1. Building Vocabulary from Word Roots
Unit 1: Lesson 2
Latin Prefixes
dis-, di-, dif-

2. dis-, di-, dif-
The Latin prefixes dis-, di-, and dif- have two different meanings. In a directional sense, they can mean “apart” or “in different directions.” In a negative sense, they can mean “not.”

3. disburse= discomfort= dissect= disinterested=
Write down a short definition for each of the words below. Use the words “apart,” “in different directions,” or “not” in your definitions.
disburse=
discomfort=
dissect=
disinterested=
Ask if this surprises you. What did you notice?

4. Dissect Disinterested To cut something “apart”
Match each dis-, di-, dif- word with its description. Explain how the prefix means “apart,” “in different directions,” or “not.”
Disburse Discomfort
Dissect Disinterested
To cut something “apart”
The state of “not” being comfortable
To scatter “in different directions”
“Not” interested in something
Ask if this surprises you. What did you notice?

5. Dissect Disinterested
When you encounter dis-, di-, dif- words that you do not know, you will need to try out both prefix meanings to determine which one makes the most sense.
Disburse Discomfort
Dissect Disinterested
TIP: When dis- means “not,” it is usually followed by a recognizable word (like “comfort” or “interested” above).
Ask if this surprises you. What did you notice?

6. The students enjoyed the teacher’s digressions from the topic.
THINK: How do these dis-, di-, dif- words mean “apart,” “in different directions,” or “not”?
The students enjoyed the teacher’s digressions from the topic.
Our attention was diverted by the loud music.
She divulged a secret that changed all their lives!
Sometimes people distort the truth.
The talk was disjointed and hard to follow.
His clothes were in a state of disarray.
Ask if this surprises you. What did you notice?

7. Divide and Conquer Dis-= “apart,” “in different directions,” or “not”
tract = “pull, draw, drag”
Distract means to “draw” something or someone “in a different direction.”
diverse: turned “in different directions”
disconnected: “not” connected

8. To step in a different direction
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
digress
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Gres=step, go
To step in a different direction

9. dispel apart Pel=push To push or drive apart Divide and Conquer WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
dispel
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Pel=push
To push or drive apart

10. To not believe something as truth
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
discredit
not
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Cred=believe
To not believe something as truth

11. Something that draws or pulls one’s attention aside
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
distractions
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Tract=pull, draw, drag
Something that draws or pulls one’s attention aside

12. To think or feel in a different direction; to differ in opinion
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
dissent
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Sent=think, feel
To think or feel in a different direction; to differ in opinion

13. disruptive apart Rupt=break To break apart Divide and Conquer WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
disruptive
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Rupt=break
To break apart

14. To stretch or extend out
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
distended
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Tend=stretch
To stretch or extend out

15. To turn in different directions
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
divert
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Vert=turn
To turn in different directions

16. To send away, in a different direction
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
dismiss
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Mis=send
To send away, in a different direction

17. To deal out or pay in different directions
Divide and Conquer
WORD:
PREFIX MEANS:
dispense
apart
BASE MEANS:
WORD MEANS:
Pend=weigh, hang
To deal out or pay in different directions

18. Do Now! Copy these phrases down on a piece of notebook paper, skipping lines in between.
A diffident attitude
To disseminate a message
To create a diversion
To divulge a secret
To dissect a specimen
A disparity of resources
A room that is in disarray
To distort a story