dactyl– {finger}: adactylous, artiodactyl, dactyl, dactylogram, dactylography, dactylology, perissodactyl, pterodactyl, syndactyl, zygodactyl ●date (fruit) || 
Gr daktylos : finger
dam–1, demn– {damage, harm}: condemn, damage, damn, damnatory, indemnify, indemnity || L damnum : loss, damage, injury 
damnare : to cause loss or injury; at law, to condemn, to sentence condemnare : to condemn cum : intensive prefix + –demn (comb. form) damnare • damage OFr damnum
dam–2 {lady, mistress}: dam (animal mother), dame, damsel, madam(e), Notre Dame ●demijohn ●Fr. mademoiselle, mesdames ●see also domin–, don–2 ●compare sir– || ME OFr L domina : lady fem. of dominus : master of the house, lord, master domus : house, home
dat– {to give, something given}: data, datary, date (all senses except the fruit), dative, datum, mandate (→mand–) ●same as dition– ●see also don–1, dor–, dos–2, dote–, dow– || L data, fem. of datus (neut. datum), pp. of dare : to give
de– {god}: Agnus Dei, Deanne, deicide, deify, deism, deity, Deo Volente, deuce (oath), deus ex machina, Gloria in Excelsis Deo ●see also di–1 || L deus : god, deity
dear– {valuable, precious, hence: scarce}: dear, dearth, endear || ME dere OFr deore : precious, costly, beloved; akin to Du duur, Ger teuer
deb– {to owe}: debenture, debit, debt, debtor, indebted || L dēbēre : to owe dēbitum : that is owed, debt; dēbitor : one who owes, debtor
dec–1 {ten}: decade, decagon, Decalogue, decanal, decapod, Decapolis, decathlon, December, decibel, decimal, decimate ●dean ●see also dodec– || L decem : ten & Gr deka : ten
dec–2 {proper, suitable, beautiful, elegant}: decent, decency, décor, decorate, decoration, decorum, indecorous || L decēre : to be fit, proper, seemly prp. decens (gen. decentis) : fitting, proper; decus (gen. decoris) : that which adorns or beautifies, distinction, honor
del– {to wipe out}: dele, delete, indelible || L dēlēre (pp. dēlētum) : to blot out, to efface, to destroy
delt– {the Greek letter delta: Δ}: delta, deltoid || Gr delta; of Semitic origin, as in Heb dāleth (ד), fourth letter of the alphabet
dem–1 {the people}: demagogue, demiurge, democracy, demographics, endemic, epidemic, epidemiology, pandemic || Gr dēmos : people, district
dem–2 {to bind, hence: a band for the head}: anadem, diadem || L Gr dein : to bind
demi– {half, not complete, less than full}: demigod, demimondaine, demimonde, demisemiquaver, demitasse, demivolt ●unrelated: demijohn, demiurge || OFr demi– : half L dīmidius : halved, divided, separated in the middle dis– : separate, apart, in different directions + medius : middle
demn– ●see dam–1
demon– {divinity, spirit, demon}: demon, Desdemona, eudemonia, pandemonium ●Damon || ME LL daemon : spirit, evil spirit Gr daimōn : divine power, fate, god
dendr– {tree}: dendrite, dendrochronology, dendrology, epidendrum, philodendron, rhododendron || Gr dendron dendreon : tree
dens– {compact, thick}: condensation, condense, dense, densimeter, density || ME L densus : compact, thick, close
dent– {tooth, to bite}: dental, denticulate, dentifrice, dentin, dentist, dentition, Dentyne™, edentate, indent, indenture, trident ●unrelated: irredentist ●see also odont– || L dentis, gen. of dens : tooth
derm– {skin}: dermal, dermatitis, dermatology, dermatoplasty, epidermis, hypodermic, pachyderm, taxidermy || Gr derma (gen. dermatos) : skin
destin– {to make fast, to fix down}: destination, destine, destiny, predestine || L dēstinare : to fix, to determine, to settle, to appoint, to aim at
deuter– {secondary}: deuteragonist, deuteranopia, deuterium, deuterogamy, Deuteronomy ●see also di–2 || Gr deuteros : second
