1. WORD STUDY Crossroads Middle School
7th Grade
Trimester Three
*Updated 2015

2. Root: caust / caut Language of Origin: Greek Definition: burn Words:
caustic
holocaust
cauterize

3. caustic Adjective Definition: capable of burning or eating away
Sentence:
The caustic chemicals were locked in a safe place so the children couldn’t hurt themselves.

4. holocaust Noun Definition: total devastation, especially by fire
Sentence:
The holocaust of the forest has caused many birds and other wildlife to lose their homes.

5. cauterize Verb Definition: to burn with a hot instrument. Sentence:
The blacksmith cauterized the metal bar branding it with the company’s logo.

6. Root: ceed / cess / ced Language of Origin: Latin
Definition: go, yield
Words:
precede
incessant
exceed

7. precede Verb Definition: to go before Sentence:
If you precede me in the line, you will get to choose your seat first.

8. incessant Adjective Definition: constant, never ending Sentence:
As we drove for hours through the state, the long road seemed incessant.

9. exceed Verb Definition: to go beyond expectations Sentence:
When the benchwarmer entered the game and scored 20 points, he exceeded everyone’s expectations.

10. Root: greg Language of Origin: Latin Definition: herd, flock, mob
Words:
congregate
segregate
gregarious

11. congregate Verb Definition: to gather together Sentence:
The football players congregated on the field to celebrate the victory.

12. segregate Verb Definition: to separate from the crowd, set apart
Sentence:
I was segregated from my team and forced to sit in the stands because I had missed three practices.

13. gregarious
Adjective
Definition: associating with others; enjoying companionship
Sentence:
The gregarious students lingered in the hall before class to chat.

14. Root: medi Language of Origin: Latin Definition: half; middle Words:
mediator
median
intermediate

15. mediator Noun Definition: one who comes between opposing parties
Sentence:
Since the two seventh graders couldn’t settle their differences on their own,
Mrs. Peaceful had to act as a mediator for them.

16. median Noun Definition: the middle or midpoint Sentence:
In the middle of Route 1, there is a concrete median that keeps cars from going into oncoming traffic.

17. intermediate Adjective
Definition: situated between two points or places
Sentence:
Many people live in central New Jersey because it is a good intermediate location between New York City and Philadelphia.

18. Root: chron Language of Origin: Greek Definition: time Words:
chronological
chronic
synchronize

19. chronological Adjective Definition: events arranged in time order
Sentence:
In social studies, we learn events in chronological order because it is easier to understand the timeline of how things happened.

20. chronic Adjective Definition: lasting for a long time Sentence:
From all his years getting tackled playing college football, David has chronic back pain.

21. synchronize Verb Definition: to cause to happen at the same time
Sentence:
We synchronized all of the alarm clocks in the house so they would ring at the same time.

22. Root: auto Language of Origin: Greek Definition: self Words:
autonomous
autobiography
automotive

23. autonomous
Adjective
Definition: independent; able to make decisions by oneself
Sentence:
Many teenagers believe their parents should let them make their own decisions and let them be completely autonomous.

24. autobiography
Noun
Definition: The story of one’s life written by oneself
Sentence:
The autobiography of Mark Twain is the most accurate story of his life since it is actually in his own words.

25. automotive Adjective Definition: self moving; relating to cars
Sentence:
The automotive industry capital in this country has always been Detroit, Michigan.

26. Root: bell Language of Origin: Latin Definition: war Words:
belligerent
rebellion
bellicose

27. belligerent Adjective Definition: hostile, ready to fight Sentence:
The belligerent sports fanatic would go to the game and argue with fans of the opposing team.

28. rebellion Noun Definition: organized resistance to authority Sentence:
There was a rebellion that formed in the South over the issue of slavery.

29. bellicose Adjective Definition: inclined to start a war Sentence:
Rather than reaching a peace agreement, the two opposing sides became more bellicose and the peace talks ended.

30. Root: tele Language of Origin: Greek
Definition: distant, over a distance
Words:
telescope
teleport
telecommute

32. telescope
Noun
Definition: an instrument used to make distant items appear larger and closer.
Sentence:
Jon used his telescope to look at the stars and search for constellations that he learned about in science class.

33. teleport
Verb
Definition: An imaginary way of instantly traveling through space.
Sentence:
The spaceship teleported from Earth to Mars in five seconds.

34. telecommute
Verb
Definition: to work from a remote location using technology.
Sentence:
Due to improved technology, many businesses allow their workers to telecommute by using their computers at home.