Latin and Greek Roots: Vocabulary and Meanings

CEND, CENS

Latin 'to burn'

INCENDIARY

adj inflaming; provoking heat or anger

INCENSE

v to infuriate; to make passionately angry

FLAM

Latin 'flame'

INFLAMMATORY

adj arousing anger or strong emotion

FLAMBOYANT

adj intended to attract attention; showy

LUSTER,LUSTR

Latin 'to make bright'

LUSTER

n brilliance; brightness

ILLUSTRIOUS

adj well known and distinguished

ILLUSTRATIVE

adj descriptive

FULM, FULG

Latin 'lightning, storm, flash'

FULMINATE

v to attack with words; denounce

REFULGENT

adj brilliantly illuminated; shining

FLAGR

Latin 'to burn'

FLAGRANT

adj noticeably bad or offensive

CONFLAGRATION

n a large fire

SEMA, SEMIO

Greek-'sign'

SEMANTIC

adj having to do with the meaning of words or language

SEMIOTIC

adj relating to signs or symbols

DIGM, DICT

Greek 'a showing, comparison'

PARADIGM

n a pattern or model

PHRAS

'to show, to tell'

PHRASEOLOGY

n the way in which something is verbally expressed

METAPHRASE

n an exact translation or restatement

PARAPHRASE

n a summary that is not word for word

MONSTR

Latin 'show, warn'

DEMONSTRATIVE

adj openly expressive of emotions

REMONSTRATE

v to protest or object

OMIN

Latin 'sign, warning'

OMINOUS

adj menacing; threatening

ABOMINABLE

adj loathsome; disagreeable

ABOMINATION

n something distinguishingly offensive

TRIT

Latin 'to rub away, to wear, to crush'

DETRIMENTAL

adj causing damage or harm; injurious

CONTRITE

adj feeling regret and sorrow; penitent

TRITE

adj boring because of overuse or repetition

DETRIUS

n debris; junk

ATTRITION

n a lowering in number

LENI

Latin, smooth

LENIENT

adj not strict; generous

LENITIVE

adj easing pain or discord

MOLL

Latin-'soft'

MOLLIFY

v. to soothe the feelings of; to appease

RUD

Latin- 'rough'

RUDIMENT

n. a basic idea or principle

RUDIMENTARY

adj undeveloped; very basic or simple