A dictionary can provide meanings of Greek and Latin roots in unfamiliar words.
You can easily expand your vocabulary with a knowledge of Greek and Latin roots, the basic stems of many English words. Closely related to roots, Greek and Latin prefixes and suffixes attach to roots to form new meanings or functions, according to Capital Community College's Guide to Grammar and Writing. Some words contain all three elements: Greek or Latin prefixes, roots and suffixes. By analyzing the meanings of the roots and attached elements, you can reasonably guess at the meaning of unknown words and further increase your vocabulary.
Instructions
1. Become familiar with common Greek roots. For example, the University of Houston-Victoria indicates that the Greek root "gyn" means "woman" and the root "anthrop" means "human." As a result, it is easy to differentiate the words gynecologist" referring to a doctor who treats women's disorders from an anthropologist who studies human cultures. When you know that "phil" refers to love, you can conclude that a philanthropist shows a love of humanity through generous donations.
2. Learn common Latin roots. Knowing that the Latin root "verb" means "word," you can easily see how the term "verbose" means wordy or long-winded. The root "luc" (light) clarifies the meaning of "lucid," referring to clear and logical ideas. Similarly, the word "vacuous" (empty-headed) clearly derives its meaning from the Latin root "vac," referring to emptiness. If you recognize the Latin roots "jur" and "dict" (law, speak), jurisdiction makes sense as the power to "speak" the law in a certain territory.
3. Explore the roots of Greek and Latin prefixes to generate additional vocabulary. Capital College notes that prefixes such as "mis" or "miso"(wrong or hateful) can express negative ideas. When this Greek prefix joins the root "gyn," the term "misogynist" appears, referring to someone who hates women. Similarly, when the prefix "miso" joins the Greek root "gam" (marriage), the word "misogamist" logically refers to someone who hates marriage. When joined with "anthrop," the term "misanthrope" emerges, referring to someone who hates humanity.
4. Change parts of speech by adding Greek and Latin suffixes to roots. The words "misogynist" and "misogamist" both contain the suffix "ist," referring to a person. The "ic" suffix in "misogynistic" transforms it to an adjective.
5. Break down unfamiliar words by concentrating on the meanings of multiple roots. Note how affixes (prefixes and suffixes) can also affect meaning. For example, knowing the meaning of the roots "bio" and "graph" (life, writing) and the prefix "auto" (self), you can determine that an autobiography refers to a book written about your own life. When you recognize the common roots "chron" and "meter" (time, measure) in chronometer, it is easily to deduce that the term refers to a device that carefully measures time.
Tags: Greek Latin, Latin roots, Greek Latin prefixes, Latin prefixes, someone hates