Final Exam Flashcards
ante-
before, in front of
ben(e)-
well
contra-
against, opposite
de-
down, away, off
extra-
outside, beyond
infra-
below
inter-
between, among
intra-
within
juxta-
by the side of, close to
mal(e)-
badly, poorly
per-
through
post-
after, behind
pro-
forward, in front of
pre-
before, in front of
retro-
backward, behind
se-
apart, aside, away
super-
above
ultra-
beyond
articul-
joint
bucc-
cheek, mouth
caps-
box, container
ced-, cess-, cede-
to go, to come
celer-
quick
cerebr-
brain
cut-, cuss-
to shake, to strike
ict-
stroke, blow
ject-
to throw
later-
side, flank
matur-
ripe, fully grown
ment-
mind
mit(t)-, mis(s)
to send
par-, part-
to give birth to
pariet-
wall
pon-, posit-, pose
to put, to place
salin-
salt
uter-
womb
vas-
vessel
vert, vers-
to burn
ab- (a-, abs-)
away from, from
ad- (ac-, af-, ag-, etc.)
to, toward, near
ambi (ambo-)
both, around
circum-
around
con- (co-, com-, etc.)
with, together, very
dis- (di, dif-)
apart
ex- (e-, ec-, ef-)
out, from
in- (il-, im-, ir-, etc.)
into, on, not
ob- (oc- of-, etc.)
against, toward
re- (red-)
back, again, against
sub (suc-, sus-, etc.)
under, up from under
trans- (tra-, tran-)
across, through
ax-
axis
cori-
skin
corn(u)-
horn
cub-, cumb-, cubit-
to lie down, to recline
fund-, fus-
to pour, to melt
glutin-
to glue
greg-
flock, herd
ili-
flank, hip
lab-, laps-
to slip, to fall
ocul-
eye
rad-, ras-
to scrape
sangui(n)-
blood
stru-, stuct-
to build
sud-
to sweat
tund-, tus-
to beat, to strike
vesic-
bladder
semi-
half, partial
un-
1
du-
2
tri-
3
prim-
first
second-
second
terti-
third
quadr-
4
quinque-
5
sex-
6
sept(em)-
7
oct-
8
novem-
9
dec-
10
cent-
100, hundredth
mill-
1,000,000, millionth
quart-
fourth
quint-
fifth
sext-
sixth
septim-
seventh
octav-
eighth
non-
ninth
dec-
tenth
brachi-
arm
capit- (-cipit-) -ceps
head
cuspid-
point
digit-
finger, toe
furc-
fork
lign-
wood
man(u)-
hand
norm-
rule, pattern
ord-, ordin-
order
papill-, papul-
nipple
part-, partit-
part
pot-
to be able or powerful
radi-
spoke (of a wheel), ray
sta-, stat-, stit-
to stand
strat-
layer
sulc-
furrow, groove
val-
to be strong or well
ven-
vein
abdomen, abdomin
abdomen
cervix, cervic-
neck
cortex, cortic-
bark, outer layer
corpus, corpor-
body
femur, femor-
femur, thigh
semen, semin-
seed
-aceous
having to do with, belonging to, characterized by, or resembling
-al
; -eal, -ial, -ual
having to do with, belonging to, characterized by, or resembling
-an
; -ane, -ian
having to do with, belonging to, characterized by, or resembling
-ar
having to do with, belonging to, characterized by, or resembling
-ary
having to do with, belonging to, characterized by, or resembling
-ate
having to do with, belonging to, characterized by, or resembling
-ic
; -tic
having to do with, belonging to, characterized by, or resembling
-ile
; -il
having to do with, belonging to, characterized by, or resembling
-ine
having to do with, belonging to, characterized by, or resembling
atri-
chamber
aur-
ear
caud-
tail
cord-
heart
cost-
rib
dent-
tooth
dors-
back
faci-
face
fasci-
band, bundle
febr-
fever
front-
forehead
gingiv-
gums
lact-
milk
lingu-
tongue
mamm-
breast
nas-
nose
or-
mouth
ov-
egg
palat-
palate, roof of the mouth
pector-
chest
ped-
foot
pulmon-
lung
ren-
kidney
seb-
fat, grease
spin-
spine
ventr-
belly, stomach
-able
tending to, inclined to, or able to be
-acious
tending to, inclined to, or able to be
-id
tending to, inclined to, or able to be
-ile
tending to, inclined to, or able to be
-itious
tending to, inclined to, or able to be
-ive
tending to, inclined to, or able to be
-ory
tending to, inclined to, or able to be
-ulous
tending to, inclined to, or able to be
-uous
tending to, inclined to, or able to be
-lent
full of
-ose
full of
-ous
full of
adip-
fatty tissue
act-. ag-
to do, to act
aqu(a)-
water
aud-, audit-
to hear
cern-, cret-
to separate, to distinguish
cad-. cid-
to fall
cid-, cis-
to cut, to kill
duc-, duct-
to lead, to draw
fibr-
fiber
flect-, flex-
to bend
ger-, gest-
to carry, to bear
grad-, gress-
to go, to step
her-, hes-
to stick
liqu-
liquid
me-, meat-
to go, to pass through
morb-
disease
nasc-, nat-
to be born
nutr-, nutrit-
to nourish
pur-
pus
sens-, sent-
to feel, to perceive
somn-
sleep
ten- (-tin), tent-
to hold
trem-
to tremble
varic-
twisted, swollen
vir-
virus
vitr-
glass
-ance
; -ancy, -ence, -ency
quality of being, state of being, act of, or result of the act of
-ia
quality of being, state of being, act of, or result of the act of
-ion
quality of being, state of being, act of, or result of the act of
-itude
quality of being, state of being, act of, or result of the act of
