caco– {bad}: cacoethes, cacogenics, cacography, cacophony ●compare eu– || 
Gr kakos : bad, evil
cad– {to fall}: cadaver, cadence, cascade, decadent ●decay ●same as cas–1, cid–1 || L cadere : to fall
cade– {procession}: aquacade, cavalcade, motorcade || cavalcade Fr It cavalcata cavalcare : to ride a horse VL caballicatum, pp. of caballicare : to ride a horse L caballus : horse
cafe– {coffee}: cafe (restaurant), café (coffee), cafeteria ●caffeine, coffee ●see also Appendix J || Fr It càffe Turk qahwe Ar qahwa : coffee; said to be named after Kaffa, an area in Ethiopia where the coffee plant was grown
cain– {cocaine}: cocaine, eucaine, Novocain™, procaine || cocaine Sp coca Quechuan cuca : coca
cal–1 {beautiful}: calisthenics, calla lily, calligraphy, Calliope, callipygian, calomel ●kaleidoscope || Gr kallos : beauty
cal–2 {heat}: calefacient, calenture, calescent, caloric, calorie, calorific, calorimeter ●Span. caliente ●same as cald– || L calor : heat, warmth calēre : to be warm, to glow
cal–3 {day of the month, month}: calendar, calends, calendula, intercalary, intercalate || L Kalendae, Calendae (gen. Kalendārum) : the first day of the Roman month calare : to call, to summon
calc–1 {stone}: calcareous, calciferous, calcify, calcium, calculate, calculus (all senses), incalculable ●chalk || L calcis, gen. of calx : stone, limestone, lime, chalk or akin to Gr chalix : pebble; 
dim. calculus : little stone, pebble
calc–2 {spur, heel, foot}: calcaneus, calcar (spur), recalcitrant ●calk, inculcate ●see also calc–3, calce– || L calx (gen. calcis) : heel IE *skel– : bent, curved, twisted
calc–3 {to press, to trample, to tread}: decalcomania ●calque, caulk ●ultimately from calc–2 || L calcare : to tread upon, to trample on calcis, gen. of calx : heel IE *skel– : bent, curved, twisted
calce– {shoe}: calceiform, calceolaria, calceolate, discalced ●ultimately from calc–2 || L calceus : shoe calx : heel calcitrare : to kick recalcitrare : to kick back (as a horse) recalcitrātus : a kicking back
cald– {hot}: caldarium, caldera, caldron, scald ●Fr. chaud ●same as cal–2 ●compare frig– || L calidus : warm, hot calēre : to be warm
calv– {the upper part of the skull, hence: bald}: calvarium, Calvary, Calvin || L calva : bald scalp of the head calvus : bald L calvāria : skull
calyps–, calypt– {to cover}: apocalypse, Calypso, calyptra, calyptrogen, eucalyptus ●unrelated: calypso (music) || Gr Kalypsō : a siren in Odyssey & kalyptra : covering, veil; both Gr kalyptein : to conceal, to cover
calypt– ●see calyps–
camar– {chamber}: camaraderie, camarilla ●comrade ●same as camer– || Fr L camera Gr kamara : vaulted chamber
cambi– {to exchange}: cambio, cambist, cambium ●see also change– || LL cambiare L cambire : to exchange
camer– {chamber}: bicameral, camera, camera obscura, camerlengo, in camera, unicameral ●chamber ●same as camar– || L camera Gr kamara : vaulted chamber
camp– {open field}: aide-de-camp, camp, campaign, camper, campfire, campground, Campobello, campus, decamp ●Span. campo, campesino ●same as champ– || L campus : level space, open field
can–1 {reed, cane, tube, rod, measuring rod}: canal, canasta, cane, canister, canneloni, cannon, cannula, canon, canonical, canonize, canyon, Cape Canaveral || L canna : reed, reedpipe Gr kanna : reed
can–2 {dog}: canaille, canary, Canary Islands, Canicula, canicular, canine, Canis (Major, Minor) || L canis : dog, hound
can–3 {duck}: canard, cancan || Fr canard : duck, hoax; can-can uncertain, possibly children’s word for duck
cand– {to burn, shining, white}: Candace, candelabra, candid, candidate, Candide, candle, candor, incandescent ●incendiary ●same as cens–2 || L candēre : to be of shining white, to shine candēla : candle; candidus : shining white; candor : white color, luster IE *kand– : to shine
cant–1 {corner, edge, angle}: cant (corner, tilt, slant), canteen, canthook, canthus, cantina, cantle, canton, cantonment, decant, decanter, epicanthus || ME & OFr cant : corner, angle, edge LL cantus : iron tire of a wheel Celt
cant–2 {to sing, to chant}: cant (speech), cantata, canticle, canto, cantor, descant, incantation, recant ●same as cent–2, chant– ●Sp. cantar || L cantus : song, poetry cantare : to sing or play music freq. of canere (pp. cantum) : to sing or play cantor : singer, player
cap–1 {to take, to seize}: capable, capacity, capstan, captivate, captive, caption, captor, capture, incapacitate, mercaptan ●catch ●same as ceit–, ceiv–, cept–, cip–, cup–1 ●see also capacit–, cas–3, chas– || L capere (pp. captum) : to take, to seize, to catch freq. captare : to seize, to lay hold of, to hunt captūra : a capture IE *kap– : to grasp
cap–2 {head}: cap-à-pie, cape (headland), capo, caporal, caprice, madcap, recap ●corporal (military rank) ●same as cap–3, capit–, ceps–, chap–, chief–, cipit– || L caput (gen. capitis) : head (of the body, of a group or organization, of an object, etc.) †
cap–3 {head covering, cape, cloak}: cap, caparison, cape (garment), capote, cappuccino, capuche, Capuchin, escapade, escape, escapement ●cope (vestment) ●same as cap–2, capit–, chap–, chief– || L caput (gen. capitis) : head (of the body, of a group or organization, of an object, etc.) †
capacit– {to take, to receive, to hold}: capacious, capacitance, capacitive, capacitor, capacity, incapacitate ●see also cap–1 || L capacis, gen. of capax : able to hold much, broad, capacious L capere : to take
capill– {hair}: capillaceous, capillarity, capillary, capillitium ●see also chevel– || L capillus : hair
capit– {head}: capital, capitalism, capitation, Capitol, capitulate, decapitate, per capita, recapitulate ●captain, chapter ●same as cap–2, cap–3, ceps–, chap–, chief–, cipit– || L caput (gen. capitis) : head (of the body, of a group or organization, of an object, etc.) capitālis : of the head, of life, of that which imperils a man’s life, deadly, mortal †
capr– {goat}: caper, capric acid, Capricorn, caprification, caprifig, capriole ●same as chevr– || L caper : billy goat & capra : she-goat
car–1 {to carry, vehicle}: car, career, cargo, caricature, cariole, caroche, carpenter, carriage, carrier, carry || L carrum, carrus : a four-wheeled carriage Gaul carros
car–2 {flesh}: carrion, caruncle ●same as carn– || carrion ME carioun Anglo-Fr carogne VL caronia : carcass L caro (gen. carnis) : flesh dim. caruncula : small piece of flesh
carb– {carbon, coal}: bicarbonate, carbide, carbohydrate, carbolic, carbon, carbonaceous, carbonate, carbonic, carboniferous, Carborundum™, carbuncle, carburetor || L carbo (gen. carbōnis) dim. carbunculus : little coal
carcin– {cancer}: carcinogen, carcinoma || Gr karkinōma : cancer karkinoun : to affect with a cancer karkinos : crab
cardi– {heart}: cardiac, cardiogram, cardioid, cardiology, cardiovascular, megalocardia, myocardium, pericardium, tachycardia ●unrelated: cardinal ●same as cord–1, cour–1 || Gr kardia : heart
carn– {flesh}: carnage, carnal, carnassial, carnation, carnival, carnivore, carnivorous, chili con carne, incarnadine, incarnate, reincarnation ●charnel ●same as car–2 || L caro (gen. carnis) : flesh
carp–1 {fruit, seed}: acarpous, apocarpous, carpel, carpology, carpophagous, carpospore, endocarp, exocarp, mesocarp, parthenocarpy || Gr karpos : fruit
