Lesson 6

PREFIXES

The prefix pro means "forward". You probably remember the words project, projector and produce.

The prefix ped (or pod) means "foot". For example, a bicycle has two pedals. A podiatrist is a foot doctor.

In the previous lesson, you learned that pater means father. The Latin word for mother is mater. The words Alma Mater literally mean "nourishing mother" and refer to the university from which one has graduated.

The prefix re means "back" and is seen in such words as return, remove, and repay.

The prefix de means "away" or "off". Do you recognize the words departure, descend, and decrease?

ROOTS

The root pel means "force". You see it used in the words compel and repel.

The root arch means "leader" or "chief". As we know, England was once a monarchy.

The root ced (also cede, ceed or cess) means "move" or "go". So, proceed means go forward. The word precede means "go before".

The root capt (or capit) means "head". Do you recognize it in the words captain, capital, and caption?

Exercise

Instructions: Using what you know about these roots and affixes and the context, determine the meaning of the following bold-faced words.

The first warplanes in World War I that were equipped with machine guns were flawed in that pilots often shot their propellers😄 What does a propeller allow an airplane to do? off and sent the planes crashing to the ground.
The pedestrian😄 A pedestrian should not J-Walk. has the right of way in California.
The lioness has strong maternal😄 She is older than him, so she might have a maternal instinct. instincts and will protect her cubs to the death.
After the scandal, Mr. Underwood was compelled😄 The prefix com- of course means "with" or "together". to resign😄 When he signed the contract, he became an employee. as president of the company.
Mr. Underwood declined😄 He was invited, but declined the invitation. to speak to reporters about his resignation.
The Joker was Batman's archenemy😄 Real Madrid's archenemy is Barcelona..
The 2018 Acura TLX supercedes😄 Superman flies above all other men. the previous model.
In the sentence "President Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg address in 1863" President Lincoln is the antecedent😄 Do you remember the word "anteroom"? of the pronoun his.
The terrorists decapitated😄 The guillotine was used often in the French Revolution. the Christian missionary.