Double Your Vocabulary in a Month

The 100 most common Latin and Greek roots figure in more than 5,000 English derivatives just beyond the average person’s vocabulary of 10,000 words. They are the ones in all CAPITAL letters. By memorizing these 100 CAPITALIZED Latin and Greek prefixes, suffixes and roots, you will have a short cut to sight read an additional 5,000 words. If you learn all of them (both the caps and non-caps roots), you can double this to 10,000 additional words. Most of these words are used in medicine, law, business, science and technology. These are all words you must know in order to excel on the PSAT, SAT I and GRE, to do well in college and to have a successful career. The most important of these derived words are in CAPITALIZED BOLD print. You must know their meanings. Look these words up in your dictionary to get all the definitions. Put them on your index cards; the word on the front and definitions on the back. Many will not have the same exact meaning as the original Latin or Greek words but they will be close. When you use your dictionary, pay close attention to the Latin or Greek words from which they are derived. The Romans also combined prefixes and roots to derive new words. Many were borrowed straight from the Greek language, but most were combined with Latin to make additional words with similar but distinctive meanings. Try to get a feel for the ETYMOLOGY of these words.

By breaking a word apart into root, prefix and suffix, you will be able to determine its literal meaning. Since you have encountered the word in context, you can then guess at its present meaning. For example, take the word "interposition." The prefix is ‘INTER-’, the suffix is ‘–ION’ and the root word is ‘POSIT’. Inter- means ‘between’, -ion is ‘the act of’ and ‘POSIT’ is from Latin meaning‘to place.’ Therefore, ‘interposition’ literally means ‘the act of placing between.’ Another example is the word "antipathy." The prefix is ‘ANTI-’, the Greek root word is ‘PATH’ and the suffix is ‘-Y.’ Anti- means ‘against’, the suffix,-y, is ‘the state of’ and PATH means ‘to feel.’ Antipathy therefore means ‘the state of feeling against’. Not all derived words have both a prefix and a suffix, many will have one or the other, some will use just the root word and others will combine two root words, as in ‘manuscript’ and ‘astronaut.’ Man- is the Latin root for ‘hand’ and script is the Latin root ‘to write.’ Astro is the Greek word for ‘star’ and ‘naut’ means sailor.

The secret to increasing your vocabulary is not by memorizing a lot of words. The secret is in knowing how combining different prefixes and suffixes with a root word makes new words. For example, let’s take the Latin word gressum which means ‘to walk, to step or move forward’ and by combining the prefixes, A(D)-, CON-, DI-, E-, PRO-, RE-, RETRO- and TRANS- with the combining word "-GRESS-", we get 8 more words. If we add the suffixes –ION, -IVE, and –OR in turn to each of these words we derive 24 additional words for a total of 32 words. By knowing the meaning of the root word, and the 8 prefixes and 3 suffixes you also know the meaning of the 32 derived words. I use this example of making words to show you how easy it is to take words apart and thereby learn their meaning. As an exercise, combine these prefixes and suffixes with the root word to form the 32 words, write them down and look up their meanings.

Since many Greek words were assimilated by the Romans and Latin words also come down to us through French, Italian and Spanish, the modern spelling of some of these words can be quite different from the original Latin or Greek.

The Latin and Greek prefixes, suffixes and root words are listed alphabetically.

1. Latin Prefixes

The prefixes listed below are from Latin prepositions. They are attached to nouns, adjectives and especially to verbs. When taking apart compound verbs and defining them, it is best to translate the prefix as adverbial rather than prepositional. For example, abduct divides into ab (away) and duct (lead) and so means ‘lead away’ and not ‘away from leading’. Some of these prefixes have different forms depending on the initial letter of the root word. This makes the derived word more pronounceable and is known as assimilation. A prime example is the prefix SUB- which also has SUC-,SUF-,SUG-,SUM-, SUP-, SUR-, and SUS- as different forms.

Prefix

Meaning

Examples

A-

not, without

amoral, APATHY, ANOMALY

AB-, ABS-

away from, off, apart

abrupt, ABSCOND, ABSTRACT

AD-, AC-, AN-, AS-

toward, against

advent, accurate, ANNOTATE, assent

AMBI-, AMB-

around, about, on both sides

AMBIGUOUS, AMBIVALENT

ANTE-

before, in front of, early

antecede, antedate, antebellum

ARCH

main, chief

archangel, archbishop, archenemy

BI-

two

bifurcate, biannually

BENE-

well

BENEFACTOR, benefit, beneficial

CIRCUM-, CIRA-

around, about

circumflex, circumference, circa

CIS-

on this side of

cislunar, cisalpine

CON-

with, together

concur, concede, CONSCRIPT

COM-, COR-, COL-

together, with, very

COMPRISE, corrode, colleteral

CONTRA-

against

contradict, controversy, contravene

COUNTER-

against

counterfeit, counterclockwise

DE-

down, down from, off, utterly

deformed, defoliate, descend, depress

DEMI-

half, partly belongs to

demisemiquaver, demigod

DIS-, DI-, DIF-

apart, in different directions

DIGRESS, divorce, dispute, DISCERN

DU-, DUO-

two

duet, duplicate

EM- EN-

in, into

embrace, enclose

EX-, E-, EF-, EC-

out, out of, from, away

EXTOL, event, expel, evade, ELUCIDATE

EXTRA-,EXTRO-

outside of, beyond

extraordinary, extrovert, EXTRAPOLATE

FORE

before

forestall, forgo, forebear

IN-, I-, IL-, IM-, IR-

in, into, on, toward, put into,

incision, impel, impulse, irrigate,

 

not, lacking, without

illegal, ignominious, impure, immoral,

 

