Kaplan's Root List - GRE

Terms in this set (181)

A
without
amoral: neither moral nor immoral
atheist: one who does not believe in God
atypical: not typical
anonymous: of unknown authorship or origin
apathy: lack of interest or emotion
atrophy: the wasting away of body tissue
anomaly: an irregularity
agnostic: one who questions the existence of God
ab/abs:
off, away from, apart, down
abduct: to take by force
abhor: to hate, detest
abolish: to do away with, make void
abstract: conceived apart from concrete realities, specific objects, or actual instances
abnormal: deviating from a standard
abdicate: to renounce or relinquish a throne
abstinence: forbearance from any indulgence of appetite
abstruse: hard to understand; secret, hidden
ac/acr:
sharp, bitter
acid: something that is sharp, sour, or ill-natured
acute: sharp at the end; ending in a point
acerbic: sour or astringent in taste; harsh in temper
acrid: sharp or biting to the taste or smell
acrimonious: caustic, stinging, or bitter in nature
exacerbate: to increase bitterness or violence; aggravate
act/ag:
to do, to drive, to force, to lead
agile: quick and well-coordinated in movement; active; lively
agitate: to move or force into violent, irregular action
litigate: to make the subject of a lawsuit
prodigal: wastefully or recklessly extravagant
pedagogue: a teacher
synagogue: a gathering or congregation of Jews for the purpose of religious worship
ad/al:
to, toward, near
adapt: adjust or modify fittingly
adjacent: near, close, or contiguous; adjoining
addict: to give oneself over, as to a habit or pursuit
admire: to regard with wonder, pleasure, and approval
address: to direct a speech or written statement to
adhere: to stick fast; cleave; cling
adjoin: to be close or in contact with
advocate: to plead in favor of
al/ali/alter
other, another
alternative: a possible choice
alias: an assumed name, another name
alibi: the defense by an accused person that he or she was verifiably elsewhere at the time of the crime with which he or she is charged
alien: one born in another country; a foreigner
alter ego: the second self; a substitute or deputy
altruist: a person unselfishly concerned for the welfare of others
allegory: figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another
am
love
amateur: a person who engages in an activity for pleasure rather than financial or professional gain
amatory: of or pertaining to lovers or lovemaking
amenity: agreeable ways or manners
amorous: inclined to love, esp. sexual love
enamored: inflamed with love; charmed; captivated
amity: friendship; peacful harmony
inamorata: a female lover
amiable: having or showing agreeable personal qualities
amicable: characterized by exhibiting good will
amb:
to go, walk
ambient: moving freely; circulating
ambitious: desirous of achieving or obtaining power
preamble: an introductory statement
ambassador: an authorized messenger or representative
ambulance: a wheeled vehicle equipped for carrying sick people, usually to a hospital
ambulatory: of, pertaining to, or capable of walking
ambush: the act of lying concealed so as to attack by surprise
perambulator: one who makes a tour of inspection on foot
ambi/amph
both, more than one, around
ambiguous: open to various interpretations
amphibian: any cold-blooded vertebrate, the larva of which is aquatic and the adult of which is terrestrial; a person having a twofold nature
ambidextrous: able to use both hands equally well
anim
of the life, mind, soul, spirit
unanimous: in complete accord
animosity: a feeling of ill well or enmity
animus: hostile feeling or attitude
equanimity: mental or emotional stability, especially under tension
magnanimous: generous in forgiving an insult or injury
annui/enni
year
annual: of, for, or pertaining to a year; yearly
anniversary: the yearly recurrence of the date of a past event
annuity: a specified income payable at stated intervals
perennial: lasting for an indefinite amount of time
annals: a record of events, esp. a yearly record
ante
before
anterior: placed before
antecedent: existing, being, or going before
antedate: precede in time
antebellum: before the war
antediluvian: belonging to the period before the Biblical flood; very old or old-fashioned
anthro/andr
man/human
anthropology: the science that deals with the origins of humankind
android: robot; mechanical man
misanthrope: one who hates humans or humanity
philanderer: one who carries flirtations
androgynous: being both male and female
androgen: any substance that promotes masculine characteristics
anthropocentric: regarding humanity as the central fact of the universe
anti
against
antibody: a protein naturally existing in blood serum that reacts to overcome the toxic effects of an antigen
antidote: a remedy for counteracting the effects of poison, disease, etc.
antiseptic: free from germs; particularly clean or neat
antipathy: aversion
antipodal: on the opposite side of the globe
apo
away
apology: an expression of one's regret or sorrow for having wronged another
apostle: one of the 12 disciples sent forth by Jesus to preach the gospel
apocalypse: revelation; discovery; disclosure
apogee: the highest or most distant point
apocryphal: of doubtful authorship or authenticity
apostasy: a total desertion of one's religion, principles, party, cause, etc.
