Root

Original Meaning/

Usage Notes

English Derivatives

Vocabulary

(base)

solv-/solut- [from Latin]

(verb)

to loose(n)

to absolve

to dissolve [literally, ‘to loosen apart;’ to separate into component parts.]

resolution [literally, ‘a loosening back;’ a firm determination or decision.]

soluble [literally, able to be loosed;’ able to be dissolved or solved.]

to solve [literally, ‘to loosen;’ to find a correct answer (to a problem or riddle).]

solvent

to absolve (verb) [literally, ‘to loosen away from;’ to free someone from guilt.]

solvent (noun) [literally, ‘loosening;’ a substance able to cause another substance to separate into its component parts.]

Root

Original Meaning/

Usage Notes

English Derivatives

Vocabulary

(base)

sci- [from Latin]

(verb)

to know(-how)

conscience [literally, ‘knowing together;’ inner moral power of judging one’s conduct based on preferring right over wrong.]

conscious

nescience [literally, ‘not knowing;’ lack of knowledge; ignorance.]

omniscient

science [literally, ‘knowledge;’ exact knowledge, especially that obtained through systematic observation and experiment.]

scientist [literally, ‘professional knower;’ a professional practitioner of science.]

conscious (adjective) [literally, ‘known together;’ aware of one’s surroundings; awake.]

omniscient (adjective) [literally, ‘knowing all things.’]

Root

Original Meaning/

Usage Notes

English Derivatives

Vocabulary

(base)

ta(n)g-/ti(n)g-/tact- [from Latin]

(verb)

to touch

contagious

contiguous [literally, ‘touching together;’ sharing a border.]

contingent [literally, ‘touched together;’ happening not by necessity, but because of certain conditions.]

intangible

tactile [literally, ‘of touch;’ pertaining to the sense of touch.]

tangent [literally, ‘touching;’ touching at a single point without intersecting.]

contagious (adjective) [literally, ‘touching together;’ transmittable by direct contact.]

intangible (adjective) [literally, ‘not touchable;’ not able to be perceived by any of the senses, but ‘felt’ anyway.]

Root

Original Meaning/

Usage Notes

English Derivatives

Vocabulary

(prefix)

extra-/extro- [from Latin]

(preposition)

outside

extracurricular [literally, ‘pertaining to what is outside the curriculum;’ beyond the required curriculum of a school.]

extraordinary [literally, ‘outside the orderly;’ beyond the usual; extremely impressive.]

extrasensory [literally, ‘outside the sensory;’ beyond the normal range of human sensation.]

extraterrestrial [literally, ‘pertaining to what is outside the earth;’ coming from, or being outside, the earth.]

extravagant

extrovert

extravagant (adjective) [literally, ‘ranging outside;’ beyond normal limits; lavish; ostentatious.]

extrovert (noun) [literally, ‘turned outside;’ a person who is interested in, or naturally directed toward, other persons.]