1. Vocabulary List 1

2. If you knew the most important Greek and Latin roots, you would seldom have to consult the dictionary for the meanings of words, for words define themselves if you have the clues. —Amsel Greene Word Clues

3. 1. etymology (n.)
The study of the origins and histories of words or parts of words to determine how they’ve arrived at their current meaning
The origin of a word

4. Suffix: -ology/-logist
-ology: study of
-logist: refers to one who studies
Examples: anthropology, anthropologist, biology, biologist, archaeologist, geology, zoology, etymology

5. 2. anthropologist (n.)
One who studies the origin, and the physical, social, and cultural development of humans
The anthropologist traveled to remote lands to compare different cultures.

6. Root: anthrop
human being; humankind

7. Combining roots miso: hate phil: love anthrop: humankind
miso + anthrop = misanthrope
phil + anthrop = philanthropy

8. 3. misanthrope (n.) One who detests or distrusts humankind
Scrooge was a misanthrope who lived alone, horded his money, and refused to give his employees a holiday.

9. 4. philanthropy (n.) Love of humanity
Works and endeavors intended to increase the well-being of humanity, especially through charitable aid or endowments
Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, now devotes his time to philanthropy; his foundation contributes funds for healthcare in developing countries and new schools in the United States.

10. A Few More Roots and Prefixes
biblio: book
path: feeling or disease
mono-: one
a-: without

11. 5. bibliophile (n.) A book lover or collector of books
Writer Jamaica Kincaid, like many bibliophiles, has trouble parting with books she loves; as a child, she even stole books from the library and hid them under the porch.

12. 6. monochromatic (adj.) Of a single color
Painted, decorated, or printed in a single color
Picasso’s Blue Period was marked by monochromatic paintings, painted almost entirely in light and dark shades of blue.

13. 7. monotonous (adj.) Uttered or performed in one, unvaried tone
Uninteresting or boring as a result of being repetitive and unvaried
The narrator’s monotonous tone put me to sleep halfway through the documentary.

14. 8. apathy (n.) Lack of emotion, feeling, or interest
The goal of groups like Rock the Vote is to eliminate voter apathy by encouraging younger voters to develop an interest in politics.

15. 9. sympathy (n.)
The ability to understand or share somebody’s feelings
The woman sent her neighbor a sympathy card after the death of her father.

16. 10. antipathy (n.)
Feelings of anger, hostility, opposition, or disgust directed toward a particular person or thing
A strong feeling of aversion, repugnance, or opposition
The woman’s obvious antipathy toward snakes surfaced when the reptile slithered across her path.

17. from Word Clues —Spencer Trotter
No knowledge of a science can be properly acquired until the terminology of that science is mastered, and this terminology is in the main of Greek and Latin origin.
—Spencer Trotter
Head of Biological Department, Swarthmore College