Common Latin And Greek Roots And Terms

Common Latin and Greek Roots and Terms a-,annot, without (abiogenesis, anamniote) acanththorn (acantha, Acanthias, acantho) aerair (aerobe, anaerobic, anaerobiosis) -agogue carrying away, drive out (cholagogue, chloragogue) allother (allergy, allometric) allelonof one another (allele, allelomorphic, parallel) amphboth, on both sides (amphiaster, amphibian, amphoteric) amylstarch (amylase, amylopsin, paramylum) anaup, back, anew, again (anabolism, anaphase) andrman (adrogen, gynander) anthflower (anther, Anthozoa, Helianthus) anthropman (anthropology, anthropoid, Pithecanthropus) antiopposite, against (antiseptic, antigen, antibody) apofrom, off from (aponeurosis, apochromatic) archbeginning, primitive, ancient (archenteron, Archeopteryx) argyrsilver (argyrol, argyrophil) arthron joint (Arthropod, arthritis, arthrodial, arthrosis) ascbottle, bag, bladder (Ascidian, ascon, Ascomycetes, ascus) -ase suffix to word denoting substrate and signifying an enzyme acting on that substrate sucrase) aster, astrstar (amphiaster, Asterias, astrocyte) autoself (autonomic, auto-intoxication) auxgrowth, increase (auxin, auxospore) axon same (axocyte, axonal) bacter-, bactrsame (bacterium)

(zymase,

basidipedestal (basidium, Basidiomycetes, basidiospore) basilking, royal, important (basilic, Basiliscus) basis, -es base, bottom (basilar, basipodite) bath-, bathydepth or height (Bathornis, bathysphere) blastbud, sprout, germ (blastoderm, osteoblast) brachyshort (brachydactyly, brachycephalic) bradyslow (bradycardia) branchgill (branchia, branchial, Lamellibranch, branchio-) bronchus air tubes (bronchial, bronchoscope) bryomoss (bryology, Bryophyta, Bryozoa) cacbad (cachexia, cacophony) caenrecent (caenozoic) See cene. Also spelled kaen, ken cata down (catabolism, catalyst) Also spelled kata cele tumor, hernia (celosomia, hydrocele) cellobelly (celiac, cellotomy) Also coelio cenempty, void (cenosis) Also ken-kenophobia cene recent (cenogenesis, pliocene) Also kene centrum center (centrifuge, centroacinar) cephale head (cephalic, encephalon) chaete hair (Chaetognathia, Oligochaeta) chilolip (chilognathouranoschisis, Chilomastix) chirhand (chiropodist, chirurgeon, Chiroptera) chlorgreen (chlorophyl, chloragogue) chrom-, chromatcolor (chromosome, chromatin, achromatic) coel-

same as celo; hollow (coelom, Coelenterata) crypthidden (crypt, cryptic, cryptogram) cythollow, cell (leucocyte, cyton, cytoplasm) derm-, dermatskin (dermal, dermis, dermatome, pachyderm) dia through (dialysis, diaphragm, diarrhea) diplodouble (diploid, diploblastic) dis-, diapart from, asunder (dissect, diverge) drilus, -i worm, lizard - combining forms of names of worms, (Megadrili, Microdili) Also crocodilus dys difficult, painful, ill (dyspnea, dysgenic, dysfunction) ec out of (ecdysis, ectopic) Also for oec echinhedgehog, spiny (Echinodermata, echinous) ecto out, outside (ectoderm, ectoplasm) em in (empyema) emys tortoise - prefix and suffix of names (Emysuchus, Graptemys) en in (encapsulate, encysted) endo in, inside (endoderm, endoplasm, endocrine) eodawn (Eoanthropus, eocene, eolith) epi upon, on top of (epidermis, epinephrine, epistasis) erythrored (erythrocyte, erythrophyl, erythrophage) ethmsieve, strainer (ethmo-, ethmoid) ethnpeople, race (ethnic, ethnology) eu well, very, exceedingly (Eutheria, eugenic) ex from, out (exostosis, excurrent) exo outside, on outside (exocrine, exoskeleton) -gale weasel, martin, cat - suffix of names of cat-like animals (Spilogale, Boreogale; also Galeodes)

