GRE Roots Flashcards
agnostic
a/an - not, without
one who believes the existence of God is not provable
amoral
a/an - not, without
neither moral nor immoral; having no relation to morality
anomaly
a/an - not, without
an irregularity
anonymous
a/an - not, without
of unknown authorship or origin
apathy
a/an - not, without
lack of interest or emotion
atheist
a/an - not, without
one who does not believe in God
atrophy
a/an - not, without
the wasting away of body tissue
atypical
a/an - not, without
not typical
abdicate
ab - off, away from, apart from
to renounce or relinquish a throne
abduct
ab - off, away from, apart from
to take away by force
abhor
ab - off, away from, apart from
to hate, detest
abject
ab - off, away from, apart from
cast down; degraded
abnormal
ab - off, away from, apart from
deviating from a standard
abolish
ab - off, away from, apart from
to do away with, make void
abstinence
ab - off, away from, apart from
forbearance from any indulgence of appetite
abstract
ab - off, away from, apart from
conceived apart from from concrete realities, specific objects, or actual instances
abstruse
ab - off, away from, apart from
hard to understand; secret, hidden
changeable
able/ible - capable of, worthy of
able to be changed
combustible
able/ible - capable of, worthy of
capable of being burned; easily inflamed
inevitable
able/ible - capable of, worthy of
impossible to be avoided; certain to happen
presentable
able/ible - capable of, worthy of
suitable for being presented
acerbic
ac/acr - sharp, bitter, sour
sour or astringent in taste; harsh in temper
acid
ac/acr - sharp, bitter, sour
something that is sharp, sour, or ill-natured
acrimonious
ac/acr - sharp, bitter, sour
caustic, stinging, or bitter in nature
acumen
ac/acr - sharp, bitter, sour
mental sharpness; quickness of wit
acute
ac/acr - sharp, bitter, sour
sharp at the end; ending at a point
exacerbate
ac/acr - sharp, bitter, sour
to increase bitterness or violence, aggravate
acoustic
acou - hearing
pertaining to hearing; sound made through mechanical, not electronic, means
agile
act/ag - to do, to drive, to force, to lead
quick and well-coordinated in movement; active, lively
agitate
act/ag - to do, to drive, to force, to lead
to move or force into violent, irregular action
pedagogue
act/ag - to do, to drive, to force, to lead
a teacher
prodigal
act/ag - to do, to drive, to force, to lead
wastefully or recklessly extravagant
synagogue
act/ag - to do, to drive, to force, to lead
a gathering or congregation of Jews for the purpose of religious worship
accede
ad - to, toward, near (often d dropped, first letter to which a is prefixed is doubled)
to yield to a demand; to enter office
adapt
ad - to, toward, near (often d dropped, first letter to which a is prefixed is doubled)
adjust or modify fittingly
addict
ad - to, toward, near (often d dropped, first letter to which a is prefixed is doubled)
to give oneself over, as to a habit or pursuit
address
ad - to, toward, near (often d dropped, first letter to which a is prefixed is doubled)
to direct a speech or written statement to
adhere
ad - to, toward, near (often d dropped, first letter to which a is prefixed is doubled)
to stick fast; cleave; cling
adjacent
ad - to, toward, near (often d dropped, first letter to which a is prefixed is doubled)
near, close, or contiguous; adjoining
adjoin
ad - to, toward, near (often d dropped, first letter to which a is prefixed is doubled)
to be close or in contact with
admire
ad - to, toward, near (often d dropped, first letter to which a is prefixed is doubled)
to regard with wonder, pleasure, and approval
advocate
ad - to, toward, near (often d dropped, first letter to which a is prefixed is doubled)
to plead in favor of
attract
ad - to, toward, near (often d dropped, first letter to which a is prefixed is doubled)
to draw either by physical force or by an appeal to emotions or senses
alias
al/ali/alter - other, another
an assumed name; another name
alibi
al/ali/alter - other, another
the defense by an accused person that he was verifiably elsewhere at the time of the crime with which he is charged
alien
al/ali/alter - other, another
one born in another country; a foreigner
allegory
al/ali/alter - other, another
figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another
alter ego
al/ali/alter - other, another
the second self; a substitute or deputy
alternative
al/ali/alter - other, another
a possible choice
altruist
al/ali/alter - other, another
a person unselfishly concerned for the welfare of others
amateur
am - love
a person who engages in an activity for pleasure rather than financial or professional gain
amatory
am - love
of or pertaining to lovers or lovemaking
amiable
am - love
having or showing agreeable personal qualities
amicable
am - love
characterized by exhibiting good will
amity
am - love
friendship; peaceful harmony
amorous
am - love
inclined to love, esp. sexual love
enamored
am - love
inflamed with love; charmed; captivated
inamorata
am - love
a female lover
ambidextrous
