FALL SEMESTER
Lesson 1
1. a, ab - away, from avert (turn away), abduct (lead from)
2. ad - to adhesive (stick to)
3. ante - before antebellum (before the war)
4. bi - two bicycle
5. circum - around circumnavigate (sail around)
6. con, col, com - with, together connect, collaborate, compose
7. contra - against contradict
8. de - down, from demote, detach
9. dis - apart, away disintegrate, disrupt
10. e, ex - out exit, emit
11. extra - beyond extraordinary
12. in, il, im - not inaccurate, illegal, immature
13. in, il, im - in, into inject, illuminate, import
14. inter - between international
15. intra - within intramural
16. ob, op - against object, oppose
17. per - through permeate
18. post - after post-season
19. pre - before previous
20. pro - forward propel
21. preter -beyond preterhuman
22. re -again, back repeat, return
23. retro -backward retroactive
24. se -apart secede
25. semi -half semicircle
26. sub, sup -under submarine
27. super -above superhuman
28. trans -across transcontinental
29. ultra -beyond ultraviolet
30. vice -in place of vice-president
Lesson 2
RUPT = break, burst
Abrupt - broken off, sudden (an abrupt end to the conversation)
Incorruptible - strongly honest (an incorruptible politician takes no bribes)
Rupture (n) - breaking (the rupture of the water pipes)
CIDE = killing, killer
Fratricide - the killing of one’s brother
Genocide - the killing of a race of people
Matricide - the killing of one’s mother
Patricide - the killing of one’s father
Pesticide - the killing of bugs or vermin
Sororicide - the killing of one’s sister
STRING, STRICT = bind, draw tight
Astringent (adj) - stern, harsh (astringent measures were enacted in wartime)
Astringent (n) - substance that shrinks blood vessels to stop the flow of blood
Constrict - draw tight (the snake constricted my chest till I couldn’t breathe)
Stricture - harsh criticism (my suggestion is not meant as a major stricture)
Stringent - strict (stringent rules were put into effect)
VOR = eat greedily
Carnivorous - meat-eating
Devour - eat greedily
Herbivorous - plant-eating
Omnivorous - eating both meat and plants OR taking in everything (an omnivorous reader of all books)
Voracious - greedy in eating, hard to satisfy (a voracious appetite)
Lesson 3
VIV = live, alive
Convivial - sociable, lively (being convivial at a party)
Vivacious - outgoing, energetic (a vivacious personality)
Vivid - sharp, clear, graphic (vivid descriptions of the storm)
Vivify - to enliven or bring to life (vivify your writing with strong ideas)
Vivisection - operation on a living animal for scientific purposes
TORT = twist
Distort - to twist out of shape (you distorted what I meant to say)
Extort - to blackmail (extort money in exchange for information)
Retort (v. & n.) - to reply quickly OR a quick reply (a funny retort) Torsion - the act of twisting (a spring or coil’s torsion gives it power)
Tortuous - curving, winding, twisted (a tortuous road in the hills)
Torture - to inflict severe pain on
Lesson 4
VICT, VINC = conquer
Conviction - strong belief (the protestor had powerful convictions)
Evict - throw out (evicted for not paying rent)
Evince - show, reveal clearly (evince signs of being a genius)
Invincible - unbeatable (invincible superhero)
Vanquish - overcome in battle (vanquish your enemy)
Victor - the winner or conqueror
FRACT, FRAG = break
Fractious - irritable, easily annoyed (grew fractious during the argument)
Refract - bend light, as through a prism
Refractory - stubborn, obstinate (the refractory mule refused to move)
OMNI = all, every
Omnifarious - of all kinds and varieties (omnifarious products on display)
Omnipotent - all-powerful (the omnipotent ruler)
Omniscient - all-knowing (the omniscient narrator)
Lesson 5
FLEX, FLECT = bend
Genuflect - bend the knee to touch the ground (genuflect before the Queen)
Inflection - change in the pitch of your voice (inflection when asking a ?)
