This week's vocab quiz was based on words derived from number prefixes.
As most of you know that a word has a structure.There are three parts of a word.These are as follows:
prefix+root+suffix
A prefix (pre - before + fixus - attach) is a part that is attached before a root.It helps one understand the connotation of a word.A prefix helps one understand whether a word has a positive or a negative connotation.
On this basis we can classify prefixes as positive,negative and neutral.As we go ahead with our quizzes we'll cover these in detail.This quiz was based on neutral prefixes:those that indicate number.
The following are all the number prefixes I could think about.
1 : uni [unity,universe,unicorn]
mono [monolithic,monotheism,monotony]
prima [primary,primitive,prima donna]
proto [protozoa,proton,prototype]
2: bi [bissect,bilateral,biped]
di [dilemma,diploma]
du [duet,dual.duplex]
3: tri [trivial,trinity,trilateral]
4: quadri [quadrilateral,quadrangle,quadruped]
5: penta [pentagon,pentacle]
6: hexa [hexagon]
7: septa [septagon,september]
8: octa [octave.octagon,october]
9: nova [novenber,novina] /'noon' is also derived from Latin word 'novem'(nine) meaning ninth hour from sunrise (old english usage) [ contributed by Shradha Mallya]
10: deca [decmeber,decimal,decimate,decagon]
100: centum [century,centennial,centipede]
1000: milli [million,millionnaire,millennium]
1/2: semi,hemi [semester,semicolon,semi conductor,hemisphere]
all : pan,omni [pandora,panacea,pantheism,omniscient,omnipotent]
If you guys have come across any other number prefixes please post it in the comments section of this blog.
- the first sight
- a four legged animal
- number of sides
- year
- having all knowledge
hello mam,
ReplyDeletei am frm e2 batch i wanted to know wht is d difference between avenge and revenge? it had cm in last aimcat i was confused as both r quite similar
hello ma'am,
ReplyDeleteI would like to know how 'proto' is linked to prototype, 'di' to diploma, 'tri' to trivial and 'deca' to decimal.
The prefix 'nona(f)/nonus(m)'(latin) for ninth as in Nonagon, a closd figure with 9 sides and 9 angles. Infact, 'noon' is also derived from Latin word 'novem'(nine) meaning ninth hour from sunrise (old english usage)
Ma'am, i have a doubt regarding usage of apostrophe for family names. For example- The Deshpandes/Deshpandes' were invited to the party.
ReplyDeleteSecondly,i just wanted to share some trivia with you. If you remember, I said 'petri dish' as an example of a word with the root 'petr' Actually here 'petri' comes from the surname of its German inventor Julius Petri!
Dear Shradha,
ReplyDeleteThanx for the input on petri dish.I am glad u actually took the pains of going home and finding the origin of petri dish.In this case petri dish would be an eponym.
Dear Shradha,
ReplyDeleteThe explanation for your queries :
decimal : numbered or ordered by groups of 10
trivial : chk this link : http://wordoful.blogspot.com/search/label/origin%20of%20words
diploma : di (2) + plica (fold) a paper divided into two which was given as a letter of introduction
prototype: the original or the first model.
Dear Shradha,
ReplyDeleteWe do not use an apostrophe with family names as here we are not refering to any possession but just the plural form of the noun.
eg. The Deshpandes were invited for the party.
But if we were to communicate that the home belongs to the Deshpandes than the apostrophe would be needed.[Despandes' home]