a– {not, without}: abiotic, abulia, acarpous, acatalectic, achromatic, adactylous, adamant, adynamia, afebrile, agamete, agamogenesis, ageratum, agnosia, agnostic, agrapha, ahistoric, amaranth, amaze, amethyst, ametropia, amianthus, amitosis, amnesia, amoral, amorphous, amusia, amylum, amyotonia, amyotrophic, aneroid, apathy, aphasia, aphonia, aphotic, aplastic, apnea, apraxia, apterous, apteryx, apyretic, aseptic, asexual, asphyxiate, aspirin, astatine, asylum, asymmetrical, asymptote, ataraxia, ataxia, atheist, atom, atonal, azote, azygous ●same as an–4 || 
Gr a–, an– : not, without IE *ne– : not
aard– {earth}: aardvark, aardwolf || Afrik. Du aarde : earth; akin to Ger erde, erd– : earth IE *er– : earth, ground
ab–1 {father}: abba, abbacy, abbatial, abbess, abbey, abbot, Abigail, Abner, Abraham, Absalom ●Fr. abbé || L Gr Aram abba : father
ab–2, abs– {indicates removal: off, away from}: abdicate, abduct, aberration, abhor, ab initio, abject, abjure, ablate, ablative, ablaut, ablution, abnegate, abnormal, abolish, abomasum, abominate, aborigine, abort, abound, ab ovo, abrade, abrogate, abrupt, abscess, abscissa, abscond, absent, absolute, absolve, absorb, abstain, abstemious, abstract, abstruse, absurd, abundant, abuse ●for assimilated forms see Appendix A ●compare ad–2 || L ab– : away, off, from off, down
abl– {to manage, to have skill}: able, ability, disability, memorabilia ●as a suffix, often –ible or –ibility ●same as habil– || ME OFr hable, habile L habilis : easily managed, handy habēre (pp. habitum) : to have, to hold 
freq. habito : to inhabit, to dwell; habitus : condition, habit, bearing
abs– ●see ab–2
ac– {point, needle, sharp}: acerate (needle-shaped), acerose, acicula, acid, acidophilus, aciform, acme, acne ●more at acerb–, acet–, acr–, acu– ●see also acanth–, acro–, gar–3, oxy– || L acuere (pp. acūtum) : to sharpen to a point acūmen : sharp point; acus : needle; ācer, ācris : sharp, cutting; acerbus : bitter, harsh; acidus : sharp, sour; ācrimōnia : sharpness, keenness IE *ak– : sharp
acanth– {thorn}: acanthoid, acanthus, coelacanth, pyracantha, tragacanth ●see also ac– || Gr akantha : thorn akē : a point IE *ak– : sharp
acar– {an order of arachnids that includes ticks and mites}: acariasis, acarid, acaroid, acarology || Gr akari : mite akarēs : tiny, too small to cut a– : not + keirein : to cut
acerb– {sharp, bitter}: acerb, acerbate, exacerbate ●part of ac– || L acerbus : bitter, sour acerbare : to make bitter, to aggravate IE *ak– : sharp
acet– {vinegar}: acetabulum, acetaldehyde, acetate, acetic, acetify, acetone, acetous, acetum, acetyl, acetylene, acetylsalicylic ●part of ac– || L acētum : vinegar root ac– : sharp, point acus : needle IE *ak– : sharp
acr– {sharp}: acrid, acridine, acriflavine, acrimony, acrolein, acrylic ●part of ac– || L ācris, fem. of ācer : sharp, cutting IE *ak– : sharp
acro– {point, extremity, topmost, height}: acrobat, acrocarpous, acrocephaly, acrogen, acrolein, acrolith, acromegaly, acromion, acronym, acropetal, acrophobia, acropolis, acrospire, acrostic ●see also ac– || Gr akros : at the point, end, or top IE *ak– : sharp
act– {to do}: act, action, activate, active, activist, activity, actor, actress, actual, actuary, actuate, counteract, deactivate, enact, exact (to demand), exact (precise), hyperactive, inaction, interact, react, reaction, reactionary, redact, retroactive, surfactant, transaction ●same as ag–, ig– || L actus : a doing or moving agere (pp. actum) : to do, to set in motion, to drive actio (gen. actiōnis) : action, doing; actor : doer, driver
