Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes Flashcards
1
Q
a-,an-
A
not, without
Origin language and etymology:
Greekἀ-/ἀν-(a-/an-), not, without
Example(s)
analgesic,apathy
2
Q
ab-
A
from; away from
Origin language and etymology:
Latin
Example(s)
abduction
3
Q
abdomin-
A
of or relating to theabdomen
Origin language and etymology:
Latinabdōmen, abdomen, fat around the belly
Example(s)
abdomen, abdominal
4
Q
-ac
A
pertaining to; one afflicted with
Origin language and etymology:
Greek-ακός(-akós)
Example(s)
cardiac,celiac
5
Q
acanth-
A
thorn or spine
Origin language and etymology:
Greekἄκανθα(ákantha), thorn
Example(s)
acanthion,acanthocyte,acanthoma,acanthulus
6
Q
acou-
A
of or relating tohearing
Origin language and etymology:
Greekἀκούειν(akoúein),ἀκουστικός(akoustikós), of or for hearing
Example(s)
acoumeter,acoustician,hyperacusis
7
Q
acr-
A
extremity, topmost
Origin language and etymology:
Greekἄκρον(ákron), highest or farthest point
Example(s)
acrocrany,acromegaly,acroosteolysis,acroposthia
8
Q
-acusis
A
hearing
Origin language and etymology:
Greekἀκουστικός(akoustikós), of or for hearing
Example(s)
paracusis
9
Q
-ad
A
toward, in the direction of
Origin language and etymology:
Latinad, toward, to
Example(s)
dorsad,ventrad
10
Q
ad-
A
at, increase, on, toward
Origin language and etymology:
Latinad-, to
Example(s)
adduction, addition
11
Q
aden-
A
of or relating to agland
Origin language and etymology:
Greekἀδήν, ἀδέν-, (adḗn, adén-), an acorn; agland
Example(s
adenocarcinoma,adenology,adenotome,adenotyphus
12
Q
adip-
A
of or relating tofator fatty tissue
Origin language and etymology:
Latinadeps,adip-, fat
Example(s)
adipocyte
13
Q
adren-
A
of or relating to theadrenal glands
Origin language and etymology:
Latinad+rēnēs, kidneys
Example(s)
adrenal artery
14
Q
-aemia,ema,hemat
A
bloodcondition
Origin language and etymology:
Greekἀναιμία(anaimía), without blood
Example(s)
anaemia
15
Q
aer(o)-
A
air, gas
Origin language and etymology:
Greekἀήρ, ἀέρος (aḗr, aéros)
Example(s)
aerosinusitis, aerodynamics
16
Q
aesthesi-
A
sensation
Origin language and etymology:
Greekαἴσθησις(aísthēsis)
Example(s)
anaesthesia
17
Q
-al
A
pertaining to
Origin language and etymology:
Latin-alis
Example(s)
abdominal, femoral
18
Q
alb-
A
denoting a white or pale color
Origin language and etymology:
Latinalbus, white
Example(s)
albino,tunica albica
19
Q
alge(si)-
A
pain
Origin language and etymology:
Greekἄλγος(álgos)
Example(s)
analgesic
20
Q
-algia,alg(i)o-
A
pain
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
21
Q
all-
A
denoting something as different, or as an addition
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
22
Q
ambi-
A
denoting something as positioned on both sides; describing both of two
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
23
Q
amnio-
A
Pertaining to the membranous fetal sac (amnion)
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
24
Q
amph(i)-,
A
on both sides
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
25
amylo-
starchy, carbohydrate-related
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
26
an-
not, without
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
27
ana-
back, again, up
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
28
an-
anus
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
29
andr-
pertaining to a man
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
30
angi-
blood vessel
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
31
aniso-
describing something as unequal
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
32
ankyl-, ancyl-
denoting something as crooked or bent
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
33
ante-
describing something as positioned in front of another thing
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
34
anthropo-
human
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
35
anti-
describing something as 'against' or 'opposed to' another
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
36
apo-
away, separated from, derived from