ambi/amphi - both, on both sides, around
able to use both hands equally well
ambient
ambi/amphi - both, on both sides, around
moving around freely; circulating
ambiguous
ambi/amphi - both, on both sides, around
open to various interpretations
amphibian
ambi/amphi - both, on both sides, around
any cold-blooded vertebrate, the larva of which is aquatic and the adult of which is terrestrial; a person or thing having a twofold nature
ambulance
ambl/ambul - to go, to walk
a vehicle equipped for carrying sick people (from a phrase meaning “walking hospital”)
ambulatory
ambl/ambul - to go, to walk
of, pertaining to, or capable of walking
perambulator
ambl/ambul - to go, to walk
one who makes a tour of inspection on foot; a baby stroller
preamble
ambl/ambul - to go, to walk
an introductory statement (originally: to walk in front)
animal
anim - of the life, mind, soul, breath
a living being
animosity
anim - of the life, mind, soul, breath
a feeling of ill will or enmity
equanimity
anim - of the life, mind, soul, breath
mental or emotional stability, especially under tension
maganimous
anim - of the life, mind, soul, breath
generous in forgiving an insult or injury
unanimous
anim - of the life, mind, soul, breath
of one mind; in complete accord
annals
annui/enni - year
a record of events, esp. a yearly record
anniversary
annui/enni - year
the yearly recurrence of the date of a past event
annual
annui/enni - year
of, for, or pertaining to a year; yearly
annuity
annui/enni - year
a specified income payable at stated intervals
perennial
annui/enni - year
lasting for an indefinite amount of time
antebellum
ant/ante - before
before the war (especially the American Civil War)
antecedent
ant/ante - before
existing, being, or going before
antedate
ant/ante - before
precede in time
antediluvian
ant/ante - before
belonging to the period before the biblical flood; very old or old-fashioned
anterior
ant/ante - before
placed before
androgen
anthro/andr - man, human
any substance that promotes masculine characteristics
androgynous
anthro/andr - man, human
being both male and female
android
anthro/andr - man, human
a robot; a mechanical man
anthropocentric
anthro/andr - man, human
regarding humanity as the central fact of the universe
anthropology
anthro/andr - man, human
the science that deals with the origins of humankind
misanthrope
anthro/andr - man, human
one who hates humans or humanity
philanderer
anthro/andr - man, human
one who carries on flirtations
antibody
anti - against, opposite
a protein naturally existing in blood serum that reacts to overcome an antigen
antidote
anti - against, opposite
a remedy for counteracting the effects of poison, disease, etc.
antipathy
anti - against, opposite
aversion
antipodal
anti - against, opposite
on the opposite side of the globe
antiseptic
anti - against, opposite
free from germs; particularly clean or neat
apocalypse
apo - away
revelation; discovery; disclosure
apocryphal
apo - away
of doubtful authorship or authenticity
apogee
apo - away
the highest or most distant point
apology
apo - away
the expression of one’s regret or sorrow for having wronged another
apostasy
apo - away
a total desertion of one’s religion, principles, party, cause, etc.
apostle
apo - away
one of the 12 disciples sent forth by Jesus to preach the Gospel
aquamarine
aqua/aque - water
a bluish-green color
aquarium
aqua/aque - water
a tank for keeping fish and other underwater creatures
aquatic
aqua/aque - water
having to do with water
aqueduct
aqua/aque - water
a channel for transporting water
subaqueous
aqua/aque - water
underwater
anarchy
arch/archi/archy - chief, principal, ruler
a state or society without government or law
archenemy
arch/archi/archy - chief, principal, ruler
chief enemy
architect
arch/archi/archy - chief, principal, ruler
the devisor, maker, or planner of anything
monarchy
arch/archi/archy - chief, principal, ruler
a government in which the supreme power is lodged in a sovereign
oligarchy
arch/archi/archy - chief, principal, ruler
a state or society ruled by a select group
ardent
ard - to burn
burning; fierce; passionate
ardor
ard - to burn
flame; passion
arson
ard - to burn
the crime of setting property on fire
autocrat
auto - self
an absolute ruler
automatic
auto - self
self-moving or self-acting
autonomy
auto - self
independence or freedom
belie
be - about, to make, to surround, to affect (often used to transform words into transitive verbs)
to misrepresent; to contradict
belittle
be - about, to make, to surround, to affect (often used to transform words into transitive verbs)
to make small; to make something appear smaller
bemoan
be - about, to make, to surround, to affect (often used to transform words into transitive verbs)
to moan for; to lament
bewilder
be - about, to make, to surround, to affect (often used to transform words into transitive verbs)
to confuse completely (that is, to make one mentally wander)
belle
bel/bell - beautiful
a beautiful woman
embellish
bel/bell - beautiful
to make beautiful; to ornament
antebellum
bell - war
