Words: THE POWER WITHIN
GOLD EDITION – LESSON 21
COUNTING WORDS
BI
 Bilingual
 Bi + lingua (tongue) + al (related to)
 Literal Definition = related to two tongues
 Dictionary Defintion = (adj) speaking fluently in
two languages; written in two languages
 After taking Spanish for years in elementary, middle,
and high school, I still wouldn’t consider myself
bilingual.
BI
 Binomial
 Bi + nomos (part) +ial (characteristic of)
 Literal definition = characteristic of two parts
 Dictionary definition = (n) an algebraic expression
of the sum or the difference of two terms (4 +x)
 We are learning to multiple and divide binomials
this week in math class.
BI = TWO
 Bipartisan
 bi + part (part) + an (related to)
 Literal definition = related to two parts
 Dictionary definition = (adj) involving two political
parties that usually disagree on policies
 Hopefully, the bipartisan committee will be able to
come to an agreement about ending the war.
Equ
 Equate
 Equ + ate (make, become)
 Literal definition = make or become equal
 Dictionary definition = (v) to think of one thing as
the same another; to think of two things as equal
 Students like to equate effort with good grades, but
putting forth a lot of effort doesn’t always equal good
grades.
Equ
 Equivalent
 Equ + val (worth) + ent (characteristic of)
 Literal definition = characteristic of equal worth
 Dictionary definition = (adj) having the same value,
amount, or meaning
 Twenty nickels is equivalent to one dollar.
Equ = Same, Equal
 Inequality
 In (not) + equ + ity (state or condition)
 Literal definition = state or condition of not equal
 Dictionary definition = (n) a difference in size,
amount, or circumstances; in math, a statement
that two quantities are not equal, usually
represented by the symbols ≠, >, and < (4 > 2)
 Inequality in society is a problem that needs to be
addressed so that all people can have the same
opportunities.
Mono (Mon)
 Monarch
 Mon + arch (rule)
 Literal definition = one rule
 Dictionary definition = (n) a supreme ruler,
especially a king, queen, or emperor
 We hope the new monarch is a benevolent ruler
who looks out for what is best for his subjects.
Mono (Mon)
 Monotheism
 Mono + theo (god) + ism (belief)
 Literal definition = belief in one god
 Dictionary definition = (n) the belief that there is
only one god
 In history class, we learned that some cultures
practice monotheism while other cultures practice
polytheism.
Mono (Mon) = ONE
 Monotonous
 Mono + ton (pitch of voice) + ous (full of)
 Literal definition = full of one pitch
 Dictionary definition = (adj) repetitious; lacking in
variety or interest; boring; dull
 The teacher’s monotonous voice put many of his
students to sleep.
Semi
 Semicolon
 Semi + kolon (clause)
 Literal definition = half a clause
 Dictionary definition = (n) a punctuation mark (;)
that indicates a break in an idea that is stronger
than one indicated by a comma but less than one
indicated by a period
 Wolfgang learned that he can use a semicolon to
connect two independent clauses to form a
compound sentence.
Semi
 Semiconscious
 Semi + con (with) + sci (know) + ous (full of)
 Literal definition = full of half knowledge
 Dictionary definition = (adj) not fully aware or
responsive
 He was semiconscious after being hit on the head
during the game and was very slow to respond to
even the most basic questions.
Semi = HALF
 Semiformal
 Semi + form (mold, shape) + al (related to)
 Literal definition = related to half shape
 Dictionary definition = (adj) having both formal
and informal elements (Formal means conforming
to the rules of etiquette)
 The 8th graders want to have a semiformal dance
before the school year is over. They want to dress up
but not overdo it.
Uni
 Uniform
 Uni + form (mold, shape)
 Literal definition = one shape; one mold
 Dictionary definition = (adj) always being the same
in shape, size, color, texture, or character as others;
(n) a distinctive dress worn by people on duty, such
as policemen or the military or members of a
specific organization, such as athletes or workers
 Our uniform appearance was one way we showed
support for our cause.
Uni
 Unique
 Uni
 Dictionary definition = (adj) being the only one of
its kind; having no equal; very unusual or
remarkable
 Your unique dress makes you stand out from all the
other people at the party.
Uni = ONE
 Unison
 Uni + son (sound)
 Literal definition = one sound
 Dictionary definition = (n) the act of speaking the
same words at the same time; agreement or
harmony
 We practiced for months so that we could play our
instruments in unison at the concert.