Wednesday WordPlay - December

This section covers certain roots which, by their use as prefixes, suffixes and syllables, make up the majority of English language words. Remembering these words will help you in figuring out the meanings of words including new ones you come across every day.

| hypo-|

Meaning: under

Origin: hypo (Latin) meaning "under"

Example Words:

hypo·thesis: hypo + thesis ("a placing, proposition")

- base, basis of an argument

hypo·dermic: hypo + derma ("skin")

- under the skin

hypo·thermia: hypo + therme (Greek - "heat")

- Abnormally low body temperature

More Words with same origin: hypothalamus, hypoglycemia, hypotenuse, hyphen

| hyper-|

Meaning: over

Origin: hyper (Latin) meaning "over" or “beyond”

Example Words:

hyper·baton: hyper "over" + bainein "to step"

- (literal meaning) overstepping

hyper·bole: hyper- "beyond" + bol ( form ballein) "to throw"

More Words with same origin: hype, hyperactive, hyperdrive, hypermania, hyperlearning, hyperacidity, hypercritical

Wednesday WordPlay - November

| -gory, agora |

Meaning: related to assembly

Origin: agora (Greek): "assembly"

agoreuein (Greek): "speak/declaim in public,"

ageirein (Greek): "to assemble”

Example Words:

alle·gory: allos "another, different" + agoreuein

agora·phobia: ageirein + -phobia "fear."

- fear of open spaces

cate·gory: kata "against" + agoreuein

- Original meaning "to accuse, assert"

More Words with same origin: panegyric, phantasmagoria, gregarious

Wednesday WordPlay - October

This section covers certain roots which, by their use as prefixes, suffixes and syllables, make up the majority of English language words. Remembering these words will help you in figuring out the meanings of words including new ones you come across every day.

| -scend|

Meaning: to climb, to scale.

Origin: scandere (Latin) "to climb"

Example Words:

tran·scend: trans- "beyond" + scandere

conde·scend: com + "together" + de "down" + scandere

as·cend: ad- "to" + scandere "to climb."

More Words with same origin: descend, scale, scan, scansion.

| -mit, -mise|

Meaning: to put, send or release

Origin: mittere "let go, send."

mettre "put"

Example Words:

manu·mission: manus "hand" (here - "power of a master") + mittere

- to free from bondage (e.g slavery)

trans·mit: trans "across" + mittere

- to send accross

inter·mission: inter "between" + mittere

- a break or an interval

com·mit: com "together" + mittere

- to do something with intension of not reverting

de·mise: des "away" + mettre

- termination of existence, to dismiss, to go or put away

More Words with same origin: submit, admit, omit, permit, missive, demise, dismiss, message, emit, missile, premise , promise, mission

|-tain, ten-|

Meaning: to hold or to keep up

Origin: tenere, tenir "to hold"

Example Words:

main·tain: manus "hand" + tenere

- to practice habitually or keep in certain state.

con·tain: com- "together" + tenere

- to hold together, enclose

sus·tain: sub "up from below" + tenere

- hold up, endure

enter·tain: entre "among" + tenir

- or amuse (originally: to keep up, maintain)

More Words with same origin: pertain, retain, tenant, obtain, tenure, tenacity, tenable, tenement, detain, tenet, tenacity, tenacious

|-tone|

Meaning: refers to the right sound or pitch

Origin: “tonos”, “tonus”: a sound, tone, accent

Example Words:

cata·tonic: kata "down" + tonos

- stiff and not moving or reacting, as if dead. Condition found often in schizophrenics

mono·tony: monos "single, alone" + tonos

- wearisome uniformity or lack of variety

More Words with same origin: intone, tone, tenet

[Word Powers] Wednesday WordPlay

This section covers certain roots which, by their use as prefixes, suffixes and syllables, make up the majority of English language words. Remembering these words will help you in figuring out the meanings of words including new ones you come across every day.

