vocabulary - rochester public schools€¦ · web viewyour word diary is due after ... sharp...
TRANSCRIPT
VocabularyStrategies
© Mary BarrettMayo High School1420 SE 11 th Ave.
Rochester, MN 55904 [email protected]
These materials may be duplicated for non-profit, educational use.
Vocabulary is about learning new words
by studying
1. Compare/Contrast2. Direct Explanation3. Experience4. Explanation Through Example5. Familiar Expression6. Inference7. Mood/Tone8. Summary9. Synonym or Restatement10. Words in a Series
by studying
Context Clues
such as
Word Parts
--come at beginning of word--change meaning of word--are used with word or roots--can appear in multiples
such as
--carry main word meaning--can appear in multiples--combine with prefix/suffix
Prefixes
Suffixes
Roots
--come at end of word--change part of speech--can appear in multiples
such as
such as
99% Accuracy?
The man leaned against the current as he waded, waist-deep, upstream. His hands
steadied either end of the FURNWUNCH balanced across his shoulders. He had moved
about 90 yards from the DNUP where he had entered the stream. A few yards ahead, a part
of the wooded bank had been replaced by an ACNRID FRUD. He came abreast of it, and
with effort, pressed the FURNWUNCH up and over his head, and then set it on top of the
FRUD. He placed his hands on his hips, pulled his elbows back, and arched his back in an
attempt to stretch out muscles that were knotted from long exertion.
He relaxed somewhat and began a visual inspection of the FRUD. He moved closer to
it and reached under the water to explore its surface. Moving slowly, he started the search
from the downstream end. At about the RONDTIP he stopped and probed one area intently.
Satisfied that he had located a GRUNDLE, he continued to the upstream end. There was
only one GRUNDLE to contend with. He retrieved the FURNWUNCH and cradled the
heavy implement as he made his way back to the RONDTIP. He gingerly lowered the
FURNWUNCH, holding it perpendicular to the FRUD. When it reached the GRUNDLE,
he slid it in its full length. He held it in place with one hand and turned the expansion lock
handle until the instrument was seated tightly in place. His mission accomplished, he was
clearly relieved. He waded easily downstream to the DNUP.
From: Harris, C. H. Curriculum Based Assessment: A Primer297 Words/ 6.4 GE Flesch-Kincaid
Why 99% accuracy? This passage has 16 occurrences of six unknown words, or 93% known words, making it impossible to comprehend. Pre-teach vocabulary words that are essential to comprehension before students read!
2 Types of Vocabulary
1. Critical:Vocabulary that is essential to understanding key concepts in the subject area
Strategies:- Preteach directly- Use Vocab Frames/Flashcards
2. Casual:Vocabulary that needs to be figured out long enough to make meaning of the text but that is not essential to know forever
Strategies:- Context Clues- Word Diary
CONTEXT CLUES Introduction
Name: Date: Hour: Kinds of Context Clues
1. COMPARE/CONTRASTUse the knowledge of the word you know to guess the meaning of the new word. Usually you will have a contrast clue such as the word while or but, or a phrase such as on the other hand.
Ex. Jefferson and Washington were as different as day and night. While Jefferson was a lively conversationalist with something to say on every subject, Washington was shy and TACITURN.
TACITURN:
2. DIRECT EXPLANATIONThe meaning of the unknown word is given later in the sentence or paragraph.
Ex. Monopoly (only one seller) or oligopoly (only a few sellers) situations do give producers some price-setting powers.
Oligopolist:
3. EXPERIENCEYou use your own experience in life to help you guess intelligently about the meaning of a word.
Ex. Anyone could tell by the look on his face that the test filled him with DREAD.
DREAD:
4. EXPLANATION THROUGH EXAMPLEExamples that will help you guess the unknown word’s meaning are given in context.
Ex. Jim had been studying for hours and his eyes were tired and scratchy. He decided to take a short break and stretch. After this RESPITE, Jim was ready to study again.
RESPITE:
5. FAMILIAR EXPRESSIONThis kind of clue lets you figure out a new word because you have heard a similar idiom or know a similar word. Often, this clue will help you figure out new slang.
Ex. My grandfather smiled knowingly when I said, "That rocks!" "Yes," he said, "that is the BEE'S KNEES!"
BEE'S KNEES:
Context Clues Introduction
6. INFERENCEThis is a combination of all the other clues. You use all the skills you have to understand the new word. In the end, you just "know" the meaning of the word; you can't point to any one place in the sentence that provided a clue.
Ex. Sharon came home from her date and told her roommate: "I'm through with blind dates forever! This one topped them all! What a wasted evening! Every minute was tedious! Even though he was cute, my date was utterly VAPID."
VAPID:
7. MOOD / TONEThe context has a general feeling that allows you to guess the meaning of the word.
Ex. The LUGUBRIOUS cries of the child matched the dreary whistling of the wind in the deserted cemetery.
LUGUBRIOUS:
8. SUMMARYAt the beginning or end of an explanation or description, one word will summarize the whole paragraph or sentence.
Ex. Pete Littlefield, the basketball team center, is six feet, five inches tall and weighs 210 pounds. His teammates call him "Shorty," an obvious MISNOMER.
MISNOMER:
9. SYNONYM OR RESTATEMENTUsually you will find the new word followed by: , or , The word following the or is the synonym. Sometimes the or is left out and only the commas remain.
Ex. Flooded with spotlights the newly announced queen received her crown from the queen of the year before. The new queen was the CYNOSURE, or focus, of all eyes for the rest of the Pep Fest.
CYNOSURE:
10. WORDS-IN-A-SERIESSeveral synonyms in a row might contain one word you don't know. The unknown word will have a meaning similar to the other words in a series.
Ex. The new student was motivated, eager, INDUSTRIOUS, and anxious to learn.
INDUSTRIOUS:
While it is not a specific clue to use WORD PARTS, it is a useful tool. For example, if you see the word exigency, you might think, "That ends like the word emergency" and base your guess on that. You might see the word directive and notice the word direct, which you already know. You can also use your knowledge of prefixes (ex-, un-, mis-, dis-) to recognize that a word has a negative slant.
Context Clues Introduction
Now complete the following items as a worksheet exercise.
11. COMPARISON / CONTRAST
Unlike his older brother, who could meet anyone from the president of the local women's club to the President of the United States with grace and ease, Bill was quite GAUCHE.