gammarriage (gamete, gametophyte, cryptogram, monogamy) gaster, gastrbelly (gasterangiemphraxis, gastro-, gastrula) geearth (geology, geotropism) gen-, geno-, -geny, genesis bring to life, create, make (gene, genetics, genotype, parthenogenesis, sporogenous, zymogen) gramwriting (diagram, electrocardiogram) graph, -y writing (kymograph) gyn-, gynecwoman (gynander, gynecology) haplosingle, simple (haploid) heliosun (heliotropism, Heliotropium, Heliozoa) helminthworm (Platyhelminthes) hemihalf, incomplete (Hemichordata, hemiazygos, Hemiptera) hepatliver (hepatic, hepatectomy) heteroother, different (heterosis, heterozygote, heterodont histoweb, tissue (histology, histocyte, (also histiocyte), histogenesis) hystero womb, uterus (hysterectomy, hysteropexy, hysteria) holoall, entire, whole (holoblastic, holophytic, holozoic, holism) homeolike (homeopath) homoalike (homology, homogenize, homozygote, Homoptera) hyalglass (hyaline) hydrwater (hydrolysis, hydrophobia, anhydrous, hydrophilic) hyperabove, over, excessive (hypertonic, hypertrophy) hypnsleep (hypnosis) hypo under, lower, deficient (hypotonic, hypoglossal, hypostasis) isoequal (isotonic, isosmotic, isomer, anisogamy) -ite, -ites, -itis

1) division of body (somite) 2) salt or ester of an -ous acid (sulphite) -ites suffix denoting pertaining to (ascites); fossil form (Ammonites) -itis suffix denoting inflammation (appendicitis) -ize denominative verb form used as suffix (catheterize, anaesthetize) Also spelled ise leucwhite (leucocyte, leucopenia, leucemia) Also spelled leuko-log, -logy word, study, doctrine (analog(ue), biology, homologous) lys-, lytunfasten, dissolve (analysis, proteolytic) -ma, mata indicating the result of an action (empyema, traumatic) macrolarge (macrocyte, macrophage, macronucleus) meg-, megalgreat (megaspore, megalomania, acromegaly) melanblack (melanin, melanophore) mesmiddle (mesentery, mesoderm) meta after, beyond, change or transformation (metabolism, metamorphosis, metaphase, metencephalon); metabola - combining form referring to type of metamorphosis meter, metrmeasure (thermometer, biometry) microsmall (micron); plural form - micra; micronucleus, microscope mioless, smaller (miocene) monoone, single (monosaccharide, monoecious) morphform, structure (morphology, metamorphosis, polymorphonuclear, amorphous) myces, mycetes fungus mycelium, mycology, mycosis); used both as prefix and suffix of names, e.g., Mycetozoa, Schizomycetes mycomucus (mycocyte, Mycobacteriaceae) myelmarrow (myelencephalon, myelin, myelitis, myeloblast, myelocyte, myelogenous, myeloid, poliomyelitis) mys, my1) mouse - used as prefix and suffix of names of mouselike animals, e.g. Mysateles, Geomys. Must not be confused with emys (q.v.). 2) muscle (from mouse shape) - endo-, peri-, epimysium, myasthenia, myalgia. Usually in form of myo: myology, myocardium, myotome, myomere, myometrium

myxslime, mucus (Myxinoidei, myxedema, Myxomycetes) necrodead (necrosis, necrotic) neonew, recent (neopallium, neoplasm) nomlaw (taxonomy, autonomic) odonttooth (odontology, homodont, odontoblast) oec-, echouse (dioecious, ecology, economy) -oid like (neuroid, toxoid) oligofew (oligodendroglia, oligodynamic) oön egg (oötheca, cumulus oöphorus) ontbeing (paleontology, ontogeny) ophithalmoeye (ophthalmoscope) opisthbehind, at the back (opisthocoelus, opisthotic, Opisthocesmia) opsis sight, appearance - suffix to names of animals signifying similarity to another animal - Doridopsis, similar to Doris ornis, ornithbird (Alcippornis, ornithology, Neo-ornithes) orthostraight (orthogenesis, Orthoptera, orthopedist) -osis denoting a condition (leucocytosis, dermatomycosis) osteobone (osteology, Teleostei) otear (otalgia, otic, otology) oxus, oxysharp, pointed (Amphioxus, oxygen, Oxyura) pachythick (pachyderm) paedchild (paedognesis) paleoold (paleontology, paleocene) palinagain, back (palingenesis) pan, pantall panspermy, pangenesis, panthothenic)

para beside, near, wrong in (parathyroid, parachordal, Paranoia); combining form of names denoting close relationship to principal form - Parapeneus parthenvirgin (parthenogenesis) path-, pathy suffer, pain (pathology, sympathetic) paurolittle, few - combining form of names denoting fewness of some structure - Pauropoda pedchild (pediatrics, pedagogue) penia poverty, reduced amount (leucopenia) peri around (periosteum, pericardum, perineurium, perimetrium) phagdevour (phagocytosis, bacteriophage, anthropophage) phanervisible, manifest (Phanerogam, phaneroscope) pharmacdrug (pharmaceutical, pharmacist, pharmacology) phase appearance - one of the stages of development - metaphase; a distinct portion of a heterogenous system, e.g. oil and water phenoappearance (phenotype, phenology) -phil loving (eosinophil, hydrophil, hemophilia, philanthropy) -phob hating (hydrophobe, hydrophobia, Helophobius) photolight (photosynthesis, photoscopic) phren1) diaphragm (diaphragm) 2)mind (phrenology, aphrenia) phyltribe, race (phylum, phylogeny, phyletic) phyllleaf (phyllotaxis, chlorophyll) physi1) nature, constitution (physics, physiology, physique 2) growth (epiphysis, hypophysis, apophysis) phytplant (phytopathology, Thallophyta, saprophytic) platyflat (Platyhelminthes, Platypus, amphiplatyan) pleomore (pleomorphism, pleonasm, pleochromatic pleiomore (pleiocene, pleiotropia) pleist-

