Greek/Latin Roots Master Flashcards
cap
Origin: Latin
Meaning: Head
Example: Captain; decapitate
The heartless king used the guillotine to decapitate his enemies; its sharp blade sliced and made heads roll on the ground.
anti
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Against; opposite
Example: antibiotic; antiseptic
The doctor prescribed the patient an antibiotic for her ear infection.
auto
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Self
Example: autopilot; autograph
The author sold autographed copies of her bestselling novel to her rabid fans.
bio
Origin: Greek
Meaning: Life
Example: biography; biodiversity
The biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest is being threatened by deforestation; many animal and plant species are becoming extinct.
centr
Origin: Latin
Meaning: center
Examples: centrifuge; central
The scientist placed the blood sample in the centrifuge; as the machine spun rapidly it separated the plasma and red blood cells.
log
Origin: Greek
Meaning: word
Examples: monologue, dialogue
The audience erupted in laughter as the comedian delivered a witty and entertaining monologue on stage; reciting a lengthy satire with comical theatrics earned him a rousing standing ovation.
cycl
Origin: Latin
Meaning: circle
Examples: cyclist; recycle; cyclone
The experienced cyclist effortlessly navigated the bustling city; avoiding potholes as the circular tires on the bike spun and swerved with each pedal stroke.
man
Origin: Latin
Meaning: hand
Examples: manuscript, manufacture
The author took several years to perfect her manuscript as each word was written by hand.
logy
Origin: Greek
Meaning: study of
Examples: entomology, etymology
The entomology department observes and studies diverse insects from around the world.
form
Origin: Latin
Meaning: shape
Examples: transformation; deformed
The slumbering caterpillar underwent a remarkable transformation within the chrysalis; metamorphosing its fuzzy body into a magnificent butterfly with iridescent wings.
meter
Origin: Greek
Meaning: measure
Examples: pedometer, thermometer
She wore a pedometer to track her daily steps and maintain her health.
multi
Origin: Latin
Meaning: many, much
Examples: multiply, multicolor
The rainbow was multicolor; it was a prism of many colors.
ped
Origin: Latin
Meaning: foot
Examples: pedestrian, centipede
I shrieked when I saw a creepy centipede scurrying across the floor; its wriggly segmented body had multiple pairs of feet.
phone
Origin: Greek
Meaning: sound
Examples: microphone, telephone
The singer’s powerful vocals captivated the audience; the sound of her voice was amplified by the microphone.
aster/astr
Origin: Greek
Meaning: star
Examples: astronomy, asteroid
The stargazer loves astronomy and every night she peers through her telescope to study the stars.
aud
Origin: Latin
Meaning: hear
Examples: audible, audiobook
She listened to an audiobook while driving to work; engrossed in the fascinating story being read out loud by the narrator.
dic/dict
Origin: Latin
Meaning: say
Examples: predict, verdict
After finding the man guilty, the jury recited the verdict to the judge in the courtroom.
geo
Origin: Greek
Meaning earth/ground
Examples: geography, geologist
The geologist examined the rock formation to determine the age of the earth’s crust.
graph
Origin: Greek
Meaning: written
Examples: telegraph, biography
The early invention of the telegraph allowed people to transmit written messages from afar.
Ject
Origin: Latin
Meaning: thrown
Examples: projector, eject
The pilot was alerted to engine failure, so he pressed the eject button and was propelled safely out of the plane.
mob/mot
Origin: Latin
Meaning: move
Examples: automobile, mobility
The mobility scooter helped the elderly woman move around the city with ease.
port
Origin: Latin
Meaning: carry, move
Examples: transportation, airport
Transportation by land, air, and sea helps carry goods and people all over the world.
therm
Origin: Greek
Meaning: heat
Examples: geothermal, thermos
The thermos was so well insulated that it kept the soup warm for hours.
tele
Origin: Greek
Meaning: far
Examples: telescope, telephone
The scientist peered through the telescope to study faraway stars and planets.
