Root
a
Meanings
on
a/n
not, without
ab/s, a
from, away, off
ac-
sharp or pointed
ac, ad
to, toward, near
accelerate - to increase the speed of; accessible - easily entered,
approached, or obtained; admittance - allowing into;
acid-
sour or acid
acidosis
Latin
acidus
acr(i)-
sharp, pungent, bitter
acrid, acrimony
Latin
acer, acris
acro
top, height, tip,
beginning, summit
Greek
ἄκρος (ákros) "high",
"extreme"
act
do
acu-
sharp
acupuncture, acute, acutifoliate
Latin
acutus, past participle of acuere
"to sharpen", from acus
"needle"
accept, adapt, affect, approximate, ascend
Latin
ad "to", "toward"
adipose
aerate - to let air reach something; aerial - relating to the air;
aerospace - the air space; aerosol - air solution
Latin
adeps, adipis "fat"
Greek
ἀήρ (aer) "air"
Greek
aisthētikos "of sense
perception" from αἰσθάνεσθαι
(aisthanesthai) "to perceive"
Latin
ager, agris "field, country"
Greek
ἀγρός (agros) "field"
ad-, a-, ac-, af-, ag-,
movement to or
al-, ap-, ar-, as-, at- toward; in addition to
adip-
fat
aer-, aero-
air, atmosphere
aesthet-
feeling, sensation
agri-, -egri-
field
agro-
field
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
afire - on fire; ashore - on the shore; aside - on the side
abyss - without bottom; achromatic - without color; anhydrous without water
abduct - carry away by force; abnormal - away from normal, not
normal; absent - away, not present; aversion - the act of turning
Latin
away from; abbreviate: to shorten; abnormal, abrasion, absent,
abstain, abstract, aversion.
acupuncture
Latin
acrobatics, acromegaly, acronym, acrophobia, acrobat - a "high
walker"; acronym - a word formed from the first (capital) letters
of a word; acrophobia - fear of height
activity - something that a person does; react - to do something
in response; interaction - communication between two or more
things
aesthetics, anaesthetic
agriculture - management of the land, agribusiness - making
money by utilizing land; agrarian - relating to the management
of land, peregrine
agronomy
Etymological Notes
ab "away"
acere
Root
alb-
Meanings
dull white
alg/o
pain
am-, amat-, amor-
love, loved
amateur, amorous
Latin
amor "love" from amāre "to
love"
ambi, amphi
both, on both sides,
around
ambidextrous - able to use both hands equally; ambiguous having more than one meaning; ambivalence - conflicting or
opposite feelings toward a person or thing
Latin
ambi "on both sides"
ambul
walk, move
amble - to walk in a slow, relaxed way; ambulant - walking or
moving around; ambulance - a vehicle that moves a patient
ami/o
love
amic-, -imic-
friend
around, about, both,
on both sides of, both
kinds
ample
not, without
amiable - friendly, pleasant, lovable; amity - friendly and
peaceful relations; amorous - showing romantic love
amicable, inimical
Latin
amicus
amphibian, amphibolic
Greek
ἀμφί amphi "on both sides"
amplification
anhydrous, atypical
Latin
Greek
amplus
Greek ἀν-/ἀ- "not"
Greek
from Greek prefix ἀνά- ana"again", "against"
Greek
ἀνδρός andros
Greek
ἄνεμος anemos
Latin
Latin
anima "breath"
annus "year"
Greek
ἀντί anti "against"
amphiamplan-, a-
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
albedo, albino, albumen
Latin
neuralgia - pain caused by a nerve; analgesic - a drug that makes
one pain free; nostalgia - aching for the familiar
ana
up, back, against,
again, throughout
analysis - a close examination of something; anatomy - the
structure of something as visible when cut up for analysis;
anachronism - not being in the right place in time
ana-, an-
again, against, back,
up
anabaptist, anaphylaxis, anion, anode
andr/o
man, male, masculine
anemo-
wind
anim
life, spirit
animaann-, -enn-
breath
year, yearly
ann/enn
year
ant-, anti-
against, opposed to,
preventive
androgynous - being both male and female; android - resembling
a human; misandry - hatred towards men
anemometer
animal - a living organism; animate - to make alive; equanimity of balanced spirit
animal, animation
anniversary, annual, biannual, millennium
anniversary - a date observed once a year; annual - happening
once a year; millennium - 1,000 years
antagonist, antibiotic, antipodes
Etymological Notes
albus
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
Etymological Notes
ante
before, in front
antecede - to come before something in time; antemeridian before noon; anteroom- a small room before the main room
antebellum, antediluvian, anticipate, antiquarian
Latin
ante "before", "against"
anther, anthology
chrysanthemum and amaranth - names of flowers; anthology - a
collection of treasured writings; anthozoan - half plant, half
animal, like anemones and corals.
anthropology - the study of mankind; anthropomorphism giving human form to non-human things; philanthropy - the love
to mankind (expressed through good deeds)
Greek
ἄνθος anthos "flower"
Greek
ἄνθρωπος anthropos "man"
Greek
ἀπό apo "from, away, un-,
quite"
Latin
aqua
Latin
Latin
ărāre
ārēre "be dry or parched"
Greek
ἀρχαῖος arkhaios "ancient"
from arkhē "beginning"
anth-, antho-
before, in front of,
prior to
flower
anth/o
flower
anthrop/o
human
anti
against, opposite of
antibody - a substance that destroys micro-organisms; antiseptic preventing infection; antisocial - opposing social norm
apo-
away from, separate,
at the farthest point
apocrine, apogee, apostasy
apo, apho
away, off, separate
aqu-
water
aqu/a
water
arar-
plow, till
be dry
arbor
tree
arch/a/i
primitive, ancient
ante-, anti-
arch/i
archaeo-, archeo-
aphorism - a short expression of a general truth; apology - an
explicit expression of regret, apostrophe - a small dash used in
place of an omitted letter
aquamarine, aquarium, aqueduct, aquifer
aquarium - a water container for fish; aquatic- relating to water;
aqueduct - a pipeline for water
arable
arid
arborist - someone working with trees; arbor - a shady area
formed by trees; arborous - having many trees
archaeology - the study of ancient cultures; archaic - belonging
to an earlier period; archive - a collection of historical materials
archbishop - the highest ranking bishop; archenemy - chief or
chief, most important,
worst enemy; matriarch - a female who rules a group; monarch rule
a king or queen
ancient
archaeology or archeology, archaic
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
arche-, archi-
ruler
archangel, archetype
Greek
arct(o)-
Relating to the North
Pole or the region
near it; relating to
cold; used as the
scientific name of
some bear species,
e.g. Ursus arctos
horribilis
Arctic Ocean
Greek
ἄρκτος arktos "bear"
argent-
silver
argent, Argentina
Latin
argentum
arist(o)-
excellence
aristocracy
Greek
ἀρετή, ἄριστος arete, aristos
art
skill
artifact - object made by a person's skill; artisan - a person
skilled in a craft; artist - a person who creates skillfully
arthr(o)-
joint
Greek
ἄρθρον arthron
Greek
ἄστρον astron "star"
Greek
ἄθλος athlos "contest, feat"
Latin
audire "to hear"
augmentation
Latin
augēre, auctus "to increase"
aureate, aureole
Latin
aurum "gold"
auricle[disambiguation needed ]
Latin
auris "ear"
automobile, autonomy
Greek
αὐτός (autos) "self", "same"
arthr/o
astr-, astroastro, aster
athlaud(i)-
arthritis, arthropod
arthroscope - a tool to see inside a joint; arthritis - inflammation
joint
of a joint; arthropod - invertebrates with jointed legs, like
spiders, crustaceans, insects
star, star-shaped
asterisk, astrology, astronomy, disaster
astronaut - a person traveling to the stars; astronomer - someone
star, stars, outer space who studies the stars; asterisk - a star-shaped sign used as a
reference tool
prize
athlete, pentathlon
hearing, listening,
auditorium, auditory
sound
aud/i/io
hear
aug-, auct-
grow, increase
relating to gold, or
gold-colored
relating to the ear
self; directed from
within
aurauriaut- , auto-
Etymological Notes
ἀρχή arche "rule" (in
compounds: ἀρχε-, ἀρχι-)
audible - loud enough to be heard; audience - people who listen
to a program; audiovisual - relating to sound and vision
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
auto
self, same, one
autocrat - a person who governs with absolute power; autograph a person's own signature; automatic - moving by itself
avi-
bird
aviary, aviation
avi/a
bird
aviary - a large enclosure for birds; aviatrix - a female airplane
pilot; aviation - the art of designing or operating aircraft
axiaxiobac-
axis
merit
rod-shaped
bar/o
pressure, weight
baro-
Etymological Notes
Latin
avis
Latin
Greek
Latin
axis
ἄξιος (axios) "worth"
from baculum "rod"
weight, pressure
axisymmetry
axiology
bacilla, bacteria
baric - pertaining to pressure, esp. of the atmosphere; milliard metric unit, equal to 1/1000th of a bar; baryon - heavy
elementary particle
barograph, barometer, baroreceptor
Greek
basi-
at the bottom
basic, basis
Greek
bathy-, bathobe-, beatbell(i)-
deep, depth
bless
war
Greek
Latin
Latin
bell/i
war
ben-
good, well
Latin
bene (adverb)
bene
good, well
bibi(o)-
two
life
batholith, bathyscaphe
beatification
antebellum, bellicose, belligerent
bellicose - warlike; belligerent - hostile, ready to fight; rebel person who opposes and fights
benefit, benignity
benefactor - person who gives money to a cause; beneficial producing a good effect; benevolent - showing kindness or
goodwill
binary, binoculars, bigamy, biscotti
biography, biology, biologist, biosphere
βάρος (baros)
from βαίνω, I walk, march,
βάσις "step"
βαθύς (bathús, bathýs)
beare, beatus
bellum, belli
Latin
Greek
bis, "twice"; bini, "in twos"
βίος (bíos) "life"
bi/n
two, twice, once in
every two
biannual - happening twice a year; binoculars - optical device
with two lenses; bilateral - of or involving two sides
bibbibl-
drink
book
imbibe
bible, bibliography
Latin
Greek
bibere, bibitus
βιβλίον (biblíon) "book"
bibli/o
book
bibliography - a list of books used as sources; bibliomania - an
extreme love of books; bibliophile - a person who loves books
Root
Meanings
bio
life, living matter
blast-
germ, embryo, bud,
cell with nucleus
blast/o
cell, primitive,
immature cell
blenn(o)bon(i)-
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
biography- a life story written by another person; biology - the
science of life; biosphere - Earth's surface inhabited by living
things
Etymological Notes
blastula, fibroblast, osteoblast, sideroblast
Greek
βλασταίνω (blastainō), "I put
forth shoots"
slime
good
blastula - an early stage of embryonic development; fibroblast a cell that forms connective tissue; blastoderm - the layer
surrounding the inside of an egg
blennophobia, blennosperma
bonify, bonitary
Greek
Latin
βλέννος (blennos)
bonus
bor-
north
borealis
Greek
Greek βορρᾶς (borras) "the
north wind" / Latin (boreas)
botan-
plant
botany
Greek
bovbrachi(o)brachybrady-
cow, ox
arm
short
slow
bovine
brachial artery, brachiosaurus
brachydactyly
bradycardia
Latin
Greek
Greek
Greek
branchi-
gill
branchiopod, nudibranch
Greek
brev(i)briz-
brief, short (time)
nod, slumber
abbreviation, brevity
Latin
Greek
brom-
oats
Bromus ramosus
Greek
brom-
stench
bromide
Greek
bronch-
windpipe
bronchitis, bronchus, bronchiole
Greek
βρόγχος (brógkhos, brónkhos)
bront-
thunder
Brontosaurus
Greek
βροντή (brontē)
bucc-
cheek, mouth, cavity
buccal, buccinator muscle
Latin
bucca
bulbbullburscac(o)cad-, -cid-, cas-
bulbous
bubble, flask
pouch, purse
bad
fall
bulbous, bulbule
ebullient, ebullism
bursa, bursar, bursary, disburse
cacophony
accident, cadence, case
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
bulbus
bulla, "bubble"
bursa
κακός (kakos)
cadere, casus
βοτάνη, βότανον (botanē,
botanon)
bos, bovis
βραχίων (brakhíōn)
βραχύς (brakhús, brakhýs)
βραδύς (bradús, bradýs)
βράγχιον (brágkhion,
bránkhion)
brevis, breviare
βρίζω (brizō)
βρόμος, βρόμη (brómos,
bróme) "oats"
βρόμος (brómos) "stench,
clangor"
Root
caed-, -cid-, caes-, cis-
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
Etymological Notes
cut
caesura, incisor
Latin
caedere, caesus
calc-
stone
calcite, calcium, calculus
Greek
calli-
beautiful
calligraphy
Greek
calorcalypcamer-
heat
cover
vault
calorie
apocalypse
bicameral, camera
Latin
Greek
Latin
from Latin calx "lime", and
from Greek χάλιξ (khalix)
"pebble" "limestone"
from Greek κάλλος kallos
"beauty"
calor "heat"
καλύπτειν (kaluptein)
camera
camp-
field
champion, campaign
Latin
campus "field", "level ground"
can(i)can-, -cin-, cant-
dog
sing
canine, Canis Major
cantata, canto, cantor
Latin
Latin
canis
canere
cand-
glowing, iridescent
candela, candid, candle, incandescent
Latin
candere "to be white or glisten"
cap-, -cip-, capt-, cept-
hold, take
capture, captive, conception, recipient
Latin
capere, captus "take or hold"
(note the vowel change from a
to i in compounds)
capit-, -cipitcaprcaps-
head
goat
box, case
Latin
Latin
Latin
caput, capitis "head"
caper, capri
capsa
capt, cept, ceive
take, hold
carbocarcer-
coal
jail
capital, decapitation, precipitation
Capricorn, caprine
capsule
intercept - to stop or interrupt; perceive - to take notice of
something; captivating - taking hold of
carbon
incarceration
Latin
Latin
carcin-
cancer (disease)
carcinogenic, carcinoma
Greek
carbo, carbonis
carcer, carcerare
Latin from Greek καρκίνος
(karkinos) "crab"
cardi(o)-
relating to the heart
cardiograph, cardiology
Greek
καρδιά kardia "heart"
cardi/o
heart
cardincarn-
hinge
flesh
Latin
Latin
cardo, cardinis
caro, carnis
carn/i
flesh, meat
cardiac - relating to the heart; cardiogenic - resulting from heart
disease; cardiologist - a heart doctor
cardinal
carnal, carnival, carnivore
carnivorous - flesh-eating; carnal - pertaining to the body or
flesh; incarnate - given bodily form
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
carp-
relating to the wrist
carpal, carpal tunnel syndrome
Greek
carp(o)-
relating to fruit
carpology
Greek
cata
down, against,
cataclysm - a flood or other disaster, catalog - a complete listing;
completely,
catastrophe - turning for the worst, a substantial disaster
intensive, according
to
cata-, cat-
down
catencatharcaudcaus-, -cus-
chain
pure
tail
cause or motive
caust, caut
cavced-, cesscede, ceed, cess
celer
celercen(o)cen(o)censcentcent/i
centencentesimcentr-
Etymological Notes
from Greek καρπός (karpos)
"wrist"
from Greek καρπός (karpos)
"fruit"
catabolic, catalyst, catastrophe, catatonia, cathode, cation
catenary, concatenation
catharsis
caudal
causitive
cauterize - to burn with a hot instrument; caustic - capable of
to burn
burning or eating away; holocaust - total devastation, especially
by fire
hollow
cave, cavity, excavation
go
procession, recede, secede
exceed - to go beyond the limits; recede - to go back; accessible go, yield
easily entered, approached, or obtained;
accelerate - to increase the speed of; decelerate - to reduce the
fast
speed of
quick
acceleration, celerity
new
Cenozoic
empty
cenotaph
census
hundred
cent, centennial, centurion
centennial- the 100th anniversary; centimeter - 1/100 of a meter;
hundred, hundredth
century - 100 years
hundred each
centenary
hundredth
centesimal, centesimation
center
eccentric
Greek
from Greek κατά (katá)
"down", κάθοδος (kathodos)
"descent" or "way down"
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
catena
καθαρός (katharos)
cauda
causa
Latin
Latin
cavus "hollow"
cedere, cessus
Latin
Greek
Greek
Latin
Latin
celer, celerare
καινός (kainos)
κενός (kenos)
censere "to estimate"
centum
Latin
Latin
centeni
centesimus
κέντρον (kéntron) "needle",
"spur"
Greek
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
egocentric - self-centered; eccentric - not having a common
center, not according to norm; centrifugal - moving outward
from a center
centr/o/i
center
cephal/o
head
encephalitis - inflammation of the brain; cephalic - pertaining to
the head; cephalopod - marine mollusks like octopus and squid
who have tentacles growing from their head
cephaloceram-
head
clay
cephalic, cephalopod, encephalogram
ceramic
Greek
Greek
cerat-
horn
keratin
Greek
cerebr/o
brain
cerebral - pertaining to the brain; cerebrate - to use the brain;
cerebrospinal - pertaining to the brain and the spinal cord
cern-
sift
discern, secern
cert
sure
ascertain- to find out something with certainty; certain - being
absolutely sure; certify - to state that something is true
cervic-
relating to the neck,
relating to the cervix
ceterchelono-
Etymological Notes
κεφαλή kephale
κέραμος (keramos)
κέρας, κέρατος (keras, keratos)
"horn"
Latin
cernere
cervix, cervical
Latin
cervix, cervicis "neck"
other
relating to a turtle
et cetera
chelonia
Latin
Greek
ceterus
χελώνη khelone "tortoise"
chiro-
of the hand or hands
chiroptera, chiropractic, chiral
Greek
χείρ kheir "hand"
chloro-
green
chlorine, chlorophyll, chloroplast
Greek
chord-
cord
chordata
Greek
choreo-
relating to dance
choreography
Greek
chrom-
color
chromosome, chromium
Greek
from Greek χλωρός khlōros
"green"
chorda "rope" from χορδή
(chordē)
from Greek χορεία khoreia
"dancing in unison" from
χορός khoros "chorus"
χρῶμα chrōma "color"
chrom/o chromat/o,
chros
color, pigment
achromatic - without color; chromium - a blue-white metallic
chemical element, chromatics - the study of color
chron-
time
chronic, chronometer, chronology
Greek
χρόνος chronos
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
Etymological Notes
chron/o
time
chronic - lasting for a long time; chronological - arranging
events in time order, synchronize - happening at the same time
chrys/o
gold, yellow
chryso-
gold
Greek
χρυσός khrusos "gold"
cide, cise
cut, kill
cilicinecinercing-, cinctcirccircum-
eyelash
motion
ash
gird
circle
around
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
cilium
κινέω (kineo)
cinis, cineris
cingere, cinctus
circus
circum "around"
circum, circle
around, about
cirrcirrcivcl(e)istclad-
orange
curl, tentacle
citizen
closed
branch
Greek
Latin
Latin
Greek
Greek
κιρρός (kirros)
cirrus
civis
κλειστός kleistos
κλάδος (klados)
claim, clam
shout, speak out
clar
clear
clarclastclaud-, -clud-, claus-, clus-
clear
broken
clade
clamor - to shout and make noise; exclaim - to cry out loudly
and suddenly; proclamation - something announced officially in
public
clarification - an explanation; clarify - to make something clear;
declare - to state something clearly
clarity, declaration
iconoclast, osteoclast
Latin
Greek
clarus, clarare
κλαστός (klastos)
close
clause, exclusion, include
Latin
claudere, clausus
clav-
key
conclave, clavicle
Greek
from Greek κλείς kleis "key"
from κλείειν, kleiein "to close"
cleithrclementclin-
bar, key
mild
bed, lean, recline
clemency, inclement
declination, inclined
Greek
Latin
Latin
chrysanthemum and helichrysum - golden/yellow flowers;
chrysolite - a yellowish gem
chrysolite
homicide - murder; incisor - a sharp tooth for cutting food;
insecticide - a chemical used to kill insects
cilia
cinema
incineration
succinct
circus
circumference, circumcise
circumnavigate - to sail around; circumscribe - to draw around;
circumspect - looking around
cirrhosis
cirrus
civility
clemens, clementis
#NAME?
