Prefix definitions: Difference between revisions
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* assimilation | * assimilation | ||
** the "harmonizing" of sounds to make their articulation (speaking of) more efficient and pleasant | |||
** thus we have ''important'' and ''intentional'', even though ''im-'' and ''in-'' mean the same thing -- their use is guided by the way our mouths form the sounds | |||
*** see [[Euphony]] | |||
* cognate | * cognate | ||
** = related sounds that yield shifts in pronunciation, generally between languages that have a common origin | ** = related sounds that yield shifts in pronunciation, generally between languages that have a common origin | ||
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* because of the way letter sounds are formed by the mouth (physically) | * because of the way letter sounds are formed by the mouth (physically) | ||
** some letters more naturally precede others | ** some letters more naturally precede others | ||
** this process is called "assimilation" or "linguistic economy" | |||
** see [[Euphony]] | |||
* examples: | * examples: | ||
** "'''m'''" starts with closed lips, then open lips ("mmmah" sound) | ** "'''m'''" starts with closed lips, then open lips ("mmmah" sound) |
Latest revision as of 18:56, 18 October 2024
Prefix definitions, etymology & examples
see https://www.dailywritingtips.com/list-prefixes-suffixes
Terms
- assimilation
- the "harmonizing" of sounds to make their articulation (speaking of) more efficient and pleasant
- thus we have important and intentional, even though im- and in- mean the same thing -- their use is guided by the way our mouths form the sounds
- see Euphony
- cognate
- = related sounds that yield shifts in pronunciation, generally between languages that have a common origin
- ex. the English "night" is "cognate" with the German "nacht"
- in English the "i" is cognate with the German "a"
- and the ENglish "ght" is cognate with the German "act"
- within a language, cognates are seen in words such as "night":
- Old English: niht was changed to "night" in Middle English in order to represent the "ggh" sound of niht in Old English
- eventually, the "ggh" sound was dropped and the "i" became "eye"-sound (from "ehh" sound)
- but the spelling was kept the same, "night"
- Old English: niht was changed to "night" in Middle English in order to represent the "ggh" sound of niht in Old English
- etymology
- = word origin, or study of word origins
- morpheme
- = the smallest constituent of a word
- some words are morphemes unto themselves ("it", "and")
- others are a combination of morphemes ("itself", "below")
- PIE
- for proto-Indo-European language
- = the origin or pre-origin language of Indo-European languages, which share the PIE language as their origin
- Indo-European languages include, Celtic, English, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Latin, Persian, Spanish, and others across Europe and parts of central and western Asia and South Asia
- root
- suffix
- = a word ending "inflection" (change in sound) that identifies or changes a root's part of speech
When is a prefix not a prefix?[edit | edit source]
- many prefixes are attached to roots that are not words unto themselves
- some scholars argue that these words are not "prefix + root" and stand as single "morphemes" (word units)
- some scholars argue that these words are not "prefix + root" and stand as single "morphemes" (word units)
Letter sound shifts[edit | edit source]
- because of the way letter sounds are formed by the mouth (physically)
- some letters more naturally precede others
- this process is called "assimilation" or "linguistic economy"
- see Euphony
- examples:
- "m" starts with closed lips, then open lips ("mmmah" sound)
- "n" starts and ends with open lips, along with release of the tongue from against the front teeth ("nnnah" sound)
- "p" starts with closed lips, then open lips > open lips ("pppuh" sound)
- thus
- n + p requires open for n, then close and open for m
- whereas m + p only requires closed lips for m, which transitions easily to the open lips p sound
- consequently, some prefixes with the same meaning use different letters, depending on the first letter of the root word
-b, -m, -p | -c, -d, -f, -g, -h, -j, -l, n, -r, -q, -t, -v | |
m & n | em-, im-ember, eminent, empathy, immaterial, important | en-, in-include, induce, infuse, ingress, inhuman, injury, enliven, enrage, inquisitive, into, invisible |
m & n | um-umbrella, umpire | un-unclear, under, unfettered, unhinged, unjust, unlimited, unrest, unready, invertibrate |
a & ad | a-
abstract, amaze, apparent |
ad-addition, adhere, advertize |
com & con | compete | context |
Prefixes with dual, opposite meanings[edit | edit source]
- some prefixes have opposite meanings
- adhere = stuck to
- ad from a- (adding the "d" before the h
- ad- (to, into) + haesitare (stuck, in place)
- "here" = from PIE root *ghais- forms adhere, hesitate
- ad- (to, into) + haesitare (stuck, in place)
- versus
- ad from a- (adding the "d" before the h
- averse = against, disliking, hostile, unwilling
- a- (against, not) + verse (turn)
- = turn against
- a- (against, not) + verse (turn)
- adhere = stuck to
prefix | definition 1 | example | definition 2 | example |
---|---|---|---|---|
em- | in, into | empathy, emphasis | opposite of, not, out of | empty (not full from PIE *med-) |
en- | in, into | engine, enjoy, enter, | opposite of, not, out of | enemy, enmity (not of a friend) |
im- | in, into | important | opposite of, not, out of | impatient (not patient)
immoral (not moral) |
in- | in, into | insert, inspect, intrude (push into) | opposite of, not, out of | incredible (not believable)
incorrect (not correct) |
asdf
Important Prefixes[edit | edit source]
A-B-C[edit | edit source]
a-, ab[edit | edit source]
- away, away from, from, from off, down
- also ab-,abs-
- ex.