carp–2 {to pluck, to seize}: carpe diem, carpet ●excerpt || L carpere : to pluck, to card
carp–3 {wrist}: carpal, carpus || Mod L Gr karpos : wrist
cart– {a piece of paper}: à la carte, carte blanche, cartel, cartogram, cartography, carton, cartoon, cartouche, cartridge, cartulary ●card (paper), discard ●same as chart– || OFr carte ML carta : card, paper L charta : leaf of paper, tablet Gr chartēs : layer of papyrus
cary– ●see kary–
cas–1 {a fall, to fall, to befall, to happen, an event, an occurrence, by chance}: cascade, case (occurrence, instance), casual, casualty, casus belli, occasion ●same as cad–, cid–1 || L casus : a chance, a falling, an occurrence cāsum, pp. of cadere : to fall
cas–2 {house}: Casablanca, Casa Grande, casemate, casino ●Span. casa || Sp & It casa : house L casa : hut, cottage
cas–3 {to contain}: case (container), caseharden, casement, caseworm, cash, cashier (money handler), casing, casket, cassation, cassette ●same as chas– ●see also cap–1 || OFr dial. casse OFr chasse L capsa : box, case capere : to take, to hold
case– {cheese}: casease, caseation, casefy, casein, caseous ●Ger. Käse ●Span. queso, quesadilla || L cāseus : cheese
cast–1 {to throw}: broadcast, cast, castaway, caster, castoff, downcast, forecast, miscast, outcast, simulcast, telecast || ME casten ON kasta : to throw
cast–2 {clean, pure, chaste}: caste, castigate ●incest ●same as chast– || L castus : clean, pure, chaste
castl– {castle, fortified place}: castellan, castellated, castle ●see also chester– || L castellum : castle, fortress, fort castrum : castle, fortified place
cat– {cat}: catamount, catboat, caterpillar, caterwaul, catfish, catkin, catnap, catnip, Catskills, cattail, catty, catwalk || ME & OE a general European root Germanic kattuz
cat(a)–, cath– {down, downward, back, backward, away, against, throughout, completely}: catabolism, catachresis, cataclastic, cataclysm, catacomb, catadromous, catafalque, catalepsy, catalog, catalyst, catamenia, cataphoresis, cataphyll, cataplasia, catapult, cataract, catarrh, catarrhine, catastasis, catastrophe, catatonia, catechesis, catechism, category, cathedral, catheter, cathexis, cathode, catholic, cation, catoptrics ●compare ana– ●cata– becomes cat– or cath– before a vowel. || Gr kata : down
caten– {chain, to link together}: catena, catenary, catenate, catenulate, concatenate || L catēna : chain
cath– ●see cata–
cathar– {pure, to purify}: catharsis, cathartic ●Catherine, Karen || Gr kathairein : to purify katharos : pure
caud– {tail}: acaudal, caudal, Caudata, caudate ●coda, coward || L cauda, cōda : tail
caul– {stem, stalk}: amplexicaul, caulescent, caulicle, cauliflower, cauline, caulis ●same as col–4 || L caulis, colis : stalk of a plant, cabbage
caus– {a cause, a reason, a lawsuit}: because, cause, cause célèbre, causerie ●unrelated: causeway ●same as cus– || L causa : a cause, reason, judicial process, lawsuit
caust–, caut– {to burn}: causalgia, caustic, cauterize, encaustic, holocaust, hypocaust || L causticus : burning, caustic Gr kaustikos kaustos : burning kautein : to burn
caut– ●see caust–
cautio– {to be on guard}: caution, cautious, precaution ●caveat || L cautio (gen. cautiōnus) : caution, care, foresight cavēre (pp. cautum) : to be on guard, to guard against, to beware
cav– {hollow}: cave, cavern, cavicorn, cavitate, cavity, concave, excavate, vena cava || L cavus (fem. cava) : hollow, concave cavare : to hollow, to excavate
caval– {horse}: cavalcade, cavalier, cavalla, cavalry ●Span. caballero ●same as cheval– || OFr It & Port cavalla L caballus : horse
ceas– {to go, to yield}: cease, decease ●unrelated: surcease see ●same as ced–, ced–, cess– || L cessare : to leave off, to cease work, to be idle, to be at rest ( cessātio : a delaying, inactivity; cessio : a giving up, a cession) cessum, pp. of cēdēre : to go, to go away, to withdraw, to retire
cec– {blind}: Cecil, Cecilia, cecum || L caecum : blind, unseen, hidden
ced–, ceed– {to go, to yield}: accede, antecedent, cede, concede, decedent, exceed, intercede, precede, precedence, precedent, procedure, proceed, recede, retrocede, secede, succeed ●same as ceas–, cess– || L cēdēre (pp. cessum) : to go, to go away, to withdraw, to retire
ceed– ●see ced–
ceil– {to conceal}: ceil, ceiling, ceilometer ●conceal || L cēlare : to hide, to conceal
ceit– {to take, to seize}: conceit, deceit ●receipt ●same as cap–1, ceiv–, cept–, cip–, cup–1 || OFr –ceit pp. of –ceveir L –cipere (in comb.) capere : to take, to seize, to catch
ceiv– {to take, to seize}: apperceive, conceive, deceive, perceive, preconceived, receive ●same as cap–1, ceit–, cept–, cip–, cup–1 || OFr –ceveir L –cipere (in comb.) capere : to take, to seize, to catch
cel–1 {heaven, the heavens}: Celeste, celestial ●coelostat || L caelestis caelum : heaven, the heavens, the sky
cel–2 ●see excel–
cele– {tumor, hernia, swelling}: cystocele, hydrocele, rectocele, varicocele || Gr kēlē : tumor, swelling, hernia
celebr– {to celebrate, to make known, to sing the praises}: celebrant, celebrate, celebration, celebrity || L celebrare : to visit frequently or in large numbers, to celebrate, to solemnize, to publish, to make known, to sing the praises of, to honor celebrātio : numerous assembly; celebritās : a multitude, fame, renown
celer– {swift}: accelerando, accelerate, celerity, decelerate || L celer : swift, rapid celeritās : swiftness, rapidity
cell– {small enclosure}: cell (all senses), cella, cellar, cellophane, cellular, cellule, cellulitis, Celluloid™, cellulose ●unrelated: cello || L cella : a room, storeroom, garret, mean apartment, in a temple: the shrine of the god’s image
cen–1 {new, young, fresh, recent}: cenogenesis, Cenozoic, Eocene, Holocene, Miocene, Oligocene, Paleocene, Pleistocene, Pliocene, recent || Gr kainos : recent
cen–2, coen– {common}: cenobite, cenospecies, coenocyte, coenurus, epicene || Gr koinos : common
cens–1 {to judge, to assess}: censor, censure, census, recension ●unrelated: incense || L censēre : to appraise, to estimate, to express an opinion censor : a magistrate in charge of the census, a severe judge, a moralist, a censurer; census : census IE *kens– : to speak solemnly, to proclaim
cens–2 {to burn, to shine}: censer, incense ●same as cand– || ME encens OFr LL incensum : incense L incensus, pp. of incendĕre : to kindle, to burn candēre : to burn, to shine IE *kand– : to shine
cent–1 {hundred}: cent, centavo, centenarian, centennial, centigrade, centimeter, centipede, centurion, century, percent || L centum : hundred centēnārius : containing a hundred; centuria : a division of a hundred
cent–2 {to sing}: accent, incentive, precentor ●same as cant–2, chant– || L cantus : song, poetry cantare : to sing or play music freq. of canere (pp. cantum) : to sing or play
centr– {center}: center, centerboard, centerpiece, central, centralize, centric, centrifugal, centrifuge, centripetal, centrum, concentrate, concentric, decentralize, eccentric, epicenter, ethnocentric || L centrum : center Gr kentron : sharp point kentein : to prick
cephal– {head, brain}: acephalous, Bucephalus, cephalopod, electroencephalogram, encephalitis, hydrocephalus, prosencephalon || Gr kephalē : head IE *ghebhel– : head