actin– {ray}: actinal, actinide, actiniform, actinism, actinium, actinoid, actinology, actinometer, actinomorphic, actinomycin, actinomycosis, protactinium || Gr aktis (gen. aktinos) : ray
acu– {needle, sharp}: acuate, acuity, aculeate, acumen, acuminate, acupuncture, acute ●part of ac– || L acus : needle stem ac– : point, sharp acuēre (pp. acūtum) : to sharpen to a point; acūmen : sharp point IE *ak– : sharp
ad–1 {a group consisting of the number given}: monad, duad, dyad, triad, tetrad, pentad, hexad, hebdomad, heptad, octad, ennead, decade, chiliad, Olympiad || Gr & L genitive-forming suffix; as in LL monas : one (gen. monadis)
ad–2 {indicates motion towards or position near: to, towards, at, near}: adage, adapt, ad astra per aspera, add (→dition–), addict, address, adept, adequate, adhere, ad hoc, ad infinitum, adit, adjacent, adjective, adjourn, adjunct, adjust, adjutant, ad-lib, administer, admire, admit, admonish, ad nauseam, adolescent, adopt, adore, adorn, adrenalin, adsorb, adult, adulterate, advance, advent, adventure, adverb, adversary, advertise, advise, advocate ●see also Appendix A ●compare ab–2 ●in words of Latin origin, ad– assimilates to ac– before c or q (accuse, acquit), af– before f (affirm), ag– before g (aggregrate), al– before l (alleviate), an– before n (annul), ap– before p (approve), ar– before r (arrest), as– before s (assimilate), at– before t (attain), and a– before sc, sp, or st (ascend, aspire, astringent). || L ad– : to, toward, near
add– {to give more, to add}: add, addend, addendum, additament, addition, additional, additive ●comb. of ad–2 + dition– || L addere (pp. additum) : to give to, to bring to, to add ad– : to + –dere (in comb.) dare : to give; additio : an adding, a giving to
adel– {noble}: Adelaide, Adelbert, Adele, Adeline ●Adolf ●same as al–2, ethel– || OHG adal : nobility
adelph– {brother}: diadelphous, monadelphous, Philadelphia, polyadelphous || Gr adelphos : brother a– (copulative) + delphys : womb
aden– {gland}: adenine, adenitis, adenocarcinoma, adenoid, adenoma, adenovirus || Gr adēn : gland
adip– {fat}: adipocere, adipose || L adeps (gen. adipis) : fat ult. Gr aleipha : fat
Adon– {lord}: Adonai, Adonia, Adonis || Heb Adonai : my lord Sem adōn, adun : lord
adulter– {to pollute, to defile}: adulterate, adulterer, adulterine, adultery, unadulterated ●comb. of ad–2 + altr– || L adulterare : to commit adultery, to defile, to corrupt ad– : to, toward + alter : other, another
aeol– {the wind}: aeolian, Aeolus || Gr Aeolus : god of the winds aiolos quick, changeable
aer– {air}: aerate, aerial, aerobatics, aerobe, aerobic, aerodynamic, aeronautics, aeronomy, aeroplane, aerosol, aerospace, anaerobic ●unrelated: aerie ●same as ari– || L āēr : air
aesth– ●see esth–
aft– {behind}: abaft, aft, after, afterward || ME afte OE æftan
ag– {to do, to drive}: agency, agenda, agent, agile, agitate, ambage, coagulate, reagent, stratagem ●cogent, cogitate ●same as act–, ig– ●see also purg– || L agere : to set in motion, to drive freq. agitare : to drive about, to put in constant motion
agap– {love}: agapanthus, agape (love), agape (love feast) || LGr agapē Gr agapan : to greet with affection, to love
agog– {to lead}: anagoge, demagogue, emmenagogue, galactagogue, hypnagogic, pedagogue, mystagogue, synagogue || Gr agōgos : leader agein : to lead
agon– {contest, struggle}: agon, agonize, agony, antagonist, antagonize, deuteragonist, protagonist || Gr agōn : assembly, contest agein : to lead •–agonist Gr agōnistēs : actor agōnizesthai : to contend for a prize agōn
agor– {assembly, place of assembly, to speak in assembly}: agora, agoraphobia, phantasmagoria ●same as egor– || Gr agoreuein ēgor : to speak in public agor : marketplace, assembly