Root
Meanings
cline
lean
clud, clus
close
co
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
inclination - a leaning toward; incline - a surface that slopes or
leans; recline - to lean back and relax
conclusion - the end or last part; exclusion - shutting out,
rejecting; seclude - to keep away from; to isolate
Etymological Notes
coauthor - writer who collaborates with another author;
with, together, joint coeducation - educating males and females together; cohousing planning your neighborhood in an intentional neighborly fashion
cochlcoelcogn-
shell
hollow
know
cogn/i
know
col
together, jointly
colcollcollcolor-
strain
hill
neck
color
com
together, common
con
with, jointly
con(o)con-, co-, col-, com-,
corcondicontra-
cochlea
spongocoel, coelom, blastocoel
cognitive, cognizant, recognize
cognition - process of acquiring knowledge; incognito disguised so no one knows you; recognize - to discover that one
knows
Greek
Greek
Latin
κόχλος (kochlos)
κοῖλος (koilos)
cognoscere
colare, colum
collis
collum
color
cone
collar
coloration, coloratura, tricolor
commemorate - to memorize together; composition - an
arrangement or putting together of parts; commune - living
together while owning things in common
concur - to agree with someone; contemporary - of the same
time period as others; convention - a gathering of people with a
common interest
conic, conical, conoid
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
κῶνος (konos)
with, together
coagulate, collide, compress, connect, contain, corrode
Latin
cum
season
against
Latin
Latin
condire
contra
Greek
Greek
κόπρος (kopros)
κόραξ, κόρακος (korax,
korakos)
Collaborate - to work together; collision - smashing together;
colloquial - words formed by everday interaction
colander
contra/o
against, opposite
copro-
dung
condiment
contradict ("say against"), contrast
contradict to argue against, Contraflow, contraception, contrary
not in agreement, controversy disagreement
coprolite, coprophagia, coprophilia
corac-
raven
coracoid
Root
cordcorncoron-
Meanings
heart
horn
crown
Sample Words and Definitions
accord, cordial
cornea, cornucopia, unicorn
corona, coronation
corp/o
body
corporation - a company recognized by law as a single body;
corpse - a dead body; corporal - pertaining to the body
corporcorticcosm(o)-
body
bark
universe
cosm/o
universe
cosmet(o)costcotylcounter
rib
cup
opposite, contrary,
opposing
Origin Language
Latin
Latin
Latin
Etymological Notes
cor, cordis
cornu
corona, coronare
corporation, corpse, corpuscle
corticosteriod
cosmonaut
cosmonaut - a Russian astronaut; cosmos - the universe;
microcosm - a miniature universe
cosmetics, cosmetology
costal
cotyledon
counteract - to oppose the effects of an action; countermand - to
cancel a previous order; counteroffensive - attack against an
attack
Latin
Latin
Greek
corpus, corporis
cortex, corticis
κόσμος (kosmos)
Greek
Latin
Greek
κοσμητ- (kosmet-)
costa
κοτύλη (kotulē)
democracy
Greek
κράτος (kratos)
cranium
craniology - the study of skull characteristics; cranium - skull of
vertebrates; cranial - pertaining to the skull
crassitude
creation, creature
Greek
κρανίον (kranion)
Latin
Latin
crassus
creare, creatus
Latin
credere, creditus
κρηπίς, κρηπίδος (krēpis,
krēpidos)
cribrum, cribrare
κρίσις (crisis)
crispus
crista
κροσσός (krossos)
crux, crucis
crus, cruris
crani-
government, rule,
authority
skull
cranio
skull
crasscre-
thick
make
cred
believe
credence - belief that something is true or valid; credulous believing things too easily, gullible; incredible - unbelievable
cred-
believe, trust
credentials, credibility, creditor, incredible
crep-
boot, shoe
cribrcris-, critcrispcristcross(o)cruc(i)crur(i)-
sieve
judge
curled
crest
fringe, tassel
cross
leg, shank
-cracy, -crat
Greek
cribble, cribrate
crisis, critic
crispate
cristate
crucial, crucifix, crucify, excruciating
crural
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
Root
crypt-
Meanings
hidden
crypto
hidden, secret
cten(o)cubcubculinculp-
comb
cube
lie
kitchen
blame, fault
cumul
mass, heap
cunecurr-, curscurvcuspidcut(i)cyan-
wedge
run
bent
lance, point
skin
blue
cycl
circle, ring
cycl(o)cylindcyn(o)cystcyt(o)dactyldamn-, -demn-
deb-
circular
roll
dog
capsule
cell
finger, toe, digit
to inflict loss upon
reduce, away, down,
remove
from, away from,
removing, down
owe
dec/a, deka
ten
decade - 10 years; decathlon - athletic contest that includes 10
disciplines in which each participant competes; December formerly the 10th month of the Roman calendar
deca-, dec-, deka-,
dek-
ten
decagram, decahedron
de
de-
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
Etymological Notes
cryptic, cryptography
Greek
κρυπτός (kruptos)
cryptic - of hidden meaning; cryptography - science of secret
codes; encrypt - encode into secret code
ctenophore
Greek
κτείς, κτενός (kteis, ktenos)
cubic, cuboid
Greek
κύβος (kubos)
incubation, succuba
Latin
cubare
culinary
Latin
culina
culpable, exculpate
Latin
culpa
accumulate - to gather or pile up; cumulative - gradually
building up
cuneiform
Latin
cuneus
concurrent, current, cursive, recursion
Latin
currere, cursus
curvature
Latin
curvus
bicuspid
Latin
cuspis, cuspidis
cuticle
Latin
cutis
cyanide
Greek
κυανός (kuanos)
bicycle - a vehicle with two wheels; cycle - a sequence that is
repeated; cyclone - a storm with circling winds
bicycle, cycle, cyclone
Greek
κύκλος (kuklos)
cylinder
Greek
κύλινδρος (kulindros)
cynosure
Greek
κύων, κυνός (kuōn, kunos)
cystic
Greek
κύστις (kustis)
cytoplasm, cnidocyte
Greek
κύτος (kutos)
dactylology, pterodactyl
Greek
δάκτυλος (daktulos)
condemn, damnation
Latin
damnāre
decelerate - to slow down, reduce speed; dethrone - to remove
from power; debug - to remove bugs
delete[disambiguation needed ], demented
Latin
dē
debit
Latin
debere, debitus
Greek
δέκα deka, ten
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
deci
one tenth
deciliter - a tenth of a liter; decimate - reduce dramatically;
decibel - one tenth of the sound volume unit bel
decim-
tenth part
decimal, decimate
Latin
deltdem-, demo-
people
deltoid
demagogue, democracy
Greek
Greek
dem/o
people
demi
half, less than
den-
Etymological Notes
decimus, tenth; from decem,
ten
δέλτα (delta)
δῆμος (dēmos)
democracy - government of the people; demographic - the study
of people; epidemic - spreading among people in a region
ten each
demitasse - a small cup of coffee; demimonde - someone of little
respected life style
denarius, denary
Latin
dendr-, dendro-
resembling a tree
dendrite
Greek
dendr/o/i
tree
densdent-
thick
tooth
dent, dont
tooth
derm-
skin
derm/a
skin
deuterdexterdextrodi-
second
right
right
two
di/plo
two, twice
di/s
apart, away, not, to
the opposite
philodendron - a climbing plant that grows on trees;
dendrochronology - dating events by studying growth rings in
trees; dendriform - in the shape of a tree
condense, density
dental, dentifrice, dentures
dental - relating to teeth; dentist - a doctor for the teeth; dentures a set of false teeth
dermis, epidermis, hypodermic
dermatologist - a doctor for the skin; pachyderm - a class of
animals with very thick skin (elephant, rhinoceros); dermatitis inflammation of the skin
Deuteronomy, deuterostome
dexterity
dextrose
dicot, diode, dipole
dichromatic - displaying two colors; diploma - a certificate,
literally "a letter folded double"; dilemma - a situation that
requires a choice between two alternatives.
digression - a departure from the main issue, subject; disappear to move out of sight; dissect - to cut apart piece by piece.
deni
δένδρον (dendron): akin to
δρύς, drys, "tree"
Latin
Latin
densus
dens, dentis
Greek
δέρμα (derma)
Greek
Latin
Greek
Greek
δεύτερος (deuteros)
dexter
δεξ-, right
δι
Root
Meanings
dia
through, between,
apart, across
dia-
apart, through
dict
speak
dictdigit-
dipldoc-, doctdodecdogmat-, doxdom-
say, speak
finger
terrible, fearfully
great
double; twofold
teach
twelve
opinion, tenet
house
domin
master
dominate - to be the master of; domineering - excessively
controlling; predominate - to have more power than others
don/at
give
donation - a contribution or gift; donor - someone who gives
something; pardon - to give forgiveness for an offense
dormdorsdu-
sleep
back
two
du/o
two, twice
dub-
doubtful
duc-, duct-
lead
duc/t
lead
dulc-
sweet
dino-
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
diabetes - disease characterized by excessive thirst and discharge
of urine; diagnosis - understanding a condition by going through
a detailed review of symptoms; dialog - conversation between
two people.
dialysis, diameter
Greek
contradict - to express the opposite of; prediction - a statement
foretelling the future; dictate - to speak out loud for another
person to write down.
contradict, dictation, dictionary, edict, predict
Latin
digital
Latin
Etymological Notes
διά (dia)
dicere, dictus
digitus
dinosaur
Greek
δεινός (deinos)
diploid, diplosis
docile, doctor
dodecasyllabic
dogmatic, orthodox
dome
Greek
Latin
Greek
Greek
Latin
διπλός (diplos)
docere, doctus
δώδεκα (dodeka)
δόξα
domus
Latin
Latin
Latin
dormire
dorsum
duo
Latin
dubius
Latin
dux, ducis
Latin
dulcis
dormant, dormitory
dorsal
dual
duplicate - make an identical copy; duet - a musical composition
for two voices or instruments; duo - a pair normally thought of
as being together.
dubious
abduction, conductor, introduction, production, reduction,
deduction
conduct - to lead musicians in playing music; educate - to lead to
knowledge; deduction - a subtraction of an amount.