before the war (especially the American Civil War)
belligerent
bell - war
warlike, given to waging war
rebel
bell - war
a person who resists authority, control, or tradition
benediction
ben/bene - good
act of uttering a blessing
benefit
ben/bene - good
anything advantageous to a person or thing
benevolent
ben/bene - good
desiring to do good to others
benign
ben/bene - good
having a kindly disposition
biennial
bi/bin - two
happening every two years
bilateral
bi/bin - two
pertaining to or affecting two or both sides
bilingual
bi/bin - two
able to speak one’s native language and another with equal facility
binocular
bi/bin - two
involving two eyes
bipartisan
bi/bin - two
representing two parties
combination
bi/bin - two
the joining of two or more things into a whole
bona fide
bon/boun - good, generous
in good faith; without fraud
bonus
bon/boun - good, generous
something given over and above what is due
bountiful
bon/boun - good, generous
generous
abbreviate
brev/brid - short, small
to shorten
abridge
brev/brid - short, small
to shorten
brevet
brev/brid - short, small
an honorary promotion with no additional pay
breviloquent
brev/brid - short, small
laconic; concise in one’s speech
brevity
brev/brid - short, small
shortness
brief
brev/brid - short, small
short
bursar
burs - purse, money
treasurer
bursary
burs - purse, money
treasury
disburse
burs - purse, money
to pay
reimburse
burs - purse, money
to pay back
accident
cad/cid - to fall, to happen by chance
happening by chance; unexpected
cascade
cad/cid - to fall, to happen by chance
a waterfall descending over a steep surface
coincidence
cad/cid - to fall, to happen by chance
a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time, apparently by chance
decadent
cad/cid - to fall, to happen by chance
decaying; deteriorating
recidivist
cad/cid - to fall, to happen by chance
one who repeatedly relapses, as into crime
accent
cant/cent/chant - to sing
prominence of a syllable in terms of pronunciation
chant
cant/cent/chant - to sing
a song; singing
enchant
cant/cent/chant - to sing
to subject to magical influence; bewitch
incantation
cant/cent/chant - to sing
the chanting of words purporting to have magical power
incentive
cant/cent/chant - to sing
that which incites action
recant
cant/cent/chant - to sing
to withdraw or disavow a statement
anticipate
cap/cip/cept - to take, to get
to realize beforehand; foretaste or foresee
capture
cant/cent/chant - to sing
to take by force or stratagem
emancipate
cant/cent/chant - to sing
to free from restraint
percipient
cant/cent/chant - to sing
having perception; discerning; discriminating
precept
cant/cent/chant - to sing
a commandment or direction given as a rule of conduct
susceptible
cant/cent/chant - to sing
capable of receiving, admitting, undergoing, or being affected by something
capital
cap/capit/cipit - head, headlong
the city or town that is the official seat of government
capitulate
cap/capit/cipit - head, headlong
to surrender unconditionally or on stipulated termsc
caption
cap/capit/cipit - head, headlong
a heading or title
disciple
cap/capit/cipit - head, headlong
one who is a pupil of the doctrines of another
precipice
cap/capit/cipit - head, headlong
a cliff with a vertical face
precipitate
cap/capit/cipit - head, headlong
to hasten the occurrence of; to bring about prematurely
cardiac
card/cord/cour - heart
pertaining to the heart
concord
card/cord/cour - heart
agreement; peace, amity
concordance
card/cord/cour - heart
agreement, concord, harmony
discord
card/cord/cour - heart
lack of harmony between persons or things
encourage
card/cord/cour - heart
to inspire with spirit or confidence
carnage
carn - flesh
the slaughter of a great number of people
carnival
carn - flesh
a traveling amusement show
carnivorous
carn - flesh
eating flesh
incarnation
carn - flesh
a being invested with a bodily form
reincarnation
carn - flesh
rebirth of a soul in a new body
cast
cast/chast - to cut
to throw or hurl; fling
caste
cast/chast - to cut
a hereditary social group, limited to people of the same rank
castigate
cast/chast - to cut
to punish in order to correct
chaste
cast/chast - to cut
free from obscenity; decent
chastise
cast/chast - to cut
to discipline, esp. by corporal punishment
caustic
caus/caut - to burn
burning or corrosive
cauterize
caus/caut - to burn
to burn or deaden
cautery
caus/caut - to burn
an instrument used for branding; branding
holocaust
caus/caut - to burn
a burnt offering; complete destruction by fire or other means
accede
ced/ceed/cess - to go, to yield, to stop
to yield to a demand; to enter office
antecedent
ced/ceed/cess - to go, to yield, to stop
existing, being, or going before
cessation
ced/ceed/cess - to go, to yield, to stop
a temporary or complete discontinuance
concede
ced/ceed/cess - to go, to yield, to stop
to acknowledge as true, just, or proper; admit
incessant
ced/ceed/cess - to go, to yield, to stop
without stop
predecessor
ced/ceed/cess - to go, to yield, to stop
one who comes before another in an office, position, etc.
