m– {me}: madam(e), madonna, me, milady, mine, my, myself ●Fr. mademoiselle, moi, mon, Monsieur ●Ger. mein, mich, mir || 
IE *me– : first person singular pronoun 
L meus : mine
machin–, mechan– {to devise, to contrive}: deus ex machina, machination, machine, machinery, machinist, mechanic, mechanical, mechanism, mechanize || L māchina : machine, artificial contrivance for doing work māchinari : to contrive, to invent, to devise Gr mēchanē : machine, engine mēchos : a contrivance
machy– {fight, battle}: Gigantomachy, logomachy, naumachy, tauromachy, Titanomachy || Gr machē : battle
macro– {long, large}: macrobiotics, macrocephaly, macroclimate, macrocosm, macrocyte, macroeconomics, macron, macrophage, macroscopic ●amphimacer ●compare micro– || Gr makros : long
macula– {spot, stain}: immaculate, macula, maculate, maculation || L macula : spot, stain, blemish, fault maculare : to make spotted, to stain, to defile
mag– {to be able, to have power}: Magi, magic, magician || L magus : magical magus : a learned man among the Persians Gr magos OPers magus : member of a priestly class, magician IE magh– : to be able, to have power
magistr– {master}: magisterial, magisterium, magistral, magistrate ●master ●see also magn–, mistr– ●compare ministr– || L magister : master, chief, head ( magistrātus : the office of a magister, magistrate, state official) magnus : great IE *meg(h)– : great, large
magn– {great}: Charlemagne, Magna Charta, magna cum laude, magnanimous, magnate, Magnavox™, Magnificat, magnificent, magnify, magniloquence, magnitude, magnum, magnum opus ●unrelated: magnesium, magnet ●comparative form: major– ●superlative form: maxim– ●see also magistr–, maha–, mega– ●compare min–2 ●See also Appendix C || L magnus : great, large (compar. maior, superl. maximus) IE *meg(h)– : great, large
mah(a)– {great}: maharani, maharajah, maharishi, mahatma, Mahayana, mahout ●see also magn– || Sans maha– : great; akin to L magnus IE *meg(h)– : great, large
maieus–, maieut– {pregnancy, birth}: maieusiophilia, maieutic || Gr maieutikos : obstetric maieuesthai : to act as a midwife maia : midwife, nurse prob. IE *mā– : mother
main– {hand}: coup de main, legerdemain, maintain, maintenance ●Fr. main ●same as man–1 || OFr main L manu–, abl. of manus : hand IE *man– : hand
maj(or)– {greater}: force majeure, majesty, major, Majorca, majority, majuscule ●mayor ●comparative of magn– ●compare minor– ●See also Appendix C || L maior : greater; compar. of magnus : great IE *meg(h)– : great, large
mal– {bad, ill}: dismal, grand mal, maladjusted, maladroit, malady, malaise, malapropism, malapropos, malaria, malcontent, malediction, malefactor, malefic, malfeasance, malevolent, malformed, malfunction, malice, malicious, malign, malignant, malinger, Malleus Maleficarum, malnutrition, malodorous, malpractice, maltreat, malware ●comparative form: pejor– ●superlative form: pessim– ●compare bon–, ben–1 ●See also Appendix C || L malus : bad, evil (compar. peior, superl. pessimus)
malac– {soft, hence: mollusk}: malacology, Malacosoma, malacostracan, osteomalacia, spondylomalacia ●see also moll– || Gr malakos : soft
mall– {hammer}: malleable, malleolus, mallet, malleus, Malleus Maleficarum, pall-mall ●maul || L malleus : hammer IE *melə– : to crush, to grind
mamm– {breast}: mammal, mammaplasty, mammary, mammogram, mammography || L mamma : breast IE *mā– : mother; echoic of a baby’s cry for the breast
man–1 {hand}: amanuensis, emancipate, manacle, manage, manciple, mandate (→mand–), maneuver, manicure, manifest, manifesto, manipulate, manner, mannerism, mansuetude, manual, manufacture, manumit, manure, manus, manuscript ●Span. mano ●Fr. main ●same as main– || L manus : hand manuālis : fitted to the hand, thrown by hand IE *man– : hand
man–2 {to remain, to dwell}: immanent, manor, manse, mansion, permanent ●remain, remainder, remnant ●same as men–2 || L manēre (pp. mansum) : to remain, to stay, to wait for
man–3 {rare, thin, sparse; pressure [of a gas]}: manometer, manoscopy, manostat, sphygmomanometer || Gr manos : rare (in the sense of thin, sparse)
manc–, mant–1 {divination, sorcery}: aeromancy, ailuromancy, amniomancy, astromancy, bibliomancy, cartomancy, chiromancy, geomancy, hydromancy, mantic, mantis, margaritomancy, necromancy, oneiromancy, ophiomancy, onomancy, osteomancy, rhabdomancy, et al. ●unrelated: romance || OFr –mancie (comb. form) Gr manteia : divination, prophecy mantis : prophet, seer