Root
dur
durdydyn/a/am
dynamdys
dyseececoectoed-, es-
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
durable - having the quality of lasting; duration - the length of
harden, to last, lasting
time something lasts; enduring - able to last.
hard
durable, duration, duress, endure, obdurate
Latin
two
dyad
Greek
power, energy,
dynamo - a generator of energy; dynamic - having physical
strength
energy/power; dynamite - a powerful explosive.
power
dynamism, dynasty, dynamite
Greek
dyspepsia - abnormal indigestion; dystopia - an imaginary place
abnormal, bad
of total misery; dyslexia - impairment of the ability to handle
words.
badly, ill
dysentery, dysplasia, dystrophy
Greek
eloquent - speaking beautifully and forcefully; emissary - a
out, away
representative of a country or group sent on a mission; eject throw out forcefully.
out
eccentric
Greek
house
ecology, economics, ecumenism
Greek
outside
ectoderm
Greek
eat
edible
Latin
ego
self
egoego-, egem-, empt-
en-, em-
self, I (first person)
goat
buy
into, cover with,
cause
vomit
striving to equal,
rivaling
in
en, in
inside, inwards
endo
within, inside
endo-
inside
em, en
emeemul-
Etymological Notes
durus
δυο (duo)
δύναμη (dunamē)
δυσ-
ἐκ (ek)
οἶκος (oikos)
ἐκτός (ektos)
edere, esus
egoistic - self-centered; alter ego - a higher aspect of oneself;
egomania - excessive preoccupation with oneself.
egocentric
egophony
exemption, redeem
empathy - intention to feel like another person; empower - put
into power; engorge - make larger.
emetic
Greek
Greek
Latin
ego, ἐγώ
αἴξ (aix)
emere, emptus
Greek
ἔμετος (emetos)
emulator
Latin
aemulus, aemulare
emphasis
envision - to picture in the mind; enclose - lock inside; inwards towards the inside.
endotherm - a creature that can keep its inside temperature fairly
constant; endocrine - relating to glands that secrete directly into
the blood or lymph; endogamy - the custom to marry within
one's clan, tribe etc.
endocrine
Greek
ἐν (en)
Greek
ἔνδον (endon)
Root
engy-
Meanings
narrow
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
Greek
Etymological Notes
ἐγγύς (engys)
Greek
Latin
Greek
ἐννέα (ennea)
ensis
Ἠώς/Ἕως
Greek
ἐπί (epi)
bicentennial - of or relating to an age or period of 200 years;
centennial - of or relating to an age or period of 100 years;
perennial -lasting through many years.
ennead, enneagon
enn/i, anni
years
enneaenseo-, eos-, eoso-
epi-, ep-
nine
sword
dawn, east
on, upon, over,
among, at, after, to,
outside
upon
Eocene
epidemic - the rapid spread of something negative; epilogue - a
short speech delivered after a play; epicenter - the center of an
earthquake.
epicenter, epoch
epistem-
knowledge or science
epistemic
Greek
ἐπιστήμη (epistēmē)
equequ-, -iqu-
horse
even, level
Latin
Latin
equus
aequus
equ/i
equal, equally
erg-
work
Greek
έργον (ergon)
erg/o
work
errerythr(o)eso-
stray
red
within
Equestrian
equal, equivalence
equidistant - an equal distance from two points; equanimity calm temperament, evenness of temper; equation - a statement of
equality.
ergonomics
ergonomics - study of the working environment; energy - the
power to accomplish work; energetics - science that looks at
energy and its transformation.
aberration, errant
erythrocyte
esoteric
Latin
Greek
Greek
errare
ἐρυθρός (eruthros)
ἔσω (esō)
esth/aesth
feeling, sensation,
beauty
esthetician - someone who beautifies; aesthetic - pertaining to a
sense of beauty; kinesthesia - the sensation of bodily movement.
ethm-
sieve
ethmoid
Greek
ἠθμός (hethmos); ἤθειν
(hethein)
ethn-
people, race, tribe,
nation
ethnic, ethnarch
Greek
ἔθνος (ethnos)
ethno
race, people
etho-, eth-, ethietym(o)-
custom, habit
true
ethnic - pertaining to a defined group of people; ethnocentric focusing on the ethnicity of people; ethnology - the science of
people and races.
ethology
etymology
Greek
Greek
ἦθος (ēthos)
ἔτυμος (etumos)
ep/i
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
euphemism - replacing an offensive word with an inoffensive
one; euphonious - having a pleasant sound; euphoria - feeling of
well-being.
euphoria, euthanasia
Greek
Europe
Greek
excavate - to dig out; exhale - to breathe out; extract - to pull
out.
exclude, extrude, extend
Latin
exothermic
Greek
exterior
Latin
extraordinary - beyond ordinary; extraterrestrial - outside the
Earth; extrovert - an outgoing person.
extremity, extremophile
Latin
fate, infant, preface
Latin
faba bean
Latin
eu
good, well
eueur-
well, good
wide
ex
from, out,
ex-, e-, efexoexter-, extra-
from, out
outside
outer
extra, extro
outside, beyond
extremf-, fatfab-
outermost, utmost
say, speak
bean
fac-, -fic-, fact, -fect-
make
defect, factory, manufacture
fac/t
make, do
artifact - an object made by a person; factory - a place where
things are made; malefact - a person who does wrong.
falcfall-, -fell-, falsfallacfamilifantfascfatu-
sickle
deceive
false
a close attendant
to show
bundle
foolish, useless
federfelfelicfellfeminfemorfend-, fensfenestr-
Etymological Notes
εὖ (eu)
εὐρύς (eurus)
ex
ἔξω
externus
extremus
fari, fatus
faba
Latin
facere, factus
falciform
falsity, infallibility
fallacy
familiarity
fantasy
fasciculation
fatuous, infatuation
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
falx, falcis
fallere, falsus
fallax, fallacis
famulus
φαντάζω
fascis
fatuus
treaty, agreement,
contract, league, pact
confederation, federal
Latin
foedus, foederis
cat
happy, merry
suck
women, female
thigh
strike
window
Felinae, feline
felicity
fellation
femininity
femoral
defend, offense
defenestration
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
feles, felis
felix, felicis
fellare
femina
femur, femoris
fendere, -fensus
fenestra
Root
Meanings
fer
bear, bring, carry
ferferocferrfetfic-
carry
fierce
iron
stink
fig
fid
faith
fid-, fisfilfilifinfind-, fissfirmfistulflflaccflav-
faith, trust
thread
son
end
split
fix, settle
hollow, tube
blow
flabby
yellow
flect
bend
deflect - to bend course because of hitting something; inflection a bending in the voice's tone or pitch; flexible - easily bending.
flect-, flexflig-, flictflor-
bend
strike
flower
flexor, inflection
conflict, inflict
floral, florid
flor/a, fleur
flower
florist - someone working with flowers; floral - flowerlike; flora the plant life of a particular time or area
flu-, fluxfocfod-, fossfoenfolifont-
flow
hearth
dig
hay
leaf
spring
completely (used to
intensify the meaning
of a word)
for
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
confer - to bring an honor to someone; ferry - a boat that carries
passengers; transfer - to move to another place.
reference, transfer
Latin
ferocity
Latin
ferrous
Latin
fetid, fetor
Latin
Ficus
Latin
confide - place trust in someone, fidelity - faithfulness; fiduciary a trustee;
confidence, fidelity
Latin
filament
Latin
affiliation
Latin
finish[disambiguation needed ], final
Latin
fission, fissures
Latin
confirmation, firmament
Latin
fistula
Latin
flatulence, inflation
Latin
flaccid
Latin
flavonoid
Latin
effluent, fluency, influx
focal
fossil
defoliant
forsaken or forfeited - completely lost; forgiven - completely
given (a release of debt).
Etymological Notes
ferre
ferox, ferocis
ferrum
fetere
ficus
fides, fidere, fisus
filum
filius
finis
findere, fissus
firmus, firmare
flare, flatus
flaccus, flaccere
flavus
Latin
Latin
Latin
flectere, flexus
fligere, flictus
flos, floris
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
fluere, fluxus
focus
fodere, fossus
fenuculum
folium
fons, fontis
Root
for-
Meanings
bore
Sample Words and Definitions
perforation
fore
in front of, previous,
earlier
forebear - ancestor; forebode - to give an advance warning of
something bad; forecast - a preview of events to be.
shape
vault
strong
shallow round
depression
formfornicfortfove-
Origin Language
Latin
Etymological Notes
forare, foratus
conformity, deformity, formation
fornication
fortification
Latin
Latin
Latin
forma
fornix, fornicis
fortis
fovea
Latin
fovea
break
fracture - a break; fragile - easy to break; fragment or fraction - a
part or element of a larger whole;
break
fracture, fragment, frangible, infringe
Latin
frangere, fractus
brother
rub
cold
forehead
fruit
fraternity
dentifrice, friction
frigid, frigorific
confront, frontal
fructose
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
frater
fricare, frictus
frigere
frons, frontis
frux, fructis
fug
flee, run away,
escape
fugitive - a person who is running away; refuge - a sheltered
place to flee to; refugee - a person seeking protection
fug-, fugitfum-
flee
smoke
centrifuge, fugitive, refuge
fume, fumigation
Latin
Latin
fugere
fumus
funct
perform, work
defunct - no longer working or alive; function - to work or
perform a role normally; malfunction - to fail to work correctly.
fundfund-, fusfung-, functfur-, furtfurc-
bottom
pour
do
steal
fork
fundamentalism, profundity
effusion, profusion
function, fungibility
furtive
bifurcation
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
fundus, fundare
fundere, fusus
fungi, functus
fur, furare
furca
fus
pour
confusion - being flooded with too much information that is hard
to make sense of; fuse - to melt by heating; infuse - to put into.
fusc-
dark
obfuscation
Latin
galact-
milk
galactic
Greek
fuscus
γάλα, γαλακτός (gala,
galaktos)
fract, frag
frang-, -fring-, fract-,
fragfrater-, fratrfric-, frictfrigfrontfruct-, frug-
Root
gastr-
Meanings
stomach
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
gastric, gastroenterology
Greek
gastric - pertaining to the stomach; gastronomy - serving the
stomach by providing good food; gastritis - inflammation of the
stomach.
geography, geology, geometry
Greek
gelid
Latin
genocide
Greek
gastr/o
stomach
gegelgen(o)-
earth
icy cold
race, kind
gen/o/e/, genesis
birth, production,
formation, kind
genealogy - the study of the history of a family; generation - all
the people born at approximately the same time; genetic -relating
to heredity encoded in the genes.
geo
earth, soil, global
geography - study of the earth's surface; geology - study of the
structure of the earth; geoponics - soil based agriculture.
ger
old age
geriatrics - medicine pertaining to the elderly; gerontocracy - the
rule of the elders; gerontology - the science of aging.
ger-, gestgermin-
bear, carry
sprout
giga
a billion
glabrglacigladigliaglobgloriglutin-
hairless
ice
sword
glue
sphere
glory
glue
gon
angle
grad-, -gred-, gress-
walk, step, go
gram
letter, written
diagram - a simple drawing; grammar - rules of how to write
words in sentences; telegram - a message sent by telegraph.
gram-
writing
grammar, grammatic
digest, gestation
germination
gigabyte - unit of computer storage space; gigahertz - unit of
frequency (one billion Hz/sec); gigawatt unit of electric power
(one billion watts).
glabrous
glacier
gladiator
glial
global, globule
glorify
agglutination
decagon - a polygon with 10 angles; diagonal - a slanting line
running across a space; octagon - a geometrical figure with 8
angles.
grade, regress
Etymological Notes
γαστήρ (gaster)
γῆ (gē), γεω- (geō-)
gelum
γένος (genos)
Latin
Latin
gerere, gestus
germen, germinis
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
Latin
glaber
glacies
gladius
γλία (glia)
globus
gloria
gluten, glutinis
Latin
gradus, gradere, gressus
Greek
γράμμα (gramma)
Root
grangrandgraph-
Meanings
grain
grand
draw, write
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
granary, granite, granola, granule
Latin
grandiloquous, grandiosity
Latin
grapheme, graphic, graphology
Greek
Graphology - the study of handwritings; autograph - written with
one's own hand; seismograph - a machine noting strength and
duration of earthquakes.
gratify - to please someone; grateful - feeling thankful; gratuity a tip, token of appreciation.
gratitude, ingrate
Latin
aggravation, grave, gravity
Latin
egregious, gregarious, segregation
Latin
Etymological Notes
granum
grandis
γραφή (graphē)
graph/y
writing, recording,
written
grat
pleasing
gratgravgreg-
thank, please
heavy
flock
gress, grad/e/i
to step, to go
digression - a departure from the main issue, subject, etc.;
progress - movement forward or onward; gradual - step by step.
guberngustguttgutturgymn-
govern, pilot
taste
drop
throat
nude
gubernatorial
disgust, gusto
gutta, guttifer, guttiform
guttural
gymnasium, gymnastics, gymnosperm
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
gubernare
gustus
gutta
guttur
γυμνός (gymnos)
gyn/o/e
woman, female
gynecology - the science of female reproductive health;
gynephobia - fear of women; gynecoid - resembling a woman.
Greek
γυνή
gratus
gravis
grex, gregis
hab-, -hib-, habit-, hibithaem(o)-, hem(o)hal(o)hal-, -helhapl(o)haur-, haust-
have
habit, prohibition
Latin
habere, habitus
blood
salt
breathe
simple, single
draw
Greek
Greek
Latin
Greek
Latin
αἷμα (haima)
ἅλς, ἁλός (hals, halos)
halare, halatus
ἁπλοῦς (haplous)
haurire, haustus
hect/o, hecat
hundred
haemophilia, hemoglobin
halogen
anhelation, inhale
haploid, haplotype
exhaustion
hectoliter - 100 liters; hectare - metric unit equaling 100 ares or
10,000 square meters; hectometer - 100 meters.
heli/o
sun
heliotropism - movement or growth in relating to the sun;
heliograph - apparatus used to send message with the help of
sunlight; helianthus - genus of plants including sunflowers.
Greek
ἥλιος (hēlios)
helic/o
spiral, circular
helicopter - an aircraft with horizontal rotating wing; helix - a
spiral form; helicon - a circular tuba.
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
hem/o/a
blood
hemorrhage - clotting of the blood; hemorrhoids - swelling of
the blood vessels; hemoglobin - red blood particle.
hemi
half, partial
henhendec-
one
eleven
hepa
liver
hept/a
seven
her-, hes-
Origin Language
hemicycle - a semicircular structure; hemisphere - one half of the
earth; hemistich - half a line of poetry.
henad, hyphen
hendecagon
hepatitis - inflammation of the liver; hepatoma - a tumor of the
liver; hepatotoxic - toxic and damaging to the liver.
Etymological Notes
Greek
ἥμισυς (hēmisus)
Greek
Greek
ἕν (hen)
ἕνδεκα (hendeka)
heptagon - a shape with seven angles and seven sides;
Heptateuch - the first seven books of the Old Testament;
heptameter - a line of verse consisting of seven metrical feet.
Greek
ἑπτά (hepta)
cling
adhesive, coherent
Latin
haerere, haesus
herb/i
grass, plant
herbicide - any chemical used to kill unwanted plants, etc.;
herbivorous - plant-eating; herbal - relating to plants.