accelerant
celer - speed
something used to speed up a process
accelerate
celer - speed
to increase in speed
celerity
celer - speed
speed; quickness
decelerate
celer - speed
to decrease in speed
bicentennial
cent - hundred, hundredth
two-hundredth anniversary
cent
cent - hundred, hundredth
a hundredth of a dollar
centigrade
cent - hundred, hundredth
a temperature system with one hundred degrees between the freezing and boiling points of water
centimeter
cent - hundred, hundredth
one-hundredth of a meter
century
cent - hundred, hundredth
one hundred years
percent
cent - hundred, hundredth
in every hundred
centrifuge
centr - center
an apparatus that rotates at high speed and separates substances of different densities using centrifugal force
centrist
centr - center
of or pertaining to moderate political or social ideas
concentrate
centr - center
to bring to a common center; to converge, to direct toward one point
concentric
centr - center
having a common center, as in circles or spheres
eccentric
centr - center
off-center
ascertain
cern/cert/cret/crim/crit - to separate, to judge, to distinguish, to decide
to make sure of; to determine
certitude
cern/cert/cret/crim/crit - to separate, to judge, to distinguish, to decide
freedom from doubt
criterion
cern/cert/cret/crim/crit - to separate, to judge, to distinguish, to decide
a standard of judgement or criticism
discreet
cern/cert/cret/crim/crit - to separate, to judge, to distinguish, to decide
judicious in one’s conduct of speech, esp. with regard to maintaining silience about something of a delicate nature
discrete
cern/cert/cret/crim/crit - to separate, to judge, to distinguish, to decide
detached from others, separate
hypocrite
cern/cert/cret/crim/crit - to separate, to judge, to distinguish, to decide
a person who pretends to have beliefs that she does not
chromatic
chrom - color
having to do with color
chrome
chrom - color
a metallic element (chromium) used to make vivid colors or something plated with chromium
chromosome
chrom - color
genetic material that can be studied by coloring it with dyes
monochromatic
chrom - color
having only one color
anachronism
chron - time
something that is out-of-date or belonging to the wrong time
chronic
chron - time
constant, habitual
chronology
chron - time
the sequential order in which past events occurred
chronometer
chron - time
a highly accurate clock or watch
synchronize
chron - time
to occur at the same time or agree in time
circuit
circu/circum - around
a line around an area; a racecourse; the path traveled by electrical current
circuitous
circu/circum - around
roundabout, indirect
circumference
circu/circum - around
the outer boundary of a circular area
circumspect
circu/circum - around
cautious; watching all sides
circumstances
circu/circum - around
the existing conditions or state of affairs surrounding and affecting an agent
exorcise
cis - to cut
to seek to expel an evil spirit by ceremony
incision
cis - to cut
a cut, gash, or notch
incisive
cis - to cut
penetrating, cutting
precise
cis - to cut
definitely stated or defined
scissors
cis - to cut
cutting instrument for paper
claustrophobia
cla/clo/clu - to shut, to close
an abnormal fear of enclosed places
cloister
cla/clo/clu - to shut, to close
a courtyard bordered with covered walks, esp. in a religious institution
conclude
cla/clo/clu - to shut, to close
to bring to an end; finish; to terminate
disclose
cla/clo/clu - to shut, to close
to make known, reveal, or uncover
exclusive
cla/clo/clu - to shut, to close
not admitting of something else; shutting out others
preclude
cla/clo/clu - to shut, to close
to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of
clamor
claim/clam - to shout, to cry out
a loud uproar
disclaim
claim/clam - to shout, to cry out
to deny interest in or connection with
exclaim
claim/clam - to shout, to cry out
to cry out or speak suddenly and vehemently
proclaim
claim/clam - to shout, to cry out
to announce or declare in an official way
reclaim
claim/clam - to shout, to cry out
to claim or demand the return of a right or possession
climax
cli - to lean toward
the most intense point in the development of something
decline
cli - to lean toward
to cause to slope or incline downward
disinclination
cli - to lean toward
aversion, distaste
proclivity
cli - to lean toward
inclination, bias
recline
cli - to lean toward
to lean back
coerce
co/col/com/con - with, together
to compel by force, intimidation, or authority
collaborate
co/col/com/con - with, together
to work with another, cooperate
collide
co/col/com/con - with, together
to strike one another with a forceful impact
commensurate
co/col/com/con - with, together
suitable in measure, proportionate
compatible
co/col/com/con - with, together
capable of existing together in harmony
conciliate
co/col/com/con - with, together
to placate, win over
connect
co/col/com/con - with, together
to bind or fasten together
cognition
cogn/conn - to know
the process of knowing
incognito
cogn/conn - to know
with one’s name or identity concealed
recognize
cogn/conn - to know
to identify as already known
contradict
contra/contro/counter - against
to oppose; to speak against
contrary
contra/contro/counter - against
opposed to; opposite
controversy
contra/contro/counter - against
a disputation; a quarrel
counterfeit
contra/contro/counter - against
fake; a false imitation
countermand
contra/contro/counter - against
to retract an order
encounter
contra/contro/counter - against
a meeting, often with an opponent
corporation
corp/cors - body
a company legally treated as an individual
corps
corp/cors - body
a body (an organized group) of troops
corpse
corp/cors - body
a dead body
corpulent
corp/cors - body
obese; having a lot of flesh
corset
corp/cors - body
a garment used to give shape and support to the body
incorporation
corp/cors - body
combining into a single body
cosmetic
