Building Vocabulary from
Word Roots
Lesson 11
Greek and Latin Bases
Neo and nov
Neo, Nov
The Greek base neo
and the Latin base
nov both mean
“new.”
Neo, Nov
Greek-based words built on
neo tend to be scientific,
technical, or medical in
nature.
Neo only appears at the
beginning of words, often
followed by another
Greek base.
Neo, Nov
Latin-based words built on
nov are more general in
nature.
Nov is usually found at the
beginning of a word and
is always followed by a
second base.
Neo, Nov
Nov is often found after
two Latin prefixes:
in- (“in, on, into”) + nov =
to bring something new
in
re- (“back, again”) + nov =
to make something new
by bringing it back again
Neo, nov= “new”
Neo + nat (born, give birth)= neonatal— relating to
“newly” “born” infants
Neo + phyt (plant)= neophyte— a “new plant”
(metaphorically), someone who is new to an idea or
a group
Nov + ice (state or quality) = novice— a beginner
who is “new” to something
Re- (back, again) + nov + ation (result of making or
doing) = renovation— “making” something “new”
“again” through changes
Practice
How do the bolded words use the meanings of “new”? Use context
clues to help create a definition.
The smiley faces in your texts were originally called
“emoticons” when they first appeared. This word is a
neologism formed by combining “emotion” and
“icon.”
The neoclassic architecture of the antebellum South
makes one think of ancient Greek and Roman
temples.
The city council agreed to offer tax incentives for
property developers to come in and renovate the
dilapidated downtown buildings.
Practice
How do the bolded words use the meanings of “new”? Use context
clues to help create a definition.
The smiley faces in your texts were originally called
“emoticons” when they first appeared. This word is a
neologism formed by combining “emotion” and “icon.” a
“new” “word”
The neoclassic architecture of the antebellum South
makes one think of ancient Greek and Roman temples. a
“new” style of architecture that is modeled after a
classic style from history
The city council agreed to offer tax incentives for
property developers to come in and renovate the
dilapidated downtown buildings. to renew or make new
again
Practice
Use the definitions of the bases, prefixes, and
suffixes, if provided, and the context of the sentence
to determine the meanings of the bolded words.
Although she was a novice
decorator, her innovative ideas
resulted in a wonderful renovation
of the old building.
Practice
Although she was a novice decorator, her
innovative ideas resulted in a wonderful
renovation of the old building.
• Novice-someone “new” to a position; a
beginner
• Innovative-to “bring in” a “new” idea or make
some changes
• Renovation-act of making something “new”
“again” through repairs and changes
Practice
Use the definitions of the bases, prefixes, and
suffixes, if provided, and the context of the sentence
to determine the meanings of the bolded words.
The neophyte doctor was shocked to
see the equipment in the neonatal unit
at the hospital. It was so outdated, it
seemed to be from the Neolithic age,
back when tools were made from
stones.
Practice
The neophyte doctor was shocked to see the
equipment in the neonatal unit at the hospital.
It was so outdated, it seemed to be from the
Neolithic age, back when tools were made from
stones.
• Neophyte-a “new” “plant”; a beginner
• Neonatal- “new” “born”; infants
• Neolithic- related to the “new” “stone” age;
roughly 12,000 years ago
Test Prep
Neo, nov—these bases mean _________
Thomas Edison’s novel idea of recording a human
voice led to the phonograph, or “talking machine.”
• Define the word novel using a definition of the
base.
Test Prep
Neo, nov—these bases mean new
Thomas Edison’s novel idea of recording a human
voice led to the phonograph, or “talking machine.”
• Define the word novel using a definition of the
base.
• Having the quality of being “new”
Test Prep
Neo, nov—these bases mean _________
A novella is shorter than a novel but longer than a
short story.
• Define the words novella and novel using
definitions of the base.
Test Prep
Neo, nov—these bases mean new
A novella is shorter than a novel but longer than a
short story.
• Define the words novella and novel using
definitions of the base.
• Novella-a “small” version of a novel; a very short
but complete fiction novel
• Novel-a “new” type of literature; a long, fictional
story written in prose
Test Prep
Neo, nov—these bases mean _________
As a lifelong resident of Naples, I am a proud
Neapolitan; however, I am frustrated when people
confuse my citizenship with a delicious mix of
chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream, which
is also called neapolitan.
• Define the word neapolitan using
definition of the base.
Test Prep
Neo, nov—these bases mean new
As a lifelong resident of Naples, I am a proud
Neapolitan; however, I am frustrated when people
confuse my citizenship with a delicious mix of
chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream, which
is also called neapolitan.
• Define the word neapolitan using
definition of the base.
• Related to the “new” “city” of Naples, Italy