Latin
herba
hered-
heir
heredity
Latin
heres, heredis
herp-
creep
herpes, herpetology
Greek
ἕρπω, ἕρπειν (herpō, herpein)
heter(o)-
different, other
Greek
ἕτερος (heteros)
hetero
different, other
heur-
find
Greek
εὑρίσκω (heuriskō)
hex/a
six
Greek
ἕξ (hex)
hibernhiemhipp(o)hirsuthispid-
wintry
winter
horse
hairy
bristly
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
hibernus
hiems
ἵππος (hippos)
hirtus, hirsutus
hispidus
histo
tissue
histrihod(o)-
actor
way
heterodoxy
heterogeneous - made up of unrelated parts; heteronyms - words
with same spelling but different meanings; heterodox - not
conforming to traditional beliefs.
heuristic
hexagon - a shape with six angles/sides; hexameter - a verse
measured in six; hexapod - having six legs.
hibernation
hiemal
hippodrome
hirsute
hispidity, hispidulous
histology - study of the microscopic structure of tissues;
histochemistry - study of the chemical constitution of cells and
tissues.
histrionic
cathode, herpolhode, hodometer
Latin
Greek
histrio, histrionis
ὁδός (hodos)
Root
hol(o)hom(o)homalhome(o)homin-
Meanings
whole
same
even, flat
like
human
homo, homeo
like, alike, same
honorhorhor(o)hormhort(i)hospithosthumhyal-
esteem
boundary
hour
that which excites
garden
host
enemy
ground
glass
hydr(o)-
water
hydr/o
liquid, water
hydrate - to add water to; hydrophobia - intense fear of water;
hydroponics - growing plants in liquid nutrient solution;
hydraulic - operated by force created by a liquid.
hygr-
wet
hygrometer
hygr/o
moisture, humidity
hygrometer - tool used to measure humidity; hygrograph instrument for recording variations in atmospheric humidity.
hyohyp(o)-
U-shaped
under
hyp/o
under
hyper
hyperhypn(o)-
too much, over,
excessive, beyond
above, over
sleep
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
holistic
Greek
homophone, homosexual
Greek
anomalous
Greek
homeostasis
Greek
hominid
Latin
homogeneous - of the same nature or kind; homonym - sounding
alike; homeopath - a therapy that is based on treating "same with
same"
honorable, honorarium
Latin
aphorism, horizon
Greek
horoscope
Greek
hormone
Greek
horticulture
Latin
hospital, hospitality
Latin
hostile
Latin
exhumation, inhume
Latin
hyaline, hyaloid
Greek
hydraulics, hydrology, hydrolysis, hydrophily, hydrophobia,
Greek
hydroponic, hydrous
hyoid
hypothermia
hypoglycemia - an abnormally low level of sugar in the blood;
hypothermia - abnormally low body temperature; hypothesis - a
theory that is unproven but used under the assumption that it is
true.
hyperactive - very restless; hypercritical - too critical;
hypertension - above normal pressure.
hyperbole, hypertonic
hypnosis
Etymological Notes
ὅλος (holos)
ὁμός (homos)
ὁμαλός (homalos)
ὅμοιος (homoios)
homo, hominis
honos, honoris
ὅρος (horos)
ὥρα (hōra)
ὁρμή (hormē)
hortus, horti
hospes, hospitis
hostis
humus, humare
ὕαλος (hualos)
ὕδωρ (hudōr)
Greek
ὑγρός (hugros)
Greek
Greek
ὑοειδής (huoeidēs)
ὑπό (hupo)
Greek
Greek
ὑπέρ (huper)
ὕπνος (hupnos)
Root
hyster-
Meanings
later
Sample Words and Definitions
hysteresis
iatr/o
medical care
geriatrics - medical care of the elderly; pediatrician - a doctor
who treats children; podiatry - medical care for feet.
ichthy(o)-
fish
icon/o
image
icosid(o)ide(o)idi(o)-
twenty
shape
idea; thought
personal
idio
peculiar, personal,
distinct
idiomatic - Peculiar to a particular language; idiosyncracy - a
physical or mental characteristic typical or a particular person;
idiot - someone who is distinctly foolish or stupid.
ig, il, im, in, ir
not, without
illegal - not legal; impossible - not possible; inappropriate - not
appropriate; irresponsible - not responsible.
ign-
fire
igneous, ignition
il, in
in, into
illuminate - to give light to; innovation - a new idea, method, or
device; inspection - the act of examining or reviewing.
imag
likeness
in- (1), imin- (2), il-, im-, ir-
in, on
not, un- (negation)
infra
beneath, below
infrainsul-
below, under
island
inter
between, among,
jointly
inter-
among, between
ichthyology
icon - an (often religious) image, in modern usage a simplified
graphic of high symbolic content; iconology - science of
symbols and icons; iconoclast - someone who destroys religious
images and traditional beliefs.
icosagon, icosahedron
idol
, ideogram, ideology
idiom, idiosyncrasy, idiot
image - a likeness of someone; imaginative - able to think up
new ideas or images; imagine - to form a picture or likeness in
the mind.
incur, intend, invite
illicit, impossible, inimical, irrational
infrastructure - underlying framework of a system; infrared below the regular light spectrum.
infrastructure
insular, insulation
international - involving two or more countries; intersection place where roads come together; intercept - to stop or interrupt
the course of.
intercollegiate, intermission, intersection
Origin Language
Greek
Etymological Notes
ὕστερος (husteros)
Greek
ἰχθύς (ichthus)
Greek
Greek
Greek
Greek
εἴκοσι (eikosi)
εἶδος (eidos)
ιδέα (idea)
ἴδιος (idios)
Latin
ignis
Latin
Latin
in
in-
Latin
Latin
infra
insula
Latin
inter (preposition)
Root
intra-
Meanings
within
Sample Words and Definitions
intramural
Origin Language
Latin
Etymological Notes
intra
intra, intro
within, inside,
intrastate - existing in one state; intravenous - inside or into a
vein; introvert - shy person who keeps within him/herself.
ir
not
irasc-, iratis-, iso-
be angry
equal, the same
Latin
Greek
irasci
ἴσος (isos)
iso
equal
isobar - a line on a map connecting points of equal barometric
pressure; isometric - having equality of measure; isothermal having equal or constant temperature.
iter-
again
iteration
Latin
iterum, iterare
itiner-
route, way
itinerary
Latin
iter, itineris – march, journey
jac-
lie
adjacent
Latin
jacēre "to be thrown"
jac- (originally IAC), ject-
cast, throw
eject, interject, ejaculate, trajectory
Latin
iacio, iacere, ieci, iectus – "to
throw" (and cognates thereof)
janu-
door
janitor
Latin
janua
ject
throw
eject - to throw someone/something out; interject - to throw a
remark into a discussion; project - to cast or throw something.
joc-
joke
Latin
jocus
jud
law
jug-
yoke
Latin
jugare, jugum
junct
join
conjunction - a word that joins parts of sentences; disjunction - a
disconnection; junction - a place where two things join.
jung-, junctjuniorjus-, jur-, judic(originally IVS)
juv-, jut-
join
younger
conjunction, juncture
juniority
Latin
Latin
jungere, junctus
junior
law, justice
justice, jury, judge
Latin
ius, iuris; iudex, iudicis
help
adjutant
Latin
juvare, jutus
irredeemable - not redeemable; irreformable - not reformable;
irrational - not rational.
irascible, irate
isometric, isomorphic, isotropic
jocularity
judgment - a decision of a court of law; judicial - having to do
with judges or courts of law; judiciary - a system of courts of
law.
conjugal, subjugate
Root
Meanings
juven
young
juvenjuxtakil(o)-
young, youth
beside, near
thousand
kilo
thousand
kine-
movement, motion
kine/t/mat
motion, division
kleptkudo-
steal
glory
lab
work
lab-, lapslabilaborlacerlacrimlact-
slide, slip
lip
toil
tear
cry, tears
milk
lact/o
milk
laminlamplapidlarglarvlat(i)-
layer, slice
shine
stone
large
ghost, mask
broad, wide
later
side
laterlaud-, lauslavlaxled-, lesleg-
side
praise
wash
not tense
hurt
law
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
juvenile - youthful or childish; rejuvenate - to bring back to
youthful strength or appearance.
juvenile, rejuvenate
Latin
juxtaposition[disambiguation needed ]
Latin
kilobyte, kilogram, kilometer
Greek
kilobyte - 1,000 bytes; kilometer - 1,000 meter; kilograms 1,000 grams.
telekinesis, kinetic energy, kinesthetic
Greek
kinetics - study of the force of motion; psychokinesis or
telekinesis - the ability to move objects with your mind;
cinematography - motion picture making.
kleptomania
Greek
kudos
Greek
collaborate - to work with a person; elaborate - to work out the
details; laborious - requiring a lot of hard work.
elapse, relapse
Latin
bilabial, labial
Latin
collaboration, elaboration
Latin
laceration
Latin
lacrimal, lacrimous
Latin
lactate, lactation, lactose
Latin
lactate - to give milk, nurse; lactose - the sugar contained in
milk; lactic acid.
laminate, lamination
Latin
lamp
Greek
lapidary
Latin
enlargement
Latin
larva, larvae, larval
Latin
latitude
Latin
bilateral - of or involving two sides; unilateral - affecting one
side of something.
bilateral
Latin
laud
Latin
lavatory
Latin
laxative, relaxation
Latin
lesion
Latin
legal, legislative
Latin
Etymological Notes
juvenis
juxta
χίλιοι (chilioi)
κινέω (kineo)
κλέπτης (kleptēs)
κῦδος (kudos)
labi, lapsus
labia, labiae
labor
lacer
lacrima "tear"
lac, lactis, lactare
lamina
λαμπάς lampas "torch"
lapis, lapidis
largus
larva
latus
latus, lateris
laudere
lavare
laxus, laxare
laedere, laesus
lex, legis, legare
Root
leiolenileonleplepsleuc(o)-, leuk(o)-
Meanings
smooth
gentle
lion
flake, scale
grasp, seize
white
leuk/o, leuc/o
white, colorless
lev-
lift, light
lex
word, law, reading
liber
free
liberlibrliglin-
free
book
bind
line
lingu
language, tongue
lingulinqu-, lictlip(o)-
language, tongue
leave
fat
lip/o
fat
lite, ite, lith/o
mineral, rock, fossil
literlith(o)-
letter
stone
loc
place
loc-
place
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
leiomyoma
Greek
leniency
Latin
Leo, leonine, Leopold
Latin
Lepidoptera
Greek
epilepsy
Greek
leucocyte
Greek
leukemia - abnormal increase of white blood cells in the blood;
leukocyte - a mature white blood cell; leucine - a white,
crystalline amino acid.
elevator, levitation
lexicology - the study and history of words; alexia -loss of the
ability to read; illegal - not authorized by the official rules or
laws.
liberate - to set free; libertine - a person with a free, wild
lifestyle; liberty - freedom.
liberation
library
ligament, ligature
linearity, line
linguist - one who studies languages; multilingual - able to
communicate in multiple languages; linguine - long, flat "tongueshaped" pasta.
bilingual, linguistic
relict, relinquish
lipolysis
Etymological Notes
λείος leios
lenis, lenire
leo, leonis "lion"
λέπις lepis
λήψης lepsis
λευκός leukos
Latin
levis "light" (in weight), levare
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
liber, liberare
liber, libri
ligare, ligatus
linea
Latin
Latin
Greek
lingua
linquere, lictus
λίπος lipos
Latin
Greek
littera
λίθος lithos
Latin
locus
liposuction - the mechanical removal of fat reserves in the tissue;
lipase - enzyme that breaks down fat; lipoid - resembling fat.
apatite - a group of common minerals; granite - a hard, granular
rock; monolith - a remarkable, unique stone.
alliteration, illiterate, literacy, literal, obliterate
lithosphere, megalith, monolith, Neolithic Era
dislocate - to put something out of its usual place; location - a
place; relocate - to move to a new place.
local, location
Root
log-
Meanings
thought, word,
speech
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
Etymological Notes
logic, monologue, morphological
Greek
λόγος logos "word"
logic - correct reasoning; monologue - a long speech by one
speaker;analogy - similarity, especially between things
otherwise dissimilar.
elongate, longitude
Latin
longus
Latin
loqui
Latin
lux, lucis light
Latin
ludere, lusus
Latin
Latin
lumen, luminis
luna
Greek
λύσις, lysis
Greek
Latin
μακρός (makros)
magnus
Latin
Latin
major, majus
malus
log/o
word, doctrine,
discourse
long-
long
loqu, locu
speak
eloquent - speaking beautifully and forcefully ; loquacious - very
talkative; elocution - art of public speaking.
loqu-, locut-
speak
allocution, eloquence
luc
light
elucidate - to explain, to throw light on; lucid - easily
understood, giving off light; translucent - allowing light through.
luc-
bright, light
lud, lus
to play
lud-, lus-
play
Lucifer (bearer of light)
prelude - introduction to the major performance; illusion misleading optical image or impression; delude - to mislead,
deceive.
allude, illusion
lumin
light
illuminate - to fill with light; lumen - unit measuring light.
luminlun-
light
moon
illumination, luminous
lunar, lunatic
lun/a/i
moon
lunar - relating to the moon; lunarscape - the surface of the
moon; lunatic - insane (as if driven mad by the moon).
lysis
dissolving
macro
large, great
macromagn-
long
great, large
magn/a/i
great, large
majmal-
greater
bad, wretched,
analysis, cytolysis, hydrolysis
macroevolution - large scale evolution; macromolecule - a large
molecule; macroeconomics - study of the overall forces of
economy.
macron
magnanimous, magnificent
magnify - make larger; magnificent - grand; magnate - a
powerful person, especially in business or industry.
majesty, majority, majuscule
malfeasance, malicious, malignancy, malodorous
Root
Meanings
mal/e
bad, ill, wrong
mammmanman-
breast
flow
stay
man/i/u
hand
mand
to order
mand-
mania
manumar-
hand
madness, insanity,
excessive desire
mental illness
hand
sea
mar/i
sea
mater-, matr-
mother
mater, matr/i
mother
maternal - relating to motherhood; maternity - the state of being
a mother; matriarch - a woman head of a household.
max
greatest
maximal - the best or greatest possible; maximize - to make as
great as possible; maximum - the greatest amount.
maxim-
greatest
medi
middle
medi-, -midimeg-
middle
great, large
mega
great, large, million
meimelan-
less
black, dark
mania
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
malcontent - wrong content; malaria - "bad air", infectious
disease thought to originate from the "bad air" of the swamps,
but caused by the bite of an infected mosquito; malicious showing strong ill will.
mammal, mammary gland
Latin
emanationism, immanant
Latin
immanence, permanent, remanence
Latin
maneuver - to move by hand; manual - done with the hands;
manuscript - a book written by hand.
command - an order or instruction; demand - a hard-to-ignore
order; mandate - an official order.
mandate, remand
Latin
bibliomania - a crazy love of books; egomania - a mad love of
oneself; maniac an insane person.
kleptomania, maniac
Greek
manual, manuscript
Latin
marine, maritime
Latin
marina - a harbor for pleasure boats; maritime - relating to the
sea; submarine - an undersea boat; aquamarine - color of sea
water.
matriarch, matrix
Latin
maximum
medieval - pertaining to the Middle Ages; medium - in the
middle; mediocre - only of medium (inferior) quality.
median, medieval
megaphone
megalopolis - an area with many nearby cities; megaphone - a
device that projects a loud voice; megastructure - huge building
or other structure.
meiosis
Melanesia, melanoma
Etymological Notes
mamma
manare
manēre, mansus
mandāre, mandatus
μανία (manίā)
manus
mare, maris
mater, matris
Latin
maximus
Latin
Greek
medius, mediare
μέγας (megas)
Greek
Greek
μείον (meiōn)
μέλας (melas)
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
melan/o
black
melancholy - a state of dark emotions; melanoma - malignant
dark tumor of the skin; melodrama - a dark, pathetic drama.
meliormellmemor-
better
honey
remember
memor/i
remember
men(o)meningmentmermercmerg-, mers-
moon
membrane
mind
part
reward, wages, hire
dip, plunge
merge, mers
dip, dive
mes-
middle
meso
middle
meta
change, after,
beyond, between
meter-, metr-
above, among,
beyond
measure
meter, metr/y
measure
micmicr(o)-
grain
small
micro
very small, short,
minute
meta-
Origin Language
Etymological Notes
Latin
Latin
Latin
melior
mel, mellis
memor
Greek
Greek
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
μήν (men)
μενινξ (meninx)
mens, mentis
μέρος (meros)
merx, mercis
mergere
Greek
μέσος (mesos)
metaphor, metaphysics
Greek
μετά (meta)
metric, thermometer
audiometer- an instrument that measures hearing acuteness;
chronometer- an instrument that measures time; metric measured.
micelle
microphone, microscope
microbe - a very small living thing; microchip - a tiny wafer with
an integrated circuit; microscope - a device to see very small
things.
Greek
μέτρον (metron)
Latin
Greek
mica
μικρός (mikros)
amelioration
mellifluous
memorial
commemorate - to honor the memory of, as by a ceremony;
memorial - related to remembering a person or event; memory:
an ability to retain knowledge or an individual's stock of
retained knowledge.
menopause, menstruation
meningitis
demented, mentality
polymer
mercantile, merchant
emerge, immersion
immerge or immerse - to put or dip something into a liquid;
submerge to dip something completely into wate.r
mesolithic, mesozoic
Mesoamerica - Middle America; meson - elementary particle
with a mass between an electron and a proton.
metaphysics - study of nature and reality; metamorphosis - a
complete change of form; metastasis - the transmission of
disease to other parts of the body.
