Unit One - Latin and Greek roots

Question 1

PHOT/PHOS

Answer 1

Greek PHOS, PHOTOS

Question 2

PHOTOTROPIC

(fo to tro pik) adj.

Answer 2

Tending to grow or move towards light
G. photos + tropein, “to turn” = to turn toward the light
Because theyare phototrophic, dasies always grow towards the sun.

Question 3

PHOSPHORESCENT

(fos fe res ent) adj.

Answer 3

Giving off light without heat
G. phos + phorein, “to bear” = light-bearing
Harvey stuck phosphorescent stars on his ceiling so that it would resemble the nighttime sky.

Question 4

PHOTOGENIC

(fo te jenik) adj.

Answer 4

Attractive in pictures of photographs
G. photos + genic, “suitable for” = suitable for photographs
Lucy was so photogenic that total strangers often asked to take her picture.

Question 5

LUC

Answer 5

Latin LUX, LUCIS “light”

Question 6

LUCID

(loo sid) adj.

Answer 6

Easy to understand; clear
Sophie’s explanation of quantum physics was so lucid that I understood everything.
syn: comprehensible ant: confusing

Question 7

ELUCIDATE

(e loo si dat) v.

Answer 7

To make clear by explaining
L. e, “from,” lucis = to bring light from
The attorney asked the witness to further elucidate the information he had.
syn: clarify ant: confuse

Question 8

TRANSLUCENT

(trans loo sent) adj.

Answer 8

Allowing llight to pass through
L. trans, “through,” + lucis = light passing through
Through a translusent blue cloth draped over the window, we could see the sun.
syn: semi-transparent

Question 9

SPEC/SPECT

Answer 9

Latin SPECERE, SPECTUM “to look at”

Question 10

CIRCUMSPECT

(sur kem spekt) adj.

Answer 10

Careful; mindful of rules and consequenses
L. circum, “around,” + spectum = looking around
The marchers in th protest tried to be circumspect and not break any laws.
syn: prudent ant: reckless

Question 11

PROSPECT

(pros pekt) n.

Answer 11

That which is expected
L. pro, “forward,” + spectum = looked forward to
The prospect of a trip to the dentist with my bratty kid brother was hardly thrilling.

Question 12

SPECTER

(spek ter) n.

Answer 12

A ghost or phantom

Hattie seemed to see a specter in every corner of the dark house.

Question 13

VID/VIS

Answer 13

Latin VIDERE, VISUM “to see, to look”

Question 14

INVIDIOUS

(in vid e es) adj.

Answer 14

Hateful or spiteful
L. in, “against,” + videre = to look against
One candidate made an invidious speech against his opponent.
syn: defamatory ant: pleasant

Question 15

PROVIDENTIAL

(pra ve den shel) adj.

Answer 15

Happening by good fortune
L. pro, “forward,” + videre = to look forward
Though a providential series of events, Nigel found himself manager of the company.
syn: fortunate ant: unlucky

Question 16

IMPROVISE

(im pre viz) v.

Answer 16

To create without any forethought or preparation
L. in, “not,” pro, “forward,” + visum = not seen in advance
When Carl lost the cards with his speech on them, he was forced to improvise.
ant: plan