agr– {field}: see agri–, agro–
agra– {seizure}: pellagra, podagra || Gr agra : seizure
agr(i)– {field, soil, land, property}: agrarian, agrestal, agrestic, agri–, agribusiness, agriculture ●see also agro– || L ager (gen. agri) field, land agrārius : of land, of the division of public land; agrestis : of the fields or country, rustic; agricola : tiller of the fields, farmer; agrīcultura : tilling the fields, agriculture; IE *agro– : field Gr agros : field
agr(o)– {field}: agriology, agro–, agrobiology, agrochemical, agronomics, agrostology ●see also agri– || Gr agros : field IE *agro– : field L ager : field
ailur– {cat}: ailuromancy, ailurophile, ailurophobia || Gr ailouros : cat
al–1 ●see ali–, allelo–, allo–, altr– ●see also allax–
al–2 {noble}: Albert, Alice, Alicia, Alison, Alphonse, Alvin ●unrelated: Alfred, Alan, Allen ●same as adel–, ethel– || OHG adal : nobility
al–3 {to nourish, to nurture, to grow}: coalesce, coalition, alible, altricial, alumnus ●see also alim–, alma–, prol– || L alere : to rear, to feed, to nourish altor (fem. altrix) : one who nourishes
al–4 {wing}: ala, alar, alary, alate, aliform, aliped, alula ●aileron || L āla : wing
alb– {white}: alb, albedo, albescent, albinism, albino, album, albumen, albumin, terra alba ●auburn ●compare negr– || L albus : white album : white color; albere : to be white
ald–, old– {power, to rule}: Arnold, Donald, Gerald, Harold, herald, Reginald, Reynold, Ronald ●same as wald– || Gmc root wealdan or waldan to be strong, to have power, to rule
aleator– {game of dice, game of chance, chance, uncertainty}: aleatoric, aleatory || L āleātorius : of gambling āleātor : gambler ālea : chance, game of dice, dice †
alex– {to defend}: Alexander, alexipharmic, Alexis, phytoalexin ●Alec || Gr alexein : to defend
alg–1 {pain}: algolagnia, algophobia, analgesia, cardialgia, causalgia, neuralgia, nostalgia, otalgia || Gr algos : pain
alg–2 {algae}: algae, algicide, algin, alginate, alginic, algology || L alga : seaweed †
ali– {other}: alias, alibi, alien, alienate, aliquant, aliquot, aliunde, inter alia ●part of al–1 || L alius : other, another, different aliēnus : that which belongs to another aliēnātio : transference or alientation of property, separation between persons
alim– {to feed, to nurture}: aliment, alimentary, alimentation, alimony ●alumnus ●see also al–3, alma– || L alere : to nourish, to support alimentum : food, maintenance alimentārius : relating to food or the distribution of food; alimonia : nourishment; alumnus (fem. alumna) : a nursling, a foster child
alk(al)– {alkali}: alkalescent, alkali, alkalimeter, alkaline, alkaloid, alkalosis, alkene, alkyd, alkyl || ME alkaly Ar al-qily for al-qili : ashes qalai : to roast in a pan
allanto– {sausage, sausage-shaped}: allantoic, allantoid, allantois ●see also alli– || ModL Gr allantoeidēs : sausage-shaped allas : sausage prob. dial. allē : garlic Oscan allo : garlicky sausage L ālium or allium : garlic
allax– {to change, other}: morphallaxis, parallax ●see also allo– || Gr allaxis : an exchange allassein : to change, to exchange allos : other
allel– {of one another}: allele, allelomorph, allelopathy, parallel ●see also allo– || Gr allēlos : one another allos : other
alli– {garlic}: alliaceous, allicin, allium ●allyl ●see also allanto– || L allium, ālium : garlic
all(o)– {other}: allegory, allergy, allogamy, allograph, allomorph, allonym, allopathy, allophone, allosaurus, allotropy, hypoallergenic ●part of al–1 ●see also allax–, allel– ●compare homeo– || Gr allos : other
