COMMON LATIN WORD ROOTS

ac, acr: sharp, bitter

acid (something that is sharp, sour, or ill natured), acute (extremely sharp or
severe; keenly perceptive)
am: love amorous (inclined to love; romantic, affectionate), enamored (inflamed or
inspired by love; captivated)
bel: war, antebellum (before the war, especially the American Civil War), rebel (to
resist or defy authority)
cast, chast: cut caste (a social class separated from others by hereditary rank,
profession,
etc.), chastise (to punish severely, as with a beating; to rebuke)
ced, ceed, cess: to go, yield, stop
antecedent (that which precedes), exceed (to extend beyond or outside of; surpass)
culp: blame
culprit (person accused or guilty of a crime), mea culpa (Latin, “my fault”)
dic, dict, dit: to say, tell, use words
dictate (to say or read aloud; to issue orders or commands), predict (to foretell,
make known in advance)
equ: equal, even
equate (to make or consider two things as equal), equidistant (equally distant)
err: to wander
err (to make a mistake), error (a mistake; an incorrect or wrong action)
ferv: to boil, bubble, burn
fervid (very hot, burning; ardent, vehement), effervescent (bubbling up, as a
carbonated liquid; high spirited, animated)
loc, log, loqu: word, speech
dialogue (a conversation between two or more people), neologism (a new word or
phrase)
luc, lum, lus: light
illuminate (to brighten with light; enlighten), translucent (almost transparent;
allowing light to pass through diffusely)
lug, lut, luv: to wash
dilute (to make thinner or weaker by adding a liquid such as water; to lessen the
force or purity of), pollute (to make impure or unclean; to make unfit or harmful to
living things)
mag, maj, max: big
magnify (to increase in size, volume or significance; to amplify), maximum (the
greatest possible quantity or degree)
man: hand
manual (operated by hand), manufacture (to make by hand or machinery)
min: to project, hang over
prominent (standing out, conspicuous; projecting or jutting beyond the line or
surface), eminent (towering above or more prominent that others; lofty,
distinguished)
nas, nat, nai: to be born
native (a person born in a particular country), innate (possessed at birth; inborn,
inherent)
nec, nic, noc, nox: harm, death
innocent (uncorrupted by evil; free from guilt; not dangerous or harmful), obnoxious
(offensive, hateful)
omni: all
omnipresent (everywhere at once), omnipotent (all powerful)
plac: to please
placid (calm and peaceful), placate (to appease or pacify)
pon, pos, pound: to put, place
deposit (to put or set down; place), transpose (to reverse or transfer the order or
place of; interchange)
pug: to fight
pug (a boxer), repugnant (highly offensive or distasteful; hostile, disposed to fight)
qui: quiet
quiet (making little or no noise; calm, still), tranquil (free from disturbance, anxiety,
or tension)
rog: to ask
interrogate (to examine by asking a series of questions), prerogative (an exclusive
privilege or right belonging to a person or group)
sci: to know
conscious (knowing and perceiving, aware), science (knowledge, especially that
gained through systematic study)
tac, tic: to be silent
tacit (not spoken; implied), taciturn (habitually untalkative, reserved)
ver: truth
verdict (the findings of a jury in a trial; decision or judgment), verify(to confirm the
truth of)
vi: life
vivid (evoking life-like images in the mind; true to life; bright, brilliant, distinct),
vigorous (energetic, forceful, active, strong)
voc, vok: to call
vocal (of or pertaining to the voice; tending to express oneself often and freely,
outspoken), revoke (to cancel, call back, reverse, withdraw)

COMMON GREEK WORD ROOTS

anthro, andro: man, human
android (a very human-like machine or robot, especially one made
of biological materials), anthropology (the social science that studies
the origins and social relationships of human beings)
arch, archi, archy: chief, principal, ruler
architect (one who plans or devises; one who creates plans for buildings),
monarchy (a state ruled by a monarch (a sole and absolute
ruler, such as a king)
auto: self
automatic (operating without external influence or control; having
inherent power of action or motion), autopsy (examination of a dead
body to determine cause of death; seeing with one’s own eyes)
card, cord, cour: heart
cardiac (of or relating to the heart), encourage (to inspire with hope,
courage, or confidence; to give support, hearten)
chron: time
chronic (continuing for a long time; on-going, habitual; long-lasting
or recurrent), chronology (the arrangement of events in time; the
sequence in which events occurred)
cli, clin: to lean toward, bend
incline (to lean, slant, slope, or cause to do so; to have a tendency or
disposition toward something), recline (to lie back or down)
cryp: hidden
crypt (an underground vault or chamber, especially one used as a
burial place), cryptography (secret writing; the process or skill of
communicating in or deciphering coded messages)
dem: people
democracy (government by the people through elected representatives),
epidemic (a widespread outbreak of a disease affecting many
people at the same time)
di, dia: apart, through
diameter (a straight line passing through the center of a circle; thickness,
width), digress (to turn aside, deviate, or swerve; to stray from
the main subject in writing or speaking)
dog, dox: opinion
dogged (stubbornly unyielding, obstinate), dogma (a system of principles
or beliefs, a prescribed doctrine)
dys: faulty, abnormal
dysfunctional (impaired or abnormal in function), dyslexia (an
impaired ability to read)
eu: good, well
eulogy (a verbal or written tribute, especially one praising someone
who has died), euthanasia (the act of painlessly ending the life of
someone suffering from a terminal illness)
(h)etero: different, other
heterosexual (a person sexually attracted to members of the opposite
sex), heterodox (disagreeing with or departing from accepted beliefs)
(h)omo: same
homogeneous (of the same or similar nature or kind; having a uniform
structure or composition throughout), homophone (a word that
sounds the same as another but has a different meaning)
hyper: over, excessive
hyperactive (highly or excessively active), hyperventilate (to breathe
excessively and abnormally fast)
morph: shape
metamorphosis (a transformation, a marked change of form, character,
or function), polymorphous (having or assuming a variety of forms)

