User:Ansumang/Greek roots

A

Root	Meaning In English	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
acr-, acro-	height, summit, tip	ἄκρος (ákros)	acrobat, acrophobia, acronym, acromegalia
aer-, aero-	air, atmosphere	(aer)	aeronautics, aerosol
aesth-	feeling, sensation	(aisthētikos) from αἰσθάνεσθαι (aisthanesthai)	aesthetics
agr-, agri-	field	ἀγρός (agros)
amphi-	around, about, both, on both sides of, both kinds	(amphi)	amphibian, amphibolic
an-, a-	not, without	ἀν-/ἀ-	anhydrous
ana-, an-	again, against, back, up	(ana-)	anabaptist, anaphylaxis, anode
ant-, anti-	against, opposed to	ἀντί (anti)	antibiotic, antipodes
anth-, antho-	flower	ἄνθος (anthos)	anther, anthology
anthropo-	human	(anthropos)	anthropology, anthropomorphic
arche-, archi-	ruler	ἀρχή (arche) (in compounds: ἀρχε-, ἀρχι-)	archangel, archetype
archaeo-, archeo-	ancient	ἀρχαῖος (archaios) from archē	archaeology or archeology, archaic
arct-, arcto-	Relating to the North Pole or the region near it; relating to cold;	ἄρκτος (arktos)	Arctic Ocean
arthr-, arthro-	joint	(arthron)	arthritis, arthropod
astr-, astro-	star	(astron)	astronomy
athl-	prize	ἄθλος (athlos)	athlete
aut- , auto-	self; directed from within	αὐτός (autos)	automobile, autonomy
axio-	merit	ἄξιος (axios)	axiology, axiom

B

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
bac-	rod-shaped	Latin	from baculum "rod"	bacilla, bacteria
baro-	weight, pressure	Greek	βαρύς (barus)	barometer, barograph, baroreceptor
basi-	at the bottom	Greek	from βαίνω, I walk, march, βάσις "step"	basic, basis
bathy-, batho-	deep, depth	Greek	βαθύς (bathús, bathýs) "deep"	batholith
be-, beat-	bless	Latin	beare, beatus	beatification
bell(i)-	war	Latin	bellum, belli	antebellum, bellicose, belligerent
ben-	good, well	Latin	bene (adverb)	benefit, benignity
bi-	two	Latin	bis, "twice"; bini, "in twos"	binoculars, bigamy, biscotti
bib-	drink	Latin	bibere, bibitus	imbibe
bibl-	book	Greek	βιβλίον (biblíon) "book"	bibliography, bible
bi(o)-	life	Greek	βίος (bíos) "life"	biology, biologist, biosphere
blenn(o)-	slime	Greek	βλέννος (blennos)	blennophobia, blennosperma
blast-	germ, embryo, bud, cell with nucleus	Greek	βλασταίνω, "I put forth shoots"	sideroblast
bon(i)-	good	Latin	bonus	bonify, bonitary
bor-	north	Greek / Latin (boreas)	Greek βορρᾶς (borras) "the north wind"	borealis
botan-	plant	Greek	βοτάνη, βότανον (botanē, botanon)	botany
bov-	cow, ox	Latin	bos, bovis	bovine
brachi(o)-	arm	Greek	βραχίων (brakhíōn) "arm"	brachial artery, brachiosaurus
brachy-	short	Greek	βραχύς (brakhús, brakhýs) "short"	brachydactyly
brady-	slow	Greek	βραδύς (bradús, bradýs)	bradycardia
branch-	gill	Greek	βράγχιον (brágkhion, bránkhion) "gill"	branchiopod
brev(i)-	brief, short (time)	Latin	brevis, breviare	abbreviation, brevity
briz-	nod	Greek	βρίζω (brizō)
brom-	oats	Greek	βρόμος, βρόμη (brómos, bróme) "oats"	Bromus ramosus
brom-	oats	Greek	βρόμος (brómos) "stench, clangor"	bromide
bronch-	windpipe	Greek	βρόγχος (brógkhos, brónkhos)	bronchitis
bront-	thunder	Greek	βροντή (brontē)	Brontosaurus
bucc-	cheek, mouth, cavity	Latin	bucca	buccal, buccinator muscle
bulb-	bulbous	Latin	bulbus	bulbous, bulbule
bull-	bubble, flask	Latin	bulla, "bubble"	ebullient, ebullism
burs-	pouch, purse	Latin	bursarius	bursary, disburse

