English 9 / Unit 10: Vocabulary and Research Skills
10.2 Greek and Latin Roots
Notes
A root is the core of a word that carries its main meaning. Many English words come from Greek and Latin.
| Root | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| bio | life | biology, biography |
| graph / scrib, script | write | autograph, describe, script |
| chron | time | chronological, chronic |
| spect / vis, vid | look, see | inspect, visible, video |
| aud | hear | audience, audible |
| port | carry | transport, portable |
| dict | say, speak | predict, dictionary |
| rupt | break | erupt, interrupt |
| tele | far | telephone, telescope |
- Example: Audible = aud (hear) + ible (able to be) = able to be heard.
Practice
The root "rupt" means "break." Which word means "to break into a conversation"?
Inter (between) + rupt (break).
Using roots, "chronometer" most likely names a device that measures:
"Chron" means time; "meter" means measure.
Which word contains a root meaning "to carry"?
"Port" means carry.
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