Updated on October 10th 2008

| -scend|

Meaning: to climb, to scale.

Origin: scandere (Latin) "to climb"

Example Words:

tran·scend: trans- "beyond" + scandere

conde·scend: com + "together" + de "down" + scandere

as·cend: ad- "to" + scandere "to climb."

More Words with same origin: descend, scale, scan, scansion.

| -loq-, -log-, loc-, -lec-, -lex, -logy|

Meaning: related to word or speech.

Origin (Latin): logos "speech, word,"

legein "speak"

loqui "to talk or say"

logia "speaking," or "study of"

lexis "word,"

Example Words:

magni·loquence: magnus "great" + loqui

- lofty style of speech or writing

dys·lexia: dys- "bad, abnormal, difficult" + lexis

- learning disorder marked by difficulty in comprehending written words.

soli·loquy: solus "alone" + loqui

- a talking to oneself (specially used in theatre)

homo·logous: homos "same" + logos

- similar. Originally similar in thought or speech

log·arithm: logos + arithmos "number".

More Words with same origin:

From “legein”, “lexis”: analects, dialect, eclectic, prolegomenon, lexicon, lecture

From “logos”, “logia”: catalogue, dialogue, monologue, tautology, dialogue, anthology, prologue, epilogue, logos, logic, logo, trilogy, battology, neologism, analogy, monologue, homologous, doxology, chronology, tautology, syllogism, philology, apology

From “loqui”: grandiloquence, locution, circumlocution, obloquy, colloquial, ventriloquism, eloquence

“Study of” (how many of these do you know?): graphology, phenomenology, numerology, arithmology, etymology, genealogy, oncology, eschatology, etiology, mycology, anthropology, meteorology, toxicology, terminology, teleology, oncology, ornithology, herpetology, phenomenology, zoology, ecology, ontology, hagiology, pharmacology, geology, ophthalmology, psychology, biology, anthology, thanatology, neurology, pathology, physiology, technology, entomology, astrology, theology

| -loq-, -log-, loc-, -lec-, -lex, -logy|

Meaning: related to word or speech.

Origin (Latin): logos "speech, word,"

legein "speak"

loqui "to talk or say"

logia "speaking," or "study of"

lexis "word,"

Example Words:

dia·logue: dia- "across" + legein

- conversation between two or more people

tauto·logy: tauto "the same" + logos

- representing the same thing

ob·loquy: ob "against" + loqui

- saying something bad about someone

epi·logue: epi- "upon, in addition" + logos

- a concluding part added to a literary work or speech

ventri·loquy: ventris "belly" + loqui

- the art or porjecting one's voice with little or no lip movement

| Eques-|

Meaning: related to horse.

Origin: eques (Latin) "horseman, knight,"

equus (Latin) "horse"

Example Words:

equestrienne - a woman who rides horses

equine - like a horse

equerry - person charged with the care of the horses.

equestrianship - relationship between horse and its rider.

More Words: equestrianism

| prim-|

Meaning: related to first.

Origin: primus (Latin) "first"

Example Words:

prim·ordial: primus + ordiri ("to begin")

prim·eval: primus + ævum ("an age")

- Belonging to the first or earliest age or ages

primo·genitor: primus + gignere "to beget"

- a forefather or ancestor

More Words with same origin: prime, primitive, primal, primary, primate, primavera, primer, primogeniture, prima donna, prima facie, primrose, prince

| -ped-, -pod, -pus|

Meaning: related to feet, and also shackles.

Origin: pes, pous (Latin) "foot."

pedis (Latin) "foot". It also refers to "chains or shackles" used to restrict the feet

Example Words:

im·peach: from Latin impedicare (in- "in" + pedica "shackle,")

im·ped·iment: in- ("in") + pes

ex·ped·ition: ex- ("out") + pedis

- from literal meaning "something free from bondage"

centi·pede: centum ("hundred") + pedis ("foot")

pinni·ped: pinna ("fin") + pedis

- aquatic animals like seals and walrus which have fins as feet.

