kilo-: thousand
kiloton
kilogram
kilobyte
-kin: little
catkin
babykins
kinet, kineto: movement, motion
kinetosome: basal body
kinetics: a branch of science that deals with the effects of forces upon the motions
of material bodies or with changes in a physical or chemical system
kineticist: a specialist in kinetics
-lalia: speech disorder
echolalia: a pathological repetition of what is said by other people as if echoing them
-latry: worship
heliolatry: sun worship
lateral : side
collateral: accompanying as secondary or subordinate : concomitant b : indirect c : serving
to support or reinforce
equilateral: having all sides equal
multilateral: having many sides
quadrilateral: a polygon of four sides
leuc-, leuco-,leuk-, leuko- : white, colorless
leukemia: an acute or chronic disease in humans and other warm blooded animals
characterized by an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells in the
tissues and often in the blood
leukocyte: white blood cell
leukodystrophy: any of several genetically determined disease characterized by
degeneration of the white matter of the brain
leukopenia: a condition in which the number of white blood cells circulating in the blood is
abnormally low
lev, levo : to the left
levorotatory: turning to the left counterclockwise
lign-, ligni-, lingo-: wood
ligneous: of or resembling wood
lignify: to convert into wood or woody tissue
-like: resembling or characteristic of
bell-like
lady-like
lingua: tongue, language (see lingo)
linguist: 1. a person who speaks several languages 2. one who is specialized in linguistics
bilingual: a person who speaks two languages
multilingual: one who speaks several languages
-lite: a. mineral
rhodolite: a pink or purple garnet used as a gem
b. rock:
aerolite: a stony meteorite
c. fossil
stromatolite: a laminated sedimentary fossil formed from layers of blue-green algae
litera : letter
alliteration: the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring
words or syllables (as wild and woolly, threatening throngs)
literacy: the quality or state of being literate
literate: educated, cultured b : able to read and write
lingo : a (foreign) language
lingual: of the tongue
linguistic: of, or relating to language or linguistics
lith: stone
lithology: the study of rock
monolith: a single great stone often in the form of an obelisk or column
lithify: petrify
lithotomy: the breaking of a stone of the urinary bladder for removal of a stone
Neolithic: of or relating to the latest period of the stone age characterized by polished stone
implements
-livered: expressing vigor or courage considered suggestive of one with (such) a liver
chicken-livered: fainthearted, cowardly
lily-livered: lacking courage : cowardly
-log, -logo: word, thought, speech
logogram: a letter, symbol, or sign used to represent an entire word
logorrhea: excessive and often incoherent talkativeness or wordiness
log , logy : speech , word , study
archeology: 1.the scientific study of material remains (as fossil relics, artifacts, and
monuments) of past human life and activities 2 : remains of the culture of a
people : antiquities
astrology: the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human
affairs and terrestrial events by their positions and aspects
luc , lum: light
elucidate: to make lucid especially by explanation or analysis
lucid: 1.a : suffused with light : luminous b : translucent 2. having full use of one's faculties :
sane 3. clear to the understanding : intelligible
luminary: 1. a person of prominence or brilliant achievement 2 : a body that gives light;
especially : one of the celestial bodies
luminous: emitting or reflecting usually steady, suffused, or glowing light 2. apprehensible,
comprehendible, comprehensible, fathomable, graspable, intelligible, knowable,
lucid, understandable
translucent: clear, limpid, pellucid, see-through, transparent
bioluminescence : the emission of light from living organisms from
Luso-: of Lusitania (ancient region corresponding approximately to modern Portugal)
Luso-Brazilian
macro- : large
macrocosm: the great world : universe
macroeconomics: a study of economics in terms of whole systems especially with
reference to general levels of output and income and to the interrelations among
sectors of the economy
mal- : 1. bad(ly)
malpractice: careless , illegal or unacceptable behavior by sb in a professional or official
position
malodorous: having an unpleasant smell
2. abnormal(ly)
malformation: the state of being badly formed or shaped
3. inadequate(ly):
maladjusted: unable to adapt to the demands of a social environment and behave in an
acceptable way
malnutrition: condition resulting from a lack of food or the right type of food
mania : madness , insane impulse
kleptomania: a persistent neurotic impulse to steal especially without economic motive
mania: 1. excitement manifested by mental and physical hyperactivity, disorganization of