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
mid
middle
midriff - the area between the chest and the waist; midterm middle of a term in school; midway - halfway between.
migr
move
migrmilitmillmillen-
wander
soldier
thousand
thousand each
milli
onethousandth
mimminmin-
repeat
jut
less, smaller
min/i
small, less
mir-
wonder, amazement
mis-
Origin Language
immigrant - a person who moves to a new country to settle;
migrant - person who moves from place to place; migration - the
process of moving.
emigrant, migrate
military, militia
millennium, million
millenary
millimeter - one thousandth of a meter; millibar - one thousandth
of a bar; milliliter - one thousandth of a liter.
mime, mimic
prominent
minority, minuscule
mini - something that is very small; minuscule - extremely tiny;
minutiae - very small or trivial details.
Etymological Notes
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
migrare
miles, militis
mille
milleni
Greek
Latin
Latin
μίμος (mimos)
minere
minor, minus
admire, miracle, mirror
Latin
miror, mirari, miratus sum
misandry, misogyny
misbehave - to behave badly; misprint - an error in printing;
misnomer - an error in naming a person or thing.
miscellaneous, mixture
Greek
μῖσος (misos)
misce-, mixt-
hate
bad, badly, wrong,
wrongly, to hate
mix
Latin
miscere, mixtus
miss, mit
send, let go
dismiss - to send someone away; missile - a weapon sent into the
air; emit - to send something out; admittance - entry.
mitmitt-, missmne-
thread
send
memory
Greek
Latin
Greek
μίτος (mitos)
mittere, missus
μνήμη (mnēmē)
mob
move
molmollmon(o)-
grind
soft
one
Latin
Latin
Greek
mola, molere, molitus
mollis
μόνος (monos)
mon/o
one, single, alone
monil-
string of beads
Latin
monile
mis/o
mitochondrion
intermittent, missionary, transmission
mnemonic
immobilize - to stop from moving; mobile - able to move freely;
mobility - the quality of being able to move.
molar
emollient, mollify
monism, monolith, monotone
monochromat - having one color; monologue - a speech spoken
by one person; monotheism - belief in one god.
Moniliformida
Root
montmorphmorph/o
mort
mortmot, mov
mov-, motmulg-, mulsmult(i)multi
murmusmuscmut
mutmymy/o
myrimyth(o)myxmyznarnarcnarr
narrnas-
Meanings
mountain
form, shape
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
Montana
Latin
anthropomorphism, morpheme, morphology
Greek
metamorphosis - complete change of form; endorphins form
chemical in the brain able to transform pain; amorphous without distinct shape or form.
immortal - living forever, unable to die; mortal - certain to die;
death
mortician - an undertaker.
death
immortal, mortality, mortuary
Latin
motion - the act of moving; motivate - to move someone to
move
action; promote to move someone forward; removable - able to
be taken or carried away.
move, motion
mobile, momentum, motor, move
Latin
milk
emulsion
Latin
many, much
multiple, multiplex, multitude
Latin
many, more than one multicolored - having many colors; multimedia - using a range
or two
of media; multitasking - doing many things at once.
wall
immured, mural
Latin
thief
mouse
Latin
fly
Muscicapidae, Muscidae
Latin
immutable - not changing; mutant - an organism that has
change
undergone change; mutate - to undergo a change.
change
mutation
Latin
mouse
musophobia
Greek
myocardium - the middle muscle of the heart; myasthenia muscle
muscle fatigue or weakness; myosin - common protein in muscle
tissue.
countless, ten
myriad
Greek
thousand
story
mythic, mythology
Greek
slime
Myxini
Greek
suck
Greek
nostril
Latin
numb
narcosis, narcotic
Greek
narrate - to tell a story; narrative - a story; narrator - a person
tell
who tells a story.
tell
narrative
Latin
nose
nasal
Latin
Etymological Notes
mons, montis
μορφή (morphē)
mors, mortis
movere, motus
mulgere
multus
murus, muri
mus, muris
musca, muscae
mutare
μῦς (mus)
μύριος (murios)
μῦθος (muthos)
μύξα (muxa)
naris
νάρκη (narkē)
narrare
nasus
Root
nasc-, nat-
Meanings
born
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
nascent, native
Latin
innate - included since birth; natal - relating to birth; natural gotten at birth, not afterward.
astronaut
Greek
nat
born
naut-
ship
nav
ship
navne(o)necr(o)-
ship
new
dead
necr/o
dead, death
nect(o)nect-, nex-
swimming
join, tie
neg
no
negnemanemor-
say no
hair
grove, woods
neo
new, recent
nephr-
kidney
nephr/o
kidney
nesneur-
island
nerve
neur/o
nerve
neuralgia - pain along a nerve; neurologist - doctor specializing
in the nerves; neurotic - mental disorder that usually does not
include an impaired perception of reality.
nictnigrnihil-
wink
black
nothing
nictation
denigrate
annihilation
Etymological Notes
nascere, natus
ναῦς (naus)
circumnavigate - to sail around a place; naval - relating to a navy
or warships; navigate - to sail a ship through a place.
naval
neologism
necrophobia
necrophil - loving death; necrosis - the death of tissue due to
disease or injury; necrology - a list of persons who have recently
died.
nectopod
connection
negate - to say it didn't happen; negative - meaning "no"; renege to go back on a promise.
negative
nematode
nemoral
neoclassic - a revival of classic form, neocolonialism - the
indirect ("new") economical and political control of a region by
a more powerful foreign power; neonatal - a newborn child,
especially the first few weeks.
nephritis
nephritis - inflammation of the kidneys; nephrotomy - surgical
incision of a kidney; nephron - a single, excretory unit in the
kidney.
Polynesia
neurology, neurosurgeon
Latin
Greek
Greek
navis
νέος (neos)
νεκρός (nekros)
Greek
Latin
νηκτός (nektos)
nectere, nexus
Latin
Greek
Latin
negare
νῆμα (nēma)
nemus, nemoris
Greek
νεφρός (nephros)
Greek
Greek
νῆσος (nēsos)
νευρών (neurōn)
Latin
Latin
Latin
nictari
niger
nihilum
Root
noctnodnom-
Meanings
night
knot
arrangement, law
Sample Words and Definitions
nocturnal, noctambulist
node, nodule
autonomous, taxonomy
nom/in
name
misnomer - an error in naming a person or thing; nominal being something in name only but not in reality; nominate - to
name for election or appointment, to designate.
nomin-
those who let pasture
herds
name
non
no, not, without
nonnonnonagennonagesim-
not
ninth
ninety each
ninetieth
not
mark
notnothnoto-
letter, note, paper
spurious
back, south
noun, nunc
declare
nov
new
novnovnovennovendecnox-, nocnunubnucnuch-
nine
new
nine each
nineteen
harmful
nod
nomad-
nut
back of neck
Origin Language
Latin
Latin
Greek
Etymological Notes
nox, noctis
nodus
νόμος (nomos)
nomadic
Greek
nomination
nondescript - with no special characteristics; nonfiction - true,
real, not made-up; nonsense - without sense.
none
nonary
nonagenary
nonagesimal
Latin
νομάς, νομάδος (nomas,
nomados)
nomen, nominis
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
non
nonus
nonageni
nonagesimus
Latin
notare
Greek
νότος (notos)
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
novem
novus
noveni
novendecim
noxa
nuere
nubes, nubis
nux, nucis
nucha
notable - marked as worthy of attention; notarize - to certify a
signature on a legal document; annotate - to add remarks.
notaphily
announce - to declare in public; denounce - to proclaim harsh
criticism; enunciate - to speak or declare something clearly.
innovate - to introduce a new way; novelty - something new;
novice - a person who is new at a job; renovate - to make
something like new again.
novennial
innovation, nova
novenary
noxious
innuendo
nubile
nucleus
nuchal cord
Root
nudnull(i)-
Meanings
naked
none
numer
number
numernuncinuptinutriob-, o-, oc-, of-, og-,
op-, os-
number
announce
against
obstinate, obstreperous, occur, offend, omit, oppose, ostentatious
ob, op
in the way, against
object - to be against something; obscure - hard to understand;
opposition - the act of resistance or action against.
octoct-
eight
eight
octagon, octahedron, octode
octangular, octennial, octovir
oct/a/o
eight
octagon - a figure with 8 sides and 8 angles; octogenarian person in his or her 80s; octopus - sea animal with 8 arms.
octavoctogenoctogesimocton-
eighth
eighty each
eightieth
eight each
ocu
eye
oculodod-
nourish
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
denude, nudity
Latin
nullify
Latin
enumerate - to name a number of items on a list; numerology the study of magical uses of numbers; numerous - a large
number.
numeral
Latin
pronunciation
Latin
nuptial
Latin
nutrient
Latin
Etymological Notes
nudus
nullus
numerus
nuntius
nutrire
Latin
ob
Greek
Latin
ὀκτώ (oktō)
octō
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
octāvus
octogeni
octogesimus
octoni
eye
path, way
hate
octaval
octogenary
octogesimal
octonary
binoculars - lens device for seeing distances; monocula - relating
to one eye; oculist - an eye doctor.
ocular, oculus
anode, diode, odometer, pentode, tetrode, triode
odious
Latin
Greek
Latin
odont-
tooth
odontology
Greek
odoroecooedoenoesophogdooid
fragrant
house
swollen
wine
gullet
eighth
like
odorous
ecology
oedema
oenology
oesophagus
ogdoad
organoid, mucoid
Latin
Greek
Greek
Greek
Greek
Greek
Greek
oculus, oculare
ὁδός (hodos)
odium
ὀδούς, ὀδόντος (odous,
odontos)
odor
οἶκος (oikos)
οἴδημα (oidēma)
οἶνος (oinos)
οἰσοφάγος (oisophagos)
ὄγδοος (ogdoos)
-οειδής (-oeidēs)
Root
oleolecranoligolivoma
omasomentominomm-
Meanings
oil
skull of elbow
few
olive
cancer
paunch
fat skin
creepy
eye
omni
all
omniomoomphaloneronomontonym
oo-
opacoperoperculophiophthalmopisthopoter-
all
shoulder
navel
burden
name
existing
name
egg
eye, visual condition,
sight
shady
work
little cover
snake
eye
behind
either
opt
best
optoptoptimororborchordin-
eye
choose
best
mouth
circle
testicle
order
op/t/s
Sample Words and Definitions
oleosity
olecranon
oligarchy
olivaceous, olivary, olivette
omasum
ominous
ommatidium
omnipotent - with all the power; omniscient - knowing all
things; omnivorous eating all foods.
omnipotence, omnivore
omphalectomy
onerous
onomatopoeia
ontogeny, ontology
antonym, pseudonym, synonym
oocyte
optic - relating to the eyes; optician - a person who fits
eyeglasses; autopsy - the examination of a dead body.
opacity
opera
ophiophagy
ophthalmology
opisthosoma, opsimath
optimal - the best, the most desirable; optimize - to make the
best of; optimum - the best something could be.
optical
adopt, optional
optimum
oral, orator
orbit
orchid
ordinal, ordinary
Origin Language
Latin
Greek
Greek
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Etymological Notes
oleum
ὠλέκρανον (ōlekranon)
ὀλίγος (oligos)
oliva
-ωμα
omasum
omentum
omen, ominis
ὄμμα (omma)
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Greek
Greek
Greek
Greek
omnis
ὀμφαλός (omphalos)
onus, oneris
όνομα (onoma)
ὄντος (ontos)
ὄνυμα (onuma)
(oion)
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Greek
Greek
Greek
opacus
opus, operis
operculum
ὄφις (ophis)
ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos)
ὄπισθεν (opisthen)
ὁπότερος (hopoteros)
Greek
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
ὀπτός (optos)
optare
optimus
os, oris
orbis
ὄρχις (orchis)
ōrdō, ordinis
Root
ori-, ortornornith(o)orth(o)-
Meanings
organ, instrument,
tool
eastern
decorate
bird
straight
ortho
straight
oscilloss(i)-
swing
bone
osteo
bone
osteoostiostracot-
ov-
bone
entrance
shell
ear
goes beyond,
surpasses, exceeds
egg
over
excessive
ovi-
sheep
oxy
sharp
oxypacpachpaedpaginpalpalae-, pale-
sharp, pointed
peace
thick
child
page
stake
ancient, old
organ-
out
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
Etymological Notes
organism
Greek
ὄργανον (organon)
orient
adorn, ornament, ornate
ornithology
orthodontist, orthodoxy, orthosis
orthodontist - a dentist that straightens teeth; orthopedic - a
doctor concerned with the proper alignment of the bones;
orthography - the correct way of writing.
oscillation
ossification
Latin
Latin
Greek
Greek
oriri, ortus
ōrnāre
ὄρνις (ornis, ornithos)
ὀρθός (orthos)
Latin
Latin
oscillum
os, ossis
Greek
Latin
Greek
Greek
ὀστοῦν (ostoun)
ostium
ὄστρακον (ostrakon)
οὖς, ωτός (ous, ōtos)
Latin
ovum
Latin
ovis
Greek
Latin
Greek
Greek
Latin
Latin
Greek
ὀξύς (oxus)
pax, pacis
παχύς (pachus)
παῖς, παιδός (pais, paidos)
pagina
palus
παλαιός (palaios)
osteoarthritis - inflammation caused by degeneration of the
joints; osteopathy - therapy that uses among others manipulation
of the skeleton to restore health; osteology - the study of bones.
osteoporosis
ostiole
ostracism
otology
Outgoing - being of lively, sharing nature; outdoing - doing
better than; outdoor - outside.
oval, ovary, ovule
overconfident - more confident than is appropriate; overstock more supplies than is desirable; overexcited - ,more excited than
one should be.
ovine
oxymoron - combining two ideas that sharply contradict each
other; oxydize - corrode a surface.
oxygen, oxymoron
pacifism
pachydermata, Pachypodium
paediatric
pagination
impalement, pale
paleontology
Root
pale/o
palinpallpallipalmpalustr(i)pan
pan-, pampand-, panspar(a)para
para
parietpart(i)parthen(o)parvpasc-, pastpasspasserpatpater, patr/i
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
paleontology - study of ancient fossils; paleography - the study
ancient
of ancient forms of writing; Paleolithic - period of the Stone
Age.
back
palindrome
Greek
be pale
pallid, pallor
Latin
mantle
pallium
Latin
palm
palmate
Latin
in marshes
palustral
Latin
panacea - a cure for all diseases or problems; panorama - an allall, any, everyone
around view; pantheism - the worship of all gods; pandemic affecting all.
all
pandemic
Greek
spread
expand, expansion
Latin
beside, near
parallel, parameter
Greek
parasite - an organism that lives on and off another living being;
parallel - alongside and always an equal distance apart;
beside, beyond,
paragraph - a portion of a writtenn document that presents a
abnormal, assistant
distinct idea.
parachute - protection from falling; parasol - an umbrella used to
protection from
protect from the sun;
wall
parietal
Latin
part
bipartite, partition
Latin
maiden
parthenogenesis
Greek
little
parvovirus
Latin
feed
pasture, repast
Latin
pace, step
Latin
sparrow
passeriform, passerine
Latin
be open
patent
Latin
paternal - relating to fathers; paternity - fatherhood; patriarch - a
father
man who rules a group.
path
feeling, emotion
path-
feel, hurt
suffer, feel, endure,
permit
pati-, pass-
Etymological Notes
πάλιν (palin)
pallere
pallium
palma
paluster
πᾶς, παντός (pas, pantos)
pandere, pansus
παρά (para)
paries, parietis
pars, partis
παρθένος (parthenos)
parvus
pascere, pastus
passus
passer
patere
antipathy - a feeling of great dislike; apathy - a lack of feeling or
interest; empathy - ability to understand another's feelings.