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
37
archi-
first, primitive
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
38
arsen(o)-
of or pertaining to a male; masculine
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
39
arteri(o)-
of or pertaining to an artery
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
40
arthr-
of or pertaining to the joints, limbs
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
41
articul-
joint
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
42
-ary
pertaining to
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
43
-ase
enzyme
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
44
-asthenia
weakness
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
45
atel(o)-
imperfect or incomplete development
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
46
ather-
fatty deposit, soft gruel-like deposit
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
47
-ation
process
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
48
atri-
an atrium (esp. heart atrium)
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
49
aur-
of or pertaining to the ear
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
50
aut-
self
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
51
aux(o)-
increase; growth
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
52
axill-
of or pertaining to the armpit (uncommon as a prefix)
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
53
azo(to)-
nitrogenous compound
Origin language and etymology:
Example(s)
54
bacillus
rod-shaped
Origin language and etymology:
Latin baculus, stick
Example(s)
Bacillus anthracis
55
bacteri-
Pertaining to bacteria
Origin language and etymology:
Latin bacterium; Greek βακτήριον (baktḗrion), small staff
Example(s)
bacteriophage, bactericide
56
balan-
of the glans penis or glans clitoridis
Origin language and etymology:
Greek βάλανος (bálanos), acorn, glans
Example(s)
balanitis
57
bas-
of or pertaining to base
Origin language and etymology:
Greek βάσις (básis), foundation, base
Example(s)
basolateral
58
bi-
twice, double
Origin language and etymology:
Latin bi-
Example(s)
binary vision, bicycle, bisexual
59
bio-
life
Origin language and etymology:
Greek βίος (bíos)
Example(s)
biology, biological
60
blast-
germinate or bud
Origin language and etymology:
Greek βλαστός (blastós)
Example(s)
blastomere
61
blephar(o)-
of or pertaining to the eyelid
Origin language and etymology:
Greek βλέφαρον (blépharon), eyelid
Example(s)
blepharoplasty
62
brachi(o)-
of or relating to the arm
Origin language and etymology:
Latin bracchium, from Greek βραχίων (brakhíōn), arm
Example(s)
brachium of inferior colliculus
63
brachy-
indicating 'short' or less commonly 'little'
Origin language and etymology:
Greek βραχύς (brakhús), short, little, shallow
Example(s)
brachycephalic
64
brady-
slow
Origin language and etymology:
Greek βραδύς (bradús), slow
Example(s)
bradycardia
65
bronch(i)-
of or relating to the bronchus
Origin language and etymology:
Latin bronchus; Greek βρόγχος (brónkhos), windpipe
Example(s)
bronchitis, bronchiolitis obliterans
66
bucc(o)-
of or pertaining to the cheek
Origin language and etymology:
Latin bucca, cheek
Example(s)
buccolabial
67
burs(o)-
bursa (fluid sac between the bones)
Origin language and etymology:
Latin bursa, purse; Greek βύρσα (búrsa), hide, wine-skin
Example(s)
bursa, bursitis
68
capill-
of or pertaining to hair
Origin language and etymology:
Latin capillus, hair
Example(s)
capillus
69
capit-
pertaining to the head as a whole
Origin language and etymology:
Latin caput, capit-, the head
Example(s)
capitation, decapitation
70
carcin-
cancer
Origin language and etymology:
Greek καρκίνος (karkínos), crab
Example(s)
carcinoma
71
cardi-
of or pertaining to the heart
Origin language and etymology:
Greek καρδία (kardía), heart
Example(s)
cardiology
72
carp-
of or pertaining to the wrist
Origin language and etymology:
Latin carpus < Greek καρπός (karpós), wrist;
NOTE: This root should not be confused with the mirror root carp(o)- meaning fruit.
