Etymology Finale Flashcards
a-, an-
not, without (Greek)
agnostic
one who doesn’t know whether there is a God
amoral
without moral standards; neither moral nor immoral; unable to distinguish between right and wrong
anarchy
without a ruler; political disorder and confusion
anecdote
originally, not published (some stories were made public by publishing them, and others were kept private); now, merely a short account of some interesting or humorous incident
anemia
without blood; a deficiency of red corpuscles in the blood
anesthetic
without feeling; a drug causing one to be insensitive to pain
anomaly
not the same (as others); a rare exception; something that is not normal
anonymous
without a name; having an unknown or unacknowledged name
asymmetrical
not measured together; not having both sides exactly alike; not symmetrical
atheist
one who is without a God; one who denies the existence of God
atypical
not typical
ambi-
around (Latin)
ambience
the surrounding atmosphere
ambiguous
to drive around (in an uncertain manner because there were few roads in early days); uncertain; having two possible meanings
ambitious
originally; going around for votes; today, having a desire to succeed
amphitheater
an oval or round structure with tiers of seats around an open space
ambidextrous
both right hands; able to use both hands with equal ease
ambiguity
the quality of having two possible meanings
ambivalence
conflicting (both kinds of) feelings toward a person or thing
ambivalent
having conflicting (both kinds of) feelings toward someone or something
amphibian
an animal that lives both in the water and on land
amphibious
able to live or to travel both on land and in water
ann, enn
year (Latin)
annuls
a written account of events year by year; bistorical records
anniversary
the yearly return of the date of some memorable event
annual
yearly
annuity
an investment that provides fixed payments yearly or at other regular intervals
biannual
occurring every two years
centennial
a hundredth anniversary
millennium
a period of a thousand years; specifically, the thousand years when, according to the New Testament, Christ is to reign on earth; thus, a period of happiness and prosperity
per annum
by the year; annually
perennial
having a life cycle lasting through more than two years, as a perennial plant
Also, lasting many years, as perennial youth
semiannual
half-yearly; occurring two times a year
superannuated
beyond the year of retirement; retired because of age
ante, anti-
before, in front of (Latin)
ante
the amount each poker player must put into the pot before receiving his/her/their cards
antebellum
before the war, especially before the Civil War
antecedent
anything that logically goes before something else
Also, the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers
antedate
to occur before something else
antediluvian
before the Flood described in the Bible; old-fashioned or primitive
ante meridiem
before noon
anterior
located before or in front (as opposed to posterior, located behind)
anteroom
a room before the main room; a waiting room
anticipate
to take before; to realize beforehand
antiquarian
one who collects or studies objects of former times
antiquated
so old as to be no longer useful
antique
belonging to an earlier (before) period
anthrop-
human (Greek)
anthropoid
resembling humans
anthropologist
one who studies the physical, oscial, and cultural development and behavior of human beings
anthropology
a study of the physical, social, and cultural development and behavior of human beings
anthropomorphic
thought of as having human form or characteristics
anthromorphism
the attributing of human form or characteristics to a god, animal, or inanimate thing
misanthrope
one who hates people
misanthropic
characcterized by hatred or scorn for pope
philanthropic
charitable
philanthropist
one who loves people, particularly one who gives money to benefit humanity
philanthropy
the effort to increase the well-being of humanity by charitable donations
anti-
against, opposite (Greek)
antagonist
a person who struggles against in a contest
antibiotic
a substance produced by a microorganism that destroys other harmful (living) microorganisms
antidote
a medicine that counteracts (works against) poison or disease
Also, something that gives relief something else
antiseptic
against infection; capable of destroying microorganisms that cause disease
antarctica
the continent opposite the arctic
antithesis
one idea placed opposite another; the exact opposite
auto-
self (Greek)
autocracy
government by a single person
autocrat
an absolute ruler; a domineering, self-willed person
autocratic
ruling by oneself; domineering
automatic
operating by itself
automation
a system using self-operating machines
automaton
an apparatus that functions by itself; a robot
Also, a person who has lost all human qualities and acts mechanically
automobile
a self-moving vehicle
autonomic
pertaining to the autonomic nervous system, which acts according to its own (self) laws rather than through voluntary control. It regulates the heart, digestive system, and so forth
autonomous
self-governing
autonomy
the right of self-government
autopsy
a seeing for oneself; an examination of a dead body to discover the cause of death
bene-
well, good (Latin)
benediction
a speaking of good wishes; a blessing
benefactor
one who does something good; one who gives help or financial assistance
