- Anthropos (mankind):
- Anthropology = study of mankind
- Philanthropy = love for mankind
- Misanthrope = one who hates his fellow mortals
- Agogos (Leader):
- Pedagogue = a narrow-minded, strait-laced, old-fashioned, dogmatic teacher
- Demagogue = one who stirs up discontent among the masses so he can gain political power
- Alter (other):
- Altruism = philosophy of putting another’s welfare above one’s own
- Altercation = argument
- To Alternate = to skip one
- To Alter = to change
- Alternative = a choice
- Alter ego = A very close and trusted friend who seems almost a part of yourself
- Alternate (adj.) = other
- Alteration = a change
[off-topic: Adulation > flattery > Compliment]
- Astron (star):
- Astronomy = study of celestial phenomena
- Astrology = Pseudoscience which claims it can foretell the future by a study of the stars
- Astronomical = tremendously big
- Aster = a star-shaped flower
- Asterisk = a star-shaped symbol
- Disaster = calamity/ cataclysm/ catastrophe
- Ambi (both):
- Ambidextrous = equally skillful with each hand; deceitful
- Ambivert = one who turns his mind both inward and outward
- Ambiguity = accidentally double-entendre
- Ambivalent = Uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow
- Ambit = An area in which something acts or operates or has power or control
- Ambience = A particular environment or surrounding influence
- Ambul (to walk):
- Ambulatory = Able to walk about (verb: Amble)
- Ambulance = vehicle that takes people to and from hospitals
- Perambulator = A small vehicle with four wheels in which a baby or child is pushed around
- Anima (Soul or Spirit or Mind):
- Animal = A living organism
- Animate = Give new life or energy to; vivify
- Inanimate = Not endowed with life
- Animated = Having life or vigor or spirit
- Animation = Liveliness/ Life/ Vitality
- Magnanimous = Noble and generous in spirit
- Pusillanimous = Lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful [Pusilàvery small]
- Unanimous = of one mind; in complete agreement
- Equanimity = Steadiness of mind under stress
- Animus = Hostility/ ill will/ malevolence/ Animosity
- Algia (pain):
- Analgesic = Anodyne/ Pain-killer
- Neuralgia = Acute spasmodic pain along nerves
- Nostalgia = Longing for something past (“nostos” means “a return to home”)
- an/ ana (not/ no):
- Anemia = Lack of important elements in blood
- Anarchy = Lack of Law
- Analgesia = Lack of Pain
- Anomaly = Something not according to rule
- Anathema = bête noire/ A detested person
- Arch (rule):
- Monarchy = Gov. ruled by Single Ruler
- Oligarchy = Gov. ruled by few privileged people
- Anarchist = one opposed to government
- Hierarchy = Higher echelons of Government, church, Business, etc.
- Ante (before):
- Anterior = Forepart/ front/ stem
- Antecedent = coming before
- Antediluvian = Before the flood; ancient
- Anti (against):
- Antiseptic = against contamination
- Antipathy = a feeling against
- Antonym = words of opposite meanings
- Bios (life):
- Biology = study of all life
- Biography = story of someone’s life
- Autobiography = A biography of yourself
- Biopsy = medical examination of living tissue
- Botane (plant):
- Botany = The branch of biology that studies plants
- Bene (good):
- Benign = benignant/ kind/ gracious
- Benediction = a blessing/ Boon (good saying)
- Beneficent = causing good (doing well)
- Benevolent = well-disposed (wishing well)
- Benefactor = helpful/ favorable (a good doer)
- Benefit = Gain/ profit; welfare
- Badinage:
- Badinage = a half-teasing, non-malicious, frivolous Banter, intended to amuse rather than wound [its closest synonym is “Persiflage”]
- Bibere (to drink):
- Imbibe = (Liquor) Take in liquids/ soak up
- Bibulous = boozy/ drunken/ sottish
- Bovis (ox or cow):
- Bovine = Dull and slow-moving and stolid; like an ox
- Kardia (heart):
- Cardiologist = heart specialist
- Cardiac = of or relating to heart
- Cardiogram = electrically produced record of the beats of the heart
- Cardiograph = instrument which produces cardiogram
- Chiros (hand):
- Chirography = Beautiful handwriting