(same as above)

immodest, indecent, INCOHERENT

INDU-, INDI-

a strengthened form of IN-

indigent

INFRA-

below, beneath, inferior to, after

infrared, infrasonic

INTER-, INTEL-

among, between, at intervals

intercede, intercept, intellect

INTRA-

in, within, inside of

intramural, intravenous

INTRO-

in, into, within

introduce, introspective

JUXTA

near, beside

juxtapose, juxtaposition

MAL-, MALE-

evil, badly

malformed, malicious, malaise, maladroit

MEDI-, MEDIO-

middle

median, mediocre

MILLI-, MILLE-

thousand

millennium, millimeter

MONO-

one

MONARCH, MONOTONE

MULTI-, MULTUS-

much, many

multifaceted, multiply, multilevel

NE-

not

neuter, NEUTRAL

NON-

not (less emphatic than IN or UN)

nonresident, nonconformity

NUL-, NULL-

none, not any

nullify, nullification

OB-, OF-, OC-,

toward, against, across, down, for

oblong, OBDURATE, offer, occasion, occur

OP-, O-

toward, against, across, down, for

oppose, opposite, omit, offer

OMNI-

all, everywhere

omniscient, omnivorous

PED-, PEDI-

foot

pedestrian, pedicure

PER-, PEL-

through, by, thoroughly, away

PERMEATE, perfidy, pellucid

POST-

behind, after (in time or place)

postpone, postnatal, postorbital

PRE-

before, early, toward

precedent, precept, preposition

PRO-, PUR-

before, for, forth

proceed, purport, pursue, PROLONG

QUADRI-, QUADR-

four times, four fold

quadriceps, quadrisect, quadrangle

RE-, RED-

back, again, against, behind

repel, RELEGATE, redeem, redemption

RETRO-

backwards, behind

retrogressive, retrofit, retrograde

SE-, SED-

aside, apart, away from

secure, seduce, seclude, sedition, select

SEMI-

half

semicircle, semiprivate

SINE

without

sinecure

SUB-, SUC-, SUF-

under, beneath, inferior,

suffer, SUBMISSIVE, succumb,

SUG-, SUM-, SUP-

less than, in place of, secretly

suggest, subtract, suffuse, support

SUR-, SUS-

(same as above meanings)

suspend, surplus

SUBTER-

beneath, secretly

subterfuge

SUPER-, SUPRA-

over, above, excessively

SUPERFICIAL, SUPERCILIOUS

SUR-

over, above, excessively

surcharge, surtax, surplus, surrealism

TRANS-, TRA-

across, over, beyond, through

transoceanic, transgression, transit, transition

TRI-

three

triangle, triceps

ULTRA-

beyond, on other side

ultrasound, ultraconservative

UN- (Old English)

no, not, without

unabashed, unashamed

 

2. Latin Suffixes

You will also find a few Old English suffixes here since they are used quite freely with Latin and Greek root words.

Suffix

Meaning

Examples

-ABLE, -ABLY

able to, capable of being.

unalienable, insuperable

-ACY

state or quality of being

intricacy, democracy

-AGE

belonging to, related to

marriage, acreage, postage

-AL

pertaining to, act of

infinitesimal, EPHEMERAL

-ANA

sayings, writtings, facts of

Americana

-AN, -ANT, -ENT

one who is

charlatan, blatant, strident

-ANCE

act of, state of being, thing that

ABEYANCE

-ARY

belonging to, a relation to.

hereditary, subsidiary

-ATE

having

alienate, incarnate, insensate

-ATION, -ITION

the act of, result of

alteration, compilation, nutrition

-AR

relating to, like; the nature of

singular, polar, vicar, scholar

-BULUM, -BLE

means, instrument, place

fable, stable

-CIDE, -CIDAL

killer; having power to kill

insecticide, suicidal

-CRAT, -CRACY

to govern

bureaucracy, plutocracy

-CULUM, -CLE

means, instrument, place

curriculum, fulcrum

-EN

to become, or cause to be

darken, weaken

-ENCE

act, fact, quality, state

conference, excellence, despondence

-ENCY

state of being

clemency, dependency

-ER, -OR

one who

interlocutor, volunteer

-ENT

has, shows, or does

circumvent, INADVERTENT

-ERY, -RY

a place to/for; occupation of

tannery, vinery, dentistry, jewelry

-ESCE

becoming

obsolescent, COALESCE

-FY

to make, cause to be, or become

CLARIFY, horrify

-HOOD

state, quality; group of

childhood, priesthood

-IAN

belonging to, a relation to

vulgarian, plebian

-IER

a person concerned with

soldier

-IBLE

able to be.

susceptible, flexible

-IC

pertaining to

ASCETIC, PROSAIC, ENDEMIC

-ICE

state or quality of being

avarice

-IL, -ILE

having to do with

docil, missile, civil, fossil

-ION

the act or result of, one who

legion, opinion

-IUM, -Y, -CE, -GE

the act of

colloquium, colloquy, refuge

-CIUM, -TIUM, -GIUM

something connected with the act

consortium, compendium

-ISH

of, or belonging to; like

devilish, boyish, foolish, bookish

-IST

a person who does, makes, practices

ALTRUIST, artist

-ITIOUS

having the nature of.

nutritious, seditious

-ITUDE, (-TUDE)

state of being.

verisimilitude, aptitude

-ITY

state, character, condition

ANIMOSITY, stability

-IVE

one who, that which is

pensive, ELUSIVE, deductive

-LESS

(OE) without, lacking.