alma– {nurturing, cherishing, fostering}: Alma, alma mater ●see also al–3, alim– || L almus (fem. alma) : nourishing, kind alere : to nourish, to support, to rear
alopia– {loss of vision, blindness}: hemeralopia, nyctalopia ●see also opia–, op–2 || Gr –alōps : blindness alaos : blind + ōps : eye
alp– {the Alps}: alpenglow, alpenhorn, alpenstock, alpestrine, alpine, Alps || L Alpes : the Alps
alpha– {the Greek letter alpha: Α}: alpha, alphabet, alphanumeric || Gr alpha Sem (as in Heb alef)
alt– {high}: altar, altimeter, altitude, alto, altocumulus, contralto, exalt ●see also haut– ●compare bas–2 ●Sp. alta || L altus : high altitūdo : height
altr– {other}: alter, altercation, alter ego, alternate, alternative, alternator, altruism, subaltern ●part of al–1 ●more at adulter– || L alter : other, one of two, the other altercātio : a dispute; alternare : to one thing then another, to alternate
alum– {alum, aluminum}: alum, alumina, aluminiferous, aluminum ●unrelated: alumnus || L alumen (gen. aluminis) : alum
am–1 {love, friendship}: Amabel (Mabel), Amanda, amateur, amative, amiable, amicable, amicus curiae, amity, amoretto, amorous, amour-propre, Amy, enamor, inamorata, paramour ●enemy, inimical ●Span. amor ●Fr. amour ●It. amore || L amare : to love amīcus : friendly, friend; amābilis : amiable, lovable; amor : love, the object of love
am–2 {ammonia}: amatol, amide (→amid–), amine (→amin–), amitrol, ammine || L ammoniacum ammōniakon : gum resin temple of Ammon (Amen) in Libya where the plants grew
am–3 {both, around}: amphora, amplexicaul, ampule, ampulla, amputate, amputee ●clipped form of ambi– or amph– ●same as an–3 || L amb, ambi : on both sides, around & Gr amphi– : around
amb– ●see ambi–
ambi–, amb– {both, around}: ambage, ambiance, ambidextrous, ambient, ambiguous, ambition, ambivalent, amboceptor ●more at ambl– ●see also amph– || L amb–, ambi– : on both sides, around
ambl– {to go around, to walk}: amble, ambulance, ambulate, ambulatory, funambulist, perambulator, postamble, preamble, somnambulist ●part of ambi– || L ambulare : to go back and forth, to walk about, to go, to travel ambulātor : one who walks about
ambly– {dull}: amblygonite, amblyopia, Amblypgi || Gr amblys : dull
ambro– {immortal}: ambrosia, ambrotype || Gr ambrotos : immortal a– : not + brotos : mortal
ameb– ●see amoeb–
amid– {ammonia compound}: amide, amidogen, amidol, cyanamid(e) ●part of am–2 || (am)monia + ac(id)
amin– {ammonia}: amine, amino acid, amino, amphetamine, antihistamine, dopamine, scopolamine, vitamin ●part of am–2 || ammonia
amnes– {to forget}: amnesia, anamnesis, amnesty, paramnesia ●see also mnem– || Gr amnēsia : forgetfulness a– : not + mimnēskein : to remember; akin to mnasthai : to remember
amnio– {amnion: the membrane holding a fetus}: amniocentesis, amniomancy, amnion, amniotic || Gr amnion, dim. of amnos : lamb
amoeb–, ameb– {amoeba}: ameba, amebiasis, amebic, amoeba, amoebaean, amoebocyte || ModL Gr amoibē : change ameibein : to change, to alter (amoeba “change” by fission) †
ampel– {vine}: ampelopsis || ModL Gr ampelos : vine †
amph– {both, around}: amphibian, amphibious, amphitheater ●see also ambi– || Gr amphi– : around
ampl– {large, big enough}: ample, amplidyne, amplify, amplitude, preamplifier || L amplus : large, spacious, ample amplitūdo : breadth, size; amplificare : to enlarge
amplex– {to twine around, to wind around}: amplexicaul, amplexus || L amplexus, pp. of amplectari : to twine around am– for ambi– : around, both + plexus & –plexus (with prefixes) : braided, plaited IE *plek– : to plait, to fold
amygdal– {almond}: amygdala, amygdalaceous, amygdale, amygdalin, amygdaloid || L amygdala Gr amygdalē : almond
