Lesson 8

PREFIXES

The prefix ad means “toward”. You probably recognize the words admit and admission.

The prefix anti means “against”. Be careful not to confuse this with ante (before). So, to say anti-war is to say “against war”.

The prefix epi means “upon” or “over”. We see this prefix in words like epicenter and epidural.

The prefix homo means “same” or “like”. No doubt, you have seen this prefix in the words homosexual and homicide.

ROOTS

The root anthrop means “man”. So, anthropology is the study of mankind or humans.

The root brev means “short”. While the spelling is modified, this root appears in the word briefNote: The letter "f" often changes to "v". For example, wife and wives..

The root cad (and its variant, cas) means “fall”. Perhaps, you recognize this root in the words cadaver and cascade.

The root chron means “time”. You have already seen this root in the word synchronize.

Finally, the root cord (and its variants, cor and cardi) means “heart”. A cardiologist then is a physician who specializes in heart care.

Exercise

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

The epicenter😄 The cursor is over the word now. of the earthquake was 50 kilometers south of Mexcali, Mexico, but the shock waves were felt as far north as San Diego.
I don’t understand why Betty criticized Veronica. Veronica has always been warm and cordial😄 The news was heart-warming. to us.
Representatives of Cheap Chips Corporation will be here this afternoon. Each of you will have an opportunity to make your presentations, but because they are on a tight schedule, a direct approach and brevity😄 She is frugal with her words. would be appreciated.
The medical students at UCLA practiced surgical procedures by removing the heart from a cadaver😄 Of course, you know "corpse". donated by the family of a man killed in a car accident.
When traveling in a foreign country, it is advisable that we adhere😄 Just do it, and stick to it. to the laws of that country.
Ms. Olson, could you put my schedule in chronological😄 Do you have the time to learn? order, please?
As the fighter jets roared above, the men dashed out of their barracks in nothing but their briefs😄 For men only..
Bill Gates has become a philanthropist😄 Philadelphia, City of Brotherly Love. He has donated millions of dollars to people in need.
Teaching English in Japan, unlike here in the US, means teaching in a homogeneous😄 You know "genetics" of course. environment.