1. PEL/PULS, JAC/JECT, MIT/MIS, MOT/MOV
Vocabulary #3
Have the students review the roots studied for each group of words in relation to the prefix given. Next, have the students use context clues to guess what the vocabulary word might mean. Then, finally give them the meaning of the vocabulary word.
PEL/PULS, JAC/JECT, MIT/MIS, MOT/MOV

2. PEL/PULS
Latin: Pellere, Pulsum “to push, to drive”

3. 1. Compel (verb)
Example: The pressures of poverty compel many people to do things they would not do otherwise.
What does compel mean?
Compel- to force or strongly persuade; coerce
Syn: pressure; drive

4. 2. Impulse (noun)
Example: When Nick saw the rows and rows of candy, he was seized by an impulse to spend all of his money.
What does impulse mean?
impulse – a sudden, involuntary urge to do something
Synonym: urge; desire; whim

5. 3. Expel (verb)
Example: The council took a vote on whether to expel the treasurer for his accounting mistakes.
What does expel mean?
Expel- to send out or away
Syn: banish; dismiss
Ant: accept, include, invite

6. JAC/JECT
Latin: Jacere, Jectum—”to throw, to cast”

7. 4. Conjecture (noun)
Example: Because you do not know where I was on the night in question, your assertions about what I did are pure conjecture.
What does conjecture mean?
Conjecture- a guess, often one based on inadequate or faulty evidence
Syn: hypothesis; guess
Ant: proof; fact

8. 5. Dejected (adj.)
Example: After Mac lost the race, he sat in the corner, abandoned and dejected.
What does dejected mean?
Dejected- downcast or sad; depressed
Syn: sad; miserable
Ant: upbeat; optimistic

9. 6. Abject (adj.)
Even in the wealthiest countries, some people are forced to live in abject poverty.
What does abject mean?
Abject- lowly, miserable and wretched
Syn- humble; menial
Ant-arrogant; superior

10. MIT/ MIS
Latin: Mittere, Missum— “send”

11. 7. Emissary (noun)
Example: During the peace talks, the young Italian diplomat was sent as an emissary to Beijing.
What does emissary mean?
Emissary- an agent sent on a mission
Syn- agent; representitive

12. 8. Dismissive (adj.)
Example: The professor responded to my confused question with a dismissive wave of his hand.
What does dismissive mean?
Dismissive- showing little regard; scornful
Syn-disrespectful; scornful

13. 9. Remiss (adj).
Example: Do you think I was remiss in not cleaning up after the party?
What does remiss mean?
Remiss- failing to fulfill one’s duty; negligent
Syn- careless; neglectful
Ant- careful; competent

14. MOT/ MOV
Latin: Movere, Motus— “to move”

15. 10. Motive (noun)
Example: The detective had the difficult job of establishing a motive for the murder of a popular business man.
What does motive mean?
Motive- cause for action
Syn- reason; purpose

16. 11. Motif (noun)
Example: The recurring father-son motif in this novel makes me wonder about the author’s relationship with his own father.
What does motif mean?
Motif- a recurring theme, subject, or idea

17. 12. Emote (verb)
Example: My sister tended to emote more than the other members of our shy, socially awkward family.
What does emote mean?
Emote- to dramatically express emotions
Syn- express; declare