mand– {to command, to order}: command, commandant, commandeer, commando, countermand, demand, mandamus, mandate, mandatory, remand ●commodore ●comb. of man–1 + dat– ●same as mend–1 || L mandare : to commit to one’s charge, to command, to commission manus : hand + dare (pp. datum) : to give
mang– {to chew}: blancmange, mange, manger, mangy ●mandible ●unrelated: mangle || L manducare : to eat mandere : to chew
mani– {many}: manifold, many || OE manig : many IE *menegh– : many, abundant
mania– {madness, to rage}: Beatlemania, bibliokleptomaniac, decalcomania, dipsomania, egomaniac, kleptomania, mania, megalomania, monomania, nymphomania || Gr mania : madness mainesthai : to rage
mann– {manna}: manna, mannite, mannitol, mannose || Aram mannā Heb mān : manna
mant–1 ●see manc–
mant–2 {cloak, covering}: dismantle, manta, manteau, mantel, mantelpiece, mantilla, mantle, mantua, portmanteau || L mantellum : covering, cloak
mar–1 {sea}: aquamarine, mare (sea), mare clausum, mare liberum, mare nostrum, mariculture, marina, marinade, marinate, marine, mariner, maritime, Marlin, Marlow, marsh, Marvin, rosemary, submarine, ultramarine ●same as mer–1 || L mare : sea
mar–2 {horse}: mare (horse), marshal (all senses), Marshal || OE mere, fem. of mearh : horse
marc–1 {boundary, to mark off a boundary}: demarcation, march (all senses), marchese, marchioness ●same as marqu– || OE, Sp, Fr, It; various paths, all ult. Gmc root marka : to mark off boundaries, a boundary mark
marc–2 {Mars, god of war}: Marcel, March, Marcia (Marsha), Marcus, Marcy ●Mark ●same as mart– || L Mars (gen. Martis) : Mars, god of war and agriculture, father of Romulus, progenitor of the Romans
margar– {pearl}: Margaret, margaric acid, margarine, Margarita, margarite, margaritomancy ●Margery (Marjory), Margo(t), Marguerite, marguerite || L margarīta Gr margaritēs margaron : pearl; akin to or from Sans manjram : pearl
margin– {boundary, border}: emarginate, margent, margin, marginalia ●see also marc–1, marqu– || L margo (gen. marginis) : border, edge, boundary; akin to Gmc marka : boundary
mari– {Mary}: Maria, Marian, Marie, Marietta, marigold, Marilyn, Marion, marionette, Mary ●Maureen, Miriam || ME Marie OE LL(Ec) Maria Gr Maria, Mariam Heb Miryām or Aram Maryām : original meaning uncertain
marqu– {boundary, boundary marker, mark, sign, token, pledge}: marque (all senses), marquee, marquess, marquetry, marquis, marquise, marquisette ●same as marc–1 || Fr marquer : to mark & marquis : prefect of a border town; ult. old Gmc root marka : to mark off boundaries, a boundary mark
mart– {Mars, god of war, hence: military, of war}: martial, Martian, martin, Martin ●same as marc–2 || L Martis, gen. of Mars : Mars, god of war and agriculture, father of Romulus, progenitor of the Romans
masc–, mask–, masqu– {mask}: antimasque, mascara, mask, masque, masquerade ●unrelated: mascot || Fr masque It maschera, mascara : mask; prob. Ar maskhara : clown, buffoonery •mascara Sp It mascara
mascul– {male}: emasculate, masculine ●Span. macho ●compare fem– || L masculus, dim of mas : male (opp. of fēmina : female)
mask– ●see masc–
masqu– ●see masc–
mass– {lump, bulk}: amass, biomass, en masse, mass, massif, massive ●unrelated: mass (church rite), massacre, massage, massé || L massa : lump, mass Gr maza : barley cake massein : to knead
mast– {breast, nipple}: mastectomy, mastitis, mastodon, mastoid || Gr mastos : breast
mat– {the will, willing}: automat, automatic, automation, automaton || Gr auto– : self + –matos : willing
math– {to learn}: chrestomathy, mathematician, mathematics, polymath || Gr manthanein : to learn (stem math–) manthēma : what is learned
matin– {morning, daytime}: matinal, matinée, matins || OFr matin : morning; ult. L matūtīnus : early in the morning Mātūta : goddess of the dawn and early morning
matr– {mother}: alma mater, dura mater, material, matériel, maternal, maternity, matriarch, matricide, matriculate, matrilineal, matrilocal, matrimony, matrix, matron, pia mater ●matter ●Span. madre ●Ger. Mutter ●see also metr–2 ●compare patr– || L māter : mother IE *māter– : mother *mā– : mother; echoic of a baby’s cry for the breast
maxill– {jaw, upper jaw}: maxilla, maxillary, maxilliped, maxillofacial || L maxilla : jawbone
