List of Greek morphemes used in English
It has been suggested that this article be merged into List of Greek and Latin roots in English. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2016. |
Greek morphemes are parts of words originating from the Greek language. This article lists Greek morphemes used in the English language.
Common morphemes
Morpheme | Definition | Example Word |
---|---|---|
Anthrop | Humankind | Anthropology: the study of humankind [see ology] |
Andr | Man | Android: a machine made to look like a man |
Phil | Love | Philanthropy: the desire to help others [see anthrop] |
Miso | Hate | Misology: the dislike of arguments (see log) |
Eu | Good | Euphony: pleasant combinations of sound [see phon] |
Caco | Bad | Cacography: poor handwriting [see graph] |
Micro | Small | Microscopic: so small it's hard to see [see scop] |
Macro | Long | Macrocosm: any large thing; universe |
Mega | Large | Megalomania: a mental disorder characterized by delusions of power [see mania] |
Graph; gram | Write; draw; record | Telegraph: the long-distance transmission of written messages without physical transport of letters [see tele] |
Phon | Sound | Euphonic: Pleasing to the ear [see eu] |
Scop; scept | Look at; examine | Kaleidoscope: A toy in which reflections from mirrors make patterns |
Tel; tele | Far; distant | Telephone: Apparatus designed to convert sound waves into electrical waves which are sent to and reproduced data distant point [see phon] |
Biblio | book | Bibliophobia: the fear of books [see phobia] |
Mania | Madness | Pyromaniac: A person suffering from pyromania; A person who is obsessed with fire; one who lights things on fire |
Phobia | Fear of | Arachnaphobia: The fear of spiders |
Arch | Rule; govern | Gynarchy: Government by a woman [see gyn] |
Archae | Ancient; old | Archaeology: The science or study of antiquities, esp. prehistoric antiquities, such as the remains of buildings or monuments of an early epoch, inscriptions, implements, and other relics, written manuscripts, etc. [see ology] |
Dem | People | Democracy: Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people |
Gen | Origin; kind | Genesis: the first book in the Bible |
Gyn | Woman | Misogyny: The hatred of women [see miso] |
Log | Word; idea; study | dialog: A conversation between people. (dia: through) + (logos: speech, reason) = ("exchange of thoughts") |
Hetero | Unlike; different | Heterogeneous: Differing in kind; having unlike qualities; possessed of different characteristics; differing in origin [see gen] |
Homo | Same | Homogenous: Having a resemblance in structure, due to descent from a common progenitor with subsequent modification [see gen] |
Poly | Many | poly |
Olig | Few | oligarchy: a form of government all the power resides with few people [see arch] |
Pan | All | pandemic: prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world [see dem] |
Gon | Angle | Polygon: a many sided shape [see poly] |
Mancy | Prophecy | Bibliomancy: prophesying by use of books [see biblio] |
Hemi | Half | Hemisphere: one of the halves into which the earth is divided |
Erg | Work | Ergonomics: the science of equipment design, intended to maximize productivity, especially in the workplace |
Hem; haem | Blood | Hemorrhage: a profuse discharge of blood |
Theo | God | Atheist: one who believes in no gods |
Chrom | Color | Polychrome: having many colors [see poly] |
Chron | Time | Chronological: being in time order |
Latry | Worship | Idolatry: the religious worship of idols |
Helio | Sun | Heliotherapy: therapeutic exposure to sunlight [see therap] |
Therap | Cure | Therapy: Treatment of illness or disability |
Di | Two | Dichromatic: having two colors [see chrom] |
Iso | Equal | Isography: Imitation of another's handwriting [see graph] |
Rhea | Flood; gush; burst | Logorhea: a flood of words spoken quickly (see log) |
Bath | Depth | Bathometer: a device measuring depth (see meter) |
Meter | Measure | Diameter: the length of a straight line passing from side to side of any figure or body, through its center |
Ortho | Correct; straight | Orthodontics: the branch of dentistry dealing with the prevention and correction of irregular teeth |
Dyn | Power | Dynasty: a sequence of rulers from the same family, stock, or group |
Path | Feeling; disease | Sociopath: a person, whose behavior is antisocial and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience. |
Stat; Stas | Stop | Static: showing little or no change |
Mono | One | Monopoly: an exclusive privilege to carry on a business, traffic, or service, granted by a government. |
Cycl | Circle | Bicycle: a vehicle with two wheels in tandem, usually propelled by pedals connected to the rear wheel by a chain, and having handlebars for steering and a saddlelike seat. [see bi] |
Centr | Center | Centerpiece: an ornamental object used in a central position, esp. on the center of a dining-room table. |
Geo | Earth | Geology: the study of the earth |
References
External links
- Greek Morphemes, Khoff, Mountainside Middle School [dead link]
- English vocabulary elements, Keith M. Denning, Brett Kessler, William R. Leben, William Ronald Leben, Oxford University Press US, 2007, 320pp, p. 127, ISBN 978-0-19-516802-0 at Google Books