- avert, abduct, abscond
- for more see ab-
ab-[edit | edit source]
- away, away from, from, from off, down
- can also mean into, towards
- PIE *apo- off, away
- abstract
- absolve
- absolute
- note that "absolute" = ab (to, towards) + solvere (to loosen)
- = not attached, released, without restrictions
- note that "absolute" = ab (to, towards) + solvere (to loosen)
- PIE *apo- off, away
- by (as in agency, for origin, consequence of)
- can also mean "not" (as in a negation)
- can also mean "ad-" for to, toward, near
- examples:
- aberration, abstract, abnormal, abysmal
- note that ab- in "abbreviation" is from ad- (to, toward), thus
- ab- for "to" (from ad-) + breviare (Latin) for short, low, little, shallow = "to shorten"
- PIE *mregh-u for short
- ab- for "to" (from ad-) + breviare (Latin) for short, low, little, shallow = "to shorten"
ad-[edit | edit source]
- to, toward (space or time), in relation to, regarding
- from PIE *ad- for to, near, at
- addict, adhere, ad
- becomes a- before -sc-, -sp- and -st-
- aspect, astronomy
- becomes ab-
- also af-, -ag, -al,
- affection, aggression
- also af-, -ag, -al,
acer-[edit | edit source]
- bitter, harsh, severe, sharp, sour,
- acerbic, acrid
- also:
- exacerbate, mediocre
- from PIE *ak- "sharp, to a point, pierce"
- includes words such as acid, acme, acrobat, acronym, acropolis, acumen, acupuncture
add-[edit | edit source]
- same as ad-
- addition, addendum
ana-[edit | edit source]
- 1. up, upward, through (in place or time)
- 2. back, backward, against
- 3. again, anew
- by itself, "ana" means "an equal quantity"
- origin
- PIE *an- for "on, upon, above"
- examples
- anabaptism for "a second" or "renewed" baptism
- analysis
- ana- "up" + *leu "loosen, divide, cut apart" thus "cut or divided up"
- analog
- log = from "logos" thus "through or again words or logic"
- analogy
- log -y "through or separate words or logic" (that mean the same thing)
apo-[edit | edit source]
- of (as in from), from, away from, separate, free of
- PIE root *apo- "off, away"
- in these definitions synonymous with ab-, aft-, awk- ex- and of-
- examples:
- after, aperitif, apocalypse, apocryphal, apology, apoplexy, apostle, apostrophe, apothecary; apotheosis; awkward; ebb; eftsoons; of; off; offal; overt.
- ex. apostle = "one sent out from"
- after, aperitif, apocalypse, apocryphal, apology, apoplexy, apostle, apostrophe, apothecary; apotheosis; awkward; ebb; eftsoons; of; off; offal; overt.
