The Word Within the Word
Stem Lesson 1
Part 1 (stems 1-15)
1. ante
meaning: before
Sentence example:
The Civil War antedates the
Korean War by decades
Clue Words:
antedate, antecedent, antebellum, anterior
anterior
Anterior
Anterior means the front, especially front of
the body.
2. anti
meaning: against
Sentence example:
The antiaircraft fire shot down
the enemy plane.
Clue Words:
antiaircraft, antibody, anticlimax,
antitoxin, antithesis
Antithesis
Antithesis means opposition or contrast.
3. bi
meaning: two
Sentence example:
The two nations had a bilateral
agreement.
Clue Words:
bilateral, bicycle, binary, bimonthly,
biped, binocular
Bilateral
Bilateral means involving two sides or
parties.
4. circum
meaning: around
Sentence example:
The circumspect spy is difficult
to catch.
Clue Words:
circumnavigate, circumspect,
circumvent, circus
Circumnavigate
Circumnavigate is to sail around the world.
5. com
meaning: together
Sentence example:
The two together are an
interesting combination.
Clue Words:
combination, comfort, common,
complete, combo
Combination
A combination is a mixture.
6. con
meaning: together
Sentence example:
He was confined to his bedroom
until he apologized.
Clue Words:
contract, confidence, confine,
confederate, conjunction, contact
Confederate
A confederate is an ally.
7. de
meaning: down
Sentence example:
The lunar lander descended
through the atmosphere.
Clue Words:
deposit, descent, despicable, denounce,
demolish, decrepit
Despicable
Despicable means deserving scorn.
8. dis
meaning: away
Sentence example:
His attention was easily
distracted.
Clue Words:
distract, distort, dispute, dissonant,
dismiss, disprove
Dissonant
Dissonant means not agreeing, especially
regarding sound.
9. equi
meaning: equal
Sentence example:
She made an equilateral triangle
with three straws.
Clue Words:
equitable, equilateral, equation,
equilibrium
Equilibrium
Equilibrium means balance.
10. extra
meaning: beyond
Sentence example:
It was an extraordinary
achievement.
Clue Words:
extraterrestrial, extraordinary,
extravagant, extrovert, extramural
Extravagant
Extravagant means lavish, expensive, over
the top.
11. inter
meaning: between
Sentence example:
They were lost in interstellar
space.
Clue Words:
international, interdepartmental,
interstellar, interject, interlude
Interlude
An interlude is a short break between
events.
12. intra
meaning: within
Sentence example:
He received an intravenous
solution through a tube in his arm.
Clue Words:
intracellular, intravenous, intrastate,
intramural
Intravenous
Intravenous means taken into the body
through the veins.
13. intro
meaning: into
Sentence example:
The boy was a lonely introvert who
kept to himself.
Clue Words:
introduce, introspective, introvert,
introject
Introvert
An introvert is someone who is shy or
withdrawn.
14. mal
meaning: bad
Sentence example:
He looked fearfully at the glowing,
malevolent demon.
Clue Words:
malevolent, malcontent, malicious,
malpractice, malady
Malevolent
Malevolent means evil.
15. mis
meaning: bad
Sentence example:
He had the misfortune to forget his
wallet.
Clue Words:
misfit, mistake, misfortune, misfire,
misdeed, misguided
Misfit
A misfit is someone who is not well adjusted
to his or her environment.