Name ___________________________________________________ Class _________ Date ____________________
Lesson 97
Building Vocabulary: Word Roots
The main part of a word is called its root. When the root is a complete word, it is called a
base word. The root can suggest the basic meaning of a word. Roots are often combined
with a prefix (a part preceding the root), a suffix (a part following the root), or another
root. These parts can change the direction of a word’s meaning. Here is a list of some
common roots.
ROOTS
aqua, aqui
astr, astro
biblio
bio
chron
clin
cogn
crypt
culp
fin
fix
gen
graph, gram
jac, ject
jud
MEANINGS
water
star
book
life
time
bend, lean
know
hidden, secret
fault, blame
end, limit
fasten
birth, kind
write, writing
throw, cast, hurl
judge
ROOTS
junct
jur, jus
logy, log
metr
nym
op, oper
patho
ped
psych
reg, rig
scop
spect
terra
verb
vid, vis
MEANINGS
join
law
word, thought, speech
meter, measure
name
work
path, suffering
foot, child
soul, mind
rule, straight
examine, instrument
sight
earth
word
see
Exercise 1 Draw a line under the root of each word. Define each word, using a dictionary if
necessary. If there is more than one meaning, use the one that emphasizes the root.
one who has a fear of water
1. jury
Vocabulary and
Spelling
Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
aquaphobe
2. advise
3. biosphere
4. trajectory
5. monogram
6. degenerate
7. terra-cotta
8. verbose
9. introspection
10. telescopic
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293
Name ___________________________________________________ Class _________ Date ____________________
11. fixation
12. regimented
13. definitive
14. parapsychology
15. culpable
16. pedestal
17. pediatrics
18. pathogenic
19. incognito
20. inclination
21. operative
22. chronological
23. pseudonym
24. biomass
25. metricate
26. analog
27. astral
28. justification
29. aquaculture
Vocabulary and
Spelling
31. hydraulic
32. distract
33. manacles
34. epigram
35. nurture
36. intercede
37. psychosis
38. congenital
39. equinox
40. pastorate
294 Grammar and Language Workbook, Grade 12
Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
30. adjunct
Name ___________________________________________________ Class _________ Date ____________________
Lesson 98
Building Vocabulary: Prefixes and Suffixes
Prefixes are attached to the beginnings of roots or words to change their meaning. They
may show quantity, size, negation, time, direction, or position.
PREFIX
postrea-, ande-, dissemi-, hemiuni-, monocircumsub-
MEANING
after
again
not, without
do the opposite
half
one
around
below, outside of
PREFIX
pre-, prosynant-, antinon-, unbi-, dicentin-, imtrans-
MEANING
before
together
against
not
two
hundred
into or not
across, over
SUFFIX
-ee
-ant, -eer
-ness
MEANING
receiver of action
agent, doer
action, state
SUFFIX
-ance, -ence
-ist
-tion, -ion
MEANING
state, quality
one who
the act of
-ate
-ify
become, form
cause, make
-en
-ize
make, cause to be
make, cause to be
-ic
-ial
-ly
characteristic of
relating to
akin to
-ous, -ful
-al
-less
full of, having
characterized by
lacking
}
noun-forming
} verb-forming
}
adjective-forming
Exercise 1 Draw a line under at least one prefix or suffix in each word. Write the meaning of
the prefix or suffix in the first blank and the meaning of the word in the second. Use a dictionary
if necessary.
[ around
]
1. prejudge
[
]
2. improper
[
]
3. subliminal
[
]
4. hypersensitive
[
]
5. transmit
[
]
6. uniform
[
]
7. monotheist
[
]
8. embed
[
]
circumnavigate
Vocabulary and
Spelling
Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Suffixes are added to the end of a root or a word to make a new word with a new
meaning. A suffix may change the part of speech of a word.
to sail or fly completely around
Unit 13, Vocabulary and Spelling
295
[
]
10. ingrate
[
]
11. payee
[
]
12. recipient
[
]
13. accordance
[
]
14. imitation
[
]
15. unction
[
]
16. fallacious
[
]
17. cranial
[
]
18. fallible
[
]
19. solemnize
[
]
20. flautist
[
]
21. expatriate
[
]
22. misperceive
[
]
23. predate
[
]
24. capable
[
]
25. ornate
[
]
26. bucolic
[
]
27. hyperextend [
]
28. deify
[
]
29. auctioneer
[
]
30. marginal
[
]
31. odious
[
]
32. agitator
[
]
33. severance
[
]
34. perambulate [
]
35. vengeful
[
]
36. secrecy
[
]
37. amoral
[
]
38. commute
[
]
Vocabulary and
Spelling
9. antithesis
296 Grammar and Language Workbook, Grade 12
Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Name ___________________________________________________ Class _________ Date ____________________