GAUCHE:
12. DIRECT EXPLANATION
The EXIGENCY that developed when the automatic pilot failed forced the astronaut to ignore some experiments and fly the shuttle craft manually. Luckily they survived the emergency landing.
EXIGENCY;
13. EXPERIENCE
Finally the moment of entering the new school arrives. The unexplored world of Mayo lies ahead. Almost every freshman approaches a new school with some TREPIDATION.
TREPIDATION:
14. EXPLANATION THROUGH EXAMPLE
Bob's reaction to his new stepmother was characterized by a strange AMBIVALENCE -- faith conflicting with distrust.
AMBIVALENCE:
15. FAMILIAR EXPRESSION
In his eagerness to be elected, he tried hard to impress his fellow students. He made posters, handed out name stickers, and appeared on the Spartan Scene. As a result of this INORDINATE effort, he was elected.
INORDINATE:
16. INFERENCE CLUE
While driving his father's new car, Mike had a serious collision. People who saw the accident CORROBORATED his statement that he had been driving carefully.
CORROBORATED:
Context Clues Introduction
17. MOOD OR TONE CLUE
The anger in his voice and the frown on his face warned us that Father was in a CAPTIOUS mood. Absolutely nothing could satisfy him. Dinner was too late; the meat was too cold; the coffee was too hot.
CAPTIOUS:
18. SUMMARY CLUE
The stories about Jim, invented from bits and scraps of gossip and legend, soon developed into a terrible rumor, and an innocent student became the victim of CALUMNY.
CALUMNY:
19. SYNONYM CLUE
Three times in a row, the football team's players charged their opponent's line without gaining an inch of ground. The line proved IMPREGNABLE, or unbreakable.
IMPREGNABLE:
20. WORDS IN A SERIES CLUE
His qualities as a leader made it hard for him to express his ideas. The Student Council members disliked his finality, his decisiveness, his PEREMPTORY manner.
PEREMPTORY:
Context Clues Sample #1from "Gray Matters" by Sharon Begley
1. "...active regions of the brain use more glucose than quiescent areas and so emit radioactivity, which PET detects."
What does QUIESCENT mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
2. "If women's brains are paragons of holism, while men's are a house divided, it could explain findings."
What does PARAGONS OF HOLISM mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
3. "The brain is so malleable that rats raised in a cage filled with toys and mazes grow more connections between their neurons than rats raised in a bare cage."
What does MALLEABLE mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
4. "...researchers catch brains in the very act of cogitating, feeling, or remembering."
What does COGITATING mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
CONTEXT CLUES Sample #2
1. "She had marked a turning off here with a pile of stones and pine cones. With relief and triumph she saw the beam of the flashlight illuminate her private CAIRN.
from p. 122 Anne Granger Murder Among Us
What does CAIRN mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
2. You're right that basal-cell cancer rarely spreads -- METASTASIZES -- to internal organs.
from p. 4E Pioneer Press August 1997
What does METASTASIZES mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
3. "I love prom because it changes so dramatically from year to year -- the styles, colors," Bessler says. She has to buy her dress lines months before prom, meaning she has to be PRESCIENT about what is going to be popular.
from p. 1B Rochester Post Bulletin September, 1997
What does PRESCIENT mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
Context Clues Sample #3
1. Miss Barrett decided, after the computer had crashed three times, that she was going to become a LUDDITE and give up computers forever.
What does LUDDITE mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
2. This sunny midweek afternoon, a BALMY breeze makes for a LANGUOROUS atmosphere in the little ball park where baseball is played with a passion as mild as the weather. (Time, 3/20/98 p. 76)
What does BALMY mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
What does LANGUOROUS mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
3. "--all are monstrous CALUMNIES that now seem to pass for accepted truth." (Newsweek, 3/30/98 p. 35)
What does CALUMNIES mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
4. "... not easy to fix because CFCs are UBIQUITOUS in almost every society. They're used in refrigeration and air conditioning. They're used as cleaning solvents in factories. They're used as blowing agents to create certain kinds of plastic foam. In many countries CFCs are still spewed into the air as part of aerosol sprays.
What does UBIQUITOUS mean?
What is the clue in the sentence?
Vocabulary in Context - OH Sample #4Examples
1. Guangyong seemed more PRAGMATIC than emotional about the decision to keep his daughter or give her away.from "Family Secret" Pioneer Press 2/25/98 p. 4B
PRAGMATIC means:
Type of clue:
2. He's the guardian of the true, the champion of the real, the friend of VERISIMILITUDE.
VERISIMILITUDE means:
Type of clue:
3. You could buy a paper shredder for up to $2,000. On the other hand, LUDDITES can buy a nice ambidextrous Durasharp stainless steel scissors with a 10-year warranty for $7.70.
LUDDITES means:
Type of Clue:
4. Daniel Maida's heart was beating rapidly and not pumping blood, a condition known as FIBRILLATION.
FIBRILLATION means:
Type of clue:
5. To poke fun at the superstitious, organizers will hold limbo dances under a ladder, toss mirrors and play superstition trivia games -- all in the name of helping FRIGGATRISKAIDEKAPHOBES, or those who fear Friday the 13th.
FRIGGATRISKAIDEKAPHOBES means:
Type of clue:
6. The old Greeks had a word for it: HUBRIS. It was their explanation of why bigshots - the rich, the famous, the powerful - do the inexplicable things they sometimes do, and often destroy themselves doing it.
HUBRIS means:
Type of clue:
7. He hated how the Sahara had left a permanent coat of fine sand on his skin, how the grains found their way between his teeth and into every meal he ate. He said he hated watching the sand women's SISYPHEAN LABOR, the same sand spilling back into the spaces they had cleared.
SISYPHEAN LABOR means:
Type of clue:
8. The mountain climber expected to face ADVERSITY, or trouble, on his ascent of Everest. But he did not expect to watch five of his part die.
ADVERSITY means:
Type of clue:
Word Diary Name Hour Dates: to
Date Unfamiliar Word Context: Sentence in which you found the word Guess
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Your grade depends on the following: 1) The word is spelled correctly; 2) the word is used in the sentence in which you found it; 3) the word is highlighted or underlined within the sentence; 4) your handwriting is legible; and 5) your guess makes sense when it is substituted for the new word in the context of the sentence.
