HOW WILL WE LEARN ALL THESE WORDS? ETYMOLOGY AND VOCABULARY ACROSS THE CONTENT AREAS

B.Selah Lee-Bey

What is Etymology The key to developing

ones’ vocabulary is etymology. Etymology: The study

of the origins of words. Etym (true sense; origin) +

ology (the study of)

Etymology consists of Word Parts (Affixes and

Roots) Word Origins (Latin; Greek;

German; etc…) How words change over time Word cognates in various

languages within a language family.

Why Etymology Students are able

to learn up to 50 words per week by studying 4 word parts.

Word Parts: Prefix

A prefix is a word part that is placed at the beginning of a word.

Pre (before) + fix

(to fasten)

Other Examples: Review React Interview Interact

Word Parts: Prefix

A prefix changes the meaning of a word Examples: construct; reconstruct;

deconstruct Struct (the root) means to build

Con + struct: to build together/with Re + con + struct: to build together again De + con + struct: to build down

Prefix Rules A prefix can function as an

intensifier. Example:

Confirm: con + firm (to make more firm). Firm is a root indicating strength.

Obtain: ob + tain (a stronger version of attain). The root tain means to stretch and hold.

Word Parts: Suffix A suffix is a word

part that is placed at the end of a word.

Suff (after) + fix (to fasten)

hopeful

goodness

Word Parts: Suffix A suffix can change the part of speech of a

word Noun Suffix Endings

-age: mileage; postage; damage -ship: fellowship; friendship; sportsmanship

Verb Suffix Endings -ate (calculate; meditate; evaporate) - ize/ise (memorize; sympathize; comprise)

Word Parts: Suffix

A suffix can change the part of speech of a word Adjective Suffix Ending

- able (capable; lovable) -al (national; natural; seasonal)

Adverb Endings -ly (nationally; naturally; swiftly) - where (somewhere; anywhere)

Suffix Rules A word can have as many as three suffixes

Example: constitution; constitutional; constitutionality

Root: sti: to stand Con (prefix) + sti(tu) + tion Con (prefix) + sti(tu) + tion + al Con (prefix) + sti(tu) + tion + al + ity

Suffix Rules

Like Musical; comical; classical Fantastic; realistic; Slavic

State of/Condition/Quality Appointment; retirement Insistence; patience;

inheritance

One who: Physician;

musician; politician Teacher; barber;

carpenter Artist; pianist;

astrologist

Suffixes have meanings

Word Parts: Roots

The root is the main part of a word. It is the part of the word which the prefix and suffix are fastened. Remember:

pre (before) + fix (fasten) suf (after) + fix (fasten)

Think of the roots as the anchor that carries the basic meaning of a word.

What is the Root?

The root word part is like the root of a plant. It carries meaning or nutrients to allow a word to blossom and grow.

Word Parts: Roots Cred: to believe Incredible:

In (not) + cred (believe) + ible (able)

Definition: not able to believe

Creditor: Cred(it) + or (a person

who) Definition: a person that

determines whether you can be trusted or believed

Word Parts: Roots

Ject: to throw Reject:

Re (back) + ject (throw): Definition: to throw back

Project: Pro (forward) + ject (throw)

Definition: to throw forward

Interject: Prefix: Inter

Definition: to throw between

Word Parts: All Together

Prefix Root Suffix3P 2P 1P 0 1S

2S 3S___________________________________________

____

Prefix-Suffix-Root Line

Conspicuouscon + spic + uous:

visible, open to view, striking

 

ResistRe + sist

To stand against

What’s the Root of this Word?

 

RespectRe + spect

To look back (and see someone); to regard

  

InstituteIn + stit + ut(e) + ion

To cause to stand (i.e. establish)

What’s the Root of this Word?

EstablishE + stabl(e) + ish

To make stable

What’s the Root of this Word?

RegardRe + gard (as in guard)

To look or to heed

Speculative Spec + (ul) + at(e) +ive

Describing something that has been looked at or examined intellectually

 

What’s the Root of this Word?

1. Which words have similar meanings Speculative; conspicuous Establish; institute Respect; regard

Semantic Discussions

3. The word resist has the same root form as consist, insist, and assist. Based on the change in prefix, what is the meaning of the each of the three words mentioned above?

Semantic Discussions (con…)

The Matrix Map (Beginner)

The Matrix Map (Advanced)

The Matrix Map (Beginner)

The Matrix Map (Advanced)

Denotation vs Connotation

Denotation: This is the literal meaning of a word. It translates as

from the letters/markings. That is, the meaning is from the original markings (see etymology).

Connotation: This is the shaded/colored meaning. It translates as

added letters/markings

What is the Connotation? Stench

Definition: a smell, a scent, an odor.