TEN = hold, keep
Detention - act of keeping back (detention after school)
Impertinent - rude (an impertinent remark)
Pertinacious - persistent, sticking to your beliefs, stubborn
Pertinent - relevant (that comment was not pertinent to the discussion)
Retentive - able to remember or retain (a very retentive mind)
Retinue - group of followers with a famous person (the star’s retinue)
Tenacity - persistence, firmness, stubbornness
Tenet - basic principle or belief (a tenet of education is reflection) Tenure - the term of office (a Senator’s tenure is six years in office)
Untenable - unable to be defended (as in a fortress or a bad idea)
Lesson 6
MON = warn
Admonition - gentle warning (an admonition to look both ways)
Premonition - forewarning, intuitive anticipation of a coming event
MAND = order, command
Countermand - issue a contrary order (the general countermanded the decision)
Mandate - strong command (a mandate to change the system)
Mandatory - required, not optional (mandatory code of behavior)
Remand - to send back, as to prison (remanded after he broke parole)
CRED = believe
Credence - belief as to whether something is true (no credence in her ideas)
Credible - believable (her story is credible)
Credulous - too ready to believe, gullible (so credulous she believes in elves)
Creed - summary of beliefs or principles (a religion’s creed)
Discredit - to cast doubt on (discredited her story with new evidence)
Incredulity - disbelief (stood staring at her with incredulity in her face)
Lesson 7
FID = faith
Affidavit - sworn written statement (signed an affidavit about his testimony)
Bona fide - in good faith, genuine (made a bone fide offer on the car)
Confidant(e) - someone you confide secrets in
Diffident shy, timid (a diffident personality)
Fidelity - faithfulness, accuracy (fidelity to the marriage vows)
Fiduciary - based on trust (fiduciary duties of a guardian)
Infidel - non-believer in a particular faith (chasing out the infidels)
Perfidious - disloyal, false to a trust (the perfidious actions of the traitor)
Perfidy - disloyalty, treason (the perfidy of the traitor)
GRAT = thank
Gratify - be a source of satisfaction (gratifies me to see you do well)
Gratis - free of charge (the meal was gratis because of the mix-up)
Gratuitous - undeserved, unmerited (a gratuitous insult)
Gratuity - tip for a service (15% gratuity is typical in some restaurants)
Ingrate - an ungrateful person
Ingratiate - to try to win someone’s favor (ingratiate yourself by flattery)
Lesson 8
MOR = death
Moribund - dying, near death
Mortification - shame, humiliation (mortification when they saw my baby photos)
Mortify - to embarrass, humiliate
CORP = body
Corporal - having to do with the body (corporal punishment)
Corpulent - fat, obese Esprit de corps group spirit (esprit de corps improved with a new leader)
Habeas corpus - order requiring a prisoner to be charged with a crime or released
DUCT = lead
Conducive - tending to lead to, helpful to (brushing is conducive to strong teeth)
Ductile - able to hammered very thin (gold is the most ductile metal)
Induce - to lead or move by persuasion (induced to contribute to charity)
Induct - to admit as a member (inducted into the honor society)
Seduction - leading astray into wrongdoing (seduction from the right path)
Traduce - to slander, speak ill of (traduced by his enemy in the papers)
Lesson 9
SECUT = follow
Consequence - that which follows logically (a consequence of your actions)
Inconsequential - unimportant, trivial (inconsequential differences in numbers)
Prosecute - follow through to the end (prosecute our plans with all speed)
CUR = run