pathetic, pathology
Greek
πάθος (pathos)
passive, patience
Latin
pati, passus
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
Etymological Notes
patr-
father
patriarch
Greek
πατήρ, πατριά (patēr, patria)
patr(i)paucpavpeccpectpectorpecunpedped-
father
few
sin
fixed
chest
money
child
foot
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
pater, patris
paucus
pavire
peccare
πηκτός (pēktos)
pectus, pectoris
pecunia
παῖς, παιδός (pais, paidos)
pes, pedis
ped/i/e
foot, feet
pejor-
worse
Latin
pejor
pel
drive, force
pell-, pulspenpend-, penspenn-, pinnpent-
drive
almost
hang
feather
five
patrilocal
paucal, paucity
pavement
impeccable
pectic, pectin
pectoral
pecuniary
pedagogy
pedal, quadruped
pedal - a lever pushed by the foot; pedestrian - one who walks;
pedicure - cosmetic treatment of feet and toes.
pejorative
compel - to force someone to act; expel - to drive someone out
of a place; repel - to force back.
propellent, propulsor, repellent
peninsula, penultimate, penumbra
suspend
pennate, pinnate
pentagon, pentode, pentagrid
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
pellere, pulsus
paene
pendere
penna
πέντε (pente)
pent/a
five
pentagon - shape having 5 angles and 5 sides, pentagram - a fivepointed star formerly used as a symbolic figure in magic;
pentathlon - an athletic contest that includes five events.
pentecost-
fiftieth
pentecostalism
Greek
pept-
to digest
peptic, peptide
Greek
πεντηκοστός (pentēkostos)
πέσσειν, πεπτός (pessein,
peptos)
pept, peps
per
dyspepsia - abnormal digestion; peptic - aiding digestion; pepsin
- a digestive enzyme.
permanent - lasting throughout all time; permeate - to spread
through, throughout
throughout; persist - to continue for a long time; perennial lasting through many years.
digestion
per-
thoroughly, through
peran-
across, beyond
perfection, persistence
Latin
per
Greek
πέραν (peran)
Root
Meanings
peri
around, enclosing
peripersicpessimpetpetrphae(o)phag-
around
peach
worst
strive towards
rock
dark
eat
phag/e
to eat
phalang-
close formation of
troops, finger bones
phaneropharmacpherphil-, -phile
having a patch of
white
visible
drug, medicine
bear, carry
love, friendship
phil/o
love, friend
phlegphloephobphon(o)-
heat
tree bark
fear
sound
phon/o/e/y
sound
phorphos-, phot-
carry, bear
light
phot/o
light
phalar-
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
periodontal - pertaining to bone and tissue around a tooth;
peripheral - lying outside of the center; perimeter - the outer
boundary of an area.
perimeter, periscope
Greek
Greek
pessimal
Latin
appetite, competition
Latin
petroglyph
Greek
phaeomelanin
Greek
sarcophagus
Greek
esophagus - muscular tube that carries food to the stomach;
anthropophagy or sarcophagy - cannibalism; xylophagous feeding on wood.
Etymological Notes
περί (peri)
περσικός (persikos)
pessimus
petere
πέτρα (petra)
φαιός (phaios)
φαγεῖν (phagein)
phalanges
Greek
φάλαγξ, φάλαγγος (phalanx,
phalangos)
phalarope
Greek
φάλαρος (phalāros)[1]
phanerozoic
pharmacy
pheromone
philosophy, hydrophile
philanthropist - one who loves humanity; philology - the love of
words; philosophy - the love of wisdom; bibliophil - loving
books.
phlegm, phlegmatics
phlobaphene, phloem
hydrophobia
homophone, microphone, phonograph
cacophony - loud, unpleasant sounds; microphone - a device that
records and amplifies sound; phonetic - relating to human
speech sounds.
metaphor
phosphor, photograph
Greek
Greek
Greek
Greek
φανερός (phaneros)
φάρμακον (pharmakon)
φέρω (pherō)
φιλέω (phileō, philia)
Greek
Greek
Greek
Greek
φλέγω (phlegō)
φλοιός (phloios)
φόβος (phobos)
φωνή (phōnē)
Greek
Greek
φόρος (phoros)
φῶς, φωτός (phōs, phōtos)
photogenic - caused by light; photograph - image made on lightsensitive film; photon - the smallest possible unit of light.
Root
phragm-
Meanings
fence
Sample Words and Definitions
diaphragm
Origin Language
Greek
Etymological Notes
φράγμα (phragma)
phren-
diaphragm, mind
schizophrenia
Greek
φρήν, φρενός (phrēn, phrenos)
phryn(o)phylphyll-
toad, toad-like
tribe
leaf
Greek
Greek
Greek
φρύνη (phrunē)
φύλον (phulon)
φύλλον (phullon)
Greek
Greek
φύσις (phusis)
φυσά, φούσκα (phusa,
phouska)
φυτόν (phuton)
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
Greek
pix, picis
pilus
pinus
πίνειν (pinein)
pingere, pictus
pinguis
pirus
πίσος (pisos)
piscis
πλάξ, πλακός (plax, plakos)
placare, placatus
placēre, placitus
πλάγιος (plagios)
planus
plangere, planctus
πλάθω (plathō)
phyll/o
phys
phys-
Phrynobatrachus
phylogenetics, phylum
chlorophyll, phyllotaxis
chlorophyll - a group of green pigments found in leaves;
leaf
phyllotaxis - the arrangement of leaves on a stem; phyllite - a
rock that forms sheets, similar to slate.
nature, medicine, the physical - relating to the body; physician - a doctor; physique body
nature and shape of one's body.
nature
physics
physa-
bladder
phyt-
plant
phyt/o/e
plant, to grow
picpilpinpin(o)ping-, pictpingupirpispiscplacplacplac-, -plicplagiplanplang-, planctplas-
pitch
hair
pine
drink
paint
fat
pear
pea
fish
plate, tablet
calm
please
oblique
flat
mould
Greek
neophyte, phytoplankton
epiphyte - a plant growing independently on the surface of
another; hydrophyte - a plant that grows only in water; neophyte a beginner, especially a person recently converted to a new
belief.
depilatory, epilator
pineal gland
pinocytosis
depiction, picture
Pinguicula
piriformis muscle
Pisces, piscivore
placate
placebo, placid
plagioclase
explanation, planar, plane
plangent
plasma, plastic
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
plas/t/m
to form,
development,
forming cells
protoplasm - something that is the first made or formed, also the
living portion of a cell; plastic - able to be formed, especially
when warm; plaster - a mixture of lime, sand and water that
forms a smooth solid covering for walls.
flat, broad
platyplaud-, -plod-, plaus-,
-plosple-, pletplebplecplect-, plexplenplesiplethpleurplicplinthplorpluplumplumbplurplurimplusplutopluvipneu-
Origin Language
Etymological Notes
platypus
Greek
πλατύς (platus)
clap
applaud, applause, explosion, implode
Latin
plaudere, plausus
fill
people
interwoven
plait
full
near
full
side
fold
brick
complement, suppletion
plebian, plebs
plectics, symplectomorphism
perplex
plenary
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
Greek
Greek
Greek
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Greek
plere
plebs, plebis
πλέκω (plekō)
plectere, plexus
plenus
πλησίος (plēsios)
πλῆθος (plēthos)
πλευρά (pleura)
plicare, plicatus
πλίνθος (plinthos)
plorare
pluere
pluma
plumbum
pluris
plurimus
plus
πλοῦτος (ploutos)
pluvia
πνεῦμα (pneuma)
Greek
πούς, ποδός (pous, podos)
plethora
duplication, replicate
implore
pod-
rain
feather
lead
more
most
more
wealth
rain
air, lung
breathing, lung, air,
spirit
foot
pod/e
foot
podiatrist - a doctor for the feet; podium - a small platform to
stand on; tripod - a stand or frame with 3 legs.
pogon(o)-
beard
pogonotrophy
Greek
poie-
make
poiesis
Greek
pneum/o
plumage, plumate
plural
plutocracy
pluvial
pneumatic
pneumonia - inflammation of the lungs; pneumatic - using the
force of air; dyspnea - difficulty breathing.
podiatry, tripod
πώγων, πώγωνος (pōgōn,
pōgōnos)
ποιέω (poieō)
Root
polpole-, polipolem-
Meanings
pole
city
war
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
dipole, polar
Greek
metropolis, politics
Greek
polemic
Greek
metropolis - a large city; police - people who work for the
government to maintain order in a city; politics - actions of a
government or political party.
Greek
Latin
pollination
Latin
poli
city
poli(o)pollicpollin-
grey
thumb
poly
many, more than one
poly-
many
pon
place, put
pon-, positponderpont-
put
weight
bridge
pop
people
populporporcporphyr-
people
passage
pig
purple
port
carry
export - to carry goods out of a place to another; portable - able
to be carried; porter - a person who carries luggage.
portport-
gate
carry
portal
export, transportation
pos
place, put
deposit - to place or drop something; expose to place out into the
open for all to see; position - the place where someone is.
post
after, behind
post-
after, behind
Etymological Notes
πόλος (polos)
πόλις (polis)
πόλεμος (polemos)
πολιός (polios)
pollex, pollicis
pollen, pollinis
polychrome - with many colors; polyglot - a person fluent in
many languages; polygon - shape with 3 or more straight sides.
polygon
opponent - a person who places him/herself against an action,
idea, etc.; postpone - to put off doing something.
component, position, postpone
preponderance
pontoon
popular - appealing to a lot of people; population - all of the
people who live in a particular area; populist - a supporter of the
rights of people.
population
pore
porcine, pork
porphyrin
posthumous - after someone's death; postpone - to delay
something; postscript - an addition to an already completed
document.
posterior, postscript
Greek
πολύς (polus)
Latin
Latin
Latin
ponere, positus
pondus, ponderis
pons, pontis
Latin
Greek
Latin
Greek
populus, populare
πόρος (poros)
porcus
πορφύρα (porphura)
Latin
Latin
porta
portare, portatus
Latin
post
Root
potpotamprasinpratprav-
Meanings
drink
river
leek-green
meadow
crooked
Sample Words and Definitions
potable
Mesopotamia, hippopotamus
prasinous
Origin Language
Latin
Greek
Greek
Latin
Latin
Etymological Notes
potus, potare
ποταμός (potamos)
πράσινος (prasinos)
pratum
pravus
pre
earlier, before, in
front of
preamble - a part in front of a formal document; prepare - to get
ready in advance; prediction - a statement foretelling the future.
preprecpredprehend-, prend-,
prehens-
before
pray
previous
deprecation
predator
Latin
Latin
Latin
prae
prex, precis, precāri
praeda, praedari
grasp
comprehend
Latin
prehendere, prehensus
prem-, -prim-, press-
press
pressure
Latin
premere, pressus
presbypreterpretiprimpriorpriv(i)-
old
past
price
first
former
separate
Presbyterianism
preterite, pretermission
Greek
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
πρέσβυς (presbus)
praeter
pretium, pretiare
primus
prior
privus, privare, privatus
pro
before, in front of,
for, forward
Greek
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Greek
Greek
πρό (pro)
pro
probus, probare
πρωκτός (prōktos)
proprius
πρός (pros)
πρῶτος (prōtos)
Latin
Latin
Greek
proximus, proximare
prunus
ψάμμος (psammos)
proproprobproctpropripros(o)prot(o)prot/o
proximprunpsamma-
before, in front of
for, forward
try
anus
forward
first
depravity
primary, primeval, primitive
priority
deprivation, privilege
prognosis - a prediction of what will happen; prologue - a
passage before the main part; prophet - a person who foretells
the future.
propulsion
probation
proctology
appropriate, propriety
protoplasm
prototype - the first of a kind; proton - on of the very basic parts
primitive, first, chief
of an atom; protocol - a first draft from which a document is
prepared.
nearest
approximate, proximity
plum
prune
sand
Root
pseud(o)-
Meanings
false
pseud/o
wrong,false
psil(o)psych(o)-
bare
mind
psych/o
mind, mental
psychr(o)pterptoptyalptychpubipublicpudepugn-
cold
wing, fern
fall
saliva
fold, layer
sexually mature
pugn/a, pung
to fight
pul
urge
pulchrpulmonpulverpung-, punctpunipuppur-
beautiful
lung
dust
prick
punish
doll
pure
purg
clean
purgpurpur-
cleanse
purple
fight
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
pseudonym
Greek
pseudonym - a fictitious name; pseudoscience - theories
presumed without proof of a scientific nature; pseudopregnancy a false pregnancy.
epsilon
Greek
psycho
Greek
psyche - the human spirit or soul; psychic - relating to the human
mind or someone who has supernatural mental abilities;
psychology - the study of the mind.
Greek
helicopter
Greek
ptosis
Greek
Greek
triptych
Greek
pubescent, pubic
Latin
publication
Latin
impudent
Latin
pugnacious, repugnant
Latin
pugnacious - having a quarrelsome or aggressive nature;
repugnant - distasteful, offensive or revolting; pungent piercing.
Etymological Notes
ψευδής (pseudēs)
ψιλός (psilos)
ψυχή (psuchē)
ψυχρός (psuchros)
πτερόν (pteron)
πτώσης (ptōsēs)
πτύον (ptyon)
πτύξ, πτυχή (ptuchē)
pubes
publicus
pudere
pugna, pugnare
compulsion - a very strong urge; expulsion - to someone out;
impulsive - having a spontaneous urge to do something.
pulchritude
pulmonary
pulverize
puncture, pungent
punitive
pupa, puppet
impurity, purify
purge - remove anything undesirable; purgatory - according to
Roman Catholics a place where souls must clean themselves of
sin; expurgate - remove objectionable passages from a
publication.
expurgate, purgatory, purge
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
pulcher, pulchri
pulmo, pulmonis
pulvis, pulveris
pungere, punctus
punire, punitus
pupa
purus
Latin
Latin
purgare
purpura
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
computer - an electronic thinking device; dispute - to disagree
with what another person thinks; input - contribution of one's
thinking.
compute, putative
Latin
pygostyle, callipygian
Greek
pylon
Greek
pyrolysis
Greek
pyrotechnics - the art of making fireworks; pyrometer - a
thermometer for measuring high temperature; pyretic - relating
to or producing fever.
put
think
putpyg(o)pylpyr(o)-
prune, reckon
rump
gate
heat, fire
pyr/o
fire, heat
quad/r/ri
four
quadrant - open space with buildings on 4 sides; quadrennium period of 4 years; quadruped - a 4-footed animal.
quadrquadragenquadragesim-
four
forty each
fortieth
quadrangle, quadrillion
quadragenary
quadragesimal
quart
fourth
quarter - one fourth; quart - a fourth of a gallon; quartet - a
musical composition or group involving 4 voices or instruments.
quartquasiquaternquati-, quassquer-, -quir-, quesit-, quisitquiquin-
fourth
as if
four each
shake
Etymological Notes
putāre
πυγή (pugē)
πυλών, πυλῶνος (pulōn)
πῦρ, πυρός (pur, puros)
Latin
Latin
Latin
quattuor
quadrageni
quadragesimus
quartary, quartile
quasar
quaternary, quaternion
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
quartus
quasi
quaterni
quatere
search, seek
Inquisition, query
Latin
quaerere
rest
five each
Latin
Latin
quies
quini
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
quindecimus
quindeni
quinque
quintus
Latin
quin/t
five, fifth
quindecimquindenquinquequint-
fifteenth
fifteen each
five
fifth
quiet, requiem
quinary
quintett - a composition for 5 voices or instruments;
quintessence - pure essence, based on the ancient philosophy
that there was a fifth element that was present in all things;
quintuple - fivefold.
quindecimal
quindenary
quinquennium
quintary, quintile
quot-
how many, how great
quota, quotient
Root
rad-, rasradiradic-
Meanings
scrape, shave
beam, spoke
root
radic, radix
root
radio
radiation, ray
ram-
branch
ram/i
branch
ran-
frog
rancidness, grudge,
bitterness
turnip
seam
rancrapraphrarrauc-
harsh, hoarse
re
again, back,
backward
re-, red-
again, back
reg
guide, rule
reg-, -rig-, rectremrenrep-, reptret-
straight
oar
kidney
crawl, creep
net
retro
backward, back
retrorhabdrhach-, rach-
backward, behind
rod
spine
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
abrade, abrasion, erasure
Latin
radiance, radiation
Latin
eradicate, radical
Latin
eradicate - pull out at the roots; radical - fundamental, looking at
things from a drastic point of view; radish - an edible root of the
mustard family.
radioactive - emitting radiation; radiologist - someone
diagnosing or treating via radiation.
ramification, ramose
Latin
Etymological Notes
radere, rasus
radius, radiare
rādix, rādīcis
rāmus
ramification - the resulting consequence of a decision; ramify to spread or branch out; ramus - a branchlike part.