-ity
; -ety, -ty
quality of being, state of being, act of, or result of the act of
-or
quality of being, state of being, act of, or result of the act of
-y
quality of being, state of being, act of, or result of the act of
ac-, acu-
sharp, sour
brev-
short
bulli(t)-
to boil
cav-
hollow
dorm-, dormit-
to sleep
err-
to wander
fac- (-fic-), fact- (-fect-)
to make, to do
fer-, lat-
to bear, to produce
flu-, -flux
to flow
fract-, frag-, frang-, (-fring-)
to break, to bend
fur-
to be angry
grav-
heavy
luc-
light, to shine
proxim-
near, nearest
rig-
stiff, to be stiff
san-, sanit-
healthy, to be healthy
sci-
to know
sec-, sect-, seg-
to cut
sist-
to stand
sorb-, sorpt-
to suck in
tend-, tens-, tent-
to stretch
tum-
to swell
und-
wave
vac-, vacu-
empty, to be empty
vig-
to thrive, to be lively
-cle
act of, result of, means of
-crum
; -cr-
act of, result of, means of
-culum
act of, result of, means of
-men
act of, result of, means of
-ment
act of, result of, means of
-mentum
act of, result of, means of
-trum
; -tr-
act of, result of, means of
-ure
act of, result of, means of
-us
act of, result of, means of
ambul-
to walk
cer-
wax
clos-, clud-, clus-
to shut, to close
fid-, fiss-
to split
fil-
thread
for-
to bore, to pierce
hal-, halit-
to breathe
hi-, hiat-
to stand open, to gape
lig-, ligat-
to bind
mov-, mot-, mo-
to move
pig-
to paint, to dye
press-
to press
punct-, pung-
to prick
rupt-
to break, to burst
sciss-
to cut, to split
sed- (-sid-), sess-
to sit, to settle
spec-, spect-
to look at
stimul-
to urge, to goad
tect-, teg-
to cover
temper-, temperat-
to moderate, to blend
tinn-, tinnit-
to ring
tract-
to draw, to drag
volv-, volu-, volut-
to roll
-arium
place of
-ary
place of
-ble
; -bule
place of
-bula
; -bulum
place of
-orium
place of
-ory
place of
-ant
; -iant
person or thing doing
-ent
; -ient
person or thing doing
-or
person or thing doing
aper-, apert-
to open
av-
bird
crem-, cremat-
to burn
dilat-
spread out
don-, donat-
to give
firm-
strong, able
habit-, habitat-
to dwell
i-, it-
to go
lubric-, lubricat-
to make smooth
moll-
soft
oper-, operat-
to work
ori-, ort-
to rise
oscill-, oscillat-
to swing
oss-
bone
pati-, pass-
to suffer, to endure
pend-, pens-
to hang, to weigh, to pay
pil-
hair
pred-, predat-
prey, to hunt
reg- (-rig), rect-
to rule, to make straight
rod-, ros-
to gnaw
spir-, spirat-
to breathe
string-, strict-
to draw tight
trubu-, tribut-
to assign, to allot
vit-, viv-
life, to live
-cule
; -cle
little
-ellus
; -ella, ellum
little
-ette
; -et
little
-ule
; -ole, -le
little
-ulus
; -ula, -ulum, -olus, -ola,
-olum
little
-ate
to make, to perform the act of
-esce
to begin, to become/ grow
-fy
to make, to cause to be
-ize
to make, to cause to be
anim-
soul, spirit
capill-
hair (on the head)
cand-
to glow white
cell-
room
circ-
circle, ring
clav-
key
cut-
skin
ferr-
iron
flor-
flower
foll-
bag
germ-, germin-
sprout, bud, germ
glabr-
smooth
glob-
sphere, lump
gran-
grain, seed
loc-, locat-
place, to place
mol-
mass, bulk
mort-
death
plan-
flat
pulv-, pulver-
dust
ret-
net
sicc-, siccat-
dry, to dry
tuber-
swelling
ungu-
fingernail, toenail
viscer-
entrails
centr-
center
equ-
equal, even
magn-
great
medi-
middle
mult-
many, branch
pen-
almost
plur-
many
vari-
different, varied
-cide
killing, murder
-form
form, shape
-fuge
flight, escape
-grade
step, degree
-ped(e)
foot
aev- (-ev-)
age, period of time
al-
wing
ann- (-enn-)
year
calci-
limestone, calcium
cili-
eyelid, eyelash
foli-
leaf
herb-
grass
lamin-
thin plate
macul-
spot
matr-, matern-
mother
nod-
knot
noct(urn)-, nox
night
omn-
all, every
patr-, patern-
father
pet-, petit-
to seek, to ask for
sept-
fence, to separate
spic-
point, spike
ultim-
last, farthest
umbr-
shade, shadow
unc-, uncin-
hook
verm-
worm
vill-
shaggy hair, tuft of hair
voc-
voice, to call
vor-
to eat
inflection
the process by which words change their form according to their use in a sentence
case
the form that a noun takes as a sign of its grammatical function in a sentence
nominative case
is used for the subject of a sentence
genitive case
when a Latin word appears in the genitive case, translate it with an “of”
first declension
singular plural
nominative -a -ae
genitive -ae -arum
second declension
singular plural
nominative -us -i
genitive -i -orum
fourth declension
singular plural
nominative -us -us
genitive -us
fifth declension
singular plural
nominative -es -es
genitive -ei
first declension:
alumna, alumnae
nursling, pupil
first declension:
antenna, antennae
antenna, feeler
first declension:
aqua, aquae
water
first declension:
forumula, formulae
formula, pattern