relentless, tireless

-LIKE

characteristic of; suitable for

manlike, childlike, godlike

-LY

specified manner, extent, direction

harshly, hourly

-MEN

result, or means

acumen, specimen

-MENTUM, -MENT

result, or means of an act

armament, impediment, moment

-NESS

state, quality of being

greatness. sadness

-OON

one who

buffoon

-OR

act, or condition of

error, terror, PRECURSOR

-ORY

relating to, thing which, place where

AMBULATORY, laboratory

-OSE, -OUS

having, full of, characterized by

IMPERVIOUS, unctuous, perilous

-SHIP

quality, condition, state of

fellowship, friendship

-SOME

like, tending to be

tiresome, lonesome

-TION

state of that which

convocation, commotion

-TUDE

state of being

verisimilitude, aptitude

-ULUS, -ULOUS

tending to

CREDULOUS, pendulous

-URE

state or act of

CENSURE, tenure

-UUS, -UOUS

tending to

INNOCUOUS

-VOROUS, -VORE

eating, feeding on

omnivorous, herbivore

-WISE

direction, manner, in regard to

clockwise

-Y

state of being.

nullity, APATHY

 

3. Latin number forms

Suffix

Meaning

Examples

UNI-

one

UNIFORM, unicorn, unilateral

PRIM-, PRIMO-

first

primary, primitive, primogenitor

DU-

two

duet, dual

BI-, BIN-

two, twice

bicycle, binoculars

SECOND-

second

secondary

TRI-

three

triangle, tricycle, trinity

TERTI-

third

tertiary

QUADR(U)-

four

quadrangle, quadruple

QUART-

fourth

quarter

QUINQUE-, QUINT-

five, fifth

quintet, quintessence

SEX-, SEXT-

six, sixth

sextet, sextant

SEPT(EM)-

seven

septet, September

OCT-

eight

octet, October

OCTAV-

eighth

octave, octagon

NOVEM-

nine

November

NON-

ninth

nonagon

DECEM-

ten

December

DECIM-

tenth

decimal, DECIMATE

CENT-

hundre

century, centennial

MILL-

thousand

millimeter, millennium

SESQUI-

one and a half times

sesquicentennial

SEMI-

half, partly

semiannual

 