maxim– {greatest}: maxim, maximal, Maximilian, maximize, maximum ●Maxine, maxiskirt ●superlative of magn– ●compare minim– ●See also Appendix C || L maximus : greatest, largest; superl. of magnus : great IE *meg(h)– : great, large
mazd– {wise}: Ahura Mazda, Mazdaism, Ormazd || Avestan mazda : wise
mea– {to pass through}: impermeable, meatus, permeate || L meare : to go, to pass meātus : a going, a way, a path
meal– {meal [milled grain]}: meal (milled grain), mealy, oatmeal ●unrelated: meal (food served and eaten) ●see also mol–2 || ME mele OE melu; akin to Ger mehl
mean– ●see men–3
mec– {length, long}: Mecoptera, paramecium ●compare brachy– || Gr mēkos : length
mechan– ●see machin–
med– {to heal}: medical, medicament, Medicare, medicate, medicinal, medicine, remedial, remedy || L medēri : to heal, to cure medicus : healing, medicinal, physician; medicari : to heal, to cure; medicinus : of the art of healing, means of healing; remedium : a means of healing, remedy
medi– {between, middle}: immediate, in medias res, intermediary, intermediate, media, median, mediate, medieval, mediocre, Mediterranean, medium, multimedia ●same as meri–, mezz– ●see also meso–, mid– || L medius : middle, intermediate medium : the middle IE *medhyo– : middle
medit– {to meditate, to think deeply}: meditate, premeditate || L meditari : to think over, to consider, to meditate meditātio (gen. meditātōnis) : a meditation, a contemplation
medl– {to mix}: meddle, medley ●same as mel–2, misc–, mix– || OFr medler mesler : to mix VL misculare L miscēre (pp. mixtum) : to mix, to mingle IE *meik– or *meig– : to mix
mega– {great, large, one million}: mega– (10⁶), megabyte, megacycle, megalith, megaphone, megathere, megaton, megawatt, omega ●superlative form: megist– ●extended form: megalo– ●see also magn– || Gr megas : great, mighty IE *meg(h)– : great, large
megal(o)– {large, very large, abnormally large}: acromegaly, cardiomegaly, megalocardia, megalomania, megalopolis, megalosaur ●extension of mega– || Gr megal–, comb. form of megas : great, mighty IE *meg(h)– : great, large
megist– {greatest}: Hermes Trismegistus ●Almagest ●superlative of mega– || Gr megistos, superl. of megas : great, mighty IE *meg(h)– : great, large
meio– {smaller, to make smaller, less}: meiosis ●Miocene ●unrelated: miosis ●see also min–2 || Gr meiōn : less IE *mei– : small
mel–1 {honey, sweet}: caramel, diabetes mellitus, hydromel, mel, melilot, Melissa, melliferous, mellifluous, oenomel ●molasses || L mel : honey, sweetness mellītus : honeyed, as sweet as honey IE *melit– : honey
mel–2 {to mix}: mélange, melee ●same as medl–, misc–, mix– || OFr mesler : to mix VL misculare L miscēre (pp. mixtum) : to mix, to mingle IE *meik– or *meig– : to mix
mel–3 {song}: melic, melisma, melodious, melodrama, melody, Melpomene, Philomela || Gr melos : tune, song
melan– {black}: melancholy, Melanesia, Melanie, melanin, melanoma, melatonin, psilomelane ●compare leuk– || Gr melas (gen. melanos) : black
melior– {better}: ameliorant, ameliorate, meliorate, meliorism ●comparative of ben–1, bon– ●compare pejor– ●See also Appendix C || L melior : better; (compar. of bonus : good) & melius (compar. of bene : well) IE *mel– : strong, great
membr– {body part}: dismember, member, membership, membrane ●unrelated: remember || L membrum : a limb or member of the body, hence: a member of part of anything membrāna : a thin skin, film, membrane
memor– {to remember}: commemorate, immemorial, in memoriam, memoir, memorabilia, memorable, memorandum, memorial, memorize, memory ●remember || L memor : mindful, remembering memoria : memory, the capacity for remembering, a time of remembrance
men–1 {moon, month}: amenorrhea, catamenia, dysmenorrhea, emmenagogue, menarche, meniscus, menology, menopause, menorrhagia, menses, menstrual, menstruate, menstruum ●semester ●see also mon–1 || L mensis : month ( menstruus : monthly) & Gr mēn : month IE *mēn– : moon, month *mē– : to measure
men–2 {household, to dwell}: ménage, ménage à trois, ménagerie, menial ●same as man–2 || OFr with meanings related to household, ult. L mansio : a remaining, a stay, soujourn manēre (pp. mansum) : to remain, to stay, to dwell IE *men– : to remain
men–3, mean– {to project, to threaten, to drive, to lead, to conduct}: amenable, demean (to conduct or comport), demeanor, menace, misdemeanor, promenade ●unrelated: amenity, demean (debase) ●same as min–1 || L mener: to lead minare : to drive (animals) minari : to threaten minae : threats (orig. projecting points of walls) IE *men– : to project