ceps– {head}: biceps, quadriceps, triceps ●unrelated: forceps ●same as cap–2, capit–, cipit– || ModL (in comb.) L caput : head †
cept– {to take, to seize}: accept, apperception, concept, conception, contraceptive, deception, except, exceptional, exteroceptor, imperceptible, inception, intercept, perception, perceptive, precept, preconception, receptacle, reception, receptive, susceptible ●forceps ●same as cap–1, ceit–, ceiv–, cip–, cup–1 || L –ceptum, pp. of –cipere (in comb.) capere : to take, to seize, to catch
cer–1 {wax}: adipocere, ceraceous, cerate, cere, cerecloth, cerement, cereus, ceriferous, cerography, ceromancy, ceroplastic, cerotic, cerotype, cerumen, ceruse, cerussite, ozocerite || Gr. kēros : wax
cer–2 {the goddess Ceres, goddess of agriculture}: cereal, ceres, ceria, ceric, cerite, cerium, cermet ●see also Appendix E || L Ceres (gen. Cerealis) : goddess of agriculture
cer(at)– ●see kerat–
cerc– {tail}: cercaria, Cercopithecidae, cercus, cysticercus, diphycercal || Gr kerkos : tail
cerebr– {brain}: cerebral, cerebration, cerebrospinal, cerebrum ●cerebellum || L cerebrum : brain dim. cerebellum
cern– {to separate}: concern, discern, secern ●see also cert–, crem–2, cret–2, crimin–2, crin–2, cris–, crit– || L cernere : to distinguish, to separate
cert–1 {to decide}: ascertain, certain, certificate, certify, certiorari, certitude ●decree || L certus : determined, fixed : pp. of cernere : to distinguish, to decide
cert–2 ●see concert–
cess– {to go, to yield}: abscess, access, accession, accessory, cessation, cession, concession, excess, incessant, necessary, precession, predecessor, process, procession, recess, recession, recessive, success, succession, successive ●ancestor ●same as ceas–, ced–, ced– || L cessare : to leave off, to cease work, to be idle, to be at rest ( cessātio : a delaying, inactivity; cessio : a giving up, a cession) cessum, pp. of cēdēre : to go, to go away, to withdraw, to retire
cet– {whale}: cetacean, cetane, cetology, Cetus, mysticete, spermaceti || L cētus : large sea creature: whale, dolphin, seal
chaet– {hair, bristle}: chaeta, chaetognath, chaetopod, Oligochaeta, polychaete, spirochaete ●see also set–2 || Gr chaitē : hair
chaf–, chauf– {to heat, to warm up}: chafe, chafing dish, chauffer, chauffeur, réchauffé ●unrelated: chafer, chaff || OFr chafer : to warm L calefacere : to heat up, to make warm calēre : to be warm + facere : to do, to make
chalc– {copper, brass}: chalcid, chalcocite, chalcography, chalcopyrite ●unrelated: chalcedony || Gr chalkos : copper, brass
cham– {on the ground}: chameleon, chamomile || Gr chamai : on the ground
champ– {open field, level country}: Champagne (France), champagne, champaign, Champaign (Illinois), champignon, champion, Champs Élysées ●same as camp– || Fr It L campus : level space, open field
chancel– {lattice, grating, hence: a place or person behind a lattice; also, to strike out or cross out [to make appear like a latticework]}: chancel, chancellor ●cancel, chancery ●Ger. Kanzler || ME chauncel OFr chancel LL cancellus L cancellaria : lattices cancella, pl. of cancellus : lattice, grating dim. of cancer : crossed bars carcer : prison
change– {to change}: change, changeable, changeling, changeover, exchange, interchange ●see also cambi– || ME changen OFr changier LL cambiare cambire to exchange Celt
chant– {to sing}: chant, chanteuse, chantey, chanticleer, chantry, enchant ●Fr. chanson ●same as cant–2, cent–2 || L cantus : song, poetry cantare : to sing or play music freq. of canere (pp. cantum) : to sing or play
chap– {head, head covering, protection}: chape, chapeau, chaperon, chapiter, chaplet ●more at chapl– ●same as cap–2, cap–3, capit–, chief– || OFr LL cappa : cape, hooded cloak, covering for the head
chapl– {originally, a sanctuary for the cope [cape] of St. Martin, hence: a sanctuary}: chapel, chaplain ●a cappella ●part of chap– || ME & OFr chapelle ML cappella dim. of cappa : cape, hooded cloak
charge– {to load}: charge, chargé d’affaires, discharge, recharge || ME OFr L carrus : wagon
charis– {divine gift or favor}: charisma, charismatic, Eucharist || Gr(Ec) charis : grace, kindness charizesthai : to show favor charein : to rejoice
chart– {a piece of paper}: chart, charter, Magna Charta, uncharted ●same as cart– || OFr carte ML carta : card, paper L charta : leaf of paper, tablet Gr chartēs : layer of papyrus
chas– {to seize, to hold, to contain}: chase (all senses), chaser, chassé, chasseur, chassis, enchase, purchase ●sashay ●same as cas–3 ●see also cap–1 || OFr chasse L capsa : box, case capere : to take, to hold
chast– {clean, pure}: chaste, chasten, chastise ●same as cast–2 || OFr L castus : clean, pure, chaste
chat– {castle}: chateau, chatelaine || Fr OFr chastel, castel L castellum : castle, fortress dim. of castrum : castle, fort
chauf– ●see chaf–
cheat– {to fall out, that which falls out}: cheat, escheat || ME eschete (pp. of escheoir) : that which falls to one VL excadere : to fall upon ex– : out + cadere : to fall, to occur
chel– {claw}: chela, chelate, chelicera, cheliform ●unrelated: Chelonia || Gr chēlē : claw
chem– {transmutation}: alchemy, biochemistry, chemical, chemistry, chemotherapy, chemurgy, photochemical || ME alchymie OFr alchimie ML alchemia Ar al-kīmiyā Gr chēmeia possibly from Khēmia : old name for Egypt
cherche– {to search}: cherchez la femme, recherché ●same as Eng. search || Fr chercher OFr cercher : to search LL circare : to go around, to go about, to explore
chester– {castle, fortified town}: Chester, Rochester, Westchester, Winchester ●see also castl– || OE L castrum : castle, fort, fortified camp
chet– ●see chaet–
cheval– {horse}: àcheval, cheval glass, chevalier ●chivalry ●same as caval– || OFr It & Port cavalla L caballus : horse
chevel– {hair}: chevelure ●dishevel ●see also capill– || Fr L capillatura : the hair, hairy
chevr– {goat}: chevron, chevrotain ●same as capr– || OFr chevron & chevrot VL caprione L capra : goat
chief– {head}: chief, chieftain, handkerchief, kerchief, mischief ●achieve, chef ●same as cap–2, cap–3, capit–, chap– || ME chef, chief : leader OFr VL capum L caput : head †
chil– {pepper}: chili, enchilada || MexSp Nahuatl chilli : chili pepper
chili– {thousand}: chiliad, chiliarch, chiliast ●Chilopoda ●same as kilo– || Gr chilioi : thousand
chiro– {hand}: chiral, chiromancy, chiropodist, chiropractor, Chiroptera, Hecatonchires ●Ger. Chirurg || Gr cheir : hand
chlamyd–, chlamys– {cloak}: achlamydeous, chlamydate, chlamydia, chlamydospore, chlamys || L Gr chlamyd– chlamys : mantle, cloak
chlamys– ●see chlamyd–
chlor– {green, chlorine [from its color]}: bichloride, chloral, chlorate, chloride, chlorinate, chlorine, chlorite, chlorite, chloroform, chlorophyll, chlorosis || Gr chloros : pale green
chol– {bile}: choler, cholera, choleric, cholesterol, choline, melancholy ●more at choline– || Gr cholē : gall bile
choline– {a bodily fluid}: acetylcholine, cholinesterase, succinylcholine ●part of chol– || Gr cholē : gall bile
chondr– {cartilage}: achondrite, achondroplasia, Chondrichthyes, chondrify, chondriosome, chondrite, chondrocranium, chondroma, chondrule, dichondra, enchondroma, hypochondriac, hypochondrium, mitochondrion || Gr chondros : cartilage, grain