arch/archi/archy
chief, principal, ruler
architect: the devisor, maker, or planner of anything
archenemy: chief enemy
monarchy: a government in which the supreme power is lodged in a sovereign
anarchy: a state or society without government or law
oligarchy: a state or society ruled by a select group
auto
self
automatic: self-moving or self-acting
autocrat: an absolute ruler
autonomy: independence or freedom
be
to be; to have a particular quality; to exist
belittle: to regard something as less impressive than it apparently is
bemoan: to express pity for
bewilder: to confuse or puzzle completely
belie: to misrepresent; to contradict
bel/belli
war
antebellum: before the war
rebel: a person who resists authority, control, or tradition
belligerent: warlike, given to waging war
ben/bon
good
benefit: anything advantageous to a person or thing
benign: having a kindly disposition
benediction: act of uttering a blessing
benevolent: desiring to do good to others
bonus: something given over and above what is due
bona fide: in good faith; without fraud
bi
twice; double
binoculars: involving two eyes
biennial: happening every two years
bilateral: pertaining to or affecting two or both sides
bilingual: able to speak one's native language and another with equal facility
bipartisan: representing two parties
cad/cid
to fall; to happen by chance
accident: happening by chance; unexpected
coincidence: a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time, apparently by chance
decadent: decaying; deteriorating
cascade: a waterfall descending over a steep surface
recidivist: one who repeatedly relapses into crime
cant/cent/chant
to sing
accent: prominence of a syllable in terms of pronunciation
chant: a song; singing
enchant: to subject to magical influence; bewitch
recant: to withdraw or disavow a statement
incantation: the chanting of words purporting to have magical power
incentive: that which incites action
cap/cip/cept
to take, to get
capture: to take by force or stratagem
anticipate: to realize beforehand; foretaste or foresee
susceptible: capable of receiving, admitting, undergoing, or being affected by something
emancipate: to free from restraint
percipient: having perception; discerning; discriminating
precept: a commandment or direction given as a rule of conduct
cap/capit/cipit
head, headlong
capital: the city or town that is the official seat of government
disciple: one who is a pupil of the doctrines of another
precipitate: to hasten the occurrence of; to bring about prematurely
precipice: a cliff with a vertical face
capitulate: to surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms
caption: heading or title
card/cord/cour
heart
cardiac: pertaining to the heart
encourage: to inspire with spirit or confidence
concord: agreement; peace, amity
discord: lack of harmony between persons or things
concordance: agreement, concord, harmony
carn
flesh
carnivorous: eating flesh
carnage: the slaughter of a great number of people
carnival: a traveling amusement show
reincarnation: rebirth of a soul in a new body
incarnation: a being invested with a bodily form
cast/chast
cut
cast: to throw or hurl; fling
caste: a hereditary social group, limited to people of the same rank
castigate: to punish in order to correct
chastise: to discipline, especially by corporal punishment
chaste: free from obscenity; decent
ced/ceed/cess
to go; to yield; to stop
antecedent: existing, being, or going before
concede: to acknowledge as true, just, or proper; admit
predecessor: one who comes before another in an office, position, etc.
cessation: a temporary or complete discontinuance
incessant: without stop
centr
center
concentrate: to bring to a common center; to converge; to direct toward one point
eccentric: off-center
concentric: having a common center, as in circles or spheres
centrifuge: an apparatus that rotates at high speed that separates substances of different densities using centrifugal force
centrist: of or pertaining to moderate political or social ideas
cern/cert/cret/crim/crit
to separate; to judge; to distinguish; to decide
discrete: detached from others, separate
ascertain: to make sure of; to determine
certitude: freedom from doubt
discreet: judicious in one's conduct of speech, esp. with regard to maintaining silence about something of a delicate nature
hypocrite: a person who pretends to have beliefs that she does not
criterion: a standard of judgment or criticism
chron
time
synchronize: to occur at the same time or agree in time
chronology: the sequential order in which past events occurred
anachronism: an obsolete or archaic form
chronic: constant, habitual
chronometer: a time piece with a mechanism to adjust for accuracy
circu
around, on all sides
circumference: the outer boundary of a circular area
circumstances: the existing conditions or state of affairs surrounding and affecting an agent
circuit: the act of going or moving around
circumambulate: to walk about or around
circuitous: roundabout, indirect
cis
to cut
scissors: cutting instrument for paper
precise: definitely stated or defined
exorcise: to seek to expel an evil spirit by ceremony
incision: a cut, gash, or notch
incisive: penetrating, cutting
cla/clo/clu
shut, close
conclude: to bring to an end; finish; to terminate
claustrophobia: an abnormal fear of enclosed places
disclose: to make known, reveal, or uncover
exclusive: not admitting of something else; shutting out others
cloister: a courtyard bordered with covered walks, especially in a religious institution
preclude: to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of
claim/clam
to shout; to cry out
exclaim: to cry out or speak suddenly and vehemently
proclaim: to announce or declare in an official way
clamor: a loud uprour
disclaim: to deny interest in or connection with
reclaim: to claim or demand the return of a right or possession
cli
to lean toward
decline: to cause to slope or incline downward
recline: to lean back
climax: the most intense point in the development of something
proclivity: inclination, bias
disinclination: aversion, distaste
co/col/com/con
with, together
connect: to bind or fasten together
coerce: to compel by force, intimidation, or authority
compatible: capable of existing together in harmony
collide: to strike one another with a forceful impact
collaborate: to work with another, cooperate
conciliate: to placate, win over
commensurate: suitable in measure, proportionate
cour/cur
running; a course
recur: to happen again
curriculum: the regular course of study
courier: a messenger traveling in haste who bears news
excursion: a short journey or trip
cursive: handwriting in flowing strokes with the letters joined together
concur: to accord in opinion; agree
incursion: a hostile entrance into a place, esp. suddenly
cursory: going rapidly over something; hasty; superficial
cre/cresc/cret
to grow
accrue: to be added as a matter of periodic gain
creation: the act of producing or causing to exist
increase: to make greater in any respect
increment: something added or gained; an addition or increase