- Chiropractic = use of hands in the curing of ailments
- Chiropody = treatment of the surface ailments of hand and foot
- Conscience (scruples/ moral sense):
- Conscionable = Just
- Unconscionable = Lacking a conscience
- Conscientious = scrupulous; painstaking
- Corr (correction):
- Corrigible = amendable/ redeemable/ reformable
- Incorrigible = Impervious to correction by punishment
- corrigendum = A printer's error; to be corrected
- Chronos (Time):
- Chronic = going on for a long time
- Anachronism = something out of time
- Chronological = Relating to or arranged according to temporal order
- Chronometer = An accurate clock (especially used in navigation)
- Chronicle = A record or narrative description of past events that happened at one time
- Synchronize = Happen at the same time; contemporize
- Synchronoscope = An instrument that indicates whether two periodic motions are synchronous
- Con (together):
- Conformity = Correspondence in form or appearance
- Congruity = The quality of agreeing
- Consonance = The property of sounding harmonious
- Concord = Go together; be in accord
- Consensus = Agreement in the judgment or opinion reached by a group as a whole
- Consign = Commit forever; commit irrevocably
- Concert = A performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging
- Consolidate = Bring together into a single whole or system; Form into a solid mass or whole
- Contiguous = conterminous; neighboring/ adjacent
- Cogere (to drive together/ compel/ force):
- Cogent = Powerfully persuasive
- Cogency = The quality of being valid and rigorous
- Cogently = In a cogent manner; forcibly; convincingly; conclusively
- Chauvinist:
- Chauvinist = an exaggerated & blatant patriot/ jingoist
[according to the name of a French soldier, Nicholas Chauvin, during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte]
- Caedo/ Cide (to cut down/ kill):
- Suicide = killing oneself
- Fratricide = killing of one’s brother
- Sororicide = killing of one’s sister
- Homicide = killing a human being (general term for slaying; if proves, it is called “murder”)
- Regicide = killing of king, president, etc.
- Uxoricide = killing of one’s wife
- Infanticide = killing of a newborn child
- Genocide = killing of a whole race or nation
- Virucide = An agent (physical or chemical) that inactivates or destroys viruses
- Kratia (Rule):
- Gerontocracy = Gov. ruled by old people
- Plutocracy = Gov. ruled by wealthy people
- Technocracy = Gov. ruled by Scientists & Engineers
- Bureaucracy = Gov. ruled by Bureaus
- Democracy = Gov. ruled by the People
- Autocracy = Gov. ruled by an absolute Dictator/ Absolutism/ Totalitarianism
- Credo (believe):
- Credo = Principles by which someone guides his action
- Creed = a religious belief
- Credence = mental attitude that something is believable
- Credentials = bona fides/ attestation/ Certificate
- Credulous = willing to believe
- Credible = Capable of being believed
- Credit = Have trust in; trust in the truth or veracity of
- Cred = Credibility among young fashionable urban individuals
- Credenza = A kind of sideboard or buffet
- Circum (around):
- circumambient = Surrounding/ encompassing
- circumambulate = Walk around something
- circumcision = surgical removal of foreskin of males
- circumduction = circular movement of a limb or eye
- circumflex = diacritical mark
- circumfuse = Spread something around something
- circumfluous = Flowing round
- circumstantial = Fully detailed and specific
- circumvallation = act of surrounding with a wall
- circumvent = Surround so as to force to give up
- circumvolute = Wind or turn in volutions
- Cliché:
- Cliché = it is a pattern of words which was once new & fresh, but which now is so old, worn & threadbare that only banal, unimaginative speakers & writers ever use it
[its closer synonyms are “Bromide” & “Platitude”]
- Clandestine:
- Clandestine = secrecy or concealment in the working out of a plan which is evil or illegal
[Surreptitious = Stealthy, Sneaky, Furtive, generally because of fear of detection]
- Carnis (Flesh):