mend–1 {to command, to order}: commend, commendation, recommend ●same as mand– || L commendare : to give in one’s charge, to commit, to entrust cum : with, together + mandare : to commit to one’s charge, to command, to commission manus : hand + dare : to give
mend–2 {defect, fault}: amend, amendment, emend, mend || L mendum : fault, blemish, error
mening– {membrane}: meninges, meningioma, meningitis, meningococcus || ModL, pl. of meninx Gr mēninx (gen. mēningos) : membrane (akin to L membrum : body part) IE *mēmsno– *mēms– : flesh, meat
mens– {to measure}: commensurate, dimension, immense, mensural, mensuration ●see also metr–1 || L mensūra : a measuring, amount, measure mensus, pp. of mētiri : to measure; akin to Gr metron : measure
mensa– {table}: commensal, ectocommensal, Mensa, mensal || L mensa : table
ment– {the mind, mental powers}: ament, amentia, demented, dementia, mental, mention, non compos mentis ●unrelated: mentor || L mentis, gen of mens : mind, intellect, understanding, reason IE *men‒ : to think, thought
menth– {mint}: crème de menthe, menthene, menthol || L menta, mentha : mint
mer–1 {sea}: mal de mer, Meredith, mermaid, merman, Mervin ●meerschaum ●Ger. Meer || OE mere : sea, lake Gmc root
mer–2, mero– {part, division}: allomerism, blastomere, ectomere, isomer, meristem, meristic, meroblastic, merocrine, meromorphic, meroplankton, –merous (e.g. trimerous), merozoite, pentamerous, polymer, telomere || Gr meros : a part
merc– {commerce, payment; also, Mercury, god of commerce}: amerce, commerce, commercial, mercantile, mercaptan, Merced, Mercedes, mercenary, mercer, merchandise, merchant, merciful, mercurial, Mercury, mercury, mercy ●market ●Sp. mercado || L mercare : to carry on trade merx (gen. mercis) mercēs (gen. mercēdis) : wages, salary; mercēnārius : hired, mercenary
merg– {to dip}: emerge, emergency, merganser, merge, merger, submerge ●same as mers– || L mergere (pp. mersum) : to dip, to plunge, immerse
meri– {middle}: meridian, meridional ●same as medi–, mezz–, ●see also meso–, mid– || L meridiānus : of midday, meridian merīdiēs : midday, noon medius : middle ( IE *medhyo– : middle) + diēs : day
merit– {to serve for hire, to deserve, to earn}: demerit, emeritus, merit, meritocracy, meritorious ●meretricious || L meritum : merit, deserts, benefit meritum, pp. of merēre : to deserve, to earn, to merit meritōrius : earned from hire; meretrix : harlot (“to serve for hire”) meretrīcius : of or relating to a harlot
mero– ●see mer–2
mers– {to dip}: demersal, emersion, immerse, submersible ●see also merg– || L mersum, pp. of mergere : to dip, to plunge, immerse
mes(o)– {middle}: mesencephalon, mesenchyme, mesial, mesne, Mesoamerica, mesobenthos, mesoderm, Mesolithic, mesomorph, meson, mesophyll, Mesopotamia, mesosphere, mesothelioma, Mesozoic ●see also medi–, meri–, mezz–, mid– || Gr mesos : middle IE *medhyo– : middle
mess– {to send}: mess, message, messenger ●same as mise–, miss–, mit– || OFr L missus, a letting go, a sending mittere (pp. missum) : to send, to dispatch, to let go; also: to throw, to fling (“to let go a thing being thrown”)
met– {measurement}: metage, mete (to allot, to apportion) ●see also metr–1 || ME meten OE metan : to allot, to distribute, to mete out
met(a)–, meth– {generally has the sense of ‘associated with or near, but somewhat removed,’ hence: above, beyond, over, after, behind, between, with, beside, changed from}: metabolism, metacarpus, metacenter, metamorphosis, metaphor, metaphrase, metaphysics, metapsychology, metastasis, metatarsus, metathesis, metazoan, metempsychosis, meteor–, method, methodical, Methodist, metonymy, metopic ●meta– becomes met– or meth– before a vowel || Gr meta : along with, after, between, among
meteor– {sky}: meteor, meteoric, meteorite, meteorology, meteroid ●part of meta– ●meteor – a flash or streak of light in the sky caused by a meteoroid burning up in the atmosphere; meteoroid – a rock travelling through space, which burns when it enters the atmosphere and creates a meteor; meteorite – the remains of a meteoroid after hitting the surface of the earth; meteorology – the study of phenomena in the sky (i.e., weather) || Gr meteōron, pl. meteōra : things in the air meteōros : lifted up in the air meta : beyond + eōra : a hovering in the air