dextr– {right [side]}: ambidextrous, dexter, dexterity, dexterous, dextrorse, dextrose ●compare sinistr– || L dexter : right (side), to the right
di–1 {god}: Diana, dianthus, divine, divinity, prie-dieu ●Fr. dieu ●Span. dios ●see also de– || L dīus : divine, divinity ( Gr dios : god) & dīvus : divine, deified dīvīnus : of a god, divine, divinely inspired dīvīnare : to prophesy, to fortell
di–2 {two, twice, double}: diacid, diadelphous, diarchy, diaster, diatom, diatomaceous, diazinon, dibasic, dicephalous, dichloride, digamy, diglot, digraph, dilemma, dimerous, dimorphism, diphenyl, dipterous, diphthong, diptych ●see also deuter–, dicho–, didym–, diplo–, divid–, dodec–, du–2, dy–, tw– || Gr di– dis– : twice
di–3 {day}: ante meridiem, circadian, dial, diary, Dies Irae, diet (assembly), dismal, diurnal (→journ–), meridian, meridional, per diem, post meridiem, quotidian, ultradian ●compare noct– || L diēs : day
di(a)– {through, across, apart, between}: adiabatic, diabetes, diabolic, diacritical, diadem, diadromous, diagnosis, diagram, dialect, dialogue, dialysis, diameter, diapason, diaphanous, diaphoresis, diaphragm, diarrhea, Diaspora, diastolic, diathermy, diatom, diatribe, dielectric, diet (food intake), diocese, diopter, diorama, direct, diuretic ●Span. Diablo || L Gr dia– (prefix) : through, across
dic–1 {to proclaim}: abdicate, dedicate, indicate, indices, judicial (→judic–), juridical, predicament, predicate, veridical, vindicate (→vindic–) ●index ●same as dict– || L dīcere (pp. dictum, prp. dixi) (comb. form –dicare) : to indicate, to appoint, to say, to speak, to tell; also related dicare : to dedicate, to consecrate
dic–2 {justice, right}: dicast, Eurydice, syndic, syndicalism, syndicate, theodicy || Gr dikazein : to pass judgment dikē : right, law, justice
dich(o)– {in two, apart}: dichasium, dichogamy, dichotomy ●see also di–2 || Gr dicho– dicha : in two, asunder
dict– {to say}: addict, Benedict, benediction, contradict, Dictaphone™, dictate, dictator, diction, dictionary, dictum, edict, indict, interdict, jurisdiction, malediction, mirabile dictu, obiter dictum, predict, valedictory, verdict, vindictive ●condition ●same as dic–1 || L dīcere (pp. dictum, prp. dixi) (comb. form –dicare) : to indicate, to appoint, to say, to speak, to tell; also related dicare : to dedicate, to consecrate
didac– {to teach}: Didache, didactic || Gr didaskein : to teach
didym– {double, twin}: didymium, didymous, epididymis ●see also di–2 || Gr didymos : twin
digit– {finger}: digit, digital, prestidigitation || L digitus : finger, toe
dign– {worthy, to deem worthy}: condign, dignify, dignitary, dignity, indignant, indignation ●deign, disdain, infra dig || L dignus : worthy dignare : to deem worthy
dino– {terrible}: dinothere, dinosaur ●unrelated: dinoflagellate || Gr deinos : terrible
diphy– {to bear two, to produce twice}: diphycercal, diphyodont ●see also di–2, physio– || Gr di– : two + phyein : to bear, to produce
diplo– {two, double, twin}: anadiplosis, diplococcus, diplodocus, diploid, diploma, diplomacy, diplomat, diplopia ●see also di–2 ●compare haplo– || Gr diploos : double diploun : to double, to fold in two
dips– {thirst}: Dipsas, dipsomania || Gr dipsa : thirst
direct– {straight, to direct, to correct}: bidirectional, direct, direction, directive, director, directory, directrix, indirect ●comb. of dia– + rect– ●same as dress–, droit– || L dīrectus : straight, direct, straightforward pp. of dīregere : to lay straight, to direct di– : apart + regere : to guide, to direct IE *reg– : straight, to lead straight, to lead, to put in order
disc–, disk– {disk}: disc, disco, discobolus, discophile, discothèque, discus, disk, diskette || L discus : quoit, disk-shaped object Gr diskos, akin to dikein : to throw