Rana
Latin
rana
rancid, rancor
Latin
rancere
rapeseed
Latin
Greek
Latin
Latin
rapum
ῤαφή (rhaphē)
rarus
raucus
Latin
re-
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
regere, rectus
remus
renes
repere, reptus
rete
Latin
Greek
Greek
retro
ῥάβδος (rhabdos)
ῥάχις, ῥάχεως (rhachis)
rarity
raucous
rebound -to spring back again; rewind - to wind something
backward; reaction: a response; recognize: to identify someone
or something seen before.
recede, redact
regent - a person who rules on behalf of a king or queen; regime a government that rules; regulate - to apply a rule.
dirigible, erect, erection, rectum
bireme, trireme
renal
reptile
reticle, retina
retroactive - relating to something in the past; retrogress - to go
back to an earlier condition; retrospect - the remembering of past
events.
retrograde, retrospective, retrovirus
rhabdoid, rhabdom
rhachiodont
Root
rhagrherhigrhin-
Meanings
tear, rent
flow
chill
nose, snout
rhin/o
nose
rhizrhod(o)-
root
rose
rhod/o
red
rhombrhynch-
spinning top
snout
rid
laugh
rid-, risroborrod-, rosrogrostrrot-
laugh
oak, strength
gnaw
ask
beak, prow
wheel
rrh/ea/oea/ag
flow, discharge
rub
red
ruber-, rubrrugruminrump-, rupt-
red
wrinkle
throat
break
rupt
break, burst
rursacchar-
country
sugar
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
rhagades
Greek
rheostat
Greek
rhigosaurus
Greek
rhinoplasty
Greek
rhinoceros - a species of animals with a big horn on the snout;
rhinoplasty - surgery of the nose; rhinovirus - viruses that are
causing the common cold.
rhizome
Greek
rhododendron
Greek
rhododendron - a flower with red/pink flowers; rhodium - an
element which produces a red solution; rhodopsin - a purple
pigment in the retina that is needed for vision.
rhombus
Greek
Rhynchobatus
Greek
deride - to make fun of someone; ridicule - to make fun or mock;
ridiculous - silly, causing laughter.
derision, ridicule
Latin
corroboration
Latin
corrode, erosion, rodent
Latin
derogatory, interrogation
Latin
rostral, rostriform, rostrum
Latin
rotation
Latin
diarrhea - abnormally excessive bowl movement; hemorrhage heavy blood flow; catarrh - inflammation of a mucous
membrane, especially the nose and throat.
Etymological Notes
ῥαγίζω
ῥεῖν (rhein)
ῥῖγος (rhigos)
ῥίς, ῥινός (rhis, rhinos)
ῥίζα (rhiza)
ῥόδον (rhodon)
ῥόμβος (rhombos)
ῥύγχος
ridere, risus
robur, roboris
rodere, rosus
rogare
rostrum
rota, rotare
ruby - deep red color and a precious stone of the same color;
rubella - measles; bilirubin - reddish pigment in bile.
rubric, ruby
corrugation
rumination
eruption, rupture, interrupt
bankrupt - unable to pay because you're "broke"; interrupt - to
break into a conversation or event, to disturb; rupture - a break
in something.
rural
saccharin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
ruber
ruga, rugare
rumen, ruminis
rumpere, ruptus
Latin
Greek
rus, ruris
σάκχαρον (sakcharon)
Root
sacr-, secrsagacsagittsalsali-, -sili-, saltsalicsalv-
Meanings
sacred
wise
arrow
salt
jump
willow
save
Sample Words and Definitions
consecrate, sacrament
sagacity
sagittal plane, Sagittaria
salinity
resilient, salient, saltus
salicin
salvation
Origin Language
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Etymological Notes
sacer, sacrare
sagax, sagacis
sagitta
sal, salis, salere
salire, saltus
salix, salicis
salvus, salvare
san
health
sane - mentally healthy; sanitary - relating to cleanliness and
health; sanitation - maintenance of public health and cleanliness.
sansancsanguinsapi-, -sipisaponsarc(o)saursaxscabscalscalenscand-, -scend-, scans, -scens-
healthy
holy
blood
taste, wise
soap
flesh
lizard, reptile
rock
scratch
ladder, stairs
uneven
scabies
scalar, scale
scalene muscles, scalene triangle
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Greek
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
sanus
sancire, sanctus
sanguis, sanguinis
sapere
sapo, saponis
σάρξ, σαρκός (sarx, sarkos)
σαῦρος (sauros)
saxum
scabere
scala
σκαληνός (skalēnos)
climb
ascend, transcendent
Latin
scandere
scaphoid bone
Greek
σκάφη, σκάφος
isosceles
ascend - to climb upward; crescendo - a climbing up of the
volume of music; descend - to go or climb down.
schematic
schism
Greek
σκέλος, σκέλεος (skelos)
Greek
Greek
σχῆμα (schēma)
σχίζω, σχίσμα (schisma)
Latin
Latin
Greek
scire
scindere
σκληρός (sklēros)
insane, sanity
sanctify, sanctuary
consanguinity, sanguine
insipience, sapient
saponification
sarcophagus
dinosaur
scel-
anything hollow,
bowl, ship
leg, thigh
scend
climb, go
schemschis-
plan
split
sci
know
conscience - sense of knowing right from wrong; conscious knowing what is happening; omniscient - knowing everything.
sciscind-, scissscler-
know
split
hard
prescient, science
rescind, scissors
scleroderma, sclerosis
scaph-
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
scler/o
hard
arteriosclerosis - hardening of the arterial walls; multiple
sclerosis - disease which causes the tissue of the brain and spinal
cord to harden; sclerometer - instrument for measuring hardness.
scoli-
crooked
look at, examine,
view, observe
scop-, sceptscop/e/y
scrib, script
scrib-, scriptsculpscutscyphse
se-, sedsebsec-, sect-, segsect
sedsed-, -sid-, sesssedecsegetseiselenself
sellsema-
Origin Language
Etymological Notes
scoliosis
Greek
σκολιός (skolios)
horoscope, kaleidoscope, stethoscope
Greek
σκέπτομαι, σκοπός (skopos)
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
scribere, scriptus
sculpere, sculptus
scutum
χούφτα (chouphta)
Latin
Latin
Latin
se
sebum
secare
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Greek
sedare, sedatus
sedere, sessus
sedecim
segetum
σείω, σεισμός (seismos)
σελήνη (selēnē)
Latin
Greek
sella
σῆμα (sēma)
microscope - a device used to see tiny things; periscope - a
see, examine, observe seeing instrument on a submarine; telescope - a device used to
see over a distance.
inscribe - to write letters or words on a surface; scribe - a person
write, written
who writes out documents; describe - to represent with words or
pictures.
write
inscribe, scripture
carve
sculpture
shield
scute
cup
Scyphozoa
secede - to formally break away from; seclude - to keep away
apart
from; serum - a liquid isolated out of another.
apart
secede, sedition
tallow
sebaceous, sebum
cut
secant, section, segment
dissect - to cut apart piece by piece; intersection - the place or
cut
point where two things cross each other; bisect - to cut into two
equal parts.
settle, calm
sedative
sit
reside, sediment, session, supersede
sixteen
sedecimal
in cornfields
shake
seismograph
moon
Selene, selenium
self-discipline - the ability to discipline yourself; self-respect of, for, or by itself
respect for yourself; selfish concerned only with your own
interests.
saddle, seat
sella turcica
sign
semantics, semaphore
Root
Meanings
semi
half, partial
semiseminsensensenti-, sens-
half
seed
old man
six each
feel
fence, partition,
enclosure
seven
septseptsept/i
septenseptimseptuagenseptuagesimseptuagintsequ-, secutserserser-, satserpserrserv
servsesquisetseversex
sex-, sesexagensexagesimsext-
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
semiannual - every half year; semicircle - half a circle;
semiconscious - partly conscious; semiannual - every half of a
year.
semifinal
Latin
insemination
Latin
senator, senility
Latin
senary
Latin
consensus, sentient
Latin
transept
septennial
September - this used to be the seventh month in the Roman
seven
calendar; septet - a group of seven musicians; septuagenarian - a
person in his/her seventies.
seven each
septenary
seventh
septimal, septime
seventy each
septuagenary
seventieth
septuagesima, septuagesimal
seventy
Septuagint
follow
consecutive, sequence
body fluid
serous
late
serein, serotine
cultivate
sative
crawl, creep
serpent
saw, saw-toothed
serration
conserve - to save or keep something safe; preserve - to save
save, keep
something; reservation - a place kept for a person.
save, protect, serve
conservation
one and a half
sesquicentennial
bristle, hair
seta, setose
stern, strict, serious
severity
sextet or sextette - a composition or group of six, sextuple six
sixfold; sexagenarian - person in his/her sixties.
six
semester, sexangle, sexennium
sixty each
sexagenary
sixtieth
sexagesimal
sixth
sextant
Etymological Notes
semis
semen, seminis
senex, senis
seni
sentire, sensus
Latin
saeptum
Latin
septem
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
septeni
septimus
septuageni
septuagesimus
septuaginta
sequere, secutus
serum
serus
serere, satus
serpere, serptus
serra, serrare
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
servare
sesqui
saeta
severus
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
sex
sexageni
sexagesimus
sextus
Root
sibilsiccsidersignsilsilv(i)simi-
Meanings
hiss
dry
star
sign
quiet or still
forest
ape, monkey
Sample Words and Definitions
sibilance
desiccation
sidereal
design, designate, signal
silence
silviculture
simian
Origin Language
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Etymological Notes
sibilus, sibilare
siccus
sidus, sideris
signum
silere
silva
simia
simil-
likeness, trust, group
assimilate, similarity
Latin
similis
simulsingulsinistrsinusinussiph(o)sistsit(o)soci-
imitating, feigning
one each
left
(to draw) a line
hollow, bay
tube
cause to stand
food, grain, wheat
group
simulation
singular
sinistral
insinuate
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Greek
Latin
simulare
singulus
sinister, sinistri
sinuare
sinus
σίφων (siphōn)
sistere
σῖτος (sitos)
socius, sociare
sol
alone
desolate - lonely, dismal, gloomy; solitary - done alone, by
yourself; solo - a performance done by one person alone.
sol
sun
solar - involving the sun; parasol - umbrella protecting from the
sun; solarium - a room where one is exposed to sun light.
solsolsolsolensolv-, solutsomasomn-
sun
comfort, soothe
alone, only
pipe, channel
loosen, set free
body
sleep
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Greek
Latin
sol, solis
solari
solus
σωλήν (sōlēn)
solvere, solutus
σῶμα (sōma)
somnus
somn/I
sleep
somni-
dream
Latin
somnium
son
sound
siphon
consist, persistence
sitology
associate, social
solar
consolation
desolate, sole, solo, solipsism
solenoid
dissolve, solution
somatic
insomnia
insomnia - inability to fall asleep; somniloquy - talking in your
sleep; somnolent - feeling sleepy.
consonant - a speech sound; sonorous - producing loud, full, rich
sounds; supersonic - faster than sound; unison - as one voice.
Root
son-
Meanings
sound
Sample Words and Definitions
resonance
soph
wise
philosopher - a wise person; sophisticated - wise about the ways
of the world; sophism - a clever but misleading argument.
sophsorb-, sorptsordsororspatispec-, -spic-, spect-
wise
suck
dirt
sister
space
look
spec/t, spic
see, look
spectspeculsperspermsphen(o)spher-
watch, look at
observe
hope
seed
wedge
ball
sphere
ball
sphinctspicspin-
closing
spike
thorn
spir
breathe
spir-
breathe
a surety, guarantee;
give assurance,
promise solemnly
vertebra
spew, spit
scaly, dirty, filthy
scale
spreading at tips
stand
spond-, sponsspondylspu-, sputsqualsquamsquarrosst-
sophist
absorb, absorption
sordid
sorority
spatial
conspicuous, inspection, specimen
circumspect - cautious, looking all around; retrospective - a
looking back at past things; spectator - a person who sees an
event.
spectator
speculation
desperation, esperance
angiosperm
sphere, spheroid
biosphere - the whole round surface of the earth; hemisphere half the earth spherically shaped like a ball.
sphincter
spicule
spine
inspire - to stimulate or animate; transpire - to give of vapor with
waste product through the skin or a membrane; spirit - invisible
life force.
respiration
sputum
squalid, squalor
stable, station, status, statistic, statue
Origin Language
Latin
Etymological Notes
sonus
Greek
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
σοφός (sophos)
sorbere
sordes, sordere
soror
spatium
specere
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Greek
Greek
spectare
speculari
spes, sperare
σπέρμα (sperma)
σφήν (sphēn)
σφαῖρα (sphaira)
Greek
Latin
Latin
σφίγγα
spica
spina
Latin
spirare
Latin
spondere, sponsus
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
spuere
squalere
squama
stare, status
Root
Meanings
sta
stand
stagn-
pool of standing
water
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
stable - standing steady and firm; stagnant - standing still, not
moving; stationary - at a standstill, fixed.
Etymological Notes
stagnant
Latin
stagnare
Greek
Greek
Latin
Latin
σταλακτίτης (stalaktitēs)
σταλαγμός (stalagmos)
stannum
statuere
στέαρ, στέατος (stear, steatos)
stalactstalagmstannstatu-, -stitu-
tin
stand
stalactite
stalagmite
stannous
institution, statute
stea-
fat, tallow
stearic acid
Greek
steg-
covering
Greek
stell
star
stellstensteresternstern-, stratstichstigstillstimulstingu-, stinctstochstomstreptstrigstrigosstring-, strictstrophstru-, struct-
star
narrow
solid
breastbone
spread, strew
line, row
steganography
constellation - a group of stars that forms a pattern; interstellar between the stars; stellar - relating to stars.
constellation, stellar
stenography
drip
goad, rouse, excite
apart
aim
mouth
twisted
compress
having stiff bristles
upright, stiff
turning
structure , building
struct
build
studstupstyl-
dedication
wonder
column, pillar
sternum
stratify
stigma
distillation
stimulate
distinction, distinguish
stochastic
stomatoplasty
strigogyps
stringent
apostrophe
construction, construe
construct - to build; destruction - the act of destroying something
that was built; structure - something built; infrastructure underlying framework of a system.
student
stupor
stylus
Latin
Greek
Greek
Greek
Latin
Greek
Greek
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Greek
Greek
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
stella
στενός (stenos)
στερεός (stereos)
στέρνον (sternon)
sternere, stratus
στίχος (stichos)
στίγμα (stigma)
stilla, stillare
stimulus
stinguere
στόχος
στόμα (stoma)
στρεπτός (streptos)
strix, strigis
Latin
Latin
Greek
studere
stupere
στῦλος (stulos)
stringere, strictus
στροφή (strophē)
struere, structus
Root
su-, sutsuad-, suassuavsub
sub-, su-, sussubtersucrsudsuisulcsum
sum-, sumptsuper
supersupinsuprasurdsurgsy/m/n/l/s
syn-, sy-, syl-, sym-
Meanings
sew
urge
sweet
under, lower than,
inferior to
below
under
sugar
sweat
self
furrow
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
suture
Latin
persuasion
Latin
suave
Latin
submarine - an underwater boat; submerge - to put underwater;
substandard - inferior to accepted standards.
submerge
Latin
subterfuge
Latin
sucrose
Latin
sudoriferous
Latin
suicide
Latin
sulcus
Latin
sum - the combined total of everything; summation - the total,
highest
highest amount; summit the highest point or top.
take
assumption, consume
Latin
Super bowl - the final annual football game; superior - above
higher in quality or
average, better in quality; supersonic - faster than the speed of
quantity
sound.
above, over
supersede
Latin
lying back
supination
Latin
above, over
supranationalism
Latin
deaf
absurdity
Latin
rise
resurgent
Latin
symmetry -similarity in size, form or arrangement; synergy - the
together, with, same
combined effect; synchronize - to cause to occur at the same
time.
with
symbol, symmetry, synonym, system
Greek
Etymological Notes
suere, sutus
suadere, suasus
suavis
sub
subter
sudare
sui
sulcus
sumere, sumptus
super
supinus
supra
surdus
surgere
syring-
pipe
syringe
Greek
tac-, -tictach-
be silent
swift
Latin
Greek
tact, tang
touch
reticent, tacit
tachometer
contact - a state in which two things touch; tactile - relating to
the sense of touch; tangible - able to be touched; intact - with
nothing missing.