- Carnelian = Color of red flesh
- Carnival = festival of merrymaking and processions
- Carnal = Marked by appetites and passions of body
- Carnage = great destruction of Life
- Reincarnation = Return to another body after death
- Castigare (to correct):
- Castigate = Censure severely
- Caput (head):
- Recapitulate = Summarize briefly
- Capital = seat of the head of the government
- Decapitate = behead
- Captain = the head of a group
- Cheval (horse) or Caballus (an inferior horse):
- Chivalrous = Being attentive to women like an ideal knight; Gallant
- Cavalcade = A procession of people traveling on horseback
- Cavalier = Given to haughty disregard of others
- Cavalry = Troops trained to fight on horseback
- Cilium (eyelid):
- Supercilious = Having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
- Cadere (to fall):
- Cadaver = corpse
- Cadaverous = Very thin from disease/ hunger/ cold
- Decadent = Marked by excessive self-indulgence and moral decay; effete
- Dexter (right hand):
- Dexterous = skillful/ adroit
- Dextral = of or on the right; clockwise
- Ambidextrous = equally skillful with each hand
- Dextrorse = Spiraling upward from left to right
- Dextrocardia = Abnormal condition where the heart is located toward the right side of the chest
[In Latin, Dexter = right hand and Sinister = Left hand. In English, Sinister = evil/ dangerous
In French, droit = right hand and Gauche = Left hand. In English, Gauche = clumsy/ tactless]
- Demos (people):
- Democracy = the political orientation of those who favor government by the people or by their elected representatives
- Demography = the branch of sociology that studies the characteristics of human populations
- Demagogy = Leading the hoi polloi
- Dict (to say):
- Malediction = Curse/ Imprecation / Bane
- Benediction = a blessing/ Boon
- Dictaphone = tape recorder
- Predict = anticipate/ forebode/ prognosticate
- Dictation = An authoritative direction or instruction to do something
- Donare (to give):
- Condone = Excuse, overlook, or make allowances for
- Donation = gift [Donee & Donor]
- Dilettare (to delight):
- Dilettante = Showing frivolous or superficial interest; amateurish (don’t confuse it with “tyro”)
- Dolere (to suffer):
- Dolor = (poetry) painful grief
- Dolorous = Showing sorrow/ lachrymose
- Doleful = Mournful
- Derma (skin):
- Dermatologist = skin specialist doctor
- Hypodermic = penetrating under the skin
- Epidermis = outer layer of skin
- Taxidermist = one who prepares, stuffs, and mounts the skins of animals
- Pachyderm = animal with unusually thick skin
- Dermatitis = skin inflammation, irritation, infection
- Ego (I):
- Ego = self-concept
- Egoist = one who believes in self-advancement
- Egotist = one who talks about his accomplishments
- Egocentric = devotedly self-centered
- Egomania = self-madness
- Alter ego = A very close and trusted friend who seems almost a part of yourself
[In the rating of egoism: egomaniacal > egocentric > egotist > egoist]
- Equi (equal):
- Equivocal = purposely vague, ambiguous, susceptible
- Equality = par
- Equidistant = The same distance apart at every point
- Equinox = Either of two times of the year when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator and day and night are of equal length
- Equanimity = composure/ calmness
- Equilibrium = A stable situation in which forces cancel one another
- Esce: (beginning to):
- Adolescent = beginning to grow up
- Evanescent = Ephemeral/ beginning to vanish
- Convalescent = beginning to get well
- Putrescent = becoming Putrid/ beginning to rot
- Eu (good):
- Eugenics = methods of improving genetic qualities
- Euphemism = Good or inoffensive saying
- Euphony = pleasant Lilt or rhythm
- Eulogy = formal speech of praise
- Euphoria = sense of mental buoyancy
- Euthanasia = mercy killing/ good death
- Enervis (weak):
- Enervate = Weaken mentally or morally
- Equus (Horse):
- Equestrienne = a horse-woman
- Equine = Horse-like
- Esthet (feeling):
- Esthetic = Appealing to the feelings
- Anesthetic = no feeling
- Anesthesia = insensibility to feeling
- Fac or fic (to do):