accretion: an increase by natural growth
cred
to believe; to trust
incredible: unbelievable
credentials: anything that provides the basis for belief
credo: any formula of belief
credulity: willingness to believe or trust too readily
credit: trustworthiness
cryp
hidden
crypt: a subterranean chamber or vault
apocryphal: of doubtful authorship or authenticity
cryptology: the science of interpreting secret writings, codes, ciphers, and the like
cryptography: procedures of making and using secret writing
cub/cumb
to lie down
cubicle: any small space or compartment that is partitioned off
succumb: to give away to superior force; yield
incubate: to sit upon for the purpose of hatching
incumbent: holding an indicated position
recumbent: lying down; leaning
culp
blame
culprit: a person guilty for an offense
culpable: deserving blame or censure
inculpate: to charge with fault
mea culpa: through my fault; my fault
dac/doc
to teach
doctor: someone licensed to practice medicine; a learned person
doctrine: a particular principle advocated, as of a government or religion
indoctrinate: to imbue a person with learning
docile: easily managed or handled; tractable
didactic: intended for instruction
de
away, off, down, completely, reversal
descend: to move from a higher to a lower place
decipher: to make out the meaning; to interpret
defile: to make foul, dirty, or unclean
defame: to attack the good name or reputation of
deferential: respectful; to yield to judgment
delineate: to trace the outline of; sketch or trace in outline
dem
people
democracy: government by the people
epidemic: affecting at the same time a large number of people, and spreading from person to person
endemic: peculiar to a particular people or locality
pandemic: general, universal
demographics: vital and social statistics of populations
di/dia
apart, through
dialogue: conversation between two or more persons
diagnose: to determine the identity of something from the symptoms
dilate: to make wider or larger; to cause to expand
dilatory: inclined to delay or procrastinate
dichotomy: division into two parts, kinds, etcetera
dic/dict/dit
to say; to tell; to use words
dictionary: a book containing a selection of the words of a language
predict: to tell in advance
verdict: judgment, decree
interdict: to forbid; prohibit
dign
worth
dignity: nobility or elevation of character; worthiness
dignitary: a person who holds a high rank or office
deign: to think fit or in accordance with one's dignity
condign: well deserved; fitting; adequate
disdain: to look upon or treat with contempt
dis/dif
away from; apart; reversal; not
disperse: to drive or send off in various directions
disseminate: to scatter or spread widely; promulgate
dissuade: to deter by advice or persuasion
diffuse: to pour out and spread, as in fluid
dog/dox
opinion
orthodox: sound or correct in opinion or doctrine
paradox: an opinion or statement contrary to accepted opinion
dogma: a system of tenets, as of a church
dol
suffer; pain
condolence: expression of sympathy with one who is suffering
indolence: a state of being lazy or slothful
doleful: sorrowful, mournful
dolorous: full of pain or sorrow, grievous
don/dot/dow
to give
donate: to present as a gift or contribution
pardon: kind indulgence, forgiveness
antidote: something that prevents or counteracts ill effects
anecdote: a short narrative about an interesting event
endow: to provide with a permanent fund
dub
doubt
dubious: doubtful
dubiety: doubtfulness
indubitable: unquestionable
duc/duct
to lead
abduct: to carry off or lead away
conduct: personal behavior, way of acting
conducive: contributive, helpful
induce: to lead or move by influence
induct: to install in a position with formal ceremonies
produce: to bring into existence, give cause to
dur
hard
endure: to hold out against; to sustain without yielding
durable: able to resist decay
duress: compulsion by threat, coercion
dour: sullen; gloomy
duration: the length of time something exists
dys
faulty; abnormal
dystrophy: faulty or inadequate nutrition or development
dyspepsia: impaired ingestion
dyslexia: an impairment of the ability to read due to a brain defect
dysfunctional: poorly functioning
e/ef/ex
out, out of, from, former, completely
evade: to escape from, avoid
exclude: to shut out; leave out
extricate: to disentangle, release
exonerate: to free or declare free from blame
expire: to come to an end, cease to be valid
efface: to rub or wipe out; surpass, eclipse
epi
upon
epidemic: affecting a large number of people at the same time and spreading from person to person
epilogue: concluding part added to a literary work
epidermis: the outer layer of the skin
epigram: a witty or pointed saying tersely expressed
epithet: a word or phrase, used invectively as a term of abuse
equ
equal, even
equation: the act of making equal
adequate: equal to the requirement or occasion
equidistant: equally distant
iniquity: gross injustice; wickedness
err
to wander
err: to go astray in thought or belief, to be mistaken
error: a deviation from accuracy or correctness
erratic: deviating from the proper or usual course in conduct
arrant: downright, thorough, notorious
esce
becoming
adolescent: between childhood and adulthood
obsolescent: becoming obsolete
incandescent: glowing with heat, shining
convalescent: recovering from illness
reminiscent: reminding or suggestive of
eu
good, well
euphemism: pleasant-sounding term for something unpleasant
eulogy: speech or writing in praise or commendation
eugenics: improvement of qualities of race by control of inherited characteristics
euthanasia: killing a person painlessly, usually, one who has an incurable, painful disease
euphony: pleasantness of sound
extra
outside, beyond
extraordinary: beyond the ordinary
extract: to take out, obtain against a person's will
extradite: to hand over (person accused of crime) to state where crime was committed
extrasensory: derived by means other than known sense
extrapolate: to estimate (unknown facts or values) from known data
fab/fam
speak
fable: fictional tale, esp. legendary
affable: friendly, courteous
ineffable: too great for description in words; that which must not be uttered
famous: well known, celebrated
defame: attack good name of
fac/fic/fic/fait/feit/fy
to do; to make
factory: building for manufacture of goods
faction: small dissenting group within on larger one, esp. in politics
deficient: incomplete or insufficient
prolific: producing many offspring or much output
configuration: manner of arrangement, shape
ratify: to confirm or accept by formal consent
effigy: sculpture or model of person
counterfeit: imitation, forgery
fer
to bring; to carry; to bear
offer: to present for acceptance, refusal, or consideration
confer: to grant, bestow
referendum: to vote on political question open to the entire electorate
proffer: to offer
proliferate: to reproduce; produce rapidly
ferv
to boil; to bubble
fervor: passion, zeal
fervid: ardent, intense
effervescent: with the quality of giving off bubbles of gas
fid
faith, trust
confide: to entrust with a secret
affidavit: written statement or oath