4. Latin Base Words

Latin word

Meaning

Examples

abstinere

to hold back

abstain, ABSTINENCE

accollare

to embrace

ACCOLADE

acerbus, AC, ACR

sharp, bitter, sour

acerbic, acrid, acumen, acrimony

actuare

to do, to move

ACTUATE

actus, ACT

drive, lead, to do, to act

active, activate, activism, react

acurer

to sharpen

ACUTE, acumen, acuity

adbaetere

witness, judge

ARBITER

adjacere

to lie near

adjacent

aemulus

trying to equal, excel

EMULATE

aequus

equal

EQUIVALENT

affecere, AFFE

a state of feeling, to feign

AFFECTATION, AFFECTED

ager, agri, agro, AGR

field

agronomy

agere, AG

drive, lead, to do, to act

agility, agitate, AGENDA

alacer

eager, quick, brisk

ALACRITY

albus

white

albino, albedo, albescent

alere, altum,AL, ALT

grow, nourish

altrical

alius

other, else

alias, ALIENATE

alienus, ALIEN

of another, other

alien, alienation, unalienable

alludere

to joke, jest

allude, ALLUSION

alter, ALTER

other, another

alternative, altercation, ADULTERATE

alter

other of two

ALTERNATIVE

altus

high, deep

alto, altimeter, exaltation

amare, AM, AMAT

to love, friend

AMIABLE, enamored, amorous

ambulare, AMB

to walk, to go

amble, preamble, AMBULATORY

amicus

friend

AMITY

amplus

large, spacious

ample

anecdota

unpublished

ANCEDOTE

angere, anxius

to give pain

ANXIOUS, ANXIETY

angulus

a corner

angle, ANGULAR

anima

breath, spirit, soul

ANIMOSITY, inanimate, unanimous

animus, ANIM

reason, mind, soul, life

ANIMATE, magnanimous

annus, ANNU, ENNI

year

annual, biennial, centennial, PERENNIAL

anomalia

inequality

ANOMALY

antiquus

old, ancient

antiquity, antique, ANTIQUATED

apertum, APERT

open, uncovered

aperture

apparere

to come forth

apparent, appearance, APPARITION

appellare, APPELL

address, entreat, call

appellation

apprehendere

to take hold of

apprehend, APPREHENSIVE

apprenare

to teach

APPRISE

aptare, aptus, APT, EPT

to fit, suitable

aptitude, adapt, INEPT

aqua

water

aqueous, aqueduct, aquifer, aquarium

arabilis

to plow

ARABLE

arbit

judge

ARBITRATION, arbitrary

arbor

tree

arboretum, arboreal

archein, ARCH

to rule

MONARCH

ardere ARD

be on fire, to burn

ardor, ARDUOUS

arere

to be dry

ARID

arguere

make clear

argument

arma

implements, weapons

arm, armament, ARMADA

arrogare

full of pride

ARROGANT, ARROGANCE

arsum, ARS

be on fire

arson

ars, artis, ART

skill, craft, method

art, artisan, artist

articulare

jointed; utter distinctly

ARTICULATE, inarticulate

artificium

art-craft + facere-to make

artifact, artifice, artificial

ascendere

to scale, climb

ascend, ASCENDANCY

aspergere

to sprinkle on

asperse, ASPERSION

assidere

to sit beside, assist

assess, assist

assiduitas

constant presence

assiduity, ASSIDUOUS

astus

crafty, cunning

ASTUTE

auctor

author, enlarger

AUTHORITY, authorize

audere, AUD

to dare, be bold

AUDACIOUS, AUDACITY

augere, augtum

to increase

augmentation, augur, august

audire, AUD

to hear

audible, audio

auditum, AUDIT

to hear

audition

augere, AUG, AUX

to increase

AUGMENT, auxiliary

auctum, AUCT

increase

auction

auris

ear

auricle, auriform

auspicium

good omen, approval

auspice, AUSPICIOUS

authentious

real, genuine

AUTHENTIC

avarus

greedy

AVARICE, avaricious

avertere

to turn away

avert

avis

bird

avian, aviary, aviation, avionics

beatus

happy, blessed

beatific, beatitude

bella, bellus

beautiful

EMBELLISH

bellum, BEL, BELL

to wage war

bellicose, rebellious, BELLIGERENT

bene, BEN

well, good

benevolence, BENEFICENT, BENIGN

bibere

to drink

bibulous, IMBIBE

blaterare

to babble, to roar

BLATANT

bonus, BON

good

bonanza, bonny, bon voyage, bonus

        melior

better

AMELIORATE

        optimus

best

optimum

brachium

an arm

EMBRACE

brevis, BRI, BREV

brief, short

BREVITY, abbreviate, abridge

burla

a jest

BURLESQUE

cadere, CAD

to fall, happen by chance

DECADENT, cadaver, cascade

cidere, CID

to fall, happen by chance

coincidence, RECIDIVISM

casum, CAS

to fall, happen by chance

cascade

caedere, cide

to cut, kill

incision, pesticide

calere, CAL

be warm, glow

caloric, calorie

callum

hard skin

callus

calx, CALC

pebble, to reckon

calculate, calculus

candere, CAND

glow, pure, sincere

incandescence, candor, CANDID

canere, CANT, CHANT

to sing

RECANT, chant, enchant

canis

dog

canine

capere, CAP, CAPT

to take, to seize

captive, capture, intercept, CAPTIOUS

capra

a she goat (impulsive)

CAPRICIOUS, caprice

capere, CIP, CEPT

to take, to seize

INCIPIENT, precept, susceptible

caput, CAP, CAPIT

head, headlong

cape, chapter, capital, principle

cardo, CARDIN

hinge

cardinal

caro, CARN

flesh

carnal, incarnate, carnivore

castigare

to purify, chastise

CASTIGATE

cauda

a tail

CODA

causa

cause, reason

causal, causation

cavare, cavus

to make hollow

CAVERNOUS, cavity, excavate

cedere, CED, CEED

to go, to yield

recede, precede, exceed, PREDECESSOR

cessum, CESS

to go, to yield

concession, access, recess

celeber, CELEBR

honored

celebrant, celebrity, celebrate

cella

storeroom

cell, cellar

censere, CENS

assess, rate, estimate

census, CENSURE

centrum, CENTR

center

concentric, concentrate, ECCENTRIC

centum, centi

hundred, tenth, ten

percent, centimeter, century

cernere, CERN, CERT

distinguish, separate, decide

discern, certitude, DISCERNMENT

cerebrum

brain

cerebral, cerebrate, cerebellum

cerratanus

seller of Papal indulgences

CHARLATAN

cessare

to cease

INCESSANT

ciere, citum, CI

move, stir, rouse, call

cite, citation

citum, CIT

move, stir, rouse, call

excite, incite, SOLICIT, solicitous

civis

citizen, community

civic, civility, civilian

clamere, CLAIM

to shout, claim, cry out

CLARIFY, ACCLAIM, RECLAIM

clamatum, CLAM

to shout, claim, cry out

CLAMOR, PROCLAIM, declaration

clarus

bright, clear, famous

clarion, clarity

clausum, CLU

to close, shut

recluse, exclude, include, conclusion, PRECLUDE

clavis

key

clavicle, clavier, ENCLAVE

clemens

mild, merciful

CLEMENCY

clinatum, CLI, CLIN

lean, slope

incline, inclination, CLINOMETER

coagulare

to curdle

COAGULATE

codex, CODIC

book, tree trun

code, codicil

coercere

to surrond, restrain

COERCE

cogitare, COG

to think

COGENT, cogitative

cogitatum, COGITAT

to think

COGITATE

cognoscere, cognitum

to know

INCOGNITO, cognition, ignorant COGNIZANT

cohaerere

co-together + haerere-stick

cohere, coherence, INCOHERENT

colare

to strain, filter

percolate, colander

color

to hide, conceal

coloration, COLOR

commodus

suitable

COMMODITY

complacere

to be pleased

complacency, COMPLAISANT

complere

to fill up

complete, comply, COMPLIANT

computare

to compute

count, DISCOUNT

comsentire (com + sentire)

