Greek and Latin Roots 4

Medic

physician, to heal

3. Root: “medic” (heal, physician)

1. Medical – related to health
   Synonyms: clinical, health-related

2. Medicine – substance used to treat illness
   Synonyms: drug, remedy

3. Medic – a healthcare worker
   Synonyms: doctor, paramedic

Man

hand

1. Root: “man” (hand)

• Manual – done by hand
  Synonyms: hand-operated, physical

• Manufacture – make by hand or machine
  Synonyms: produce, create

• Manipulate – handle skillfully
  Synonyms: control, manage

Mar

sea

2. Root: “mar” (sea)

• Marine – related to the sea
  Synonyms: oceanic, nautical

• Maritime – connected to the sea or shipping
  Synonyms: naval, seafaring

Memor

mindful

4. Root: “memor” (remember)

• Memory – ability to remember
  Synonyms: recall, remembrance

• Memorial – something that honors memory
  Synonyms: tribute, monument

• Memorize – commit to memory
  Synonyms: learn, retain

Ment

mind

5. Root: “ment” (mind)

• Mental – related to the mind
  Synonyms: psychological, cognitive

• Mention – call to mind or refer to
  Synonyms: refer, cite

Migr

to move, travel

6. Root: “migr” (move)

• Migrate – move from one place to another
  Synonyms: relocate, travel

• Migration – movement of people/animals
  Synonyms: relocation, movement

• Immigrant – one who moves into a new country
  Synonyms: newcomer, settler

Mor

fool, manner, custom

Root: mor (Greek: moros = foolish, dull)

• Moron – foolish person
  Synonyms: fool, idiot

• Moronic – very foolish
  Synonyms: stupid, silly

• Oxymoron – contradictory phrase (literally “foolish + wise”)
  Synonyms: paradox, contradiction

Mus

little mouse

8. Root: “mus” (mouse)

• Muscle – body tissue (originally “little mouse” in Latin)
  Synonyms: tissue, strength

• Muscular – having strong muscles
  Synonyms: strong, powerful

Mut

change, exchange

9. Root: “mut” (change)

• Mutate – change form
  Synonyms: transform, alter

• Mutation – a change
  Synonyms: alteration, variation

• Mutable – able to change
  Synonyms: changeable, flexible

necess

unavoidable

10. Root: “necess” (need)

• Necessary – required
  Synonyms: essential, needed

• Necessity – something required
  Synonyms: requirement, must

opt

eye

11. Root: “opt” (choose)

• Option – a choice
  Synonyms: alternative, selection

• Optimal – best choice
  Synonyms: ideal, best

• Opt – to choose
  Synonyms: select, decide

ortho

straight

12. Root: “ortho” (straight, correct)

• Orthodox – following accepted beliefs
  Synonyms: traditional, conventional

• Orthopedic – relating to straightening bones
  Synonyms: bone-related, skeletal