fidelity: faithfulness, loyalty
fiduciary: of a trust; held or given in trust
infidel: disbeliever in the supposed true religion
fin
end
final: at the end; coming last
confine: to keep or restrict within certain limits; imprison
definitive: decisive, unconditional, final
infinite: boundless; endless
infinitesimal: infinitely or very small
flag/flam
to burn
flammable: easily set on fire
flambeau: a lighted torch
flagrant: blatant, scandalous
conflagration: a large destructive fire
flect/flex
to bend
deflect: to bend or turn aside from a purpose
flexible: able to bend without breaking
inflect: to change or vary pitch of
reflect: to throw back
genuflect: to bend knee, esp. in worship
flu/flux
to flow
fluid: substance, esp. gas or liquid, capable of flowing freely
fluctuation: something that varies, rising and falling
effluence: flowing out of (light, electricity, etc)
confluence: merging into one
mellifluous: pleasing, musical
fore
before
foresight: care or provision for future
foreshadow: be warning or indication of (future event)
forestall: to prevent by advance action
forthright: straightforward, outspoken, decisive
fort
chance
fortune: chance or luck in human affairs
fortunate: lucky, auspicious
fortuitous: happening by luck
fort
strength
fortify: to provide with fortifications; strengthen
fortissimo: very loud
forte: strong point; something a person does well
fra/frac/frag/fring
to break
fracture: breakage, esp. of a bone
fragment: a part broken off
fractious: irritable, peevish
refractory: stubborn, unmanageable, rebellious
infringe: to break or violate (a law, etc.)
fus
to pour
profuse: lavish, extravagant, copious
fusillade: continuous discharge of firearms or outburst of criticism
suffuse: to spread throughout or over from within
diffuse: to spread widely or thinly
infusion: infusing; liquid extract so obtained
gen
birth, creation, race, kind
generous: giving or given freely
genetics: study of heredity and variation among animals and plants
gender: classification roughly corresponding to the two sexes and sexlessness
carcinogenic: producing cancer
congenital: existing or as such from birth
progeny: offspring, descendants
miscegenation: interbreeding of races
gn/gno
know
agnostic: person who believes that the existence of God is not provable
ignore: to refuse to take notice of
ignoramus: a person lacking knowledge, uninformed
recognize: to identify as already known
incognito: with one's name or identity concealed
prognosis: to forecast, especially of disease
diagnose: to make an identification of disease or fault from symptoms
grad/gress
to step
progress: forward movement
aggressive: given to hostile act or feeling
degrade: to humiliate, dishonor, reduce to lower rank
digress: to depart from main subject
egress: going out; way out
regress: to move backward, revert to an earlier state
grat
pleasing
grateful: thankful
ingratiate: to bring oneself into favor
gratuity: money given for good service
gracious: kindly, esp. to inferiors; merciful
her/hes
to stick
coherent: logically consistent; having waves in phase and of one wavelength
adhesive: tending to remain in memory; sticky; an adhesive substance
inherent: involved in the constitution or essential character of something
adherent: able to adhere; believer or advocate of a particular thing
heredity: the qualities genetically derived from one's ancestors and the transmission of those qualities
(h)etero
different
heterosexual: of or pertaining to sexual orientation toward members of the opposite sex; relating to different sexes
heterogeneous: of other origin: not originating in the body
heterodox: different from acknowledged standard; holding unorthodox opinions or doctrines
(h)om
same
homogeneous: of the same or a similar kind of nature; of uniform structure of composition throughout
homonym: one of two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but different in meaning
homosexual: of, relating to, or exhibiting sexual desire toward a member of one's own sex
anomaly: deviation from the common rule
homeostasis: a relatively stable state of equilibrium
hyper
over, excessive
hyperactive: excessively active
hyperbole: purposeful exaggeration for effect
hyperglycemia: an abnormally high concentration of sugar in the blood
hypo
under, beneath, less than
hypodermic: relating to the parts beneath the skin
hypochondriac: one affected by extreme depression of mind or spirits often centered on imaginary physical ailments
hypocritical: affecting virtues or qualities one does not have
hypothesis: assumption subject to proof
idio
one's own
idiot: an utterly stupid person
idiom: a language, dialect, or style of speaking particular to a people
idiosyncrasy: peculiarity of temperament; eccentricity
im/in/em/en
in, into
embrace: to clasp in the arms; to include or contain
enclose: to close in on all sides
intrinsic: belonging to a thing by its very nature
influx: the act of flowing in; inflow
implicit: not expressly stated; implied
incarnate: given a bodily, esp. a human, form
indigenous: native, innate, natural
im/in
not, without
inactive: not active
innocuous: not harmful or injurious
indolence: showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful
impartial: not partial or biased; just
indigent: deficient in what is requisite
inter
between, among
interstate: connecting or jointly involving states
interim: a temporary or provisional arrangement; meantime
interloper: one who intrudes in the domain of others
intermittent: stopping or ceasing for a time
intersperse: to scatter here and there
ject
to throw; to throw down
inject: to place (quality, etc.) where needed in something
dejected: sad, depressed
eject: to throw out, expel
conjecture: formation of opinion on incomplete information
abject: utterly hopeless, humiliating, wretched
join/junct
to meet; to join
junction: the act of joining; combining
adjoin: to be next to and joined with
subjugate: to conquer
rejoinder: to reply, retort
junta: (usually military) clique taking power after a coup d'etat
jur
to swear
perjury: willful lying while on oath
abjure: to renounce on oath
adjure: to beg or command
lav/lut/luv
to wash
lavatory: a room with equipment for washing hands and face
dilute: to make thinner or weaker by the addition of water
pollute: to make foul or unclean
deluge: a great flood of water
antediluvian: before the biblical flood; extremely old
ablution: act of cleansing
lect/leg
to select, to choose
collect: to gather together or assemble
elect: to choose; to decide
select: to choose with care
eclectic: selecting ideas, etc. from various sources
predilection: preference, liking
lev
lift, light, rise
relieve: to mitigate; to free from a burden
alleviate: to make easier to endure, lessen
relevant: bearing on or pertinent to information at hand
levee: embankment against river flooding
levitate: to rise in the air or cause to rise
levity: humor, frivolity, gaiety
loc/log/loqu
word/speech
dialogue: conversation, esp. in a literary work
elocution: art of clear and expressive speaking
prologue: introduction to poem, play, etc.
