1. Building Vocabulary from Word Roots
Unit 1: Lesson 3
Greek Negating Prefixes: a-, an-

2. a-, an-
The Greek Prefixes a-, an mean “not, without.” They usually attach to Greek bases an generate vocabulary that is scientific, technical, or medical in nature.

3. alpha privative
a-, an- are called alpha privative because the initial a- (alpha: the first letter of the Greek alphabet) deprives the base of its meaning. All words beginning with an alpha privative have a strongly negative meaning.

4. a-
This prefix consistently appears as a- when it attaches to a base beginning with a consonant.
a + pol, polis, polit (city, citizen) = apolitical
(“no” interest in politics)
a + morph (shape, form) = amorphous
(shapeless or “without” shape)

5. an-
If the base of the word begins with a vowel or the letter h, we add an n to the alpha privative a- to make the word easier to pronounce.
an + archien (to rule) = anarchy
(“no” ruler)
an + onym (word, name) = anonymous
(nameless or “not” named)
Without the n, these words would be too hard to pronounce (a-archy, a-onymous)

6. Synonyms with the suffix -less
Some apha privative words can be defined by a synonym that ends in the suffix –less (“without”).
anhydrous = waterless
anonymous = nameless
amorphous = shapeless

7. Do Now! Prefixes a-, an
Explain what it means to be an anonymous donor? How does anonymous mean “not” or “without”?
What is amnesia? How does amnesia mean “Not” or “without”?
Would an atheist declare a belief in God? How does atheist mean “not” or “without”?
Why do doctors give patients anesthesia before an operation? How does anesthesia mean “not” or “without”?

8. Do Now! Prefixes a-, an
Use the context clues to determine what each of these a-, an- words has to do with “not” or “without”.
Even though he was asymptomatic, the little boy had chicken pox.
Since he was usually so quiet, his loud response was atypical of him.
People with too few red blood cells are anemic and often tired.
Muscles will atrophy if they are not exercised.
Saying, I don’t care” may indicate an apathetic attitude.

9. Greek Bases aesthet- feeling, sensation mnes- memory
theism- belief in God, or gods
onym- word, name
(h)em - blood
troph- feed, grow
path- feel, hurt
tom- cut
arch- rule
byss- bottom
morph- shape
alges- feeling of pain