cosm - order, universe, world
improving the appearance (making it look better ordered)
cosmic
cosm - order, universe, world
relating to the universe
cosmology
cosm - order, universe, world
a theory of the universe as a whole
cosmonaut
cosm - order, universe, world
an astronaut; an explorer of outer space
cosmopolitan
cosm - order, universe, world
wordly
cosmos
cosm - order, universe, world
the universe; an orderly system; order
microcosm
cosm - order, universe, world
a small system that reflects a larger whole
concur
cour/cur - running, a course
to accord in opinion; agree
courier
cour/cur - running, a course
a messenger traveling in haste who bears news
curriculum
cour/cur - running, a course
the regular course of study
cursive
cour/cur - running, a course
handwriting in flowing strokes with the letters joined together
cursory
cour/cur - running, a course
going rapidly over something; hasty; superficial
excursion
cour/cur - running, a course
a short journey or trip
incursion
cour/cur - running, a course
a hostile entrance into a place, esp. suddenly
recur
cour/cur - running, a course
to happen again
accretion
cre/cresc/cret - to grow
an increase by natural growth
accrue
cre/cresc/cret - to grow
to be added as a matter of periodic gain
creation
cre/cresc/cret - to grow
the act of producing or causing to exist
excrescence
cre/cresc/cret - to grow
an outgrowth
increase
cre/cresc/cret - to grow
to make greater in any respect
increment
cre/cresc/cret - to grow
something added or gained; an addition or increase
credentials
cred - to believe, to trust
anything that provides the basis for belief
credit
cred - to believe, to trust
trustworthiness
credo
cred - to believe, to trust
any formula of belief
credulity
cred - to believe, to trust
willingness to believe or trust too readily
incredible
cred - to believe, to trust
unbelievable
apocryphal
crypt - hidden
of doubtful authorship or authenticity
crypt
crypt - hidden
a subterranean chamber or vault
cryptography
crypt - hidden
procedures of making and using secret writing
cryptology
crypt - hidden
the science of interpreting secret writings, codes, ciphers, and the like
cubicle
cub/cumb - to lie down
any small space or compartment that is partitioned off
incubate
cub/cumb - to lie down
to sit upon for the purpose of hatching
incumbent
cub/cumb - to lie down
holding an indicated position
recumbent
cub/cumb - to lie down
lying down; reclining; leaning
succumb
cub/cumb - to lie down
to give away to superior force; yield
culpable
culp - fault, blame
deserving blame or censure
culprit
culp - fault, blame
the person guilty of an offense
inculpate
culp - fault, blame
to charge with fault
mea culpa
culp - fault, blame
through my fault; my fault
didactic
dac/doc - to teach
intended for instruction
docile
dac/doc - to teach
easily managed or handled; tractable
doctor
dac/doc - to teach
someone licensed to practice medicine; a learned person
doctrine
dac/doc - to teach
a particular principle advocated, as of a government or religion
indoctrinate
dac/doc - to teach
to imbue a person with learning
decipher
de - away, off, down, completely, reversal
to make out the meaning; to interpret
defame
de - away, off, down, completely, reversal
to attack the good name or reputation of
deferential
de - away, off, down, completely, reversal
respectful; to yield to judgment
defile
de - away, off, down, completely, reversal
to make foul, dirty, or unclean
delineate
de - away, off, down, completely, reversal
to trace the outline of; sketch or trace in outline
descend
de - away, off, down, completely, reversal
to move from a higher to a lower place
delete
dele - to erase
erase; blot out; remove
indelible
dele - to erase
impossible to erase; lasting
democracy
dem - people
government by the people
demographics
dem - people
vital and social statistics of populations
endemic
dem - people
peculiar to a particular people or locality
epidemic
dem - people
affecting a large number of people at the same time and spreading from person to person
pandemic
dem - people
general, universal
ambidextrous
dext - right hand, right side, deft
equally able to use both hands
dexter
dext - right hand, right side, deft
on the right
dexterity
dext - right hand, right side, deft
deftness; adroitness
dial
di - day
a device for seeing the hour of the day; a clock face; rotatable disks or knobs used as a control input
diary
di - day
a record of one’s days
dismal
di - day
gloomy (from “bad days”)
diurnal
di - day
daily
meridian
di - day
a direct line from the North Pole to the South Pole; the highest point reached by the sun; noon
quotidian
di - day
everyday; ordinary
diagnose
di/dia - in two, through, across
to identify disease or fault from symptoms
dialogue
di/dia - in two, through, across
a conversation between two or more persons
diameter
di/dia - in two, through, across
a line going through a circle, dividing it in two
dichotomy
di/dia - in two, through, across
division into two parts, kinds, etc.
diffuse
di/dif/dis - away from, apart, reversal, not
to pour out and spread, as in a fluid
dilate
di/dif/dis - away from, apart, reversal, not
to make wider or larger; to cause to expand
dilatory
di/dif/dis - away from, apart, reversal, not
inclined to delay or procrastinate
disperse
di/dif/dis - away from, apart, reversal, not
to drive or send off in various directions
disseminate
di/dif/dis - away from, apart, reversal, not
to scatter or spread widely; promulgate
dissipate
di/dif/dis - away from, apart, reversal, not
to scatter wastefully
dissuade
di/dif/dis - away from, apart, reversal, not
to deter by advice or persuasion
dictionary
dic/dict/dit - to say, to tell, to use words
a book containing a selection of the words of a language
interdict
dic/dict/dit - to say, to tell, to use words
to forbid; prohibit
predict
dic/dict/dit - to say, to tell, to use words
to tell in advance
verdict
