Vocabulary List 1

If you knew the most important Greek and Latin roots, you would seldom have to consult the dictionary for the meanings of words, for words define themselves if you have the clues. —Amsel Greene Word Clues

1. etymology (n.) The study of the origins and histories of words or parts of words to determine how they’ve arrived at their current meaning The origin of a word

Suffix: -ology/-logist -ology: study of -logist: refers to one who studies Examples: anthropology, anthropologist, biology, biologist, archaeologist, geology, zoology, etymology

2. anthropologist (n.) One who studies the origin, and the physical, social, and cultural development of humans The anthropologist traveled to remote lands to compare different cultures.

Root: anthrop human being; humankind

Combining roots miso: hate phil: love anthrop: humankind miso + anthrop = misanthrope phil + anthrop = philanthropy

3. misanthrope (n.) One who detests or distrusts humankind Scrooge was a misanthrope who lived alone, horded his money, and refused to give his employees a holiday.

4. philanthropy (n.) Love of humanity Works and endeavors intended to increase the well-being of humanity, especially through charitable aid or endowments Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, now devotes his time to philanthropy; his foundation contributes funds for healthcare in developing countries and new schools in the United States.

A Few More Roots and Prefixes biblio: book path: feeling or disease mono-: one a-: without

5. bibliophile (n.) A book lover or collector of books Writer Jamaica Kincaid, like many bibliophiles, has trouble parting with books she loves; as a child, she even stole books from the library and hid them under the porch.

6. monochromatic (adj.) Of a single color Painted, decorated, or printed in a single color Picasso’s Blue Period was marked by monochromatic paintings, painted almost entirely in light and dark shades of blue.

7. monotonous (adj.) Uttered or performed in one, unvaried tone Uninteresting or boring as a result of being repetitive and unvaried The narrator’s monotonous tone put me to sleep halfway through the documentary.

8. apathy (n.) Lack of emotion, feeling, or interest The goal of groups like Rock the Vote is to eliminate voter apathy by encouraging younger voters to develop an interest in politics.

9. sympathy (n.) The ability to understand or share somebody’s feelings The woman sent her neighbor a sympathy card after the death of her father.

10. antipathy (n.) Feelings of anger, hostility, opposition, or disgust directed toward a particular person or thing A strong feeling of aversion, repugnance, or opposition The woman’s obvious antipathy toward snakes surfaced when the reptile slithered across her path.

from Word Clues —Spencer Trotter No knowledge of a science can be properly acquired until the terminology of that science is mastered, and this terminology is in the main of Greek and Latin origin. —Spencer Trotter Head of Biological Department, Swarthmore College 1888-1926