Example(s)
carpal, carpopedal spasm, metacarpal
73
cata-
down, under
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κατά (katá)
Example(s)
catabolism, catacombs, cataract
74
-cele
pouching, hernia
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κήλη (kḗlē)
Example(s)
Hydrocele, Varicocele
75
-centesis
surgical puncture for aspiration
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κέντησις (kéntēsis)
Example(s)
amniocentesis
76
cephal(o)-
of or pertaining to the head (as a whole)
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κεφαλή (kephalḗ), the head
Example(s)
cephalalgy, hydrocephalus
77
cerat(o)-
of or pertaining to the cornu; a horn
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κέρας, κερατ- (kéras, kerat-), a horn
Example(s)
ceratoid
78
cerebell(o)-
of or pertaining to the cerebellum
Origin language and etymology:
Latin cerebellum, little brain
Example(s)
cerebellum
79
cerebr(o)-
of or pertaining to the brain
Origin language and etymology:
Latin cerebrum, brain
Example(s)
cerebrology
80
cervic-
of or pertaining to the neck or the cervix
Origin language and etymology:
Latin cervix, cervīc-), neck, cervix
Example(s)
cervical vertebrae, cervicodorsal
81
cheil-
of or pertaining to the lips
Origin language and etymology:
Greek χεῖλος (kheîlos), lip, mouth, beak
Example(s)
angular cheilitis
82
chem(o)-
chemistry, drug
Origin language and etymology:
Greek χημεία (khēmeía)
Example(s)
chemical, chemistry, chemotherapy
83
chir-, cheir-
of or pertaining to the hand
Origin language and etymology:
Greek χείρ, χειρο- (kheír, kheiro-), hand
Example(s)
chiropractor
84
chlor-
denoting a green color
Origin language and etymology:
Greek χλωρός (khlōrós), green, yellow-green
Example(s)
chlorophyll
85
chol(e)-
of or pertaining to bile
Origin language and etymology:
Greek χολή (kholḗ), bile
Example(s)
cholaemia (UK) / cholemia (US), cholecystitis
86
cholecyst(o)-
of or pertaining to the gallbladder
Origin language and etymology:
Greek χοληκύστις (kholēkústis), gallbladder < χολή (kholḗ), bile, gall + κύστις (kústis), bladder
Example(s)
cholecystectomy
87
chondr(i)o-
cartilage, gristle, granule, granular
Origin language and etymology:
Greek χονδρός (grc)
Example(s)
chondrocalcinosis
88
chrom(ato)-
color
Origin language and etymology:
Greek χρῶμα (khrôma)
Example(s)
hemochromatosis
89
-cidal, -cide
killing, destroying
Origin language and etymology:
Latin -cīda, cutter, killer
Example(s)
bacteriocidal, suicide, suicidal
90
cili-
of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes; eyelids
Origin language and etymology:
Latin cilium, eyelash; eyelid
Example(s)
ciliary
91
circum-
denoting something as 'around' another
Origin language and etymology:
Latin circum, around
Example(s)
circumcision
92
cis-
on this side
Origin language and etymology:
Latin cis
Example(s)
cisgender
93
-clast
break
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κλαστός (klastós), broken
Example(s)
osteoclast
94
clostr-
spindle
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κλωστήρ (klōstḗr), spindle, thread
Example(s)
Clostridium
95
co-
with, together, in association
Origin language and etymology:
Latin co-
Example(s)
coenzymes, co-organization
96
-coccus, ‑coccal
round, spherical
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κόκκος (kókkos), berry, seed
Example(s)
Streptococcus
97
col-, colo-, colono-
colon
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κόλον (kólon)
Example(s)
colonoscopy
98
colp-
of or pertaining to the vagina
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κόλπος (kólpos), bosom, womb; hollow, depth
Example(s)
colposcopy
99
com-
with, together
Origin language and etymology:
Latin cum
Example(s)
communicate
100
contra-
against
Origin language and etymology:
Latin contrā
Example(s)
contraindication
101
cor-
with, together
Origin language and etymology:
Latin cor-
Example(s)
corrective
102
cor-
of or pertaining to the eye's pupil
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κόρη (kórē), girl, doll; pupil of the eye
Example(s)
corectomy
103
cord(i)-
of or pertaining to the heart (uncommon as a prefix)
Origin language and etymology:
Latin cor, heart
Example(s)
commotio cordis,
104
cornu-
applied to describing processes and parts of the body as likened or similar to horns
Origin language and etymology:
Latin cornū, horn
Example(s)
greater cornu
105
coron-
pertaining to the heart
Origin language and etymology:
Latin corōna
Example(s)
coronary heart disease
106
cortic-
cortex, outer region
Origin language and etymology:
Latin cortex, bark of a tree
Example(s)
corticosteroid
107
cost-
of or pertaining to the ribs
Origin language and etymology:
Latin costa, rib
Example(s)
costochondral
108
cox-
of or relating to the hip, haunch, or hip-joint
Origin language and etymology:
Latin coxa, hip
Example(s)
coxopodite
109
crani(o)-