meth–1 ●see meta–
meth–2 {methylene}: methadone, methamphetamine, methane, methanol, methaqualone, methyl, methylene ●part of methy– || Gr methy : wine + hylē : wood
methy– {wine, alcohol, hence: wood alcohol [methanol]}: amethyst, methyl, methylene ●more at meth–2 || Gr methy : wine + hylē : wood
metr–1 {measurement}: accelerometer, ametropia, anisometropia, asymmetrical, barometer, biometrics, centimeter, chronometer, diameter, dosimeter, dynamometer, econometrics, geometry, isometric, kilometer, meter, metrical, metrics, metronome, –metry, micrometer, millimeter, odometer, optometry, parameter, pentameter, perimeter, pluviometer, potentiometer, pyrometer, speedometer, symmetry, tachometer, telemetry, thermometer, trigonometry, voltmeter ●see also mens–, met– || L metrum Gr metrōn : measure
metr–2 {mother, uterus}: Demetrius, endometrium, metralgia, metritis, metropolis, metropolitan, metrorrhagia ●see also matr– || Gr mētra : uterus mētēr : mother
mezz– {middle}: intermezzo, mezzanine, mezzo-soprano, mezzotint ●mizzenmast ●same as medi– || It mezzo L medius : middle IE *medhyo– : middle
micro– {small}: micro– (10⁻⁶), microbe, microbiology, microcosm, microdot, microfarad, microfilm, micrometer, micron, Micronesia, microorganism, microphage, microphone, microscope, microtome, microwave, omicron ●compare macro– || Gr mikros : small
mid– {middle}: amid, amidst, mid–, middle, middling, midi, midst ●unrelated: midwife ●see also medi–, meri–, meso–, mezz– || OE midd– : middle Gmc root IE *medhyo– : middle
migr– {to move from one home to another}: emigrant, emigrate, émigré, immigrant, immigrate, migrant, migrate, migratory, transmigrate ●unrelated: migraine || L migrare : to remove from one place to another, to migrate
mil– {millet}: miliary, milium, millet ●mealie || L milium : millet
milit– {soldier}: demilitarize, militant, military, militate, militia || L mīlitare : to serve as a soldier, to be a soldier mīles (gen. mīlitis) : solder mīlitia : military service, warfare
mill– {thousand, one-thousandth}: mill ($.001), mille–feuille, millefiori, millenarian, millenary, millennium, millesimal, milli– (10⁻³), milliard, milliary, millibar, millier, milligram, millimeter, milliliter, million, millipede, milliwatt ●mil ●unrelated: millinery || L mille : thousand
mim– {to imitate}: mime, mimeograph, mimesis, mimic, mimosa, pantomime || Gr mimos : imitator, actor mimeomai : I imitate
min–1 {to project, to threaten}: commination, éminence grise, eminent, imminent, preeminent, prominent ●same as men–3 || L minere : to project, to add minari : to threaten minae : threats (orig. projecting points of walls)
min–2 ●see minim–, minor–, minu–
mine– {ore, to dig}: mine (excavation), mine (explosive weapon), miner, mineral, undermine || VL mina Celt
mini– {miniature, very small}: mini–, miniature, minibus, minicomputer, miniseries, miniskirt, minivan ●This stem has changed meaning from its original, probably due at least partially to etymological confusion with the Latin stems minor– and minu–. Originally a miniature was an illuminated manuscript painted with red-lead paint. See miniature in the Wikipedia. || It miniatura : rubrication, illumination of manuscripts ML L miniātus : colored with red lead, painted vermilion miniare to paint with red lead minium : red lead native Iberian word
minim– {smallest, least}: minim, minimal, minimize, minimum ●superlative of parv– ●compare maxim– ●See also Appendix C || L minimum, neut. of minimus : least; superlative of parvus : small
ministr– {subordinate, servant, aide, to serve, to attend}: administer, administration, minister, ministry ●minestrone, minstrel ●see also minor– ●compare magistr– || L minister : subordinate, servant, assistant ( ministrare : to serve, to wait upon, to attend) minor : smaller; compar. of parvus : small
minor– {smaller}: minor, Minorca, minority ●more at minu– ●comparative of parv– ●compare major– ●See also Appendix C || L minor : smaller (comp. of parvus : small) IE *minu– : smaller *mei– : small
minu– {smaller, to make smaller}: comminute, diminuendo, diminution, diminutive, minuend, minus, minuscule, minute (all senses), minutiae ●diminish, menu, mince ●positive form: parv– ●superlative form: mimim– ●see also meio– ●See also Appendix C || L minuere (pp. minūtum) : to make smaller, to lessen, to diminish minus, neut. sing. of minor : smaller (comp. of parvus : small) IE *minu– : smaller *mei– : small