eulogy: speech or writing in praise of someone
colloquial: of ordinary or familiar conversation
grandiloquent: pompous or inflated in language
loquacious: talkative
luc/lum/lus
light
illustrate: to make intelligible with examples or analogies
illuminate: to supply or brighten with light
illustrious: highly distinguished
translucent: permitting light to pass through
lackluster: lacking brilliance or radiance
lucid: easily understood, intelligible
luminous: bright, brilliant, glowing
lud/lus
to play
allude: to refer casually or indirectly
illusion: something that deceives by producing a false impression of reality
ludicrous: ridiculous, laughable
delude: to mislead the mind or judgment of, deceive
elude: to avoid capture or escape defection by
prelude: a preliminary to an action, event, etc.
mag/maj/max
big
magnify: to increase the apparent size of
magnitude: greatness of size, extent, or dimensions
maximum: the highest amount, value, or degree attained
magnate: a powerful or influential person
magnanimous: generous in forgiving an insult or injury
maxim: an expression of general truth or principle
mal/male
bad, ill, evil, wrong
malfunction: failure to function properly
malicious: full of or showing malice
malign: to speak harmful untruths about, to slander
malady: a disorder or disease of the body
maladroit: clumsy, tactless
malapropism: humorous misuse of a word
malfeasance: misconduct or wrongdoing often committed by a public official
malediction: a curse
man
hand
manual: operated by hand
manufacture: to make by hand or machinery
emancipate: to free from bondage
manifest: readily perceived by the eye or the understanding
mandate: an authoritative order or command
min
small
minute: a small unit of time
minutiae: small or trivial details
miniature: a copy or model that represents something in greatly reduced size
diminish: to lessen
diminution: the act or process of diminishing
min
to project, to hang over
eminent: towering above others; projecting
imminent: about to occur; impending
prominent: projecting outward
preeminent: superior to or notable above all others
minatory: menacing, threatening
mis/mit
to send
transmit: to send from one person, thing, or place to another
emissary: a messenger or agent sent to represent the interests of another
intermittent: stopping and starting at intervals
remit: to send money
remission: a lessening of intensity or degree
misc
mixed
miscellaneous: made up of a variety of parts or ingredients
miscegenation: the interbreeding of races, esp. marriage between white and nonwhite persons
promiscuous: consisting of diverse and unrelated parts or individuals
mon/monit
to remind; to warn
monument: a structure, such as a building, tower, or sculpture, erected as a memorial
monitor: one that admonishes, cautions, or reminds
summon: to call together; convene
admonish: to counsel against something; caution
remonstrate: to say or plead in protect, objection, or reproof
premonition: forewarning, presentiment
morph
shape
amorphous: without definite form; lacking a specific shape
metamorphosis: a transformation, as by magic or sorcery
anthropomorphism: attribution of human characteristics to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena
mort
death
immortal: not subject to death
morbid: susceptible to preoccupation with unwholesome matters
moribund: dying, decaying
mut
change
commute: to substitute; exchange; interchange
mutation: the process of being changed
transmutation: the act of changing from one form into another
permutation: a complete change; transformation
immutable: unchangeable, invariable
nat/nas/nai
to be born
natural: present due to nature, not to artificial or man-made means
native: belonging to one by nature; inborn; innate
naive: lacking worldliness and sophistication; artless
cognate: related by blood; having a common ancestor
renaissance: rebirth, esp. referring to culture
nascent: starting to develop
nic/noc/nox
harm
innocent: uncorrupted by evil, malice, or wrongdoing
noxious: injurious or harmful to health or morals
obnoxious: highly disagreeable or offensive
innocuous: having no adverse effect; harmless
nom
rule, order
astronomy: the scientific study of the universe beyond the earth
economy: the careful or thrifty use of resources, as of income, materials, or labor
gastronomy: the art or science of good eating
taxonomy: the science, laws, or principles of classification
autonomy: independence, self-governance
nom/nym/noun/nown
name
synonym: a word having a meaning similar to that of another word of the same language
anonymous: having an unknown or unacknowledged name
nominal: existing in name only; negligible
nominate: to propose by name as a candidate
nomenclature: a system of names; systematic naming
acronym: a word formed from the initial letters of a name
nounc/nunc
to announce
announce: to proclaim
pronounce: to articulate
renounce: to give up, especially by formal announcement
nov/neo/nou
new
novice: a person new to any field or activity
renovate: to restore to an earlier condition
innovate: to begin or introduce something new
neologism: a newly coined word, phrase, or expression
neophyte: a recent convert
nouveau riche: one who has lately become rich
ob/oc/of/op
toward, to, against, over
obese: extremely fat; corpulent
obstinate: stubbornly adhering to an idea, inflexible
obstruct: to block or fill with obstacles
oblique: having a slanting or sloping direction
obstreperous: noisily defiant, unruly
obtuse: not sharp, pointed, or acute in any form
obfuscate: to render indistinct or dim; darken
obsequious: overly submissive
omni
all
omnibus: an anthology of the works of one author or of writings on related subjects
omnipresent: everywhere at one time
omnipotent: all powerful
omniscient: having infinite knowledge
pac/peac
peace
appease: to bring peace to
pacify: to ease the anger of agitation of