chor–1 {singing, dancing}: choral, chorale, chorea, choreography, choriamb, choric, chorine, chorister, chorus, Terpsichore ●carol (song), choir || L chorus : band of dancers, persons singing and dancing ( chorēa : a dance) Gr choros : singing and dancing
chor–2 {to leave, to spread out, to go, to go to a place, a place}: anachorism, anchorite, anemochore, chorography, enchorial, isochore, zoochore || L Gr chōros : open area chorein : to spread out, to leave, to retire
chord– {cord, straight line, supporting member}: chord, chordate, harpsichord, hexachord, notochord, tetrachord || Gr chordē : catgut (usu. as the string of an instrument), cord, chord
christ– {Jesus Christ}: antichrist, Christ, Christabel, Christchurch, christen, christendom, Christian, Christianity, Christine, Christmas, Christopher, Corpus Christi ●Kirsten, Sangre de Cristo || L Christus Gr Christos : the anointed one chriein : to anoint
chro– {color}: isochroous, pleochroism ●see also chrom– || Gr –chroos (comb. form) chrōs : color; akin to chrōma : color
chrom– {color}: achromatic, chroma, chromatic, chrome, chromium, chromosome, chromosphere, Kodachrome™, monochrome ●see also chro– || Gr chrōma (gen. chrōmatos) : color
chron– {time}: anachronism, asynchronous, chronic, chronicle, chronological, chronometer, dendrochronology, synchronize ●more at synchro– || Gr chronos : time
chrys– {golden, yellow}: chrysalis, chrysanthemum, Chryseis, chryselephantine, chrysolite, chrysopoeia || Gr chrysos : gold Semitic
chthon– {earth}: allochthonous, autochthon, chthonian, chthonic || Gr chthōn : the earth
chute– {a fall}: chute, Deschutes, parachute || Fr chute : a fall OFr cheute cheoite, pp. of cheoir : to fall L cadere : to fall
chym– ●see enchym–
cid–1 {to fall, to happen}: accident, coincide, coincidence, deciduous, incident, Occident (compare or–1), recidivism ●same as cad–, cas–1 || L –cidere (comb. form) cadere : to fall, to happen, to occur
cid–2 {to cut, to cut down, to kill}: decide, deicide, fratricide, fungicide, genocide, germicide, herbicide, homicide, infanticide, insecticide, mariticide, matricide, patricide, pesticide, sororicide, suicide, uxoricide ●same as cis–2 || L –cida (comb. form) caedere : to cut down, to kill
cil– ●see concil–
cili– {eyelid, eyebrow, eyelash}: cilia, ciliated, supercilious || L cilium (pl. cilia) : eyelid
cinct– {to surround, to encircle}: cincture, precinct, succinct ●cinch ●same as cingl– || L cinctus : a girding, an encircling cinctum, pp of cingere : to surround, to encircle cinctura : girdle; cingulum : belt, girdle IE *kenk– : to gird, to encircle, to bind
cine(ma)– {motion, hence: motion picture}: cinéaste, cinema, CinemaScope™, cinematography, cinéma vérité, cinephile, Cinerama™, telecine ●specialized use of kine– || Fr Gr kinēma (gen. kinēmatos) : motion
ciner– {ashes}: cineraria, cinerarium, cinerator, cinereous, incinerate, incinerator || L cineris, gen of cinis : ashes
cingl– {belt, girdle}: cingulum, surcingle ●same as cinct– || L cingulum : belt, girdle IE *kenk– : to gird, to encircle, to bind
cinqu– {five}: cinquain, cinquecento, cinquefoil, Cinque Ports ●Fr. cinq ●It. cinque ●Sp. cinco ●see also quinqu–, quint– || ME OFr & It cinque : five L quinque : five IE *penkwe– : five
cip– {to take, to seize}: anticipate, emancipate, incipient, manciple, municipal, participate, participle, principal, principle, recipe, recipient ●same as cap–1, ceit–, ceiv–, cept–, cup–1 || L –cipere (in comb.) capere : to take, to seize, to catch
cipit–, ciput– {head}: ancipital, occipital, occiput, precipitate, precipitous, sinciput ●precipice ●same as cap–2, capit–, ceps– || L –cipitus (gen. comb. form) –ceps (comb. form) & –ciput (comb. form) caput : head
ciput– ●see cipit–
circ– {ring, round about}: circa, circadian, circle, circuit, circuitous, circular, circulate, circus, encircle ●cirque ●more at circum– || L circus : circle, ring, racecourse ( circum : in a circle, around circa : around, round about); dim. circulus : circle, circuit
circum– {around}: circumcise, circumference, circumlocution, circumnavigate, circumscribe, circumspect, circumstance, circumvent ●part of circ– || L circum : in a circle, around circus : circle, ring, racecourse
cirr– {curl, tendril, filament}: cirrate, cirriped, cirrocumulus, cirrose, cirrostratus, cirrus ●unrelated: cirrhosis || L cirrus : a curl, a lock, a ringlet of hair
cis–1 {on this side}: cisalpine, cisatlantic, cislunar, cismontane || L cis : on this side of
cis–2 {to cut}: abscise, circumcise, concise, concision, decision, decisive, excise (to cut out), incision, incisive, incisor, précis, precise, precision, recision, scissors ●chisel ●unrelated: excise (tax) ●same as cid–2 || L –cīsum, pp. of –cīdere (comb. form) caedere : to cut, to cut down
cist– {box, chest}: cist, cistern, cisterna || L cista : chest, box for keeping money cisterna : cistern
cit–1 {city, citizen}: citadel, citify, citizen, city ●same as civ– || ME cité, citet OFr L cīvitās : citizenship cīvis : citizen
cit–2 {to set in motion, to summon}: citation, cite, excite, incite, oscitancy, recital, recite, resuscitate, solicit ●unrelated: elicit || L citare : to put into motion, to summon freq. of ciēre (pp. citum) : to move, to rouse, to disturb, to excite
civ– {city, citizen}: civic, civil, civilian, civility, civilization, civilize ●Span. ciudad ●same as cit–1 || ME cité, citet OFr L cīvitās : citizenship cīvis : citizen cīvīlus : of a citizen; cīvīcus : of a citizen, civic
clad– {branch, shoot}: clade, cladistics, cladoceran, cladogram, cladophyll || Gr klados : branch
claim– {to cry out}: acclaim, claim, declaim, disclaim, disclaimer, exclaim, proclaim, reclaim ●same as clam– || ME claimen OFr claimer : to call, to claim L clāmare : to cry aloud, to shout, to call to or call upon, to proclaim clāmor : a loud shouting
clair– {clear}: Clair, clairaudience, clairvoyant, éclair, éclaircissement, Eau Claire ●same as clar– || Fr clair : clear L clārus : clear, distinct
clam– {to cry out}: acclamation, clamor, exclamation, proclamation, reclamation, reclamé ●same as claim– || L clāmare : to cry aloud, to shout, to call to or call upon, to proclaim clāmor : a loud shouting
clar– {clear}: Clara, Clare, Clarence, claret, Clarice, clarify, clarinet, clarion, clarity, claro, declaration, declare ●Ger. klar ●same as clair– || L clārus : clear, distinct
clase– {to break, to fracture}: oligoclase, orthoclase, plagioclase ●same as clast– || Gr klasis : a cleaving, fracture klaein : to break klastos : broken
class– {class, division}: class, classic, classify, classis, classy, déclassé || L classis : class or division of the Roman people classicus : relating to the classes of people
clast– {to break}: anaclastic, cataclastic, clastic, iconoclast, pyroclastic ●same as clase– || Gr klastos : broken klaein : to break klasis : a cleaving, fracture
claud– {lame}: Claude, Claudia, claudication || L claudus : limping, lame claudicare : to be lame, to limp
claus– {closed}: clause, claustral, claustrophobia, mare clausum ●same as clois–, clos–, clud–, clus– ●see also clav–1 || L clausum, pp. of claudere : to shut, to close; same as clūdere, pp. clūsum; akin to clāvis : key