discipl– {pupil, learner, to learn}: disciple, disciplinarian, discipline || L discipulus : learner (also: LL(Ec) : a disciple of Jesus) discipere : to comprehend dis– : apart + capere : to take, to hold
disk– ●see disc–
dition– {giving}: addition (→add–), edition (→edit–), extradition, perdition, rendition (→rend–), tradition, vendition ●perdu ●unrelated: condition ●same as dat– ●see also don–1, dor–, dos–2, dote–, dow– || L –ditio, prp. of –dere (comb. form) dare : to give
divid–, divis– {to divide}: divide, dividend, divisible, divisive, divisor, individual, indivisible ●device, devise ●see also wid– || L dividere (pp. divisus, n. divisio) di– : apart + videre : to separate
divis– ●see divid–
doc–, doct– {to teach}: docent, docile, doctor, doctoral, doctrinaire, doctrine, document, documentary, indoctrinate || L docēre (pp. doctum) : to teach doctor : teacher; doctrīna : teaching, knowledge, learning
doct– ●see doc–
dodec– {twelve}: dodecagon, dodecahedron, Dodecanese, dodecaphonic ●comb. of do– (two: see du–2) + dec–1 (ten) || Gr dōdeka : twelve dō– : two + deka : ten
dol–, dolor– {pain, sadness}: condolence, dol, doleful, dolor, Dolores (Delores), dolorimetry, doloroso, dolorous, indolent, Via Dolorosa || L dolēre : to suffer pain, to grieve pp dolens : suffering; dolor (gen. dolōris) : pain, ache, anguish
dolich– {long}: dolichocephalic, dolichocranial, Dolichotinae ●compare brachy– || Gr dolichos : long
dolor– ●see dol–
dom– {house}: dome, domestic, domesticate, domicile, major-domo ●see also domin– || L domus : house, household, home, dwelling, abode domesticus : of the house, domestic; domicilium : place of residence; dominus : master of the house
domin– {lord, master, owner}: anno Domini, condominium, dominant, dominate, domineer, Dominic, dominical, Dominican Republic, dominion, dominium, domino, predominant ●domain ●Port. dom ●Dutch dominee ●same as don–2 ●see also dom–, dam–2 || L dominus : master of the house, lord ( domus : house, household, home) dominium : rule, power, ownership
domit– {to tame, to subdue}: indomitable || L domitare : to tame, to subdue freq. of domare (pp. domitum) : to tame, to subdue, to conquer
don–1 {to give}: condone, donate, donee, donor, pardon ●see also dat–, dition–, dor–, dos–2, dote–, dow– || L dōnare : to give as a present, to present dōnum : gift; akin to dare : to give; dōnatio (gen. dōnationis) : a giving, a donation
don–2 {lord, master, mistress}: belladonna, don (Oxonian), Donna, Don Juan, Don Quixote, madonna, prima donna ●Span. don ●Span. & Port. doña ●Ital. duenna ●same as domin– ●see also dam–2 || It & Sp don, donna L dominus : lord, master & domina : lady, mistress domus : house
dont– ●see odont–
dor– {gift}: Dora, Doris, Dorothea, Dorothy, Eudora, Isadora, Isidore, Pandora, Theodore, Thermidor ●see also dat–, dition–, don–1, dos–2, dote–, dow– || Gr dōros : gift
dorm– {to sleep}: dormant, dormer, dormitory, dormouse || L dormire : to sleep dormītōrius : of or for sleeping
dors–, dos–1 {the back}: dorsal, dos-à-dos (do-si-do), dossier, endorse, extrados, parados, tournedos || L dorsum : the back (of a man or animal) • dos words Fr dos L dorsum
dos–2 {to give}: apodosis, dose ●see also dat–, dition–, don–1, dor–, dote–, dow– || LL dosis : something given Gr dosis didonai : to give
dot– {foolish, feeble-minded}: dotage, dotard, dote, doting, dotty || ME doten to be foolish or feeble-minded †
dote– {to give}: anecdote, antidote, epidote ●see also dat–, dition–, don–1, dor–, dos–2, dow– || L Gr dotos : something given didonai : to give
doubt– {doubt}: doubt, redoubtable ●unrelated: redoubt ●same as dub– || ME douten OFr douter L dubitare : to doubt, to waver, to be uncertain