pacifier: something or someone that eases the anger or agitation of
pact: a formal agreement, as between nations
pan
all; everyone
panorama: an unobstructed and wide view of an extensive area
panegyric: formal or elaborate praise at an assembly
panoply: a wide-ranging and impressive array or display
pantheon: a public building containing tombs or memorials of the illustrious dead of a nation
pandemic: widespread, general, universal
par
equal
par: an equality in value or standing
parity: equally, as in amount, status, or character
apartheid: any system or caste that separates people according to race, etc.
disparage: to belittle, speak disrespectfully about
disparate: essentially different
para
next to, beside
parallel: extending in the same direction
parasite: an organism that lives on or within a plant or animal of another species, from which it obtains nutrients
parody: to imitate for purposes of satire
parable: a short, allegorical story designed to illustrate a moral lesson or religious principle
paragon: a model of excellence
paranoid: suffering from a baseless distrust of others
pas/pat/path
feeling, suffereing, disease
sympathy: harmony or agreement in feeling
empathy: the identification with the feelings or thoughts of others
compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy for smoeone struck by misfortune, accompanied by a desire to alleviate suffering
dispassionate: devoid of personal feeling or bias
impassive: showing or feeling no emotion
sociopath: a person whose behavior is antisocial and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility
pathogenic: causing disease
pau/po/pov/pu
few, little, poor
poverty: the condition of being poor
paucity: smallness of quantity; scarcity; scantiness
pauper: a person without any personal means of support
impoverish: to deplete
pusillanimous: lacking courage or resolution
puerile: childish, immature
ped
child, education
pedagogue: teacher
pediatrician: a doctor who primarily has children as patients
pedant: one who displays learning ostentatiously
encyclopedia: book or set of books containing articles on various topics, covering all branches of knowledge or of one particular subject
ped/pod
foot
pedal: a foot-operated lever or part used to control
pedestrian: a person who travels on foot
expedite: to speed up the progress of
impede: to retard progress by means of obstacles or hindrances
podium: a small platform for an orchestra conductor, speaker, etc.
antipodes: places diametrically opposite each other on the globe
pen/pun
to pay; to compensate
penal: of or pertaining to punishment, as for crimes
penalty: a punishment imposed for a violation of law or rule
punitive: serving for, concerned with, or inflicting punishment
penance: a punishment undergone to express regret for a sin
penitent: contrite
pend/pens
to hang; to weight; to pay
depend: to rely; to place trust in
stipend: a periodic payment; fixed or regular pay
compensate: to counterbalance, offset
indispensable: absolutely necessary, essential, or requisite
appendix: supplementary material at the end of a text
appendage: a limb or other subsidiary part that diverges from the central structure
per
completely
persistent: lasting or enduring tenaciously
perforate: to make a way through or into something
perplex: to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is not understood
peruse: to read with thoroughness or care
perfunctory: performed merely as routine duty
pertinacious: resolute
perspicacious: shrewd, astute
peri
around
perimeter: the border or outer boundary of a two-dimensional figure
periscope: an optical instrument for seeing objects in an obstructed field of vision
peripatetic: walking or traveling about; itinterant
pet/pit
to go; to seek; to strive
appetite: a desire for food or drink
compete: to strive to outdo another for acknowledgment
petition: a formally drawn request soliciting some benefit
centripetal: moving toward the center
impetuous: characterized by sudden or rash action or emotion
petulant: showing sudden irritation, esp. over some annoyance
phil
love
philosophy: the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct
philatelist: one who loves or collects postage stamps
philology: the study of literary texts to establish their authenticity and determine their meaning
bibliophile: one who loves or collects books
plac
to please
placid: pleasantly calm or peaceful
placebo: a substance with no pharmacological effect which acts to placate a patient who believes it to be a medicine
implacable: unable to be pleased
complacent: self-satisfied, unconcerned
complaisant: inclined or disposed to please
ple
to fill
complete: having all parts or elements
deplete: to decrease seriously or exhaust the supply of
supplement: something added to a supply of deficiency
implement: an instrument, tool, or utensil for accomplishing work
replete: abundantly supplied
plethora: excess, overabundance
plex/plic/ply
to fold, twist, tangle, or bend
complex: composed of many interconnected parts
replica: any close copy or reproduction
implicit: not expressly stated, implied
implicate: to show to be involved, usually in an incriminating manner
duplicity: deceitfulness in speech or conduct, double-dealing
supplicate: to make humble and earnest entreaty
pon/pos/pound
to put; to place
component: a constituent part, elemental ingredient
expose: to lay open to danger, attack, or harm
expound: to set forth in detail
juxtapose: to place close together or side by side, esp. for contract
repository: a receptacle or place where things are deposited
port
to carry
import: to bring in from a foreign country
export: to transmit abroad
portable: easily carried
deportment: conduct, behavior
disport: to divert or amuse oneself
importune: to urge or press with excessive persistence
post
after
posthumous: after death
posterior: situated at the rear