clav–1 {key, locked or closed-off place}: autoclave, clavichord, clavicle, clavier, conclave, enclave, exclave, subclavian ●clef, roman à clef ●see also claus– || L clāvis : key; akin to claudere : to shut, to close
clav–2 {club}: clave, clavate, clavicorn, claviform || L clāva : club, cudgel
cleist– {closed}: cleistogamous, cleistothecium || Gr kleistos : closed
clemen– {mild, kind}: clemency, clement, Clement, Clementine, inclement || L clēmens (gen. clementis) : mild, kind, merciful
clim– {slope}: acclimate, anticlimax, climacteric, climactic, climate, climatology, climax, clime ●same as clin–1, clit–, cliv– || Gr klima : region, zone klinein : to to slope (climate klima was originally the slope of the earth down from the poles) klimax : ladder
clin–1 {slope, to lean}: aclinic, anaclinal, anticline, cline, clinometer, decline, incline, recline, thermocline ●declension ●same as clim–, clit–, cliv– ●see also clin–2 || L –clīnare (only in comb.) : to lean, to incline Gr klinein : to lean
clin–2 {to recline, hence: bed, couch}: clinic, diclinous, monoclinous, policlinic, polyclinic, triclinium ●see also clin–1 || Gr klinikē technē : practice at the sickbed klinikos : of the bed klinē : bed klinein : to recline
clit– {to slope, to lean, a hill}: anaclitic, clitoris, enclitic, proclitic ●same as clim–, clin–1, cliv– || Gr –klitikos (in comb.) : leaning klinein : to lean klitys, kleitys : hill kleitoris : clitoris
cliv– {slope, to lean}: acclivity, declivity, proclivity ●same as clim–, clin–1, clit– || L clīvus : slope, rise, gradient; akin to –clīnare (only in comb.) : to lean, to incline
clois– {closed}: cloisonné, cloister ●same as claus–, clos–, clud–, clus– || Fr L clausum, pp. of claudere : to shut, to close claustrum : a means of shutting in: bolt, bar, enclosure cloister
clos– {to close}: close (near), close (to shut or conclude), closet, closure, disclose, eclosion, enclose, enclosure, foreclose ●cloture ●same as claus–, clois–, clud–, clus– || Fr L clausum, pp. of claudere : to shut, to close, to enclose
clud– {to close}: conclude, exclude, include, occlude, preclude, seclude ●same as claus–, clois–, clos–, clus– || L –clūdere, pp of claudere (in comb) : to shut, to close, to enclose
clus– {closing}: conclusion, exclusive, inclusive, malocclusion, occlusion, recluse, seclusion ●same as claus–, clois–, clos–, clud– || L –clusum (pp. of –cludere) (in comb.) claudere : to shut, to close, to enclose
cnid– {nettle, hence: stinging}: Cnidaria, cnidocyst, cnidocyte || ModL Gr knidē : nettle
coc– {to cook, to prepare food, to prepare, to contrive}: concoct, decoct, precocious ●cook, dementia praecox ●same as cott– || L coctum, pp. of coquere : to cook thoroughly It. cotta : cooked, baked
coca– {coca plant}: coca, Coca-Cola™, cocaine || Sp coca Quechuan cuca : coca
cocc– {berry, seed, kernel; a type of bacterium of spherical shape}: coccid, cocciferous, Coccinellidae, coccolith, coccus, echinococcus, enterococcus, gonococcus, pneumococcus, staphylococcus, streptococcus ●cochineal ●unrelated: coccyx || ML Gr kokkos : kernel, seed, berry †
cochl– {snail shell, hence: spiral}: cochlea, cochleate || L cochlea Gr kochlias : snail kochlos : shellfish; akin to konchē : conch
cock– {cock, rooster, and its perceived characteristics}: cock, cockade, cockalorum, cockchafer, cocker spaniel, cockerel, cockeye, cockney, cockpit, cocksure, cocky, gamecock, peacock, woodcock ●unrelated: cockamamie, cockatiel, cockatoo, cockatrice, cockboat, cockle, cockroach, cocktail || ME kok OE coc & OFr coq; akin to Dan kok & ON kokkr
cod– {tree trunk, wood, wooden tablet, to write on a tablet, document, legal document}: code, codex, codify, codicil ●unrelated: coda || L cōdex (gen. cōdicis) : tree trunk, a book of wooden tablets, a book dim cōdicilli
coel– {body cavity}: amphicoelus, coelacanth, coelenterate, coelenteron, coeliac, coelom ●celiac ●unrelated: coelostat || Gr koilia : body cavity koilos : hollow
coen– ●see cen–2
coff– {basket}: coffer, cofferdam, coffin ●unrelated: coffee || ME & OFr L cophinus : basket, hamper
cogn– {to know}: cognition, cognizant, cognomen, cognoscente, incognito, pharmacognosy, precognition, recognition, recognizance, recognize, terra incognita ●unrelated: cognate ●same as conn– ●see also quaint– || L cognoscere (pp. cognitus) : to become acquainted with, to get to know, to learn; of judges: to examine, to decide ( cognitio : getting to know, study, knowledge) cum : together with + gnoscere, noscere : to become acquainted with, to get knowledge of
col–1 {the large intestine, the colon}: colic, coliform, colitis, colon, colopexy, colostomy || Gr kolon : the colon
col–2 {to dwell}: arenicolous, colony, corticolous, limicoline, limicolous, nidicolous, pratincole, saxicolous, terricolous ●same as cult– || L colere (pp. cultum): to cultivate, to till, to attend colōnia : farm, estate, dwelling
col–3 {to filter}: colander, percolate, piña colada || L cōlum : sieve, strainer, colander cōlare : to strain percōlare (pp. percōlatus) : to percolate
col–4 {cabbage}: colcannon, cole, coleslaw, colza ●cauliflower, kohlrabi ●same as caul– || ME col OE cal L caulis, colis : the stalk of a plant, cabbage plant
cole– {sheath}: Coleoptera, coleoptile, coleorhiza, coleus || Gr koleos : sheath
coll–1 {neck}: collar, decollate, décolletage, décolleté, torticollis ●accolade || L collum : neck collāre : a chain for the neck; dēcollare : to behead
coll–2 {glue}: collage, collagen, collenchyma, collodion, colloid, collotype || Gr kolla : glue
colon– {column}: colonel, colonnade ●column ●unrelated: colon (large intestine), colon (punctuation or unit of prosody) || It colonna : column L columna : column, pillar
color– {color}: color, Colorado, coloration, coloratura, colorblind, colored, colorfast, colorful, colorless, discolor || L color : color, hue
coloss– {huge}: colossal, Colosseum, colossus || L colossus : a gigantic statue ( colosseum : gigantic, colossal) Gr kolossus : gigantic
colp– {womb}: colpitis, colpopexy, colposcope || Gr kolpos : womb
colubr– {serpent, snake}: colubrid, colubrine ●cobra || L coluber (fem. colubra) : snake, serpent
columb– {dove, gray, ashen}: columbarium, columbary, columbine || L columbus : dove, pigeon (orig. a gray bird) columbārium : dovecote, columbarium
com–1 {Generally has the sense of ‘with, together, alongside.’ Also used as an intensive. In some cases, it has no definable sense apart from the attached stem.}: accommodate, accompany, accomplice, combat, combine, combustion, comfort, command, commemorate, commence, commend, commensurate, comment, commerce, commiserate, commission, commit, commode, commodore, common, commotion, communicate, community, commute, compact, companion, compare, compass, compassion, compatible, compel, compensate, compete, compile, complain, complement, complex, compose, compound, comprehend, comprise, compromise, computer, recompense ●same as con–1, coun–, cum– || L com– (comb. form) cum : together with IE *kom– : beside, near, by, with
com–2 {hair}: coma (all senses except unconsciousness), comate, comet || L coma : hair of the head, foliage of trees Gr komē : hair
