English 10: Word Roots and Language Study

Logy (r)

Science/Study of/Account of

Dichotomy

A division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.

Di (r)

Two

Tom (r)

To cut

Anarchy

A state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority.

A/an (r)

Not

Arch (r)

Rule/Governance

Amorphous

Without a clearly defined shape or form.

Morph (r)

Shape

Ous (r)

Adjective

Exogamy

The custom of marrying outside a community, clan, or tribe.

Exo (r)

Out of

Gam (r)

Marriage

Pathology

The science of the causes and effects of diseases, esp. the branch of medicine that deals with the laboratory examination of samples

Pathos (r)

Suffering/Disease/Feeling/Passion

Tenacity

Persistent determination in holding to something, especially opinions, valuables, and routines.

Ten (r)

Hold/keep

ity (r)

State or quality of

Fidelity

Faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support.

Fid (r)

Faith/trust

Moribund

At the point of death, in terminal decline.

Mor/Mort (r)

Death

Transgress

Infringe or go beyond the bounds of a moral principle or behavior.

Trans (r)

Across/beyond

Gress (r)

Step/walk/go

Avert

Turn away one's eyes or thoughts, prevent or ward off

Vert/Vers (r)

Turn

Euphonious

Pleasing to the ear

Eu (r)

good/well/advantageous

Phone (r)

Sound

Dystrophy

a disorder in which an organ or tissue of the body wastes away/impaired nourishment of a bodily part

Dys (r)

bad/ill/difficult

Troph (r)

growth

Microbicide

an agent that inactivates, kills or destroys microbes

Micro (r)

small

Cise/Cide (r)

to cut/to kill

Philanthropist

A person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.

Phila (r)

Brotherly love

Anthro (r)

Man

-ist (r)

a follower or professional

Monophobia

fear of being alone

Mono (r)

one

Phobia (r)

Fear

Circumlocution

The use of unnecessarily wordy and indirect language

Circum (r)

Around

Locut (loqu) (r)

Speak/talk

Invincible

Too powerful to be defeated or overcome

In (r)

not/lacking/without

Vinc/Vict (r)

Conquer

-ible (r)

able to be

Incredulity

The stare of being unwilling or unable to believe something or showing disbelief.

Cred (r)

believe

Expedient

Convenient and practical, although possibly improper or immoral OR a means of attaining an end, especially one that is convenient but considered improper or immoral

Ex (r)

Our

Ped (r)

Foot

ent/ant (r)

Adjective

Viaduct

A long bridge-like structure, typically a series of arches, carrying a road or railroad across a valley or other low ground.

Via (r)

By way of

Duct (r)

Lead

Homogeneous

Of the same kind, alike, consisting of parts all of the same kind

Homo (r)

One and the same

Gen (r)

Birth/kind

Heterochromatic

Of several different colours or (in physics) wavelengths

Hetero (r)

Different

Chrom (r)

Colour

Symbiosis

A mutually beneficial relationship, interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both.

Sym (r)

With/together/along with

Bio (r)

Life

Sis (r)

Action/condition/process/state of

Polyglot

Knowing or using several languages

Poly (r)

Many

Glot (r)

Tongue

Anesthesia

Loss of bodily sensation with or without loss of consciousness

Esth/aesth (r)

Feeling/Sensation/Perception

Prehensile

Capable of grasping

Prehend/Prehens (r)

Seize/grasp

Somniferous

Tending to induce sleep; soporific

Somn (r)

Sleep/dream

Fer(ous) (r)

Bearing/producing/yielding

Concurrent

Existing, happening or done at the same time

Con (r)

Together/together with/with

Cur/Curr/Curs (r)

Run

Corps

A main subdivision of an armed force in the field, consisting of two or more divisions; a branch of military organisation assigned to a particular kind of work

Corp (r)

Body

Gratis

Without charge/free or given or done for nothing

Grat

Pleasant/thank/favor