- Maleficent = causing harm (doing badly)
- Beneficent = causing good (doing well)
- Factory = a place where things are done
- Fact = something which was done/ something true
- Malefactor = a criminal (a bad doer)
- Fer (to bear):
- Somniferous = bearing sleep
- Vociferous = bearing loud voice
- Odoriferous = Emitting an odor
- Frater (brother):
- Fraternize = Be on brotherly terms with someone
- Fraternal = brotherly
- Fraternity = Frat/ Sodality/ Brotherhood
- Fratricide = killing of one’s brother
- Gyne (woman):
- Misogynist = one who hates women
- Gynecologist = doctor specializing in female disorders
- Gamos (marriage):
- Monogamy = system of having one mate at a time
- Polygamy = social custom of plurality of marriages
- Bigamy = legal crime of having more than one spouse
- Misogamy = hatred of marriage
- Graph (writing):
- Graphology = study & analysis of handwriting
- Chirography = Beautiful handwriting
- Telegraph = writing from afar
- Stenograph = writing in short form
- Autograph = writing of one’s own name
- Geos (earth):
- Geology = study of the composition of earth
- Geometry = measurement of figures
- Geography = Study of the earth's surface; includes topography, climate, soil and vegetation
- Apogee = Apoapsis in Earth orbit
- Perigee = Periapsis in Earth orbit
- Gen (to give birth to/ to be born):
- Genetics = The branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organisms
- Gene = segment of DNA considered as unit of heredity
- Genealogy = The study of ancestry and family history
- Eugene/ Eugenia = well-born
- Eugenics = The study of methods of improving genetic qualities by selective breeding
- Genital = venereal (relating to the external sex-organs)
- Genesis = The beginning, birth or origin of anything
- Psychogenic = born of the mind or emotions
- Congenital = Present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development (don’t confuse Congenital with Congenial, means friendly)
- Genocide = killing of a whole race or nation
- Gnos (to know):
- Agnostic = who doesn’t know about the God
- Diagnosis = Identifying the cause of some phenomenon
- Prognosis = A prediction about how something (the course of a disease) will develop
- Greg (Herd):
- Congregation = a religious Herd
- Segregation = separation from the Herd
- Gregarious = who likes to be with the Herd
- Egregious = so vicious that it actually stands out from the herd
- Garrulous (chattering):
- Garrulity = constant talking, usually aimless and meaningless, about trifles
- Gratus (agreeable or pleasing):
- Gratuitous = Costing nothing; without cause
- Gratis = free; without payment
- Gratuity = a tip
- Gratitude = thankfulness
- Ingrate = A person who shows no gratitude
- Ingratiate = Gain favor with other by deliberate efforts
- Congratulate = felicitate
- Gratify = satisfy
- Homo (mankind):
- Homo sapiens = The only surviving hominid; species to which modern man belongs; bipedal primate having language and ability to make and use complex tools
- Hypo (under/ Less):
- Hypochondriac = A patient with imaginary symptoms and ailments [chondria à Cartilage of the Breastbone]
- Hypothyroidism = An underactive thyroid gland
- Hypothetic = Based primarily on surmise rather than adequate evidence
- Hypoactive = Abnormally inactive
- Hypocritical = Professing feelings one does not have
- Hyponym = A word that is more specific than a given word
- Hyper (over/ above):
- Hypercritical = Inclined to judge too severely
- Hypertension = high blood pressure
- Hypersensitive = allergic
- Hypermedia = interactive multimedia system
- Hypertext = machine-readable text
- Hypertrophy = Abnormal enlargement of a body part or organ; dysplasia [antonymà Atrophy; root word “trephein” means “to nourish”]
- Iatreia (healing):
- Pediatrics = the healing of a child
- Psychiatrist = a doctor who heals sick minds
- itis (inflammation):
- Osteomyelitis = Inflammation of the bones
- Icon (a religious image):
- Iconoclast = someone who sneers at convention & tradition (it does not of course have to be restricted to religion)