bi-[edit | edit source]
- two, double, twice, every other
- from PIE *dwo- "two"
co-, com- & con-[edit | edit source]
- mean the same thing
- together; with, joint (as in co-owner, equal to, complement of
- can also be col-, cor-
- examples:
- coordinate
- cosign
- complement = with (com-) + fill (-plere) for "add/ed to make complete"
- com- + from PIE *pele for "to fill, make complete"
- for "with togetherness"
- com- + from PIE *pele for "to fill, make complete"
- compliment = cognate with Latin complere shifting to complire for "to complete"
- indicates "completion" and thus "expression of respect" for something completed or done
D-E-F[edit | edit source]
di-[edit | edit source]
- double, having two of
- thus "divide" = make into two
dict-,[edit | edit source]
- speak, tell
- from PIE *deik- "to show" and "to pronounce solemnly"
- words formed from the origin:
- adbicate, addict, avenge, benediction, condition, contradict, dedicate, diction, dictionary, index, indicate, judge, judicial, predicament, predicate, predict, prejudice, revenge, toe, token, verdict,
didact-[edit | edit source]
- teaching
- from PIE *dens- "to learn"
- didactic, didactical
digi-,[edit | edit source]
- finger
- thus "digit" and "digital" can be counted
dis-[edit | edit source]
em- & en-[edit | edit source]
- = mean the same
- into
- to place
- to cause
- not, to restrict
- en- precedes all letters except those that follow -em
- em- precedes -b, -m, -p
- see chart above
em-[edit | edit source]
- put in or into, to affect, bring to the state of, distribute
- assimilation from in- and into
- PIE root *em- for "to take, distribute"
- used instead of -en words beginning with -b- and -p-
- examples
- empathy
- in the (same) state of pathos (emotions, feelings)
- embitter (make bitter)
- embody (make into the body of; representation)
- emit (distribute
- emotion
- empathy
en-[edit | edit source]
- from PIE *en- into, to make or put
ex-, e-[edit | edit source]
- out of, from
- efface, example, exhume
- reduced to e- before -b, -d, -l, -m, -n, -v
- elude, emerge, evaporate
G-H-I[edit | edit source]
in-[edit | edit source]
- same as en-, im-, em-
- see entry for en-
hetero- v. homo-[edit | edit source]
- hetero- = different
- heterodox,
- homo- = same
J-K-L[edit | edit source]
M-N-O[edit | edit source]
mi-, my- mys-[edit | edit source]
- from Greek myein for "to close, shut"
- = hidden, secret
- PIE *meue- for "silent", thus related to "mute"
- mystery, mysterious, mystic
- ex. myopic
- = close + eye (from PIE *okw- "to see") my-
- closed, shut
- from Greek myein "to shut"
- with m- negating
- = close + eye (from PIE *okw- "to see") my-
mis-[edit | edit source]
- = badly, wrongly
- from PIE *mei- "to change"
- misfire, mistake, misunderstand
mo-[edit | edit source]
- from PIE *meue- "to push away"
- note that PIE *meue- has distinct meanings, "abundant" or "push away"
- motor, mobile, move, movement
- related to
- commotion, emotion, mob, mobile, moment, momentous, motif, motive, promote, remote, remove
mono-[edit | edit source]
- = single, alone
- monolithic, monopoly, monotone
myo-[edit | edit source]
- for "muscle"
- ex. myocarditis = myo- (muscle) + *kertd- (heart)
- note that "myo-" here is distinct from "my-" in myopia
myr-[edit | edit source]
- from PIE *meue- "abundant"
- myriad (many, uncountable)
ob-, of-[edit | edit source]
- from Latin ob for "in the direction of, with regard to"
- from PIE *epi- or *opi- for "near, against, across"
- examples:
- epicenter, ephemera, epidemic, epidermis, epigraph
- obese, obey, obfuscate, obituary, object, oblate, oblique, oblivion, oblong,
- also
- bishop = *epi + *spek- ("to observe") = "one who watches over"
- cover = *epi- + *wer- (shut, wrapped)
- of- in this sense of:
- offend = ob- (against) + fendere (strike)
of-, off-[edit | edit source]
- see apo- (away, from, off)
- from PIE *apo- for "off, away"
of-, op-[edit | edit source]
- from PIE root *op- "to work, produce in abundance"
- "of" is cognate with "op"
- ex. office, official
- from Latin officialis (magistrate, public official, performing public duty or service)
- from PIE root *op- "to work, produce in abundance" + facere "to make, to do" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put").