dic/dict/dit - to say, to tell, to use words
a judgment or decision
condign
dign - worth
well deserved; fitting; adequate
deign
dign - worth
to think fit or in accordance with one’s dignity
dignitary
dign - worth
a person who holds a high rank or office
dignity
dign - worth
nobility or elevation of character; worthiness
disdain
dign - worth
to look upon or treat with contempt
dogma
dog/dox - opinion
a system of tenets, as of a church
orthodox
dog/dox - opinion
sound or correct in opinion or doctrine
paradox
dog/dox - opinion
an opinion or statement contrary to accepted opinion
condolence
dol - to suffer, to pain, to grieve
expression of sympathy with one who is suffering
doleful
dol - to suffer, to pain, to grieve
sorrowful, mournful
dolorous
dol - to suffer, to pain, to grieve
full of pain or sorrow, grievous
indolence
dol - to suffer, to pain, to grieve
a state of being lazy or slothful
anecdote
don/dot/dow - to give
a short narrative about an interesting event
antidote
don/dot/dow - to give
something that prevents or counteracts ill effects
donate
don/dot/dow - to give
to present as a gift or contribution
endow
don/dot/dow - to give
to provide with a permanent fund
pardon
don/dot/dow - to give
kind indulgence, forgiveness
dormant
dorm - sleep
sleeping; inactive
dormitory
dorm - sleep
a place for sleeping; a residence hall
dorsal
dors - back
having to do with the back
endorse
dors - back
to sign on the back; to vouch for
dubiety
dub - doubt
doubtfulness
dubious
dub - doubt
doubtful
indubitable
dub - doubt
unquestionable
abduct
duc/duct - to lead
to carry off or lead away
conducive
duc/duct - to lead
contributive, helpful
conduct
duc/duct - to lead
personal behavior, way of acting
induce
duc/duct - to lead
to lead or move by influence
induct
duc/duct - to lead
to install in a position with formal ceremonies
produce
duc/duct - to lead
to bring into existence; give cause to
dulcet
dulc - sweet
sweet; pleasing
dulcified
dulc - sweet
sweetened; softened
dulcimer
dulc - sweet
a musical instrument
dour
dur - hard, lasting
sullen, gloomy (originally: hard, obstinate)
durable
dur - hard, lasting
able to resist decay
duration
dur - hard, lasting
the length of time something exists
duress
dur - hard, lasting
compulsion by threat, coercion
endure
dur - hard, lasting
to hold out against; to sustain without yielding
obdurate
dur - hard, lasting
stubborn, resistant to persuasion
dysfunctional
dys - faulty, abnormal
poorly functioning
dyslexia
dys - faulty, abnormal
difficulty in learning to read and interpret symbols
dyspepsia
dys - faulty, abnormal
impaired digestion
dystrophy
dys - faulty, abnormal
faulty of inadequate nutrition or development
efface
e/ex - out, out of, from, former, completely
to rub or wipe out; surpass, eclipse
evade
e/ex - out, out of, from, former, completely
to escape from, avoid
exclude
e/ex - out, out of, from, former, completely
to shut out; to leave out
exonerate
e/ex - out, out of, from, former, completely
to free or declare free from blame
expire
e/ex - out, out of, from, former, completely
to breathe out; to breathe one’s last; to end
extricate
e/ex - out, out of, from, former, completely
to disentangle, release
ego
ego - self
oneself; the part of oneself that is self-aware
egocentric
ego - self
focused on oneself
egoism/egotism
ego - self
selfishness; self-absorption
embrace
em/en - in, into
to clasp in the arms; to include or contain
enclose
em/en - in, into
to close in on all sides
epidemic
epi - upon
affecting a large number of people at the same time and. spreading from person to person
epidermis
epi - upon
the outer layer of the skin
epigram
epi - upon
a witty or pointed saying tersely expressed
epilogue
epi - upon
a concluding part added to a literary work
epithet
epi - upon
a word or phrase, used invectively as a term of abuse
adequate
equ - equal, even
equal to the requirement or occasion
equation
equ - equal, even
the act of making equal
equidistant
equ - equal, even
equally distant
iniquity
equ - equal, even
gross injustice; wickedness
err
err - to wander
to go astray in thought or belief, to be mistaken
errant
err - to wander
wandering or traveling, especially in search of adventure
erratic
err - to wander
deviating from the proper or usual course in conduct
error
err - to wander
a deviation from accuracy or correctness
adolescent
esce - becoming
between childhood and adulthood
convalescent
esce - becoming
recovering from illness
incadescent
esce - becoming
glowing with heat, shining
obsolescent
esce - becoming
becoming obsolete
reminiscent
esce - becoming
reminding or suggestive of
eugenics
eu - good, well
improvement of qualities of race by control of inherited characteristics
eulogy
eu - good, well
speech or writing in praise or commendation
euphemism
eu - good, well
pleasant-sounding term for something unpleasant
euphony
eu - good, well
pleasantness of sound
euthanasia
eu - good, well
killing a person painlessly, usually one who has an incurable, painful disease
extract
extra - outside, beyond
to take out, obtain against a person’s will
extradite
extra - outside, beyond
to hand over (person accused of crime) to state where crime was committed
extraordinary
extra - outside, beyond
beyond the ordinary
extrapolate
extra - outside, beyond
to estimate (unknown facts or values) from known data
extrasensory
extra - outside, beyond
derived by means other than known senses
affable
fab/fam - to speak
friendly, courteous
defame
fab/fam - to speak
to attack the good name of
fable
fab/fam - to speak
fictional tale, esp. legendary
famous
fab/fam - to speak
well-known, celebrated
ineffable
fab/fam - to speak
too great for description in words; that which must not be uttered
configuration
fac/fic/fig/fait/feit/fy - to do, to make
manner of arrangement, shape
counterfeit
fac/fic/fig/fait/feit/fy - to do, to make
imitation, forgery
deficient
fac/fic/fig/fait/feit/fy - to do, to make