Your Word Diary is due after each 10 diary entries. Thanks! Due Date:
Word Diary Name Hour Dates: to
Date Unfamiliar Word Context: Sentence in which you found the word Guess
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Your grade depends on the following: 1) The word is spelled correctly; 2) the word is used in the sentence in which you found it; 3) the word is highlighted or underlined within the sentence; 4) your handwriting is legible; and 5) your guess makes sense when it is substituted for the new word in the context of the sentence.
Your Word Diary is due after each 10 diary entries. Thanks! Due Date:
arch, archae, archefirst, chief, ruler, ancient, primitive
Archenemy
Patriarchy Archive
Monarchy Oligarchy
ArchangelArchaic
Archeologist
Anarchy
Matriarchy
Archetype
Architect
Archdeacon
Archrival
Using Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes
Description: Can you figure out what this word means?
pneumoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
If you use your knowledge of prefixes and suffixes, you could break it down into the following parts:
pneumo (air, wind)ultra (beyond the normal)micro (small)scopic (to see)silico (hard stone)volcano (fire)coni (dust)osis (disease)
You read Latin from right to left, so literally this word means the dust from burning a hard stone and that is too small to see in the air.
This is the longest word in the dictionary, and it is a term for black lung disease. (Miners breathed in a very fine coal dust that coated their lungs and made it difficult for the miners to breathe. Many coal miners died of black lung disease.)
Not only could you figure out this word if you had some knowledge of Greek and Latin prefixes, roots, and suffixes, you could also pronounce it! A college dictionary will give you the etymology of the word, including its roots and their meanings.
OUR GREEK AND LATIN ROOTSLECTURE NOTES
LATINLatin Lang families Romance Languages Number One
--Latin unus
--Italian uno
--Spanish uno
--France un
--Portuguese um
--Romanian un
Numbers -10 almost identical
Rome invades Britain originally spoken by Romans
--developed from Latin of the Holy Roman Empire
--Julius Caesar invaded Britain in 55 B.C.E. and 54 B.C.E.
EX: Caesar = Kaiser = Czar
--Romans introduced towns, laws, roads
--Romans stayed in Britain until the 5th century C.E.
--Latin was the language of the Christian church and Latin spread as
Christianity spread
Anglo Saxon --words in our language today from the Old English (Anglo-Saxon) are often
kinship terms (modor = mother) or words for basic functions and
emotions (drincan = drink; saed = sad)
--Saxons, Jutes, and Angles invaded in 5th-6th century C.E.
--Anglo-Saxon languagebecame leading everyday language of Britain
Latin --Latin was the language of religion, diplomacy, business, trade
Norman Invasion --Normans invaded Britain in 1066 (C.E.)
--French became language of court, government, schools, nobility
--Latin was the language of international communications
Latin influences --10,000 Latinate words
--75% of these words are still in use
Renaissance --during the Renaissance (1500-1650 C.E.) new flood of Roman words
entered the language as Roman civilization was rediscovered
--Latin language of the educated
--Latin international language
dictionary --1755 Samuel Johnson pub. English Dictionary
--standardized spelling
--standardized meanings
Structure of Wordsprefix PREFIX
--come at the beginning of the word or before the root
--change the meaning of the entire word
--have variant spellings because of pronunciation
ex. a-, ac-, ad-, af-, ag-, an-, ar-, as-, at- meaning " to or toward"
--may exist in multiples (un inter rupted) in a word
--may affect the spelling of the word
root ROOTS--carries the primary meaning of the word
--may appear in multiples (metro nome, manu script))
--may change slightly in mng today from orig. mng
--may have variant spellings
--are affected by prefixes and suffixes
suffix SUFFIXES--come at the end of the word
--do not change the word mng
--determine the POS of the word
--may appear in multiples (re spect ful ly)
GREEK --as late as 700 B.C.E., the Greeks did not have a written lang.
--poets like Homer had to keep poetry in their heads
--Phoenician alphabet adapted by Greeks
--influence on English entirely through books, not speaking
--300-600 B. C. E. books of history, poetry, plays, philosophy, geometry,
and studies of nature
--major influence beg. 200 C. E. with dev't of parchment books
knowledge --Grks first div knowledge in dif categories
--Eng wds are derived from special skill or study
ex: history, arithmetic, mathematics, physics, music, drama
Sample Greek wds --telephone, telegram, telegraph, telescope, telepathy, telephoto
arts --theatre, architecture
Med terms --diagnosis, hyppodermic, epidemic
abbrev --i.e. id est = 'that is'
--e.g. exemplis gratia = 'for example'
--etc et cetera = ' and others'
--a.m. ante meridian = before noon
--p.m. post meridiem = after noon
--P.S. post scriptum = 'written later'
--v. versus = 'against'
Open Notes QuizOur Latin and Greek Roots Lecture
1. were the early inhabitants of the British Isles.
2. The power which dominated the region with its language and culture from 43 (C.E.) to 400 (C.E.)
was .
3. Later, Germanic tribes including the and the
brought their additions to the language.
4. With the invasion of William the conqueror in 1066, was added to the
language of politics and the courts.
5. With the coming of the Renaissance and the printing press, Latin became the language of
and .
6. Eighteenth century advances in science and technology led to many
in Latin.
7. Greek words in the language relate primarily to the in
knowledge.
Our Latin and Greek Roots Quiz 2 – Open Note
1. In what years did Julius Caesar invade Britain?
2-5. In addition to the Romans, what four other groups invaded Britain?
6-7. Give two subject areas where Latin words dominated the language in Britain.
8. Who published the English dictionary in 1755?
9-11. What are the three word parts in English that are based on our Latin heritage?