[root word “clast” means “to break”]
- Insect (cut):
- Insects = forms of life that seem, in appearance, as if they are almost cut in two
- Dissection = Cutting so as to separate into pieces
- Sectile = Capable of being cut
- Sector = A group that forms part of society or economy
- logy (the study of):
- Phrenology = analysis of skull contours
- Graphology = study & analysis of handwriting
- Psychology = study of human mind
- Ophthalmology = The branch of medicine concerned with the eye and its diseases
- Astrology = Pseudoscience which claims it can foretell the future by a study of the stars
- Laconia:
- Laconic = Brief and to the point; effectively cut short (named after ancient Sparta, which was originally known as Laconia, its citizens were stoical)
- Loquor (to speak):
- Loquacious = Full of trivial conversation
- Eloquent = speaking expressively
- Grandiloquent = Magniloquent = pompous
- Soliloquy = speech made to oneself
- Ventriloquist = A performer who projects the voice into a wooden dummy
- Colloquial = Informal spoken language
- Circumlocution = An indirect way of expressing
- Misein (to hate):
- Misanthropy = hatred of mankind
- Misogyny = hatred of women
- Misogamy = hatred of marriage
- Mono (one):
- Monk = A male religious living in a cloister and devoting himself to contemplation and prayer and work
- Monastery = cloister
- Monotonous = humdrum
- Monoplane = An airplane with a single wing
- Monopoly = Exclusive control of something
- Monarchy = autocracy
- Monocarpic = Dying after bearing fruit only once
- Monologue = A (usually long) dramatic speech by a single actor
- Martinet:
- Martinet = Someone who demands exact conformity to rules and forms
[according to the name of the Inspector General of Infantry of France during the reign of King Louis 14, who was excessively disciplined]
- Malus (bad):
- Malign = Evil; Harmful; Hateful
- Malignant = cancerous
- Malediction = Curse/ Imprecation / Bane (bad saying)
- Maleficent = causing harm (doing badly)
- Malevolent = ill-disposed (wishing badly)
- Maladroit = awkward (having a bad right hand)
- Malaise = illness (bad ease)
- Metron (measure):
- Sphygmomanometer = blood pressure measuring device
- Optometrist = one who measures the vision of the eye
- Thermometer = measure of heat
- Taximeter = measure of taxicab miles
- Metric system = system of measurement
- Barometer = measure of atmospheric pressure
- Militaris (pertaining to a fighting man):
- Militate = Fight against; act upon
- Militant = Belligerent/ disposed to Fight
- Military = armed services
- Mater (mother):
- Matriarch = The female head of family or tribe
- Maternity = Motherhood
- Maternal = Motherly
- Matron = A married woman (middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified; Nurse; wardress
- Alma Mater = school you graduated from (one’s intellectual mother)
- Matrimony = The ceremony or sacrament of marriage
- Matronymic = a name formed on the mother’s name
- Matrisib = enate/ matrikin/ matrilineal kin
- Mania (madness/ morbid attraction):
- Monomania = A mania restricted to one thing or idea
- Dipsomania = alcoholism/ potomania/ inebriation
- Kleptomania = cacoethes to steal in the absence of any economic motive
- Pyromania = morbid compulsion to set fire to things [Pyromaniac sets fire for the thrill, Incendiary for revenge & arsonist for money]
- Megalomania = A psychological state characterized by delusions of grandeur
- Nymphomania = Abnormally intense sexual desire in women; concupiscence/ Eros
- Moneta:
- Money = medium of exchange (it comes from the name of the Roman Goddess, Juno Moneta, who guarded the temples of Finance)
- Patrimony = an inheritance from one’s father
- Monetary = Relating to or involving money; Pecuniary
- Moneyer = A skilled worker who coins or stamps money
- Neuron (nerve):
- Neurologist = doctor specializing in nerves
- Neuralgia = acute pain along the nerves and their branches
- Neuritis = inflammation of the nerves
- Neurasthenia = depression and emotional exhaustion
- Neurosis = emotional disturbance
- Notus (known):