incomplete or insufficient
effigy
fac/fic/fig/fait/feit/fy - to do, to make
sculpture or model of person
faction
fac/fic/fig/fait/feit/fy - to do, to make
small dissenting group within larger one, esp. in politics
factory
fac/fic/fig/fait/feit/fy - to do, to make
building for manufacture of goods
prolific
fac/fic/fig/fait/feit/fy - to do, to make
producing many offspring or much output
ratify
fac/fic/fig/fait/feit/fy - to do, to make
to confirm or accept by formal consent
default
fal - to err, to deceive
to fail
fail
fal - to err, to deceive
to be insufficient; to be unsuccessful; to die out
fallacy
fal - to err, to deceive
a flawed argument
false
fal - to err, to deceive
not true; erroneous; lying
faux pas
fal - to err, to deceive
a false step; a social gaffe
infallible
fal - to err, to deceive
incapable of being wrong or being deceived
fatuity
fatu - foolish
foolishness; stupidity
fatuous
fatu - foolish
foolish; stupid
infatuated
fatu - foolish
swept up in a fit of passion, impairing one’s reason
confer
fer - to bring, to carry, to bear
to grant, bestow
offer
fer - to bring, to carry, to bear
to present for acceptance, refusal, or consideration
proffer
fer - to bring, to carry, to bear
to offer
proliferate
fer - to bring, to carry, to bear
to reproduce; produce rapidly
referendum
fer - to bring, to carry, to bear
to vote on a political question open to the entire electorate
effervescent
ferv - to boil, to bubble
with the quality of giving off bubbles of gas
fervid
ferv - to boil, to bubble
ardent, intense
fervor
ferv - to boil, to bubble
passion, zeal
affidavit
fi/fid - faith, trust
a written statement on oath
confide
fi/fid - faith, trust
to entrust with a secret
fidelity
fi/fid - faith, trust
faithfulness, loyalty
fiduciary
fi/fid - faith, trust
of a trust; held or given in trust
infidel
fi/fid - faith, trust
disbeliever in the supposed true religion
confine
fin - end
to keep or restrict within certain limits; imprison
definitive
fin - end
decisive, unconditional, final
final
fin - end
at the end; coming last
infinite
fin - end
boundless; endless
infinitesimal
fin - end
infinitely or very small
conflagration
flagr/flam - to burn
a large, destructive fire
flagrant
flagr/flam - to burn
blatant, scandalous
flambeau
flagr/flam - to burn
a lighted torch
inflame
flagr/flam - to burn
to set on fire
deflect
flect/flex - to bend, to turn
to bend or turn aside from a purpose
flexible
flect/flex - to bend, to turn
able to bend without breaking
genuflect
flect/flex - to bend, to turn
to bend knee, esp. in worship
inflect
flect/flex - to bend, to turn
to change or vary pitch of
reflect
flect/flex - to bend, to turn
to throw back
confluence
flu/flux - to flow
merging into one
effluence
flu/flux - to flow
flowing out of (light, electricity, etc.)
fluctuation
flu/flux - to flow
something that varies, rising and falling
fluid
flu/flux - to flow
a substance, esp. gas or liquid, capable of flowing freely
mellifluous
flu/flux - to flow
pleasing, musical
foreshadow
fore - before
be warning or indication of (future event)
foresight
fore - before
care or provision for future
forestall
fore - before
to prevent by advance action
forthright
fore - before
straightforward, outspoken, decisive
fortuitous
fort - chance
happening by luck
fortunate
fort - chance
lucky, auspicious
fortune
fort - chance
chance or luck in human affairs
forte
fort - strength
strong point; something a person does well
fortify
fort - strength
to provide with fortifications; strengthen
fortissimo
fort - strength
very loud
fractious
fra/frac/frag/fring - to break
irritable, peevish
fracture
fra/frac/frag/fring - to break
breakage, esp. of a bone
fragment
fra/frac/frag/fring - to break
a part broken off
infringe
fra/frac/frag/fring - to break
to break or violate (a law, etc.)
refractory
fra/frac/frag/fring - to break
stubborn, unmanagageable, rebellious
centrifugal
fug - to flee, to fly
flying off from the center
fugitive
fug - to flee, to fly
on the run; someone who flees
fugue
fug - to flee, to fly
a musical composition in which subsequent parts imitate or pursue the first part; a psychological state in which one flies from one’s own identity
refuge
fug - to flee, to fly
a haven for those fleeing
refugee
fug - to flee, to fly
a fleeing person who seeks refuge
subterfuge
fug - to flee, to fly
a deception used to avoid a confrontation
effulgent
fulg - to shine
shining forth
refulgent
fulg - to shine
radiant; shining
fume
fum - smoke
smoke; scented vapor; to emit smoke or vapors
fumigate
fum - smoke
to treat with smoke or vapors
perfume
fum - smoke
scents, from burning incense or other sources of fragrance
diffuse
fus - to pour
to spread widely or thinly
fusillade
fus - to pour
continuous discharge or firearms or outburst of criticism
infusion
fus - to pour
the act of permeating or steeping; liquid extract so obtained
profuse
fus - to pour
lavish, extravagant, copious
suffuse
fus - to pour
to spread throughout or over from within
carcinogenic
gen - birth, creation, race, kind
producing cancer
congenital
gen - birth, creation, race, kind
existing or as such from birth
gender
gen - birth, creation, race, kind
classification roughly corresponding to the two sexes and sexlessness
generous
gen - birth, creation, race, kind
giving or given freely
genetics
gen - birth, creation, race, kind
the study of heredity and variation among animals and plants
progeny
gen - birth, creation, race, kind
offspring, descendants
agnostic
gni/gno - to know
one who believes that the existence of God is not provable
diagnose
gni/gno - to know
to identify disease or fault from symptoms
ignoramus
gni/gno - to know
a person lacking knowledge, uninformed
ignore
gni/gno - to know
to refuse to take notice of
prognosis
to forecast, especially of disease
aggresssive
grad/gress - to step
given to hostile acts or feelings
degrade
grad/gress - to step
