in March, April, or May
c. Grape arbor – grape vines trained to climb on a trellis or open-roof framework
d. Arboraceous – full of trees, wooded
e. Arboriculture [cultura: tending] – cultivation of trees and shrubs
f. Arborvitae [vita: life] – “tree of life”; an evergreen tree of the cypress family bearing cones (conifer)
67) Chronos (Greek): time
a. Synchronize (syn: together, same) – do at the same time
b. Chronometer [metron: measure] – device to measure time
c. Chronology [logos: word or study] – relate events in time sequence
d. Chronic – over a period of time; “from time to time”
e. Chronograph [graph: write or draw] – device to measure and record time
68) Tempus, temporis (Latin): time
a. Temporal – pertaining to time
b. Temporary – for a limited time
c. Temporize – play for time; stall
d. Extemporaneous [ex: out] – speak or act at (or out of) the time without preparation
e. Contemporary [cum: together, with] – with the time
f. Contemporaries – people who are alive at the same time
g. Tempo [Italian from Latin] – time in music; rate of speed at which something moves
h. Tense [French: temps] – verb forms which indicate past, present, or future tense
69) Para (Greek): beside, along with
a. Parable [ballein: to throw] – to throw a story in for comparison while teaching a lesson or moral
b. Parachute [cadere (Latin): to fall] – goes along with you as you fall and slows you down
c. Parenthesis [thesis: place] – a statement placed beside (or within) the main sentence
d. Paragraph [graph: write] – an editing mark beside a page of print to show needed indentation ¶
e. Parallel [allos: other] – lying along side of another line but not touching
70) Inter (Latin): between, among, amid
a. International [natio: nation, race, kindred] – between or among nations
b. Interject [jacio, jactum: throw] – throw between
c. Interaction [ago, actum: act, perform] – discussion or action between or among people
d. Intervene [venio, ventum: come] – come between
e. Intergalactic [galactos (Greek): milk] – between stars in the Milky Way
f. Interlude [ludus: play] – light entertainment in the midst of serious activities; a “break”
71) Techne (Greek): art, skill
a. Technology [logos: word, study] – study of how to do things
b. Technical – pertaining to the art or skill involved in all kinds of work, science, sport, business, profession,
mechanical arts
c. Technique – expert skill in accomplishing something
d. Technician – one who is skilled in details of an art or subject
e. Architect [archi: chief, master] – a master builder
f. Architecture – art or science of building
72) Ars, Artis (Latin): art, skill
a. Art – display or application of skill
b. Artist – one who acts or creates with skill
c. Artistic – pertaining to skillful creation
d. Artless – without skill, natural, simple, and sincere
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e. Artful – full of, or characterized by, skill
f. Artificial [facio, factum: make] – made by man; not occurring naturally
g. Artillery [artillery (French): equip] – equipment for war
h. Inert [in: not] – not skilled; inactive; sluggish
i. Inertia – state of inactivity, motion which continues unless altered by an external force
73) Bios (Greek): life
a. Biology [logos: word, study] – study of life
b. Biography [graph: write, draw] – written life story
c. Autobiography [autos: self] – written life story of one’s self
d. Microbe [micro: small] – tiny form of life
e. Amphibian [amphi: both] – creature who can live both on land and in water
f. Bionic – life-like
g. Biotic – pertaining to life
h. Antibiotic [anti: against] – against living forms which invade the body
74) Vivo, victum (Latin): live
a. Vivid – lively, animated, spirited
b. Revive [re: back, again] – come back to life
c. Survive [sur (French from Latin), super: over] – to live over or beyond a threat of death
d. Vivacity – liveliness, vigor
e. Convivial [con: with, together] – relating to feasting together
f. Viand – food to support life
g. Victual – food to support life
h. Victim – religious sacrifice of live animal or person
75) Mikros (Greek): small
a. Microphone [phone: sound] – device for transmitting a small sound over distance
b. Microbe [bios: life] – tiny form of life
c. Microcosm [cosmos: world] – a tiny world
d. Microfilm [filmen (Anglo-Saxon): thin skin] – tiny film for storing books, records, etc.
e. Micrometer [metron: measure] – instrument for measuring small things
f. Micron – unit of length 1/1000 of 1 millimeter
g. Microscope [skopeo: look at] – instrument for looking at tiny things
h. Microwave [wafian (Anglo-Saxon): wave] – tiny electromagnetic wave between 1 and 100 centimeters
long
76) Megas (Greek): great, large, big
a. Megaphone [phone: sound] – device for making a sound larger [louder]
b. Megalith [lithos: rock] – huge rock (such as those in Stonehenge)
c. Megalomania [mania: craze] – crazy person with delusions of grandeur or greatness
d. Megalophonous [phone: sound] – having a big or loud sound or voice
e. Mega – in the metric system, a million times
i. Megameter: a million meters
ii. Megatons: a million tons
77) Magnus (Latin): big, large, great
a. Magnify [facio, factum: make, do] – make larger
b. Magnifier: that which makes greater
c. Magnitude [-tudo: ness] – greatness
d. Magnate – person of great rank or influence
e. Magnificent – great in deed or character; lavish
f. Mangnanimous [animus: mind, spirit] – great in mind; above what is low, mean, or ungenerous; noble in
soul
78) Pater, patris (Latin): father
a. Patriarch [archos (Greek): chief] – chief father of a family or of a society
b. Patriotism: love for the fatherland
c. Patrician: nobly born person; descendent of the founding fathers of Rome
d. Patrimony [-monia: condition] – condition or estate inherited from one’s fathers
e. Patron: one who acts like a father toward another
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f. Patronymic [onyma (Greek): name] – a father’s name adapted and given to his children
79) Mater, matris (Latin): mother
a. Matriarch [archos: chief] – a woman who rules the family
b. Maternal: motherly
c. Maternal grandparents: parents of one’s mother
d. Matrix: the ground from which some thing or idea springs
e. Matriculate: have one’s name entered on the list of students of a school or college
f. Alma mater [alma: nourishing, kind] – the “dear old school” from which one graduates
g. Matrimony [-monia: condition] – state from which motherhood develops
80) Frater, fratris (Latin): brother
a. Fraternal: brotherly
b. Fraternity: brotherly association of men
c. Fraternize: associate together on friendly or brotherly terms
d. Friar: a member of a men’s religious order
e. Frere: French word for brother
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