to feel with

consent, CONSENSUS

concidere

to cut off

CONCISE

conciliare

bring together, win over

conciliate, CONCILIATORY, RECONCILE

conterere, contritio

ground to pieces, grief

CONTRITE, contrition

condensus

dense, compact

CONDENSE

condere

to put together, hide

RECONDITE

condescendere

to let oneself down

CONDESCEND

congruere

come together

CONGRUENT, INCONGRUOUS

contemnere

con-with + temnere-scorn

CONTEMPT

contendere

stretch out, strive after

CONTENTIOUS, contend, contention

copia

abundance

COPIOUS

cor, CORD, COUR

heart

courage, cordial, accord

corium

skin, hide

excoriate

cornu copia

(cornu) horn (copia) plenty

CORNUCOPIA

corona

crown

corona, coronary, coronation

corpus, CORPOR

body

corporeal, corporation

corroborare

to strengthen

CORROBORATE

corrumpere

destroy, spoil, bribe

CORRUPT

creare, CREA

create, grow

create, creative

crescere, CRESC

grow, increase

CRESCENDO, accretion

cretum, CRE, CRET

grow, increase

increase, increment

credere, CRED

to believe, to trust

credentials, incredible, credence

creditum, CREDIT

to believe, to trust

credit

cretum, CRET, CRIM

distinguish, separate, decide

secret, DISCRIMINATE, recrimination

crimen, CRIMIN

accusation, charge

incriminate, criminology

cruce

pot, jug

crucible

culminare

peak, summit

CULMINATE

culpa, CULP

fault, blame, guilt

culprit, CULPABLE, exculpate

cultus, CULT

to till, care

CULTIVATE, culture, cult

cumbere, CUB, CUMB

to lie down

incubate, recumbent, SUCCUMB

cura, CUR, CURAT

to care for

sinecure, secure

currere, CURR

to run

recur, current

cursum, CURS

to run

CURSORY, cursive

crux, CRUC

cross, to torture

crucial, crucify, excruciating, crusade

debere, DEB

to owe

debt, debtor

debitum, DEBIT

to owe

debit

debilitare

to weaken

DEBILITATE

decorus

fit; proper

DECORUM, DECOROUS, indecorous

deffere

to bring down, yield

defer, DEFFERENCE

delectar

to charm

delectable, DILETTANTE

deliberare

to consider, weigh well

DELIBERATE

delirare

(to plow crooked) to rave

DELIRIUM, DELIRIOUS

deminuere

to lessen from

DEMINISH, diminutive

dens, dentis

tooth

denture, dentifrice, endodontia

denuntiare

to announce, denounce

denunciation, DENOUNCE

depravare

to make crooked

deprave, DEPRAVITY

desiccare

to dry up completely

DESICCATE

determinare

to set bounds from

DETERMINED

deus, dei

god, godly

deify, deity, deism

devotus

to show reverence

devout, DEVOTION

dexter

right, right hand

dexterous, AMBIDEXTROUS

dicere, DIC

to say, to spea

indict, abdicate, PREDICAMENT

dictum, DICT

to say, to speak

dictate, verdict, edict, indict

dies,

day

diurnal

difficilis

hard to do

difficult

diffidere

to distrust

diffidence, DIFFIDENT

dignari

to consider, worthy

deign, DISDAIN, INDIGNANT

dignus, DIGN

worthy

dignify, dignitary, INDIGNANT

dilatare

dis-apart + latus-wide

dilate, dilation

discordia

dis-apart + cor-heart

DISCORD, discordant

discurrere (dis + currere)