behavior, and elevation of mood 2. excessive or unreasonable enthusiasm (ex. a
mania for saving things); also : the object of such enthusiasm
pyromania: an irresistible impulse to start fires
megalomania: 1.a mania for great or grandiose performance 2. a delusional mental
disorder that is marked by infantile feelings of personal omnipotence and
grandeur
man , manu : hand
emancipate: to free from restraint, control, or the power of another ; discharge, liberate,
loose, loosen, manumit, release, unbind, unchain, unshackle
manacle: a shackle for the hand or wrist : handcuff
mandate: an authoritative command; behest, bidding, charge, command, dictate,
injunction, order, word
manipulate:1.to treat or operate with the hands or by mechanical means especially in a
skillful manner 2 a : to manage or utilize skillfully b : to control or play upon by
artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one's own advantage
manual: 1. of, relating to, or involving the hands 2. worked or done by hand and not by
machine
manuscript: written by hand or typed
mater, matri, matro : mother (see pater, patri)
matrimony: the union of man and woman as husband and wife : marriage
matricide: 1.murder of a mother by her son or daughter 2. one that murders his or her
mother
matriarch: a female who rules or dominates a family, group, or state
matrilineal: relating to, based on, or tracing descent through the maternal line
matronymic: a name derived from that of the mother or a maternal ancestor
matrilineal: relating to, based on, or tracing descent through the maternal line
medi-: medical
medigap: supplemental health insurance that cover costs not covered by medicare
medicopter: see copter
medicolegal: of or relating to both medicine and law
medicare: a government program of medical care esp. for the aged
medi : middle
medium: something in a middle position, a middle condition or degree : mean
mediocre: of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance : ordinary, so-so
median: a medial part
mediate: 1.occupying a middle position 2. acting through an intervening agency
meg-, mega-: large, million
megahit: sth. that is extremely successful
megalopolis: a very large city
megalomania: a delusional mental disorder that is marked by infantile feelings of personal
omnipotence and grandeur
megaproject: a major project or undertaking
melan_, melano-: dark, black
melanic: a melanic individual
melancholy: 1.dismal 2. depressed in sprits, dejected, sad
melancholia: a mental condition characterized by extreme depression
meta- , met- : beyond, along with
metaphysics: the branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of existence, truth and
knowledge
metalanguage: the words used in talking about or describing language or a language
meta- : of change
metamorphosis: 1.change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by
supernatural means 2. a striking alteration in appearance, character, or
circumstances3. a marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the
form or structure of an animal
metabolism: the chemical processes in plants or animals that change food, minerals, etc
into living matter and produce energy
micro- : very small
microcosm: 1.a little world ( esp. the human race or human nature seen as an
epitome of the world or the universe) 2. a community or other unity that is an
epitome of a larger unity
microchip: integrated circuit
microinjection: injection under the microscope (esp. injection into tissues by means of a
fine mechanically controlled capillary tube)
mini-: smaller or briefer than usual, normal, or standard
minivan: a small van
minibike: a small bike
minimal: relating to or being minimum
ministate: a small independent nation
mis- : bad, badly
misfortune: adversity, contretemps, mischance, mishap, tragedy
misbehave: : to behave badly or in an unacceptable way
mit , mis : send
transmit: to send or convey from one person or place to another : forward
mission: a continuing task or responsibility that one is destined or fitted to do or specially
called upon to undertake
missionary: relating to, engaged in, or devoted to missions
mono- :one, single ( see poly- )
monolith: a single great stone often in the form of an obelisk or column
monopoly: exclusive ownership through legal privilege, command of supply, or concerted
action
monotonous: 1.uttered or sounded in one unvarying tone : marked by a sameness of pitch
and intensity 2 : tediously uniform or unvarying
monogamy: 1.the state or custom of being married to one person at a time 2. the condition
or practice of having a single mate during a period of time
monorail: a single rail serving as a track for a wheeled vehicle
multi : many (compare with mono-)
multilingual: 1.of, containing, or expressed in several languages 2. using or able to use
several languages