posterity: succeeding in future generations collectively
post facto: after the fact
pre
before
precarious: dependent on circumstances beyond one's control
precocious: unusually advanced or mature in mental development or talent
premonition: a feeling of anticipation over a future event
presentiment: foreboding
precedent: an act that serves as an example for subsequent situations
precept: a commandment given as a rule of action or conduct
prehend/prise
to take; to get; to seize
surprise: to strike with an unexpected feeling of wonder or astonishment
enterprise: a project undertaken
reprehensible: deserving rebuke or censure
comprise: to include or contain
reprisals: retaliation against an enemy
apprehend: to take into custody
pro
much, for, a lot
prolific: highly fruitful
profuse: spending or giving freely
prodigal: wastefully or recklessly extravagant
prodigious: extraordinary in size, amount, or extent
proselytize: to convert or attempt to recruit
propound: to set forth for consideration
provident: having or showing foresight
prob
to prove; to test
probe: to search or examine thoroughly
approbation: praise, consideration
opprobrium: the disgrace incurred by shameful conduct
reprobate: a depraved or wicked person
problematic: questionable
probity: honesty; high-mindedness
pug
to fight
pugnacious: to quarrel or fight readily
impugn: to challenge as false
repugnant: objectionable or offensive
pugilist: a fighter or boxer
punc/pung/poign
to point; to prick
point: a sharp or tapering end
puncture: the act of piercing
pungent: caustic or sharply expressive
compunction: a feeling of uneasiness for doing wrong
punctilious: strict or exact in the observance of formalities
expunge: to erase, eliminate completely
que/quis
to seek
acquire: to come into possession of
exquisite: of special beauty or charm
conquest: vanquishment
inquisitive: given to research, eager for knowledge
query: a question, inquiry
querulous: full of complaints
perquisite: a gratuity, tip
qui
quiet
quiet: making little or no sound
disquiet: lack of calm or peace
tranquil: free from commotion or tumult
acquiesce: to comply; give in
quiescence: the condition of being at rest, still, inactive
rid/ris
to laugh
riddle: a conundrum
derision: the act of mockery
risible: causing laughter
rog
to ask
interrogate: to ask questions of, esp. formally
arrogant: making claims to superior importance or rights
abrogate: to abolish by formal means
surrogate: a person appointed to act for another
derogatory: belittling, disparaging
arrogate: to claim unwarrantably or presumptuously
sacr/sanct/secr
sacred
sacred: devoted or dedicated to a deity or religious purpose
sacrifice: the offering of some living or inanimate thing to a deity in homage
sanctify: to make holy
sanction: authoritative permission or approval
execrable: abominable
sacrament: something regarded as possessing sacred character
sacrilege: the violation of anything sacred
sal/sil/sault/sult
to leap; to jump
insult: to treat with contemptuous rudeness
assault: a sudden or violent attack
somersault: to roll the body end over end, making a complete revolution
salient: prominent or conspicuous
resilient: able to spring back to an original form after compression
insolent: boldly rude or disrespectful
exult: to show or feel triumphant joy
desultory: at random, unmethodical
sci
to know
conscious: aware of one's own existence
conscience: the inner sense of what is right or wrong, impelling one toward right action
unconscionable: unscrupulous
omniscient: knowing everything
prescient: having knowledge of things before they happen
scribe/scrip
to write
scribble: to write hastily or carelessly
describe: to tell or depict in words
script: handwriting
postscript: any addition or supplement
proscribe: to condemn as harmful or odious
ascribe: to credit or assign, as to a cause or course
conscription: draft
transcript: a written or typed copy
circumscribe: to draw a line around
se
apart
select: to choose in preference of another
separate: to keep apart, divide
seduce: to lead astray
segregate: to separate or set apart from others
secede: to withdraw formally from an association
sequester: to remove or withdraw into solitude or retirement
sedition: incitement of discontent of rebellion against a government
sec/sequ
to follow
second: next after the first
prosecute: to seek to enforce by legal process
sequence: the following of one thing after another
obsequious: fawning
non sequitur: an inference or a conclusion that does not follow from the promises
sed/sess/sid
to sit; to be still; to plan; to plot
preside: to exercise management or control
resident: a person who lives in a place
sediment: the matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid
dissident: disagreeing, as in opinion or attitude
residual: remaining, leftover
subsidiary: serving to assist or supplement
insidious: intended to entrap or beguile
assiduous: diligent, persistent, hardworking
sens/sent
to feel; to be awake
sense: any of the faculties by which humans and animals perceive stimuli originating outside the body
sensory: of or pertaining to the senses or sensation
sentiment: an attitude or feeling toward something
presentiment: a feeling that something is about to happen
dissent: to differ in opinion, esp. from the majority
resent: to feel or show displeasure
sentinel: a person or thing that stands watch
insensate: without feeling or sensitivity
sol
to loosen; to free
dissolve: to make a solution of, as by mixing in a liquid
soluble: capable of being dissolved or liquefied
resolution: a formal expression of opinion or intention made
dissolution: the act or process of dissolving into parts or elements
dissolute: indifferent to moral restraints
absolution: forgiveness for wrongdoing
spec/spic/spit
to look; to see
perspective: one's mental view of facts, ideas, and their interrelationships
