Vocabulary List 6

Have you ever noticed how, in the English language, some small words sometimes appear in a lot of bigger words? Take the word “friend,” for example. If you notice someone who is acting friendly toward you, you might want to start a friendship, so you befriend her. You don’t want to be friendless, after all, but you also probably don’t want to befriend unfriendly people, so you save your friendliness for those who really deserve it. Those are six words based on a smaller one, and we call that smaller word a root word. ROOT WORDS    

WHY STUDY ROOTS? Determining the meaning of unfamiliar words is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Knowing the meaning of a root word instantly allows you the ability to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words that utilize this root. A single root can generate over 100 words, so if you learn even ten roots over the course of a year, that’s like 1,000 words you can potentially unlock on your own.

Can you put the words into groups? Elucidate Phosphorescent Lucid Improvise Invidious Photogenic Specter Prospect Translucent Phototropic Providential Circumspect

Greek PHOS, PHOTOS, “light” PHOT, PHOS Greek PHOS, PHOTOS, “light”

Adj, tending to grow or move towards light Phototropic Adj, tending to grow or move towards light Because they are phototropic, daisies always grow toward the sun.

Phosphorescent Adj, giving off light without heat Harvey stuck phosphorescent stars on his ceiling so that it would resemble the nighttime sky.

Photogenic Adj, attractive in pictures or photographs Lucy was so photogenic that total strangers often asked to take her picture.

Latin LUX, LUCIS, “light”

Lucid Adj, easy to understand, clear Sophie’s explanation of quantum physics was so lucid that I understood everything.

Elucidate V, to make clear by explaining The attorney asked the witness to further elucidate the information he had.

Translucent Adj, allowing light to pass through Through a translucent blue cloth draped over the windows, we could see the sun.

Latin SPECERE, SPECTUM, “to look at” SPEC, SPECT Latin SPECERE, SPECTUM, “to look at”

Circumspect Adj, careful; mindful of rules and consequences The marchers in the protest rally tried to be circumspect and not break any laws.

Prospect N, that which is expressed The prospect of a trip to the dentist with my bratty kid was hardly thrilling.

Specter N, a ghost or phantom Hattie seemed to see a specter in every corner of the dark home.

Latin VIDERE, VISUM, “to see, to look” VID, VIS Latin VIDERE, VISUM, “to see, to look”

Invidious Adj, hateful or spiteful One candidate made an invidious speech against his opponent.

Providential Adj, happening by good fortune Through a providential series of events, Nigel found himself manager of the company.

Improvise V, to create without any forethought or preparation When Carl lost the cards with his speech on them, he was forced to improvise.