to run to and fro

DISCOURSE

distare

to stand apart

DISTANT

distinguere

to separate

DISTINGUISHED

docere, DOC

teach

doctrine, document

doctum, DOCT

teach

doctor

dolere, DOL

be in pain, grieve

doleful, dolorous. INDOLENT

domitare

to tame

INDOMITABLE

dominus, dominium

a lord, right of ownership

domain, dominate, domineer

domus

house, home

domesticity, DOMESTICATE, domicile

donare, DON, DOT

give, forgive

CONDONE, donation, donor

dormire, dorm

to sleep

dormitory

dotare

to endow

ENDOW, ENDOWMENT

dubius, DUB

doubt

DUBIOUS, indubitable

ducere, DUC

to lead

seduce, induce, subduce, SUBDUE

ductum, DUCT

to lead

conduct, ductile

durare, durus, DUR

to harden, hard

duress, OBDURATE, DURABLE, ENDURANCE

ebullire

to boil up

EBULLIENT

effectu s

bring to pass, accomplish

effective, EFFECTUAL

effluere

to flow out

EFFLUENCE, EFFLUVIUM

elicere

to draw out

ELICIT

emendare

to correct

EMEND, AMEND

emoliri

accomplish

emolument

enhaucere

to raise high

ENHANCE

equis, EQU, IQU

equal, even

equidistant, INIQUITY, equivalent

errare, ERR

wander, go astray

errant, error, err, ERRONEOUS

erraticus, ERRAT

wander, go astray

ERRATIC, ABERRATION

erudire

to instruct

ERUDITE

essentia

to be

ESSENCE, ESSENTIAL

ethicus

character, custom

ETHICAL

evitare

to shun, avoid

evitable, INEVITABLE

exemplum

a pattern, example

EXEMPLARY, EXEMPLIFY

exhaustus

to draw out, exhaust

EXHAUSTIVE

exhortari

ex-out + hortari-to urge

EXHORT, exortation

exigere, exigens

to drive out

exigency, EXIGENT

exoticus

foreign, strange

EXOTIC, exotica

exorbitare

to go out of the track

EXORBITANT

expeditus

hasen, dispatch

EXPEDITE, EXPEDIENT

exponere

to put forth

expound, expose, EXPOSITION

expungere

mark for omission, erase

EXPUNGE

extirpare

to root out

EXTIRPATE

extraneare

to treat as a stranger

ESTRANGE

extremus

last, outermost

EXTREME, extremity

extricatus

to disentangle

EXTRICATE

exuberare

to come forth in abundance

EXUBERANT, exuberance

fabula

story

fable, fabulous

facilis

easy, to make easy

facile, facility, FACILITATE

facere, factum, FAC, FIC

to do, to make

facsimile, EFFACE, fiction, SURFEIT

facetia

a jest, witty

facetiae, FACETIOUS

factum, FACT

to do, to make

manufacture, factory

fallere

to deceive, disappoint

FALLACIOUS, infallible

fama

fame, reputation

famous, INFAMOUS

fanaticus

enthusiastic

FANATIC

fanus, fanum

a temple

PROFANE, PROFANITY

fari, FAB, FAM

speak

fame, fable, AFFABLE, famous

fastidium

loathing, disgust

FASTIDIOUS

fatuus

silly

FATUOUS, fatuity

fecundus

fertile, fruitful

FECUND, fatuity

femina

woman

female, feminine, femininity

fendere, FEND

to resist, hit, strike

defend, offend, offense

ferre, FER

to carry, to bear

refer, transfer, conference, proffer

ferrum

iron

ferric, ferrous, ferrotype

fertilis

to bear fruit

FERTILE, fertility

fervere, FERV

boil, ferment

FERVOR, EFFERVESCENT, fervid

fetidus

to stink

FETID

fidere, fides, FID

faith, trust, rely on

fidelity, PERFIDY, perfidious, fiduciary

figare, fixus

to fasten, attach

fixative, crucifix, suffix

firmare, FIRM

to make firm, strengthen

AFFIRM, confirm, firmament

fingere

to touch, handle

feint, FEIGN

finire, finis, FIN

to end, limit

final, finite, infinity, confinement

fissum, FISS

split, burst

fissure

fictum, FICT

form, shape, mold

fiction, fictitious

finis, FIN

end, limit

final, definite

flagrare, FLAG, FLAM

to burn, flame, blaze

flammable, FLAGRANT, conflagration

flare, flatus

blow

deflate, inflation

flectere, FLECT

bend, turn

deflection, inflection, reflect

flexum, FLEX

bend, turn

flexible

fligere, FLICT

to strike, drive, dash

afflict, inflict, conflict, PROFLIGATE

florere, FLOR-

thrive, to flower

FLOURISH, florid

fluitas, (superfluere)

to overflow

SUPERFLUOUS, SUPERFLUITY

fluere, FLU

flow

confluence, fluid, flume, influence

fluxum, FLUX

flow

influx

foris

out of doors, beyond

FORFEIT, FORFEITURE

forma, FORM

shape, beauty, constant

UNIFORM, REFORM, FORMAL

fortis, FORT

strong, brave

fortify, force, forte, comfort, FORTITUDE

fortuna, FORT

chance, luck

fortunate, FORTUITOUS

fundare, FOUND, FUND

bottom

foundation, fundamental, PROFOUND

frangere, FRANG

to break

frangible, fragment

frangere, FRAG

to break

fragment, fragile

fractrum, FRACT

to break

fraction, fracture

frater, FRATR

brother

fraternal, fraternize

fraus, FRAUD

deceit, trickery

fraud, FRAUDULENT

frivolus

fragile, silly

FRIVOLOUS, frivolity

fructus, FRUIT, FRUG

fruit, produce

fruitful, fruition

frugalis

proper, worthy

FRUGAL

fugere, FUG

flee, escape

fugacious

fugitum, FUGIT

flee, escape

fugitive

fulmen

lightning, thunderbolt

FULMINATE

fumus

smoke

fumitory, fumarole

fundere, FUND

to pour out, shed, scatter

refund, FUSILLADE

fungi, FUNG

perform, do, discharge

function

functum, FUNCT

perform, do, discharge

functionary

funus, FUNER

death, funeral

funeral, funereal

furere, FUR

rave, rage

fury, furious, infuriate

furtum

theft, stealthy

FURTIVE

fusum, FUS

pour, shed, scatter

diffuse, PROFUSE, effusive

futilis

worthless, untrustworthy

FUTILE, futility

garrire

chatter

GARRULOUS

genialis

of birth, generation

GENIAL, congenital, CONGENIAL

genus, GEN, GENER

birth, race, kind

GENRE, generic, generous, generation

gestum, GEST

carry, wear, wage

gestation, gesture

gladius

sword

gladiator, gladiate

globus

ball, sphere

globe, global

glutire

to devour

GLUTTON, gluttonous

gradior, GRAD, GRADI

walk, step; move foreward

gradual, retrograde, gradient

gressum, GRESS

walk, step; move foreward

progress, aggressive, REGRESS

grandis, GRAND

great

grandeur, grandiose, grandiloquent, AGGRANDIZE

gratia

favor, grace

grace

gratus, GRAT

pleasing, favorable

gratitude, congratulate, INGRATIATE

gravis, GRAV, GRIEV

heavy, serious

grave, grievance, AGGRAVATE, gravid, grief, AGGRIEVE, GRAVITY

grex, GREG

flock, herd

congregate, segregate, GREGARIOUS

habere, HAB

to have, hold, keep

habit, inhabit

habeo, HABIT

to have, hold, keep

habitual, habituate

haerere, HER, HES

to cling, stick

adhesive, cohesive, adherent, INHERENT

haeresis

school of thought, sect

heretic, HERESY

harmonicus

fitting, agreement

HARMONY, harmonic

heres, HERED

heir

hereditary, heredity

herba

grass, herb

herbivorous, herbaceous

hilarare, hilaris

to gladden, merry

hilarious, exhilarate

histrio

actor

HISTRIONICS

homo, HOMIN

man, human being

homicidal, hominize

horrere, HORR

shudder, stand stiff

horrendous, abhor

hostis

enemy

hostile

humanus

mankind

humanity

humere, HUM

be moist, damp

humid

humilis

lowly

HUMILITY, humiliate

id

one’s own

IDIOM, idiosyncrasy

ignis

fire

ignite, ignition, igneous

ignorare

to have no knowledge of

ignore, ignorant

imbuere

to wet, soak

IMBUE

imitari, IMIT

to copy

imitative

imitatum, IMITAT

to copy

imitate, imitation

immunis

tax exempt

IMMUNE

impedire (im + pes)

