Word Roots-Etymology

 Word formation in English is similar to the game of Lego with ‘word roots’ or ‘root words’, being the Lego blocks that add up to form bigger structures, that is the words. A majority of the words in English are formed using basic words and adding combinations of prefixes and suffixes to them. Root words are the basic words to which affixes (prefixes and suffixes) are added to form the new word.

Let us take an example to understand the concept of roots. 'Neonate' is a word that comes from a similar Latin word root as that of 'Nascent'- ' nasc-' or '-nat-', meaning 'born or birth'. Some words based on this root are:
  • Natal: Relating to or accompanying birth.
  • Prenatal: Occurring or existing before birth.
  • Nascent: Being born or beginning.
  • How can you use Word Roots to learn words?
    The ideal way to use word roots is to learn multiple words based on the same root. With the help of this, you will be able to extend your learning and make sure you learn more than one word with the help of every root. Also, if you remember the meaning of the root word, whenever you find a word based on it, you can use this to infer the meaning of the word.
    Now, let's put this method to use and learn some words using this method. In this series of articles, you will learn about different root words and words based on them. Each article contains 5 root words and the various words associated with them.
  • Word root/ prefixRoot MeaningWords based on the Root
    A/nnot, withoutAbyss - without bottom
    Achromatic - without colour
    Anhydrous - without water
    Acrotop, height, tip, beginningAcrobat - a "high walker"
    Acronym - a word formed from the first (capital) letters of a word
    Acrophobia - fear of height
    Agr/i/ofarmingAgriculture - management of the land,
    Agribusiness - making money by utilizing land
    Agrarian - relating to the management of land
    Agronomy - the application of soil and plant sciences to land management and crop production
    Alg/opainNeuralgia - pain caused by a nerve
    Analgesic - a drug that makes one pain-free
    Nostalgia - aching for the familiar
    Ambi, amphiboth, on both sides, aroundAmbidextrous - able to use both hands equally
    Ambiguous - having more than one meaning
    Ambivalence - conflicting or opposite feelings toward a person or thing
    Ambivert - Someone having both extrovert and introvert personality traits

  • Word root/prefixRoot MeaningWords based on the Root
    Antiagainst, opposite ofAntibody - a substance that destroys micro-organisms
    Anticlimax - a change from a serious subject to a disappointing one
    Antiseptic - preventing infection
    Antisocial - opposing social norm
    Bell/iwarBellicose - warlike
    Belligerent - hostile, ready to fight
    Rebel - person who opposes and fights
    Bi/ntwo, twice, once in every twoBiannual - happening twice a year
    Biathlon - sporting event combining rifle shooting and cross-country skiing
    Binoculars - optical device with two lenses
    Bilateral - of or involving two sides
    Bibli/obookBibliology - the literature or doctrine of the Bible
    Bibliography - a list of books used as sources
    Bibliomania - an extreme love of books
    Bibliophile - a person who loves books
    Biolife, living matterBiodegradable - capable of being decomposed by e.g. bacteria
    Biography - a life story written by another person
    Biology - the science of life
    Biosphere - earth's surface inhabited by living things

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