12. What is one similarity between prefixes and suffixes?
13. What is one difference between prefixes and suffixes?
14. What does POS stand for?
15. What characteristics of language did Greek introduce into English?
16. Give one area where many English words have Greek roots.
Master List: Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes that occur in EnglishPREFIX Origin Meanings Example of Usea-, ab-, abs- L away from absent, abstinenta- ac-, ad-, af-, ag-an-, ar-, as-, at-
L to, toward adhere, annex, accede, adapt
ambi, amb L both, around ambidextrous, ambiguous, ambleamphi L both amphibious, amphitheaterante- L before antebellum, antedate, anteroom, antecedentanti- L against anticommunist, antidote, anticlimaxbe- OE on, away bedeck, bestow, belaborbene-, bon- L well benefit, benefactor, benevolent, bonus, bonanzabi-, bis- L two biped, bicyclecata- L down, against catapult, catastrophe, catalogcircum-, circ- L around circumference, circumlocutionco-, com-, con- L together, with combination, connectcontra-, counter- L against controversy, contradict, counterpartde- L down, from, opposite descend, decline, detract, demeritdis-, dif-, di- L apart disperse, differenceepi- L upon, on top of, in
additionepilogue, epidermis
equi- L equal equivalentex-, ef-, e- L out, from eject, exalt, exitextra-, extro L beyond, outside extraordinary, extracurricular, extrovertfore- OE before in time forecast, foretell, foreshadowhemi-,, semi- Fr half hemisphere, semicirclehyper- L over hypersensitive, hyperactive, hypercriticalhypo- L under hypodermic, hypoactive, hypothesisil,- ir-, in-, im- L not illegal, irregular, inactive, immoralin-, il-, im- L into inject, inside, illustrate, impose, imprisonmal-, male- L bad, ill malpractice, malevolent, maladjusted, maladymiso- L indicates hate misogynymono- L alone, one, single monotone, monopolymulti- L many multifaceted, multiculturalnon- L not nonsenseob-, of, op, oc L in front, against obviate, obvious, offend, oppose, occuromni- L everywhere, all omnipresent, omnipotentper- L through perceive, pervade, perfect, permanentpre- L thoroughly persuade, persecute, permutationpoly- L many polygonpost- L after posterior, postponepre- L before precursor, prefacepro- L forward, in favor of proceed, promotere- L back, again recall, recede, redose- L apart secedesub- (suf-, sug-, sup-, sus-)
L under subliminal, subway, subhuman, subversivesuffer, sufficient, suggest, support, suspect
super- L greater, beyond supernatural, superstitiontrans-, tra L across, beyond transpire, transcontinental, transfusionun-, uni- L one unilateral, unityun OE not unethical, unlocked
SUFFIXES Origin Meaning Examples of Use-able, -ible (adj) L able, can do capable, agreeable, suitable, visible, edible-ade (n.) (-actus) L result of action blockade, lemonade-age (n.) (-actus) L act of, state of salvage, storage-al (adj.) L relating to natural, sensual, gradual, manual-an, ian (n.) L native of, relating to American, Canadian-ance, ancy (n.) (-ans)
L action, process, state assistance, allowance, truancy, defiance
-ant (adj.) (-ans) L performing agent assistant, servant-ary, -ery, -ory (n.) (-arius)
L connected with, engaged with
dictionary, bravery, dormitory
-ate (v.) L cause, make liquidate, segregate, inculcate-cy (n.) (-tia) L quality, condition hesitancy, prophecy, normalcy, criteria-dom (n.) OE quality, realm, office kingdom, wisdom, freedom, dukedom-en (adj.) OE made of, make silken, frozen, oaken, wooden, lighten-ence, ency (n.) L action, state, quality difference, conference, urgency- er, -or (n.) L one who dancer, rider, baker, teacher, doctor-fic (adj.) L making, causing terrific, scientific, specific-ful (adj.) OE full of frightful, helpful, careful-fy (v.) L make fortify, simplify, amplify-hood (n.) OE order, condition manhood, womanhood, brotherhood-ian (n.) L having skill or art musician, magician, beautician, physician-ic (adj.) OE like, characteristic metallic, heroic, poetic, acidic-ile (adj.) L relating to, suited to juvenile, senile, missile-ion, -sion, -tion (n.)
L act of, state of contagion, aversion, infection
-ish (adj.) OE origin, nature foolish, clownish-ist (n.) L one who realist, dentist, centrist-ity, (n.) L state of, quality captivity, clarity-ive (adj.) L causing, tendency
towardabusive, exhaustive
-ize (v.) L make emphasize, publicize, idolize-less (adj.) OE without baseless, careless, artless, fearless, helpless-ly (adj.) OE like, manner of carelessly, fearlessly, hopelessly, shamelessly-ment (n.) L product, means, action contentment, amendment-ness (n.) OE state of carelessness, restlessness-ology, -logy (n.) OE study, science biology, anthropology, geology, neurology-ous (adj.) L full of, having gracious, nervous, spacious, vivacious-ship (n.) OE office, state, skill friendship, authorship, dictatorship-some (adj.) L like, apt, tending to lonesome, threesome, gruesome-tude (n.) L state of, condition of attitude, gratitude, multitude-ure (n.) L state of, act, process culture, literature, rupture-ward (n.) OE in the direction of eastward, forward, backward-y (adj.) L condition, state of being,
qualitycheery, crafty, faulty
KEY: L = LatinGr = GreekOE = Old English
25
ROOTS Origin Meanings Derivationsacer, acid, acri bitter, sour, sharp acerbic, acidity, acrimoniousact, ag, acro height, edges, pointed acrophobia, acropolis, acrobatact, agi move, do, go react, enactment, activities, transact, actuary, agitateacu, acuere sharp acuteaero air aerobics, aerodynamicsaesthet feeling, perception kinesthesia, anesthesia, esthetics, aestheteagog leader pedagogue, demagogueagon contest, struggle agony, antagonize, protagonistagri field agriculture, agronomyali, alter other alias, alternativealt high altitude, exaltation, alto, altimeterambi around ambient, ambiguous, ambitionambulo walk amble, perambulator, preamble, ambulance, ambulantamo love amorous, amour, amateurandr man, human android, androgynousang corner triangle, angular, angulateanimus, anima make alive, mind, spirited animal, animate, magnanimity, pusillanimous, unanimityannus, anni, enni year annual, annuity, perennial, anniversary, millenniumanthropo man, mankind anthropology, anthropomorphicapert open apertureapt, ept suitable aptitude, ineptitudeaqua water aquamarine, aquiferarch archae, arche
