Latin and Greek Roots UNIT ONE

DAY ONE Write the root and the definition Write each word and its definition

FAC To make or to do From the Latin ‘facere’ or ‘factum’ (also derived from the French ‘faisant’) To make or to do

Verb; to embarrass and confuse Words from ‘FAC’ Discomfit Verb; to embarrass and confuse The teacher’s difficult question discomfited Randy so much that he was unable to speak Synonym: perturb

noun; improvement or enlightenment Words from ‘FAC’ edification noun; improvement or enlightenment Mrs. Marple, an etiquette expert, often gives hints for the edification of her audience. Synonym: betterment

noun; misconduct or wrongdoing Words from ‘FAC’ malfeasance noun; misconduct or wrongdoing The reporter uncovered a complex conspiracy intended to hide the mayor’s malfeasance. Synonym: wrongdoing

adjective; capable of being accomplished Words from ‘FAC’ feasible adjective; capable of being accomplished The Board of Education could not find a feasible solution to the overcrowding of city schools. Synonym: possible

noun; condition of being too full; overabundance Words from ‘FAC’ surfeit noun; condition of being too full; overabundance A surfeit of army boots led to lack of space in the warehouse. Synonym: abundance

Work, wealth, power, resource OPUS From the Latin ‘opus’, ‘operis’, ‘ops’, or ‘opis’ Work, wealth, power, resource

noun; the greatest single work of an artist, writer, or composer Words from ‘OPUS’ Magnum opus noun; the greatest single work of an artist, writer, or composer Wagner’s “Ring Trilogy” is considered by many to be the composer’s magnum opus. Synonym: pinnacle

noun; manner of working Words from ‘OPUS’ Modus operandi noun; manner of working The criminal’s modus operandi was one that the police had seen only rarely in the past.

adjective; possessing or exhibiting great wealth Words from ‘OPUS’ opulent adjective; possessing or exhibiting great wealth Having made his fortune in computer sales, Kit retired to an opulent estate on a private island.

ERG From the Greek ‘ergon’ To work

Words from ‘ERG’ synergy noun; the power that results from the combination of two or more forces The synergy of the networks allowed for faster and more powerful transmission of information. Synonym: confluence

noun; a pattern of prayer or worship Words from ‘ERG’ liturgy noun; a pattern of prayer or worship The traditional Roman Catholic mass consists of the priest leading the congregation in the liturgy.

noun; a state of sluggishness, inactivity, and apathy Words from ‘ERG’ lethargy noun; a state of sluggishness, inactivity, and apathy As Jack’s lethargy increased, he found himself unable to concentrate on his work. Synonym: laziness

LABOR From the Latin ‘labor’ To work

adjective; requiring long, hard work Words from ‘LABOR’ laborious adjective; requiring long, hard work Jean-Pierre took a week off from work to undertake the laborious task of bathroom renovation in his new home. Synonym: industrious

verb; to attack; to discuss repeatedly or at length Words from ‘LABOR’ belabor verb; to attack; to discuss repeatedly or at length Carrie belabored her point about mowing the lawn until Charlie stomped out of the room.

verb; to explain in greater detail Words from ‘LABOR’ elaborate verb; to explain in greater detail When asked to elaborate on his proposal for the new park, the mayor said only that it was in the planning stages.

DAY TWO Finish each sentence in a way that shows you understand the meaning of the word

When they reached the opulent port city, the sailors saw……… Because their work could only be accomplished through a laborious series of maneuvers, the farmhands……….. For the edification of her students, the sculpting teacher explained that……. George was discomfited by his parents’ shouting match because…….. The amazing synergy of the two companies became evident when……… Gerald would not elaborate on his plan to leave town because………… When the architect finished her magnum opus, she felt………..

Executives may be involved in corporate malfeasance when they………. Donna felt that William was belaboring the point when he…………. The farmer’s plan to irrigate his crops twice a week was feasible because…………… Parents can eliminate lethargy in younger children by……………. The train robbers’ modus operandi usually involved……………….. The liturgy at the Cathedral usually started with……….. Because they have a surfeit of qualified applicants for the position, company managers………..

Modus operandi laborious feasible edification discomfit 1. Liz found organizing her closet such a(n)_______ task that she decided she would never do it again.