amyl– {starch}: amyl, amylaceous, amylase, amylene, amylogen, amylolysis, amylum || Gr amylon : starch amylon (aleuron) : (meal) not ground at the mill a– : not + mylē : mill
an–1 {one}: an, another, any ●a (article) ●same as on–1 || OE an : one
an–2 {circle, ring}: anal, annelid, annular, annulet, annulus, anus || L ānus : anus, hence: ring dim. ānulus : finger ring, ring
an–3 {both, around}: ancipital, andante, anfractuous ●clipped form of ambi– ●same as am–3 || L ambi– : both, around
an–4 {not, without}: anaerobic, analgesia, anarchy, anecdote, anechoic, anencephaly, anergy, anesthesia, anhedonia, anhydrous, anisometric, anodyne, anomaly, anonymous, anorexia, anosmia, anoxemia, anoxia, anuran, anuria, anurous ●same as a–, used before a vowel || Gr a–, an– : not, without IE *ne– : not
ana– {up, upward, back, backward, again, throughout, according to}: Anabaptist, Anabasis, anabolism, anachronism, anadem, anadromous, anagram, analects, analemma, analeptic, analogy, analyze, anapest, Anastasia, anathema, anatomy ●compare cata– || Gr ana : up, on, again, apiece
andr– {man, male; and by extension: stamen, anther}: Alexander, Alexandra (Sandra), Andrea, Andrew, androgen, androgynous, android, androsphinx, androsterone, Cassandra, Leander, philander, polyandry ●compare gyn– || Gr andros, gen. of anēr : man, male
anem– {wind}: anemochore, anemograph, Anemoi, anemology, anemometer, anemone, anemophilous ●see also anim– || Gr anemos : wind Anemoi : the gods of the four winds
ang–, anx– {tightness, distress, pain}: angina, anger, angry, anguish, anxiety, anxious ●Ger. Angst || L angere : to squeeze, to press, to choke, to hurt, to distress, to torment, to make anxious anxius : anxious, uneasy
angel– {messenger}: angel, Angela, angelica, Angelo, Angelus, archangel, evangelical, Evangeline, evangelist ●Englebert || LL(Ec) angelus Gr(Ec) angelos : messenger
angi(o)– {container, vessel}: angiogram, angiology, angioma, angiosperm, sporangium ●compare gymn– || Gr angeion : case, capsule angos : vessel
angl– {the Angles, a Germanic people who came to England, hence: England}: Angle, Anglican, Anglicize, Anglo, Anglophile, Anglo-Saxon ●England || L Angli : Angles (a people living in Angle [Angul], Holstein) angle : hook (so named because of its shape)
anim– {breath, life, soul}: animadversion, animal, animate, animism, animosity, animus, equanimity, inanimate, longanimity, magnanimous, pusillanimous, unanimous ●see also anem– || L anima : life principle, soul; something breathing or blowing; breath of life, soul, spirit
anis– {anise}: anise, aniseed, anisette, anisole, hydroxyanisole || L anisum Gr anison : anise
anis(o)– {unequal}: aniseikonia, anisogamete, anisomerous, anisometric, anisometropia, anisotropic ●comb. of an–4 (not) and iso– (equal)
ankyl– {crooked, hence: a joint}: ankylosaur, ankylosis, ankylostomiasis || Gr ankylos : crooked
ann– {year}: annals, anniversary, anno Domini, annual, annuity, per annum, superannuated ●Sp. año ●same as enn– || L annus : year annalis : lasting one year; anniversārius : recurring every year; the turning of the year; annuus : lasting for a year; returning ever year, annual
ant(e)– {before, preceding}: ante, antebellum, antecedent, antechamber, antedate, antediluvian, ante meridiem, anterior, antler, antrorse ●same as anti–1 ●compare post–2 ●see also Appendix B || L ante : before, in front of
anth– {flower}: agapanthus, Anthea, anther, anthesis, anthocarpous, anthology, anthozoan, chrysanthemum, dianthus || Gr anthos : flower