multiplex:1.many, multiple 2. being or relating to a system of transmitting several messages
or signals simultaneously on the same circuit or channel
neo-: ( combining form ) new
neo-Nazi
neo-Fascist
neo-imperialism
nephr, nephro : of kidney
nephrectomy: the surgical removal of the kidney
nephrology: a branch of medicine concerned with the kidneys
nephrologist: a student or an expert of nephrology
nephropathy: an abnormal state of the kidney
nephrotoxic: poisonous to the kidney (ex: n. drugs)
neuro : nerve(s)
neurology: the scientific study of the nervous system
neurosis: a mental and emotional disorder that affects only part of the personality, is
accompanied by a less distorted perception reality than in psychosis
neuropathy: an abnormal and usually degenerative state of the nervous system or nerves
non-: nine
nonagenarian: a person whose age is in the nineties
non- : no, not
nonsense: language, conduct, or an idea that is absurd or contrary to good sense; an
instance of absurd action
non-smoker: a person who does not smoke
non-stop: done, made, or held without a stop
non-resident: not residing in a particular place
non-proliferation: providing for the stoppage of proliferation (as of nuclear arms)
nom , nem : management , distribution , law
agronomy: a branch of agriculture dealing with field-crop production and soil management
astronomical: of or relating to astronomy
economic: of, relating to, or based on the production, distribution, and consumption of
goods and services ; of or relating to an economy
gastronome: a lover of good food ; bon vivant, gastronomist, gourmand, gourmet
nemesis: 1.one that inflicts retribution or vengeance b 2.formidable and usually victorious
rival or opponent
nomen , nym : name
acronym: a word (as NATO, radar, or snafu) formed from the initial letter or letters of each
of the successive parts or major parts of a compound term
anonymous: not named or identified
pseudonym: a fictitious name; especially : pen name
synonym: one of two or more words or expressions of the same language that have the
same or nearly the same meaning in some or all senses
ob- : against, in the way, over
obstruct: block, choke, clog, close, congest, occlude, plug, stop, stopper
obsess: to haunt or excessively preoccupy the mind of
obtrude: 1.to thrust out : extrude 2 : to force or impose (as oneself or one's ideas) without
warrant or request
obviate: to anticipate and prevent (as a situation) or make unnecessary (as an action; avert,
deter, forestall, forefend, preclude, rule out, stave off, ward
obliterate: 1. to make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or wearing away
2 a. to remove utterly from recognition or memory b. to remove from existence :
destroy utterly all trace indication, or significance of; black (out), blot out, cancel,
delete, efface, erase, expunge, wipe (out), x (out
oct-, octo- : having eight of sth
octopus: a sea animal with a soft round body and eight long tentacles
octagon: a polygon of eight angles and eight sides
octogenarian: a person whose age is in the eighties
omni : all
omnibus: 1.a usually automotive public vehicle designed to carry a large number of
passengers : bus 2 : a book containing reprints of a number of works
omnipotent:1.often capitalized : almighty 2. having virtually unlimited authority or influence
omnipresent: present in all places at all times
omniscient: having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight
omnivorous: 1.feeding on both animal and vegetable substances 2 : avidly taking in
everything as if devouring or consuming
onym , onomato : name , word
acronym: a word (as NATO, radar, or snafu) formed from the initial letter or letters of each
of the successive parts or major parts of a compound term
anonymous: not named or identified
-or : a person or thing that dose (compare –ee and –er)
actor: one who represents a character in a dramatic production
resistor: a device that has electrical resistance and that is used in an electric circuit for
protection, operation, or current control
governor: one that governs
ornith, ornitho : of bird
ornithology: a branch of zoology dealing with birds
ornithic: of, relating to, or characteristic of birds
1.oro : mountain
orography: a branch of physical geography that deals with mountains
2.oro : mouth
oropharynx: the part of the pharynx that is below the soft palate and above the epiglottis
and is continuous with the mouth
ortho : straight , correct
orthopedics: a branch of medicine concerned with the correction or prevention of skeletal
deformities
orthography: the art of writing words with the proper letters according to standard usage
-ous: 1.full of, abounding with, having
clamorous: 1. marked by confused din or outcry : tumultuous 2. noisily insistent
poisonous: mephitic, poison, toxic, toxicant, venomous, virulent
out-: more, better
outperform
outjump
outnumbered
outbid
over- : too much , beyond, outer , additional
