Vocabulary Lesson 24: The Roots –flect- and –flu- affluent deflect flex fluctuate fluid flume inflexible influential influx reflex

The Roots –flect- and –flu- The Latin roots –flect- and –flu- are used in many English words. The Latin verb flectere means “to bend.” The meanings of the words built from the root –flect- have to do with bending. For example, the word flexible means “able to bend.” The Latin verb fluere means “to flow,” and the meanings of words with the root –flu- have to do with flowing. Fluids, of course, are substances that flow.

AFFLUENT Rich; wealthy (adj.)

To turn aside or redirect; to cause to go in another direction (verb) DEFLECT To turn aside or redirect; to cause to go in another direction (verb)

To contract a muscle (verb) FLEX To bend (verb) To contract a muscle (verb)

To rise and fall; to change irregularly (verb) FLUCTUATE To rise and fall; to change irregularly (verb)

FLUID A substance that flows, often taking the shape of its container (noun) Having smooth, flowing motion; graceful (adj.) Easily changed (adj.) It is important to drink plenty of fluids every day. Dancers move with graceful, fluid movements.

2) A man-made channel or chute for flowing water (noun) FLUME 1) A narrow passage with deep rocky sides and water flowing through it (noun) 2) A man-made channel or chute for flowing water (noun)

INFLEXIBLE Not easily bent; stiff (adj.) Not changeable (adj.) Write hints/clues below to help you remember the definitions.

Having the power and importance to affect something (adj.) INFLUENTIAL Having the power and importance to affect something (adj.) Some of the most influential people in history are Shakespeare, Lincoln, Ghandi, and Leonardo DaVinci.

INFLUX A flowing or coming in At the Three Gorges Dam in China, an influx of floodwaters in the river’s upper reaches flows through to the lower reaches to reduce flooding.

REFLEX 1) The ability to react quickly to actions or events (noun) 2) An automatic physical response (noun)