C

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
cac(o)-	bad	Greek	κακος (kakos)	cacophony
cad-, -cid-, cas-	fall	Latin	cadere, casus	accident, cadence, case
caed-, -cid-, caes-, -cis-	cut	Latin	caedere, caesus	caesura, incisor
calc-	stone	Latin and Greek	from Latin calx "lime", and from Greek χάλιξ (khalix) "pebble" "limestone"	calculus, calcite, calcium
calli-	beautiful	Greek	from Greek kallos "beauty"	calligraphy
calor-	heat	Latin	calor "heat"	calorie
calyp-	cover	Greek	(kaluptein)	apocalypse
camer-	vault	Latin	camera	bicameral, camera
camp-	field	Latin	campus "field", "level ground"	champion, campaign
can(i)-	dog	Latin	canis "dog"	canine, Canis Major
can-, -cin-, cant-	sing	Latin	canere "sing"	cantata, canto, cantor
cand-	glowing, iridescent	Latin	candere "to be white or glisten"	candid, incandescent, candle, candela
cap-, -cip-, capt-, -cept-	hold, take	Latin	capere, captus "take or hold" (note the vowel change from a to i in compounds)	capture, captive, conception, recipient
capit-, -cipit-	head	Latin	caput, capitis "head"	capital, chief, chef, decapitate
capr-	goat	Latin	caper, capri	Capricorn, caprine
caps-	box, case	Latin	capsa	capsule
carbo-	coal	Latin	carbo, carbonis	carbon
carcer-	jail	Latin	carcer, carcerare	incarceration
carci-	cancer (disease)	Latin from Greek	Latin from Greek karkinos "crab"	carcinoma
cardi(o)-	relating to the heart	Greek	kardia "heart"	cardiology, cardiograph
cardin-	hinge	Latin	cardo, cardinis	cardinal
carn-	flesh	Latin	caro, carnis	carnival, carnivore
carpo-	relating to fruit	Greek	from Greek karpos "fruit"	carpology
carp-	relating to the wrist	Greek	from Greek karpos "wrist"	carpal, carpal tunnel syndrome
cata-	down	Greek	kata "down"	catastrophe, catatonia
caten-	chain	Latin	catena	concatenation
cathar-	pure	Greek	καθαρός (katharos)	catharsis
caud-	tail	Latin	cauda	caudal
cav-	hollow	Latin	cavus "hollow"	cave, cavity, excavation
ced-, cess-	go	Latin	cedere, cessus	procession, recede
celer-	quick	Latin	celer, celerare	acceleration, celerity
cen(o)-	new	Greek	καινός (kainos)	Cenozoic
cen(o)-	empty	Greek	(kenos)	cenotaph
cen(o)-	common	Greek	(koinos)	cenobite, cenospecies
cens-		Latin	censere "to estimate"	census
cent-	hundred	Latin	centum "hundred"	cent, centennial, centurion
centen-	hundred each	Latin	centeni	centenary
centesim-	hundredth	Latin	centesimus	centesimal, centesimation
centr-	center	Greek	κέντρον (kéntron) "needle", "spur"	eccentric
cephalo-	head	Greek	κεφαλή kephale "head"	cephalopod, encephalogram
ceram-	clay	Greek	κέραμος (keramos)	ceramic
cerat-	horn	Greek	κέρας, κέρατος (keras, keratos) "horn"	ceratin
cern-		Latin	cernere	discern
cervic-	relating to the neck, relating to the cervix	Latin	cervix, cervicis "neck"	cervix, cervical
ceter-	other	Latin	ceterus	et cetera
chiro-	of the hand or hands	Greek	χείρ kheir "hand"	chiroptera, chiropractic
chelono-	relating to a turtle	Greek	χελώνη khelone "tortoise"	chelonia
chloro-	green	Greek	from Greek χλωρός khlōros "green"	chlorine, chlorophyll
choreo-	relating to dance	Greek	from Greek khoreia "dancing in unison" from χορός khoros "chorus"	choreography
chord-	cord	Latin	chorda "rope"	chordata
chrom-	color	Greek	χρῶμα khrōma "color"	chromosome, chromium
chryso-	gold	Greek	χρυσός khrusos "gold"	chrysolite
cili-	eyelash	Latin	cilium	cilia
cine-	motion	Greek	κινέω (kineo)	cinema
ciner-	ash	Latin	cinis, cineris	incineration
cing-, cinct-	gird	Latin	cingere, cinctus	succinct
circ-	circle	Latin	circus	circus
circum-	around	Latin	circum "around"	circumference
cirr-	orange	Greek	κιρρός (kirros)	cirrhosis
cirr-	curl, tentacle	Latin	cirrus	cirrus
civ-	citizen	Latin	civis	civility
clad-	branch	Greek	κλάδος (klados)	clade
clar-	clear	Latin	clarus, clarare	clarity, declaration
clast-	broken	Greek	κλαστός (klastos)	iconoclast
claud-, -clud-, claus-, -clus-	close	Latin	claudere, clausus	clause, exclusion, include
clav-	key	Greek	from Greek kleis "key" from κλείειν, kleiein "to close"	conclave
cl(e)ist-	closed	Greek
cleithr-	bar, key	Greek
clement-	mild	Latin	clemens, clementis	clemency, inclement
clin-	bed, lean, recline	Latin	-clinare	declination, inclined
cochl-	shell	Greek	κόχλος (kochlos)	cochlea
coel-	hollow	Greek	κοῖλος (koilos)
cogn-	know	Latin	cognoscere	cognitive, cognizant, recognize
col-	strain	Latin	colare, colum	colander
coll-	neck	Latin	collum	collar
color-	color	Latin	color	coloration
con-, co-, col-, com-, cor-	with, together	Latin	cum	connect, collide, compress
condi-	season	Latin	condire	condiment
con(o)-	cone	Greek	κῶνος (konos)	conic, conical
contra-	against	Latin	contra	contrast
copro-	dung	Greek	κόπρος (kopros)	coprolite, coprophagia, coprophilia
corac-	raven	Greek	κόραξ, κόρακος (korax, korakos)	coracoid
cord-	heart	Latin	cor, cordis	accord, cordial
corn-	horn	Latin	cornu	cornea, cornucopia, unicorn
coron-	crown	Latin	corona, coronare	corona, coronation
corpor-	body	Latin	corpus, corporis	corporation, corpse
cortic-	bark	Latin	cortex, corticis
cosm(o)-	universe	Greek	κόσμος (kosmos)	cosmonaut
cosmet(o)-		Greek	(kosmet-)	cosmetics, cosmetology
cost-	rib	Latin	costa	costal
cotyl-	cup	Greek	κοτύλη (kotulē)	cotyledon
crani-	skull	Greek	(kranion)	cranium
crass-	thick	Latin	crassus	crassitude
cre-	make	Latin	creare, creatus	creation, creature
crep-	boot, shoe	Greek	κρηπίς, κρηπίδος (krēpis, krēpidos)
cribr-	sieve	Latin	cribrum "a sieve"	cribble, cribrate
cric-	ring	Greek	κρίκος (krikos)
cris-, crit-	judge	Greek	κρίσις (crisis)	crisis, critic
crisp-	curled	Latin	crispus	crispate
crist-	crest	Latin	crista	cristate
cross(o)-	fringe, tassel	Greek	κροσσός (krossos)
cruc(i)-	cross	Latin	crux, crucis	crucial, crucifix, crucify
crur(i)-	leg, shank	Latin	crus, cruris	crural
crypt-	hidden	Greek	(kruptos)	cryptic, cryptography
cten(o)-	comb	Greek	κτείς, κτενός (kteis, ktenos)	ctenophore
cub-	cube	Greek	κύβος (kubos)	cubic, cuboid
cub-	lie	Latin	cubare	incubation, succuba
culin-	kitchen	Latin	culina	culinary
culp-	blame, fault	Latin	culpa	culpable, exculpate
cune-	wedge	Latin	cuneus	cuneiform
curr-, curs-	run	Latin	currere, cursus	concurrent, recursion
curv-	bent	Latin	curvus	curvature
cuspid-	lance, point	Latin	cuspis, cuspidis	bicuspid
cut(i)-	skin	Latin	cutis	cuticle
cyan-	blue	Greek	κυανός (kuanos)	cyanide
cycl(o)-	circular	Greek	κύκλος (kuklos)	bicycle, cycle, cyclone
cylind-	roll	Greek	κύλινδρος (kulindros)	cylinder
cyn(o)-	dog	Greek	κύων, κυνός (kuōn, kunos)	cynosure
cyst-	capsule	Greek	κύστις (kustis)	cystic
cyt(o)-	cell	Greek	κύτος (kutos)	cytoplasm

D

Root	Meaning In English	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
dactyl-	finger	δάκτυλος (daktulos)	dactylology, pterodactyl
deca-, dec-, deka-, dek-	ten	(deka)	decagram, decahedron
delt-		(delta)	deltoid
dem-	people	δῆμος (demos)	demagogue, democracy
dendr-, dendro-	tree	δένδρον (dendron): akin to δρύς, drys, "tree"	dendrite
derm-	skin	δέρμα (derma)	hypodermic
deuter-	second	δεύτερος (deuteros)	Deuteronomy
dextro-	right	δεξ-, right
di-	two	dicot, dipole
dia-	apart, through	διά (dia)	diameter
dino-	terrible, fearfully great	δεινός (deinos)	dinosaur
dipl-			diploid, diplosis
dodec-	twelve	δώδεκα (dodeka)	dodecasyllabic
dog-, dox-	opinion, teaching		dogmatic
dy-	two	(duo)	dyad
dynam-		δύναμις (dunamis)
dys-	badly, ill	δυσ- (dus-)	dysentery

E

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
ec-	out	Greek	(ek)	eccentric
eco-	house	Greek	(oikos)	ecology, economics, ecumenism
ecto-	outside	Greek	(ektos)	ectoderm
ed-, es-	eat	Latin	edere, esus	edible
ego-	self, I (first person)	Latin, Greek	ego, ἐγώ	egocentric
ego-, eg-	goat	Greek	αἴξ (aix)	egophony
em-, empt-	buy	Latin	emere, emptus	exemption, redeem
eme-	vomit	Greek	(emetos)	emetic
emul-	striving to equal, rivaling	Latin	aemulus, aemulare	emulation
en-, em-	in	Greek	(en)	emphasis
endo-	inside	Greek	(endo)	endocrine
engy-	narrow	Greek
ennea-	nine	Greek	(ennea)	ennead, enneagon
ens-	sword	Latin	ensis
eo-, eos-, eoso-	dawn, east	Greek		Eocene
epi-, ep-	upon	Greek	(epi)	epicenter, epoch
epistem-	knowledge or science	Greek		epistemic
equ-, -iqu-	even, level	Latin	aequus	equal
equ-	horse	Latin	equus	Equestrian
erg-	work	Greek	(ergon)	ergonomics
err-	stray	Latin	errare	aberration, errant
erythr(o)-	red	Greek	ερυθρος (eruthros)	erythrocyte
eso-	within	Greek	(esō)	esoteric
etho-, eth-, ethi-	custom, habit	Greek	ἦθος (ethos)	ethology
ethm-	sieve	Greek		ethmoid
ethn-	people, race, tribe, nation	Greek	(ethnos)	ethnic, ethnarch
etym(o)-	true	Greek	(etumos)	etymology
eu-	well	Greek	(eu)	euphoria
eur-	wide	Greek	(eurus)	Europe
ex-, e-, ef-	from, out of	Latin	ex	exclude, extrude, extend
exo-	outside	Greek		exothermic
exter-, extra-	outer	Latin		exterior
extrem-	outermost, utmost	Latin	extremus	extremity, extremophile

