Introducing Common Roots Part A-C Flashcards
What does ab- mean?
away, from
absent
abduct
absolute.
You can remember that the prefix ab- means “away” via the word absent, for someone who is absent is “away” from a place, such as school or work.
What does ad- mean?
to, towards
admit
adjust
An easy way to remember that the prefix ad- means “towards” is through the word advertise, for when you advertise you try to turn potential buyers “towards” the product you are selling.
What does anim mean?
mind, spirit
unanimous
animated
animosity
The root anim is easily recalled via the word animal, for an animal is a living, moving creature and so contains a “spirit” and “mind.”
What does a- mean?
not, without
The Greek prefix a- and its variant an- mean “not.” An easy way to remember that the prefix a- means “not” is through the word apolitical, which describes a person who is “not” inclined to favor politics. Someone who is anonymous is going around “not” having a name.
What does bio mean?
life
biological
biography
amphibian
One easy word that is helpful in remembering bio is biology, or the study of ‘life.’
What does bi- mean?
twice
The English prefixes bi-, derived from Latin, and its Greek counterpart di- both mean “two.” These “two” prefixes are used commonly, especially bi-.
Let’s begin with the frequently used English prefix bi-, which means “two.” A bicycle has “two” wheels. A biped, like homo sapiens, walks on only “two” feet, perfect for a bicycle! A biped also has a primary muscle known as a biceps, which has “two” heads that attach to bones in the upper arm. A biped also has binocular vision, which mean that she uses “two” eyes to see. And does a biped who is bilingual have “two” tongues? No … it just means that he speaks “two” languages fluently.
Calendars have many events that use the prefix bi-, which means “two.” For instance, the bicentennial of an institution or nation is a celebration commemorating “two”-hundred years of existence. Two words that are easily confused are biannual and biennial. A biannual event happens “two” times every year, whereas a biennial celebration happens once every “two” years. You can remember the difference because alphabetically the “a” of biannual comes before the “e” of biennial, and also happens first in time.
What does di- mean?
di- means “two.” Carbon dioxide, or CO2, is a gas whose molecule has “two” oxygen atoms. If you are in a dilemma, you are unable to choose between “two” options, often both unappealing! A diphthong is a pair of or “two” vowels in a row in a word in the same syllable, such as “cloud” and “foil.” And a dipterous insect? It simply has “two” wings!
Today you got “two” for your money with both bi- and di-. Now you no longer need to be “twice” shy with words such as bipartite and diphyllous, for you know that each has something “to” do with “two!”
What does cept mean?
The Latin root word cept means “taken.” This root word gives rise to many English vocabulary words, including deception, concept, and except. Perhaps the easiest way to remember this root word is through the word accept, for when you have accepted something, you have “taken” it towards yourself.
The Latin root word cept means “taken.”
If someone were to offer you 3,000,000 dollars, you would probably accept at once, having therefore “taken” that sum of money towards yourself. There might, however, be an exception to getting the money, or that which is “taken” out of the original promise. If, however, there were no exceptions, it would be an exceptional event, one “taken” out of ordinary circumstances!
Deceptions occur when you are “taken” from the truth or reality of a given situation in some underhanded fashion. If you have ever been deceived, you were not perceptive enough, that is, the full knowledge or truth of your surroundings was not thoroughly “taken” in. Hopefully the next time you’ll be able to intercept any such trick before it happens, “taking” it between its origin and its end target!
Let’s further reinforce the etymological concept that the root word cept means “taken.”
Were you ever able to concoct a concept, or that which is thoroughly “taken” in your mind, before anyone else thought of the idea? You would then be responsible for the concept’s inception, “taken” in at its very start. You might then hope that other people would be receptive to your idea, or that they would “take” it back into their own minds for further consideration, and not reject it out of hand.
Just what does it mean if you are susceptible to something? If you are susceptible to a disease, for instance, you are able to be “taken” under by it, contracting it despite your immune system’s attempt to fight it off.
You can now confidently put the root word cept into your receptacle of knowledge, having “taken” it back into your brain and deposited it there for safekeeping. No longer will you suffer from verbal deception whenever you see a word with cept in it, for you have “taken” the bull by the horns, never to be “taken” in again—no exceptions!
What does cit mean?
moved, stirred up
solicitous: A person who is solicitous behaves in a way that shows great concern about someone’s health, feelings, safety, etc.
cite: When you cite sources in a research paper, you quote or mention them to tell readers where you got your information.
incite: When you incite someone to do something, you encourage, urge, or persuade them to do it.
citationan: official award (as for bravery or service) usually given as formal public statement
excitability: excessive sensitivity of an organ or body part
excitable: easily excited
excitation: the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up
excite: arouse or elicit a feeling
recital: the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
recitation: written matter that is recited from memory
recitative: a vocal passage of narrative text that a singer delivers with natural rhythms of speech
recite: recite in elocution
resuscitate: cause to regain consciousness
resuscitation: the act of reviving a person and returning them to consciousness
solicit: make a solicitation or entreaty for something
solicitation: an entreaty addressed to someone of superior status
solicitor: a petitioner who solicits contributions or trade or votes
solicitude: a feeling of excessive concern
unsolicited: not asked for
What does com mean?
com has three main meanings:
thouroughly
celebration/fun
with/together
composure: When someone exhibits composure, they remain calm—even in difficult times or conditions. com = thouroughly
comedic: pertaining to a comedy com = celebration/fun
companion: A companion is a friend with whom you spend time doing things. com = with/together
What does de- mean?
What does dict mean?
What does dic mean?
What does duc mean?
What does en- mean?
What does ex- mean?