mir– {to behold with wonder}: admire, mirabile dictu, miracle, mirador, mirage, Miranda, mirror ●marvel ●unrelated: admiral || L mīrari : to wonder, to be astonished at, to admire mīrus : wonderful, astonishing, extraordinary mīrāculum : wonderful thing, prodigy, miracle
mis– {bad, wrong, not}: misadventure, misalliance, misapprehend, misbegotten, misbehave, miscalculate, miscarry, miscast, mischance, mischief, misconception, misconduct, misconstrue, miscount, miscreant, misdeal, misdeed, misdemeanor, misfire, misfortune, misgiving, misguided, mishandle, mishap, misinterpret, misjudge, mislay, mislead, mismanage, misnomer, misplace, misprint, mispronounce, misquote, misrepresent, misrule, miss, misshapen, misspell, misstep, mistake, mistreat, mistrial, mistrust, misunderstand, misuse || OE & OFr mis– : wrong, bad Gmc root
misc– {to mix}: immiscible, miscegenation, miscellaneous, miscible, promiscuous ●Span. mestizo ●Ger. mischen ●same as medl–, mel–2, mix– || L miscēre (pp. mixtum) : to mix, to mingle miscellānea : a hash of different meats, hodgepodge, medley IE *meik– or *meig– : to mix
mise– {to send}: compromise, demise, premise, promise, remise, surmise ●same as mess–, miss–, mit– || OFr L missum, pp. of mittere : to send, to dispatch, to let go; also: to throw, to fling (“to let go a thing being thrown”)
miser– {wretched, pitiable, to have pity}: commiserate, miser, miserable, Miserere, misericord, miserly, misery || L miser : wretched, unhappy, miserable, pitiable miserābilis : sad, wretched; miserēre : pity, compassion; misericordia : pity, compassion
mis(o)– {hatred}: misandry, misanthrope, misogamist, misogynist, misology, misoneism ●compare phil– || Gr miso– misein : to hate
miss– {to send}: admissible, admission, commissar, commissary, commission, commissure, demission, dismiss, emission, emissary, intermission, intromission, missal, missile, mission, missionary, missive, omission, permissible, permission, permissive, promissory, remiss, remission, submission, submissive, transmission ●mass (church rite) ●same as mess–, mise–, mit– || OFr L missus, a letting go, a sending mittere (pp. missum) : to send, to dispatch, to let go missio (gen. missiōnis) : a sending off or away; missilis : that can be thrown, missile
mistr– {master}: Mister, mistress (Mrs.) ●Miss (honorific) ●Ger. Meister ●Ital. maestro ●Fr. maître ●from master, from Lat. magister—see magistr– || Fr maître : master & fem. maistre : mistress; both L magister : master, chief, head ( magistrātus : the office of a magister, magistrate, state official) magnus : great IE *meg(h)– : great, large
mit– {to send}: admit, commit, committee, demit, emit, intermittent, manumit, mittimus, noncommittal, omit, permit, pretermit, remit, remittance, submit, transmit ●same as mess–, mise–, miss– || L mittere (pp. missum) : to send, to dispatch, to let go; also: to throw, to fling (“to let go a thing being thrown”). When a missile is released, it is committed.
mito– {thread}: amitosis, mitochondrion, mitosis || Gr mitos : thread
mix– {to mix}: admix, amphimixis, commix, immix, mix, mixologist, mixture ●same as medl–, mel–2, misc– || L mixtum, pp. of miscēre : to mix, to mingle mixtūra : mixture IE *meik‒ or *meig‒ : to mix
mnem– {to remember}: mnemonic, Mnemosyne ●see also amnes– || Gr mnēmōn : mindul, remembering mnasthai : to remember; akin to mimnēskein : to remember
mnes– ●see amnes–
mob– {to move}: automobile, immobile, immobilize, mob, mobile, mobilize ●same as moment–, mot–1, mov– || L mōbilis : movable ( mōbilitās : mobility) movēre (pp. mōtum) : to move, to set in motion, to stir IE *mew– or *meu– : to push away
mod– {to measure, to make fit}: accommodate, à la mode, commode, commodious, commodity, demodulate, modal, mode, model, modem, moderate, moderator, modern, modest, modicum, modify, modiste, modulate, module, modulus, modus operandi, modus vivendi, outmoded ●unrelated: commodore || L mōdus : measure, standard of measurement, manner, mode, method moderari : to set bounds, to regulate, to moderate moderātio (gen. moderātiōnis) : moderating, restraining
mol–1 {mass, bulk, weight, burden}: demolish, demolition, mole (breakwater), mole (molecular weight), molecule, molest || L mōles : large mass, dam, mole, trouble, burden molestus : burdensome, troublesome