F

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
f-, fat-	say, speak	Latin	fari, fatus	fate, infant, preface
fab-	bean	Latin	faba	faba bean
fac-, -fic-, fact, -fect-	make	Latin	facere, factus	defect, factory, manufacture
falc-	sickle	Latin	falx, falcis	falciform
fall-, -fell-, fals-	deceive	Latin	fallere, falsus	falsity, infallibility
fallac-	false	Latin	fallax, fallacis	fallacy
famili-		Latin		familiarity
fant-	to show	Greek		fantasy
fasc-	bundle	Latin	fascis	fasciculation
fatu-	foolish, useless	Latin	fatuus	fatuous, infatuation
feder-		Latin	foedus, foederis	confederation, federal
fel-	cat	Latin	feles, felis	Felinae, feline
felic-	happy, merry	Latin	felix, felicis	felicity
fell-	suck	Latin	fellare	fellation
femin-	women, female	Latin	femina	femininity
femor-	thigh	Latin	femur, femoris	femoral
fend-, fens-		Latin	fendere, -fensus	defend, offense
fenestr-	window	Latin	fenestra	fenestration
fer-	carry	Latin	ferre	reference, transfer
feroc-	fierce	Latin	ferox, ferocis	ferocity
ferr-	iron	Latin	ferrum	ferrous
fet-	stink	Latin	fetere	fetid, fetor
fic-	fig	Latin	ficus	Ficus
fid-, fis-	faith, trust	Latin	fides, fidere, fisus	confidence, fidelity
fil-	thread	Latin	filum	filament
fili-		Latin	filius	affiliation
fin-	end	Latin	finis	finish, final
find-, fiss-	split	Latin	findere, fissus	fission
firm-	fix, settle	Latin	firmus, firmare	confirmation, firmament
fistul-	hollow, tube	Latin		fistula
fl-	blow	Latin	flare, flatus	flatulence, inflation
flacc-	flabby	Latin	flaccus, flaccere	flaccid
flav-	yellow	Latin	flavus	flavonoid
flect-, flex-	bend	Latin	flectere, flexus	flexor, inflection
flig-, flict-	strike	Latin	fligere, flictus	conflict, inflict
flor-	flower	Latin	flos, floris	floral, florid
flu-, flux-	flow	Latin	fluere, fluxus	effluent, fluency, influx
foc-	hearth	Latin	focus	focal
fod-, foss-	dig	Latin	fodere, fossus	fossil
foen-	hay	Latin	faenum
foli-	leaf	Latin	folium	defoliant
font-	spring	Latin	fons, fontis
for-	bore	Latin	forare, foratus	perforation
form-	shape	Latin	forma	conformity, deformity, formation
fornic-	vault	Latin	fornix, fornicis	fornication
fort-	strong	Latin	fortis	fortification
fove-	shallow round depression	Latin	fovea	fovea
frang-, -fring-, fract-, frag-	break	Latin	frangere, fractus	fracture, fragment, frangible, infringe
frater-, fratr-	brother	Latin	frater	fraternity
fric-, frict-	rub	Latin	fricare, frictus	dentifrice, friction
frig-	cold	Latin	frigere	frigid, frigorific
front-	forehead	Latin	frons, frontis	confront, frontal
fruct-, frug-	fruit	Latin	frux, fructis	fructose
fug-, fugit-	flee	Latin	fugere	centrifuge, fugitive, refuge
fum-	smoke	Latin	fumus	fume, fumigation
fund-	bottom	Latin	fundus, fundare	fundamentalism, profundity
fund-, fus-	pour	Latin	fundere, fusus	effusion, profusion
fung-, funct-	do	Latin	fungi, functus	function, fungibility
fur-, furt-	steal	Latin	furare	furtive
furc-	fork	Latin	furca	bifurcation
fusc-	dark	Latin	fuscus	obfuscation

G

Root	Meaning in English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
galact-	milk	Greek	(gala, galaktos)	galactic
gastr-	stomach	Greek	(gaster)	gastric, gastroenterologist
ge(o)-	earth	Greek	γη (gē), γεω- (geō)	geology
gel-	icy cold	Latin	gelum	gelid
gen-	race, kind	Greek	γένος	genocide
ger-, gest-	bear, carry	Latin	gerere, gestus	digest, gestation
germin-	sprout	Latin	germen, germinis	germination
glabr-	hairless	Latin	glaber	glabrous
glaci-	ice	Latin	glacies	glacier
gladi-	sword	Latin	gladius	gladiator
glob-	sphere	Latin	globus	global, globule
glori-	glory	Latin	gloria	glorify
glutin-	glue	Latin	gluten, glutinis	agglutination
grad-, -gred-, gress-	walk, step, go	Latin	gradus, gradere, gressus	grade, regress
gramm-	letter	Greek	γραμμα (gramma)	grammatic
gran-	grain	Latin	granum	granary, granule
grand-	grand	Latin	grandis	grandiloquous
graph-	draw, write	Greek	(graphē)	graphic, graphology
grat-	thank, please	Latin	gratus	gratitude
grav-	heavy	Latin	gravis	gravity
greg-	flock	Latin	grex, gregis	gregarious, segregation
gubern-	govern, pilot	Latin	gubernare	gubernatorial
gust-	taste	Latin	gustus	gusto
guttur-	throat	Latin	guttur	guttural
gymn-	nude	Greek	(gymnos)	gymnasium

H

Root	Meaning in English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
hab-, -hib-, habit-, -hibit-	have	Latin	habere, habitus	habit, prohibition
haem(o)-	blood	Greek	αἷμα (haima)	haemophilia
hal(o)-	salt	Greek	(hals, halos)	halogen
hal-, -hel-	breathe	Latin	halare, halatus	anhelation, inhale
hapl(o)-	simple	Greek	ἁπλοῦς (haplous)	haploid
haur-, haust-	draw	Latin	haurire, haustus	exhaust
heli(o)-	sun	Greek	ἥλιος	helium, heliotrope
hemi-	half	Greek	ἥμισυς (hemisus)	hemisphere
hen-	one	Greek	ἕν (hen)	henad, hyphen
hendec-	eleven	Greek	ἕνδεκα (hendeka)	hendecagon
hept-	seven	Greek	(hepta)	heptagon, heptathlon
her-, hes-	cling	Latin	haerere, haesus	adhesive, coherent
herb-	grass	Latin	herba	herbicide
hered-	heir	Latin	heres, heredis	heredity
herp-	creep	Greek		herpetology
heter(o)-	different, other	Greek	ἑτερος (heteros)	heterodox
heur-	find	Greek	εὑρίσκω	heuristic
hex-	six	Greek	ἕξ (hex)	hexagon
hibern-	wintry	Latin	hibernus	hibernation
hiem-	winter	Latin	hiems	hiemal
hipp(o)-	horse	Greek	ἵππος (hippos)	hippodrome
hirsut-	hairy	Latin	hirtus, hirsutus	hirsute
hispid-	bristly	Latin	hispidus	hispidity
histri-	actor	Latin		histrionic
hod-	way	Greek	ὁδός (hodos)	cathode, hodometer
hol(o)-	whole	Greek	(holos)	holistic
hom(o)-	same	Greek	(homos)	homosexual
homeo-	like	Greek	(homoios)	homeostasis
homin-	human	Latin	homo, hominis	hominid
homal-	even, flat	Greek	(homalos)	anomalous
honor-	esteem	Latin	honos, honoris	honorable
horm-	that which excites	Greek		hormone
hort(i)-	garden	Latin	hortus, horti	horticulture
hospit-	host	Latin	hospes, hospitis	hospitality
host-	enemy	Latin	hostis	hostile
hum-	ground	Latin	humus, humare	exhumation, inhume
hyal-	glass	Greek	ὕαλος (hualos)	hyaline, hyaloid
hydr(o)-	water	Greek	ὕδωρ	hydrology, hydrologist, Hydrogen, Hydrate, dehydrate, Hydrophobia, hydroponic, hydraulic, Hydrolysis, hydrous, hydrophilic
hygr-	wet	Greek	(hugros)	hygrometer
hyo-	U-shaped	Greek
hyp(o)-	under	Greek	ὑπό (hupo)	hypothermia
hyper-	above, over	Greek	ὑπέρ (huper)
hypn-	sleep	Greek	ὕπνος (hupnos)	hypnosis
hyster-	later	Greek	ὕστερος (husteros)	hysteresis