speculation: the contemplation of consideration of some subjects
suspicious: inclined to suspect
spectrum: a broad range of related things that form a continuous series
retrospective: contemplative of past situations
circumspect: watchful and discreet, cautious
perspicacious: having keen mental perception and understanding
conspicuous: easily seen or noticed; readily observable
specious: deceptively attractive
sta/sti
to stand; to be in place
static: of bodies or forces at rest or in equilibrium
destitute: without means of substitution
obstinate: stubbornly adhering to a purpose, opinion, or course of action
constitute: to make up
stasis: the state of equilibrium or inactivity caused by opposing equal forces
apostasy: renunciation of an object of one's previous loyalty
sua
smooth
suave: smoothly agreeable or polite
persuade: to encourage to convince
dissuade: to deter
assuage: to make less severe, ease, relieve
sub/sup
below
submissive: inclined or ready to submit
subsidiary: serving to assist or supplement
subliminal: existing or operating below the threshold of confidence
subtle: thin, tenuous, or rarefied
subterfuge: an artifice or expedient used to evade a rule
supposition: the act of assuming
super/sur
above
surpass: to go beyond in amount, extent, or degree
superlative: the highest kind or order
supersede: to replace in power, as by another person or thing
supercilious: arrogant, haughty, condescending
superfluous: extra, more than necessary
surmount: to get over or across, to prevail
surveillance: a watch kept over someone or something
tac/tic
to be silent
reticent: disposed to be silent or not to speak freely
tacit: unspoken understanding
taciturn: uncommunicative
tain/ten/tent/tin
to hold
detain: to keep from proceeding
pertain: to have reference or relation
tenacious: holding fast
abstention: the act of refraining voluntarily
tenure: the holding or possessing of anything
tenable: capable of being held, maintained, or defended
sustenance: nourishment, means of livelihood
pertinacious: persistent, stubborn
tend/tens/tend/tenu
to stretch; to thin
tension: the act of stretching or straining
tentative: of the nature of, or done as a trial, attempt
tendentious: having a predisposition towards a point of view
distend: to expand by stretching
attenuate: to weaken or reduce in force
extenuating: making less serious by offering excuses
contentious: quarrelsome, disagreeable, belligerent
theo
god
atheist: one who does not believe in a deity or divine system
theocracy: a form of government in which a deity is recognized as the supreme ruler
theology: the study of divine things and the divine faith
apotheosis: glorification, glorified ordeal
tract
to drag; to pull; to draw
tractor: a powerful vehicle used to pull farm machinery
attract: to draw either by physical force by an appeal to emotions or senses
contract: a legally binding document
detract: to take away from, esp. a positive thing
abstract: to draw or pull away, remove
tractable: easily managed or controlled
protract: to prolong, draw out, extend
trans
across
transaction: the act of carrying on or conduct to a conclusion or settlement
transparent: easily seen through, recognized, or detected
transition: a change from one way of being to another
transgress: to violate a law, command, or moral code
transcendent: going beyond ordinary limits
intransigent: refusing to agree or compromise
us/ut
to use
abuse: to use wrongly or improperly
usage: a customary way of doing something
usurp: to seize and hold
utilitarian: efficient, functional, useful
ven/vent
to come or move toward
convene: to assemble for some public purpose
venturesome: showing a disposition to undertake risks
intervene: to come between disputing factions, mediate
contravene: to come into conflict with
adventitious: accidental
ver
truth
verdict: any judgment or decision
veracious: habitually truthful
verity: truthfulness
verisimilitude: the appearance or semblance of truth
aver: to affirm, to declare to be true
verd
green
verdant: green with vegetation; inexperienced
verdure: fresh, rich vegetation
vers/vert
to turn
controversy: a public dispute involving a matter of opinion
revert: to return to a former habit
diverse: of a different kind, form, character
aversion: dislike
introvert: a person concerned primarily with inner thoughts and feelings
extrovert: an outgoing person
inadvertent: unintentional
covert: hidden, clandestine
avert: to turn away from
vi
life
vivid: strikingly bright or intense
vicarious: performed, exercised, received, or suffered in place of another
viable: capable of living
vivacity: the quality of being lively, animated, spirited
joie de vivre: joy of life (French expression)
convivial: sociable
vid/vid
to see
evident: plain or clear to the sight or understanding
video: the elements of television pertaining to the transmission or reception of the image
adviser: one who gives counsel
survey: to view in a general or comprehensive way
vista: a view or prospect
vil
base, mean
vilify: to slander, to defame
revile: to criticize with harsh language
vile: loathsome, unpleasant
voc/vok
to call
vocabulary: the stock of words used by or known to a particular person or group
advocate: to support or urge by argument
equivocate: to use ambiguous or unclear expressions
vocation: a particular occupation
avocation: something one does in addition to a principle occupation
vociferous: crying out noisily
convoke: to call together
invoke: to call on a deity
vol
to wish
voluntary: undertaken by one's own accord or by free choice
malevolent: characterized by or expressing bad will
benevolent: characterized by or expressing goodwill
volition: free choice, free will; act of choosing
vor
to eat
voracious: having a great appetite
carnivorous: meat-eating
omnivorous: eating or absorbing everything
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