anthrac–, anthrax– {coal, burning coal, ulcer, carbuncle, pustule}: anthracene, anthracnose, Bacillus anthracis, anthracene, anthracite, anthracnose, anthrax || L anthrax Gr anthrax : virulent ulcer (burning) coal, hence: ulcer, carbuncle anthrakitis : a kind of coal †
anthrax– ●see anthrac–
anthrop– {Man, human}: anthropocentric, anthropoid, anthropology, anthropometric, anthropomorphic, anthropophagous, lycanthrope, misanthrope, philanthropist, Pithecanthropus, theanthropism || Gr anthrōpos : man (human)
anti–1 {before, preceding}: antic, anticipate, antipasto, antiquate, antique, antiquity ●ancient ●same as ante– || L anti– (in comb.) : before ante– : before, in front of
ant(i)–2 {opposition}: antacid, antagonize, Antarctica, Antares, anthem, antiaircraft, antibiotic, antibody, antichrist, antidote, antifreeze, antihistamine, antimacassar, antimatter, antinomy, antipathy, antiperspirant, antipodes, anti-Semitic, antiseptic, antisocial, antithesis, antitoxin, antiwar, antonomasia, antonym ●compare pro– || Gr anti– : opposite, before anti– : against
anx– ●see ang–
aph– ●see apo–
api– {bee}: apian, apiary, apiculture, apitoxin, apivorous || L apis : bee apiārius : beekeeper
ap(o)–, aph– {off, off from, away, away from}: aperitif, aperture, aphelion, apheresis, aphorism, apocalypse, apocryphal, apogee, Apollyon, apology, apoplexy, aposematic, apostasy, apostle, apostrophe, apothecary, apothegm, apotheosis || Gr apo : off, from
aps– {arch, to fasten}: apse, apsis, synapse, synapsis || L apsis : an arch Gr hapsis : a fastening haptein : to fasten
apt– {to fit, to make fit}: adapt, apt, aptitude ●attitude, inept ●more at copul– || L apere (pp. aptus) : to fit, to adapt Gr haptein : to fasten
aqu(a)– {water}: aqua, aquacade, Aqualung™, aquamarine, aquarium, Aquarius, aquatic, aquatint, aqueduct, aqueous, aquifer ●see also eau– ●Span. agua || L aqua : water
aquil– {eagle}: Aquila, aquilegia, aquiline || L aquila : eagle aquilīnus : of an eagle
arachn– {spider, arachnid}: Arachne, arachnid, arachnoid, arachnophobia ●Sp. araña ●Fr. araignée ●It. ragno || Gr arachnē : spider †
arbitr– {judge, to use one’s judgment, to decide}: arbiter, arbitrage, arbitrary, arbitration || L arbiter : a witness, a hearer, a judge ad– : to + baetere : to go (one who goes to a place, a witness, a judge); arbitrātus : choice, decision; arbitrārius : arbitrary, uncertain
arbor– {tree}: arbor (spindle, axle), arboraceous, arboreal, arboretum, arboriculture, arborvitae ●unrelated: arbor (shady bower) || L arbor : tree
arc–1 {curve, bow}: arc, arcade, arch (structural), archer, archery || ME ark OFr arc L arcus : bow, arch, arched or curved thing
arc–2 {enclosed, secret, hidden; a closed box, chest}: arcane, arcanum ●ark || L arca : chest, box arcēre : to enclose, to shut in; arcānus : shut, closed, hidden, secret
arch–1 {beginning, earliest}: archaeology, archaic, archegonium, archetype, archive, menarche ●same as arch–2 || ME arche– OE arce- L archi–, arch– Gr archos : first, ruler
arch–2 {to be first, hence: to rule; ruler, chief}: anarchy, archangel, archbishop, archdiocese, archduke, archenemy, archfiend, archipelago, architect, diarchy, eparchy, gynarchy, hierarchy, matriarch, monarch, oligarchy, patriarch, symposiarch, tetrarch, triarchy ●same as arch–1 || ME arche– OE arce– L archi–, arch– Gr archos : first, ruler
arct– {a bear, northern}: Antarctica, arctic, Arcturus || L Arctūrus Gr Arktouros : the star Arcturus, the brightest star in the constellation Boötes, in the northern sky arktos : bear + ouros : a guard, a watcher. Arcturus appears to be watching the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor (Great Bear and Little Bear).