GREEK WORD ROOTS

pas, pat, path: feeling, suffering, disease
compassion (deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering),
sympathy (sharing another person’s feelings; feeling pity or tenderness
toward another’s pain or suffering; harmony, agreement
between two people)
ped: child, education
encyclopedia (a comprehensive reference work on a wide range of subjects),
pediatrician (a physician specializing in the care of infants and children)
peri: around
perimeter (the outer limits or boundary of an area), periscope (an optical
instrument that provides a view of an otherwise obstructed field)
phil: love
bibliophile (a lover of books), philosophy (love and pursuit of wisdom;
a systematic investigation of questions about knowledge, existence,
and ethics)
phone: sound
phonics (a method of teaching reading by training beginners to associate
letters with their sound values), symphony (a long and complex
sonata for an orchestra; a large orchestra)
theo: god
atheist (one who denies the existence of a god or supreme being),
theology (the study of god and religion)

WORD LIST: Versatile Verbs

abate (a˘·_bayt) v. to lessen in strength, intensity, or degree; subside. As the
violent storm abated, we began to survey the damage it caused.
abhor (ab·_hohr) v. to regard with horror or repugnance, detest. I know Carlos
abhors politics, but he should still get out and vote.
appease (a˘·_peez) v. to make calm or quiet, soothe; to still or pacify. The only
way to appease Lawrence is to concede that he is right.
augment (aw_·_ment) v. to increase in size, strength, or intensity; enlarge.
Arty tried to help Ann and Stan settle their differences, but his interference only
augmented the problem.
balk (bawk) v. 1. to stop abruptly and refuse to go on 2. to obstinately refuse
or oppose. Old man Jones was finally ready to capitulate and sell his land to
the timber company, but he balked when he saw that he would only be
compensated
for half of the value of his property.
cajole (ka˘·_johl) v. to urge with gentle and repeated appeals or flattery; to
wheedle. Valerie is quite adept at cajoling others to get what she wants, even if
it’s something she hasn’t earned.
capitulate (ka˘·_pich·u˘·layt) v. to surrender under specific terms or agreed upon
conditions; to give in, acquiesce. The editor refused to capitulate to the demands
of the sales team because she wanted to uphold her high grammatical standards.
corroborate (ko˘·_rob·o˘·rayt) v. to strengthen or support with evidence or
authority; to make more certain, confirm. Both Irma’s and Ye’s statements
corroborate Tia’s story, so she must be telling the truth.
daunt (dawnt) v. to intimidate, to make afraid or discouraged. Don’t be
daunted by Holden’s austere manner; he’s really a very kind and understanding
person.
detract (di·_trakt) v. to draw or take away from; to remove part of something,
diminish. Unfortunately, Helen’s slovenly appearance detracted from the
impact of her otherwise brilliant presentation.
SHORTCUT: MNEMONICS AGAIN . . . AND AGAIN . . . AND AGAIN . . .
It’s worth repeating yet again: As you prepare for your exam, take the
time to create rhymes, images, or associations that will help you remember
the meaning of these verbs. For example, you might associate
ensconce with a sconce that you hang (fix securely) on the wall. Abhor
means to regard with horror or repugnance; this similarity can help you
remember its meaning. A girdle is something that girds—it encircles or
binds, encompasses.
disdain (dis·_dayn) v. 1. to regard with haughty contempt or scorn, despise
2. to consider or reject (someone or something) as unworthy or beneath
one’s dignity. Note: Disdain (n.) means a feeling or showing of haughty
contempt or scorn; a state of being despised. I was humiliated by the way
Angelica disdained every idea I proposed at that meeting.
dissipate (_dis·_˘·payt) v. 1. to separate and scatter completely; to disperse
to the point of disappearing, or nearly so 2. to be extravagant and wasteful,
especially in the pursuit of pleasure; squander. The crowd dissipated
when the riot police arrived, and only the very angriest protesters remained.
dupe (doop) v. to deceive, trick. Note: A dupe (n.) is someone who is easily
deceived, gullible. Charlene was duped into buying this lemon of a car by a
slick·talking salesman.
ebb (eb) v. 1. to flow back or recede, as the tide 2. to fall back, decline. I hope
Mark’s anger has ebbed; I am eager for a reconciliation.
ensconce (en·_skons) v. 1. to fix or settle firmly and securely 2. to place or
hide securely, conceal. Once the spy was comfortably ensconced in his new
identity,
he began his secret mission.
gird (_urd) v. 1. to encircle or bind with a belt or band 2. to encompass, surround
3. to prepare for action, especially military confrontation 4. to
sneer at, mock, gibe. The negotiations had failed, and the soldiers girded for
battle.
grovel (__ruv·e˘l) v. to lie or creep with one’s face to the ground in a servile,
humble, or fearful manner. Panji, if you want your boss to treat you with
respect, you’ve got to stop groveling and stand up for yourself.
languish (_lan_·_wish) v. 1. to lose vigor or strength; to become languid,
feeble, weak 2. to exist or continue in a miserable or neglected state.
Lucinda languished in despair when Sven told her he’d fallen in love with
another woman.
maim (maym) v. to wound, cripple, or injure, especially by depriving of the
use of a limb or other part of the body; to mutilate, disfigure, disable. The
mining accident left Antol alive but severely maimed.