"to hold the feet", entangle

IMPEDE

imponere

to place upon

IMPOSE

inanis

empty, vacant

INANE

incidere

occur, to fall upon, likely

incident, INCIDENTAL

incisio, incisivus, CIS

to cut

excise, incision, INCISIVE, incisor

inchoare

to begin

INCHOATE

incurrere

to run into, attack

incur, INCURSION

indulgere

be kind to, yield to

indulge. INDULGENT

iners (in + ars)

without skill or art

inertia, INERT

infere (in + ferre)

to carry in

INFER

ingenerare

to beset

ENGENDER

ingenuus

native, inborn, frank

INGENUOUS

inhibere

hold back, restrain

INHIBIT

inimicus

hostile

INIMICAL

iniquus

uneaqual

INIQUITY, INIQUITIOUS

innovare

to renew

INNOVATE

inquirere

to seek

inquire, INQUISITIVE

instigare

to incite, stimulate

INSTIGATE

insula, isola

island, to isolate

isolate, insulate, INSULAR

integritas

whole, entire

INTEGRITY

intendere

aim at, stretch for

intend, intense, INTENSIFY

intricare

to entangle, PERPLEX

INTRICATE, intricacy

intus

within

INTIMATE

iratus

to be angry

IRATE, IRASCIBLE

ire, itum, IT

to go

initiate, transit

iter, ITINER

journey, walk

ITINERANT

jacere, JAC

to throw, cast down

ejaculate, adjacent

jactum, JECT

to throw, cast down

eject, reject, trajectory, ejecta, object, OBJECTIVE

jejunus

hungry or meager

jejune

jocus

joke

jocund, jocular, jocose, jocosity

Jovis

Roman god Jupiter

JOVIAL

judex, JUDIC

judge, judgement

JUDICIOUS, judicial, adjudicate

jugum

a yoke

SUBJUGATE

jungere, JUNG

to join, to meet

conjugal, conjugate, CONJOIN

junctum, JUNCT

to join, to meet

junction, injunction

jus, JUR, JUST

right, law, take an oath

abjure, PERJURY, CONJURE, jurisprudence

juvenile

oung

juvenile, REJUVENATE

labi, LAB

slide, slip, fall

labile

laborare

to work

collaborate, ELABORATE

lapsum, LAPS

slide, slip, fall

lapse

labor

work, exertion

labor, laboratory, laborious

lacrima

a tear

lachrymal, lachrymouse

lamentium

a mourning, wailing

LAMENT

languere

to be faint, listless

languid, LANGUISH, languor

lassus

faint, weary

LASSITUDE

latus, LATER

wide, sideways

LATITUDE. lateral, UNILATERAL

latere

to lie, hidden

LATENT

latum, -LAT

to bear, to carry

relate, translate

laudare

to praise, glory

LAUDABLE

lavere, LUT, LUG, LAV

to wash

dilute, DELUGE, lavatory

laxus

to be loose

LAX, laxity

legare

to send

RELEGATE, delegate

legere, LEG

gather, choose, read

legend, elegant, ELEGANCE

lectum, LECT

gather, choose, read

dialect, election, collect, select

lethargia

idle

lethargic, LETHARGY

lex, LEGIS

law

legislature, illegitimate, legal

levare, LEV

light, to lift, rise

LEVITY, elevate, ALLEVIATE, RELIEVE

liber

free

liberate, libertine, deliberate

liber, LIBR

book

library, libel

licere, lictum, LICT

leave, quit, permitted

license, licet

ligare

to bind

allegiance, oblige, ligature

ligne, LIGN

line, cord

align

lignum

wood

LIGNEOUS

linqua

tongue, language

linguistics, lingual

linquere, LINQU

leave, quit

relinquish

liquere, LIQU

to flow, be fluid, clear

liquid, PROLIX

litigare

to dispute

LITIGATE, LITIGANT

littera

letter of the alphabet

literature, obliterate, literal, literati

livere

be black and blue

livid

locus

place

dislocate, ALLOCATE

longus

long

PROLONG

loquax, LOQUAC

talkative

LOQUACIOUS

loqui. LOQU

speak, talk

eloquent, soliloquy

locutum, LOCUT

speak, talk

elocution, CIRCUMLOCUTION

lucere, LUC, LUM, LUS

shine, be light

LUMINOUS, translucent, LUCID, luster

lucidus

light, clear

ELUCIDATE

ludere, LUD

to play, to mock

interlude, delude, ludicrous, elude, prelude

lugere, lugubris

to mourn

lugubrious

lusum, LUS

to play, to mock

illusion, COLLUSION

lumen

bright light

luminance, luminary, LUMEN

luna

moon

lunatic, lunate, lunation

lupus

wolf

lupine

lympha

water

lymph, lymphatic

macer

lean, thin

MEAGER

macerare

make soft, or tender

MACERATE

magister, MAGISTR

teacher, master

magistrate

magnus, MAGNA

big, great, large

magnitude, magnify, MAGNANIMOUS

major, MAJ

greater, bigger, larger

major, majestic

maximus, MAX

greatest, biggest, largest

maximum, maxim

manere, MAN

remain, dwell

manse, manor

mansum, MANS

remain, dwell

mansion

malleare

to beat with a hammer

MALLEABLE

malus, MAL

bad, evil, wrong

maladjusted, MALICE, malignant

malus, pejor

worse

PEJORATIVE

malus pessimus

worst

pessimist, pessimism, PESSIMISTIC

mandare (manus + dare)

to order, command

mandate, commandment, MANDATORY

manus, MAN, MANI

hand

manual, MANIFEST, manumit, manipulate

mare

sea

mariner, aquamarine

margo

boarderland

margin, MARGINAL

Martialis

of Mars (the god of war)

