Greek/Latin Roots Master Flashcards

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1
Q

cap

A

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.

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2
Q

anti

A

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Against; opposite
Example: antibiotic; antiseptic

The doctor prescribed the patient an antibiotic for her ear infection.

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3
Q

auto

A

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Self
Example: autopilot; autograph

The author sold autographed copies of her bestselling novel to her rabid fans.

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4
Q

bio

A

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.

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5
Q

centr

A

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.

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6
Q

log

A

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.

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7
Q

cycl

A

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.

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8
Q

man

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: hand
Examples: manuscript, manufacture

The author took several years to perfect her manuscript as each word was written by hand.

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9
Q

logy

A

Origin: Greek
Meaning: study of
Examples: entomology, etymology

The entomology department observes and studies diverse insects from around the world.

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10
Q

form

A

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.

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11
Q

meter

A

Origin: Greek
Meaning: measure
Examples: pedometer, thermometer

She wore a pedometer to track her daily steps and maintain her health.

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12
Q

multi

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: many, much
Examples: multiply, multicolor

The rainbow was multicolor; it was a prism of many colors.

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13
Q

ped

A

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.

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14
Q

phone

A

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.

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15
Q

aster/astr

A

Origin: Greek
Meaning: star
Examples: astronomy, asteroid

The stargazer loves astronomy and every night she peers through her telescope to study the stars.

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16
Q

aud

A

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.

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17
Q

dic/dict

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: say
Examples: predict, verdict

After finding the man guilty, the jury recited the verdict to the judge in the courtroom.

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18
Q

geo

A

Origin: Greek
Meaning earth/ground
Examples: geography, geologist

The geologist examined the rock formation to determine the age of the earth’s crust.

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19
Q

graph

A

Origin: Greek
Meaning: written
Examples: telegraph, biography

The early invention of the telegraph allowed people to transmit written messages from afar.

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20
Q

Ject

A

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.

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21
Q

mob/mot

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: move
Examples: automobile, mobility

The mobility scooter helped the elderly woman move around the city with ease.

22
Q

port

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: carry, move
Examples: transportation, airport

Transportation by land, air, and sea helps carry goods and people all over the world.

23
Q

therm

A

Origin: Greek
Meaning: heat
Examples: geothermal, thermos

The thermos was so well insulated that it kept the soup warm for hours.

24
Q

tele

A

Origin: Greek
Meaning: far
Examples: telescope, telephone

The scientist peered through the telescope to study faraway stars and planets.

25
Q

uni

A

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.

26
Q

vid/vis

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: see
Examples: television, vision

The optometrist examined my vision and prescribed lenses to help me see better.

27
Q

cor/corp

A

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.

28
Q

doc

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: to teach
Examples: docent, documentary

The class watched a documentary about bees and was taught how bees produce honey.

29
Q

hydr

A

Origin: Greek
Meaning: water
Examples: hydroelectric, dehydration

The hiker suffered from dehydration due to not drinking enough water in the sweltering heat.

30
Q

miss/mit

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: to send
Examples: transmit, mission

The astronaut prepared for a daring space mission and was sent to explore Mars.

31
Q

port

A

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.

32
Q

scope

A

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.

33
Q

scrib/script

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: to write
Examples: transcribe, manuscript

The author used a typewriter to write her first published manuscript.

34
Q

spec

A

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.

35
Q

tend/tens

A

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.

36
Q

tract

A

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.

37
Q

trans

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: across
Examples: transcontinental, transmit

The transcontinental railroad traveled across the United States, connecting the east and west.

38
Q

vac

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: empty
Examples: evacuate, vacant

During the fire drill, we evacuated the building and it became completely empty.

39
Q

bene/beni

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: good, well
Examples: beneficial, benevolent

Exercise is good for your health and has many beneficial effects on the body.

40
Q

chron

A

Origin: Greek
Meaning: time
Examples: chronological, chronograph

A timeline arranges events in chronological order, showing the progression of time.

41
Q

clud/clus

A

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.

42
Q

fac/fact

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: do, make
Examples: manufacture, factory

The company has a large factory where they manufacture and make scented soap.

43
Q

fer

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: bear, carry
Examples: transfer, ferry

The ferry carried passengers across the river to see the stunning views of the landscape.

44
Q

fore

A

Origin: Old English
Meaning: before, earlier
Examples: forefather, forecast

The meteorologist made a forecast and prediction about the weather before the storm hit.

45
Q

micro

A

Origin: Greek
Meaning: small
Examples: microscope, microbiologist

The microbiologist peered through the microscope to study small, living cells.

46
Q

inter

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: between
Examples: interstate, interact

The interstate highway runs between several states in the region.

47
Q

path

A

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.

48
Q

sist/stat

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: stand
Examples: resist, persist

Despite the fierce winds, the tree managed to resist falling over and stand upright during the storm.

49
Q

spir

A

Origin: Latin
Meaning: breathe
Examples: respiration, spiracle

Respiration is the process by which living organisms breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.

50
Q

vers/vert

A

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.