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GRE Verbal > 8a. Vocabulary Basics: Common Greek Roots, Prefixes, Suffixes > Flashcards

8a. Vocabulary Basics: Common Greek Roots, Prefixes, Suffixes Flashcards

1
Q

a-

A

not, without

abyss - without bottom

achromatic - without color

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2
Q

acro-

A

top, height, tip

acrobat - “high” walker

acrophobia - fear of heights

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3
Q

an-

A

not, without

anhydrous - without water

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4
Q

aer-

A

air

aerate - to let air reach something

aerial - relating to the air

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5
Q

aero-

A

air

aerospace - the air space

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6
Q

agr-

A

farming

agrarian - relating to the management of land

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7
Q

agri-

A

farming

agriculture - management of the land

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8
Q

ana-

A

up, back, against

analysis - a close examination of something

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9
Q

andr

A

man, male

misandry - hatred toward men

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10
Q

andro-

A

man, male

androgynous - being both male and female

android - resembling a human

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11
Q

anthro

A

human

philanthropy - the love of mankind (through good deeds)

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12
Q

anthro-

A

human

anthropomorphism - giving human form to non-living things

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13
Q

anti-

A

against, opposite

antiseptic - preventing infection

antisocial - against social norms

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14
Q

app-

A

away, off, separate

apology - an explicit expression of regret

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15
Q

arch

A

chief, most important

archaeology - the study of ancient cultures

archaic - belonging to an earlier period

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16
Q

aster-

A

space

asterisk - a star-shaped sign used as a reference tool

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17
Q

arhtri-

A

joint, jointed

arthritis - inflammation of a joint

arthroscope - a tool to see inside

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18
Q

astro-

A

star, stars, outer space

astronomer - someone who studies the stars

astronaut - someone who travels to the stars

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19
Q

auto-

A

self

autocrat - a person who governs with absolute power

automatic - moving by itself

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20
Q

bar-

A

pressure, weight

baric - pertaining to pressure

baryon - heavy elementary particle

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21
Q

biblio-

A

book

bibliophile - a person who loves books

bibliography - a list of books used as sources

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22
Q

bio-

A

life, living, matter

biology - science of life

biology - a life story written by another person

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23
Q

blast

A

cell, primitive, immature cell

fibroblast - a cell that forms connective tissue

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24
Q

blast-

A

cell, primitive, immature cell

blastula - an early stage of embryonic development

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25
Q

cardi-

A

heart

cardiac - relating to the heart

cardiologist - heart doctor

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26
Q

cata-

A

completely, intensive, according to

cataclysm - a flood or other disaster

catalog - complete listing

catastrophe - disaster

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27
Q

caut

A

to burn

cauterize - to burn with a hot instrument

caustic - capable of burning or eating away

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28
Q

centr

A

center

egocentric - self-centered

eccentric - not having a common center

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29
Q

centr-

A

center

centrifugal - moving outward from a center

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30
Q

cephal

A

head

encephalitis - inflammation of the brain

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31
Q

cephal-

A

head

cephalopod - marine mollusks with tentacles growing from their head

cephalic - pertaining to the head

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32
Q

chrom

A

color, pigment

achromatic - without color

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33
Q

chrom-

A

color, pigment

chromium - a blue-white element

chromatics - the study of color

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34
Q

chrono

A

time

synchronize - happening at the same time

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35
Q

chrono-

A

time

chronic - lasting for a long time

chronological - arranging events in time order

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36
Q

chris-

A

gold, yellow

chrysanthemum - golden/yellow flowers

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37
Q

cosm

A

universe

microcosm - a miniture universe

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38
Q

cosm-

A

universe

cosmonaut - a Russian astronaut

cosmos - the universe

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39
Q

crani

A

skull

cranium - a skull of vertebrates

cranial - pertaining to the skull

craniology - the study of skull characteristics

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40
Q

crypto-

A

hidden, secret

cryptography - science of secret codes

cryptic - a hidden meaning

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41
Q

cycl

A

circle, ring

bicycle - a vehicle with two wheels

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42
Q

cycl-

A

circle, ring

cycle - a sequence that is repeated

cyclone - a storm with whirling winds

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43
Q

dec-

A

ten

decade - 10 years

December - formerly the 10th month of the Roman calendar

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44
Q

dem

A

people

epidemic - an infectious disease spreading among people in a region

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45
Q

demo-

A

people

democracy - government of the people

demographic - the study of people

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46
Q

dendr

A

tree

philodendron - a sliming plant that grows on trees

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47
Q

dendr-

A

tree

dendrochronology - dating events by starching growth in tree rings

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48
Q

derm

A

skin

pachyderm - a class of animals with very thick skin

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49
Q

derm-

A

skin

dermatologist - a doctor for the skin

dermatitis - inflammation of the skin

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50
Q

di-

A

two, twice

diagnosis - understanding a condition by going through a detailed review

dialog - conversation between two people

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51
Q

dia-

A

through, between, apart, across

diagnosis - understanding a condition through a detailed review

dialog - conversation between two people

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52
Q

dyn-

A

power, energy, strength

dynamo generator of energy

dynamite powerful explosive

dynamic having great physical energy/power

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53
Q

dys-

A

abnormal, bad

dyspepsia abnormal digestion

dystopia an imaginary place of misery

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54
Q

ego

A

self

alter ego a higher aspect of oneself

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55
Q

ego-

A

self

egoistic- self-centered

egomania - excessive preoccupation with oneself

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56
Q

end-

A

within, inside

endotherm - a creature that can keep its inside temperature fairly constant

endogamy - the custom to marry within one’s clan, tribe, etc.

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57
Q

epi-

A

on, upon, over, among, at, after, to, outside

epidemic - the rapid spread of something negative

epilogue - a short speech delivered after a play

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58
Q

erg

A

work

epidemic - the rapid spread of something negative

epilogue - a short speech delivered after a play

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59
Q

erg-

A

work

ergonomics - the study of a working environment

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60
Q

ethn-

A

race, people

ethnic - pertaining to a defined group of people

ethnocentric - focusing on the ethnicity of people

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61
Q

eu-

A

good, well

euphemism - replacing an offensive word with an inoffensive one

euphoria - feeling of well-being

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62
Q

gastr-

A

stomach

gastric - pertaining to the stomach

gastritis - inflammation of the stomach

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63
Q

gen-

A

birth, production

genealogy - the study of the history of a family

generation - all the people born at approximately the same time

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64
Q

geo-

A

earth, soil, global

geography - study of the earth’s surface

geology - study of the structure of the earth

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65
Q

ger-

A

old age

geriatrics - medicine pertaining to the elderly

gerontology - the study of aging

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66
Q

giga-

A

a billion

gigabyte - unit of computer storage spac

gigawatt - a billion watts

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67
Q

gon

A

angle

decagon - a polygon with 10 angles

octagon - a geometrical figure with 8 angles

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68
Q

gram

A

letter, written

diagram - a simple drawing

telegram - a message sent by telegraph

69
Q

gram-

A

letter, written

grammar - rules of how to write words in sentences

70
Q

graph

A

writing, recording, written

autograph - written by one’s own hand

seismograph - a machine noting strength and duration of earthquakes

71
Q

graph-

A

writing, recording, written

graphology - the study of handwriting

72
Q

gyn-

A

woman, female

gynecology - the science of female reproductive health

gynecoid - resembling a woman

73
Q

hect-

A

hundred

hectoliter - 100 meters

hectare - 100 acres

74
Q

helic-

A

spiral, circular

helicopter - an aircraft with horizontal rotating wings

helix - a spiral form

75
Q

helio-

A

sun

heliograph - apparatus used to send message with help of sunlight

76
Q

hemi-

A

half, partial

hemicycle - a semicircular structure

hemisphere - one half of the earth

77
Q

hem-

A

blood

hemorrhage - clotting of the blood

hemoglobin - red blood particle

78
Q

hept-

A

seven

heptagon - a shape with 7 angles

heptameter - a line of verse containing 7 metrical feet

79
Q

hetero-

A

different, other

heterogeneous - made up of unrelated parts

heteronyms - words with same spelling but different meanings

80
Q

hex-

A

six

hexagon - shape with 6 angles

hexapod having 6 legs

81
Q

histo-

A

tissue

histology - study of the microscopic structure of tissues

82
Q

homo-

A

like, alike, same

homogeneous - of the same nature or kind

homonym - something alike

83
Q

hydr-

A

water, liquid

hydrate - to add water to

hydrophobia - intense fear of water

hydraulic - operated by force of a liquid

84
Q

hygr-

A

moisture, humidity

hygrometer - tool used to measure humidity

85
Q

hyper-

A

too much, over, excessive

hyperactive - very restless

hypercritical too critical

hypertension - above normal pressure

86
Q

hyp-

A

under

hypothermia - abnormally low body temperature

87
Q

iatr-

A

medical care

geriatrics - medical care of the elderly

pediatrician - doctor who treats children

88
Q

icon-

A

image

icon - an (often religious) image

iconoclast - someone who destroys religious images and religious beliefs

89
Q

idio-

A

peculiar, personal, distinct

idiomatic - peculiar to a particular language

idiosyncrasy - a physical or mental characteristic

90
Q

kilo-

A

thousand

kilobyte - 1,000 bytes

kilometer - 1,000 meters

91
Q

kine

A

motion

telekinesis - the ability to move object with your mind

92
Q

leuk-

A

white, colorless

leukemia -abnormal increase in white blood cells

leukocyte - a mature white blood cell

93
Q

lex

A

word, law, reading

alexia - loss of the ability to read

94
Q

lex-

A

word, law, reading

lexicography - the study and history of words

95
Q

lip-

A

fat

liposuction - the mechanical removal of fat

lipoid - resembling fat

96
Q

lite

A

mineral, rock, fossil

apatite - a group of common minerals

97
Q

lith

A

mineral, rock, fossil

monolith - a single great stone often in the form of an obelisk or column

98
Q

log

A

word, doctrine, discourse

monologue - a long speech

analogy - similarity, especially between things otherwise dissimilar

99
Q

log-

A

word, doctrine, discourse

logic - correct reasoning

100
Q

macro-

A

large, great

macroevolution - large scale evolution

macroeconomics - study of overall forces of economy

101
Q

mania

A

madness, insanity, excessive desire

maniac - an insane person

102
Q

mania-

A

madness, insanity, excessive desire

bibliomania - a crazy love of books

egomania - a mad love of oneself

103
Q

mega-

A

great, large, million

megalopolis - an area with many, nearby cities

melanoma - a malignant dark tumor of the skin

104
Q

meso-

A

middle

Mesoamerica - Middle America

meson - elementary particle with a mass between an electron and a proton

105
Q

meta-

A

change, after, beyond, between

metaphysics - study of nature and reality

metastasis - the transmission of disease to other parts of the body

106
Q

meter

A

measure

audiometer - an instrument that measures hearing acuteness

chronometer - an instrument that measures time

107
Q

micro-

A

very small, short, minute

microbe - a very small living thing

microscope - a device to see very small things

108
Q

mid-

A

middle

midriff - that area between the chest and the waist

midterm = middle of a term in school

109
Q

mis-

A

bad, badly, wrong, wrongly, to hate

misbehave - to behave badly

misprint - an error in printing

110
Q

mon-

A

one, single, alone

monochromat - having one color

monologue - a speech given by one person

111
Q

morph

A

form

metamorphosis - complete change in for

amorphous - without distinct shape or form

112
Q

necr-

A

dead, death

necrophile - loving deat

necrosis - the death of tissue due to disease or injury

113
Q

nephro-

A

kidney

nephritis - inflammation of the kidneys

nephrostomy - surgical incision of the kidney

114
Q

neur-

A

nerve

neuralgia - pain along a nerve

neurologist - doctor specializing in the nerves

115
Q

oct-

A

eight

octagon - a figure with 8 angles

octopus - sea animal with 8 arms

116
Q

od

A

path, way

diode - an electron tube having 2 electrodes, a cathode and an anode

117
Q

od-

A

path, way

odometer - an instrument attached to a vehicle to measure distance

118
Q

op-

A

eye, visual cognition, sight

optic - relating to the eyes

optician - a person who fits eyeglasses

119
Q

ortho-

A

straight

orthodontist - a dentist that straightens teeth

orthopedic - a doctor who is concerned with proper alignment of bones

120
Q

osteo-

A

goes beyond, surpasses

osteoarthritis - inflammation caused by degeneration of the joints

osteology - the study of the bones

121
Q

oxi-, oxy-

A

sharp

oxymoron - combining two ideas that sharply contradict each other

oxidize - corrode a surface

122
Q

pale-

A

ancient

paleontology - study of ancient fossils

Paleolithic - period of the Stone Age

123
Q

pan-

A

all, any, everyone

panacea - a cure for all diseases or problems

panorama - an all-around view

pandemic - affecting all

124
Q

para-

A

beside, beyond, abnormal

parasite - an organism that lives on and off another living being

parallel - alongside and always an equal distance apart

125
Q

pater-, patr-

A

father

paternal - relating to fathers

patriarch - a man who rules a group

126
Q

pent-

A

five

pentagon - having 5 angles and sides

pentagram a 5-pointed star, especially in magic

127
Q

pept, peps

A

digestion

dyspepsia - abnormal digestion

peptic - aiding digestion

128
Q

peri-

A

around, enclosing

periodontal - pertaining to bone and tissue around a tooth

perimeter - the outer boundary of an area

129
Q

phag

A

to eat

esophagus - muscular tube that carries food to the stomach

130
Q

phil-

A

love, friend

philanthropist - one who loves humanity

131
Q

phon

A

sound

cacophony - loud unpleasant sound

microphone - a device that records and amplifies sound

132
Q

phot-

A

light

photogenic - caused by light

photograph - image made on light sensitive film

133
Q

phyll

A

leaf

chlorophyll - a group of green pigments found in leaves

134
Q

phyll-

A

leaf

phyllite - a rock that forms sheets, similar to slate

135
Q

phys-

A

nature, medicine, the body

physical - relating to the body

physician - doctor

136
Q

phyt

A

plant, to grow

epiphyte - a plant growing independently on the surface of another

neophyte - a beginner

137
Q

plas

A

to form, development

protoplasm - something that is first made or formed

138
Q

plas-

A

to form, development

plastic - able to be formed

139
Q

pneum-

A

breathing, lung, air, spirit

pneumonia - inflammation of the lungs

pneumatic - using the force of air

140
Q

pod-

A

foot

podiatrist - a doctor of the feet

podium - a small platform to stand upon

141
Q

poli

A

city

police - people who work for the government in order to enforce laws

politics = actions of a government or political party

142
Q

poli-

A

city

police - people who work for the government in order to enforce laws

politics - actions of a government or political party

143
Q

poly-

A

many, more than one

polychrome - with many colors

polyglot - a person fluent in many languages

144
Q

pro-

A

before, in front of, for, forward

prognosis - a prediction of what will happen

prologue - a passage before the main part

145
Q

prot-

A

primitive, first, chief

prototype - the first of a kind

proton - one of the very basic

146
Q

pseud-

A

wrong, false

pseudonym - a fictitious name

pseudoscience - theories presumed without proof of a scientific nature

147
Q

psych-

A

mind, mental

psyche - the human spirit or soul

psychic - relating to the human mind or someone who has supernatural mental abilities

148
Q

pyr-

A

fire, heat

pyrometer - a thermometer for measuring high temperature

pyrotechnics - the art o fmaking fireworks

149
Q

rhin-

A

nose

rhinoceros - a species of animals with a big horn on the snout

rhinoplasty - surgery of the nose

150
Q

rrh

A

flow, discharge

hemorrhage - heavy blood flow

151
Q

scler-

A

hard

multiple sclerosis - disease which causes the tissue of the brain and spinal cord to harden

152
Q

scop

A

see, examine, observe

microscope - a device used to see tiny places

periscope - a seeing instrument on a submarine

153
Q

soph

A

wise

philosopher - a wise person

154
Q

soph-

A

wise

sophisticated - wise about the ways of the world

sophism - a clever but misleading argument

155
Q

sphere

A

ball

biosphere- the whole round surface of the earth

hemisphere - half the earth spherically shaped like a ball

156
Q

sym-, syn-

A

together, with, same

symmetry - similarity in size, form, or arrangement

synergy - the combined effect

157
Q

tax

A

arrangement

taxonomy - the science of classification

158
Q

tax-

A

arrangement

taxonomy - the science of classification

159
Q

techno-

A

technique, skill

technology - the practical application of knowledge

160
Q

tel-

A

far, distant, complete

telescope -a device to view distant objects

telephone - a device to talk with a distant person

161
Q

the-

A

put

theme - a proposition for discussion or argument

162
Q

therm-

A

heat

thermal - relating to heat

thermos - an insulated jar that keeps heat in

163
Q

tri-

A

three, once in every three, third

triangle - a figure with 3 sides and 3 angles

tricycle - a 3-wheel vehicle with pedals

164
Q

xen-

A

foreign

xenophobic - afraid of foreigners

xonophile - attracted to foreigners

165
Q

xer-

A

dry

xerophyte - a plant that grows in a dry climate

xeric - requiring small amounts of moisture

166
Q

xyl-

A

wood

xyloid - resembling wood

167
Q

zo-

A

animal life

zoology - study of animals

zooid - resembling an animal

168
Q

zyg

A

pair

zygomorphic - pertaining to organisms that can be divided into symmetrical halves along one axis only

GRE Verbal (14 decks)

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