Etymology: O.E. stenc; Old Saxon stanc; Old German stank- to emit a smell. Evil odor meaning applied in 1200 c.

Scent Definition: what can

be smelled. Etymology: O.F. sentir;

Latin sentire- to feel, perceive, sense, discern, hear, see

Liberal Arts: Music Music

Old French: musique (12 c.)

Latin: musica Greek: mousikos,

pertaining to the Muses

Same root as mind

Liberal Arts: Music

Forte and Fortissimostrong

Liberal Arts: Music

Crescendo and Descrescendoto grow loudly or quietly in sound

Liberal Arts: Music

DolcesweetlyRemember,

Latin-based or Romance languages (from Rome) have cognates that follow a similar spelling format as in English. Thus, dolce means to play sweetly, similarly to dulce, which is sweet in Spanish.

Liberal Arts: Music

Graveheavily

Similar to the words gravity; gravitate; and gravitas- all of these refer to weight

Biological Sciences: Botany

Etymology can help students to recall the scientific names of various plant families, genera, and species.

Biological Sciences: Botany Using the system of scientific

classification, botanists identify plants by their family, genus, and species.

Today, plants scientific names are based on binomial nomenclature system using the generic and the specific epithets.

Biological Sciences: Botany This flower is called

the Rosa canina. It is classified as

follows: Family: Rosae Genus: Rosa Species: Canina

This is a dog rose (canina refers to the dog)

Biological Sciences: Botany Most plant names are

Latin or Greek in origin.

The family names have the suffix –aceae, which means “belonging to, having the nature of”

ExamplesAsteraceae

Fabaceae

Apiaceae

Solanaceae

Zingiberaceae

Biological Sciences: Botany Most plant names are

Latin or Greek in origin.

The family names have the suffix –aceae, which means “belonging to, having the nature of”

Family Name Derivational Meaning

Asteraceae Star-shaped

Fabaceae bean

Apiaceae/Umbelliferacea

e

Celery“bearing umbells”

Solanaceae Night-shade; “soothing

effect”

Zingiberaceae Ginger

Biological Sciences: Botany Asteraceae:

Aster=star Star-shaped

flowers, such as sunflowers, dandelions, etc…

Fabaceae: Faba=bean

Family of beans, peas, and legumes

Biological Sciences: Botany Genus

Latin in form Ends in –a, -um, or

–us Seven classes of

distinction

Species Latin in form

Descriptive: albus (white), bellus (pretty), odoratus (scented)

Geographical: anglicus (English), hispanicus (Spanish)

Personal names: davidii (A.David)

Biological Sciences: Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomical terminology is rooted in Indo-European languages; thus, etymology will help students readily define given terms.

Biological Sciences: Anatomy and Physiology

Anterior Ante=before

Posterior Post=after

Biological Sciences: Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomical RootsBlood hem, angi

Braincereb, encephal

Hair tricho, tricha

ExamplesHemorrhoidAngioplastyCerebellum

EncephalologyTrichopterous

Biological Sciences: Anatomy and Physiology

-plasty (surgical repair) Angioplasty Rhinoplasty Palatoplasty

-ectomy (remove part of the body) Craniectomy Iridectomy Hysterectomy

Surgical Procedures

Biological Sciences: Anatomy and Physiology

-itis (inflammation) Gingivitis Arthritis Chondritis

- algia (sensitivity to pain) Fibromyalgia Arthralgia Cardialgia

Diseases

Social Sciences: Psychology Psychology

Psych: the mind ology: the study

of

Social Sciences: Psychology

Bipolar: two polesbi (two) + pol (poles) + ar

Insomnia: not able to sleepin (not) + som (sleep)

Schizophreniaschizo (split) + phren (mind) + ia

Social Sciences: Psychology Mania

mind of passion, fury, and rage

Kleptomania klepto: thief

Pyromania pyro: fire

Trichotillomania tricho: hair till: pull

Dermatillonmania derma: skin till: pull

Social Sciences: Psychology Phobias

Phobia is Greek for fear

claustraphobia claus: closed

arachnophobia arachno: spider

algophobia fear of pain

Mathematics Etymology can

assist students in understanding mathematical concepts.

Mathematics Bisector

Bi means 2 sect means cut or refers to a thing or

person (noun) Bi + sect + or

something that cuts a shape into two parts.

