1. Latin and Greek Root Words Unit 12
FIN, NOV, PRIM, ULTIMA
Definitive, Infinite, Infinitesimal, Innovate, Novel, Novice, Penultimate, Primacy, Primal, Primeval, Ultimate, Ultimatum

2. ULTIMA Latin ULTIMUS “last”
1. Ultimate adj. Surpassing all others; definitive
L. ultimus= having a final quality
The ultimate humiliation came when Robbie’s teacher yelled at him in front of the whole class.
2. Penultimate adj. Just before the final; next to last
L. paene, “almost,” + ultimus (ULTIMA) = the next to last
In the penultimate chapter of the book, the author prepares us for the shocking twists of the final chapter.

3. ULTIMA Cont’d 3. Ultimatum n. A demand or threat that is final
L. ultimus (that which is) final
The pirates gave us an ultimatum: either reveal where the prisoners were, or walk the plank.

4. FIN Latin FINIS “end, border, limit”
4. Infinite adj. Without beginning or end
L. in, “not,” + finis (FIN) = (having) no end
Although Seth was a man of seemingly infinite patience, he sometimes became frustrated.
5. Definite adj. Defining for all others; standard
L. de, “from,” + finis (FIN)= (measurable) from its limits
John did no consider the work a definite authority on the history of tennis.
SYN: Absolute ANT: Uncertain

5. FIN Cont’d
6. Infinitesimal adj. Extremely small; incalculably or immeasurably small
L. in, “not,” + finis (FIN) = (so small as to have) no measure
If any of the contaminant tis left in the water supply, it is there only in infinitesimal amounts.
SYN: Microscopic ANT: Huge

6. NOV Latin NOVUS “new” 7. Novel adj. New and different
The company had a novel approach to the problem of engine breakdown.
SYN: Original ANT: Stale
8. Novice n. An inexperienced person; amateur
L. novitia, “one who is new,” from novus
Even I, a chess novice, could appreciate the beauty of the master’s play.
SYN: Beginner ANT: Expert

7. NOV Cont’d 9. Innovative adj. Showing creativity and originality
L. in, ‘intensive,” + novus (NOV) = very new
The innovative design of the new C-267 makes it the easiest vacuum cleaner to use.
SYN: Inventive ANT: Conservative

8. PRIM Latin PRIMUS “first”
10. Primal adj. Original; dating form the beginning of existence
Fear is one of our more primal emotions; it helped our ancient ancestors survive.
SYN: Primitive ANT: Modern
11. Primeval adj. Extremely ancient; of earliest time
L. primus + aevum, “age” = [dating from] the first age
The rough cliffs had a primeval splendor that made us think of the beginning of time.
SYN: Primordial

9. PRIM Cont’d
12. Primacy n. Condition of being first in time or importance
No one dared question the primacy of the police captain in the precinct.