MARTIAL

matea

a hoe, club

MACE

mater, MATR

mother, women

maternity, MATRIARCH

materia

matter

MATERIAL, materialism, materialize

mecari

to trade, buy

merchant, market

medius, mediocris

middle

intermediary, medieval, MEDIOCRE

melior

better

meliorate, AMELIORATE, melioration

mellifer

honey

MELLIFLUOUS

memoria, MEMIN

remember

memoir, memorable, memorandum

mendax, MENDAC

lying, false

mendacious, MENDACITY

mens

mind

mention

mensurare

to measure

measure, COMMENSURATE

merces

pay, wages

mercenary

mergere

to dip, sink

merge, MERGER

merx, MERC

goods, wares

merchant, merchandise

metus, meticulosus

fear, fearful

METICULOUS

migrare. MIGR

move, change places

emigrant

migratum, MIGRAT

move, change places

MIGRATORY, migration

militare, MILIT

to serve as soldiers

militia, military, demilitarize

ministre, MINISTR

attendant, servant, helper

minister, ministration

min

small

minute, miniature, diminish

minor

smaller. less

minor, minority

mimimus

smallest, least

minimal, minimize

minure

to lessen

DIMINISH

mirare

to look at, wonder at

mirage, miracle, admiral

miscere. MISC

to mix

admixture, miscellaneous, PROMISCUOUS

miser

wretched, unhappy

MISER, miserable, miserly

miserari

to pity

misery, COMMISERATE

mitigare

to make mild, soft, tender

MITIGATE

mittere, MIT, MITT

send, let, go

emissary, remit, admittance, transmit

missum, MIS, MISS

send, let, go

missive, remission, demise, SURMISE

modestus

keeping due measure

MODEST, modesty

modus, MOD

measure, manner, means

mode, modal, modify

moles

mass, bulk, pile

moleculr, molecular

monere, MON

to warn, advise, remind

monument, summons, remonstrate

monitum, MONIT

to warn, advise, remind

monitor, admonition, ADMONISH

monotonus

one tone

monotone, monotony, MONOTONUS

mons, MONT

mountain

montage, monticule

morbus

disease

morbid

mordere, MORD

bite

REMORSE, mordacious

morsum, MORS

bite

morsel

morsus

peevish, fretful

MOROSE

mors, MORT

death, to die

immortal, morgue, MORBID, moribund

mos, MOR

manner, custom

MORALITY, mores

movere, MOV

to move

locomotive, MOTIVE, MOTILITY

motum, MOT

to move

motion, motor, MOTIF

multus, MULTI

many

multitude, multiply, multimedia

munificus

bountiful

MUNIFICENT

murmure

to murmur, roar

MURMUR

murus

wall

mural, intramural

mus, MUR

mouse

murid, murine

musivus

artistic, of a muse

MOSAIC

mutare, mutatum, MUT

to change

mutation, mutant, permutation, MUTABLE, IMMUTABLE

nasci, NAT, NAS, NAI

to bear, be born

native, prenatal, natural, INNATE, RENAISSANCE

nativus

natural, native

NAÏVE, naivete

navis

ship

navy, navigate

negare

to deny

negation, abnegate

nemus, NEMOR

wood, grove

nemophila

nervous

tendon, sinew

nervous, nervy, nerve

neuter

ne-not + uter-neither

neuter, NEUTRAL, neutrality

nihil, NIHIL

none, nothing, not any

ANNIHILATE, nihilism, nil

nocere, NEC, NOC, NOX

to harm, injure

internecine, INNOCUOUS, obnoxious

momen, NOM, NYM

name

nominate, misnomer, nomenclature

norma

rule

normative

noster

ours

NOSTRUM

notare

to mark, note

notation, connotation, annotation

notum, NOT

know

notable, notation

novus, NOV, NOU

new, fresh

renovate, NOVICE, NOVEL

nox, NOCT

night

nocturnal, equinox

nullus, NUL, NULL

not any, none

null, annul, NULLIFY

numerou

number

enumerate, numerable, INNUMERABLE

numisma

a coin

numismatic, NUMISMATIST

nuntiare

to announce

DENOUNCE

nutrire

nourish

nutriment

nutiare, NOUNC, NUNC

to report, tell

announce, RENOUNCE, pronounce

nucella, nux, NUC

nut

nucellus, nuclear

obliterare

to blot out

OBLITERATE

obscurus

covered over

OBSCURE

obstare

to stand against, oppose

OBSTINATE

obviare

to prevent

OBVIATE

oculus

eye

monocle, binocular, ocular

odium

hatred

odium, ODIOUS

officius

to do work

office, OFFICIOUS

ominosus

evil omen

OMINOUS

omnis, OMNI

all

omnipotent, omniscient

onus, ONER

burden

onerous, EXONERATE

opacus

shady dark

OPAQUE, APACITY

opponere, oppositus

against

opposite, OPPOSITION

optare

choose

option, opinion

optimus, OPTIM

best

optimum, OPTIMISM

opus, OPER

work

operative, opus, opera, operate

ordo, ORDIN

rank, row, order

ordinal

oriri, ORI

rise

origin, original

os, OSS

bone

ossicle, OSSIFY

oscillare

to swing

OSCILLATE

ostendere

to show against

ostensible, OSTENTATION

palatum

to the palate

PALATABLE

palpare

to feel, stroke

palpable, PALPITATE

pallere, PALL

be pale, yellow, or faded

PALLID, PALOR

palliare

to conceal, cloak

PALLIATE, palliati