first, chief, rulerprimitive, ancient
archetype, monarch, oligarchy, anarchy, archangelarchaic, archive
art skill artisan, artificialarti joint article, articulate, arthritis (Greek)Week 2astro, ast, astr star asteroid, astronomy, astrology, asterisk, disasteraud, aus hear audience, audible, audition, audioaug, auc increase augment, auctionauto self automatic, autobiography, autograph, automobilebaro weight barometer, baritone, isobarbas low basementbellum, belli war rebellion, belligerent, bellicose, ante-bellum, rebelbellus pretty belle, belladonna, beau, beautybene, bon good, well benevolent, bonus, benediction, bona fide, benefactorbi, du two biannual, bipartisan, bicameral, biceps, duplicate, duobiblio, bibl book bibliography, bibliophile, biblebio life biography, microbe, biopsy, amphibian, biochemistrybreve short abbreviate, brevitycad, cas, cid fall, happen cadence, cascade, coincide, cadaverous, accidentcalor, cal heat caloriecande shine, glow candlecam, camp field camp, campus, campaign, champion, scampercap, cept, cip take, seize capture, incapacitate, captive, capsule, forcepscapit, capt head capital, capitulate, cap, caption, caprice, precipitatecardi, card, cord heart cordial, cardiac, cardiologyWeek 3carn flesh carnation, carnal, carnivorous, reincarnated, carnivalcaus, caut burn, heat caustic, cauterizecause, cuse, cus cause, motive excuseced, cess, cede, ceed
yield, move, go recede, intercede, secede, cede, recession, precedent
ROOTS Origin Meanings Derivationsceive, cept, cip take, receive deceive, precept, inceptioncent hundred centimeter, century, cent, centennialcentric, centr center central, centrifuge, egocentric, ethnocentriccephalo skull, head, brain hydrocephalus, microcephalus, cephalopodcern, cerno separate discern, secretive, discretion, concern, certaincert, certus, -a sure certain, certificatechrom color chromatic, chromosome, chromatographychrono, chron time chronology, synchronize, chronic, anachronismcis, cide cut, kill scissors, concise, precise, homicide, germicide, incisorscite, cit arouse, summon, call recite, citation, excite, incite, cite, recitalcivis, civ citizen civic, city, civilize, civilian, civilityclam, claim cry out clamor, claim, declamation, reclamationclar clear clarify, clarion, clarinet, claret, declareclaus, clud, clus close, shut closet, close, closure, recluse, foreclose, claustrophobia, precludeclemen merciful clemencycline lean incline, recline, declinecog, nosc, gnosi know cognitive, agnosticcol, cul inhabitant, settlement colonycommun common community, communismcorpus, corp body corpse, corps, corpulent, corporal, corporealcosmo, cosm universe, world cosmic, cosmopolitan, macrocosm, cosmoscracy, crat govern, rule, strength democracy, autocracy, technocracy, bureaucracycrea create creation, creatorcred believe credible, creed, credo, credit, credencecresc, cret, crease, cru
increase, rise, grow crescent, crescendo, accrue, crew, recruit
crit separate, choose criticalWeek 4crux, cruc cross crusade, cross, crucifix, crux, excruciate, crucialcrypt hidden cryptogram, cryptic, cryptcub, cumb lie down, lean back encumber, recumbentcum heap cumulative, accumulatecurr, curs run current, concurrent, corridor, recur, curriculumcura care cure, accurate, security, curative, curiosity, curatorcycle, cycl, cyclo
circle, wheel bicycle, cyclic, encyclopedia
cyto cell cytoplasm, cytology, cytogenesisdeci, deca ten decimeter, decimate, decade, Decemberdemo, dem people pandemic, epidemic, demography, endemic, democratdenti, dent, dont tooth dentist, dentine, dent, indent, dentifrice, orthodontistderm skin taxidermist, epidermis, pachyderm, hypodermicdi two dilemma, dichotomy, dichromaticdic, dict say, speak dictionary, dictationdies day diary, diet, journey, sojourn, adjourndoc, doct, dox, dogma
teach, belief, opinion doctrine, document, documentary, doctor indoctrinate, docile, orthodox, paradox, dogma
domin master, rule dominate, dominant, domino, domineer, domaindon, donat give donate, donor, date, pardon, condonedorm sleep dormitory, dormantdrome to run, step syndromeduc, duct to lead induce, introduce, deduce, conducive, ductiledura hard, lasting durabledynam power thermodynamics, dynamo, dynamite, dynamometerego I, self superego, egotist
ROOTS Origin Meanings DerivationsWeek 5endo, end within endocrine, endosperm, endoskeleton, endothermicequi, equ equal equality, equanimityerg work energy, ergonomicserr to wander erratic, aberrationeth(os) custom ethniceu good, well eulogy, euphemism, euphoria, euphoniousfac, fact, fic, fect make, do fact, facile, facsimile, facilitate, faction, feasible, facilityfall, fals deceive fallacy, fallacious, falsefemino female femininefer carry, bear transfer, circumference, deference, fertile, offerfid, fide, feder trust, faith confident, fiduciary, diffidence, infidel, fidelity, Fidofig form figment, effigyfil son filial, affiliationfin end finalfirm securely fixed affirm, firmamentfix fix fix, transfix, crucifixflex, flect bend flexible, reflectflu, flue, fluv flow fluid, fluent, flux, influx, affluent, influence, fluvial, flushform shape, form transform, formative, formationfort, forc strong fortress, fortifyfrag, fract break fragile, fraction, fracture, frail, refraction, fragment, infractionWeek 6frater brother fraternity, fraternalfric rub friction, fricativefug flee fugitive, fugue, refugee, subterfugefum smoke fumigate, fumesfunct perform function, dysfunctionalgam marriage misogamy, polygamy, bigamy, monogamygastro stomach gastronomy, gastricgen, genus origin, birth, race, kind homogenize, eugenics, gene, genesis, generation, gendergeo earth geology, geography, geode, geo-politicsgerm sprout, offshoot germination, germ, germinalgest carry, bear gestation, ingest, digestgloss, glot tongue glottal, polyglotglom G ball conglomerateglu L glue gluten, glueglyph carve hieroglyph, petroglyph, glyphgon angle pentagon, tetragonal, octagon, nonagongrad, gress step, grade gradual, graduate, digress, ingredient, egress, progressgram, graph written, drawn hexagram, telegram, program, cardiogram, graphicgrat pleasing gratitude, gratify, grace, gratis, gratuitous, congratulategrav heavy gravity, grave, gravitate, aggravate, grieve, gravidgreg group, flock congregate, segregate, gregarious, egregiousgyn woman gynecology, philogyny, misogyny, gynarchyhabit have, hold habitual, habit, inhibit, habitude, hab, hib live habitation, habitat, hibernationhap OE luck, chance happen, haphazardhelio sun heliocentric, heliotrope, heliotherapyhemi half hemisphere, hemicycle, hemiplegiahemo, hema blood hemophilia, hemostat, hemoglobin, hemorrhage, anemiahere, hes stick, cling adhere, adhesivehetero different heterogeneous, heteronym, heterosexual
