GREEK WORD ELEMENTS IN ENGLISH

Edition-02

By: Md. Makhjanul Islam Tauhid.

Contact: 01196103435 & also at:

tauhid.bd2012@gmail.com

Prefixes

Greek Suggested
Implication/s in English word/s
Prefix(es) meaning/s
Amoral- lacking any sense of moral standards or
principles. Anarthria- partial or total loss of articulate
speech resulting from lesions of the central nervous
system. Abyss - without bottom. Abysm-a bottomless
gulf or pit, any unfathomable (or apparently
unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below
(often used figuratively). Abyssal-relating to ocean
a, an  not, without 
depths from 2000 to 5000 meters, resembling an abyss in
depth (so deep as to be immeasurable). Abysmal-very
great, limitless, very bad. Abysmally-in a terrible manner
(without looking at the consequence). Achromatic -
without color. Anhydrous - without water. Aniconic- (of
gods, etc) not in human or animal form.

Acrobat - a high walker. Acronym - a word formed from

the first (capital) letters of a word. Acrophony-naming a
top, height, tip,
acro letter of the alphabet by using a word whose initial
beginning
sound is the sound represented by that letter.
Acrophobia - fear of height.
aer/o air, mist, wind Aerate- expose to fresh air. Aerial- existing or growing
in the air, relating to the air. Aerospace –the air space;
the industry and technology concerned with aviation,
missiles, satellites and spacecraft. Aerobic- depending on
free oxygen or air.

Agrarian - relating to the management of land.

agri/agro farming
Agronomist- an expert in soil management and field-
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crop production. Agrology- science of soils in relation to
crops. Agro mania- an intense desire to be alone or out in
the open (open land-like farm field).
algo pain Algolagnia (also algophila) - sexual pleasure derived
from inflicting or experiencing pain. Algophobia- a
 morbid fear of pain. Neuralgia - pain caused by a nerve.
Analgesic - a drug that makes one pain free. Nostalgia -
aching for the familiar.
Amphibian- operating or living on land and in water.
Amphibiotic- (biology) having an aquatic early or larval
form and a terrestrial adult form. Amphibolites- a
metamorphic rock composed chiefly of amphibole and
plagioclase. Amphibology- an ambiguous grammatical
construction e.g., 'they are flying planes' can mean either
that someone is flying planes or that something is flying
planes. Amphistylar- having columns either at both ends
about, around,
Amphi/o  or at both sides. Amphiprotic- (chemistry) having
both 
characteristics of both an acid and a base and capable of
reacting as either. Amphibious demonstration- an
amphibious operation conducted for the purpose of
deceiving the enemy and leading him into a course of
action unfavourable to him. Amphitheater- an oval,
circular, or semicircular auditorium with tiers of seats
rising from a central open area. Amphodiplopia-the
presence of monocular diplopia in both eyes.
Anabaptize-to baptize again or to re-baptize. Anabiont-
perennial (constantly recurring or lasting for an
indefinite time). Anabiosis- suspended animation in
organisms during periods of extreme drought from
which they revive when moisture returns. Anchorite-
one retired from society for religious reasons. Anapest- a
metrical unit with unstressed-unstressed-stressed
syllables. Anatomy - the structure of something as
up, against, back, visible when cut up for analysis. Anachronism - not
an/a,,o
again, throughout being in the right place in time. Analeptic- stimulating
the central nervous system. Anamnesis-the case history
of a medical patient as recalled by the patient, the ability
to recall past occurrences Anathema- a formal
ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication,
someone or something that is greatly disliked or
detested and is therefore shunned. Anhelation-shortness
and rapidity of breathing, panting, difficult respiration,
dyspnea.
Antibiosis- an association of two organisms which is
detrimental to one of them. Antipodes- any two places or
regions on diametrically opposite sides of the Earth.

