American Literature B. Words Study and Word Parts

Which is the best definition for the word etymology?

"a history of a word's origin and development of its meaning" More than 70 percent of the words in the English language are borrowed from other languages. This is one reason why a word's etymology can be interesting and important.

In the word action, what does the suffix -ion mean?

"state of being" The -ion suffix changes the word act from an action verb to a noun that shows a state of being.

Using Suffixes: Ten Common Suffixes

-ac (-ic) [Gr.] means characteristic of examples maniac, scenic. part of speech: noun or adjective -ant (-ent) [L.] means that shows, has, or does examples:defiant, dependent. part of speech: noun or adjective -ful [A.S.]means full of. examples scornful. parts of speech: adjective -fy [L.] means to cause to become. examples: clarify. parts of speech verb -ish [A.S.] means of, tending to. example: foolish. parts of speech adjective. -ism [Gr.] Means act, practice, or result of. examples truism. parts of speech noun -ity [L.]means state of being. examples: adversity. parts of speech noun -ize (-ise) [Gr.]means to make. examples: idolize. parts of speech verb -ous (-ious) [L.] means marked by, given to. examples: pompous. parts of speech adjective. -tion (-ion, -sion, -ation, -ition) [L.] means state of being. example action, mission. parts of speech noun.

Learning Roots: Ten Common Roots

-cap- (-capt-, -cept-, -ceipt-, -ceive-, -cip-) [L.] means to take, seize. examples capable, captivate, accept, receipt, receive, recipient -fac- (-fact-, -fec-, -fect-, -fic-) [L.] means to do, make examples facsimile, manufacture, infection, defect, fiction -ject- [L.] means to throw examples reject -leg- (-log-) [Gr.] means to say, speak examples legal, logic -plic- (-pli-, -ploy-, -ply-) [L.] means to fold examples duplicate, pliable, employ, reply -pon- (-pos-) [L.] to put, place examples postpone, deposit -quir- (-ques-, -quis-) [L.] means to ask, say examples inquire, question, inquisitive -sist- [L.] means to stand examples insist -string- (-strict-) [L.] means to bind, tighten example stringent, constrict -vad- (-vas-) [L.] means to go examples invade, evasive

Learning Prefixes

A prefix is one or more syllables at the beginning of a word. The prefix adds to the meaning of the root. Learn the meanings and origins of the prefixes in the table. The abbreviations L., Gr., and A.S. mean Latin, Greek, and Anglo-Saxon, the languages from which the prefixes have come.

Key Concept: Prefix, Root, Suffix

A prefix is one or more syllables at the beginning of a word. The root carries the word's basic meaning. The suffix, which is added to the end of the root, can change the word's meaning or part of speech.

Use a Thesaurus

A thesaurus helps increase your vocabulary. If you have used the same word several times, you can use a thesaurus to find a new word that is, perhaps, more interesting and more expressive. Be sure to check the meaning of the new word to see whether it fulfills your purpose in writing.

Learning Prefixes: Ten Common Prefix's

Prefix and Origins ad- (ac-, af-, al-, ap-, as-, at-) [L.] means over- [A.S.] examples adjoin, affix, allure, appoint anti- [Gr.] means against example antipathy com- (co-, col-, con-, cor-) [L.] means with, together example compress, contribute ex- (e-, ec-, ef-) [L.] means forth, from, out examples express, emigrate in- (il-, im-, ir-) [L.] means not example inhuman, illegal inter- [L.] means between example international mis- [A.S.] means wrong example misplace mono- [Gr.] means along, one example monopoly ob- (o-, oc-, of-, op-) [L.] means toward, against examples object, omit, occasion, offer over- [A.S.] means above, in excess overflow

Exploring Etymologies

The etymology of a word is the history of its origin and development. Knowing the etymology of a word can help you understand its meaning, as well as how it might be related to other words. These are several ways in which words evolve: Words are borrowed from other languages. Words change meaning over time and through usage. Words are invented, or coined, to serve new purposes. Words are combined or shortened. Words can be formed from acronyms, or the use of initials.

Which is the most likely reason a writer would use a thesaurus?

The main reason to use a thesaurus is to find a synonym for a word. The other kinds of information—word pronunciation and history—are more likely to be in a dictionary than in a thesaurus. to find a synonym for a word that the writer has used repeatedly and wants to vary

Learning Roots

The root carries the word's basic meaning.Roots that stand alone are free roots. Roots that need a prefix or suffix are bound roots, like most of the roots in the chart. The abbreviations L. and Gr.mean Latin and Greek.View the table on common roots and their meanings.

Using Resource Materials

There are many useful materials you can use, either in print or on-line. In either form, two of the most valuable tools are a dictionary and a thesaurus.K Use a dictionary to find the meaning, spelling, pronunciation, and origin of words. Use a thesaurus to find words that most precisely express your meaning.

Using Suffixes

When a suffix is added to a root, the word's part of speech usually changes. The suffix, which is added to the end of the root, can change the word's meaning or part of speech. Suffixes are unique in that they change both word forms and parts of speech. In the chart, the abbreviations L., Gr., and A.S. mean Latin, Greek, and Anglo-Saxon.

Studying Word Parts and Origins

You can improve your vocabulary by learning about word structure, or the parts that make up a word. These are the three word parts that can combine to form a word: a root (such as -duc- in production) a prefix (such as pro- in production) a suffix (such as -tion in production). Many of these word parts come from the Latin, Greek, and Anglo-Saxon languages.

Use a Dictionary

You should make it a habit to consult a dictionary every time you come across an unfamiliar word. It is a good idea to keep a dictionary nearby, where you can easily access it. When you look up a word in a dictionary, make use of the information that appears with the definition: Study the pronunciation given in parentheses after the word. If you can pronounce a word, you are more likely to use it. Note the word's part of speech, which appears as an abbreviation (n., v., adj.). A word can change its meaning, depending upon its usage. Note the origin of the word (its etymology), which usually appears after the part of speech. Read all the many meanings given for a word.

If you wanted to find the part of speech for a word, which resource would you use: a dictionary or a thesaurus?

a dictionary While dictionaries and thesauruses both contain a word's part of speech, you would usually use a dictionary to find a word's part of speech.

thesaurus

a feature that allows the user to view synonyms and antonyms, and automatically replace words for enhanced writing

Dictionary

a reference book in which spoken or written words are defined

Which prefix could you add to the root -pose to create a word meaning to "to put or place out"?

ex- The prefix ex- means "out of." The root -pose means "to put or place."

Which section of a textbook provides definitions of key terms?

glossary A glossary lists terms and definitions specific to the textbook's field of study.