mol–2 {millstone, mill, to grind, milled grain}: emolument, immolate, mola (fish), molar (tooth), mold (soil), molder, mole (uterine mass), moline, ormolu ●multure ●Fr. moulin ●Sp. molino ●It. mulino || L mola : millstone, meal (milled grain) molaris : mill
moll– {soft}: emollient, mollescent, mollify, mollusk ●see also malac– || L mollis : soft LL mollificare : to soften
moment– {movement}: moment (all senses), momentary, momentous, momentum ●same as mob–, mot–1, mov– || L mōmentum : movement, motion (hypothetical) movimentum movēre (pp. mōtum) : to move, to set in motion, to stir IE *mew– or *meu– : to push away
mon–1 {moon}: Monday, month ●moon ●see also men–1 || • Monday & moon OE mōna : moon • month OE mōnath : month Germanic menōth–; both ult. IE *mēn– : moon, month *mē– : to measure
mon–2 {to remind, to warn, to advise}: admonish, monition, monitor, monument, premonition, summon ●see also monstr– || L monēre : to warn, to advise
mond–1 {hand, protection}: Edmond (Edmund), Osmond, Raymond || Gmc mund– : hand, protection
mond–2 ●see mund–
mon(o)– {single}: carbon monoxide, monad, monadelphous, monandrous, monarch, monastery, monastic, monaural, monism, monk, monochrome, monocle, monocoque, monogamy, monogram, monolith, monologue, mononucleosis, monopolize, monopoly, monorail, monotheism, monotone, monotonous || Gr mono– monos : single, alone
mons– {mountain}: mons pubis, mons veneris ●same as mont–, mount– || ModL L mons (gen. montis) : mountain, hill IE *mont– : mountain *men– : to project
monstr– {portent, warning, advice, to admonish}: demonstrate, monster, monstrance, monstre sacré, monstrosity, monstrous, remonstrate ●see also mon–2 || L monstrare : to show, to admonish, to warn monstrum : divine portent of misfortune, monster monēre : to admonish, to warn
mont– {mountain, to mount}: intermontane, montage, Montagnais, Montagnard, Montana, montane, monte, Monte Carlo, Montevideo, Montreal, piedmont, promontory, ultramontane, Vermont ●same as mons–, mount– || Fr, It, Sp L montis (gen. of mons) : mountain IE *mont– : mountain *men– : to project
mor–1 {custom, wont, conduct, manner}: amoral, demoralize, immoral, moral, morale, morality, moralize, mores, morose || L mōris, gen. of mōs : custom, usage, wont, regular practice, rule, law mōrālis : moral, ethical – coined by Cicero as a translation of Gr ēthikos : character, custom
mor–2 {foolish}: moron, oxymoron, sophomore, sophomoric ●compare soph– || Gr mōros : foolish
mor–3 {morning}: morganatic, morgen, morning, morrow, tomorrow ●Ger. Morgen || OE morgen : morning Gmc root
mora– {delay}: mora, moratorium, moratory, remora ●same as mur–2 || L mora : a delay, a space of time morari : to delay, to linger, to retard, to hinder
morb– {disease}: morbid, morbific, morbilli || L morbus : disease morbidus : sickly, diseased, unwholesome
mord– {to bite}: mordacious, mordant, mordent ●same as mors– || L mordēre (pp. morsum) : to bite, to nip, to sting mordax (gen. mordācis) : biting, stinging
mori– ●see mort–
morph– {shape, form}: allomorph, amorphous, anamorphic, anthropomorphic, dimorphic, ectomorph, endomorph, geomorphology, isomorphic, mesomorph, metamorphosis, morpheme, morphology, polymorphism, zygomorphic || Gr morphē : form, shape
mors– {to bite}: morsel, premorse, remorse ●same as mord– || L morsus : a bite, a biting mordēre (pp. morsum) : to bite, to nip, to sting mordax (gen. mordācis) : biting, stinging
mort–, mori– {death}: amortize, immortal, memento mori, moribund, mortal, mortality, mortgage, mortician, mortify, mortuary, post-mortem, rigor mortis || L mortis, gen. of mors : death, corpse mori (pp. mortuus) : to die moribundus : dying; mortālis : subject to death, mortal
mot–1 {to move}: automotive, commotion, demote, emote, emotion, locomotion, locomotive, motel, motif, motile, motion, motivate, motive, motor, promote, remote ●mutiny ●same as mob–, moment–, mov– || L mōtum, pp. of movēre : to move, to set in motion, to stir mōtio (gen. mōtionis) : motion, movement; mōtor : a mover IE *mew– or *meu– : to push away
mot–2 {to mutter, word}: bon mot, mot, motet, mot juste, motto || Fr mot : word, saying & It motto : a word; both LL muttum : grunt, mutter
mount– {mountain, to climb up, to put up}: amount, catamount, dismount, insurmountable, mount (all senses), mountain, mountaineer, mountebank, mounted, Mounties, paramount, surmount, tantamount ●same as mons–, mont– || OE OFr L montis (gen. of mons) : mountain IE *mont– : mountain *men– : to project