ard–1 {to burn}: aguardiente, ardent, ardor ●arson ●unrelated: arduous || L ardens (gen ardentis), prp. of ardēre : to burn ardor : flame, burning
ard–2 {[in Germanic names] hard, hardy, strong}: Bernard, Gerard, Leonard, Maynard, Reynard, Richard || OFr OHG hart : hard, strong
are– {open field}: area, areola || L ārea : a level or open space, esp. in a town dim. āreola : a little open space
aren– {sand, sandy place}: arena, arenaceous, arenicolous, arenite || L arēna, harēna : sand, sandy place, an arena in a Roman amphitheater covered with sand, the scene of contention or struggle
argent– {silver}: argent, argentiferous, Argentina, argentine, argentite || L argentum : silver
argill– {clay}: argillaceous, argillite || L argilla : clay Gr argos : white
ari– {air}: aria, ariose, arioso, malaria ●same as aer– || It aria L āēr : air
aristo– {best}: aristocracy, aristocrat, Aristophanes, Aristotle || Gr aristos : best
arithm– {number}: arithmetic, logarithm ●algorithm || Gr arithmein : to count arithmos : number
arium– {a place for}: aquarium, caldarium, cinerarium, Cognātarium, columbarium, herbarium, leprosarium, planetarium, sanitarium, solarium, terrarium ●same as torium–, tory– || L –ārium, neut. sing. of –ārius : a place for, or connected with
arm– {weapon}: alarm, arm, armada, armadillo, armament, armature, armed forces, armistice, armoire, armor, armorer, armory, army, disarm, firearm, gendarme ●unrelated: arm (body part) || L arma : implements, weapons, arms armare : to arm; armāmentārium : armory
art– {creative activity, art, skill, craft}: art, artifact, artifice, artificial, artisan, artist, artistry, artless, artwork, objet d’art ●same as ert– || L artis, gen of ars : profession, art, skill, knowledge, cunning
arthr– {joint}: anarthria, arthritis, arthroplasty, arthropod ●see also articl– || Gr arthron : joint IE *ar(ə)– : to fit together
articl– {joint}: article, articulate, articulated ●see also arthr– || L articulus, dim. of artus : joint IE *ar(ə)– : to fit together
artio– {even (number)}: artiodactyl ●compare perisso– || Gr artios : even
asc(o)– {bladder, bag}: aschelminth, ascites, asclepiadaceous, ascocarp, ascogonium, ascomycete, ascospore, ascus || Gr †askos : wineskin, bladder
ase– {suffix for types of enzymes}: carbohydrase, lipase, nuclease, protease, transcriptase ●there are many enzymes using this suffix || abstracted generic form
aspar– {asparagus}: asparagus, Aspartame™, aspartic acid || L Gr asparagos : asparagus
asper– {rough, to roughen}: ad astra per aspera, asper, asperity, exasperate || L asper : rough asperitās : roughness
asthen– {weakness}: ●see a– (not) + sthen– (strength)
astr– {star}: ad astra per aspera, aster, asterisk, asteroid, astral, astrogation, astrolabe, astrology, astronaut, astronomy, astrophysics, disaster ●Esther || Gr astron : star L astrum : star, constellation
ather– {grain, grainy matter}: atheroma, atherosclerosis || Gr athēr : awn, chaff
athl– {contest}: athlete, athletic, decathlon, pentathlon || Gr athlein : to contest for a prize athlos : a contest & athlon : a prize
atlant– ●see atlas–
atlas–, atlant– {Atlas}: Atlanta, Atlantean, atlantes, Atlantic, Atlantis, Atlas, atlas || Gr Atlas, a figure in Greek mythology who was compelled to bear the world on his shoulders. Atlantic Ocean Atlas Mountains in NW Africa Atlas. Atlas (book of maps) early atlases illustrated with a picture of Atlas bearing the earth.