ROOTS Origin Meanings DerivationsWeek 7hexa six hexagon, hexagram, hexameterhiero sacred hierarchy, hieroglyphichomo G same homonym, homogenous, homologous, homosexualhomo L man homicide, Homo Sapiens, hombrehonor honor honor, honorable, dishonor, honorarium, honoraryhosp, host host, guest hostel, hospital, host, hospitalityhum, earth, ground humility, exhume, inhumation, posthumoushuman man humanhydro, hydr, hydra
water dehydrate, hydrogen, hydrophobia, hydraulic
hypn sleep hypnosisiatric, iatr medical treatment geriatrics, psychiatry, podiatry, pediatricsidio individuality idiosyncrasy, idiom,ignis fire ignite, ignition, igneousimag likeness image, imageryinit beginning initial, initiativeinteg whole integrate, integeriso equal isotherm, isotope, isosceles, isobarjac, ject throw eject, projectile, interject, adjective, trajectory, dejectedjunct, join join, connect junction, injunction, adjoin, conjunction, joinjud, judi, judic, jus, jur
judge, lawyer, law, right
judiciary, adjudicate, jurisprudence, justice, jurisdiction
juven young, youth juvenilekine, cine move cinema, kinetic, kinescopelabor, lab work laboratory, labored, elaborate, collaborate, belaborlaps, lat slip collapse, elapselat carry translate, relatelat side, broad lateral, latitudelaut, lav, lot, lut wash lavatory, ablutionleg, lect read, select collect, select, legible, legend, lectern, lecture, electlegis, leg law legislature, legal, legitimate, illegallevis light alleviate, levitylic, licit permit illicit, licenselingua language linguist, language, lingo, linguisticslit, letter, liter letter literary, literate, literal, letter, obliterate, illiteratelitho, lith stone megalith, lithograph, monolith, Neolithicliver, liber free liberate, deliver, libertyloco, loc place location, locus, allocate, locomotion, locallog, logo, logue, logy
word, study of, speech, science of
dialog, biology, neologism, logic, catalog, biology
Week 8loqu, locut speak, talk eloquent, loquacity, colloquial, ventriloquist, soliloquy, locutionlude, lud, lus play prelude, ludricuslumen, luc, lum, lus
light illuminate, luminary, luminous, luminescence
luna moon lunar, lunacy, lunate, lunaticlust shine illustrate, lackluster, lusterlysis, lys loosening, destroying paralysis, catalysis, hydrolysismacro long, large macroeconomics, macrobiotic, macrocosm, macroscopicmagnus, magn great, large magnify, magnificent, major, magnanimousmal bad malice, malignant, malpractice, malicious, malingermand command mandatory
ROOTS Origin Meanings Derivationsmania madness for pyromania, kleptomania, monomania, maniacmanu, man hand manual, manicure, emancipate, manufacturemar, mari, mer sea, pool marine, submarine max greatest maximum, maximmatri, matro, matric
mother matron, matriculate, matrimony, alma mater
mechane, mech machine mechanics, machine, mechanism, machinationsmedi half, middle, between medium, mediocremega great, large megaphone, megaton, megacycle, megalomaniamem remember memorandum, remember, memoryment mind mental, mentionmerge, mers dip, dive emerge, immersemeter measure barometer, thermometer, metronome, meterWeek 9metry measurement geometry, trigonometry, optometrymicro small microscope, micron, microfilm, microbiologymigra, migr wander migrate, emigrate, immigrantmilli thousand(th) millimeter, million, millenniummim same mimic, mimeographmin small, less minute, minorminist servant, officer minister, administermira look, wonder admire, miracle, miraculous, mirage, admirationmiso hatred, wrong, bad misanthropy, misconduct, misplace, misadventuremitt, miss send transmit, admit, omit, remit, missive, mission, missilemon advise, warn admonish, monitormono, mon one monogram, monogamy, monocle, monarch, monopolymonst, mist show demonstratemorph form amorphous, anthropomorphic, metamorphosismort, mori, mors death mortal, immortal, mortician, mortify, mortgage, moribundmov, mob, mot move remove, move, motivation, mobility, commotionmulti many multiply, multicolored, multiform, multilingual, multitudemut, mutat change, interchange mutual, commute, mutation, immutablenarr tell narrate, narrativenase nose nasal, nostril, nasofrontalnat, nasc born nature, native, innate, naïve, cognate, prenatalnav ship navy, navigatenecro dead necrophobia, necrotic, necromancy, necrophile, necropolisneg no negative, renegeneo recent, new neophyte, neon, neoplasm, Neolithicneuro, neur nerve neurology, neuralgia, neurosis, neuronnom law, order autonomynomen, nomin, nym
name nominate, cognomen, ignominious, nominal
nomy systematized knowledge
physiognomy, economy, autonomy, metronome
nota, not note notation, notorious, notice, denote, annotation, noteworthynounce, nunce, noun
warn, declare announce, denunciate, renounce
novus, nov new novelty, innovate, novel, novice, Novocain, novelettenox, noc night nocturnal
ROOTS Origin Meanings DerivationsWeek 10null none nullify, annulnumer number enumerate, numerousocto eight octagon, octopus, octogenarian, octet, octave, Octoberocu, op, opt eye oculist, binoculars, optical, Cyclopsomni all, every omniscient, omnivorous, omnipotentonus burden onerous, onusonym name synonym, acronym, pseudonym, anonymous, antonymoper work operate, opusopt best optimist, optimalora pray adoration, oracleora, orus speak, mouth oral, oration, oratoryord row order, extraordinaryorig beginning origin, aborigineortho straight, correct orthodontist, orthopedic, orthographicosteo, oss bone osteopath, osteoporosis, osteology, ossificationpac, pax peace pacify, pacifier, pactpaleo ancient, prehistoric paleontology, Paleozoic, Paleolithicpan all panorama, pantheism, panacea, panchromaticpar equal parity, disparate, parpatho, path feeling, disease sympathy, apathetic, antipathy, pathos, pathologypatr, pater father paternity, paternalped, pedo child pedagogy, pediatrician, pedophileped, pod foot pedal, pedestrian, pedestal, pedicure, tripod, podiatry, podiumpel, pulse, pul drive, push, urge propel, repellent, expel, repulsive, compulsion, pulse, compulsory,