overpopulate: to become overly populous
overhang: 1. to project over 2. to project over
overcoat: a warm coat worn over indoor clothing
overtime: time in excess of a set limit
pala(o), palae(o) : of ancient times, very old
paleobiology: a branch of paleontology concerned with the biology of fossil organisms
paleobotany: a branch of botany dealing with fossil plants
paleoclimatology: a science dealing with the climate of past ages
pan , panto : all, complete
pandemonium: abyss, inferno, netherworld, perdition, Sheol, Tophet, underworld
panacea: a remedy for all ills or difficulties : cure-all, elixir, nostrum
pan-America: including all parts of America
panoply: array, display, fanfare, parade, pomp, shine, show
panorama: 1.a picture exhibited a part at a time by being unrolled before the spectator 2. a
comprehensive presentation of a subject
pandemic: occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high
proportion of the population
para- , par- : beside
parallel: extending in the same direction, everywhere equidistant, and not meeting
pater , patri : father
paternity: the quality or state of being a father
paternalism: a system under which an authority undertakes to supply needs or regulate
conduct of those under its control in matters affecting them as individuals as well
as in their relations to authority and to each other
paternal: 1.of or relating to a father 2. like that of a father
patricide: 1. one who murders his or her own father 2. the murder of one's own father
patriot: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests
patriarch: a man who is father or founder ; the oldest member or representative of a group ;
a venerable old man
patrimony: an estate inherited from one's father or ancestor ; birthright, heritage, heritance,
inheritance, legacy
path, patho : pathological state, disease
pathogen: a specific causative agent ( a virus or a bacteria) of disease
pathetic: 1.having a capacity to move one to either compassionate or contemptuous pity
2. marked by sorrow or melancholy : sad
pathogenic: causing or capable of causing disease
pathology: the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially of the structural and
functional changes produced by them
path, pathy : feeling , suffering
sympathy: compassion, empathy, fellow feeling
telepathy: communication from one mind to another by extrasensory means sociopath: psychopath , a mentally ill or unstable person
sympathetic: feeling, showing or resulting from sympathy
neuropathy: an abnormal and usually degenerative state of the nervous system or nerves
psychopath: a mentally ill or unstable person
ped, pedo, paed, paedo: child
orthopedic: of, relating to, or employed in orthopedics
pedagogue: teacher, schoolmaster; a dull, formal, or pedantic teacher
pediatrician: a specialist in pediatrics
pediatrics: a branch of medicine dealing with the development, care, and diseases of
children
paedogenesis: reproduction by young or larval animals : neoteny
pedi-: of feet
pedicure: a person who provides care for the feet, toes, and nails
pend, pens : hang
append: 1.attach, affix 2 : to add as a supplement or appendix
appendix: 1.supplementary material usually attached at the end of a piece of writing 2. a
bodily outgrowth or process
impending: 1. to hover threateningly : menace 2. to be about to occur
pendant: something suspended as an ornament
pending: 1.during b2 : while awaiting
penia: deficiency
leukopenia: a condition in which the number of white blood cells circulating in the blood is
abnormally low
penta-: five
pentagon: a polygon of five angles and five sides
per- : through
permeate: to diffuse through or penetrate something
perspire: to emit matter through the skin
peruse:1. to examine or consider with attention and in detail 2. to read over in an attentive
or leisurely manner
phile :fond of
Anglophile: one who greatly admires or favors England and things English
bibliophile: a lover of books especially for qualities of format
philia : like , love
pedophilia: sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object
philanthropy: goodwill to fellowmen
phobia : an extreme or abnormal fear of
xenophobia: fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or
foreign
claustrophobia: abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces
acrophobia: abnormal dread of being at a great height
photophobia: painful sensitiveness to strong light
phon : sound
telephone: (verb)buzz, call, phone
xylophone: a percussion instrument consisting of a series of wooden bars graduated in
length to produce the musical scale, supported on belts of straw or felt, and
sounded by striking with two small wooden hammers
homophone: one of two or more words pronounced alike but different in meaning or
derivation or spelling (as the words to, too, and two
headphone: an earphone held over the ear by a band worn on the head — usually used in