atm– {air, vapor}: atmometer, atmosphere || Gr atmos : vapor
atom– {atom, extremely small, indivisible}: atom, atomic, atomicity, atomism, atomize || L atomus : incapable of division, atom Gr atomos : uncut, indivisible, atom a– : not + tomos : cut temnein : to cut
audi– {to hear}: audible, audience, audio, audit, audition, auditor, auditorium ●obedient, obey || L audire : to hear audientia : hearing, listening, attention; audītio : a hearing, a listening; audītor : hearer, listener; audītōrium : a place of audience, lecture room
aug– {to increase}: augend, augment, augur, augury, inaugurate ●auction ●same as aux– ●see also august–, author– || LL augēre (pp. auctum, prp. auxi) : to make grow, to increase, to enlarge, to enrich auctor : originator, author
august– {majestic, awe-inspiring}: august, August, Augusta, Augustine, Augustus Cæsar ●see also aug– || L augustus : majestic, dignified augēre : to increase, to enrich
aur–1 {ear}: aural, auricle, auricular, binaural, monaural || L auris : ear, the hearing dim. auricula : the external ear, earlobe
aur–2 {gold}: aureate, Aurelia, Aurelius, aureola, aureole, Aureomycin™, auric, auriferous, aurous, aurum ●same as or–4 || L aurum : gold Au, the chemical symbol for gold
auspic– {a term used in augury: to see omens in birds’ flight}: auspice, auspicial, auspicious ●auspex ●comb. of avi– + spic– || L auspicium : divination by means of birds auspex : one who observes birds for divination avis : bird + speciere : to observe, to look at
austr– {south}: aurora australis, Auster, austral, Australia, Australopithecus ●unrelated: Austria ●compare borea– || L auster : the south wind austrālis : southern
author– {to originate}: author, authoritarian, authoritative, authority, authorize ●see also aug– || ME autour OFr autor L auctor : one who gives increase, hence: originator, causer, doer augēre : to increase, to make grow
aut(o)– {within, self}: authentic, autistic, autobiography, autocrat, autogiro, autograph, automate, automatic, automation, automobile, automotive, autonomous, autopsy, autotomy || Gr autos : self
aux– {to assist, to add to}: auxesis, auxiliary, auxin, auxochrome ●same as aug– || L augēre (prp. auxi) : to make grow, to increase, to enlarge, to enrich, to furnish auxilium : help, assistance; auxiliārius : helping, auxiliary
av– {to desire}: avarice, avid, avidin || L avārus : desirous, covetous, greedy avāritia : avarice, cupidity; avidus : vehemently desiring, longing for
avi– {bird, to fly}: avian, aviary, aviation, aviator, aviatrix, avifauna, avionics, rara avis ●see also auspic– || L avis : bird aviārius : relating to birds; aviārium : aviary
ax– {pivot, hub, axis}: abaxial, adaxial, axilla, axial, axis, axle, axonometric, coaxial, preaxial || L axis : axle, axis
axi– {value, worth}: axiology, axiom, chronaxic || Gr axioun : to think worthy axios : worthy
axil– {armpit}: axil, axilla, axillary || L axilla : armpit
* Unattested, hypothesized
† Unknown origin
165 entries found.
Copyright © 2004–07 Daniel M. Short. All Rights Reserved.