- Noted = Widely known and esteemed
- Notorious = widely but unfavorably Known
[off-topic: Childlike = Exhibiting childlike simplicity and credulity; but, Childish = Indicating a lack of maturity ]
- Nomos (arrangement/ Law/ Order):
- Astronomy = arrangement of stars & other celestial bodies
- Autonomy = self-law, self-rule, self-government
- Metronome = musical time measurer
- Nym (Name or meanings):
- synonym = words of same meaning
- antonym = words of opposite meaning
- homonym = words of similar sounding
- acronym = abbreviated form of several words
- Pseudonym = nom de plume/ Penname [not “alias”]
- Anonymous = having no name
- Eponym = The person for whom something is named
- Osteon (bone):
- Osteopathy = treatment based on skeleton and muscles
- Osteomyelitis = Inflammation of the bones
- Odontos (tooth):
- Orthodontist = Doctor specializing in straightening of teeth
- Opsis (sight or viewing):
- Biopsy = medical examination of living tissue
- Autopsy = medical examination of a corpse
- Optikos (eye):
- Optic = Of or relating to or resembling the eye
- Optician = one who grinds lenses
- Optometrist = one who measures the vision of the eye
- Oculus (eye):
- Oculist = eye specialist
- monocle = one-lens eyeglass
- binocular = field glasses which increase the range of our two eyes
- inoculate = immunize/ vaccinate
- Obstetrix (to stand before):
- Obstetrics = midwifery/ OB/ tocology
- [Off-topic: as an old English root, Glib = slippery.
- Literally, Glib = Artfully persuasive in speech.
- Derogatorily, it means “Marked by lack of intellectual depth”]
- Ortho (change):
- Orthopedist = the doctor who straightens bone deformities, in children primarily
- Orthodontist = Doctor specializing in straightening of teeth
- Orthography = A method of representing the sounds of a language by written or printed symbols
- Pod (foot):
- Podium = speaker’s stand
- Tripod = three legged stand
- Podiatry = treatment of minor ailments of foot
- Phrenos (brain):
- Phrenology = analysis of skull contours
- Phrenic vein = Either of two veins that drain the diaphragm
- Phobia (morbid repulsion):
- Claustrophobia = A morbid fear of being closed in a confined space
- Agoraphobia = A morbid fear of open spaces (as fear of being caught alone in some public place)
- Acrophobia = A morbid fear of great heights
- Pistanthrophobia = common fear of trusting people due to past experiences with relationships gone bad
- Hydrophobia = A morbid fear of water
- Xenophobia = A morbid fear of Foreigners
- Photophobia = A morbid fear of Light
- Ped (foot):
- Pedestal = A support or foundation
- Pedal = A lever that is operated with the foot
- Pedestrian = A person who travels by foot; prosaic/ commonplace/ hackneyed/ banal/ trite
- Philos (Love):
- Philology = Love of words (study of Linguistics)
- Philanthropist = altruist
- Philanderer = one who makes Love triflingly
- Philatelist = one who loves to collect stamps
- Anglophile = An admirer of British customs
- Bibliophile = Lover & collector of rare books
- Philadelphia = City of Brotherly Love
- Philosophy = Love of wisdom
- Philharmonic = Love of harmonies or music
- Philtre = love-potion
- Pater (father):
- Patriot = One who loves and defends his or her country
- Patrioteer = Chauvinist/ jingoist
- Patrimony = an inheritance from one’s father
- Patronymic = a name formed on the father’s name
- Paternity = Fatherhood
- Patriarch = The male head of family or tribe
- Patricide = killing of one’s father
- Patrician = Aristocrat/ Blue-blood/ of noble origin
- Patron = Frequenter/ Sponsor/ Supporter
- Padre = A chaplain in one of the military services
- Par (equal):
- Par = (golf) the standard number of strokes set for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course; A state of being essentially equal or equivalent
- Parity = Functional equality (used in Obstetrics, Mathematics, Physics & Computer Science with slight difference)
- Disparity = Inequality or difference in some respect
- Disparage = Express a negative opinion of someone’s achievements, accomplishments, attempts, etc.