dow– {to give}: dowager, dower, dowry, endow, endowment ●see also dat–, dition–, don–1, dor–, dos–2, dote– || ME douere OFr douaire L dōtare : to give a dowry, to endow dōs (gen. dōtis) dare : to give
dox– {to think, to have opinion, to praise}: doxology, heterodox, orthodox, paradox ●unrelated: doxy || Gr doxa : opinion, praise dokein : to seem, to think
dra– {to draw, to pull, to drag}: bedraggled, draft, drag, draggle, dragnet, draw, drawer, drawers, drawl, dray || all ult. OE dragan : to draw, to drag; akin to Ger tragen : to bear, to carry & ON draga : to drag
dress– {to direct, to correct}: address (all senses), dress (all senses), dressage, dresser, redress ●same as direct–, droit– || ME dressen : to make straight, to direct OFr drecier VL directiare L dīrectus : straight, direct, straightforward pp. of dīregere : to lay straight, to direct di– : apart + regere : to guide, to direct IE *reg– : straight, to lead straight, to lead, to put in order
droit– {right, correct}: adroit, droit, droit du seigneur, maladroit ●same as direct–, dress– || Fr droit : right L dīrectus : straight, direct, pp. of dīregere : to arrange, to direct straight, direct, straightforward dis–, di– : separately, apart + regere : to guide, to direct IE *reg– : straight, to lead straight, to lead, to put in order
drom– {to run, a running}: aerodrome, anadromous, catadromous, dromedary, hippodrome, loxodromic, palindrome, prodrome, syndrome, velodrome || Gr dromos : a running, racecourse
dros– {dew}: Drosera, Drosophila || Gr drosos : dew
dry– {tree}: dryad, dryopithecine || Gr drys : tree, oak tree L dryas (gen. dryadis) : wood nymph, dryad
du–1 {to lead}: conduit, endue, subdue ●same as duc–, duct– || ME & OFr ult. L dūcere : to draw along, to lead
du–2 {two}: duad, dual, duet, duo, duodecimal, duodenum, duologue, duplex, duplicate, duplicity ●deuce, double ●unrelated: duel ●see also di–2 || L duo : two
dub– {doubt}: dubious, indubitable ●same as doubt– || L dubitare : to doubt, to waver, to be uncertain dubius : wavering, doubting, undertain, doubtful
duc– {to lead}: abducent, adduce, conducive, deduce, ducat, duchess, duchy, educate, educe, induce, introduce, produce, reduce, reproduce, seduce, traduce, transducer ●duke ●Ital. Il Duce ●same as du–1, duct– || L dūcere (pp. ductum) : to draw along, to lead
duct– {to lead}: abduct, adduct, aqueduct, conduct, conductor, deduct, duct, ductile, inductance, induction, introduction, product, production, reduction, reproduction, seduction, viaduct ●same as du–1, duc– || L ductum, pp. of dūcere : to draw along, to lead freq. ductare : to draw or lead, esp. to lead home; ductor : leader
dulc– {sweet}: dulcet, dulciana, dulcimer, Dulcinea ●dolce, La Dolce Vita || L dulcis : sweet
dur–1 {hard}: dura mater, duress, durum, epidural, obdurate, subdural ●dour ●compare pia– ●see also dur–2 || L dūrus (fem. dūra) : hard, tough, strong
dur–2 {to last, to endure}: durable, durance vile, duration, during, endure, perdure, perdurable ●see also dur–1 || L dūrare : to make hard, to harden, to last, to endure dūrus : hard, strong
dy– {two}: dyad, dyarchy, hendiadys ●see also di–2 || Gr dyo : two
dyn– {force, motion, power}: adynamia, aerodynamic, amplidyne, didynamous, dynamic, dynamite, dynamo, dynamometer, dynamism, dynasty, dyne, heterodyne, superheterodyne ●unrelated: anodyne || Gr dynamis : power, strength dynasthai : to be able
dys– {difficult, faulty, bad}: dysentery, dysfunction, dyslexia, dysmenorrhea, dyspepsia, dysphoria, dyspnea, dystrophy || Gr dys– : bad, hard, unlucky
* Unattested, hypothesized
† Unknown origin
85 entries found.
Copyright © 2004–07 Daniel M. Short. All Rights Reserved.