I

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
ichth-	fish	Greek	(ichthus)	ichthyology
icos-	twenty	Greek	(eikosi)	icosagon, icosahedron
id(o)-	shape	Greek	(eidos)	idol
ide(o)-	idea	Greek	(idea)	ideology, ideogram
idi(o)-	personal	Greek	(idios)	idiom, idiosyncrasy, idiot
ign-	fire	Latin	ignis	igneous, ignition
in- (1), im-	in, on	Latin	in	invite, incur, intend
in- (2), il-, im-, ir-	in, un- (negation)	Latin	in-	illicit, impossible, inimical, irrational
infra-	under	Latin	infra	infrastructure
insul-	island	Latin	insula	insular, insulation
inter-	among, between	Latin	inter (preposition) – among, between	intermission, intercollegiate, intercourse
intra-	within	Latin	intra	intracollegiate
irasc-, irat-	be angry	Latin	irasci	irascible, irate
is(o)-	equal, the same	Greek	(isos)	isomorphic, isometric, isoceles
-(i)tat-	property of, quality of	Latin		quality, liberty
iter-	again	Latin	iterum	iteration
itin-	route, way	Latin	iter, itinis – march, journey	itinerary

J

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
jac-	lie	Latin	jacēre "to be thrown"	adjacent
jac- (originally IAC), -ject-	cast, throw	Latin	iacio, iacere, ieci, iectus – "to throw" (and cognates thereof)	eject, interject, ejaculate, trajectory
jan-	door	Latin	janua	janitor
joc-	joke	Latin	jocus	jocularity
jug-	yoke	Latin	jugare, jugum	conjugal, subjugate
jung-, junct-	join	Latin	jungere, junctus	conjunction, juncture
junior-	younger	Latin	junior	juniority
jus-, jur, judic (originally IVS)	law, justice	Latin	ius, iuris; iudex, iudicis; iusticia, iusticiae, etc.	justice, jury, judge
juv-, jut-	help	Latin	juvare, jutus	adjutant
juven-	young, youth	Latin	juvenis	juvenile, rejuvenate
juxta-	beside, near	Latin	juxta	juxtaposition

K

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
kil(o)-	thousand	Greek	χίλιοι (chilioi)	kilogram, kilometer, kilobyte
kine-	movement, motion	Greek	κινέω (kineo)	telekinesis, kinetic energy, kinesthetic
klept-	steal	Greek	κλέπτης (kleptēs)	kleptomania
kudo-	glory	Greek	κῦδος (kudos)	kudos

L

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
lab-, laps-	slide, slip	Latin	labi, lapsus	elapse, relapse
labi-	lip	Latin	labia, labiae	bilabial, labial
labor-	toil	Latin	labor	collaboration, elaboration
lacer-	tear	Latin	lacer	laceration
lacrim-	cry, tears	Latin	lacrima "tear"	lacrimal, lacrimous
lact-	milk	Latin	lac, lactis, lactare	lactate, lactation, lactose
lamin-	layer, slice	Latin	lamina	laminate, lamination
lamp-	shine	Greek	lampas "torch"	lamp
lapid-	stone	Latin	lapis, lapidis	lapidary
larg-	large	Latin	largus	enlargement
larv-	ghost, mask	Latin	larva	larva, larvae, larval
lat(i)-	broad, wide	Latin	latus	latitude
later-	side	Latin	latus, lateris	bilateral
laud-, laus-	praise	Latin	laudere	laud
lav-	wash	Latin	lavare	lavatory
lax-	not tense	Latin	laxus, laxare	laxative, relaxation
led-, les-	hurt	Latin	laedere, laesus	lesion
leg-	law	Latin	lex, legis, legare	legal, legislative
leio-	smooth	Greek	leios	leiomyoma
leni-	gentle	Latin	lenis, lenire	leniency
leon-	lion	Latin	leo, leonis "lion"	Leo, leonine, Leopold
lep-	flake, scale	Greek	lepis	Lepidoptera
leps-	grasp, seize	Greek	lepsis	epilepsy
leuc(o)-, leuk(o)-	white	Greek	leukos	leucocyte
lev-	lift, light	Latin	levis "light" (in weight), levare	elevator, levitation
liber-	free	Latin	liber, liberare	liberation
libr-	book	Latin	liber, libri	library
lig-	bind	Latin	ligare, ligatus	ligament, ligature
lin-	line	Latin	linea	linearity, line
lingu-	language, tongue	Latin	lingua tongue, language	bilingual, linguistic
linqu-, lict-	leave	Latin	linquere, lictus	relict, relinquish
lip(o)-	fat	Greek	lipos	lipolysis
liter-	letter	Latin	littera	alliteration, illiterate, literacy, literal, obliterate
lith(o)-	stone	Greek	lithos "stone"	lithosphere, megalith, monolith, Neolithic Era
loc-	place	Latin	locus	local, location
log-	thought, word	Greek	logos "word"	logic, monologue, morphological
long-	long	Latin	longus	elongate, longitude
loqu-, locut-	speak	Latin	loqui	allocution, eloquence
luc-	bright, light	Latin	lux, lucis light	Lucifer (bearer of light)
lud-, lus-	play	Latin	ludere, lusus	allude, illusion
lumin-	light	Latin	lumen, luminis	illumination, luminous
lun-	moon	Latin	luna	lunar, lunatic

M

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
macr-	long	Greek	μακρός (makros)	macron
magn-	great, large	Latin	magnus	magnanimous, magnificent
maj-	greater	Latin	major, majus	majesty, majority, majuscule
mal-	bad, wretched, evil	Latin	malus	malfeasance, malicious, malignancy, malodorous
mamm-	breast	Latin	mamma	mammal, mammary gland
man-	flow	Latin	manare	emanationism, immanant
man-	stay	Latin	manēre, mansus	immanence, permanent, remanence
mand-	hand	Latin	mandāre, mandatus	mandate, remand
mania	crazy	Greek	μανία	kleptomania, maniac
manu-	hand	Latin	manus	manual, manuscript
mar-	sea	Latin	mare, maris	marine, maritime
mater-, matr-	mother	Latin	mater, matris	matriarch, matrix
maxim-	greatest	Latin	maximus	maximal
medi-, -midi-	middle	Latin	medius, mediare	median, medieval
meg-	great, large	Greek	(megas)	megaphone
mei-	less	Greek	(meiōn)	meiosis
melan-	black, dark	Greek	μέλας (melas)	Melanesia, melanoma
melior-	better	Latin	melior	amelioration
mell-	honey	Latin	mel, mellis	mellifluous
memor-	remember	Latin	memor	memorial
mening-	membrane	Greek	(meninx)	meningitis
men(o)-	moon	Greek	μήν (men)	menstruation, menopause
ment-	mind	Latin	mens, mentis	demented, mentality
mer-	part	Greek	(meros)	polymer
merc-		Latin	merx, mercis	mercantile, merchant
merg-, mers-	dip, plunge	Latin	mergere	emerge, immersion
mes-	middle	Greek	(mesos)	mesolithic, mesozoic
meter-, metr-	measure	Greek	(metron)	metric, thermometer
meta-	above, among, beyond	Greek	μετά (meta)	metaphor, metaphysics
mic-	grain	Latin	mica	micelle
micr(o)-	small	Greek	μικρός (mikros)	microphone, microscope
migr-	wander	Latin	migrare	emigrant, migrate
milit-	soldier	Latin	miles, militis	military, militia
mill-	thousand	Latin	mille	millennium, million
millen-	thousand each	Latin	milleni	millenary
mim-	repeat	Greek	(mimos)	mime, mimic
min-	jut	Latin	minere	prominent
min-	less, smaller	Latin	minor, minus	minority, minuscule
mir-	wonder, amazement	Latin	miror, mirari, miratus sum	admire, miracle, mirror
mis-	hate	Greek	μῖσος (misos)	misandry, misogyny
misce-, mixt-	mix	Latin	miscere, mixtus	miscellaneous, mixture
mit-	thread	Greek	μίτος (mitos)	mitochondrion
mitt-, miss-	send	Latin	mittere, missus	intermittent, missionary, transmission
mne-	memory	Greek	μνήμη (mnēmē)	mnemonic
mol-	grind	Latin	mola, molere, molitus	molar
moll-	soft	Latin	mollis	emollient, mollify
mon(o)-	one	Greek	(monos)	monolith, monotone, monism
monil-	string of beads	Latin	monile	Moniliformida
mont-	mountain	Latin	mons, montis	Montana
morph-	form, shape	Greek	μορφή (morphe)	anthropomorphism, morpheme, morphology
mort-	death	Latin	mors, mortis	immortal, mortality, mortuary
mov-, mot-	move, motion	Latin	moveo, movere, motus	mobile, momentum, motor, move
mulg-, muls-	milk	Latin	mulgere	emulsion
mult(i)-	many, much	Latin	multus	multitude, multiple, multiplex
mur-	wall	Latin	murus, muri	immured, mural
mus-	thief	Latin	mus, muris	mouse
musc-	fly	Latin	musca, muscae	Muscicapidae, Muscidae
mut-	change	Latin	mutare	mutation
my-	mouse	Greek	(mus)
myri-	countless, ten thousand	Greek	(murios)	myriad
myth-	story	Greek	(muthos)	mythic, mythology
myx-	slime	Greek	(muxa)
myz-	suck	Greek

