Determine the meanings of words with Greek and Latin roots

Key Notes :

Understanding Roots

Many words in the English language come from Greek and Latin. Understanding the roots of these words can help you figure out their meanings. A root is the basic part of a word that carries its main meaning.

Greek Roots

Greek roots are commonly found in words related to science, math, and philosophy. Here are some common Greek roots:

• photo – light
• tele – far
• graph – write
• therm – heat
• meter – measure

Latin Roots

Latin roots are often found in words related to law, government, and everyday life. Here are some common Latin roots:

• port – carry
• spect – look
• dict – say
• scrib/script – write
• tract – pull

Examples

Latin Root Examples:transport – to carry something acrossinspect – to look carefullydictate – to say something for someone to write downdescription – a written accountattract – to pull towards

Greek Root Examples:photograph – a picture written by lighttelephone – a device to hear from far awaythermometer – a tool to measure heattelegraph – writing from far awayphototropic – turning towards the light

Practice Exercises

Use your knowledge of Greek and Latin roots to determine the meaning of the following words:

1. Spectator
2. Portable
3. Telegram
4. Traction
5. Photosynthesis

Answer Key:

1. Someone who watches an event.
2. Able to be easily carried.
3. A message sent over a long distance.
4. The act of pulling something.
5. The process by which plants use light to create energy.

Summary

Understanding Greek and Latin roots can help you decipher the meanings of many English words. By recognizing common roots like photo, tele, port, and spect, you can unlock the meaning of unfamiliar words and improve your vocabulary!

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