- Compare = Examine and note the similarities or differences of
- Peer = A person who is of equal standing with another in a group
- Pathos (suffering/ disease/ feeling):
- Psychopathic = mentally suffered
- Osteopathy = treatment based on skeleton and muscles
- Sympathetic = same feeling as someone else
- Antipathy = Dislike/ Aversion/ Grudge
- Apathy = Lack of feeling or interest
- Pathology = Study of disease (Pathological = diseased)
- Pathetic = Deserving or inciting pity
- Pathos = A quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow); poignancy
- Telepathy = Apparent communication from one mind to another without using sensory perceptions
- Homeopathy = A method of treating disease with small amounts of remedies that, in large amounts in healthy people, produce symptoms similar to those being treated
- Allopathy = The usual method of treating disease with remedies that produce effects differing from those produced by the disease itself
- Phanein (to show):
- Sycophant = A person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage/ boot-licker/ stoolpigeon [root “sykon” means “fig”]
- Diaphanous = So thin as to transmit light [root “dia” means “through”]
- Paidos (child):
- Pediatrician = baby doctor
- Pedagogy = the leading of a child
- Orthopedist = the doctor who straightens bone deformities, in children primarily
- Psyche (mind):
- Psychiatrist = a doctor who heals sick minds
- Psychosis = personality disorder
- Psychologist = one who studies the human mind
- Psychotherapy = treatment of the mind
- Psychoanalysis = one who delves into the unconscious mind of the patient
- Psyche = mental, spiritual or nonphysical aspect of one’s existence
- Psychic = Phenomena or qualities that cannot be explained in purely physical terms
- Psychopathic = mentally suffered
- Psychosomatic = pertaining to relationships between mind and body
- Psychogenic = which originates emotionally
- Pan (all):
- Pandemonium = A state of extreme disorder
- Panorama = a view all around/ cyclorama/ diorama
- Panacea = Hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases/ catholicon/ Elixir
- Poly (many):
- Polygon = a geometric figure of many sides
- Polyglot = speaking many Languages
- Polyamory = having multiple sexual relationships
- Polyclinic = clinic in which many diseases are treated
- Polychromic = Having or exhibiting many colors
- Polydipsia = Excessive thirst
- Polysemy = lexical ambiguity
- Polyptoton = Repetition of a word in a different case or inflection in the same sentence
- Polysomy = Congenital defect of having one or more extra chromosomes in somatic cells
- Polygraph = A medical instrument that records several physiological processes simultaneously (e.g., pulse rate and blood pressure and respiration and perspiration)
- Placidus (to please):
- Placate = Lenify/ assuage/ conciliate/ mollify/ pacify
- Placid = tranquil/ serene
- Implacable = inexorable/ relentless/ grim/ stern
- Complacent = self-satisfied (mild insult)
- Placebo = An innocuous or inert medication; given as a pacifier or to the control group in experiments on the efficacy of a drug
- Reg (King/ Rule):
- Regal = Imperial/ majestic/ royal
- Regent = Someone who rules during the absence or incapacity or minority of the country's monarch
- Regulate = Bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage
- Solus (alone):
- Soliloquy = speech made to oneself
- Solitude = The state or situation of being alone
- Solitary = Being the only one; single and isolate
- Solo = Any activity that is performed alone
- Semantikos (significant meaning):
- Semantics = The study of language meaning
- Semantic memory = Your memory for meanings and general (impersonal) facts
- Semantic error = An error in logic or arithmetic that must be detected at run time
- Somnus (sleep):
- Somnolent = Sleepy
- Insomnia = inability to fall asleep
- Somnambulism = Sleep-walking
- Somniferous = sleep-inducing/ soporific/ Somnific
- Somniloquy = Uttering speech while asleep
- Somnolescent = drowsy
- Hypersomnia = An inability to stay awake
[“somnus” is the Roman god of Sleep, while “hypnos” is the Greek God of sleep!]