comit– {to go with, to accompany}: comitative, comitia, concomitant ●unrelated: comity ●comb. of com–1 + it– || L comitari : to accompany, to attend cōmes (gen. cōmitus) : fellow-traveller, companion on a journey com– : together with + itum, pp. of īre : to go IE *ei– : to go
commun– {common, public, to exchange}: commune, communicable, communicant, communicate, communion, communiqué, communism, community, excommunicate, incommunicado ●common || L commūnis : shared, common, public commūnicare : to share, to divide out; commūnicātio : communicating, imparting
con–1 {with, together, alongside}: ●same as com–1 (used before c, d, g, j, n, q, s, t, v and sometimes f), coun– ●extended form: contra– || L con– (comb. form) cum : together with IE *kom– : beside, near, by, with
con–2 {to strive, to attempt}: conation, conative, conatus || L cōnari : to undertake, to endeavor, to attempt, to strive cōnātus : an effort, an undertaking
concert– {to bring into agreement, to harmonize}: concert, concerted, concertina, concerto, disconcert || L concertare : to strive, to contend com– : together with + certare : to settle by contest, to struggle
conch– {shell, mollusk, mussel}: conch, concha, conchiferous, conchoid, conchology || L concha : seashell Gr konchē : mussel, shell; akin to kochlos : shellfish
concil– {to call together}: conciliate, conciliatory, reconcile ●council || L concilium : a coming together, assembly, gathering, council ( cum– : together + calare : to call, to summon) conciliare : to bring together, to unite
cond– {to put up, to put away, to store, to hide}: abscond, Escondido, incondite, recondite || L condere (pp. condītum, prp. condidi) : to put up, to put away, to hide com– : with, together + –dere (comb. form) : to put, to set IE *dhē– : to set, to put
condyl– {a hard lump or knob, knuckle}: condyle, condyloid, condyloma || Gr kondylos : knuckle
confid– {to trust, to have faith in}: confidant, confide, confidence, confident, confidential ●comb. of con–1 + fid–1 || L confīdere : to have complete trust, to be assured ( con– (comb. form) cum : together with + fīdere : to trust, to believe, to confide in) confīdentia (gen. confidens) : confidence
congru– {to meet, to coincide}: congruent, incongruous || L congruere (prp. congruens) : to come together, to meet, to coincide con– : with, together + *gruere, *ruere : to fall †
conid– {dust, spores}: conidial, conidiophore, conidium || ModL conidium : spore Gr konis : dust IE *koni– : dust *keni– : dust, ashes
conn– {to know}: connoisseur, reconnaissance, reconnoiter ●comb. of com–1 + gno– ●same as cogn–, quaint– || Fr L cognoscere (pp. cognitus) : to become acquainted with, to get to know, to learn; of judges: to examine, to decide ( cognitio : getting to know, study, knowledge) cum : together with + gnoscere, noscere : to become acquainted with, to get knowledge of
consul–, consult– {to seek counsel, to consult, to deliberate, to consider}: consul, consular, consult, consultant, jurisconsult ●counsel || L consulere (pp. consultum) : to deliberate, to consider freq. consultare : to consider maturely, to ponder, to weigh
consult– ●see consul–
contr(a)– {against, opposite, complementary}: contraband, contrabass, contrabassoon, contraceptive, contradict, contraindicate, contralto, contrapuntal, contrary, Contras (Nicaragua), contrast, contravene, contretemps, control, controversy, incontrovertible ●extension of con–1 ●same as counter– || L contrā con– (comb. form) cum : with, together + extension –tra as in extra : opposite, over against, on the opposite side
copi– {plenty}: copious, copy, cornucopia ●see also op–3 || L cōpia : abundance, plenty ( co– (comb. form) cum : together with + Opis : goddess of abundance) cōpiōsus : richly provided, wealthy
copro– {excrement}: coprolite, coprology, coprophagous, coprophilia || Gr kopros : dung, excrement
copul–, coupl– {to join together}: accouplement, copula, copulate, couple, couplet ●comb. of co– + apt– || L cōpula : link, bond co– (comb. form) cum : with, together + aptus : fitted to, fastened to cōpulātio : union, connection •couple OFr cople cōpula
cor– {to run}: corral, corridor, succor ●Span. corrida ●same as cour–2, cours–, cur–2, curs– || Fr It correre : to run L currere (pp. cursum) : to run •corral & corrida Sp. currere
corac– {a raven}: coraciiform, coracoid ●see also corv– || Gr korax : raven corax : raven species IE *ker–, *kor– : echoic of harsh sounds, bird sounds
cord–1 {heart}: accord, accordance, accordion, concord, concordance, cordate, cordial, cordiform, discord, misericord, record ●same as cardi–, cour–1 || L cordis, gen of cor : the heart: as seat of emotions, as seat of thought, hence: the mind, judgment
cord–2 {gut, string, cord}: cord (all senses), cordage, Cordelier, cordelle, cordillera, cordite, cordless, cordon bleu, cordon sanitaire, cordon, corduroy, cordwood || OFr corde L chorda Gr chordē : catgut (usually as the string of an instrument), chord, cord
cori– {skin, hide, leather}: coriaceous, corium, excoriate ●currier || L corium, corius : hide, skin, leather coriārius : tanner
corn– {horn}: cavicorn, Capricorn, corn (skin growth), cornea, corneous, corner, cornet, cornucopia, cornuted, tricorn, unicorn ●unrelated: acorn || L cornū : horn
corolla– {garland, money paid for a garland, gratuity, corollary}: corolla, corollary ●diminutive of coron– || L corolla : little crown ( dim. of L corona : crown) corollārium : garland of flowers given to actors, hence: gift, gratuity
coron– {crown}: corona, Coronado, coronal, coronary, coronation, coroner, coronet ●diminutive form: corolla– || L corona : crown, a thing resembling a crown
corp– {body}: corporal (of the body), corporation, corporeal, corps, corpse, corpulent, corpus, Corpus Christi, corpus delicti, corpuscle, esprit de corps, habeus corpus, incorporate ●corsage, corset ●unrelated: corporal (military rank) || L corpus : body, substance
cortic– {tree bark, shell, outer covering, cortex}: cortical, corticate, corticoid, corticolous, corticosterone (cortisone), corticotropin ●cortex || L corticis, gen. of cortex : bark, rind, shell
corv– {crow, raven}: Corvidae, corvina, corvine, corvus (crow genus), Corvus (constellation) ●unrelated: corvette, corvée ●see also corac– || L corvus : raven, crow IE *ker–, *kor– : echoic of harsh sounds, bird sounds
cosm– {order, world, universe}: cosmetic, cosmic, cosmogony, cosmology, cosmonaut, cosmopolitan, cosmorama, cosmos, macrocosm, microcosm || Gr kosmos : universe, world, order
cost– {rib, side, coast}: accost, costa, costal, costate, costard, costermonger, costrel, intercostal ●coast, entrecôte ●Fr. côte || L costa : rib, side
cot– {covering, shelter, house}: cot (cottage, shelter), cote, coterie, cotquean, cottage, cottier, dovecote, sheepcote || ME & OE cot : hut, covered place
cott– {cooked}: biscotti, manicotti, ricotta, terra cotta ●biscuit ●same as coc– || It cotta : baked, cooked L cocta, fem. pp. of coquere : to cook thoroughly
cotyl– {hollow, cavity}: acotyledon, cotyledon, cotyloid, dicotyledon, epicotyl, hectocotylus, hypocotyl, monocotyledon, polycotyledon || Gr kotylē : hollow, cavity
couch– {to lie down}: couch, couchant, couchette || ME & OFr couche : bed, lair coucher : to lie down L collocare : to place com– : with, together + locare : to place, to put, to set
