Words Derived from Greek

from the workbook, Vocabulary for the College-Bound Student, pages 108-119

acrophobia

fear of being at a great height

agoraphobia

fear of open spaces

Anglophobia

dislike of England or the English

claustrophobia

fear of enclosed or narrow spaces

Germanophobia

dislike of Germany or the Germans

hydrophobia

rabies; fear of water

monophobia

fear of being alone

phobia

unnatural fear, dislike or aversion

photophobia

abnormal aversion to light

xenophobia

aversion to foreigners

Russophobe

one who dislikes Russia or the Russians

philanthropist

lover of humanity; person active in promoting human welfare

philanthropy

love of humanity, charitable

philately

collection and study of stamps

philharmonic

pertaining to a musical organization (loving music)

philhellenism

support of Greece or the Greeks

philogyny

love of women

philology

study (love) of language and literature

philosopher

lover of (searcher for) wisdom and knowledge

Anglophile

supporter of England or the English

bibliophile

a lover of books

Francophile

supporter of France or the France

misandry

hatred of males

misanthrope

hater of humanity

misanthropy

hatred of humanity

misogamy

hatred of marriage

misogyny

hatred of women

misology

hatred of argument or discussion

misoneism

hatred of anything new

dysentry

inflammation of the large intenstine

dysfunction

abnormal functioning, as of an organ of the body

dyslexia

impairment of the ability to read

dyspepsia

difficult digestion; indigestion

dysphagia

difficulty swallowing

dysphasia

speech difficulty resulting from brain injury

dystrophy

faulty nutrition; muscle disorder

eugenics

science dealing with improving hereditary qualities

eulogize

write or speak in praise of someone

eupepsia

good digestion

euphemism

substitution of a "good" expression for an unpleasant one

euphonious

pleasing in sound

euphoria

sense of well-being

euthanasia

controversial practice of mercifully putting to death a person suffering from an incurable, painfully distressing disease

euthenics

science dealing with improving living conditions

macrocosm

great world; universe

macron

horizontal mark indicating that the vowel over which it is placed is long

macroscopic

large enough to be visible to the naked eye

microbe

microscopic life form; microorganism; germ

microbicide

agent that destroys microbes

microcosm

little world; epitome; reproduction of a larger unity

microdont

having small teeth

microfilm

film of very small size

micrometer

millionth of a meter; instrument for measuring small lengths

microscopic

invisible to the naked eye

microsecond

millionth of a second

microwave

very short electromagnetic wave; microwave oven

amoral

without sense of moral responsibility

amorphous

without definite form or shape

anemia

lack of a normal number of red blood cells

anesthesia

loss of feeling or sensation resulting from ether, chloroform, novocaine, etc.

anhydrous

without water

anomaly

deviation from the common rule

anonymous

nameless; of unknown or unnamed origin

anoxia

without oxygen

aseptic

free from disease-causing microorganisms

atheism

godlessness; denial of the existence of a Supreme Being

atrophy

lack of growth from disuse or want of nourishment

atypical

unlike the typical

monarchy

rule by a single person

monochromatic

of one color

monogamy

marriage with one mate at a time

monomorphic

having a single form

monosyllabic

having one syllable

monotheism

belief that there is one God

monocle

eyeglass for one eye

monogram

two or more letters interwoven to represent a name

monograph

written account of a single thing or class of things

monolith

single stone of large size

monolog(ue)

long speech by one person

monomania

excessive concentration on one idea or subject

monotonous

continuing in an unchanging tone; wearying

polyglot

person who speaks several languages

polygon

closed plane figure having, literally, many angles and therefore many sides

polyphonic

having many sounds or voices

polytechnic

dealing with many applied sciences and technical arts

polychromatic

having a variety of colors; multicolored; variegated

polygamy

marriage to several mates at the same time

polymorphic

having various forms

polysyllabic

having more than three syllables

polytheism

belief that there is a plurality of gods

philantelist

stamp collector

audiophile

one who is enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction

Sinophile

supporter of China or the Chinese

dyslogistic

expressing disapproval or censure; uncomplimentary

dysphoria

sense of great unhappiness or dissatisfaction

dystopia

imaginary place where living conditions are dreadful

anarchy

lack of government

anesthetic

drug that produces anesthesia

anomalous

abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual

apnea

absence of breathing