English borrowed a huge number of words from Latin, the language of ancient Rome. Many came through French, which grew out of Latin. English also borrowed from ancient Greek, especially for ideas, science and learning. So two parts can mean the same thing: Latin uni- and Greek mono- both mean “one” (a unicycle and a monorail each have one of something).
Key idea
Knowing which language a part comes from helps in two ways. First, it tells you which partner part to expect: Greek parts tend to join other Greek parts (philanthropist is all Greek). Second, it helps with look-alike parts: Greek a- means “without” in apathy, but the a- in English asleep means “on.”
The parts and their words
Latin and Greek partners
| Meaning | Latin part | Greek part |
|---|---|---|
| one | uni- unanimous | mono- monotonous |
| all | omni- omniscient | pan- panacea |
| under | sub- subside | hypo- hypothesis |
| over, beyond | super- superfluous | hyper- hyperbole |
| around | circum- circumspect | peri- peripheral |
| with, together | con- consensus | syn- synchronize |
| against | contra- controversy | anti- antipathy |
| good, well | bene- benevolent | eu- euphoric |
| time | temp contemporary | chron chronic |
| love, friend | am amicable | phil bibliophile |
Worked example: Latin or Greek?
- Look for clues in the spelling: th and a y used as a vowel both point to Greek.
- Take it apart: tele (far, as in telephone) + path (feeling) + -y.
- Both tele and path are Greek parts, so the word is Greek through and through: “feeling from far away.”
Answer: Greek. Telepathy is the supposed sending of thoughts from one mind to another without words.
Meet the word
Common mistake