Roots

Reference list: A reference list with all common prefixes, roots, and suffixes is available for review at the end of this chapter to help you study.

Roots

Roots are the core of a word. They carry the main meaning and usually can’t be broken down into smaller word parts. You can think of a root as the “main idea” that prefixes and suffixes build on.

Some roots can stand on their own as complete words. When a word includes both a prefix and a suffix, the root typically appears in the middle.

For example, form is a root meaning “shape or type of something.” If we add the prefix re- (meaning “again”), we get reform, meaning “improve by correcting mistakes.” The meaning changes, but the root idea of “shape/form” stays at the center.

Here are a few more common roots.

Bio

Meaning: life

Example words: Biology, Biography, Biodegradable, Biopsy, Biosphere

• Biology: Bio-olog, meaning “study [of] life.” Biology is the study of living organisms.
• Biography: Bio-graph, meaning “writing [of] life.” A biography is a written record of a person’s life.
• Biodegradable: Bio-degrad, meaning “life decomposing.” Something that is biodegradable is capable of being decomposed by living organisms.
• Biopsy: Bio-opt, meaning “life sight.” A biopsy is the examination of tissue removed from a live organism.

Knowledge check: What does the word biosphere mean?

(spoiler)

Bio-sphere, meaning “life globe.” A biosphere is the collection of living organisms in a particular location or of the whole Earth.

Chron

Meaning: time

Example words: Chronology, Anachronistic, Chronicle, Chronic, Synchronize

• Chronology: Chron-logy, meaning “time study.” Chronology is the science of dates and sequences of events or, simply, a timeline of events.
• Anachronistic: Ana-chron, meaning “against time.” Something that is anachronistic is outside of the correct place in time. For example, a digital watch in a movie set in the 1800s would be anachronistic.
• Chronicle: Chron-annal, meaning “time books.” A chronicle is the historical account of facts for a particular time and place.
• Chronic: Chron-ic, meaning “concerning time.” Something that is chronic has been ongoing for some time. We often use the word chronic to describe long-term medical conditions or diseases.

Knowledge check: What does the word synchronize mean?

(spoiler)

Syn-chron, meaning “same time.” Things that are synchronized are in time with one another or occur simultaneously.

Manu

Meaning: hand

Example words: Manual, Manuscript, Manufacture, Manipulate

• Manual: Manu-al, meaning “of the hand.” Something that is done manually is done by hand, and manual labor is work done by hand (rather than machine).
• Manuscript: Manu-scrib, meaning “hand write.” A manuscript is a document written by hand.
• Manufacture: Manu-fac, meaning “hand-made.” To manufacture something is to make or process a raw material into a finished product. Before machinery, manufacturing was done by hand, but now the word is often used to refer to machine processing.

Knowledge check: What does the word manipulate mean?

(spoiler)

Manu-pul, meaning “manage [by] hand.” To manipulate something is to handle and maneuver it by hand. It can also mean to influence people or events (as in to “take them in hand.”)

Spec

Meaning: look

Example words: Spectate, Prospect, Inspect, Respect, Perspective

• Spectate: Spec-ate, meaning “state [of] looking.” To spectate is to look at or observe something, typically a game or activity.
• Prospect: Pro-spec, meaning “forward-looking.” A prospect is something that one can foresee or a possibility of something happening in the future.
• Inspect: In-spec, meaning “look into.” To inspect something is to look at it closely and in depth.
• Respect: Re-spec, meaning “look again.” There are two different ways to use the word “respect.” First, in the phrase “with respect to,” respect means regard or consideration, which involves attention (or “looking”). Second, as a verb, to respect something is to admire it - so you “look again” or look repeatedly.

Knowledge check: What does the word perspective mean?

(spoiler)

Per-spec, meaning “look through.” One’s perspective is one’s understanding or viewpoint, and to see from another person’s perspective is to see through their eyes.

Ver

Meaning: truth

Example words: Verify, Veracity, Veritable, Verisimilitude, Verdict,

• Verify: Ver-ify, meaning “make true.” To verify something is to prove it to be true.
• Veracity: Ver-acity, meaning “state of [being] true.” Veracity is the state of being accurate or truthful.
• Veritable: Ver-able, meaning “capable of [being] true.” Veritable describes something that is true, genuine, or authentic.
• Verisimilitude: Ver-simil, meaning “appearance [of] truth.” Verisimilitude is the quality of appearing to be truthful or real.

Knowledge check: What does the word verdict mean?

(spoiler)

Ver-dict, meaning “say truth.” A verdict is the judge or jury’s ruling on a case. A verdict is considered to be a true report or spoken statement.