plural
earphone: a device that converts electrical energy into sound waves and is worn over or
inserted into the ear
-plasia, -plasy: development, formation
hyperplasia: an abnormal or unusual increase in the elements composing a part
homoplasy: correspondence between parts or organs acquired as the result of parallel
evolution or convergence
plast : cell
chromoplast: a colored plastid usually containing red or yellow pigment
pleio-, pleo-, plio-: more
pleiotropic: producing more than one genic effect
pleomorphic: able to assume different forms
Pliocene: of, relating to, or being the latest epoch of the Tertiary or the corresponding
system of rocks
-plex: a building divided into an often specified number of spaces
duplex: a flat on tow floors
fourplex: a building that contains four separate apartments
multiplex: a complex that houses several movie theaters
pnea, pnoea : breath, breathing
hyperpnea: abnormally rapid or deep breathing
apnoea: transient cessation of respiration
pneum, pneumo,
pneumat, pneumato :1. air, gas 2. lung 3. respiration
pneumothorax: a condition in which air or other gas is present in the pleural cavity and
which occurs spontaneously as a result of disease or injury of lung tissue or
puncture of the chest wall or is induced as a therapeutic measure to collapse the
lung
pneumatology: the study of spiritual beings or phenomena
pneumoconiosis: a disease of the lungs caused by the habitual inhalation of irritants
pneumonia: a disease of the lungs characterized by inflammation and consolidation
followed by resolution and caused by infection or irritants
pneumograph: an instrument for recording thoracic movements or volume change during
respiration
pneumatophore: 1.a muscular gas-containing sac that serves as a float on a siphonophore
colony
2 : a root often functioning as a respiratory organ in a wetland plant
pod :foot
pleopod: an abdominal limb of a crustacean
podium, podia : foot
podiatry: the medical care and treatment of the human foot
polis : city
megalopolis: a very large city
metropolis: the chief or capital city of a country, state, or region
poly- : many (see mono- )
polygamy: marriage in which a spouse of either sex may have more than one mate at the
same time
polymorphous: having, assuming, or occurring in various forms, characters, or styles ( ex. a
polymorphous rash)
polyglot: 1.one who is polyglot 2 capitalized : a book containing versions of the same text in
several languages
pon , pos : put
depose: to remove from a throne or other high position ; dethrone, discrown, disenthrone,
displace, disthrone, uncrown
impose: 1. to establish or bring about as if by force; decree, lay down, ordain, prescribe, set
2. force
postpone: to put off to a later time : defer, delay, hold off, hold over, hold up, lay over,
prorogue, put off, shelve, suspend
transpose: 1.to change in form or nature : transform 2. to render into another language,
style, or manner of expression : translate 3. to transfer from one place or period
to another : shift
superimpose: to place or lay over or above something
port : carry
transport: bear, buck, carry, convey, ferry, hump, jag, lug, pack, tote
import: 1. to bear or convey as meaning or portent : signify 2. to bring from a foreign or
external source
export: 1.to carry away : remove2. to carry or send (as a commodity) to some other place
(as another country)
purport: meaning conveyed, professed, or implied
report: 1.a usually detailed account or statement 2. rumor , buzz, cry, gossip,
grapevine, hearsay, murmur, on-dit, rumble, scuttlebutt, talk, tattle, tittle-tattle,
whispering, word
airport: a place from which aircraft operate that usually has paved
runways and maintenance facilities and often serves as a
terminal
deport: to carry away b : to send out of the country by legal deportation
port , porto :first
protagonist: the principal character in a literary work (as a drama or story)
protocol: an original draft, minute, or record of a document or transaction
protoplasm: the organized colloidal complex of organic and inorganic substances (as
proteins and water) that constitutes the living nucleus, cytoplasm, plastids, and
mitochondria of the cell
prototype: 1.an original model on which something is patterned : archetype 2. an individual
that exhibits the essential features of a later type 3. a standard or typical example
post- : after (see pre- and ante- )
postgraduate: a student continuing formal education after graduation from high school or
college
postdate: to date with a date later than that of execution
posthumous: 1.born after the death of the father 2 : published after the death of the author
3 : following or occurring after death ( ex. posthumous fame)
post-mortem: done, occurring, or collected after death ( ex. postmortem tissue specimens)
2. following the event
postoperative: following a surgical operation
postpone: