Jinglu Sun

Vocabulary list # 3

“Return of the Greeks” Greek roots

 

1. sympathy (syn) [noun] : understanding and care for someone else’s suffering

sym (syn) = together

1. symbiosis [noun] : a relationship between two types of animals or plants in which each provides for the other the conditions necessary for its continued existence.
2. Synapse [noun] : the point at which electrical signals move from one nerve cell to another.
3. Synthesis [noun] : the production of a substance from simpler materials after a chemical reaction.

 

2. geometry (meter) [noun] : the area of mathematics relation to the study of space and the relationships between points, lines, and surfaces.

Meter = measure

1. parameter [noun] : a set of facts or a fixed limit which establishes or limits how something can or must happen or be done.
2. Barometer [noun] : a device that measures air pressure and shows when the weather is likely to change.
3. Thermometer [noun] : a device used for measuring temperature, especially of the air or in a person’s body.

 

3. neophyte [noun] : someone who has recently become involved in an activity and is still learning about it.

Neo = new

1. Neolithic [adj] : belonging to the period when humans used tools and weapons made of stone and had just developed farming.
2. Neologism [noun] a new word or expression, or a new meaning for an existing word.
3. Neonatal [adj] : of or for babies that were born recently.

 

4. calligraphy [noun] : beautiful writing, often created with a special pen or brush.

Graph = writing

1. kymograph [noun] :  a device which graphically records motion or pressure.
2. Graphology [noun] : the study of the way people write letters and words, especially in order to discover things about their characters.
3. Telegraph [noun] : a method of sending and receiving messages by electrical or radio signals, or the special equipment used for this purpose.

 

5. democracy [noun] : the belief in freedom and equality between people.

Demo = people

1. demography [noun] : the study of changes in the number of birth, marriages death, etc. in a particular area during a period of time.
2. epidemic [noun] : the appearance of a particular disease in large number of people at the same time
3. demon [noun] : an evil spirit

 

6. anthropoid  [adj] : like a human being or an ape.

Oid = like

1. dentoid [adj] : like a tooth.
2. asteroid [noun] : like a star
3. trapezoid [noun] : a shape with four sides of different length, none of which are parallel.

 

7. panacea [noun] : something that will solve all problems.

Pan = all

1. pandemonium [noun] : a situation in which there is a lot of noise and confusion because people are exited, angry or frightened.
2. panoply [noun] : a wide range or collection of different things.
3. Pantheism [noun] : belief in many or all gods.

 

8. bigamy (gamo) [noun] the crime of marrying a person while already legally married to someone else.

Gamy (gamo) = marriage

1. monogamy [noun] when someone has a sexual relationship or marriage with only one other person at a time.
2. Polygamy [noun] : the fact or custom of being married to more than one person at the same time
3. Gamete [noun] : a cell connected with sexual reproduction, which is either a male sperm or a female egg.

 

9. gynarchy (gyny) [noun] : government by woman.

Gyn (gyny) = woman

1. misogynist [noun] : a man who hates women or believes that men are much better than woman.
2. androgynous [adj] : not clearly male or female
3. gynaecology [noun] the area of medicine which involves the treatment of women’s diseases, especially those of the reproductive organs.

 

10. Euphonious [adj] : having a pleasant sound.

Phon = sound

1. Phonograph [noun] old use for record player.
2. Phonetic [adj] : using special signs to represent the different sounds made by the voice in speech.
3. Symphony [noun] : a long piece of music for an orchestra, usually with four parts.