Name
Class
Date
THE RISE OF TOTALITARIANISM
Vocabulary Builder
Word Origins
One way to figure out how to use unfamiliar words is to become familiar with
word origins. You can usually find a word’s origin in its dictionary entry. Most of
the words we use today were adapted from older languages such as Latin, Greek,
and Middle English.
Look at the example below to see how knowing the origin or history of regime
might help you better understand how the word is used.
Example:
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Origin
regime
a government in power
regere (Latin): to rule
You can see from the chart that knowing the origin of regime could help you figure out the meaning of the word regicide. Both words have meanings that relate to a
king or someone in power.
Directions: Study the meaning and origin of each Vocabulary Builder word below. Use a
dictionary to find the word, then fill in the chart.
Vocabulary Word
Definition
Origin
1. emancipation
freedom from
restrictions
2. spontaneously
caused by inner forces,
self-generated
3. suppressed
put down by force,
subdued
4. affluent
rich, wealthy
5. proclaimed
announced officially
6. ideology
a system of ideas that
guides an individual,
movement, or political
program
7. conform
to obey a set of standards
8. access
a way of using
9. passive
not active, nonviolent
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