coun– {with, together}: council, counsel, count (all senses), countenance ●extended form: counter– ●same as com–1, con–1 || ME & OFr L con– (comb. form) cum : with, together IE *kom– : beside, near, by, with
count–1 {to count}: account, accountable, count (to enumerate), countdown, counter (one who counts), counter (surface), discount, recount (to narrate) ●raconteur || ME counten OFr conter L computare : to count, to reckon together, to calculate cum : with, together + putare : to clear up, to reckon, to estimate, to consider
count–2 {rank of nobility}: count, county ●It. conte, Fr. comte ●unrelated: country || ME counte OFr conte L cōmes (gen. cōmitus) : fellow-traveller, companion on a journey com– : together with + īre (pp. itum) : to go IE *ei– : to go
counter– {against, opposite, complementary}: counter (to oppose, to respond), counteract, counterattack, counterbalance, counterclockwise, counterespionage, counterfeit, counterinsurgent, countermand, countermeasure, counterpart, counterpoint, counterproductive, counterpunch, countersign, encounter ●country ●extension of coun– ●same as contra– || ME countre– OFr contre– L contrā con– (comb. form) cum : with, together + extension –tra as in extra : opposite, over against, on the opposite side IE *kom– : beside, near, by, with
coup– {to strike, to cut off}: coup, coup de foudre, coup de grâce, coup de main, coup de maître, coup d’état, coup de théâtre, coup d’oeil, coupé, coupon, decoupage, recoup ●cope (to deal with) ●It. colpo || ME coupe & Fr coup, both OFr colp ML colpus VL colapus L colaphus : a blow, a box on the ear Gr kolaphos
coupl– ●see copul–
cour–1 {heart}: courage, discourage, encourage ●Couer d’Alene ●same as cardi–, cord–1 || ME & OFr L cor : the heart: as seat of emotions, as seat of thought, hence: the mind, judgment
cour–2 {to run}: au courant, courante, courier ●same as cor–, cours–, cur–2, curs– || OFr courrier It. corriere, both L currere (pp. cursum) : to run
cours– {to run}: concourse, course, courser, discourse, intercourse, recourse ●same as cor–, cour–2, cur–2, curs– || Fr course OFr cours L cursus, a running cursum, pp of currere : to run
court– {enclosure, court}: court (all senses), courteous, courtesan, courtesy, courthouse, courtier, courtly, court-martial, Courtney, courtroom, courtship, courtyard ●cohort ●same as curt–1 || OFr VL curtis L cohortis gen. of cohors : enclosure, yard—especially for cattle, hence: troop, company
coutr– {to sew}: accouter, accouterment, couture, couturier, haute couture ●suture || Fr couture : sewing, seam VL consutura : seam L consutus, pp. of consuere : to sew, to stitch, to join con– (comb. form) cum : together, with + suere : to sew sūtūra : seam, suture
cover– {to cover}: cover, coverage, coverlet, covert, coverup, discover, uncover ●unrelated: recover ●compare overt– ●see also per–2 || ME coveren OFr covrir L cooperire operire : to cover
cracy–, crat–1 {power, rule}: aristocrat, bureaucrat, democracy, Democrat, mobocracy, ochlocracy, plutocrat, technocracy, theocracy || • –cracy Fr –cracie ML –cratia Gr –kratia : rule kratos : rule, strength • –crat Fr –crate Gr kratēs kratos
cras–, crat–2 {to mix, to temper}: crasis, crater, idiosyncrasy || L crater : mixing bowl, mouth of a volcano Gr kratēr kerannynai : to mix
crass– {thick}: crass, incrassate || L crassus : thick, dense
cre– {flesh}: creodont, creosol, creosote, pancreas || Gr kreas : flesh
creant– {believer}: miscreant, recreant ●same as cred– || OFr L crēdere : to trust, to believe
creas– ●see cres–
creat– {to bring forth, to produce}: create, creation, creativity, procreate, recreation ●creole || L creatus, pp. of creare : to create, to produce creātor : creator, maker, founder • creole Fr créole Sp criollo Port crioulo : native to the region, born at home criar : to rear, to nourish L creare
cred– {to believe}: accredit, credence, credentials, credenza, credible, credit, creditor, credo, credulous, discredit, incredible ●creed ●same as creant– || L crēdere (pp. crēditum) : to trust, to believe, to entrust a person with a thing, to lend money crēditor : creditor; crēdulus : credulous; crēdibilis : credible, trustworthy
crem–1 {to grow}: decrement, increment ●same as cres–, cret–1, cru– || L –crēmentum (comb. form) : to grow, to increase L crescere : to grow, to increase
crem–2 {to separate}: excrement, recrement ●same as cret–2 ●see also cern–, crin–2, cris–, crit– || L –crēmentum (comb. form) : something separated cernere (pp. crētum) : to separate, to sift
cren– {notch, groove}: crenate, crenature, crenel, crenellate, crenulate || VL crena : notch, grove
crep– {to rattle, to creak}: crepitation, decrepit, decrepitate, discrepancy || L crepitare : to rattle, to creak, to crackle freq. of crepare (pp. crepitum) : to rattle, to creak, to crackle
cres–, creas– {to grow}: concrescence, crescendo, crescent, decrease, decrescendo, decrescent, increase, increscent ●same as crem–1, cret–1, cru– || L crescere : to grow, to increase • –crease words OFr L
cret–1 {to grow}: accrete, concrete, concretion ●same as crem–1, cres–, cru– || L crētum, pp. of crescere : to grow, to increase
cret–2 {to separate, to discern}: discrete, discretion, excrete, secret, secretariat, secretary, secrete, secretion, secretive ●discreet ●same as crem–2 ●see also cern–, crin–2, cris–, crit– || L crētum, pp. of cernere : to separate, to distinguish
crimin–1 {crime, judgement}: criminal, criminology, decriminalize, incriminate, recrimination ●crime || L crīminis, gen of crīmen : accusation, charge, the crime with which a person is charged
crimin–2 {to divide, to distinguish, to separate}: discriminate, indiscriminate ●see also cern– || L discrīminare : to separate, to divide discrīmen (gen. discrīminus) : dividing line, distinction, difference discernere : to sever, to separate, to distinguish dis– : apart + cernere : to separate, to distinguish
crin–1 {hair}: crinite, crinoline || L crīnis : a hair or the hair of the head crīnītus : hairy, having long hair
crin–2 {to separate}: apocrine, eccrine, endocrine, holocrine ●see also cern–, crem–2, cret–2, cris–, crit– || Gr krinein : to separate
crin–3 {lily}: crinoid, Crinoidea, crinum, encrinite || Gr krinon : lily
cris– {to separate to discern}: crisis, hyprocrisy ●same as crin–2, crit– ●see also cern–, crem–2, cret–2 || Gr krisis krinein : to separate, to discern
crit– {to separate to discern}: criterion, critic, critical, criticize, critique, diacritical, hematocrit, hypercritical, hypocrite ●same as crin–2, cris– ●see also cern–, crem–2, cret–2 || Gr kritikos : critical, able to discern (or kritēs : judge) krinein : to discern, to separate
croch– {hook, hence: bent}: crochet ●croquet, crosier, crotchet, encroach || ME & OFr crochet dim. of croc : hook
crout– {crust}: crouton, en croûte ●same as crust– || Fr croûte : crust L crusta : crust, rind, or shell of a thing
cru– {to increase, to grow}: accrue, recruit ●same as crem–1, cres–, cren–1 || OFr L crescere : to grow, to increase
cruc– {cross}: crucial, cruciate, crucifer, crucifix, crucifixion, cruciform, crucify, excruciating, Las Cruces, Rosicrucian ●cruise, crusade, crux || L crucis, gen. of crux : cross
