Greek and Latin Roots

TheosGreek god Theology(logos – to study) – knowledge or study of god Monotheism(monos – one, alone) – belief in one god Polytheism(poly – many) – belief in many gods Atheist(a, ab – away from) – one who does not believe in any god Enthusiasm(in – in, into) – having spirit or a god inside; inspiration

DeusLatin god Deity – having the character of a god, object of worship; a god Deify – to exalt to the position of a god; to treat as a god Adieu(a – to, French) – parting salutation, go with God Addio(ad – to, Italian) – goodbye Adios(a – to, Spanish) - goodbye

DivinusLatin god-like Divine(adj) – relating to or proceeding directly from God or a god Divine(noun) – a soothsayer, a clergyman, a theologian Divine(verb) – to discover as if led by God; find water with a divining rod Divine Right of Kings – the right to rule comes from God and not the people

Homo, HominisLatin man, human being Homo sapiens(sapire – to be wise) – man as a thinking species Homage – an oath of loyalty by a vassal or tenant to a feudal lord Human – relating to or characteristic of human beings Humane – marked by compassion for humans or animals

Anthropos Greek man, mankind, humankind Anthropology(logos – to study) – the study of mankind Philanthropy(philia – to love) – devotion to human welfare Philanthropist – a generous giver to education, charity or social work Misanthrope(mis – to hate) – a hater or distruster of mankind

VirLatin man, manly, masculine Virile – manly Virago – a man-like woman Triumvirate(tri – three) - a three man governing team Virtue – manly strength or courage; moral excellence Virtual – being in essence or effect, but not in fact Virtuoso – a man with great technical skill in the fine arts, esp. music

FeminaLatin woman Female – the gender that can produce eggs or bear offspring Feminine – having qualities associated with women Femininity – state of being womanly Effeminate – feminine in appearance or manner; unmasculine Feminism – advocacy of women’s rights Femme fatale(French) – an irresistibly attractive woman

Infans, InfantisLatin inability to speak Infant – speechless; one who cannot yet speak Infancy – condition of being an infant; early childhood Infantile – behaving like an infant or child Infant school – in England school for children under seven years old Infantry – (originally) force composed of those too young or inexperienced or low in rank for cavalry service; (now) foot soldiers in an army

Pais, paidosGreek child Pediatrician(iatros – physician) – a doctor for children Encyclopedia(kyklos – round) – a series of books which provide a child a well- rounded knowledge on all subjects Pedagogue(agein – to lead) – tutor who escorted children to school Pedantic – overly concerned with minute details and formalities in teaching

ScholeGreek leisure, free time School – (n) a place of education, a group of fish swimming together; (v) to teach or educate Scholastic – of or pertaining to schools or school education Scholar – a student who is taught, especially one who is learned in classical(Greek or Latin) languages or literature

ErgonGreek work Energy(en – in) – the capacity for being active or doing work; useable power Ergometer(metron – measure) – device for measuring the work performed or energy expended during exercise Allergy(allos – other) – exaggerated reaction to substances Surgery(chirurgeon – working by hand) – physician who performs manual operations on the body

Ludo, LususLatin play, mock Allude(ad – to, toward) – make indirect reference to; refer to Elude(e, ex – out of) – to avoid cleverly; to escape Delude(v)(de – down, away from) – to play falsely, deceive Illusion(n)(in – not) – the creation of a false impression of reality Ludicrous – laughable, ridiculous, absurd

IatrosGreek doctor, physician, comforter Psychiatrist(phychos – soul) – doctor for the mind and soul Podiatrist(podes – feet) – foot doctor Hippiatrist(hippos – horse) – a veterinarian Iatrogenic(genesis – origin, source) – illness or injury caused by doctors’ mistake Geriatrics(geron – old age) – field of medicine dealing with older people