anti 
Antibody - a substance that destroys micro-organisms.
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against, opposite  Anticlimax- a disappointing decline after a previous rise.
Anticline- forming a ridge in which strata leans against
each other, inclining in opposite directions Antidote- a
remedy or other agent used to neutralize or to counteract
the effects of a poison. Antiloquy-a contradiction.
 Aphorism - a short expression of a general truth.
Apology - an explicit expression of regret. Apostrophe -
a small dash used in place of an omitted letter.
Apocalyptist- someone who adheres to the teachings of
apocalyptic literature concerning the signs and events
preceding the end of the world, anyone who believes in
from, away from,
the teachings that predict a catastrophic end to the
asunder, separate,
ap/o,h world. Apophatic-relating to the belief that God can be
separation from,
known to humans only in terms of what He is not, such
derived from
as: "God is unknowable". Apophenia-the spontaneous
perception of connections and meaningfulness in
unrelated things, seeing patterns where none; in fact,
exist. Aposematic-a description of natural colors and
bright markings on an animal that warn predators that it
is poisonous.
Catacomb- (antiquity) an underground tunnel with
recesses where bodies were buried (as in ancient Rome).
down, downward; Catapult- hurl as if with a sling. Cataclysm - a flood or
under, lower; other disaster. Catalog - a complete listing. Catastrophe -
cat/a against; entirely, in turning for the worst, a substantial disaster. Cataphasia -
accordance with, a speech disorder in which the same word is repeated
completely, back several times in succession. Catechism- a series of
questions put to an individual (such as a political
candidate) to elicit their views.
Dialysis- separation of substances in solution by means
of their unequal diffusion through semi permeable
membranes. Dialect- the usage or vocabulary that is
dia, di  across, through  characteristic of a specific group of people. Diagnosis -
understanding a condition by going through a detailed
review of symptoms. Dialog - conversation between two
people.
Dichromatic - displaying two colors. Dilemma - a
situation that requires a choice between two alternatives.
Dichotomy- being twofold; a classification into two
di/plo two, twice
opposed parts or subclasses. Dichroic- pleochroism of a
crystal so that it exhibits two different colours when
viewed from two different directions.
Endotherm - a creature that can keep its inside
temperature fairly constant. Endocrine - relating to
endo within, inside glands that secrete directly into the blood or lymph.
Endogamy - the custom to marry within one's clan, tribe

epi  upon, over 

etc.
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Episode- a brief section of a literary or dramatic work
that forms part of a connected series. Epistle- an
especially long, formal letter, a book of the New
Testament written in the form of a letter from an
Apostle. Epidemic - the rapid spread of something
 negative. Epilogue - a short speech delivered after a
play. Epicenter - the center of an earthquake.
outside, outer part  Exoteric- suitable for the general public, Exostosis- a
benign outgrowth from a bone (usually covered with
exo  cartilage). Exordium- the introductory part of an oration
or a discourse. Exonerate- pronounce not guilty of
criminal charges.
Euthanasia- the act of killing someone painlessly
(especially someone suffering from an incurable illness).
Eugenics- the study of methods of improving genetic
eu  well  qualities by selective breeding (especially as applied to
human mating). Euphemism - replacing an offensive
word with an inoffensive one. Euphonious - having a
pleasant sound. Euphoria - feeling of well-being. 
Heterogeneous - made up of unrelated parts.
Heteronyms - words with same spelling but different
heteros  other 
meanings. Heterodox - not conforming to traditional
beliefs.
Homogeneous - of the same nature or kind. Homonym -
homos  same  sounding alike. Homeopath - a therapy that is based on
treating "same with same".
Hyperpnea- energetic (deep and rapid) respiration that
occurs normally after exercise or abnormally with fever
hyper  over, extremely  or various disorders. Hyperactive - very restless.
Hypercritical - too critical. Hypertension - above normal
pressure.
Hypocrite- a person who professes beliefs and opinions
that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her
real feelings or motives. Hypocaust- a furnace, esp. one
connected with a series of small chambers and flues of
under, in smaller tiles or other masonry through which the heat of a fire
hypo 
measure  was distributed to rooms above. Hypoglycemia - an
abnormally low level of sugar in the blood. Hypothermia
- abnormally low body temperature. Hypothesis - a
theory that is unproven but used under the assumption
that it is true.
Metaplasia- (medicine) the abnormal change of body
tissue. Metathesis- a linguistic process of transposition of
sounds or syllables within a word or words within a
after, over, sentence, a chemical reaction between two compounds
meta 
between 
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in which parts of each are interchanged to form two new
compounds. Metaphysics - study of nature and reality.
Metamorphosis - complete change of form. Metastasis -
the transmission of disease to other parts of the body.
para  beside  Parable- a short moral story (often with animal
characters), (New Testament) any of the stories told by
 Jesus to convey his religious message. Paradox - (logic) a
statement that contradicts itself. Parachute - protection
from falling. Parasol - an umbrella used to protect from
the sun.
Periodontal - pertaining to bone and tissue around a
tooth. Peripheral - lying outside of the center. 
Periphrasis-a style that involves indirect ways
(roundabout) of expressing things. Peripteral -having
columns on all sides. Perioperative-relating to the period
around an operation, from hospitalization to discharge.
Perinatal-occurring during the period around birth (5
months before and 1 month after). Periapsis-(astronomy)
the point in an orbit closest to the body being orbited.
Perihelion-periapsis in solar orbit, the point in the orbit
peri  around, about 
of a planet or comet where it is nearest to the sun.
Perigee-periapsis in Earth orbit, the point in its orbit
where a satellite is nearest to the Earth. Pericentre-
(astronomy) the point in the orbit of one body of a binary
system at which it is closest to the centre of mass of the
system. Peridium-outer layer of the spore-bearing organ
in many fungi. Perigonium-collective term for the outer
parts of a flower consisting of the calyx and corolla and
enclosing the stamens and pistils.