crud– {raw, unrefined, in a natural state}: crude, crudités, recrudesce ●ecru || L crūdus : uncooked, raw, unprepared, harsh, rough, cruel crūdescere : to become hard, violent crūdēlis : unfeeling, cruel OFr cruel : cruel
crust– {shell}: crust, crustacean, crustaceous, crusty, encrust ●same as crout– || L crusta : the crust, rind, or shell of a thing
cryo– {extreme cold, frost}: cryobiology, cryogenics, cryolite, cryometer, cryonics, cryophyte, cryoscopy, cryostat, cryosurgery || Gr kryos : cold, frost
cryph– ●see crypt–
crypt–, cryph– {hidden}: Apocrypha, apocryphal, crypt, cryptic, cryptogram, cryptology, cryptozoology, decrypt, encrypt, procryptic ●krypton || Gr kryptos : hidden kryptein : to hide
cten– {comb teeth, comblike}: ctenidium, ctenoid, ctenophore || Gr ktenos, gen. of kteis : comb
cub–1 {to lie down}: concubine, cubicle, incubate, incubus, succubus ●unrelated: cubit, cubbyhole ●see also cumb– || L cubare : to lie down, to go to bed
cub–2 {cube}: cube, cubic, cubiform, cubism, cuboid ●unrelated: cubicle, cubit, cubbyhole || L cubus Gr kybos : cube, die, vertebra
cuck– {cuckoo}: cuckold, cuckoo ●coccyx || ME OFr coucou, cucu echoic • cuckold in Old World folklore the female cuckoo is thought to change mates frequently
cul–1 {diminutive}: homunculus, majuscule, minuscule, molecule, opuscule, reticule, retinaculum, ridicule, tuberculosis || L –culus, –culum : a diminutive-forming suffix
cul–2 {posterior, rump, bottom}: bascule, cul-de-sac, culet, culottes ●recoil || L culus : the posterior, bottom (of the human anatomy)
culp– {guilt, blame}: culpa, culpable, culprit, exculpate, inculpable, inculpate, mea culpa || L culpa : fault, blame culpare : to find fault, to blame
cult– {to cultivate, to dwell, to inhabit}: acculturation, agriculture, cult, cultivate, culture, horticulture, viticulture ●colony ●unrelated: occult ●same as col–2 || L cultus : tilling, cultivation, tending cultum, pp. of colere : to cultivate, to till, to tend; to live in a place, to dwell; to pay respect, to honor colōnia : farm, estate, dwelling; colōnus : farmer, colonist, inhabitant
cum– {with}: magna cum laude, summa cum laude, vade mecum ●same as com–1 || L cum : with, together IE *kom– : beside, near, by, with
cumb– {to lie down}: accumbent, incumbent, procumbent, recumbent, succumb ●see also cub–1 || L –cumbere (comb. form) cubare : to lie down
cumbr– {burden}: cumber, cumbersome, cumbrance, disencumber, encumber, encumbrance || ME combren acombren OFr encombrer combre : obstruction, barrier Gaulish
cumul– {heap, mass}: accumulate, cumulative, cumulus || L cumulus : heap, pile, mass cumulare (pp. cumulatus) : to heap up, to pile up
cune– {wedge}: cuneal, cuneate, cuneiform ●coin || L cuneus : wedge, wedge-shaped
cup–1 {to take, to seize}: nuncupative, occupant, occupation, occupy, preoccupy, recuperate ●recover ●same as cap–1, ceit–, ceiv–, cept–, cip– || L –cupare (in comb.) capere : to take, to seize, to catch
cup–2 {desire}: concupiscence, Cupid, cupidity ●covet || L cupidus : desirous, eager, keen cupere : to desire, to long for, to wish for cupido : longing, desire Cupido : Cupid, the god of love
cup–3 {cup, cup-shaped}: cup, cupbearer, cupboard, cupcake, cupful, cupel, cupola, teacup || ME & OE cuppe LL cuppa L cupa : tub, cask
cupr– {copper, metal of Cyprus}: cupreous, cupric, cupriferous, cuprite, cupronickel, cuprous, cuprum || LL cuprum L Cyprium aes : Cyprian brass, brass of Cyprus (copper)
cur–1 {care}: accurate, curable, curate, curator, cure, curette, curettage, curious, incurable, manicure, pedicure, procurator, procure, secure, security, sinecure ●proctor, proxy || L cura : care, concern, attention, trouble cūrare : to care for, to pay attention to, to trouble about cūrātor : one who takes care, curator; cūriōsus : careful, attentive, inquisitive, curious cūriōsitās : inquisitiveness, curiosity
cur–2 {to run}: concur, concurrent, current, currency, curriculum, extracurricular, incur, occur, recur ●same as cor–, cour–2, cours–, curs– || L currere : to run
curia– {court}: amicus curiae, curia || L cūria : one of 30 divisions of Roman patricians the meeting-place of the curia the meeting-place of the Roman senate
curs– {to run}: cursive, cursor, cursory, discursive, excursion, precursor, recursive ●corsair ●same as cor–, cour–2, cours–, cur–2 || L cursus, a running cursum, pp. of currere : to run freq. cursare : to run here and there cursor : runner
curt–1 curtilage, Curtis, curtsy ●same as court– || ME OFr LL cortis VL curtis L cohors (gen. cohortis) : enclosure, yard—especially for cattle, hence: troop, company
curt–2 {to cut short}: curt, curtail, curtal, curtate || L curtus : short curtare : to shorten, to abbreviate
curv– {curve}: curvaceous, curvature, curve, curvet, curvilinear, incurve, recurve || L curvus : bent, bowed, arched, curved curvātūra : a curving, arching
cus– {to charge, reason, cause, lawsuit}: accusation, accusative, accuse, excuse, inexcusable, recusant ●same as caus– || L –cūsare (comb. form) causa : a cause, reason, judicial process, lawsuit
cusp– {point}: bicuspid, cusp, cuspid, cuspidate, tricuspid ●unrelated: cuspidor || L cuspis (gen. cuspidus) : point, pointed end, spear
cuss– {to shake}: concussion, discuss, percussion, repercussion, succussion || L –cussum (pp. of –cutere) (comb. form) quatere : to shake, to agitate, to trouble
custom– {usual practice, custom}: accustom, custom, customary, customer, customs ●costume ●see also suet– || OFr costume L consuētūdo : custom, usage, habit consuescere (pp. consuētum) : to accustom, to habituate cum : with, together + suescere : to become accustomed; akin to suus (stem sui–) : one’s own
cut– {skin}: cutaneous, cuticle, cutin, cutis, subcutaneous || L cutis : skin, esp. skin of a person dim. cutīcula : the skin, cuticle
cyan– {blue}: cyan, cyanide, cyanimide, cyanine, cyanosis, cyanotype, phycocyanin || ModL Gr kyanos : blue
cyber– {to steer, to control, to guide, to control}: cybernation, cybernetics, cyberpunk, cyberspace ●cyborg ●see also govern– || cybernetics (coined 1948 by Norbert Wiener) : human and computer control systems Gr kybernētēs : helmsman kybernan : to steer, to govern
cycl– {wheel, circle}: bicycle, cyclamate, cycle, cyclic, cyclist, cyclone, cyclotron, encyclical, encyclopedia, epicycloid, hypocycloid, motorcycle, recycle, tricycle, unicycle ●Greek kuklos, thus: Ku Klux Klan || LL cyclus Gr kyklos : circle, cycle
cym– {a wave}: cyma, cymatium, cyme, cymograph, cymoid, cymophane, cymose || Gr kymos : something swollen, a billow, a wave
cymb– {boat, hollow of a vessel}: cymbal, cymbalom, cymbidium || L cymba, cumba : small boat, skiff Gr kymbē : boat, hollow of a vessel
cyn– {dog}: apocynaceous, cynic, cynical, cynosure || Gr kyōn : hound
cyprin– {carp}: cyprinodont, cyprinoid || Gr kyprinos : carp
cyst– {sac, bladder, cyst}: blastocyst, cyst, cystectomy, cystic, cysticercus, cystine, cystocarp, cystocele, cystolith, cystoscope, cystotomy, encyst, pneumocystis, sporocyst || Gr kystis : sac, bladder
cyt– {cell}: cytochemistry, cytokeratin, cytokinesis, cytology, cytoplasm, leukocyte, lymphocyte, oocyte || Gr kytos : a hollow
* Unattested, hypothesized
† Unknown origin
332 entries found.
Copyright © 2004–07 Daniel M. Short. All Rights Reserved.