most (pleistocene) plesio near (plesiomorphism, Plesiosaurus) pleurside (pleura, pleural, pleurisy,somatopleure) pneuma, pneumatbreath, air (pneumatic, pneumon [lung]) podfoot (pseudopod, pseuodpodium, Cephalopod) poikilomanifold (poikilothermous, poikilocyte) polymany (polybasic, polychromatic, polymer, polymorphic, polyp); poly and pous - foot; Combining form of names, meaning many of some structure (Polyodontidae) pro before (prophase, pronephros) proteProteus, a god who could change his form at will - protean, Proteo - combining form of names denoting changeable shape (Proteomyxa, Proteosoma) protofirst, primitive (protoplasm, protein, protozoa) pseudfalse (pseudopod, pseudostratified); combining form of names signifying not true form (Pseudopallene) psyche mind (psychic, psychobiology, psychopathic, psychosis) pter-, ptery-, pteridwing (pterygoid, Pteridophyta, Crossopterygii, Pterodactyl) -ptera suffix denoting type of wing of many orders of insects (Diptera); also winged mammals (Chiroptera) py-, pyopus (pyemia, pyogenic, Pyococcus, pyorrhea) pycnthick, dense (pycnidium, pycnotic) pyelpan, pelvis (pyelitis, pyelogram) pygbuttocks (pygalgia, Pygopodes, cytopyge, steatopygous) pyrfire (pyrexis, pyrogenic, pyromania, pyromania, pyrophobia) raphe seam (raphe anococcygea, raphe scroti) -raphy suturing, stitching (cardiorrhaphy) rhagburst (hemorrhage) rhe-

flow (rheobase, rheotropism); when preceded by a short vowel another r added: diarrhea, catarrh, hemorrhoids rhexrupture (cardiorhexis) rhizroot (rhizome, mycorrhiza, Rhizopoda) rhodrose (rhododendron, rhodopsin) salpinx, salpingtrumpet - the Fallopian and Eustachian tubes (salpingitis, salpingocyesis) sanus-, -a, -um healthy - sane (sanity) saprrotten (sapremia, saprine, saprophyte, saprozoic) sarx, sarcflesh (Sarcodina, sarcoma, sarcomere, sarcoplasm, sarcostyle) scaphskiff (scaphocephalic, scaphoid) schistosplit, cleaved (schistocyte, Schistosoma) schiz split, cleave (shizaxon, Schizomycetes, schizophrenia) sclerhard (sclera, sclerectomy, sclerosis, sclerotome) scopto see (scopophobia, microscope) sepsis, septicputrefaction, rotting, infection (antiseptic, septicemia) sesemoseed of sesame plant (sesemoid) sialsaliva (sialaden, sialagogue, sialorrhea) sideriron (siderism, siderophil, siderosis) sigma letter s - sigma reaction, sigmoid flexure sitofood (sitology, stiotoxin, sitotropism, parasite) skia shadow (skiagram, skiascopy, skiodan) soma, somatbody (somatic, somatology, somatoplasm, somatopleure, somite, chromosome) sperm-, spermatseed (sperm-aster, spermatic, spermatid, spermatocyte, Spermatophyta, spermatozoon, spermatozoid) sphenwedge (sphenoid, sphenopalatine, sphenotic) sphincter that which binds, band - pyloric sphincter, sphincter pupilae, sphincteroscope

sphygmopulse (sphygmograph, sphygmomanometer, asphyxia) spircoil (spireme, Spirochaeta, Spironema) splanchinternal organs (splanchnic, splanchnopleure) spondylvertebra (spondylarthritis, spondylosis, spondylous) sporseed (sporangium, spore, sporogeny, Sporozoa) stadium, -a measure - stage of disease, interval in metamorphosis staphylbunch of grapes, the uvula (staphylitis, Staphylococcus) stasis, statstanding still (hemostasis, hemostat, static) stear-, steat- ,dd>fat (steapsin, stearin, steatopygous) stennarrow (stention, stenopeic, stenosis) stereosolid (stereocilium, stereoisomer, stereoscope) sternum chest (sternebra, sternocleidomastoid) stethochest (stethemia, stethograph, stethoscope) stigma, stigmatmark (astigmatism, stigmatic, stigmatodermia) stoma, stomata, -stomy mouth (stomodaeum, enterostomy) streptotwisted, curved (strepticemia, Streptococcus, Streptothrix, streptotrichal) stylpillar, beam (style, styliform, styloid, stylus) sym or syn together (symbiosis, symphysis, syncytium, synapse, synthesis) syrinx, syring- pipe, tube (Syringa, syringe, syringomyelia) tach-, tachyswift, speed (tachometer, tachycardia) tarsus wicker-work frame - instep (tarsale, medial tarsalis, tarsotibial) taxis arrangement, order (phyllotaxis, taxonomy) tele-, teloend, distant (telecephalon, telephase or telophase) tera-, teratmonster (teratism, teratology, teratosis) tetanus tension (tetanic, tetanotoxin, tetany) tetra