first declension:
larva, larvae
larva
first declension:
lingua, linguae
tongue
first declension:
medulla, medullae
marrow
first declension:
spina, spinae
spine
first declension:
tibia, tibiae
shin bone (“pipe flute”)
first declension:
vertebra, vertebrae
vertebra
first declension:
vita, vitae
life
second declension:
alumnus, alumni
nursling, pupil
second declension:
cactus, cacti
cactus, prickly plant
second declension:
focus, focu
center, focus (“hearth”)
second declension:
fungus, fungi
mushrooms, fungi
second declension:
locus, loci
place
second declension:
musculus, musculi
muscle
second declension:
nasus, nasi
nose
second declension:
nervus, nervi
nerve
second declension:
radius, radii
spoke (of a wheel), ray
second declension:
stimulus, stimuli
goad, incentive
second declension:
terminus, termini
end, endpoint
second declension:
addendum, addendi
a thing to be added
second declension:
cavum, cavi
hollow space, cavity
second declension:
curriculum, curriculi
course of study (“running race”)
second declension:
datum, dati
item of information (“thing given”)
second declension:
exemplum, exempli
example
second declension:
medium, medii
transmitter (“middle thing”)
fourth declension:
cursus, cursus
course, running
fourth declension:
fetus, fetus
fetus, offspring
fourth declension:
manus, manus
hand
fifth declension:
facies, faciei
face, appearance
fifth declension:
series, seriei
series, sequence
fifth declension:
species, speciei
species, type
third declension
singular plural
nominative — -es
genitive -is -um
singular plural nominative --- -a genitive -is -um
depressor, depressoris
mechanism for pressing down
dilator, dilatoris
mechanism for spreading out
flexor, flexoris
mechanism for bending
levator, levatoris
mechanism for lifting
livor, livoris
bluish discoloration
motor, motoris
mechanism for moving
rigor, rigoris
stiffness, rigidity
tensor, tensoris
mechanism for stretching or tensing
axis, axis
axis
naris, naris
nostril
piscis, piscis
fish
testis, testis
testicle
appendix, appendicis
appendix (“that which hangs on”)
cervix, cervicis
neck, cervix
index, indicis
index (“that which points out”)
matrix, matricis
matrix, structure, mold
abdomen, abdominis
abdomen
biceps, bicipitis
two-headed (muscle of the arm)
femur, femoris
femur (bone of the upper leg)
mors, mortis
death
os, ossis
bone
pes, pedis
foot
corpus, corporis
body
genus, generis
type, family, race
viscus, visceris
entrails
first declension:
costa, costae
rib
first declension:
membrana, membranae
membrane
first declension:
palperbra, palpebrae
eyelid
first declension:
vena, venae
vein
second declension (-us):
digitus, digiti
finger, toe
second declension (-us):
oculus, oculi
eye
second declension (-um):
brachium, brachii
arm
second declension (-um):
supercilium, supercilii
eyebrow
second declension (-um):
tympanum, tympani
drum
fourth declension:
coitus, coitus
intercourse
fourth declension:
sinus, sinus
cavity
gender of declensions
- first declension nouns are feminine
- second declension nouns ending in -us are masculine
- second declension nouns ending in -um are neuter
- nearly all fourth declension nouns are masculine
- fifth declension nouns are feminine
first/second declension adjectives
mas. sing. masc. pl. fem. sing. fem. pl.
nom. -us -i -a -ae
gen. -i -orum - ae -arum
neut sing. neut. pl.
nom. -um -a
gen. - i -orum
third declension adjectives
masc. /fem sing. masc./fem pl. neut. sing
nom. -is -es -e
gen. -is -ium -is
neut. pl. nom. -ia gen. -ium
first/second declension:
bifidus, bifida, bifidum
forked
first/second declension:
cavus, cava, cavum
hollow
first/second declension:
durus, dura, durum
hard
first/second declension:
latus, lata, latum
wide
first/second declension:
longus, longa, longum
wide
first/second declension:
magnus, magna, magnum
big, great, large
first/second declension:
mucosus, mucosa, mucosum
mucous
first/second declension:
multus, multa, multum
many, much
first/second declension:
transversus, transversa, transversum
oblique, moving across
first/second declension:
dexter, dextra, dextrum
right
first/second declension:
sinister, sinistra, sinistrum
left
third declension:
brevis, breve
short
third declension:
centralis, centrale
central
third declension:
communis, commune
shared, common
third declension:
frontalis, frontale
relating to the forehead
third declension:
jugularis, jugulare
jugular
third declension:
lacrimalis, lacrimale
related to the ears
third declension:
mollis, molle
soft
third declension:
superficialis, superficiale
superficial, on the surface
third declension:
veterbralis, vertebrale
of the vertebra
a.c.
ante cibum
before food
p.c.
post cibum
after food
a.m.
ante meridiem
before midday
p.m.
post meridiem
after midday
a.n.
ante noctem
before night
b.d.
bis die
twice a day
h.s.
hora somni
at the hour of sleep
a.d.
auris dextra
right ear
a.s
auris sinistra
left ear
o.d.
oculus dexter
right eye
o.s.
oculus sinister
left eye
p.o.
per os
orally, through the mouth
p.r.
per rectum
rectally, through the rectum
s.l.
sub lingua
under the tongue
ad lib.
ad libitum
as desired
s.o.s.
si opus sit
as needed (if there should be need)
stat.
statim
immediately
ut dict.
ut dictum
as directed (as stated)
c/
cum
with
s/
sine
without
B.A.
artium baccalaureus
bachelor of arts
B.S.
scientiae baccalaureus
bachelor of science
M.A.
magister artium
master of arts
M.D.
medicinae doctor
doctor of medicine
Ph.D.
philosophiae doctor
doctor of philosophy
latior, latius
latissimus, latissima, latissimum
broader
broadest
longior, longius
longissimus, longissima, longissimum
longer
longest
major, majus
maximus, maxima, maximum
greater, bigger, larger
greatest, biggest, largest
minor, minus
minimus, minima, minimum
smaller
smallest
anterior, anterius
farther forward
posterior, posterius
farther to the back
superior, superius
higher, upper
inferior, inferius
lower
exterior, exterius
outer, farther out
interior, interius
inner, closer to the middle
alb-
white
flav-
yellow
nigr-
black
purpur-
purple
rose-
red
rubr-
red
chlor-
green/yellow
cyan-
dark blue
eryth-, erythr-
red
glauc-
gray
leuk-
white
melan-
black
poli-
gray
alpha
Α α
a
beta
Β β
b
gamma
Γ γ
g
delta
Δ δ
d
epsilon
Ε ε
e
–> short e sound
zeta
Ζ ζ
z
eta
Η η
e
–> long e sound
theta
Θ θ
th
iota
Ι ι
i
kappa
Κ κ
c, k
lambda
Λ λ
l
mu
Μ μ
m
nu
Ν ν
n
xi
Ξ ξ
x
omicron
Ο ο
o
pi
Π π
p
rho
Ρ ρ
r, rh
sigma
Σ σ (ς)
s
tau
Τ τ
t
upsilon
Υ υ
u, y
phi
Φ φ
ph
chi
Χ χ
ch
psi
Ψ ψ
ps
omega
Ω ω
o
diacriticals
markings besides the letters themselves. give information about pronunciation and morphology and are an important feature of a Greek word’s spelling.
amphi-
both, around
ex: amphibian, amphitheater
anti-
ant-
against, opposite
ex: antacid, antitoxin
apo-
from, off, away
ex: apocalypse, apoplexy
dys-
bad, disordered, difficult
ex: dysentery, dysfunction
ec-
ex-
out, out of
ex: eclipse, exorcism
ecto-
exo-
outside, external
ex: ectomorph, ectothermic
eso-
inside, internal
ex: esophoria, esotropic
eu-
well, good, normal
ex: eugenic, euthenasia
hyper-
over, excessive, more than normal
ex: hyperacute, hyperglycemic
peri-
around, near
ex: pericardium, peritoneal
pro-
before, in front of, forward
ex: proerythroblast, proneural
pros-
toward, in addition to, fronting
ex: prosencephalic, prosthesis
acou-, acu-
to hear
to hear
to throw, to put
bar-, bary-
weight, pressure, heavy
bi-
life
card-, cardi-
heart
chondr-
cartilage, granule
crani-
cranium
cri-
crin-
to separate
to secrete
cyt-
cell
eme-, emet-
to vomit
gam-
marriage
gen-, gene-, gon-,
gon-
to be produced
seed
hidro-
sweat
morph-
form, shape
neur-
nerve, tendon
pep-, peps-, pept-
to digest
pha-
to say
plex-
pleg-
stroke, blow
paralysis
psued-
false
rhythm-
rhythm
sep-
rotten
than-, thana- thanat-
death
therm-
heat
the-
to put, to place
top-
place
trop-, trep-
to turn (toward)
a-
an-
not, without
ana-
an-
up, back, again
cata-
cat-
down, against, according to
dia-
di-
through, across, between
en-
el-, em-
in, into, inward
endo-
ento-
within, inner
epi-
ep-
upon, on, to, in addition to
hypo-
hyp-
below, deficient, less than normal
meta-
met-
after, change, transfer
para-
par-
beside, resembling, disordered
syn-
syl-, sym-, sy-, sys-
with, together
alg-
pain
blast-
embryonic cell
cephal-
encephal-
head
brain
chrom-, chromat-
color
derm-, dermat-
skin
erg-
work
gaster-, gastr-
stomach
gno-
to know
hap-, hapt-
to grasp, to fasten
hydr-
water, fluid
ly-, lys-
to loosen, to dissolve
nephr-
kidney
od-
way, road
path-
disease, suffering, feeling
phy-
phyt-
to grow
plant, growth
phyll-
leaf
plas-, plast-
to form, to mold
scop-
to look at, to view
sta-
to stand, to stop
stal-, stol- -stle
to send, to contract
thalam-
chamber, room
thyr-
shield
tom-
to cut
ton-
stretching, tension
tox-
poison
troph-
nourishment
zyg-
yoke, joining
hemi-
1/2
mon-
1
tri-
2
tetr-
3
tetr-
4
pent-
5
hex-
6
hept-
7
oct-
8
enne-
9
dec-
10
hect-
100
kil-
1000
is-
equal, the same
macr-
large, long
mega(l)-
great, large
micr-
small
olig-
few
pan(t)-
all, complete
poly-
many
arch-, arche-
ancient, beginning
crypt-
hidden
cycl-
circle, wheel
dactyl-
finger, toe
gon-, goni-
angle
graph-
-gram
to write
thing written
hedr-
seat, plane
kary- (cary-)
nucleus
lith-
stone
man-, mani-
madness
mer-
part
mes-
middle
metr-, -meter
meter, measure
odont-
tooth
op-, opt-
eye, sight
organ-
instrument, organ
ox-, oxy-
sharp, quick
phag-
to eat
phil-
to love, to have an affinity for
phor-, pher-
to bear, to carry
pod-, -pus
foot
pto-
to fall
typ-
imprint, form
- al;
- ial
*adjectival
related to, belonging to
- an;
- ian
related to, similar to
- ic;
- tic, -ac
related to, similar to
-istic
related to, related to the process of
-ite
belonging to, similar to, derived from
- iod;
- ode
similar to, having the shape of
-ous
full of, related to, similar to
- tic;
- etic, -stic
related to the act or process of
- ate
* verbal
to make, to do something with
-ize
to make, to do something with
aden-
gland
aer-
air, gas
agon-
to compete, to strive
andr-
man, male
anthrop-
human being
asthm-, asthmat-
short breathing, panting
aster-, astr-
star
botan-
herb, plant
carp-
wrist
cau-, caus-, cauter-
to burn
cleid-
clavicle
cyst-
bladder, sac
ge-
earth
ger-, geront-
old person, old age
gyn-, gyne-, gynec-
woman, female
kine-
to move
lep-
to seize
mast-
breast
naus-
(sea) sickness
ped-
child, instruction
rhe-, -rrhea
rheum-, rheumat-
to flow
flowing, discharge
som-, somat-
body
spir-
coil
sthen-
strength
thorac-
chest
typh-
stupor
zo-
animal
- ia;
- y
*nominal
state of, condition of, quality of
-iasis
diseased condition of
- ism;
- ismus
condition of
-itis
inflammation of, inflammatory disease of
-ium
part, lining or enveloping tissue, region
- ma;
- m, -me
result of the act of
-osis
diseased condition of, act of, process of
- sis;
- sia, -sy, -se
act of, process of, result of the act of
-oma
tumor of, swelling of, diseased condition of, result of
arachn-
spider
arter-, arteri-
artery
arth-
joint
bronch-, bronchi-
air tube
carcin-
cancer
ede- (oede-)
to swell
eury-, eurys-, euryn-
wide
hepar-, hepat-
liver
hypn-
sleep
hyster-
uterus
laryng-
larynx
mne-
to remember
myel-
spinal cord, marrow
narc-
stupor
phob-
to fear
pne-, -pnea
pneum-, pneumat-
pneumon-
breathing
air, gas
lung
psor-
itch
ptery-, pteryg-
wing
sarc-
flesh
schiz, schis, schist-
to split, to rupture
sten-
narrow
tach-, tachy-
swift
trich-, -trhix
hair
- ete;
- t
*nominal
a person or thing doing
-ician
a specialist in, practitioner of
-ics, -tics
art, science, or study of
-ist
art, science, or study of
-ist
one who practices or partakes in
-ter
means of, place for
- isk, iscus
* dimunitive
little
-ium, ion
little
-idium, -idion
little
singular
hippopotamus
metanephros
topos
plural
hippopotamoi
metanephroi
topoi
singular
crisis
hypothesis
synthesis
plural
crises
hypotheses
syntheses
singular carcinoma schema stigma stoma
plural carcinomata schemata stigmata stomata
singular bacterium criterion ganglion phenomenon polyhedron protozoon
plural bacteria criteria ganglia phenomena polyhedra protozoa
singular meninx octopus phalanx rhinoceros
plural meninges octopodes phalanges rhinocerotes
all-
allel-
other, different
other, each other
bacter-
bacteria
cry-
cold
diet-, diete-
to regulate
esthe-, (aesthe-)
to feel, to perceive
galgli-
knot, mass of tissue
gyr-
ring, circle
iatr-
doctor, treatment
iod-
violet colored
irid-
iris, rainbow
lip-
fat, fatty tissue
log-
word, speech, study
men-
moon, menstruation
mening-
membrane
oph-
snake
orth-
straight, correct
pharmac-
drug
psych-
mind, soul
pyg-
buttock
rhabd-
rod
sphinc-
to bind, to tighten
spor-
seed, spore
stig-, stigmat-
point, prick
techn-
art, skill
ur-, ure-
urine
compound suffix
a word ending comprised of a base and regular suffix. the base component is not technically a suffix, but there are some combinations of bases and suffixes that occur so frequently that they deserve to be treated as suffixes in their own right
-algia
condition of having pain in
-emia
condition of the blood
-mania
madness, obsession
-opia
condition of the vision
-philia
intense attraction to or love for
-phobia
intense fear or aversion to
-phoria
carrying or transporting
-sthenia
condition of strength
condition of strength
turning or inclination
acr-
extremity, summit
argyr-
silver
aut-
self
chir-, cheir-
hand
chron-
time
copr-
excrement
gluc-, glyc-
sugar
hem-, hemat-
blood
heter-
other, different
hom-, home-
same, similar
necr-
corpse, dead tissue
ne-
new, young
nom-
rule, law; measure
orex-
appetite
ot-
ear
pale- (palae-)
old, ancient
platy-, platys-
broad, flat
pleur-
side, rib
spa-, spas-
to draw, to jerk
stere-
solid, three-dimensional
stom-, stomat-
mouth
therap-
to nurture, to treat
traum-, traumat-
injury, trauma
-ectomy
cutting out, removal
-graphy
writing, imaging
-logy
study or science of
-nomy
study or science of
-pathy
disease, disorder, feeling
-plasty
shaping, reconstructing
-stomy
cutting of an opening or mouth
-therapy
treatment
-tomy
cutting
-trophy
nourishment
angi-
vessel
antr-
cavity
blephar-
eyelid
cac-
bad
cheil-
lip
enter-
intestine
heli-
sun
ker-, kerat-
horn, cornea
lept-
thin, delicate
lymph-
water, lymph
nyct-
night
onc-
tumor, swelling
ophthalm-
eye
osm-
smell
ost-, oste-
bone
phleb-
vein
phon-
sound, voice
proct-
anus, rectum
pyl-, pyle- pylor-
gate, entrance, lower stomach
pyr-, pyret-
fire, fever
rhin, -rrhin-
nose
salpinx, salping-
tube
splen-
spleen
tac-, tax-
to order, to arrange
tele-
far away from, at a distance
trache-
rough, windpipe
-genesis
birth, origin
-kinesis
movement
-lysis
dissolution, breaking apart
-physis
growth
-stasis
condition, standing
-scope
instrument for viewing
-some
body, structure
-type
form, model, example
acanth-
thorn
brady-
slow
chol-, chole-
bile, gall
chyl-, chym-
juice
cly-, clys-
to wash
colp-
vagina
dacry-
tear
dynam-. dyn-
power
geu-
to taste
hol-
whole, entire
-ide
idea, mental image
idi-
one’s own, distinct
lapar-
abdomen
metr-
uterus
myc- mycet
fungus
oo-
egg
orch, orchi-, orchid-
testicle
pachy-
thick
parthen-
virgin
phan-, phaner-, phant- phen-
to appear, to show
phot-, phos-
light
rhiz-
root
sperm-, spermat-
semen, seed
splanchn-
entrails, viscera
steth-
chest
toc-
childbirth
actin-
ray
-agog- , -agogue
inducing the flow of, expelling
ambly-
dull, blunt
brachy-
short
campt-
bent
cel- , celi- , coel- , -coel
cavity (esp. in the abdomen)
-cele
hernia, swelling
cente-
to puncture
doch-
to take, to receive, to contain
dolich-
long
gloss- , glott- , glot-
tongue
hapl-
single
ichthy- , ichtyos-
fish
ischi-
hip
lal-
to talk
mel-
limb
my- , mys- , myos-
muscle
nem- , nemat-
thread
pen-
deficiency, lack
poie-
to make
presby-
old
pyel-
pelvis (esp. of the kidney)
rhaph- , -rrhaph-
to sew, to suture
-rrhag-
excessive discharge
stear- , steat-
fat
stern-
chest, breastbone
xer-
dry
convex-
Lat.
vaulted, rounded
hallux, halluc-
Lat.
big toe
hern- , herni-
Lat.
rupture
lumb-
Lat.
loin
plant-
Lat.
sole of the foot
radix, radic-
Lat.
root
scoli-
Gk.
curved, bent
cardio
cardiovascular [cardi + vascul + ar]
related to the heart and blood vessels (esp. “cardiovascular exercise”)
lipo
liposuction [lip + o + suct (Lat. “to suck”) + ion]
surgical removal of fat deposits via vacuum suction
mono
mononucleosis [mon + o + nucle + osis]
an abnormally high number of mononuclear leukocytes in the blood
polio
poliomyelitis [poli + o + myel + itis]
infection of the gray matter of the spinal column or central nervous system
strep
streptococcus [strept (Gk. “twisted”) + o + coccus (Gk. “berry”)]
a type of bacterial organism with spherical clusters linked together in a chain-like (“twisted”) series (esp. of the infection “strep throat”
cancer
[Lat. cancer, cf. karkinos, “crab”]
so-called because of the apparent resemblance of the spreading growth of tumors to the legs of a crab (cf. “canker”)
capillary
[capill + ary]
used to describe blood vessels that are similar in shape to “little hairs”
hippocampus
[Gk. hippokampos, “see horse”]
a convoluted elevation of gray matter in the brain that helps with short term memory and spatial awareness; so-called because of its supposed resemblance to a sea horse
lupus
[Lat. lupus, “wolf”]
name for a collection of disorders usually marked by discoloration of the skin though may also include a range of other ailments; names for the apparently voracious nature of the affliction
pica
[Lat. pica, “magpie”]
compulsive eating of non-nutritive substances, such as dirt or hair; named after the magpie, a bird in the crow family, because of its remarkably wide-ranging diet; probably analogous to the Greek kitta (“jay”), which was used in antiquity to denote cravings for strange food
polyp
[poly + pus}
originally “many-footed} creature, but later used to indicate a nasal tumor; now “a protruding growth from any mucous membrane”
solar plexus
[sol + ar, Lat. plexus, “network”]
a complex of nerves situated at the pit of the stomach, so-called because of its “radiating” appearance, lit. “sun-like network”
diet
from Gk. diata, “manner of life, behavior”, now used specifically for a manner of eating
intoxication
lit. “state of having ingested a poison”; now used primarily to refer specifically to drunkenness (although it can refer to other chemicals)
nausea
from Gk. nausia (or nautia), “seasickness”; now used of any feeling of sickness, esp. with an inclination to vomit; an example of generalization
physician
related to Gk. physis (“nature,” from phy-, “to grow”); a physikos was a natural philosopher, one who inquired into the nature of the universe; now used of a medical doctor (cf. “physicist”)
plague
from Lat. plaga, “strike, blow”: now used to refer to an infectious disease, especially that caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis; an example of specification and intensification
Achilles tendon
a powerful tendon that attaches to the lower muscle of the legs to the heel; Thetis, the mother of the famous warrior Achilles, was said to have dipped her son into the River Styx while holding him by the heel so that he could become immortal, but as his heal was never immersed in the water, he died when struck by an arrow in this unprotected area (also called by the more descriptive title “calcaneal tendon,” i.e., “tendon of the heel”)
atlas (vertebra)
the first or uppermost cervical vertebra, which articulated with the occipital bone above and supports the skull; so named after Atlas, the mythic giant born from the Titan Iapetus, responsible for holding up the vault of the heavens (in some accounts, a punishment for his involvement in the rebellion of the Titans against the Olympian gods)
caput Medusae
dilated cutaneous veins around the umbilicus; so-called because of a perceived resemblance between the veins and the head of the snake-haired Medusa (note the genitive singular Medusae)
hymen
a membranous fold that partially or wholly occludes the external orifice of the vagina; the Greek work hymen, “membrane,” maybe the same origin as the name Hymen, the Greek and Roman god of marriage, although its etymology is disputed
mons Veneris
the mons pubis (“pubic mound”) of a woman, i.e., a rounded, fleshy prominence over the pubic bone; lit. “mound of Venus,” names after the Roman goddess of love and sex, corresponding generally to the Greek Aphrodite (Veneris is the genitive singular of the third-declension noun Venus)
chimerism
in genetics, the presence of cells of different origin in an individual, whether by mutation, transplant, or some other process; names from the chimera, a hybrid monster depicted as an amalgam of a lion, goat, and serpent
gigantism
abnormal overgrowth or excess in stature, names from the Giants (Lat. and Gk. gigantes), a race of monstrous creatures that were born from Gaia (“Earth”) and drops of blood falling from the castrated genitals of Ouranos (“Sky”); also spelled “giantism”
hermaphrodite
a person or animal with both male and female sex organs, so-called because of the mythical figure Hermaphroditus, the son of Hermes and Aphrodite who became conjoined with the nymph Salmacis, after which he possessed dual sexuality
narcissism
excessive self-interest of self-love; named from Narcissus, a beautiful young man who saw his reflection in a stream and was so transfixed by the sight that he could not move; depending on the version of the story he then committed suicide, or fell into the spring and drowned, or was transformed into a flower
panic
acute, extreme anxiety, often leading to abnormal thinking or behavior; lit. “pertaining to Pan”; the Greek god Pan presided over mountains, forests, caved, and other places in which strange sounds could be heard, and the fear caused by such noises were associated directly with the god
priapism
persistent abnormal erection of the penis, usually without any sexual desire; Priapus was a Greek god of fertility and sexuality marked by a constant ithyphallic (i.e., erect) state; he was also associated generally with prosperity (statuettes of erect penises were frequently employed as good-luck charms)
satyriasis
hypersexuality in a male; lit. “the condition of being a satyr,” a hybrid (often ithyphallic) creature associated with Dionysus and known for constant cravings for wine and sex
venereal
related to or transmitted by sexual contact (esp. of disease); lit. “having to do with Venus”
ammonia
a colorless, water-soluble alkaline has that can be toxic in high concentrations; so-called because it was emitted by sal ammoniacus (“salt of Ammon”), a salt obtained by the Romans near the temple of Jupiter Ammon in Egypt (the Egyptian deity Amun was king of the gods and therefore associated with the Greek Zeus and the Roman Jupiter
aphrodisiac
a drug that increases sexual libido; from a Greek word meaning “having to do with Aphrodite,” the goddess of love and sex
atropine
a poisonous alkaloid occurring naturally in deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna); called by the name Atropos (“Inflexible”), one of the Greek Fates, the goddesses responsible for apportioning to humans their respective lifespans
mercury
a metallic element that is a silvery-white liquid at room temperature; names from Mercury, the Roman messenger god presiding over commerce, travel, and boundaries (identified with the Greek Hermes); some elements known in antiquity were associated with planets, and likewise, mercury was associated with the god/planet of the name, perhaps because of its mobility (cf. the alternative name “quicksilver”); the Greek name hydrargyros (“liquid silver”) gives the element its symbol, Hg
morphine
the principle alkaloid of opium, used mainly as a narcotic analgesic, so-called from Morpheus, the mythological son of Hypnos (“sleep”), on account of his ability to induce dreams
neptunium
a radioactive element obtained by splitting uranium atoms with neutrons; so-called because it came directly after uranium on the periodic table, and Neptune is one planet farther out from Uranus (uranium itself had been named after the newly discovered planet; the same process was also used to label plutonium, the next element in the table after neptunium)
sphingosine
an amino alcohol serving as a major base of sphingolipids in mammals; some sources claim an etymology from sphinc- (“to bind”), but the actual namesake is the Sphinx, a hybrid female monster famous for her riddles
coron-
Lat.
crown
farc- , farct-
Lat.
to stuff, to cram
isch-
Gk.
to suppress
lu- , lut-
Lat.
to wash
mitr-
Gk.
bandage, waistband
ram-
Lat.
branch
thromb-
Gk.
clot
Eustachian tube
a channel that establishes the connection between the nasopharynx and the tympanic cavity serves to adjust the pressure in the cavity to external pressure; named after the Italian anatomist Eustachius
Fallopian tube
a long, slender tube that extends from the upper lateral cornu of the uterus to the regions of the ovary of the same side; named after the Italian anatomist Fallopius
Galen vein
either of the internal cerebral veins or the great cerebral vein; names after Galen, the Greek physician of the 2nd century AD
islets of Langerhans
microscopic structures scattered through the pancreas and compromising its endocrine part (the beta cells of this group produce insulin, from the Latin word insula, “island”); named after the 19th-century German anatomist Paul Langerhand, who was the first to describe them
torcular Herophili
the confluence of the sinuses at the back of the skull; lit. “wine cellar (i.ei, cavity) of Herophilus,” the Greek doctor active in 3rd century BC who was reputed to have been the first to perform dissection on human cadavers
Alzheimer’s disease
a progressive central neurodegenerative disorder marked by memory disturbance and personality changes, progressing to severe dementia; first describes by German neuropathologist and psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer
facies Hippocratica
a shrunken, pale aspect of the countenance immediately before death; so-named because the description of this condition is found in Hippocratic writings
Leishmaniasis
an infection caused by Leishmania, a parasitic protozoon of worldwide disruption; named after Scottish pathologist William Boog Leishman
Listeriosis
an infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a widespread pathogen in humans and animals; named after Joseph Lister, who was known for his work in antiseptics
Lou Gehrig’s disease
progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord; formally known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (i.e., hardening in the lateral spinal column associated with the lack of muscle nourishment); named after Lou Gehrig, a professional baseball player who was diagnosed with this disease
Parkinson’s disease
a chronic, progressive neurological disorder marked by tremors, muscle rigidity, and slowing of voluntary movement; named after James Parkinson, an English surgeon who first described the disease in his 1817 “Essay of the Shaking Palsy”
Rickettsiosis
a disease caused by Rickettsia, a genus of bacteria transmitted frequently by ticks, fleas, and lice; named after American pathologist Howard Taylor Ricketts; note that this is not the same as rickets, an interruption in bone development caused by a vitamin D deficiency
Salmonellosis
an infection caused by the genus of bacteria known as Salmonella, which manifests itself most frequently in humans as food poisoning; named after American pathologist Daniel Elmer Salmon
Cesarean section
delivery of a child by an incision through the walls of the abdomen when natural birth cannot take place; so-called because it was thought that an ancestor of Julius Caesar was born this way
Heimlich maneuver
a method of dislodging food or other material from the throat of a choking victim, affected by the sudden application of upward thrust into the abdomen between the navel and the sternum; developed by American thoracic surgeon Henry J. Heimlich
Pap smear
an exfoliative cytological staining procedure for detection and diagnosis of various conditions, esp. cancer and precancerous growths in the female reproductive tract; named very succinctly for Greek anatomist Georgios Papanicolaou
Pasteurization
the process of heating foods or liquids (esp. milk) to a specific temperature for a specific time for the purpose of eliminating microorganisms that would cause spoilage; developed by French chemist Louis Pasteur
John Surgery
the surgical replacement of a portion of the ulnar collateral ligament with another tendon from another part of the body, performed frequently on athletes; named after professional baseball pitcher Tommy John, the first person to undergo this procedure
auscult- , ausculttat-
Lat.
to listen
inguin-
Lat.
groin
palp-
Lat.
to touch, to stroke
pharynx , pharyng-
Gk.
throat
tuss-
Lat.
cough