More Words with same origin: pawn, pedal, pedestrian, pedicure, pedometer, foot, petiole, expedite, impedimenta, millipede, , gastropod, octopus, antipodes, brachiopod, platypus, trapezium, podiatry, podium, tripod

| -man-, -main|

Meaning: related to hands.

Origin: manus, main (Latin) "hand"

Example Words:

e·man·cipate: ex "out, away" + mancipum "ownership" (from manus + capere "take")

leger·de·main: léger (from levis "light") + main

manu·script: manus + scriptus "writing"

- a document or book written by hand

mani·cure: manus + cura "care"

- a cosmetic treatment of the hands and fingernails

manu·facture: manus + factura "a working"

- original meaning: made by hand

More Words with same origin: maintain, manacle, manage, manciple, mandate, maneuver, manifest, manipulation, manner, mansuetude, manual, manumission, manure, mature, amanuensis, mortmain, mound

| -cur-|

Meaning: to take care of.

Origin: cura (Latin) "care"

curare (Latin) "to care for," or “to take care of”

Example Words:

se·cure: se "free from" + cura

- safe

mani·cure: manus "hand" + cura

- professional care and treatment of the hands

pedi·cure: pedis "foot" + curare

- professional care and treatment of the feet

More Words with same origin: sinecure, cure, curious, accurate, scour

| -psych-|

Meaning: related to mind.

Origin: psykhe (Latin) meaning “mind, breath, spirit, soul”

Example Words:

psycho·somatic: psykhe- + soma ("body")

psyche·delic: psykhe + deloun ("make visible, reveal")

psycho·logy: psykhe + logia ("study of")

- study of the mind

psych·iatry: psykhe + iatreia ("healing, care")

- mental treatment

psycho·path: psykhe + pathos ("suffering")

- someone who is suffering from mental illness

More Words with same origin:

psychoanalyze, psychobiology, psychodiagnosis, psychogenic, psychograph, psychohistory, psychokinesis, psycholinguistics, psychometry, psychoneurosis, psychophysics, psychosis, psychosocial, psychosurgery, psychosynthesis, psychotechnics, psychotherapy, psychotic, psychotoxic.

| -salu-|

Meaning: related to health.

Origin: salus (Latin) "good health"

Example Words:

in·salu·brious: in (“not”) + salus

- unhealthy

salute: literal meaning "wishing good health"

- to pay respect to or honor

More Words with same origin: solid, safe

| -erg-, -urg-|

Meaning: related to work

Origin: ergon (Latin) means "work" or "activity"

Example Words:

all·ergy: allos ("other, different, strange") + ergon

- An abnormally high sensitivity to certain substances.

en·ergy: en- ("at") + ergon

- the capacity for vigorous activity; available power

metall·urgy: metallon ("metal") + ergon

- The science that deals with metals.

argon: a- ("without") + ergon

- gaseous element that is known for it's inertness

More Words:

erg, urge, liturgy, thaumaturgy

| -gress-, -grad-|

Meaning: related to work

Origin: gradus (Latin) means "step"

gradi (Latin) means "to step" as in "to walk" or "to go"

Example Words:

trans·gress: trans ("across") + gradi

de·grade: des ("down") + gradus

con·gress: com ("together") + gradi

- A formal meeting or assembly of representatives

retro·grade: retro ("backward") + gradi

- Moving or tending backward.

pro·gress: pro ("forward") + gradi

- Movement, as toward a goal; advance.

More Words with same origin:

egress, ingredient, regress, transgression, progression, degree, aggression, centigrade, gradation, grade, gradual, graduate

|circum-|

Meaning: around

Origin: circus (Latin) means “ring”.