- examples
- official
op-
- operate, optimist, opulent, opus
- also used with c- or co-, as in
- cooperate, copious, copy
P-Q-R[edit | edit source]
S-T-U[edit | edit source]
sym-[edit | edit source]
- alike, with, together, mutual, reciprocal, at the same time
- assimilated with syn-
- origin in PIE *ksun- for "with"
- used instead of syn-' with words beginning with -b-, -m-, -p-, -ph-, -ps-
- examples
- symbiosis, symbol, sympathetic,
syn-[edit | edit source]
- alike, with, together, mutual, reciprocal, at the same time
- examples
- synagogue, synthesis, synthetic,
- sympathy
- with emotion
V-X-Y-Z[edit | edit source]
"Native" English Prefixes[edit | edit source]
Here for a list of common prefixes that come from Old and Middle English (from English prefix - Wikipedia
Prefix | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
a- | verb > predicative adjective with progressive aspect | afloat, atremble |
after- | following after, behind | aftermath, afterlife |
back- | behind an object/structure (locative/directional) | backporch, backhoe, backfire |
be- | equipped with, covered with, beset with (pejorative or facetious) | bedeviled, becalm, bedazzle, bewitch |
by- | near to, next to | byway, bypass, byproduct |
down- | from higher/greater to lower/lesser | download, downright, downbeat |
en-, em- | to make into, to put into, to get into | empower, enmesh |
fore- | before, in front | forearm, forerunner, forebode |
hind- | after | hindsight, hindquarters |
mid- | middle | midstream, midlife |
midi- | medium-sized | midi-length, Midibus |
mini- | small | minimarket, mini-room, minivan |
mis- | wrong, astray | misinformation, misguide, misfortune, misbehave, misspell |
off- | non-standard, away | off-color, offish, offset |
on- | immediate proximity, locative | onset, onlook, ongoing, oncoming |
out- | better, faster, longer, farther | outreach, outcome, outlier |
over- | excessive, above | overreact, overact, overbearing |
self- | self | self-sufficient, self-explanatory |
step- | family relation by remarriage | stepbrother, stepmother, stepfather, stepsister |
twi- | two | twibill, twilight, twins |
un- | not, against, opposite of | unnecessary, unequal, undesirable, unhappy |
un- | reverse action, deprive of, release from | undo, untie, unexpected, unlock |
under- | below, beneath, lower in grade or dignity, lesser, insufficient | underachieve, underpass, understand, undergo |
up- | greater, higher, or better | upgrade, uplift, upright |
with- | against, back, away (from) | withstand, withhold |
Neo-Classical prefixes[edit | edit source]
Here for a list of prefixes that have Latin/Greek and modern origins: (from English prefix - Wikipedia)
Prefix | Meaning | Examples |
---|---|---|
a- | not, alpha privative | acyclic, asexual, atonal, atheist |
Afro- | relating to Africa | Afro-American, Afro-Caribbean |
ambi- | both | ambidextrous, ambitendency |
amphi- | around, two, both, on both sides | amphiaster, amphitheatre, amphibian |
an-/a- | not, without | anemic, asymmetric, anarchy |
ana-, an- | up, against | anacardiaceous, anode, analog |
Anglo- | relating to England | Anglo-Norman, Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-American |
ante- | before | antenatal, antechamber, antedate |
anti- | opposite, against | antagonist, antivenom |
apo-, ap- | away from, detached | aphelion, apogee, apomorphine |
arch- | ruling, dominating, most extreme (pejorative) | archangel, archaen, archconservative |
astro- | star | astrobiology, astrology, astronomy |
auto- | self | autobiography, automatic, autonomy |
bi- | two | bicycle, biped, bisexual, binomial, bigamy, binary |
bio- | life, biological | biology, biotic |
circum- | around, surrounding | circumlocution, circumnavigate, circumference |
cis- | on this side of | cislunar, cisgender |
con-, co-, com-, col-, cor- | together or with | cohabit, colleague, commingle, confederation, correlation |
contra-, contro- | opposite | contradict, contraindication |
counter- | against, in opposition to | counteract, counterpart |
cryo- | ice | cryogenics |
crypto- | hidden, secret | cryptography |
de- | down | depress, descend |
demi- | half | demigod |
demo- | people | democracy, demography |
deuter- | second | deuteragonist, deuterogamy |
di- | two | dicotyledon, dioxide |
dia- | through | dialysis, diameter |