Polygamy- having more than one spouse at a time.

Polyhedron- a solid figure bounded by plane polygons
poly  many, much  or faces. Polychrome - with many colors. Polyglot - a
person fluent in many languages. Polygon - shape with 3
or more straight sides.
Portend- to be an omen or warning of, foreshadow, and
presage [to stretch forward]. Portent-something that
portends an event about to occur, especially an
unfortunate event. Proactive-(psychology) descriptive of
any event or stimulus or process that has an effect on
before , forward,
events or stimuli or processes that occur subsequently.
forth; for, in favor
Progeny- the immediate descendants of a person.
pro/por of; in front of; in
Prognosis - a prediction of what will happen. Prologue -
place of, on behalf
a passage before the main part. Prophet - a person who
of;
foretells the future. Proclivity-a natural inclination, or
tendency, to behave in a certain way often objectionable
or immoral. Procreate-to create or to produce something.

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Prodromal-premonitory, indicating the onset of a disease
or a morbid state. Proem-a short introduction or preface.
syn,sym, together, with, by Synchronal- occurring or existing at the same time or
syl, sys  means of  having the same period or phase. Sync- make
synchronous and adjust in time or manner. Syncretism-
the union (or attempted fusion) of different systems of
thought or belief (especially in religion or philosophy).
Symmetry -similarity in size, form or arrangement.
Synchronize - to cause to occur at the same time.
Synecdoche- substituting a more inclusive term for (by
means of) a less inclusive one or vice versa. Symposium-
a meeting or conference for the public discussion of
some topic especially one in which the participants form
an audience and make presentations. Symphysis- an
abnormal adhesion of two or more structures.
Symphony- a harmonious state of things in general and
of their properties (as of colours and sounds), congruity
of parts with one another and with the whole.
Synaesthesia- a sensation that normally occurs in one
sense modality occurs when another modality is
stimulated. Synergy- the working together of two things
(muscles or drugs for example) to produce an effect
greater than the sum of their individual effects.
Sympatric- (of biological species or speciation) occurring
in the same or overlapping geographical areas.
Symbiosis- the relation between two different species of
organisms that is interdependent. Syllogism- deductive
reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two
premises. Systematization- systematic organization, the
act of organizing something according to a system or a
rationale.