N

Root	Meaning in English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
nar-	nostril	Latin	naris
narc-	numb	Greek	(narkē)	narcosis, narcotic
narr-	tell	Latin	narrare	narrative
nas-	nose	Latin	nasus	nasal
nasc-, nat-	born	Latin	nascere, natus	nascent, native
naut-	ship	Greek	(naus)	astronaut
nav-	ship	Latin	navis	naval
ne(o)-	new	Greek	(neos)	neologism
necr(o)-	dead	Greek	(nekros)	necrophobia
nect-, nex-	join, tie	Latin	nectere, nexus	connection
necto-, nect-	swimming	Greek	nektos	nectopod
neg-	say no	Latin	negare	negative
nema-	hair	Greek
nemor-	grove, woods	Latin	nemus, nemoris	nemoral
nephr-	kidney	Greek		nephritis
nes-	island	Greek	(nesos)	Polynesia
neur-	nerve	Greek	(neuron)	neurology, neurosurgeon
nict-	wink	Latin	nictari	nictation
nigr-	black	Latin	niger	denigrate
nihil-	nothing	Latin	nihilum	annihilation
noct-	night	Latin	nox, noctis	nocturnal
nod-	knot	Latin	nodus	node, nodule
nom-	arrangement, law	Greek	(nomos)
nomad-		Greek	(nomas, nomados)	nomadic
nomin-	name	Latin	nomen, nominis	nomination
non-	not	Latin	non
non-	ninth	Latin	nonus	nonary
nonagen-	ninety each	Latin	nonageni	nonagenary
nonagesim-	ninetieth	Latin	nonagesimus	nonagesimal
not-	letter, note, paper	Latin	notare	notaphily
noth-	spurious
noto-	back, south	Greek	(notos)
nov-	nine	Latin	novem	novennial
nov-	new	Latin	novus	innovation, nova
noven-	nine each	Latin	noveni	novenary
novendec-	nineteen	Latin	novendecim
nox-, noc-	harmful	Latin	noxa	noxious
nu-	nod	Latin	nuere	innuendo
nub-		Latin	nubes, nubis	nubile
nuc-	nut	Latin	nux, nucis	nucleus
nuch-	back of neck	Latin	nucha	nuchal cord
nud-	naked	Latin	nudus	denude, nudity
null(i)-	none	Latin	nullus	nullify
numer-	number	Latin	numerus	numeral
-nunci-	announce	Latin	nuntius	pronunciation
nupti-		Latin		nuptial
nutri-	nourish	Latin		nutrient

O

Root	Meaning in English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
ob-, o-, oc-, os-	against	Latin	ob	obstinate, ostentatious, obstreperous
oct-	eight	Greek	(oktō)	octagon, octahedron
oct-	eight	Latin	octō	octangular, octennial, octovir
octav-	eighth	Latin	octāvus	octaval
octogen-	eighty each	Latin	octogeni	octogenary
octogesim-	eightieth	Latin	octogesimus	octogesimal
octon-	eight each	Latin	octoni	octonary
ocul-	eye	Latin	oculus, oculare	ocular, oculus
od-	path, way	Greek	(hodos)	anode, odometer
od-	hate	Latin	odium	odious
odont-	tooth	Greek	(odous, odontos)	odontology
odor-	fragrant
oecious-	house of	Greek	(oikos)
oed-	swollen	Greek	(oidēma)	oedema
oen-	wine	Greek	(oinos)	oenology
oesoph-	gullet	Greek	(oisophagos)	oesophagus
ogdo-	eighth	Greek	(ogdoos)
-oid	like	Greek	(-oeidēs)
ole-	oily	Latin
olecran-	skull of elbow	Latin from Greek	(ōlekranon)	olecranon
olig-	few	Greek	(oligos)	oligarchy
oliv-	olive	Latin	oliva
-oma	cancer	Greek
omas-	paunch	Latin	omasum	omasum
oment-	fat skin	Latin	omentum
omin-		Latin	omen, ominis	ominous
omm-	eye	Greek	ὄμμα (omma)	ommatidium
omni-	all	Latin	omnis	omnipotence, omnivore
omo-	shoulder	Latin
omphal-	navel	Greek	(omphalos)	omphalectomy
oner-	burden	Latin	onus, oneris	onerous
onom-	name	Greek	όνομα (onoma)	onomatopoeia
ont-	existing	Greek	(ontos)	ontogeny, ontology
-onym	name	Greek	(onuma)	pseudonym
oo-	egg	Greek	(oion)	oocyte
opac-	shady	Latin	opacus	opacity
oper-	work	Latin	opus, operis	opera
opercul-	little cover	Latin	operculum
ophi-	snake	Greek	(ophis)
ophthalm-	eye	Greek	(ophthalmos)	ophthalmology
opisth-	behind	Greek	(opisthen)	opisthosoma, opsimath
opoter-	either	Greek	ὁπότερος (hopoteros)
opt-	eye	Greek	optos	optical
opt-	choose	Latin	optare	adopt, optional
optim-	best	Latin	optimus	optimum
or-	mouth	Latin	os, oris	oral, orator
orb-	circle	Latin	orbis	orbit
orch-	testicle	Greek	(orchis)
ordin-	order	Latin	ōrdō, ordinis	ordinal, ordinary
organ-		Greek	(organon)	organism
ori-, ort-	eastern	Latin	oriri, ortus	orient
orn-		Latin	ōrnāre	adorn, ornament, ornate
ornith-	bird	Greek	ὄρνις (ornis, ornithos)	ornithology
orth(o)-	straight	Greek	ὀρθός (orthos)	orthodoxy, orthosis
oscill-	swing	Latin	oscillum	oscillation
oss(i)-	bone	Latin	os, ossis
osteo-	bone	Greek	ὀστοῦν (ostoun)	osteoporosis
osti-	entrance	Latin	ostium	ostiole
ostrac-	shell	Greek	(ostrakon)	ostracism
ot-	ear	Greek	οὖς (ous, ōtos)	otology
ov-	egg	Latin	ovum	oval, ovule
ovi-	sheep	Latin	ovis	ovine
oxy-	sharp, pointed	Greek	(oxus)	oxymoron

