Greek Roots

In the previous semester of the course we went over the introduction of Greek and how many words in the English language comes from Greek roots. Review the information previously discussed about Greek Roots:

Learning Greek Roots

Many English words in science, medicine, and technology come from Greek
- If you know Greek roots, you can determine the meaning of many unfamiliar words
  - Example: Microscope
    - Micro- (small) + Scope- (see) = "an instrument to see small things."
Greek has influenced many languages

Popular Greek Roots

Anthropo- (human) → Anthropology, Philanthropy, Misanthrope
Bio- (life) → Biology, Biography, Biodegradable
Neuro- (nerve) → Neurology, Neuron, Neuroscience
Oto- (ear) → Otology, Otoscope, Otitis
Derm- (skin) → Dermatology, Epidermis, Hypodermic
Geo- (earth) → Geography, Geology, Geothermal
Hydro- (water) → Hydraulic, Hydrate, Hydroplane
Thermo- (heat) → Thermometer, Thermal, Thermostat
Photo- (light) → Photography, Photosynthesis, Photon
Aero- (air) → Aerodynamic, Aerobic, Aerospace
Mono- (one) → Monologue, Monarchy, Monotone
Di- (two) → Dialogue, Dioxide, Diploma
Tri- (three) → Tricycle, Triangle, Trilogy
Hexa- (six) → Hexagon, Hexapod, Hexadecimal
Deca- (ten) → Decade, Decagon, Decimal
Graph- (write, draw) → Autograph, Telegraph, Biography
Logos- (word, reason) → Logic, Dialogue, Apology
Phon- (sound) → Telephone, Symphony, Microphone
Biblio- (book) → Bibliography, Bible, Bibliophile
Chrono- (time) → Chronology, Synchronize, Chronic
Auto- (self) → Autobiography, Automobile, Automatic
Soph- (wisdom) → Philosophy, Sophomore, Sophisticated
Scop- (see, observe) → Microscope, Telescope, Periscope
Demo- (people) → Democracy, Demographic, Epidemic
Arch- (ruler, chief) → Monarch, Anarchy, Patriarch
Cracy- (government) → Democracy, Bureaucracy, Theocracy
Theo- (god) → Theology, Atheist, Theocracy

Practice

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.