mov– {to move}: immovable, movable, move, movement, movie, remove ●same as mob–, moment–, mot–1 || L movēre (pp. mōtum) : to move, to set in motion, to stir IE *mew– or *meu– : to push away
muc– {mucus}: muciferous, mucilage, mucin, mucoprotein, mucous, mucus ●see also myx– || L mūcus : mucus mūcēre : to be musty, to be moldy; mūcidus : moldy, musty, snivelling IE *meuk– : mucus, slimy *meug– : slimy, slippery *meu– : dampness, wetness
multi– {several, many}: multifaceted, multilingual, multimedia, multimeter, multimillionaire, multipara, multiparous, multiple, multiplex, multiplicand, multiply, multipurpose, multitude, multitudinous, multivalent, multivitamin, et al. ●It. molto ●comparative form: plus– || L multus (gen. multis) : much, many
mun–1 {to defend, to fortify}: ammunition, muniment, munitions || L mūnire : to build, to build a wall, to fortify, to defend mūnītio (gen mūnītiōnis) : a fortification
mun–2 {public service, official duties}: immune, municipal, premunition ●see also mun–3 || L mūnia : official duties, functions mūnicipium : town, borough mūnicipālis : relating to a town, municipal
mun–3 {payment, gift}: munificent, remunerate ●see also mun–2 || L mūnus : public office, public service (“service performed for the community”), gift (“public spectacle paid for by a magistrate”) mūnificus ( mūnificentia) : generous, liberal; remūnerare : to recompense, to repay, to reward
mund–, mond–2 {the world}: beau monde, demimondaine, demimonde, mundane, sic transit gloria mundi ●Fr. monde || L mundus : the world, the inhabitants of the world, mankind mundānus : a citizen of the world
mur–1 {wall}: extramural, immure, intramural, mural ●Ger. Mauer || L mūrus : wall mūrālis : pertaining to a wall
mur–2 {to delay, to stay}: demur, demurrage, demurrer ●same as mora– || ME demuren OFr demorer L dēmorari morari : to delay, to linger, to retard, to hinder
mus– {the Muses}: amusia, Muse, museology, musette, museum, music ●mosaic || L Mūsa Gr mousa : a Muse, music, eloquence mouseion : shrine of the Muses, a place for study, museum
muse– {to loiter}: amuse, bemuse, muse || OFr muser : to stare, to ponder, to loiter
must– {new wine}: must (new wine), mustard || L mustum : new wine mustus : new, fresh IE *meu– : moist
mut– {to change, to exchange}: commutate, commute, immutable, mutant, mutate, mutual, pari-mutuel, permutation, transmute ●remuda ●unrelated: mutiny || L mūtare : to move, to shift, to change, to alter
myc– {fungus}: Aureomycin™, botryomycosis, erythromycin, mycelium, –mycete, mycetoma, –mycin, mycobacteria, mycology, mycosis, neomycin, streptomycin || Gr mykēs (pl. mykētes) : fungus IE *meuk– : mucus, slimy *meug– : slimy, slippery *meu– : dampness, wetness
myel– {bone marrow, spinal cord, myelin}: myelencephalon, myelin, myelitis, myelogenic, myelogram, myeloid, myeloma, poliomyelitis, syringomyelia || Gr myelos : marrow
my(o)– {muscle}: amyotonia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), myasthenia, myocardium, myology, myoma, myopathy, myotonia ●unrelated: myopia || Gr mys (gen. myos) : muscle
myria– {countless number, ten thousand}: myriad, myriapod || Gr myrias (gen. myriados) : ten thousand myrios : countless
myrmec– {ant}: Myrmecia, myrmecology, myrmecophagous, myrmecophile ●myrmex (ant species), Pogonomyrmex || Gr myrmēko– myrmēx : ant
myso– {uncleanness, filth}: mysophilia, mysophobia || Gr musos : uncleanness, defilement IE *meu– : dampness, wetness
myst– {secret rite, secret}: mystagogue, mystery, mysterious, mystic, mysticism, mystify, mystique ●unrelated: mysticeti || L mystēria : mysteries, secret rites of worship Gr mystērion : secret rite mystēs : one initiated into the mysteries myein : to initiate into the mysteries
myth– {speech, story, legend}: myth, mythical, mythmaker, mythographer, mythology, mythomania, mythopoeia, mythos, stichomythia || LL mythos Gr mythos : word, speech, story, legend
myx– {mucus}: myxedema, myxocyte, myxoid, myxoma, myxomycete, myxovirus, paramyxovirus, polymyxin ●see also muc– || Gr myxa : mucus IE *meuk– : mucus, slimy *meug– : slimy, slippery *meu– : dampness, wetness
* Unattested, hypothesized
† Unknown origin
175 entries found.
Copyright © 2004–07 Daniel M. Short. All Rights Reserved.
