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ROOT WORDSWhat are root words?
Words originating from Latin (ancient Rome) and Greek.
Why is it important to learn root words?
Almost every word in English has root words, so this makes it easier to understand a new word and remember how to spell them.
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Root word aer-, aero-
Origin Greek
Meaning Air, atmosphere
Example Aeronautics
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Root word agri-
Origin Greek and Latin
Meaning Field
Example Agriculture
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Root word anima-
Origin Latin
Meaning Breathe
Example Animal
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Root word ann-
Origin Latin
Meaning Year, yearly
Example Annual
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Root word aqu-
Origin Latin
Meaning Water
Example Aquarium
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Root word astro-
Origin Greek
Meaning Star
Example Astronomy
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Root word aud
Origin Latin
Meaning Hearing, listening, sound
Example Auditorium
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Root word auto
Origin Greek
Meaning Self
Example Automobile
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Root word avi-
Origin Latin
Meaning Bird
Example Aviation
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Root word bi-
Origin Latin
Meaning Two
Example Bicycle
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Root word bi(o)-
Origin Greek
Meaning Life
Example Biology
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Root word cap-
Origin Latin
Meaning Hold, take
Example Capture
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Root word cent-
Origin Latin
Meaning Hundred
Example Century
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Root word clar-
Origin Latin
Meaning Clear
Example Clarity
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Root word con-
Origin Latin
Meaning with
Example connect
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Root word cycl
Origin Greek
Meaning Round
Example Bicycle
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Root word de-
Origin Latin
Meaning From, away from
Example Delete
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Root word dem-
Origin Greek
Meaning People
Example Democracy
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Root word dict-
Origin Latin
Meaning Say, speak
Example Dictation
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Root word digit-
Origin Latin
Meaning Finger
Example Digital
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Root word dorm-
Origin Latin
Meaning Sleep
Example Dormitory
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Root word eco-
Origin Greek
Meaning House
Example Ecology
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Root word form-
Origin Latin
Meaning Shape
Example Formation
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Root word frig-
Origin Latin
Meaning Cold
Example Frigid
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Root word ge(o)-
Origin Greek
Meaning Earth
Example Geology
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Root word graph-
Origin Greek
Meaning Draw, write
Example Graphic
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Root word hex-
Origin Greek
Meaning Six
Example Hexagon
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Root word hydr(o)-
Origin Greek
Meaning Water
Example Hydroponic
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Root word juven-
Origin Latin
Meaning Young
Example Juvenile
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Root word kil(o)-
Origin Greek
Meaning Thousand
Example Kilogram
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Root word leg-
Origin Latin
Meaning Law
Example Legal
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Root word liber-
Origin Latin
Meaning Free
Example Liberation
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Root word manu-
Origin Latin
Meaning Hand
Example Manual
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Root word nov-
Origin Latin
Meaning Nine
Example November
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Root word numer-
Origin Latin
Meaning Number
Example Numeral
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Root word oct-
Origin Latin and Greek
Meaning Eight
Example Octangular
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Root word pent-
Origin Greek
Meaning Five
Example Pentagon
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Root word phob(ia)-
Origin Greek
Meaning Fear
Example Hydrophobia
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Root word phos-, phot-
Origin Greek
Meaning Light
Example Photograph
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Root word phys-
Origin Greek
Meaning Nature
Example Physics
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Root word pre-
Origin Latin
Meaning Before
Example Previous
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Root word pseud(o)-
Origin Greek
Meaning False
Example Pseudonym
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Root word pyr(o)-
Origin Greek
Meaning Heat, fire
Example Pyrolysis
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Root word quadr-
Origin Latin
Meaning Four
Example Quadrangle
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Root word quint-
Origin Latin
Meaning Fifth
Example Quintary
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Root word re-
Origin Latin
Meaning Again, back
Example Recede
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Root word sept-
Origin Latin
Meaning Seven
Example September
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Root word serv-
Origin Latin
Meaning Save, protect, serve
Example Conservation
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Root word terr-
Origin Latin
Meaning Dry land, earth
Example Terrain
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Root word tri-
Origin Latin and Greek
Meaning Three
Example Triangle
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Using root words guess what the
meaning of these words.
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“Dynamics” is used in physics to describe the process of how things work.
Aerodynamics
Hydrodynamics
Air
Water
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What does biofuel mean?
Fuel made from living organisms such as corn, sugar and plants.
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What does animation mean?
Cartoon
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This rose is dormant.
What does this mean?
Sleeping; when organisms development stop, such as during winter.
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Two babies born together are twins, but what are three babies born together?
Triplets
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What are four babies called?
Quadruplets
What are five babies called?
Quintuplets
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Two offspring – twins Three offspring – triplets Four offspring – quadruplets Five offspring – quintuplets Six offspring – sextuplets Seven offspring – septuplets Eight offspring – octuplets Nine offspring – nonuplets Ten offspring – decaplets Eleven offspring – undecaplets Twelve offspring – duodecaplets Thirteen offspring – tredecaplets Fourteen offspring – quattrodecaplets Fifteen offspring – quindecaplets Sixteen offspring – sexdecaplets Seventeen offspring – sepdecaplets Eighteen offspring – octdecaplets Nineteen offspring – nondecaplets
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A “maniac” is derived from Greek meaning “crazy person”
What is a pyromaniac?
Anyone that is dangerously crazy with fire.
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RejuvenateWhat does this word mean?
To make young again; restore to youthful vigor
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What is a dictator?
A person exercising absolute power, esp. a ruler who has absolute, unrestricted control in a government without hereditary succession.