σύν (sun)
σύριγξ, σύριγγος (syrinx,
syringos)
tacere, tacitus
ταχύς (tachus)
taeniatal-
ribbon
ankle
Greek
Latin
ταινία (tainia)
talus
tang-, -ting-, tact-, tag-
touch
Latin
tangere, tactus
contact, tactile, tangent
Root
tapettard-
Meanings
carpet
slow
Sample Words and Definitions
tars-
ankle
taurtaurtax-
bull
bull
arrangement, order
tax/o
techntechno
teg-, tecttel/e/o
teleteleotemntemp/or
temporten-, -tin-, tenttend-, tenstenutepter-, tritteretterg-, tersterm/ina
termin-
retard, tardigrade, tardy
Origin Language
Latin
Latin
Etymological Notes
tapete, tapetis
tardus
tarsal
Greek
ταρσός (tarsos, a flat basket)
Greek
Latin
Greek
ταῦρος (tauros)
taurus
τάξις (taxis)
Greek
τέχνη (technē)
Latin
tegere, tectus
Greek
Greek
Greek
τῆλε (tēle)
τέλος (telos)
τέμνω (temnō)
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
tempus, temporis
tenere, tentus
tendere, tensus
tenuis
tepere
terere, tritus
teres, teretis
tergere, tersus
Latin
terminus
Minotaur
Taurus
taxonomy
syntax - the systematic arrangement of words; taxonomy - the
arrangement
science of classification; ataxia - loss of the ability to coordinate
muscle action.
art, skill
technology
technology - the practical application of knowledge; technocracy
technique, skill
- rule of technology; technologically - characterized by
technology.
cover
integument, protection
telephone - a device to talk to a distant person; telescope - a
device to view distant objects; television - a device to receive
far, distant, complete
pictures from afar; telecommuting - working remotely, bridging
the distance via virtual devices.
far, end
telegram, telephone, telescope
complete
teleology
cut
contemporary - existing at the same time; temporal - relating to
time
time; temporary - lasting for a limited time.
time
contemporary, temporal, temporary
hold
continent, detention, tenacious, tenor
stretch, strain
extend, extension
slender, thin
attenuate, tenuous
be warm
tepid, tepor
rub
attrition, contrite, detritus, trite
rounded
subterete, teretial
wipe
detergent, terse
determine - to find something out at the end of an investigation;
end, limit
terminate - to end; exterminate - to destroy or get rid of
completely.
boundary, limit, end
determine, terminal, termination
Root
ternterr-
Meanings
three each
dry land
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
ternary, ternion
Latin
subterranean, terrace, terracotta, terrain
Latin
extraterrestrial - existing outside the earth; terrain - ground or
land; territory - an area of land.
tertian, tertiary
Latin
testament, testimony
Latin
tetrahedron, tetrode
Greek
terr/a/i
land, earth
tertitesttetr-
third
witness
four
tetra
four
tex-, textthalamthalassthanthethe(o)-, thus-
weave
chamber, bed
sea
death
put
god
the/o
god
monotheism - belief in one god; polytheism - worshiping more
than one god; theology - the study of religion, god, etc.
theca
thel(o)theoritherm-
case
Bibliotheca
heat, warm
therm/o
heat
therothymothyreotimting-, tincttomtontoptorntorpetorqu-, tort-
beast, animal
mood
large shield
be afraid
moisten
cut
stretch
place
cut
numb
twist
Etymological Notes
terni
terra
tertius
testis
τετρά (tetra-)
tetrapod - having 4 legs; tetrarchy - government by 4 rulers;
tetrose - a monosaccharide with four carbon atoms.
texture, textile
Panthalassa
euthanasia
theme, thesis
theology, enthusiasm
theorem, theory
thermometer, endotherm
thermal - relating to heat; thermos - an insulated jar that keeps
heat in; thermostat - a device that controls heat.
theropod
dysthymia
thyroid
timid
tincture
ectomy, atom, tome
tone, isotonic
topic, topography
torpor
extortion, torque, torture
Latin
Greek
Greek
Greek
Greek
Greek
texere, textus
θάλαμος (thalamos)
θάλασσα (thalassa)
θάνατος (thanatos)
τίθημι (tithemi)
θεός (theos)
Greek
Greek
Greek
Greek
θήκη (thēka)
θηλή
θεωρία
θερμός (thermos)
Greek
Greek
Greek
Latin
Latin
Greek
Greek
Greek
Greek
Latin
Latin
θήρ, θηρός
θυμός
θυρεός
timere
tingere, tinctus
τομή (tome), τόμος (tomos)
τόνος (tonos)
τόπος (topos)
tornare < τόρνος (tornos)
torpere
torquere, tortus
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
tort
twist
contortion - a twisted shape or position; distort - to alter the
shape or condition of; retort - reply in a manner that is supposed
to change the effect of something previously said.
tot-
all, whole
tox
poison
tox(o)trabtrachy-
arrow, bow
beam
rough
tract
pull, drag
trag(o)trah-, tract-
goat
draw, pull
trans
across,beyond,
through
trans-, tra-, trantrapeztraumtrecenttredectreiskaidektremtrema-
across
four-sided, table
wound
three hundred
thirteen
thirteen
tremble
hole
tri
three, once in every
three, third
tritritricentricesim-, trigesimtrichtrintrit-
three
three
thirty each
thirtieth
hair
three each
third
total
detoxification - the process of removing poisons; toxic poisonous; toxicology - the study of poisons; intoxicated influenced by drugs.
trabeculae
trachea
Origin Language
Etymological Notes
Latin
totus
Greek
Latin
Greek
τόξον (toxon)
trabs, trabis
τραχύς (trachus)
Greek
Latin
τράγος (tragos)
trahere, tractus
Latin
Greek
Greek
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Greek
trans
τράπεζα (trapeza)
τραῦμα (trauma)
trecenti
tredecim
τρεισκαίδεκα (treiskaideka)
tremere
τρῆμα (trēma)
Greek
Latin
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Greek
τρεῖς, τρία (treis, tria)
trēs
triceni
tricesimus
θρίξ, τριχός (thrix, trichos)
trini
τρίτος (tritos)
attract - to pull objects nearer; distract - to drag attention away
from something; tractor - a motor vehicle that pulls things.
tragus
subtrahend, tractor
transcontinental - across the continent; transfer - to move from
one place to another; transport - to carry something across a
space.
tradition, transcend, transportation
trapezoid trapezius
trauma, traumatic
trecentennial
tredecimal
triskaidekaphobia
tremor
trematode
triangle - a figure with 3 sides and 3 angles; triathlon - an
athletic contest with 3 events; tricycle - a 3-wheeI vehicle with
pedals.
triad, trigon, tripod, triode
triangle, trivia, triumvirate
tricenary
trigesimal
trichopathophobia, peritrichous
trinity
tritagonist
Root
trochtroptrophtrud-, trustusstympantypuberuliguloultim-
Meanings
wheel
turning
feed, grow
thrust
cough
drum
stamp, model
fruitful
in marshes
wooly
farthest
Sample Words and Definitions
trochlea
tropic
pogonotrophy, trophic, dystrophy
extrusion, intrude
pertussis
tympani
archetype, phenotype, typography
exuberant
ultra
beyond, extreme,
more than
ultrahigh - extremely high; ultramodern - more modern than
anything else; ultrasonic - sound waves beyond human hearing.
un-, uniuncunciundundecimundenunguiungul-
beyond
navel
shade, shadow
not,opposite of,
lacking
one
hooked
ounce, twelfth
wave
eleventh
eleven each
claw, nail
claw, hoof
ultrasonic
umbilical
penumbra, umbrella
unabridged - not shortened; unfair - opposite of fair; unfriendly lacking friendliness.
unary, union
uncinate
uncial
abundant, undulate
undecimal
undenary
uni
one, single
ur-, urour-, uro-
tail
urine
urb
city
urburgurs-
city
work
bear
ultraumbilicumbrun
ultimate
ungulate
unicycle - a vehicle with one wheel; unilateral - decided by only
one person or nation; unique - the only one of its kind; unison as one voice.
uroid, uroborus
urology
suburb - residential area on the edge of a city; urban - relating to
a city; urbanology - the study of city life.
urban
urgent
Ursa Major, ursine
Origin Language
Greek
Greek
Greek
Latin
Latin
Greek
Greek
Latin
Latin
Greek
Latin
Etymological Notes
τροχός (trochos)
τρόπος (tropos)
τροφή, τροφός (trophos)
trudere, trusus
tussis, tussire
τύμπανον (tumpanon)
τύπος (tupos)
uber, uberare
Latin
Latin
Latin
ultra
umbilicus
umbra
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
unus, unius
uncus
uncia
unda
undecimus
undeni
unguis
ungula
Greek
Greek
οὐρά (oura)
οὖρον (ouron)
Latin
Latin
Latin
urbs, urbis
urgere
ursus
ultimus
Root
ut-, usuvuxor-
Meanings
use
grape
wife
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
usual, utility
Latin
uvea
Latin
uxoricide
Latin
evacuate - to empty a dangerous place; vacant - empty, not
occupied; vacation - a time without work.
vacancy, vacation, vacuum
Latin
evade, pervasive
Latin
vagabond, vague
Latin
vanity
Latin
evaporation, vapid, vaporize
Latin
vehicle, vector
Latin
revelation, velate
Latin
convulsion
Latin
velocity
Latin
venosity
Latin
venison
Latin
advent, convention
Latin
circumvent - to go around or bypass restrictions; convention - a
gathering or assembly of people with a common interest;
intervene - to come between.
vendor, vending
Latin
veneration, venereal
Latin
ventilation
Latin
ventral
Latin
verify, verity
Latin
veracious - truthful, honest; veracity - the truth; verify - to make
sure that something is true.
vac
empty
vacvad-, vasvagvanvapveh-, vectvelvell-, vulsvelocvenvenven-, vent-
empty
go
wander
empty, vain, idle
lack (of)
carry
veil
pull
quick
vein
hunt
come
ven/t
come
vendvenerventventrver-
sell
respectful
wind
belly
true
ver/I
truth
verb
word
verbalize - to put into words; adverb - a word relating to a verb;
proverb - a short saying that expresses a well-known truth.
verbverbervermvern-
word
whip
worm
spring
verbal, verbatim, verbosity
reverberation
vermiform
vernal
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Etymological Notes
uti, usus
uva
uxor
vacare
vadere
vagus, vagare
vanus
vapor
vehere, vectus
velum
vellere, vulsus
velox, velocis
vena
venari
venire
vendere
venus
ventus
venter
verus
verbum
verber
vermis
ver, vernus
Root
Meanings
Sample Words and Definitions
vers, vert
turn
reverse - to turn around; introvert - being turned towards the
inside; version - a variation of an original; controversy - a
conversation in which positions are turned against each other.
vert-, versvesicvespervestvestigvetvetervivic-
vicen-, vigenvicesim-, vigesimvid
vid-, visvilvillvinvinc-, vict-
turn
bladder
evening, western
clothe, garment
follow, track
forbid
old
way
change
acting in place of,
next in rank
twenty
twentieth
see
see
cheap
shaggy hair, velvet
wine
conquer
vince, vic
conquer
virvir-
man
green
vis, vid
see
visc-
thick
organs of the body
cavity
life
yolk
fault
glass
live
vice
viscervitvitellvitivitrviv-
Origin Language
Etymological Notes
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
vertere, versus
vesica
vespera
vestis
vestigium
vetare
vetus, veteris
via
vicis
Latin
Latin
viceni
vicesimus
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
videre, visus
vilis
villus
vinum
vincere, victus
Latin
Latin
vir
virere
Latin
viscum
eviscerate, visceral
Latin
viscus, visceris
vital
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
Latin
vita
vitellus
vitium
vitrum
vivere
convert, inversion, invert, vertical
vesical
vesperal
divest, vest
investigate
veto
inveterate, veteran
deviate, obvious, via
vice versa, vicissitude
vice-president - the person next in rank to the president
vicenary
vicesimary, vicesimation, vigesimal
evident clearly seen
video, vision
vile, vilify
villiform
vinous
invincible, victory
convince - to win someone over; invincible - not able to be
conquered; victory - the conquest of an enemy.
virility
virid, viridian
vision - the ability to see; envision - to picture in the mind;
evident - clearly visible.
viscosity
vice, vitiate
vitreous
revive, survive, vivid
Root
Meanings
viv/I, vit
live, life
voc-
voice
voc/i
voice, call
volvol-
fly
wish
vol/i/u
wish, will
volv-, volutvomvor-, vorac-
roll
discharge
swallow
vor, vour
eat
vov-, votvulgvulnervulpxanthxen-
vow
common, crowd
wound
fox
yellow
foreign
xen/o
foreign
xer-
dry
xer/o/I
dry
xiphxyl-
sword
wood
zo-
animal, living being
zo/o
animal life
zonzyg-
belt, girdle
yoke
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
revival - the act of bringing back to life; vital - pertaining to live;
vivacious - high-spirited and full of life.
provocative, vocal, vocation
Latin
advocate - to speak in favor of; equivocate - to use misleading
language that could be interpreted two different ways; vocalize to produce with your voice.
volatility
Latin
volition
Latin
benevolent - showing good will and kindness; volition - the act
of making a choice or decision, voluntary - resulting from your
own free will.
convolution, revolve
Latin
vomit
Latin
devour, voracious
Latin
carnivorous - meat-eating; voracious - desiring or eating food in
great quantities; devour - to eat quickly.
votive
Latin
divulge, vulgarity, vulgate
Latin
vulnerable
Latin
vulpine
Latin
xanthogenic
Greek
xenophobia
Greek
xenophobic - afraid of foreigners; xenogenesis - the creation of
offspring that is completely different from either parent;
xenophile - attracted to foreigners.
xerography, xerophyte
Greek
xerophyte - a plant that grows in dry climate; xerography - a dry
photocopying process; xeric - requiring small amounts of
moisture.
xiphoid
Greek
xylophone, xylem
Greek
Etymological Notes
vox, vocis
volare
velle
volvere, volutus
vomere
vorare, vorax
vovere, votus
vulgus
vulnus, vulneris
vulpes, vulpis
ξάνθος (xanthos)
ξένος (xenos)
ξηρός (xēros)
ξίφος (xiphos)
ξύλον (xulon)
protozoa, zoo, zoology
Greek
ζῷον (zōion)
zoology - study of animals; zooid - resembling an animal;
zooplankton - minute floating aquatic animals.
zone
heterozygous, zygote
Greek
Greek
ζώνη (zōnē)
ζυγός (zugon)
Root
Meanings
zyg/o
pair
zym-
ferment
Sample Words and Definitions
Origin Language
zygote - a cell formed by the union of two gametes and the
organism developing from that; zygomorphic - pertaining to
organisms that can be divided into symmetrical halves along one
axis only.
enzyme, lysozyme
Greek
Etymological Notes
ζύμη (zumē)