- Summus (total/ highest amount):
- Summit = The top or extreme point of something
- Sum = The final aggregate
- Consummate = Perfect and complete in every respect; having all necessary qualities
- Soror (sister):
- Sorority = A social club for female undergraduates
- Sororal = Sister like
- Sororicide = killing of one’s sister
- Scrib/ Scrip (write):
- Scribe = Score a line on with a pointed instrument
- Scribble = Write carelessly/ scrawl
- Inscribe = enroll; engrave; encrypt; autograph
- Proscribe = forbid or prohibit the use of any food or drug that might prove harmful to the patient
- Prescribe = opposite to Proscribe
- Scriptures = Any writing that is regarded as sacred by a religious group
- Script = Something written by hand
- Conscription = Compulsory military service
- Circumscribe = Restrict or confine
- Theos (god):
- Theism = Belief in the existence of God
- Atheism = Belief that there is no God (not Agnosticism, Cynicism or Skepticism, these means “only Doubt”)
- Monotheism = Belief in a single God
- Polytheism = Belief in multiple Gods
- Pantheism = worship that admits all Gods
- Theocracy = government ruled by religious Leader
- Theological = pertaining to the study of Religion
- Apotheosis = Elevation of a person to the status of God
- Tele (afar):
- Telepathy = feeling each other’s thoughts from afar
- Telephone = sound from afar
- Telegraph = writing from afar
- Taceo (to be silent):
- Taciturn = Reticent/ Reserved/ secretive
- Tacit = not verbalized/ unsaid/ unspoken
- Uxor (wife):
- Uxor = (legal terminology) the Latin word for wife
- Uxoricide = killing of one’s wife
- Uxorious = excessively devoted to one’s wife
- Verbum (word):
- Verbal = using words
- Verbose = using too many words than necessary
- Verbatim = In precisely the same words used by a writer or speaker
- Verb = A content word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of existence
- Verborrhea = an incessant, over-whelming cascade of words
- Ventri (stomach):
- Ventriloquist = A performer who acts as he is speaking from his stomach, instead of his mouth
- Ventral = Toward or on the belly; front of a primate or lower surface of a lower animal [antonym = dorsal]
- Vita (Life):
- Vital = Essential to Life; of crucial importance
- Vitality = Life & strength
- Vitamin = One of the many elements, on which life is dependent (A, B, C, D, E, G, H, K, M, P)
- Vitalize = to impart vigor or life to
- Devitalize = to rob of vigor or life
- Vitellus = yolk
[off-topic: in complimentary sense,Gourmet > Gourmand > Glutton]
- Vetus (old):
- Veteran = Rendered competent through trial and experience; Seasoned
- Inveterate = Habitual (derogatory implication)
- Volubile (to roll):
- Volubility = Rolling out the words
- Revolve = to roll around
- Vir (man):
- Virago = Far from being traditionally Feminine; Termagant/ Harridan/ Battle-ax/ Shrew/ Harpy
- Verto (to turn):
- Introvert = one who turns his mind inward
- Extrovert = one who turns his mind outward
- Ambivert = one who turns his mind both inward and outward
- Voc/ vox/ vok (voice or call):
- Equivocal = mugwumps/ fencesitters (not ambiguous)
- Equivocate = prevaricate/ tergiversate (purposely)
- Magnavox = (radio) Large voice
- Vox populi = public opinion
- Vocation = calling
- Avocation = hobby; something not one’s actual calling
- Vociferous = in a loud voice
- Revoke = call back; cancel
- Convoke = call together
- Via (road):
- Via = By way of/ thru
- Obvious = Conspicuous/ apparent/ evident/ overt
- Obviate = Prevent from happening
- Volo (to wish):
- Malevolent = ill-disposed (wishing badly)
- Benevolent = well-disposed (wishing well)
- Voluntary = Of your own free will or design
- Involuntary = Not subject to the control of the will
- Volunteer = do, tell or agree freely
- Volition = will
- Zoion (animal):
- Zoology = The branch of biology that studies animals
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