repulsepend, pens, pon to hang pendulum, suspense, impend, pending, propensitypent five pentagon, pentathlon, pentameterperi around periscope, perigee, perimeter, peristalticpersona person personality, personae, parson, personify, impersonatepetro stone petrify, petroleum, petroglyphpheme speech euphemism, morpheme, graphemephil love philosophy, philanthropy, hemophilia, Anglophilephobia, phob fear of claustrophobia, hydrophobia, triskadekaphobiaphono, phon sound phonograph, phonetic, cacophony, telephone, DictaphoneWeek 11photo, phos light photograph, photogenic, photosynthesis, phosphorescephysio, phys nature, natural physiotherapy, physics, physiology, astrophysicalphyte plant neophyte, dermophyte, microphytepict paint pictorial, picturesque, depictplac, plais please pleasure, complacent, please, pleasant, placebo, complaisanceplasia mold, change plastic, plasticize, plasterplenus full replenish, plenitudeplere to fill complete, complement, replete, comply, compliment, expletiveplec, plic, pli, ply, plex
interweave, fold complex, Plexiglas, plywood, multiply, pliable, implicate
plu, plur, plus more plus, surplus, pluralpneuma, pneumon
breath pneumonia, pneumonic
polis, poli city politics, cosmopolitan, metropolis, police, metropolitanpoly many polygon, polygamy, polytechnic, polyester, polymerpon, pos, pond put, place expound, exponent, opponent, postpone, dispose, depositpop people population, populace, popular, depopulated
ROOTS Origin Meanings Derivationsport carry transport, portage, purport, important, importune, portendportio part, share proportion, apportionposs, pot power, ability potential, potent, possibleprehend seize apprehend, comprehend, reprehensiblepress press pressure, press, express, suppress, depress, repress, impressionproto G first prototype, protoplasm, proton, protocol, protozoanprim, prime L first primitive, primepseudo false pseudonym, pseudopodia, pseudosciencepsych mind psychic, psychopath, psychology, psychosomaticpug fight pugnacious, impugnpunct point punctual, punctuation, punctiliousput think computer, putativepyro fire pyrotechnics, Pyrex, pyre, pyromaniaquad four quadrangle, quadrant, quadrilateral, quadrupedquer, ques, quis inquire question, inquest, inquisitive, requisition, perquisitequies at rest acquiesce, quiescencerad ray, spoke radio, radiusras scrape erase, raspratio reason rational, ration, rationale, reason, rationalize, ratioreg, recti, rect rule, direct, straighten regal, regimen, regalia, regent, regulate, ReginaWeek 12ri, ridi, risi laughter ridicule, derisiverog, roga ask interrogate, derogatoryrupt break out erupt, disrupt, abrupt, corrupt, interrupt, bankruptsac, sect holy sacred, sacrifice, sacrilege, desecrate, sacrilegioussal jump assault, salient, assail, resilient, sally, resultantsalv, salu safe, healthy salubrious, salvation, salutarysan health sanitary, sanitysat, satis enough satisfactory, satescend climb ascend, descendentsci know science, prescient, conscious, conscience, omniscientscope see microscope, gyroscope, periscope, stethoscope, scopescrib, script write script, conscript, scripture, prescription, describe, scribblesect cut section, dissectsed, sess, sid sit, settle sediment, sedan, sedation, supersede, residue, sedentarysem seed seminal, semensemi half semicircle, semiconscious, semidetached, semifinalsen, seni old senator, senilesent, sens feel sentiment, sentient, sensitive, insensitivesequ, secu, sue follow sequence, sequential, prosecute, consequent, subsequentserv serve, save reservation, servant, conservesign, signi sign, mark, seal signature, signet, significantsilic flint siliconsimil, simul, sim like, resemble simulation, assimilate, similarsist, sta, stat, stit, stet
stand assist, stationary, constituent, stable, estate, statue, statute, stature, constant, static
sol sun solar, solarium, solstice, parasol, Solsolus, sol alone solo, solitaire, solipsism, soliloquy, solitudesolv, solu to loosen dissolve, solvent, absolution, soluble, resolve, dissolutionsomn sleep insomnia, somnambulist, somnolentson sound sonar, sonnet
ROOTS Origin Meanings DerivationsWeek 13soph wise, wisdom sophisticated, philosophy, sophomorespec, spic, spect see, look spectator, perspicacity, perspective, specimen, prospectspir breathe respiration, aspirate, inspirationsphere circle atmosphere, sphere, hemisphere, stratospherespond, spons pledge, answer sponsor, response, stell star constellation, stellarstereo 3 dimension, solid stereophonic, stereoscope, stereotypestimu goad stimulate, stimulussto, stat, sisto stand, cause to stand insist, statuestring, strict draw tight strict, stringent, strain, redistrict, stricture, distraughtstru, struct build construction, instruction, structure, instrumentalsum highest sum, summitsume, sump take, use, waste consume, consumption, assumption, presumesurg, surr rise resurrect, resurgentsyn, sym together, same time symmetry, synchronicity, synchronize, systemtact, ting, tang, tag, tig
touch contact, tactile, tingle, tangible, tangent, contagious, contiguous