four (tetrabasic, tetrad, tetravalent) thalamus bed, bedroom (thalamencephalon, thalamic, thalamocortical) thallus young shoot (Thallophyta, thallospore) theca, -ae case, chest, sheath, a box (theca folliculi, thecitis, thecodont, oötheca) thel nipple (thelitis, thelium, epithelium) therwild beast (Therapsids, Theromorphia, -therium); English: -there(s); combining form of names of mammals (Eutheria, Titanotherium or Titanothere) thermheat (therm, thermal, thermometer, thermopile, thermos, isotherm, homothermous) thiosulphur (thioacid, Thiobacillus, thiophilic) thorax, thoracbreastplate, the chest (thoracic, thoracolumbar) thrix, trichhair (Ulothrix, Trichina, trichinosis) thrombus clot (thrombin, thrombogen, thrombosis) thymus excrescence, gland (thymectomy, thymocyte) thymus thyme (pro. time) (thymene, thymol) thyreshield (thyreoid or thyroid, thyroxin) tome, tomy cut (myotome,microtome, anatomy, appendectomy) tox-, toxic poison (toxin, toxoid, intoxication) trapeza table or counter (medial trapezius, trapezium, trapezoid) trauma, trauatwound (traumatic, tamuatism, traumatology) tropturning (tropism, geotropic, heliotrope) troph-y nourishment (trophic, trophoblast, trophoderm, atrophy, hypertrophy, dystrophy) tympanum drum (typanal, tympanic, n. chorda tympani, tympano-) typhloblind, cecum (typhlosis, typhlosole) Back to Index

U

urtail (uropod, Urochordata, Anura) ururine (urea, uremia, urine, urology, ureter, urethra) Back to Index

V None Listed Back to Index

W None Listed Back to Index

X xanthyellow (xanthein, Xanthium, xanthophyll) xenostranger (xenia, xenoparasite, Xenopsylla) xerdry (xerasia, exrophilic, xerophyte, xerosis) xiphsword (xiphisternum, xiphocostal, xiphoid) xylwood (xylan, xylem, Xylocarpus, xylol zona belt (zona radiata, zonule, zonary) Zo¨o, zoa living thing, animal (zolatria, zoic, zo¨ogenesis, zoology, Protozoa, speratozo¨on, azoic) zygyoke (zygapophysis, zygoma, zygote, azygos, homozygous) zymyeast (zymase, zymogen, enzyme) Latin Roots and Terms a-, ab-, absaway from aversion (abductor, abstract)

adto, towards (adductor) When used as a prefix the d is sometimes changed to the first consonant of the following word, e.g., acclimate, afferent, assimilate; As a suffix it means towards the part of the body indicated by word to which it is suffixed, e.g., cephalad, towards the head; caudad, towards the tail alawing (alar, alate, aliform, alisphenoid) ambboth, on both sides (ambivalent, amboceptor) antebefore, in front of (antebrachium) apex, apictip, point (apex) aquwater (aquarium, aquatic, aqueous humor) arbortree (Arbor Vitae, arboreal, arboretum) arcbow, bent (arciform, Arcopetera, arcuate) area open space (a. opaca, areolar) argentsilver (argentaffin, argentine) -aria suffix denoting "like" or "connected with" - (Utricularia) -arium suffix denoting place of a thing (aquarium, herbarium) ascendens going up (aorta ascendens) -ata neuter plural ending of perfect participle used as suffix to name of some structure and signifying a group of organisms characterized by that structure (Chordata, Vertebrata) atrium, -a entrance, room (atrial, atriopore) aur1. aur (auroduct, Aurophysa); 2. ear (auropuncture); 3. gold (aureus, Aurococcus) auriculdim of auris - ear (auricle, auricular) axis axle-tree (axial, epaxial, hypaxial) bis-, bi-, bindouble, twice (bisiliac, bilateral, binocular brachium, -a arm (brachial, brachio-) brevis short (caput breve, breviflex, breviradiate) bursa, -ae pouch (b. omentalis, bursate, bursitis)