belonging or relating to the cranium
Origin language and etymology:
Latin cranium, from Greek κρᾱνίον (krāníon), cranium, skull, bones enclosing the brain
Example(s)
craniology
110
-crine, crin(o)-
to secrete
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κρίνω (krínō), separate, divide, discern
Example(s)
endocrine
111
cry(o)-
cold
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κρύος (krúos), cold, frost
Example(s)
cryoablation, cryogenic
112
cutane-
skin
Origin language and etymology:
Latin cutis
Example(s)
subcutaneous
113
cyan(o)-
having a blue color
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κύανος, κυάνεος (kúanos, kuáneos, blue, of the color blue)
Example(s)
cyanopsia
114
cycl-
circle, cycle
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κύκλος (kúklos)
Example(s)
cyclosis, cyclops, tricycle
115
cyph(o)-
denotes something as bent (uncommon as a prefix)
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κυφός (kuphós), bent, hunchback
Example(s)
cyphosis
116
cyst(o)-, cyst(i)-
of or pertaining to the urinary bladder
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κύστις (kústis), bladder, cyst
Example(s)
cystotomy
117
cyt(o)-, -cyte
cell
Origin language and etymology:
Greek κύτος (kútos), a hollow, vessel
Example(s)
cytokine, leukocyte, cytoplasm
118
dacry(o)-
of or pertaining to tears
Origin language and etymology:
Greek δάκρυ, tear
Example(s)
dacryoadenitis, dacryocystitis
119
-dactyl(o)-
of or pertaining to a finger, toe
Origin language and etymology:
Greek δάκτυλος (dáktulos), finger, toe
Example(s)
dactylology, polydactyly
120
de-
from, down, or away from
Origin language and etymology:
Latin de-
Example(s)
dehydrate, demonetize, demotion
121
dent-
of or pertaining to teeth
Origin language and etymology:
Latin dens, dentis, tooth
Example(s)
dentist, dental
122
dermat(o)-, derm(o)-
of or pertaining to the skin
Origin language and etymology:
Greek δέρμα, δέρματος (dérma, dérmatos), skin, human skin
Example(s)
dermatology, epidermis, hypodermic, xeroderma
123
-desis
binding
Origin language and etymology:
Greek δέσις (désis)
Example(s)
arthrodesis
124
dextr(o)-
dextr(o)-
Origin language and etymology:
Latin dexter
Example(s)
dextrocardia
125
di-
two
Origin language and etymology:
Greek δι-
Example(s)
diplopia
126
di-
apart, separation
Origin language and etymology:
Latin dis-
Example(s)
dilation, distal, dilute
127
dia-
through, during, across
Origin language and etymology:
Greek διά (diá), through, during, across
Example(s)
dialysis
128
dif-
apart, separation
Origin language and etymology:
Latin dif-
Example(s)
different
129
digit-
of or pertaining to the finger [rare as a root]
Origin language and etymology:
Latin digitus, finger, toe
Example(s)
digit
130
diplo-
twofold
Origin language and etymology:
Greek διπλόος (diplóos)
Example(s)
diploid, diplosis
131
-dipsia
(condition of) thirst
Origin language and etymology:
Greek δίψα (dípsa)
Example(s)
dipsomania, hydroadipsia, oligodipsia, polydipsia
132
dis-
separation, taking apart
Origin language and etymology:
Latin dis-
Example(s)
dissection
133
dors(o)-, dors(i)-
of or pertaining to the back
Origin language and etymology:
Latin dorsum, back
Example(s)
dorsal, dorsocephalad
134
dromo-
running, conduction, course
Origin language and etymology:
Greek δρόμος (drómos)
Example(s)
dromotropic, syndrome
135
duodeno-
twelve
Origin language and etymology:
Latin duodeni
Example(s)
duodenal atresia, duodenum
136
dura-
hard
Origin language and etymology:
Latin durus
Example(s)
dura mater
137
dynam(o)-
force, energy, power
Origin language and etymology:
Greek δύναμις (dúnamis)
Example(s)
hand strength dynamometer, dynamics
138
-dynia
pain
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ὀδύνη (odúnē)
Example(s)
vulvodynia
139
dys-
bad, difficult, defective, abnormal
Origin language and etymology:
Greek δυσ- (dus-)
Example(s)
dysentery, dysphagia, dysphasia
140
-eal (see -al)
pertaining to
Origin language and etymology:
English -al, from Latin -ālis
Example(s)
adenohypophyseal, corneal, esophageal, perineal
141
ec-
out, away
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ἐκ (ek), out of, from
Example(s)
ectopia, ectopic pregnancy
142
ect(o)-
outer, outside
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ἐκτός (ektós)
Example(s)
ectoblast, ectoderm, ectoplasm
143
-ectasia, -ectasis
expansion, dilation
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ἔκτασις (éktasis)
Example(s)
bronchiectasis, telangiectasia
144
-ectomy
denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part; resection, excision
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ἐκτομή (ektomḗ), excision
Example(s)
mastectomy
145
-emesis
vomiting condition
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ἕμεσις (hémesis)
Example(s)
hematemesis
146
-emia
blood condition (Am. Engl.)
