Week 3
Greek and Latin
Root Words
-corMeaning
Origin
heart
Latin
Example Words:
 Courage – the ability to do
something you know is hard

Concord – a state in which
people or things agree with each
other and exist together ‘with one
heart’

Record – metaphoric seat of
memory, as in learn by heart
-cred-, -certMeaning
Origin
believe, sure, trust
Latin
Example Words:
 Credo – a statement of the beliefs
that guide someone’s actions

Creditor – a person to whom money
is owed

Ascertain – to find something out for
certain
-cyclMeaning
Origin
circle
Greek
Example Words:
 Cyclical – revolving or recurring
in cycles

Cyclops – mythology family of
giants having a round eye in the
middle of forehead

Encyclopedia – Your turn…why
does this include the –cycl- root?
Look up the etymology
-dem-, -popMeaning
Origin
people
Greek (dem)
Latin (pop)
Example Words:
 Epidemic – something that
spreads widely and affects many
people

Demagogue – a person who
appeals to the emotions and
prejudices in order to arouse
discontent and advance his or
her own political pursuits

Populist – Research the
etymology of this word!
-dictMeaning
Origin
to say or speak
Latin
Example Words:
 Verdict – a decision on an issue

Prediction – statement of what will
happen in the future

Benediction – two roots! Look up
this words etymology
-docMeaning
Origin
to teach
Latin
Example Words:
 Doctrine – a particular principle,
position, or policy taught or
advocated, as in religion or
government

Documentary – a film based on
an actual event with factually
accurate details

Docile – Look up the etymology
-durMeaning
Origin
hard
Latin
Example Words:
 Durable – staying strong and in
good condition

Duress – threats, violence,
constraints, or other actions to
make something happen against
another’s will

Obdurate – Check out this
etymology on your own
-dynaMeaning
Origin
power
Latin
Example Words:
 Dynamic – used to describe a
process of constant change or
progress OR very powerful
speech or speaker

Dynasty – a long of hereditary
rulers of a country

Dynameter – check out this
words etymology
-dysMeaning
Origin
badly, ill
Greek
Example Words:
 Dystopia – an imagined placed
or state in which everything is
unpleasant or bad

Dysfunction – abnormality or
impairment in the function

Dysplasia – look up this word’s
definition and etymology
-equMeaning
Origin
equal, even, level
Latin
Example Words:
 Equate – to regard, treat, or
represent as equivalent

Equivocal – having two or more
possible meanings

Equilibrium – look up this word’s
etymology and definition