Vocabulary Roots English II Semester 2

dys- Definition: bad, difficult Sample word: dystopia Sample word definition: an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives Sentence: The Matrix takes place in a dystopian society.

ex- Definition: out Sample word: exploit Sample word definition: (v) to employ to the greatest possible advantage; (n) an act or deed, especially a notable or heroic one Sentence: The media exploits the lives of movie stars and musicians in order to improve ratings.

hyper- Definition: over, above Sample word: hypersensitive Sample word definition: excessively or abnormally sensitive; over-sensitive Sentence: The sappy commercial made the hypersensitive pregnant woman cry.

super-, sur- Definition: over Sample word: superfluous Sample word definition: exceeding what is sufficient or necessary Sentence: The two hundred and fifty video games he owned seemed superfluous to his mother.

vit, viv Definition: life Sample word: vital Sample word definition: full of life and vigor Sentence: Clarisse’s vital personality confused and inspired Montag.

a- Definition: without, not Sample word: amoral Sample word definition: being neither moral nor immoral; without morality Sentence: Many argue that unlike humans animals are amoral.

contra- Definition: against Sample word: contraband Sample word definition: goods or merchandise whose importation, exportation, or possession is forbidden Sentence: In Fahrenheit 451, books were contraband.

counter- Definition: against Sample word: counterfeit Sample word definition: made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive Sentence: Annie purchased a counterfeit designer watch on the streets of New York city.

hypo- Definition: under, less than Sample words: hypocrite Sample word definitions: a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue; a person who is less than the virtuous personality they project to others Sentence: The hypocritical trainer went out back to smoke a cigarette and eat a doughnut between sessions.

luc, lum Definition: light, clear Sample words: lucid, hallucinate, illuminate, pellucid Sample word’s definition: extremely clear in style and meaning Sample sentence: Her pellucid writing made it easy for me to understand the novel.

magn Definition: great Sample words: magnitude, magnanimous Sample word definition: Very generous or forgiving, esp. toward a rival or someone less powerful than oneself; high-minded or noble Sample sentence: The magnanimous king allowed his enemy to leave the kingdom without harm.

mis- Definition: bad, wrong Sample words: mistake, mistook, misfire, misanthrope Sample word definition: a person who hates or distrusts humankind Sample sentence: Ebenezer Scrooge is the perfect example of a misanthrope.

path Definition: feeling, illness Sample words: empathy, sympathy, apathy, antipathy Sample word definition: lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting; absence of passion Sample sentence: Mildred’s apathy frustrated and angered Montag.

per Definition: through Sample words: persuasion, impervious, pervasive Sample word definition: Not allowing something to pass through; unable to be affected by Sentence: In the summer, I am impervious to the heat; I play outside all day.

reg Definition: guide, rule, king Sample words: regal, regicide Sample word definition: the killing of a king Sentence: In the Lion King, Scar plots regicide when he works to kill Mufasa.