Example Words:

circum·locution: circum + loqui ("to speak")

circum·scribe: circum + scribere ("write")

circum·ambulate: circum + ambule ("to walk")

- to walk or go about or around, esp. ceremoniously

circum·spect: circum + specere ("to look")

- to look around, as in being careful, prudent

More Words:

circumference, circumstance, circumvent, circuit, circumambient, circumcision, circumvallate, circumvolution

|-syn-|

Meaning: “together”

Origin: unknown

Example Words:

idio·syn·crasy: idios ("one's own") + synkrasis ("mixture of personal characteristics" from syn + krasis meaning "mixture")

syn·chron·ous: syn + khronos ("time")

- existing or happening at the same time

syn·tax: syn + tassein ("arrange")

- the rules or patterns, esp. in languages

syn·ergy: syn + ergon ("work")

- cooperation; combined action or functioning

syn·drome: syn + dromos ("running, course.")

- a number of symptoms occurring together, esp. in sequence

More Words:

sync, synchronic, synchronism, synchronize, synclinal, syncopation, syncope, syndic, synaesthesia, synagogue, synapse, syndicalism, synecdoche, synergism, synod, syncretism, synonym, synopsis, synthesis, eleemosynary, photosynthesis

|-bene-|

Meaning: “well”

Origin: bene (Latin)

Example Words:

bene·diction: bene + dicere ("to speak")

bene·fac·tor: bene + facere ("to do")

- one who does well

bene·vol·ence: bene + vol ("wish.")

- desire to do good to others

More Words:

benefit, beneficiary, benefaction

|mal-|

Meaning: “bad”, “evil”

Origin: male (Latin) meaning "badly"

Used as prefix coined in 19^th century

Example Words:

male·diction: male + dicere ("to say")

- the utterance of a curse.

male·fac·tor: male + facere ("to perform")

- one who does wrong

male·vol·ence: male + vol ("wish.")

- ill will, desire to do bad

More Words:

maleficent, maleficence, malefic, malignant, malevolent, malodorous, malnourished, malnutrition, malfunction; malcontent, malnourished, malodorous, maladminister, malformation, malabsorption.

|-seq-, -sec-, -sue|

Meaning: “to follow”

Origin: sequi (Latin) meaning "follow"

Example Words:

sub·sequent: sub ("closely, up to") + sequi

- following in order or succession

con·sequence: com ("with") + sequi

- an effect or result

ex·ecut·ion: ex ("out") + sequi

- to follow/carry out; to do or perform

pur·sue: pro "forward" + sequi "follow"

- to follow actively especially with hostile intent

| -gen-|

Meaning: “to produce, beget”

Origin: generare (Latin) "bring forth"

gignere (Latin) "to produce, beget"

genea (Latin) "generation, descent"

Example Words:

indi·genous: indu ("in, within") + gignere

- native, born in a country

pro·geny: pro ("forth") + gignere

- descendant, offspring

geneo·logy: genea + logos ("study of")

- the study of family ancestries and histories

ben·ign: bene ("well") + gnus (from gignere)

- kind, gracious, well doing. (literal meaning “well born”)

More Words of same origin:

genius, gentle, genuine, genus, malign, engine, primogenitor, primogeniture, generation, gene, genital, genesis

| -tact-, -tang-|

Meaning: related to touch

Origin: tangere (Latin) " to touch "

tactus (Latin) "touch"

Example Words:

in·tact: in ("not") + tactus

- not altered or broken; untouched.

con·tact: com ("together") + tangere

- the act or state of touching; an acquaintance.

More Words:

intangible, tact, tangent

|-pun-|

Meaning: related "to pierce, prick" or "to stab"

Origin: pungere (Latin) "to pierce, prick" or "to stab"

Example Words:

com·punction: com- (intensive prefix i.e. with, by) + pungere

ex·punge: ex- "out" + pungere

- to strike or blot out; erase; obliterate.