uni
Origin: Latin
Meaning: one
Examples: unicorn, unicycle
The little girl read a bedtime story about a unicorn, which is a mythical creature with a magical horn on its head.
vid/vis
Origin: Latin
Meaning: see
Examples: television, vision
The optometrist examined my vision and prescribed lenses to help me see better.
cor/corp
Origin: Latin
Meaning: body
Examples: corporation, corpse
Forensic performed an autopsy on the corpse; the dead body lay cold and lifeless on the examination table.
doc
Origin: Latin
Meaning: to teach
Examples: docent, documentary
The class watched a documentary about bees and was taught how bees produce honey.
hydr
Origin: Greek
Meaning: water
Examples: hydroelectric, dehydration
The hiker suffered from dehydration due to not drinking enough water in the sweltering heat.
miss/mit
Origin: Latin
Meaning: to send
Examples: transmit, mission
The astronaut prepared for a daring space mission and was sent to explore Mars.
port
Origin: Latin
Meaning: to carry
Examples: portable, transport
A portable charger is essential for traveling and can easily be carried in your backpack to charge your devices.
scope
Origin: Greek
Meaning: to see, to watch
Examples: microscope, telescope
The scientist peered through the microscope to see the tiny organisms that were invisible to the naked eye.
scrib/script
Origin: Latin
Meaning: to write
Examples: transcribe, manuscript
The author used a typewriter to write her first published manuscript.
spec
Origin: Latin
Meaning: to look
Examples: spectator, inspect
The doctor had to inspect and look closely at the X-rays to determine the patient’s injuries.
tend/tens
Origin: Latin
Meaning: to stretch, to strain
Examples: extend, tension
The physical therapist instructed the athlete to extend her leg slowly in order to stretch her muscles.
tract
Origin: Latin
Meaning: to draw, to pull
Examples: attract, extract
The fridge magnet was strong enough to attract the metal spoon and pull it towards itself.
trans
Origin: Latin
Meaning: across
Examples: transcontinental, transmit
The transcontinental railroad traveled across the United States, connecting the east and west.
vac
Origin: Latin
Meaning: empty
Examples: evacuate, vacant
During the fire drill, we evacuated the building and it became completely empty.
bene/beni
Origin: Latin
Meaning: good, well
Examples: beneficial, benevolent
Exercise is good for your health and has many beneficial effects on the body.
chron
Origin: Greek
Meaning: time
Examples: chronological, chronograph
A timeline arranges events in chronological order, showing the progression of time.
clud/clus
Origin: Latin
Meaning: shut
Examples: seclude, recluse
After a long day of school, I like to seclude myself in my bedroom and shut out the noise of the world.
fac/fact
Origin: Latin
Meaning: do, make
Examples: manufacture, factory
The company has a large factory where they manufacture and make scented soap.
fer
Origin: Latin
Meaning: bear, carry
Examples: transfer, ferry
The ferry carried passengers across the river to see the stunning views of the landscape.
fore
Origin: Old English
Meaning: before, earlier
Examples: forefather, forecast
The meteorologist made a forecast and prediction about the weather before the storm hit.
micro
Origin: Greek
Meaning: small
Examples: microscope, microbiologist
The microbiologist peered through the microscope to study small, living cells.
inter
Origin: Latin
Meaning: between
Examples: interstate, interact
The interstate highway runs between several states in the region.
path
Origin: Greek
Meaning: feeling, suffering, disease
Examples: pathology, pathogen
The doctor ordered a pathology test to determine the cause of the patient’s mysterious disease.
sist/stat
Origin: Latin
Meaning: stand
Examples: resist, persist
Despite the fierce winds, the tree managed to resist falling over and stand upright during the storm.
spir
Origin: Latin
Meaning: breathe
Examples: respiration, spiracle
Respiration is the process by which living organisms breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
vers/vert
Origin: Latin
Meaning: turn, change
Examples: convert, revert
Solar panels harness the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity, which is changed into renewable energy to power homes.