dis-/di-/dif- | apart | differ, dissect, divide |
du-/duo- | two | dual, duet |
eco- | ecological | ecosystem |
electro- | electric, electricity | electro-analysis, electromagnetic |
en-, el-, em- | in | ellipsis, emphasis, energetic |
epi-, ep- | upon, at, close upon, in addition | ephemeron, epicentre, epidermis |
Euro- | European | Eurocentric |
ex- | out of | exit, expel, explode, exploit, explore, export |
extra- | outside | extracurricular |
Franco- | French, France | Francophile, Franco-British, Franco-German |
geo- | relating to the earth or its surface | geography, geology, geometry |
gyro- | spinning on an axis | gyrocopter, gyroscope, gyrosphere |
hetero- | different | heterochromia, heterogeneous, heterotroph, heterozygous |
hemi- | half | hemimorphic, hemisphere |
Hispano- | Spanish, Spain | Hispanoamérica, hispanophobia |
homo- | same | homogeneous, homogenize, homologous, homophone, homozygous |
hydro- | relating to water, or using water | hydroelectricity, hydrant |
hyper- | excess, above, over | hyperthermia |
hypo- | deficient, under or below something, low | hypothermia |
ideo- | image, idea | ideograph, ideology |
idio- | individual, personal, unique | idiolect, idiopathic |
in- | in, into | include, insert |
Indo- | relating to the Indian subcontinent | Indo-European |
in-, il-, im-, ir- | not, opposite of | illegal, illicit, impatient, impossible, inappropriate, inexact, irregular, irresponsible |
infra- | below, beneath | infrared |
inter- | among, between | intercede, internet, international |
intra-[1] | inside, within | intravenous |
iso- | equal | isochromatic, isotherm |
Italo- | Italian, Italy | italophilia, italophobia |
macro- | long | macrobiotic |
mal- | badly | malnourish, maladjusted |
maxi- | very long, very large | maxi-skirt, maximum |
mega-, megalo- | great, large | megastar, megalopolis |
meta- | after, along with, beyond, among, behind | metabolism, metaphysics |
micro- | small | microbacillus, microscope |
mono-, mon- | sole, only | monogamy, monotone, monosyllabic, monomial, monobrow |
multi-, mult- | many | multicultural, multi-storey, multitude |
neo- | new | neolithic, neoether |
non- | not | nonexistent, non-fiction |
ob- | to, against | object, obligate |
omni- | all | omnipotent, omnipresent, omnivore |
ortho- | correcting or straightening | orthodontics, orthotropic |
paleo- | old | paleolithic |
pan- | all, worldwide | pan-African, pandemic, panorama, pansexual |
para- | beside, beyond | parallel, paraplegic, parasail |
ped- | foot | pedal, pedestrian |
pen- | almost | peninsula, penultimate, penumbra |
per- | through, completely, wrongly, exceedingly | permeate, permute |
peri- | around, near or adjacent | perihelion, periphrase |
photo- | light | photoelectric, photography, photosynthesis |
pleo- | more | pleonasm, pleroma |
pod- | foot | podiatrist |
poly- | many | polygon, polyhedron, polygamy |
post- | after | postfix, postpone, postscript |
pre- | before | predict, prepare, preview, preschool, prewrite, prefix |
preter- | beyond, past, more than | pretermit, preternatural |
pro- | for, substitute, deputy | proconsul |
pro- | before | procambium |
pros- | toward | prosthesis, prostrate, prose |
proto- | first, original | protoplasm, prototype |
pseudo- | false, imitation | pseudonym |
pyro- | fire | pyrokinetic, pyrotechnic |
quadri- | four | quadrilateral, quadrinomial |
quasi- | partly, almost, appearing to be but not really | quasi-religious |
retro- | backwards | retrograde |
semi- | half | semicircle |
socio- | society, social, sociological | sociopath |
sub-, sup- | below, under | submarine, subterranean, suburban, support |
super- | above, over | supervisor, superintendent |
supra- | above, over | suprarenal |
sur- | above, over | surreal, surrender, surplus |
syn-, sy-, syl-, sym- | together, with | syllable, symbol, synthesis, system |
tele- | at a distance | telegraph, telephone, telescope, television |
trans- | across, over | transatlantic, transverse, transform, transgender |
tri- | three | tricycle, tripartite, triangle, tricolor, trinomial |
ultra- | beyond | ultramagnetic, ultrasonic, ultraviolet |
uni- | one, consisting of only one | unicycle, universal |
vice- | deputy | vice-president, vice-principal, vice-admiral |
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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