Concur - to agree (concur with your decision)
Concurrent - happening at the same time (two concurrent events)
Cursory - hasty, not thorough (a cursory look at my paper)
Discursive - wandering, rambling (a discursive speech we couldn’t follow)
Excursion - a trip, an expedition (an excursion to the park)
Incur - to bring upon oneself (incur a penalty if you are late)
Incursion - raid, hostile invasion (an incursion into enemy territory)
Precursor - forerunner, predecessor (typewriter as a precursor to a keyboard)
Recur - happen again (this behavior must not recur)
Lesson 10
GRESS, GRAD = step
Egress - exit (the egress was blocked)
Gradient - slope of a road (a steep gradient)
Progressive - going forward to something better
Regressive - going backwards to something worse (regressive behavior)
Retrograde - going backwards to something much worse
Transgress - to go beyond limits, to break a law (transgress good taste)
PED = foot
Expedite - to speed up or make easier (expedite my work by helping out)
Impede - to block or hinder (impede driving with speed bumps)
Impediment - a hindrance or obstacle
Pedestrian (n) - someone going by foot
Pedestrian (adj) - ordinary, commonplace, dull (pedestrian quality of your essay)
TACT = touch
Contingent - depending on (graduation contingent on passing your exams)
Intangible - unable to be touched, hard to grasp (intangible effects)
Tangential - only slightly connected (tangential remarks during discussion)
Lesson 11
PREHEND = seize, grasp
Apprehensive - fearful, anxious, nervous (apprehensive before the big test)
Comprehensible - able to be understood (comprehensibly written manual)
Comprehensive - all-inclusive, extensive (a comprehensive final exam)
Prehensile - adapted for grabbing (monkeys with a prehensile tail)
Reprehensible - deserving blame, horrible (reprehensible behavior at the party)
JECT = throw
Abject - lowly, in a bad state (abject conditions of the apartment)
Conjecture - a guess, inference (make a conjecture as to how old I am)
Dejected - sad, discouraged, depressed (dejected after being overlooked)
Eject - to throw out, expel (ejected from the airplane seat)
Interject - insert, throw in between (interject a brief remark in your speech)
Lesson 12
VERT = turn
Aversion - turning away from, strong dislike (an aversion to Thai food)
Avert - to prevent or avoid (avert disaster with a quick move)
Diversion - entertainment, amusement (a diversion from the work)
Extrovert - an outgoing, sociable person
Inadvertently - accidentally, not on purpose
Incontrovertible - undisputed, not open to question (incontrovertible evidence)
Introvert - a shy, not outgoing person
Perverse - contrary, willfully counter to what is expected (a perverse idea)
Pervert - to turn away from what is right (to pervert the meaning)
Vertigo - dizziness (feeling vertigo when I climbed the tower)
Lesson 13
MISS = send
Demise - death, downfall (demise of the Dodge Dart)
Emissary - person sent out on a mission (an emissary from Spain)
Emit - to send out, give off (emitted radiation)
Intermittent - coming and going at intervals (intermittent windshield wipers)
Remiss - negligent, careless (remiss about cleaning the place)
Remission - lessening of symptoms (remission of the disease)
Remit - to send money (remit $10) OR to forgive (as in one’s sins)
LOCUT = speak
Circumlocution - roundabout or indirect way of talking
Colloquy - a conversation (a colloquy between teacher and student)
Eloquent - speaking with force, expressive (an eloquent speech)
Loquacious - talkative (a loquacious neighbor who won’t shut up)
Obloquy - blame or abusive language (obloquy against the politician)
FER = bearing, producing
Somniferous - inducing or causing sleep (somniferous speech)
Vociferous - crying out noisily (vociferous objections to the idea)
SEMESTER 2 – INCLUDE THE LATIN PREFIXES FROM SEMESTER 1
Lesson 14
MYTHOLOGY 1
Adonis - a handsome young man
Aegis - a shield or protection (under the aegis of the United Nations)
Amazon - a tall, strong, bold woman
Bacchanalian - wild with drunkenness (a bacchanalian celebration after the game)
Cassandra - one who prophesies doom or disaster
Chimerical - unreal, impossible, bizarre (a chimerical plan to succeed)
Draconian - cruel, harsh, severe (Draconian punishment for the crime)
Fauna - animal life of a particular region
Flora - plant life of a particular region
Forum - a place for open discussion of ideas
Hector - to bully or intimidate with threats (hectoring mob)
Herculean - difficult, requiring great strength (Herculean task)
Hermetic - airtight (hermetic seal on the jar)
Iridescent - having the colors of the rainbow (iridescent soap bubbles)
Jovial - jolly, good-humored (a jovial disposition)
Labyrinthine - maze-like, confusing (the labyrinthine hallways in the castle)
Lethargic - drowsy, sluggish, tired (lethargic behavior after not sleeping)
Lesson 15
MYTHOLOGY 2
Martial - war-like, pertaining to war (martial law was imposed)
Mentor - trusted advisor, tutor
Mercurial - changeable, fickle, erratic OR lively, animated
Narcissistic - in love with oneself (narcissistic personality)
Nectar - something very delicious to drink
Nemesis - opponent, rival OR agent of punishment
Odyssey - long series of wanderings (my summer odyssey)
Paean - song or hymn of praise (a paean to this great meal)
Plutocratic - having influence because of one’s wealth (plutocratic bankers)
Protean - assuming different shapes and form (protean skills of the actor)
Pyrrhic - ruinous, gained at a great cost (a Pyrrhic victory)
Saturnine - gloomy, sullen, in a bad mood (saturnine after the rains came)
Siren - a seductive, sexy woman (the siren tempted me to go with her)
Spartan - rigorously simple, lacking luxuries (Spartan living quarters)
Stentorian - very loud (stentorian voice)
Tantalize - tease by arousing expectations (tantalize with a chance to win)
Thespian - pertaining to drama or acting (thespian aspirations)
Lesson 16
PHOBIA – fear of
Acrophobia - fear of heights Agoraphobia fear of open spaces Claustrophobia - fear of enclosed spaces Hydrophobia fear of water OR the disease rabies
Xenophobia - fear of foreigners
PHIL – love of
Philanthropy - love of humanity, as shown through donations or actions
Philately - stamp collecting
Bibliophile - lover of books
MIS – hatred of
Misanthropy - hatred of all humanity
Misogyny -nhatred of women
DYS – bad, difficult
Dysentery - inflammation of the intestines
Dysfunction - poor or abnormal functioning
Dyslexia - difficulty reading or interpreting spatial relationships
Dyspepsia - bad digestion (dyspepsia after eating a spicy meal)
Lesson 17
EU = good, well
Eugenics - science of improving hereditary qualities through breeding
Eulogize - to write or speak in praise of someone (eulogize a departed friend)
Euphemism - a softer or less harsh way of saying something (“passed away”)
Euphonious - pleasing to the ear (euphonious music from the next room)
Euphoria - joy, sense of great happiness (euphoria over the promotion)
Euthanasia - “mercy-killing,” practice of letting a sick person choose to die
MACRO – big MICRO – small
Macrocosm - a representation of a small unit by a larger one (is Congress a macrocosm of how my family gets along?)
Microcosm - a representation of a larger unit by a smaller one (is MV a microcosm of how the world out there operates?)
A, AN – not, without
Amoral - having no morals standards, unaware or right and wrong
Amorphous - having no defined shape (the amoeba is amorphous)
Anarchy - absence of rule or law or government
Anomaly - deviation from the norm (the F she got is a one-time anomaly)
Anonymous - nameless, of unknown author
Atheism - denial of the existence of God
Atrophy - lack of growth from disuse or disease (atrophy of his muscles)
Atypical - not typical or usual (atypical behavior)
Lesson 18
MONO - one POLY – many
Monolith - obelisk, column, single stone of large size
Monomania - obsession, excessive focus on one idea (monomania with cats)
Polyglot - one who speaks multiple languages
Polygon - plane figure having many angles and sides
LOGY – study of
Anthropology - study of the origins and customs of mankind
Ecology - study of the relation of living things to the environment
Pathology - study of the causes of disease
Theology - study of religion
BIO – life
Symbiosis - living together in harmony (symbiosis between the species)
TOMY – cutting
Dichotomy - division into two parts (dichotomy between the two cultures)
Tome - a large book or volume (weighty tome about ducks)
POD = foot
Podiatrist - foot doctor
Lesson 19
HOMO – same HETERO – different
Homogeneous - of the same kind, similar (homogeneous grouping of people)
Heterogeneous - differing in kind, dissimilar
Heterodox - opposed to accepted beliefs (heterodox ideas of the radicals)
Orthodox - conforming to approved doctrine
HYPER – too much HYPO – too little
Hypertension - high blood pressure
Hyperactive - overactive
Hyperbole - an exaggeration for literary effect
Hypothetical - assumed without proof for the purpose of reasoning
ENDO – within EXO – outside
Exotic - of foreign origin, very unusual (exotic plants and animals)
ARCHY – rule
Oligarchy - government in which only a few people have power
GEO – earth
Geopolitics - study of government as geography affects its policies
PATH – feeling, suffering
Antipathy - strong dislike (an antipathy for spiders)
Apathy - indifference, lack of feeling towards (apathy towards politics)
Empathy - complete understanding of another’s feelings
Telepathy - communication between minds without sense perceptions
Lesson 20
MORPH – form, shape
Anthropomorphic - in a shape of a human (anthropomorphic view of the gods)
Metamorphosis - change of form (metamorphosis from cocoon to butterfly)
PERI – around
Peripheral - on the edge or outskirts (peripheral vision) OR only slightly connected with the essentials (peripheral questions)
SPANISH WORDS (Still Lesson 20)
Aficionado - devoted follower of a sport or art (aficionado of sculpture)
Desperado - bold, dangerous criminal
Macho - manly, showing strong masculine traits
Peon - servant, unskilled worker
Renegade - traitor, deserter (renegade from the army)
Bravado - pretense of bravery, swaggering display of courage
Flotilla - small fleet of ships
Bonanza - rich mine, source of sudden wealth (a bonanza of treasure)
Sierra - mountain range with sharp peaks
Peccadillo - slight offense, small fault (being late was his peccadillo)
Lesson 21
WORDS OF JOY
Blithe - joyous, merry, without a care (blithe attitude towards work)
Buoyant - cheerful, not easily depressed (a buoyant approach to life)
Complacent - self-satisfied, too pleased with oneself (complacent about winning)
Jocund - light-hearted, in a joking way (a jocund group of friends)
Jubilant - showing great joy, rejoicing (jubilant after the victory)
Jubilation - rejoicing, great joy
WORDS OF SADNESS
Ascetic - denying oneself pleasures or luxuries (monks lived an ascetic life)
Chagrined - ashamed, embarrassed (chagrined by my public errors)
Compunction - regret, remorse (no compunction for breaking the window)
Contrite - showing regret and sorrow for wrongdoing (contrite in the court)
Disgruntled - in a bad mood, unhappy with a situation (disgruntled employees)
Maudlin - overly sentimental and tearful (maudlin movie about weddings)
Pensive - deep in thought, thoughtful in a sad way (pensive over the game)
Poignant - affecting or moving the emotions (a poignant scene after the flood)
Sullen - resentful, in a bad mood, gloomy (quiet and sullen after the game)
Tribulation suffering, distress (suffering many tribulations during the trip)
Lesson 22
WORDS OF PHYSICAL SHAPE
Cherubic - chubby and innocent like a little angel
Emaciated - unnaturally thin, starved (emaciated supermodels)
Haggard - having a wasted and exhausted appearance (haggard in the desert)
Svelte - slender, graceful (svelte ballet dancer)
WORDS OF FLATTERY
Adulation - flattery, excessive praise (blind adulation for the leader)
Cajole - to coax, persuade by words (cajoled into going along)
Lackey - a follower who is very obedient (the lackey did what his boss said)
Obsequious - showing too much willingness to please (obsequious behavior)
Sycophant - self-seeking flatterer, a parasite
WORDS RELATED TO ANIMALS
Badger - tease, annoy, nag (badger him with requests)
Halcyon - calm, peaceful (halcyon winds on the tropic island)
Parasitic - living at the expense of another, sponging off
