Building Vocabulary from Word Roots Unit 1: Lesson 2 Latin Prefixes dis-, di-, dif-

dis-, di-, dif- The Latin prefixes dis-, di-, and dif- have two different meanings. In a directional sense, they can mean “apart” or “in different directions.” In a negative sense, they can mean “not.”

disburse= discomfort= dissect= disinterested= Write down a short definition for each of the words below. Use the words “apart,” “in different directions,” or “not” in your definitions. disburse= discomfort= dissect= disinterested= Ask if this surprises you. What did you notice?

Dissect Disinterested To cut something “apart” Match each dis-, di-, dif- word with its description. Explain how the prefix means “apart,” “in different directions,” or “not.” Disburse Discomfort Dissect Disinterested To cut something “apart” The state of “not” being comfortable To scatter “in different directions” “Not” interested in something Ask if this surprises you. What did you notice?

Dissect Disinterested When you encounter dis-, di-, dif- words that you do not know, you will need to try out both prefix meanings to determine which one makes the most sense. Disburse Discomfort Dissect Disinterested TIP: When dis- means “not,” it is usually followed by a recognizable word (like “comfort” or “interested” above). Ask if this surprises you. What did you notice?

The students enjoyed the teacher’s digressions from the topic. THINK: How do these dis-, di-, dif- words mean “apart,” “in different directions,” or “not”? The students enjoyed the teacher’s digressions from the topic. Our attention was diverted by the loud music. She divulged a secret that changed all their lives! Sometimes people distort the truth. The talk was disjointed and hard to follow. His clothes were in a state of disarray. Ask if this surprises you. What did you notice?

Divide and Conquer Dis-= “apart,” “in different directions,” or “not” tract = “pull, draw, drag” Distract means to “draw” something or someone “in a different direction.” diverse: turned “in different directions” disconnected: “not” connected

To step in a different direction Divide and Conquer WORD: PREFIX MEANS: digress apart BASE MEANS: WORD MEANS: Gres=step, go To step in a different direction

dispel apart Pel=push To push or drive apart Divide and Conquer WORD: PREFIX MEANS: dispel apart BASE MEANS: WORD MEANS: Pel=push To push or drive apart

To not believe something as truth Divide and Conquer WORD: PREFIX MEANS: discredit not BASE MEANS: WORD MEANS: Cred=believe To not believe something as truth

Something that draws or pulls one’s attention aside Divide and Conquer WORD: PREFIX MEANS: distractions apart BASE MEANS: WORD MEANS: Tract=pull, draw, drag Something that draws or pulls one’s attention aside

To think or feel in a different direction; to differ in opinion Divide and Conquer WORD: PREFIX MEANS: dissent apart BASE MEANS: WORD MEANS: Sent=think, feel To think or feel in a different direction; to differ in opinion

disruptive apart Rupt=break To break apart Divide and Conquer WORD: PREFIX MEANS: disruptive apart BASE MEANS: WORD MEANS: Rupt=break To break apart

To stretch or extend out Divide and Conquer WORD: PREFIX MEANS: distended apart BASE MEANS: WORD MEANS: Tend=stretch To stretch or extend out

To turn in different directions Divide and Conquer WORD: PREFIX MEANS: divert apart BASE MEANS: WORD MEANS: Vert=turn To turn in different directions

To send away, in a different direction Divide and Conquer WORD: PREFIX MEANS: dismiss apart BASE MEANS: WORD MEANS: Mis=send To send away, in a different direction

To deal out or pay in different directions Divide and Conquer WORD: PREFIX MEANS: dispense apart BASE MEANS: WORD MEANS: Pend=weigh, hang To deal out or pay in different directions

Do Now! Copy these phrases down on a piece of notebook paper, skipping lines in between. A diffident attitude To disseminate a message To create a diversion To divulge a secret To dissect a specimen A disparity of resources A room that is in disarray To distort a story