to humiliate, dishonor, reduce to lower rank
digress
grad/gress - to step
to depart from the main subject
egress
grad/gress - to step
going out; way out
progress
grad/gress - to step
forward movement
regress
grad/gress - to step
to move backward, revert to an earlier state
diagram
gram/graph - to write, to draw
a figure made by drawing lines; an illustration
epigram
gram/graph - to write, to draw
a short poem; a pointed statement
grammar
gram/graph - to write, to draw
a system of language and its rules
graph
gram/graph - to write, to draw
a diagram used to convey mathematical information
graphite
gram/graph - to write, to draw
mineral used for writing, as the “lead” in pencils
photograph
gram/graph - to write, to draw
a picture, originally made by epxosing chemically treated film to light
gracious
grat - pleasing
kindly, esp. to inferiors; merciful
grateful
grat - pleasing
thankful
gratuity
grat - pleasing
money given for good service
ingratiate
grat - pleasing
to bring oneself into favor
aggregate
greg - flock
the number of things considered as a collective whole
congregate
greg - flock
to come together in a group
egregious
greg - flock
remarkably bad; standing out from the crowd
gregarious
greg - flock
sociable; enjoying spending time with others
segregate
greg - flock
to separate from the crowd
haphazard
hap - by chance
at random
hapless
hap - by chance
without luck
happen
hap - by chance
occur (originally: to occur by chance)
happily
hap - by chance
through good fortune
happy
hap - by chance
please, as by good fortune
mishap
hap - by chance
an unlucky accident
perhaps
hap - by chance
a qualifier suggesting something might (or might not) take place
hemisphere
hemi - half
half a sphere; half of the Earth
hemistich
hemi - half
half a line of poetry
adherent
her/hes - to stick
able to adhere; believer or advocate of a particular thing
adhesive
her/hes - to stick
tending to remain in memory; sticky; an adhesive substance
coherent
her/hes - to stick
logically consistent; having waves in phase and of one wavelength
inherent
her/hes - to stick
involved in the constitution or essential character of something
heterodox
(h)etero - different, other
different from acknowledged standard; holding unorthodox opinions or doctrines
heterogeneous
(h)etero - different, other
of other origin; not originating in the body
heterosexual
(h)etero - different, other
of or pertaining to sexual orientation toward members of the opposite sex; relating to different sexes
catholic
hol - whole
universal
holocaust
hol - whole
a burnt offering; complete destruction by fire or other means
hologram
hol - whole
a sort of three-dimensional image
holograph
hol - whole
a document written entirely by the person whose name it’s in
holistic
hol - whole
considering something as a unified whole
anomaly
(h)om - same
deviation from the common rule
homeostasis
(h)om - same
a relatively stable state of equilibrium
homogenous
(h)om - same
of the same or a similar kind of nature; of uniform structure of composition throughout
homonym
(h)om - same
one of two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but different in meaning
homosexual
(h)om - same
of, relating to, or exhibiting sexual desire twoard a member of one’s own sex
exhume
hum - earth
unearth
humble
hum - earth
down-to-earth
humility
hum - earth
the state of being humble
hyperactive
hyper - over, excessive
excessively active
hyperbole
hyper - over, excessive
purposeful exaggeration for effect
hyperglycemia
hyper - over, excessive
an abnormally high concentration of sugar in the blood
hypochondriac
hypo - under, beneath, less than
one affected by extreme depression of mind or spirits, often centered on imaginary physical ailments
hypocritical
hypo - under, beneath, less than
pretending to have beliefs one does not
hypodermic
hypo - under, beneath, less than
relating to the parts beneath the skin
hypothesis
hypo - under, beneath, less than
assumption subject to proof
icon
icon - image, idol
a symbolic picture; a statue; something seen as representative of a culture or movement
iconic
icon - image, idol
being representative of a culture or movement
iconoclast
icon - image, idol
one who attacks established beliefs; one who tears down images
iconology
icon - image, idol
symbolism
idiom
idio - one’s own
a language, dialect, or style of speaking particular to a people
idiosyncrasy
idio - one’s own
peculiarity of temperament; eccentricity
idiot
idio - one’s own
an utterly stupid person
implicit
in/im - in, into (often m dropped and first letter to which i is prefixed is doubled)
not expressly stated; implied
incarnate
in/im - in, into (often m dropped and first letter to which i is prefixed is doubled)
given a bodily, esp. a human, form
indigenous
in/im - in, into (often m dropped and first letter to which i is prefixed is doubled)
native; innate, natural
influx
in/im - in, into (often m dropped and first letter to which i is prefixed is doubled)
the act of flowing in; inflow
intrinsic
in/im - in, into (often m dropped and first letter to which i is prefixed is doubled)
belonging to a thing by its very nature
immoral
in/im - not, without (often m dropped and first letter to which i is prefixed is doubled)
not moral; evil
impartial
in/im - not, without (often m dropped and first letter to which i is prefixed is doubled)
not partial or biased; just
inactive
in/im - not, without (often m dropped and first letter to which i is prefixed is doubled)
not active
indigent
in/im - not, without (often m dropped and first letter to which i is prefixed is doubled)
poor, needy, lacking in what is needed
indolence
in/im - not, without (often m dropped and first letter to which i is prefixed is doubled)
showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful
innocuous
in/im - not, without (often m dropped and first letter to which i is prefixed is doubled)
not harmful or injurious