Root

Original Meaning/

Usage Notes

English Derivatives

Vocabulary

am- [from Latin]

(verb/adjective)

to love/friendly

amateur

amiable [literally, ‘lovable;’ agreeable in comportment, congenial.]

amicable [literally, ‘friendly;’ filled with good spirits.]

amicus curiae [literally, ‘(person) friendly to the court;’ a neutral party in a lawsuit who acts as an advisor on questions of relevant law.]

amorous

amour-propre [literally, ‘love of one’s own;’ self-respect.]

amateur (noun) [literally, ‘lover;’ a person who engages in an activity for its own sake, without being paid; an unskillful person.]

amorous (adjective) [literally, ‘pertaining to love;’ strongly disposed to falling in love.]

Root

Original Meaning/

Usage Notes

English Derivatives

Vocabulary

cosm- [from Greek]

(noun)

world or adornment

[Note: The Greek word implies a beautiful and orderly whole.]

cosmetic [literally, ‘adorning;’ a substance applied to the body to beautify it.]

cosmogony [literally, ‘begetting the world;’ an account of the origin of the universe.]

cosmology [literally, ‘speech about the world;’ the scientific study of the structure of the universe.]

cosmopolitan

cosmos [literally, ‘world;’ the universe.]

microcosm

cosmopolitan (adjective) [literally, ‘pertaining to the world as a city;’ sophisticated in the ways of the world and of many cultures.]

microcosm (noun) [literally, ‘small world;’ a small, representative version of the world as a whole.]

Root

Original Meaning/

Usage Notes

English Derivatives

Vocabulary

-arium/-ary [from Latin]

(suffix)

place for

aquarium [literally, ‘place for water creatures;’ a water-filled container as an artificial environment for aquatic creatures.]

cinerarium

granary [literally, ‘place for grains;’ a storage building for grain.]

library [literally, ‘place for books;’ a repository, either private or public, for books and/or their equivalents.]

reliquary

terrarium [literally, ‘place for earth {organisms);’ an earth-filled container as an artificial environment for plants or land creatures.]

cinerarium (noun) [literally, ‘place for ashes;’ a repository for the ashes of a cremated person.]

reliquary (noun) [literally, ‘place for relics;’ a container for holy relics.]

Root

Original Meaning/

Usage Notes

English Derivatives

Vocabulary

-arius/-ary [from Latin]

(suffix)

pertaining to

antiquary [literally, ‘pertaining to what is ancient;’ a person who deals in rare and ancient artifacts.]

incendiary

literary [literally, ‘pertaining to letters;’ pertaining to literature.]

military

revolutionary [literally, ‘pertaining to turning back;’ causing, or tending to cause, radical change.]

temporary [literally, ‘pertaining to time;’ lasting for a limited or short time.]

incendiary (adjective) [literally, ‘pertaining to enkindling;’ causing, or tending to cause, fire or fiery passions.]

military (adjective) [literally, ‘pertaining to a soldier;’ pertaining to the armed forces.]