Latin and Greek Roots of English Vocabulary: An Online Manual: Lesson 21 [phy-/phys-]
April 11, 2010
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Root |
Original Meaning/ Usage Notes |
English Derivatives |
Vocabulary |
| (base)
phy-/phys- [from Greek]
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(verb) to grow [Note: This gave rise to the ancient Greek words for plant (phyton) and for nature (physis).]
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metaphysics [literally, ‘the things after the natural things;’ the philosophy that studies the nature of the whole or the whole of nature; a science that studies the preconditions for a kind of knowledge, such as the metaphysics of morals.] neophyte [literally, ‘newly grown;’ a beginner at a job or activity.] physician [literally, ‘one skilled in nature;’ a licensed medical practitioner.] physics [literally, ‘skill in nature;’ the science of the nature and behavior of matter and energy.] physiology phytology |
physiology (noun) [literally, ‘speech about growing or nature;’ the science of the functions and parts of biological organisms.] phytology (noun) [literally, ‘speech about growing things;’ the science of plants, equivalent to botany.] |
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