P

Root	Meaning in English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
pac-	peace	Latin	pax, pacis	pacifism
pach-	thick	Greek	παχύς (pachus)	pachydermata
paed-	child	Greek	παῖς, παιδός (pais, paidos)	paediatric
pagin-	page	Latin	pagina	pagination
pal-	stake	Latin	palus	impale
palae-, pale-	ancient, old	Greek	παλαιός (palaios)	paleontology
palin-	back	Greek	παλιν (palin)	palindrome
pall-	pale	Latin	pallere	pallid, pallor
palli-	mantle	Latin	pallium	pallium
palm-	palm	Latin	palma	palmate
palustr(i)-	in marshes	Latin	paluster	palustral
pan-, pam-	all	Greek	πᾶς, παντός (pas, pantos)	pandemic
pand-, pans-	spread	Latin	pandere, pansus	expand, expansion
par(a)-	beside, near	Greek	παρά (para)	parallel, parameter
pariet-	wall	Latin	paries, parietis	parietal
part(i)-	part	Latin	pars, partis	partition
parthen(o)-	maiden	Greek	παρθένος (parthenos)	parthenogenesis
parv-	little	Latin	parvus
pasc-, past-	feed	Latin	pascere, pastus	pasture, repast
pass-	pace, step	Latin	passus
passer-	sparrow	Latin	passer	passeriform, passerine
pat-	be open	Latin	patere	patent
path-	to feel, hurt	Greek	πάθος (pathos)	pathetic, pathology
pati-, pass-	suffer; feel; endure; permit	Latin	pati, passus	passive, patient
patr(i)-	father	Latin	pater, patris	patriarch, patrilocal
pauc-		Latin	paucus	paucity
pav-		Latin		pavement
pecc-	sin	Latin	peccare	impeccable
pect-	fixed	Greek	πηκτός (pēktos)	pectic, pectin
pector-	chest	Latin	pectus, pectoris	pectoral
pecun-	money	Latin	pecunia	pecuniary
ped-	child	Greek	παῖς, παιδός (pais, paidos)	pedagogy
ped-	foot	Latin	pes, pedis	pedal
pejor-	worse	Latin	pejor	pejorative
pel-, puls-	drive	Latin	pellere	propellent, propulsion
pen-	almost	Latin	paene	peninsula, penultimate, penumbra
pend-, pens-	hang	Latin	pendere	suspend
penia-	deficiency	Greek	πενία (penia)
penn-, pinn-	feather	Latin	penna	pennate
pent-	five	Greek	πέντε (pente)	pentagon
pentecost-	fiftieth	Greek	(pentekostos)	pentecostalism
pept-		Greek	πέσσειν, πεπτός (pessein, peptos)	peptic
per-	thoroughly, through	Latin	per	perfect, persistent
peran-	across, beyond	Greek
peri-	around	Greek	περί	perimeter, periscope
persic-	peach	Greek	περσικός (persikos)
pessim-	worst	Latin	pessimus	pessimal
pet-		Latin	petere	appetite, competition
petr-	rock	Greek	πέτρα (petra)	petroglyph
phaeo-	dark	Greek	φαιός (phaios)
phag-	eat	Greek	φαγεῖν (phagein)	sarcophagus
phalang-	close formation of troops, finger bones	Greek	φάλαγξ, φάλαγγος (phalanx, phalangos)	phalange(s)
phalar-	having a patch of white	Greek	φάλαρος (phalāros)
phanero-	visible	Greek	φανερός
pher-	bear, carry	Greek	φέρω	pheromone
philia-	love, friendship	Greek	φιλια
phleg-		Greek
phloe-	tree bark	Greek	φλοιός(phloios)
phob(ia)-	fear	Greek	φόβος ()	hydrophobia
phon(o)-	sound	Greek	φωνή (phone)	microphone, phonograph
phor-	carry	Greek	(phoros)	metaphor
phos-, phot-	light	Greek	φῶς	photograph
phragm-	fence	Greek	(phragma)	diaphragm
phren-	diaphragm, mind	Greek	φρήν, φρενός (phrēn, phrenos)	schizophrenia
phryn(o)-	toad, toad-like	Greek	(phrunē)
phyl-	tribe	Greek	(phulon)	phylum
phyll-	leaf	Greek	(phullon)	chlorophyll
physa-	bladder	Greek	(phusa)
phys-	nature	Greek		physics
phyt-	plant	Greek	(phuton)	neophyte
pic-	pitch	Latin	pix, picis
pil-	hair	Latin
pin-	pine	Latin
ping-, pict-	paint	Latin	pingere	picture
pino-	drink	Greek	(pinein)	pinocytosis
pir-	pear	Latin
pisc-	fish	Latin	piscis	Pisces
pis-	pea	Greek	(pisos)
plac-	plate, tablet	Greek	(plax, plakos)
plac-	calm	Latin	placare, placatus	placate
plac-, -plic-	please	Latin	placēre, placitus	placid
plagi-	oblique	Greek	(plagios)
plan-	flat	Latin	planus	explanation, planar
plang-		Latin	plangere	plangent
plas-	mould	Greek		plasma, plastic
platy-	flat, broad	Greek	(platus)	platypus
plaud-, plaus-	clap	Latin	plaudere, plausus	applaud
ple-, plet-	fill	Latin	plere	complete, suppletive
pleb-	people	Latin	plebs, plebis	plebian
plect-, plex-	plait	Latin	plectere, plexus	perplex
plec-	interwoven	Greek	πλέκω (pleko)	Plectics
plen-	full	Latin	plenus	plenary
plesi-	near	Greek	πλησίος (plēsios)
pleth-	full	Greek	πλῆθος (plēthos)	plethora
pleur-	side	Greek	πλευρά pleura
plic-	fold, braid	Latin	plicare, plicatus	duplication, replicate
plinth-	brick	Greek	πλίνθος (plinthos)
plor-		Latin	plorare	implore
plu-	rain	Latin	pluere
plum-	feather	Latin	pluma	plumage, plumate
plumb-	lead	Latin	plumbum
plur-	more	Latin	pluris	plural
plurim-	most	Latin	plurimus
plus-	more	Latin	plus
pluvi-	rain	Latin	pluvia	pluvial
pneu-	air, lung	Greek	πνεῦμα	pneumatic
pod-	foot	Greek	πούς, ποδός (pous, podos)	podiatry, tripod
pogon(o)-	beard	Greek	πώγων, πώγωνος (pōgōn, pōgōnos)	pogonotrophy
poie-	make	Greek	ποιέω	poiesis
pole-, poli-	city	Greek	πόλις (polis)	metropolis, politics
pol-	pole	Greek	πόλος (polos)	dipole, polar
pol-	stake, pale	Latin	palus	pole-vault
polem-	war	Greek	πόλεμος (polemos)	polemic
poli(o)-	grey	Greek	πολιός (polios)
pollic-	thumb	Latin	pollex, pollicis
pollin-		Latin	pollen, pollinis	pollination
poly-	many	Greek	πολύς (polus)	polygon
pon-, posit-	put	Latin	ponere, positus	component, position, postpone
ponder-	weight	Latin	pondus, ponderis	ponderable
pont-	bridge	Latin	pons, pontis	pontoon
popul-	people	Latin	populus	population
por-	passage	Greek	πόρος (poros)	pore
porc-	pig	Latin	porcus	porcine, pork
porphyr-	purple	Greek	πορφύρα (porphura)	porphyrin
port-	gate	Latin	porta	portal
port-	carry	Latin	portare, portatus	export, transportation
post-	after, behind	Latin	post	posterior, postscript
pot-	drink	Latin	potare	potable
potam-	river	Greek	ποταμός (potamos)	Mesopotamia, hippopotamus
prasin-	leek-green	Greek	πράσινος (prasinos)	prasinous
prat-	meadow	Latin	pratum
prav-	crooked	Latin	pravus	depravity
pre-	before	Latin	prae	previous
prec-	pray	Latin	prex, precare	deprecation
pred-		Latin	praedari	predator
prehend-, prend-	grasp	Latin	prehendere	comprehend
prem-, -prim-, press-	press	Latin	premere, pressus	pressure
presb-	old	Greek	πρέσβυς (presbus)	Presbyterianism
preter-	past	Latin	praeter	preterite, pretermission
preti-	price	Latin	pretium
prim-	first	Latin	primus	primary, primeval, primitive
prior-	former	Latin	prior	priority
priv-	separate	Latin	privare, privatus	deprivation
pro-	before, in front of	Greek	πρό (pro)
pro-	for, forward	Latin	pro	propulsion
prob-	try	Latin	probare	probation
proct-	anus	Greek	πρωκτός (proktos)	proctology
propri-		Latin	proprius	appropriate
pros(o)-	forward	Greek	πρός (pros)
prot(o)-	first	Greek	πρῶτος (prōtos)	protoplasm
proxim-	nearest	Latin	proximus	proximity
prun-	plum	Latin	prunus	prune
psamma-	sand	Greek	ψάμμος (psammos)
pseud(o)-	false	Greek	ψεῦδος (pseudos)	pseudonym
psil(o)-	bare	Greek	ψιλός (psilos)	epsilon
psych(o)-	mind	Greek	ψυχη (psychē)	psycho
psychr(o)-	cold	Greek	ψυχρος (psuchros)
pter-	wing, fern	Greek	(pteron)	helicopter
pto-	fall	Greek		ptosis
ptyal-	saliva	Greek	πτύον (ptyon)
ptych-	fold, layer	Greek	πτυχή (ptuchē)	triptych
pubi-	sexually mature	Latin		pubic, pubescent
public-		Latin	publicus	publication
pude-		Latin	pudere	impudent
pugn-	fight	Latin	pugnare	pugnacious, repugnant
pulchr-	beautiful	Latin	pulcher, pulchri	pulchritude
pulmon-	lung	Latin	pulmo, pulmonis	pulmonary
pulver-	dust	Latin	pulvis, pulveris	pulverize
pung-, punct-	prick	Latin	pungere	puncture, pungent
puni-	punish	Latin	punire	punitive
pup-	doll	Latin	pupa	pupa, puppet
pur-	pure	Latin	purus	impure, purity
purg-		Latin	purgare	expurgate, purgatory
purpur-	purple	Latin	purpura
put-	think	Latin	putare	compute, putative
pygo-	rump	Greek	(pugē)
pyl-	gate	Greek	πυλών, πυλῶνος (pulōn)	pylon
pyr(o)-	heat, fire	Greek	πύρ, πυρός (pur, puros)	pyrolysis

Q

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
quadr-	four	Latin	quattuor	quadrangle, quadrillion
quadragen-	forty each	Latin	quadrageni	quadragenary
quadragesim-	fortieth	Latin	quadragesimus	quadragesimal
quart-	fourth	Latin	quartus	quartary, quartile
quasi-	as if	Latin	quasi
quatern-	four each	Latin	quaterni	quaternary, quaternion
quati-, quass-	shake	Latin	quatere
quer-, -quir-, quesit-, -quisit-	search, seek	Latin	quaerere	Inquisition, query
qui-	rest	Latin	quies	quiet
quin-	five each	Latin	quini	quinary
quindecim-	fifteenth	Latin	quindecimus	quindecimal
quinden-	fifteen each	Latin	quindeni	quindenary
quinque-	five	Latin	quinque	quinquennium
quint-	fifth	Latin	quintus	quintary, quintile
quot-	how many, how great	Latin		quota, quotient

R

Root	Meaning In English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
rad-, ras-	scrape, shave	Latin	radere, rasus	abrade, abrasion
radi-	beam, spoke	Latin	radius, radiare	radiance, radiation
radic-	root	Latin	rādix, rādīcis	eradicate, radical
ram-	branch	Latin	rāmus	ramification, ramose
ran-	frog	Latin	rana	Rana
ranc-	rancidness, grudge, bitterness	Latin	rancere	rancid, rancor
rap-	turnip	Latin	rapum	rapeseed
raph-	seam	Greek	(raphē)
rar-		Latin	rarus	rarity
rauc-	harsh, hoarse	Latin	raucus	raucous
re-, red-	again, back	Latin	re-	recede, redact
reg-, -rig-, rect-	straight	Latin	regere, rectus	dirigible, erect, erection, rectum
rem-	oar	Latin	remus	bireme, trireme
ren-	kidney	Latin	renes	renal
rep-, rept-	crawl, creep	Latin	repere, reptus	reptile
ret-	net	Latin	rete	reticle, retina
retro-	backward, behind	Latin	retro	retrograde, retrospective, retrovirus
rhabd-	rod	Greek	ῥάβδος (rhabdos)	rhabdoid, rhabdom
rhach-, rach-	spine	Greek	ῥάχις, ῥάχεως (rhachis)	rhachiodont
rhag-	tear, rent	Greek	ῥαγίζω	rhagades
rhe-	flow	Greek	ῥεῖν (rhein)	rheostat
rhig-	chill	Greek	ῥῖγος (rhigos)	rhigosaurus
rhin-	nose, snout	Greek	ῥίς, ῥινός (rhis, rhinos)	rhinoplasty
rhiz-	root	Greek	ῥίζα (rhiza)	rhizome
rhod(o)-	rose	Greek	ῥόδον (rhodon)	rhododendron
rhomb-		Greek	ῥόμβος (rhombos)	rhombus
rhynch-	snout	Greek	ῥύγχος	Rhynchobatus
rid-, ris-	laugh	Latin	ridere, risus	derision, ridicule
robor-	oak, strength	Latin	robur, roboris	corroboration
rod-, ros-	gnaw	Latin	rodere, rosus	corrode, erosion, rodent
rog-	ask	Latin	rogare	interrogation
rostr-	beak, prow	Latin	rostrum	rostrum
rot-	wheel	Latin	rota, rotare	rotation
ruber-, rubr-	red	Latin	ruber	rubric, ruby
rug-	wrinkle	Latin	ruga, rugare	corrugation
rumin-	throat	Latin	rumen, ruminis	rumination
rump-, rupt-	break	Latin	rumpere, ruptus	eruption, rupture
rur-	country	Latin	rus, ruris	rural

S

Root	Meaning in English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
sacchar-	sugar	Greek	σάκχαρον (sakcharon)	saccharin
sarc(o)-	flesh	Greek	σάρξ (sarx, sarkos)	sarcophagus
saur-	lizard, reptile	Greek	σαῦρος (sauros)	dinosaur
scalen-	uneven	Greek	skalenos	scalene
scaph-	anything hollow, bowl, ship	Greek
schem-	plan	Greek	σχῆμα (schema)	schematic
schis-	split	Greek	σχίσμα (schisma)	schism
sci-	know	Latin	scire	prescient, science
scind-, sciss-	split	Latin	scindere	scissors
scler-	hard	Greek	σκληρός (sklēros)	scleroderma
scoli-	crooked	Greek	σκολιός (skolios)	scoliosis
scop-, scopy, scept-	look at, examine, view, observe	Greek	σκοπός (skopos)	kaleidoscope, stethoscope
scyph-	cup	Greek		Scyphozoa
sec-, sect-, seg-	cut	Latin	secare	secant, section, segment
sed-	settle, calm	Latin	sedare	sedative
sed-, -sid-, sess-	sit	Latin	sedere	reside, sediment, session, supersede
sedec-	sixteen	Latin	sedecim	sedecimal
seget-	in cornfields	Latin	segetum
sei-	shake	Greek	σεισμός (seismos)	seismograph
selen-	moon	Greek	σελήνη (selene)	Selene
sell-	saddle, seat	Latin	sella
sema-		Greek	σῆμα (sema)	semantics, semaphore
semi-	half	Latin	semis	semi-final
semin-	seed	Latin	semen, seminis	insemination
sen-	old man	Latin	senex, senis	senator, senility
sen-	six each	Latin	seni	senary
senti-, sens-	feel	Latin	sentire, sensus	consensus
sept-		Latin	saeptum
sept-	seven	Latin	septem	septennium
septen-	seven each	Latin	septeni	septenary
septim-	seventh	Latin	septimus
septuagen-	seventy each	Latin	septuageni	septuagenary
septuagesim-	seventieth	Latin	septuagesimus	septuagesimal
septuagint-	seventy	Latin	septuaginta	Septuagint
sequ-, secut-	follow	Latin	sequere	consecutive, sequence
ser(o)-	any body fluid	Latin	serum
ser(ot)-	late	Latin	serus
serp-	crawl	Latin	serpere	serpent
serr-	saw, saw-toothed	Latin	serra, serrare	serration
serv-	save, protect, serve	Latin	servare	conservation
sesqui-		Latin	sesqui
set-	hair	Latin	seta
sever-	severe	Latin	severus	severity
sex-, se-	six	Latin	sex	semester, sexangle, sexennium
sexagen-	sixty each	Latin	sexageni	sexagenary
sexagesim-	sixtieth	Latin	sexagesimus	sexagesimal
sext-	sixth	Latin	sextus	sextant
sibil-	hiss	Latin	sibilus, sibilare	sibilance
sicc-	dry	Latin	siccus	desiccation
sider-	star	Latin	sidus, sideris	sidereal
sign-	sign	Latin	signum	design, designate, signal
sil-		Latin	silere	silence
silv-	forest	Latin	silva	silviculture
simi-	ape, monkey	Latin	simia	simian
simil-	likeness, trust, group	Latin	similis	assimilate, similarity
simul-		Latin	simulare	simulation
singul-	one each	Latin	singuli	singular
sinistr-	left	Latin	sinister, sinistri	sinistral
sinu-	(to draw) a line	Latin	sinuare	insinuate
sinus-	hollow, bay	Latin	sinus
siph(o)-	tube	Greek		siphon
sist-	cause to stand	Latin	sistere	consist
sito-	food, grain, wheat	Greek	σίτος (sitos)	sitology
solen-	pipe, channel	Greek	σωλήν (solen)	solenoid
solv-, solut-	loosen, set free	Latin	solvere	solution
soma-	body	Greek	σῶμα (sōma)	somatic
somn-	sleep	Latin	somnus	insomnia
somni-	dream	Latin	somnium
son-	sound	Latin	sonus	resonance
soph-	Wise	Greek	σοφός (sophos)	sophist
sorb-, sorpt-	suck	Latin	sorbere	absorb, absorption
sord-	dirt	Latin	sordes, sordere	sordid
soror-	sister	Latin	soror	sorority
spati-	space	Latin	spatium	spatial
spec-, -spic-, spect-	look	Latin	specere	conspicuous, inspection, specimen
spect-	watch, look at	Latin	spectare	spectator
specul-		Latin	speculari	speculation
sper-	hope	Latin	spes, sperare	desperation, esperance
sperm-	seed	Greek	σπέρμα (sperma)
sphen(o)-	wedge	Greek	σφήν (sphen)
spher-	ball	Greek	σφαῖρα (sphaira)	spheroid, sphere
sphinct-	closing	Greek
spondyl-	vertebra
stagn-	pool of standing water	Latin	stagnare	stagnant
stalact-		Greek	(stalaktites)	stalactite
stalagm-		Greek	(stalagmos)	stalagmite
stea-	fat, tallow	Greek	(stear, steatos)	stearic acid
steg-	covering	Greek		steganography
stell-	star	Latin	stella	constellation, stellar
sten-	narrow	Greek	στενός (stenos)	stenography
stere-	solid	Greek	στερεός (stereos)
stern-, strat-	spread, strew	Latin	sternere, stratus	stratify
stern-	breastbone	Greek	στέρνον (sternon)	sternum
stich-	line, row	Greek	στίχος (stichos)
stig-		Greek	στίγμα	stigma
still-	drip	Latin	stilla, stillare	distillation
stimul-	goad, rouse, excite			stimulate
stingu-, stinct-		Latin	stinguere	distinction, distinguish
stoch-	aim	Greek	στόχος	stochastic
stom-	mouth	Greek	στόμα
strept-	twisted	Greek	στρεπτός (streptos)
strig-	compress	Latin	strix, strigis	strigogyps
string-, strict-	upright, stiff	Latin	stringere, strictus	stringent
strigos-	having stiff bristles	Latin
stroph-	turning	Greek	στροφή (strophe)
stru-, struct-		Latin	struere	construction, construe
stud-		Latin	studere	student
stup-	wonder	Latin	stupere	stupor
styl-	column, pillar	Greek	στῦλος (stulos)	stylus
su-, sut-	sew	Latin	suere	suture
sui-	self			suicide
suad-, suas-		Latin	suadere, suasus	persuasion
syn-, sy-, syl-, sym-	with	Greek	σύν (sun)	symbol, system, synonym, symmetry
syring-	pipe	Greek	σύριγξ, σύριγγος (syrinx, syringos)

T

Root	Meaning in English	Origin Language	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
tach-	swift	Greek	ταχυς (tachus)	tachometer
taenia-	ribbon	Greek	(tainia)
tars-	ankle	Greek	ταρσός (tarsos, a flat basket)	tarsal
taur-	bull	Greek	ταῦρος (tauros)	Minotaur
tax-	arrangement, order	Greek	(taxis)	taxonomy
techn-		Greek	τέχνη (techne)	technology
tele-	far, end	Greek	τῆλε-	telephone, telescope, telegram
teleo-	complete	Greek	τέλος	teleology
temno-	cut	Greek	τέμνω
tetr-	four	Greek	(tetra-)	tetrahedron
thalam-	chamber, bed	Greek	θάλαμος (thalamos)	thalamus
thalass-	sea	Greek	θάλασσα (thalassa)	Panthalassa
than-	death	Greek	θάνατος (thanatos)	euthanasia
the-	put	Greek	τίθημι (tithemi)	theme, thesis thesaurus
-theca	case	Greek	θήκ
thel(o)-	nipple, female	Greek	θηλή
the(o)-, thus-	god	Greek	θεός (theos)	theology, enthusiasm
theori-		Greek	θεωρία	theorem, theory
therm-	heat	Greek	θερμός (thermos)	thermometer
thero-	beast, animal	Greek	θήρ, θηρός
thyreo-	large shield	Greek	θυρεός	thyroid
tim-	be afraid	Latin	timere	timid
ting-, tinct-	moisten	Latin	tingere, tinctus	tincture
tom-	cut	Greek	τομή (tome), τόμος (tomos)	ectomy, atom, tome
ton-	stretch	Greek	τόνος (tonos)
top-	place	Greek	τόπος (topos)	topic, topography
torn-	cut	Latin from Greek	tornare < τόρνος (tornos)
torpe-	numb	Latin	torpere	torpor
torqu-, tort-	twist	Latin	torquere, tortus	extortion, torque, torture
tot-	all, whole	Latin	totus	total
tox(o)-	arrow, bow	Greek	τόξον (toxon)
trab-	beam	Latin	trabs, trabis
trachy-	rough	Greek	(trachus)
trag(o)-	goat	Greek	(tragos)	tragus
trah-, tract-	pull	Latin	trahere, tractus	subtrahend, tractor
trans-, tra-, tran-	across	Latin	trans	tradition, transcend, transportation
trapez-	four-sided, table	Greek	(trapeza)	trapezoid
traum-	wound	Greek	(trauma)	trauma, traumatic
trecent-	three hundred	Latin	trecenti	trecentennial
tredec-	thirteen	Latin	tredecim
treiskaidek-	thirteen	Greek	τρεισκαίδεκα	triskaidekaphobia
trema-	hole	Greek	τρῆμα (trēma)
tri-	three	Greek	τρεῖς, τρία (treis, tria)	triad, trigon, tripod
tricesim-, trigesim-	thirtieth	Latin	tricesimus	trigesimal
trich-	hair	Greek	θρίξ, τριχός (thrix, trichos)	trichopathophobia
trin-	three each	Latin	trini	trinity
troch-	wheel	Greek	τροχός
trop-	turning	Greek	τρόπος (tropos)	tropic
troph-	feed, grow	Greek	τροφός	pogonotrophy
tympan-	drum	Greek	τύμπανον (tumpanon)	tympani

U

Root	Meaning in English	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
ulo-	wooly
ur-, uro-	tail	οὐρά (oura)	uroborus, uroid
ur-, uro-	urine	οὖρον (ouron)	urology

X

Root	Meaning in English	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
xanth-	yellow	(xanthos)	xanthogenic
xen-	foreign	ξενος (xenos)	xenophobia
xer-	dry	(xēros)	xerography
xiph-	sword	(xiphos)	xiphoid
xyl-	wood	(xulon)	xylophone

Z

Root	Meaning In English	Etymology (Root Origin)	English Examples
zo-	animal, living being	ζῷον (zōion)	protozoa, zoo, zoology
zon-	belt, girdle	ζώνη (zōnē)	zone
zyg-	yoke	ζυγον (zugon)	heterozygous, zygote
zym-	ferment, yeast	ζύμη (zumē)	enzyme, lysozyme

External links

• List of Latin Derivatives
• Greek and Latin roots