More Words with same origin:

pungent, punch, puncture, pink, poniard, point, counterpoint

Note: This is related to words with root –pugn- like pugilist, pugnacious, impugn. These words have their origin from pugnus (meaning “fist”) or pugnare (meaning “to fight”).

| -port- |

Meaning: “to carry”

Origin: portare (Latin) "to carry"

Example Words:

im·port: in- ("into") + portare

- to bring in

ex·port: ex- ("away") + portare

- to send out

trans·port: trans- ("across") + portare

- "carry or convey across"

port·folio: portare + foglio ("sheet, leaf")

- a case for carrying loose papers

More Words with same origin:

rapport, purport, disport, report, comport, port, portable, portage, porter, support, pret a porter

| -vert, -vers-|

Meaning: “to turn”

Origin: vertere (Latin) meaning "to turn"

Example Words:

re·vert: re- ("back") + vertere

- To go back to a previous state.

sub·vert: sub ("under") + vertere

- To cause the downfall of or to corrupt morally

intro·vert: intro- ("inward") + vertere

- A shy person. Someone who concentrates (one's interests) upon oneself.

More Words with same origin:

versus, vertigo, version, versatile, vertex, adverse, transverse, anniversary, convert, extrovert, avert, invert , divert, vortex, vertebra, verse, advertise, universe, pervert, vice versa.

Exceptions:

Some words with root -ver- (origin: verus meaning “truth”) like veracity, verify, verisimilitude, verity, very, severity, aver.

| -tact-, -tang-|

Meaning: related to touch

Origin: tangere (Latin) " to touch "

tactus (Latin) "touch"

Example Words:

in·tact: in ("not") + tactus

- not altered or broken; untouched.

con·tact: com ("together") + tangere

- the act or state of touching; an acquaintance.

More Words:

intangible, tact, tangent

| -vol-|

Meaning: Today’s root can have either of the two meanings:

1. “to wish”

2. “to roll”

Origin: 1. velle (Latin) meaning "to wish"

2. volvere (Latin) meaning "to roll"

Example Words:

1. To wish:

bene·volence: bene "well" + volentem (from velle)

- desire to do good to others

male·volence: mal "bad" + volentem (from velle)

- wishing evil or harm to another or others

2. To roll:

re·volve: re- "back, again" + volvere

- to turn around or rotate, as on an axis

con·voluted: com- "together" + volvere

- rolled up or coiled together.

More Words with same origin:

1. To wish: volition, voluntary, voluptuous, will

2. To roll: voluble, valve, vault, vault, volume, devolve, evolve, involve, Volvo

| -lev-|

Meaning: to raise or lighten.

Origin: levare (Latin) "to lift up, lighten,"

levis (Latin) "light"

Example Words:

a·llev·iate: ad- ("to") + levare

e·lev·ate: ex- ("out") + levare

- to move or raise to a higher place or position; lift up.

More Words with same origin:

levitate, lever, light, leaven, legerdemain, allay, Levis

| -ven-|

Meaning: to come.

Origin: venire (Latin) meaning “to come”

Example Words:

circum·vent: circum ("around") + venire

- to surround

contra·vene: contra ("against") + venire

- to come or be in conflict with; go or act against

super·vene: super ("over, upon") + venire

- to happen as an additional or unexpected development

inter·vent·ion: inter- ("between") + venire

- to come in between, interrupt

More Words with same origin:

convention, achieve, subvention, venue, advent, adventure, event, invention, revenue, come, souvenir, avenue, prevent

|-somn-|

Meaning: “sleep”

Origin: somnus (Latin) "sleep"

Example
Words:

somn·ambulism: somnus +
ambulare ("to walk")

- sleepwalking

in·somnia:
in ("not") + somnus

More Words:

somnolence

|-acer-, -acri-, -acid-, -acet-|

Meaning: “bitter”, “sharp”, “harsh”

Origin: acere (Latin) "sharp"

acerbus (Latin) "bitter, sharp, tart"

acidus (Latin) "acidic"

Example
Words:

acido·philus:
acidus + philos ("loving", Greek)

- Growing well
in an acid medium.

medi·ocre:
medius ("middle") + acer

- of moderate
quality, neither good nor bad

anta·cid:
anti + acid.