Mathematics

Prefix Number

hex 6

sept 7

octo 8

nov 9

dec 10

Prefix Number

mono/uni 1

bi/di/du 2

tri 3

quad/quart 4

pent/quint 5

Mathematics Hexagon Pentagon

Mathematics

Mathematics Algebra

1550s, from Medieval Latin algebra, from Arabic al jabr ("in vulgar pronunciation, al-jebr" [Klein]) "reunion of broken parts”, as in computation

Mathematics Trigonometry

tri: three gon: angle (shape) metry: measure

the relationship between lengths and angle measurements of triangles

Mathematics Algorithm and

Arithmetic have the same root. Can you guess what it is? rit, meaning

number

Social Sciences: Political Science Etymology can

help students identify various forms of government in political science classes.

Social Sciences: Political Science -cracy

From Latin kratos meaning “rule”

-archy From Greek

arkhos, meaning “rule”

Social Sciences: Political Science Oligarchy:

Oligos (few) + cracy (rule)

Anarchy: An (no) + archy

(rule)

Social Sciences: Political Science Aristocracy:

Aristo (rich) + cracy (rule)

Democracy: Demo (people) +

cracy(rule)

Social Sciences: Political Science Theocracy:

Theo (God ) + cracy (rule)

Monarchy: Mon(o) (one) +

cracy(rule)

Social Sciences: Political Science Kleptocracy:

Klepto (theives) + cracy (rule)

Meritoctacy: Merit

(earned/assigned) + cracy(rule)

Social Sciences: Political Science and Sociology

Patriarchy: Patri (father/male)

+ cracy (rule)

Matriarchy: Martri

(mother/female) + cracy(rule)

Social Sciences: Economics Oligopoly

trade with a few

Monopoly trade with one

Social Science: Philosophy and Religion

Philosophy

“Lover of Wisdom”

(philos: love; soph: wisdom)

Social Science: Philosophy and Religion

God Latin: divinus Greek: theos

theology; divinity; atheist; polytheism; monotheism; deity

Social Science: Philosophy and Religion

-ology: study of… Doxology: beliefs Epistemology:

knowledge from experience

Cosmology: the world

Mythology: myths or stories

ology comes from logos, which means the word

Social Science: Philosophy and Religion

Paradox Para: contrary dox: belief

Orthadox Ortha: straight dox: belief

Social Science: Philosophy and Religion

Dogma that which one things

is true This word has a

similar root as doxology. They share a Proto-Indo European root, thus sharing meaning as well.

Social Science: Philosophy and Religion

Utilitarian look within the

word and see util utilize; utility

something you use

Social Science: Philosophy and Religion

Nihilism nihilim: no small

thing nil: none

Have students think of annihilate (to reduce to nothing)

Indo European refers to the language and people that historically range from Europe to present day India. Indo Europeans existed during Bronze Age and yet had to split into sub-families, such as Armenian, Albanian, Anatolian, , Baltics, Slavic, Celtic, Germanic, Hellenic (Greek), Indo-Iranian /Aryan, Italic, and Tocharian. There are 439 languages and dialects amongst these sub-families, which further break down into several hundred languages families. Note: Baltic and Slavic are often combined into one sub-family group,

called the Balto-Slavic language family.

Indo European Languages

Indo-European Language Family Tree

English is a Western Germanic language that follows a Latin spelling pattern; thus, it appears to be a Romance language, which is linguistically classified as Italic.

We often look Proto-Indo-European roots of words because their cognates in various languages hold the same meaning. For example:

Proto Indo European Roots

Proto-Indo-European (PIE) is not a language, but a reconstruction of a language said to be the ancestor of modern Indo-European Languages. It was spoken in an (as of yet) unidentified area between eastern Europe and the Aral Sea around the fifth millennium B.C°.

American Heritage Dictionary PIE roots are the most basic form of the root of a word to

which it can be traced back to throughout the Indo European family of languages. The map provides a good indication of how this works.

Proto Indo European Roots

[Looking in the Brackets]

[Looking in the Brackets]

[Looking in the Brackets]

The roots gen, nat, nasc, and kin all share a PIE root. The PIE for the above root is

gen-

which means Birth, Source, or Origin

PIE Example #1

The roots sti, sta, stat, sis, sist, and syst all share a PIE root.

The PIE root for the above roots is Hint: look up words with the roots named above.

Constitute; Station; Statistic; System; Consistent

Sta-

Which means to stand or remain in place

PIE Example #2

The roots fac, fec, fic, and –fy all share a PIE root. The PIE root for the above roots is

Hint: look up words with the roots named above. factory; perfection; efficient; clarity

Dhe-

Which means to make, place, or do

PIE Example #3

Works Cited Pierson, H. “Using

Etymology in the Classroom”. ELT J (1989) 43 (1): 57-63

Rasinski, Tim. Greek & Latin Roots: Keys to Building Vocabulary. Shell Education (2008)