Greek/Latin/Anglo-Saxon Prefixes and Suffixes

Language Study--Adding to the ROOT: Prefixes and Suffixes

The word ROOTS we looked at in Lesson 1 may be given a bit of direction with either a supporting PREFIX (before the ROOT) or a SUFFIX (after the ROOT). When you find an unfamiliar word, look for a prefix/suffix that might provide clues to how the ROOT (the base element of the word) changes. The chart below gives meanings and examples for some common prefixes(Holt Online Textbook p 187).

Take a look at some examples of Greek and Latin prefixes.

Greek Prefix/Suffix	Meaning	Example
meta--	changed; beyond	metamorphosis (change in physical form)
pan--	all, whole	pandemic (affecting many people)
syn--	together with	synchronous (together in time)
--oid	like; resembling	factoid (most likely factual)
--ess	female	seductress (tempting, alluring female.
Latin Prefix/Suffix	Meaning	Example
ex--	out of	excommunicated (out of the community)
sub--	under	subservient (submissive)
in--	not	incontinent (lacking self-restraint)
mal--	evil	malevolent (characterized by ill will)
--let	small	owlet (baby owl)
--ure	act; state of being	composure (act of being composed)
Anglo-Saxon Suffixes	Meaning	Example
--en	become	brighten, sullen
--ful	full of; marked by	cheerful, fearful
--ness	quality; state	kindness; craziness

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