- neutralizing
acidity, as of the stomach.

ex·acer·bation:
ex ("thoroughly") + acerbus

More Words:

acerbity, acetic, acrid, acrylic, acid, acidulous.

Closely
related:

Words holding meaning “sharp” or “keen”:
eager, acute, acumen, acuity

|-plen-,
-plem-, -plete|

Meaning: "full" or "to fill"

Origin: plenus (Latin) means "full"

plere
(Latin) means "to fill"

Example Words:

re·plen·ish:
re ("again") + plenus

- to make full
or complete again

com·plem·ent:
com ("together") + plere

- something that
completes or makes perfect

de·plete:
de ("off, away", used here to oppose) + plere

- to decrease
seriously or exhaust the abundance or supply of something

More
Words:

complete,
replete, plenary, plenipotentiary, plenty, plenum, implement, expletive, supply

|demo-,
-demic |

Meaning: "people"

Origin: demos (Greek) means “people”

Example
Words:

demo·cracy:
demos + kratos ("rule")

- government by
the people

demo·graphy:
demos + -graphy ("the study of")

- the science of
vital and social statistics of populations.

en·demic:
en- ("in") + demos

- characteristic
of a specific people or place

More Words:

demotic,
epidemic, demiurge

Exception to
the rule:

Too many to be ignored – words with prefix de- (demolish, demote,
demonstration etc).

|

-abul-|

Meaning: "walk"

Origin: ambulare (Latin) "to walk"

Example
Words:

per·ambulate:
per ("through") + ambulare

- To walk
through.

fun·ambulist:
funis ("rope") + ambulare

- A tightrope
walker.

somn·ambulism:
somnus ("sleep") + ambulare

- sleepwalking

More Words:

ambulance
(originally "walking hospital")

|-sent-,
-sens-|

Meaning: “feel” or “sense”

Origin: sentir, sentire (Latin) "to feel,
think"

Example
Words:

as·sent:
ad ("to") + sentire

- to agree or
express agreement

con·sent:
com ("with") + sentire

- to permit,
approve, or agree; comply or yield

in·sensible:
in ("not") + sensibilis (from sentire)

- incapable of
feeling or perceiving

re·sent:
re + sentire

- feel pain,
regret, annoyed about (something)

More Words:

scent,
sentient, sense, sentence, sentiment, sentinel, sensible, sensitive, sensory

|-anim-|

Meaning: “mind” or “spirit”

Origin: animus (Latin) means "mind, soul, spirit"

anima
(Latin) means "breath, soul"

Example
Words:

magn·anim·ity:
magnus ("great") + animus

- generous in
forgiving an insult or injury

pusill·anim·ous:
pusillis ("very weak, little") + animus

- lacking
courage or resolution; faint-hearted; timid

un·anim·ous:
unus ("one") + animus

- of one mind;
in complete agreement

anim·adversion:
animus + advertere ("to turn to")

- perception,
observation

More
Words:

animus,
animal, animate, anima, animism

|-spec- ,
-spic-|

Meaning: “to look (at)” or “view”

Origin: specare (Latin) means "to look."

specere
(Latin) means "to look at, view"

Example
Words:

con·spic·uous:
com ("together, all") + specare

- easily seen or
noticed; readily visible or observable

in·spect:
in ("into") + specere

- to look
carefully at or over; view closely and critically

retro·spect:
retro ("back") + specere

- to look back
in thought; refer back

de·spise:
de ("down") + specere

- to regard with
contempt, disgust

More Words:

expect,
aspect, prospect, suspect, despicable, scope, perspective, introspect,
circumspect, frontispiece, species, specimen, spectacle, spectrum, speculation,
speculum, inspection

|-que- ,
-qui-|

Meaning: “to know, seek” or “to gain or acquire”

Origin: quærere (Latin) means "to know, seek, gain."