beneficence
the doing of good; kindness; charity
beneficial
producing benefits; advantageous
beneficiary
a person who receives benefits, as from a will or an insurance policy
benefit
anything that promotes well-being; a payment to one in need
benevolence
an inclination to do good; a kindly or charitable act
benevolent
wishing someone well; inclined to do good
benign
having a kindly (good) attitude or disposition
Also, in medicine, mild, and and not malignant
Benevolent vs benign
both: having a kindly attitude
benevolent: often includes the idea of doing something charitable
benign: often has a medical meaning opposite to malignant (malevolent)
bi-
two (Latin)
bicameral
composed of two legislative chambers or branches
bicentennial
a 200th anniversary
biceps
any muscle having two heads or points of origin, as the large muscle at the front of the upper arm
bicuspid
a tooth having two points
bicycle
two circles; a two-wheeled vehicle
bigamy
marrying one person while legally married to another
bilateral
having or involving two sides; binding on both parties (in contrast to unilateral, in which only one party has an obligation)
bilingual
able to use two languages
binoculars
field glasses for use with two eyes (in contrast to the telescope, which is for use with one eye only)
bipartisan
consisting of or supported by two parties, especially two major political parties
biped
a two-footed animal
biscuit
twice-cooked or baked; today a quick bread baked in small pieces
bisect
to cut in two, as a diameter bisects a circle
bivalve
a mollusk having two valves or shells hinged together, as a mussel or clam
bio-
life (Greek)
autobiography
an account of a person’s life written by that person
biodegradable
capable of being broken down by living microorganisms and absorbed by the environment
biofeedback
a technique for consciously regulating a bodily (life) function thought to be involuntary, as heartbeat or blood pressure, by using an instrument to monitor the functions and to signal changes in it
biography
a written account of someone’s life
biology
the study of plant and animal life
biopsy
a seeing of live tissues; the examination of tissues removed from the living body
biosphere
the part of the Earth, extending from its crust out into the surrounding atmosphere, in which living things exist
symbiosis
the living together in close union of two dissimilar organisms, often to their mutual benefit
symbiotic
living together in a close relationship, often to the benefit of both
chron-
time (Greek)
chron-
time (Greek)
anachronism
anything out of its proper historical time
chronic
continuing for a long time, as a chronic disease
chronicle
an account of events arranged in order of time
chronological
arranged in order of time of occurrence
chronology
a list of events arranged according to time of occurrence
chronometer
an instrument for measuring time precisely, especially in navigation
synchronize
to cause to operate (keep time) in unison, as to synchronize watches or to synchronize the sound with the fim in a motion picture
circum-
around (Latin)
circuit
the regular journey around a territory be a person performing duties
Also, an arrangement of electrically or electromagnetically connected components
circuitous
roundabout; winding
circumference
a line carried around; the outer boundary line around a circular area
circumlocution
a roundabout way of saying something
circumnavigate
to sail around
circumscribe
to write a line around the bounds; to confine
circumspect
cautious; careful to consider possible consequences
circumstance
something standing around; a fact or event accompanying another fact or event
circumvent
to come around; to get around or to overcome by artful maneuvering; to prevent
com, con, col, cor
together with (Latin)
coherent
sticking together; having an orderly relation of parts
collaborate
to labor together
collusion
playing together; a secret agreement between two or more persons for a deceitful purpose
commensurate
measured together; equal in measure and size; proportionate
commiserate
to sympathize
committee
a group of people sent to meet together to consider some matter
commodious
with plenty of room; spacious
commotion
people moving together; social disorder
companion
a person one shares one’s bread with; a comrade
complicate
to fold together; to make intricate or involved
composition
a putting together of parts to form a whole
compress
to press or squeeze together
compunction
a prick of conscience; an uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt; a slight regret
computer
an electronic machine that performs high-speed mathematical and logical calculations when given coded information
condominium
a building in which the living units are owned individually and the grounds are owned together
condone
to forgive or overlook (an offense)
congenital
born together; existing at birth
consensus
a feeling together; general agreeement
consummate
summed up together; complete or perfect in every respect
contemporary
together in time; belonging to the same age
convene
to come together formally
convention
the coming together of the members of a group
convivial
fond of eating, drinking, and being sociable together
correlate
to relate together; to show relationship
cred-
to believe (Latin)
credence
belief; acceptance as true
credentials
documents that cause others to believe in one.
credibility
trustworthiness
credible
believable
credit
trust, as financial credit; a source of honor, as a credit to one’s family
credulity
tendency to believe readily on too little evidence; gullibility
credulous
believing too readily on too little evidence; gullible
creed
a formal statement of religious or other belief, as the creed of a church
discredit
not to believe; to distrust; to destroy belief in
incredible
unbelievable
incredulity
tendence not to believe readily; skepticism
incredulous
not believing readily; disbelieving
miscreant
originally, an unbeliever in religion; now, an evildoer or criminal
cur-
to run (Latin)
concourse
a run together; a large open space where crowds gather
concur
to run together; to agree
concurrent
running together; occurring at the same time
courier
one who carries (runs with) messages
course
a running onward from one point to the next, as the course of a stream; in education, a series of studies leading (running) toward a degree
currency
money that passes (runs) from person to person in a country
current
the flow (running) of water or air or electricty; prevalent at the moment (running along), as current fashions
curriculum
originally, a race course; today, all the courses offered by an educational institution
cursive
running long; handwriting with the letters joined together
currency
money that passes (runs) from person to person in a country
current
the flow (running) of water or air or electricity; prevalent at the moment (running along), as current fashions
curriculum
originally, a race course; today, all the courses offered by an educational institution
cursive
running along; andwriting with the letters joined together
cursory
running over rapidly without attention to detail; hasty and superficial
discourse
to run about; to speak at length; a formal and lengthy discussion of a subject
excursion
a running out somewhere; a short journey
occur
to run toward; to take place; to happen
precursor
a person or thing that runs before; a forerunner
recourse
a running back (for help); a turning to someone or something for help
recur
to run again; to happen again
recurrent
running back; returning repeatedly
dem-
people (Greek)
demagogue
originally, a leader of the common people; now, a leader who stirs up the people by appealing to their emotions and prejudices to win them over quickly and thus gain power
demagoguery
the methods or practices of a demagogue
democracy
people rule; government by representative elected by the people
demographic
writing about people; pertaining to the study of human populations, especially their density, distribution, and vital statistics
endemic
native to a particular people or country, as an endemic disase, which occurs only among certain people, or an endemic plant or animl, which is found only in a certain loction
endemic
native to a particular people or country, as an endemic disease, which occurs only among certain people, or an endemic plant or animal, which is found only in a certain location
epidemic
upon the people; a disease or other abnormal condition spreading rapidly among many people
pandemic
among all the people; widespread
dict-
to speak (Latin)
abdicate
to proclaim away; to renounce formally a throne or high office
addict
to speak to or to sentence oneself; to give oneself habitually or compulsively to something
contradict
to speak against; to assert the opposite of what someone has said
dictate
to speak or read something aloud to be recorded by another; to give (speak) orders or commands
dictator
one whose speech is to be taken as the final word; one who orders others around; a tyrannical ruler
dictatorial
speaking and acting in a domineering or oppressive way
diction
choice of words in speaking or writing
Also, enunciation in speaking or singing
dictionary
a book containing the world of a (spoken) language
dictum
a formal and authoritative statement (speech).
edict
a speaking out; an official degree
jurisdiction
the right to interpret (speak) and apply the law; legal power to hear and decide cases; the extent of such judicial or other authority
predict
to speak beforehand; to foretell
predict
to speak beforehand; to foretellvaledictorian
valedictorian
a student, usually of the highest scholastic standing, who gives the farewell speech at commencement
dis, di, dif-
not, away, apart (Latin)
disarray
not arrayed or arranged properly; a state of disorder or confusion; disorderly dress
disaster
the stars not in a favorable position; a misfortune
disburse
to take away from a purse; to pay out as from a fund
discomfit
to undo; to thwart the plans of; to make uneasy
disconcert
to upset; to frustrate
disconsolate
not able to be consoled; hopelessly sad
discordant
hearts apart; not in accord; disagreeable t the ear
disease
not at ease; illness
dismantle
originally, to take aman’s cloak off his back; to strip a house of furnishings; to take apart
disparate
not equal; unlike
disparity
difference; unlikeness
display
to fold apart or unfold; to show
disproportionate
not proportionate; out of proportion in size, shape, or amount
dissect
to cut apart, especially for anatomical study
disseminate
to spread abroad as if sowing seed
dissent
to differ in opinion or feeling; to withhold approval
dissident
sitting apart; one who disagrees; a dissenter
dissuade
to turn a person away (from a course) by persuasion
distract
to draw away the attention
diverse
turned away from each other; unlike, as diverse opinions
diversion
something that turns the mind away and relaxes or entertains
divorce
a turning away (in different directions); a dissolution of a marriage