Origin language and etymology:
Greek αἷμα (haîma), "blood"
Example(s)
anemia
147
encephal(o)-
of or pertaining to the brain; see also cerebro-
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ἐγκέφαλος (enképhalos), the brain
Example(s)
encephalogram
148
endo-
denotes something as inside or within
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ἔνδον (éndon), inside, internal
Example(s)
endocrinology, endospore, endoskeleton
149
eosin(o)-
having a red color
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ἠώς (ēṓs), dawn, daybreak, morning red, goddess of the dawn (Ἠώς, Ēṓs)
Example(s)
eosinophil granulocyte
150
enter(o)-
of or pertaining to the intestine
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ἔντερον (énteron), intestine
Example(s)
gastroenterology
151
epi-
on, upon
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ἐπι- (epi-), before, upon, on, outside, outside of
Example(s)
epicardium, epidermis, epidural, episclera, epistaxis, epidemic
152
episi(o)-
of or pertaining to the pubic region, the loins
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ἐπίσιον (epísion), the pubic area, loins; vulva
Example(s)
episiotomy
153
erythr(o)-
having a red color
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ἐρυθρός (eruthrós), red
Example(s)
erythrocyte
154
-esophageal, -esophago-
gullet (AmE)
Origin language and etymology:
Greek οἰσοφάγος (oisophágos)
Example(s)
esophagus
155
esthesio-
sensation (AmE)
Origin language and etymology:
Greek αἴσθησις (aísthēsis), to perceive
Example(s)
esthesioneuroblastoma, esthesia
156
eu-
true, good, well, new
Origin language and etymology:
N/A
Example(s)
eukaryote
157
ex-
out of, away from
Origin language and etymology:
Latin ex-
Example(s)
excision, except
158
exo-
denotes something as "outside" another
Origin language and etymology:
Greek ἔξω (éxō), outside of, external
Example(s)
exophthalmos, exoskeleton, exoplanet
159
extra-
outside
Origin language and etymology:
Latin extra, outside of, beyond
Example(s)
extradural hematoma extraordinary, extreme
160
faci-
of or pertaining to the face
Origin language and etymology:
Latin faciēs, the face, countenance
Example(s)
facioplegic, facial
161
fibr-
fiber
Origin language and etymology:
Latin fibra, fiber, filament, entrails[2]
Example(s)
fibril, fibrin, fibrinous pericarditis, fibroblast, fibrosis
162
fil-
fine, hair-like
Origin language and etymology:
Latin fīlum, thread
Example(s)
filament, filum terminale
163
foramen
hole, opening, or aperture, particularly in bone
Origin language and etymology:
Latin forāmen
Example(s)
foramen magnum
164
-form
used to form adjectives indicating "having the form of"
Origin language and etymology:
Latin fōrma, form, shape
Example(s)
cruciform, cuneiform, falciform
165
fore-
before or ahead
Origin language and etymology:
Old English fōr(e)-, before, in front of
Example(s)
foregut, foreshadow
166
fossa
a hollow or depressed area; a trench or channe
Origin language and etymology:
Latin fossa, ditch, pit
Example(s)
fossa ovalis
167
front-
of or pertaining to the forehead
Origin language and etymology:
Latin frōns, front-, the forehead
Example(s)
frontonasal
168
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