Example
Words:

re·quire:

re
("repeatedly") +
quærere ("ask, seek")

-

to have need of

con·quer:
com
(intensive prefix) +
quærere ("to seek, acquire")

-
to acquire by force of
arms

ex·qui·site:
ex
("out") + quærere ("to seek")

-
carefully selected

More
Words:

query,
quest, question, acquisition, inquire, disquisition

|-viv-
, -vita-|

Meaning: “related to life” or “to live”

Origin: vivere (Latin) means "to live"

vita
(Latin) means "life,"

vivus
(Latin) means "alive, living"

Example
Words:

sur·vive:
super ("over, beyond") + vivere

- to remain or continue in
existence

vivi·parous:
vivus + parere ("bring forth, bear")

- bringing forth living
young rather than eggs, as most mammals

con·vivial:
com- ("together") + vivere

- fond of feasting,
drinking, and merry company; jovial

More
Words:

vital,
revive, viand, victuals, viva, vivacity, vivid, vitamin, vivisection,
revitalize, vivacious

|-theo-|

Meaning: “god”

Origin: theos (Greek) means "god"

Example Words:

theo·logy:
theos + logos ("study of.")

-The study of
the nature of God and religious truth.

poly·theism:
polys ("many") + theos

- Belief in more
than one god.

theo·cracy:
theos + kratos ("a rule, regime")

- A government
by religious priests, hence, ruled by God(s).

More Words:

monotheism,
theosophy, pantheist, pantheon, theist, apotheosis, theogony

| -voc- , -voke |

Meaning: “call”

Origin: vocare (Latin) means “to call”

Example Words:

con·voc·ation
: com ("together") + vocare ­- a formal assembly

in·voke
: in ("upon") + vocare - to call on (a deity, Muse, etc.), as in prayer

re·voke
: re ("back") + vocare - to take back or withdraw

More Words:

vocal, vocation, invocation, evocation, provoke, advocate, provocative, equivocation, vocabulary

| -path- , -pathy |

Meaning: “feel”, “suffer”, “disease”

Origin: pathos (Greek) means "feeling", "suffering", "disease"

pati (Greek) means "to suffer" or "to endure"

patheia (Greek) means "effect,"

Example Words:

psycho·path: psyche ("mind") + pathos ("suffering")

- suffering from an undiagnosed mental disorder

tele·pathy: tele ("far") + pathos ("feeling")

- Communication by means other than through the normal senses

patho·genic: pathos ("disease") + genic ("produced by")

- capable of producing disease

allo·pathy: allos ("other") + patheia

-treatment of disease by remedies that produce effects opposite to the symptoms

More Words:

(from pathos) sympathy, apathy, empathy, pathology, pathos, psychopathic, pathetic, pathogenic, sociopath, osteopathy, (from pati) passion, passive, patience, (from patheia) homeopathy

| -greg- |

Meaning: “group”

Origin: grex (Latin) "herd, flock."

gregare (Latin) "to collect into a flock, to gather"

Example Words:

con·greg·ate: com- ("together") + grex

- to come together; assemble, esp. in large numbers

ag·greg·ate: ad- ("to") + gregare

- a sum, mass of particulars; a total or gross amount

se·greg·ate: se ("apart from") + gregare

- to separate or set apart from others

|-flu-|

Meaning: “flowing” or “to flow”

Origin: fluere (Latin) means "to flow"

Example Words:

ef·flu·ence: ex ("out") + fluere

- the action or process of flowing out; or something that does so

super·flu·ous: super ("over") + fluere

- being more than is sufficient or required; excessive

in·flu·ence: in ("in") + fluere

- power to sway or affect based on prestige, wealth, ability, or position

con·flu·ence: com ("together") + fluere

- a coming together of people or things

More Words:

fluctuation, fluent, flume, flush, fluvial, flux, influenza (yes J, it’s derived from influence)