tax systematic arrangement taxonomy, syntax, tactics, taxationtechno, techni skill, art, craft technique, technical, technologytele far telescope, telegraph, telephone, telemetry, televisiontempo, temp time temporary, temporal, extemporaneous, tempus fugitten, tin, tain hold tenant, tenet, pretend, pertinacious, tenor, lieutenanttend, tent, tens stretch extend, distend, contention, tendon, portend, ostensibleWeek 14terra, terr earth terrain, terra firma, terrestrialterm end terminate, exterminate, terminaltest to bear witness testimony, protest, attesttex weave text, textiletheo, the god theology, atheist, monotheism, polytheismtherapy cure psychotherapy, hydrotherapy, therapeutic, therapisttherm heat thermos, thermostat, isotherm, thermometerthesis, thet place, put, position antithesis, thesistome, tom cut dichotomy, tonsillectomy, atom, anatomy, epitometort, tors twist distort, torture, extort, tortilla, tort, retorttoxic, tox poison toxicology, toxic, intoxicated, antitoxintract, tra draw, pull tractor, contract, retract, tract, traction, extract, intractable, trailtri three tricycle, triad, tricolor, trident, triplicatetrib pay, bestow tribute, contribute, distributetrope turning entropy, heliotrope, tropictrophy nourishment atrophy, dystrophytrud, trus push extrude, obtrusivetui, tuit, tut guard, protect, look at tutor, intuit, intuitionturb, turbo disturb, whirl turbulent, trouble, turbid, perturb, turbine, disturbtype model, impression archetype, typical, type, typifytype print typewriter, prototypeultima last ultimate, penultimateun, uni one unicycle, unite, unite, uniform, Unitarian, unison, unilateral
ROOTS Origin Meanings DerivationsWeek 15unda wave, flow undulateurb city urban, suburb, exurbvac empty vacuum, vacation, vacuousvag wander vague, vagabondvad, vas go evade, pervasionvale farewell valediction, valedictoryvali, val strength, worth, valor valiant, valuevar different variety, variegatedven, vent come convention, convenient, venue, contravene, circumvent, revenuever, veri true verify, verity, veritableverb word verbal, proverbial, verbiage, verbatimvert, vers turn convert, subversion, vertebra, vertigo, versatile, inversionvest clothe, dress vestment, invest, divestvic, vicis change, substitute vicar, vicariousvict, vinc conquer victorious, invinciblevid, vis see, perceive video, provident, supervisor, visa, advisevir man virilevita, viv, vivi life, alive vital, vitality, vitamin, vivacious, revivevoc, vok call vocal, vociferous, voice, convoke, provocative, avocationvoid empty avoid, devoidvol will, wish volunteer, volitionvola fly volatilevolcan, vulcan fire volcano, vulcanizevolu, volvo, volv
roll, turn revolve, evolve, convoluted, revolt, voluminous
vor devour voraciouszoo animal zoo, zoology, zoophobia, zodiac
Roots and Prefixes
Preparing for the SAT by Gary Gruber
Is there a short cut way to learn vocabulary? Well, there certainly is a more efficient way to learn the meaning of
words than memorizing a word list. The SAT chooses words from a list of over 30,000. Did you know that a
reliable study has shown that 20 prefixes and 14 roots can help you to get the meanings of over 100,000 words?
Well, here are those roots and prefixes, and one or two more:
ROOT MEANING EXAMPLE
act, ag do, act activity, agent
apert open aperture
bas low basement
cap, capt take, seize capable, capture
ced, cess give in, go concede, concession
cred believe credible
curr, curs run current, precursor
dict speak dictionary, predict
duc, duct lead induce, conduct
equ equal equality, equanimity
fac, fact, fic make, do facile, artifact
fer bear, carry offer, conference
graph write monograph, graphite
log word, study of dialog, biology
mitt, miss send permit, admission
par equal parity, disparate
plic fold complicated
pon put, place component
scrib, script write transcribe, subscription
sequ, secu follow sequel, consecutive
spec, spect see specimen, aspect
sto, stat, sisto stand, cause to stand statue, insist
tact touch contact, tactile
ten hold retentive, tenacious
tend, tent, tens stretch extend, tension
un, uni one unilateral, unanimous
ven, vent come convenient, advent
ver true verify, verisimilitude
35
PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLE
a, ab, abs away, from absent, abstinent
ad, a, ac, af to toward adhere, annex, accede, adapt
ag, al, an, ap, ar, as, at,
bi, bis two biped, bicycle
circum around circumference, circumlocution com, con
together, with combination, connect
de opposite, from detract, demerit
dis, dif, di apart disperse, difference
epi upon, on top of epilogue
equi equal equality, equitable
ex, ef, e out, from eject, exalt, exit
in, en in, into inject, endure
mal, male bad, ill malpractice, malevolent
mis wrong misplace, misunderstand
mono alone, one, single monotone, monopoly
non not nonsense
ob in front, against obviate, obvious
omni everywhere, all omnipresent, omnipotent
per through perceive, pervade
poly many polygon
post after posterior, postpone
pre before precursory, preface
pro forward proceed, promote
re again recall, recede
se apart secede
sub under subliminal, subway
super greater, beyond supernatural, superstition
trans across transpire, transcontinental
un, uni one unilateral, unity
un (pronounced uhn) not unethical
You will find that this list will be of considerable help in getting at the meaning of words. For example,
take the word DISPARITY. If you remember what the list tells you -- that PAR means equal and DIS
means apart -- you can reason that DISPARITY means dissimilarity or difference.
VOCABULARY FRAMES
Vocabulary frames are a flash card method of learning new vocabulary. You DO NOT use vocabulary frames for every vocabulary word you encounter. Some words are explanations of a totally new concept; you put those words on a vocabulary frame flash card.
Top Right Corner: Write the word's definition.
Top Left Corner: Write the word's opposite and cross it out.
Lower Left Corner: Write a silly sentence that uses the definition of the word.
Lower Right Corner: Draw a graphic to help you visualize the concept.
In the Center: Isolate any prefixes.Isolate the root.Note the meaning of the root.Isolate any suffixes.Label the part of speech in parenthesis.
Look Backwards look forward,foretelling
PRE DICT IONspeak
(noun)
Dictator Napoleonlooked ahead bygazing into a crystalball.
VOCABULARY FRAME
Example with labels:
stimulate to force learning
IN CULC ATE
Root meaning trample
Part of Speech (Verb)
Prefix Root Suffix
The cult members were forcedto learn about government.
SentenceGraphic
Opposite Definition
Two-Sided Vocab Frame
Front
Back
PRE DICT IONspeak
(Noun)
Look backwards Look forward,foretelling
Dictator Napoleon lookedahead by gazing into acrystal ball.
Front
Back
IN CULC ATEtrample(Verb)
Stimulate To force learning
The cult members were forcedto learn about government.