Pardon Me, Your Greek Roots Are Showing--Part 2 Quiz

Answer: -anthrop

Think of "anthropology", the study of man or mankind, as one example of this root, with another example being "philanthropy", "love of mankind", and "misanthrope" being the opposite since it means the "hatred of mankind". Greek roots can be used singly or may combined with another when creating a word, as in the case of "philanthropy" as phil- = love and -anthrop = mankind.

Answer: -mis(o)

"Micro" = "prefix" for "tiny", "-mania" = suffix for "obsession" (or "crazy") - though "mania" can stand alone in English. "phil=root for love (the opposite of "miso"). The hyphens at the beginning and at the end of the root indicate how the other word parts, like prefixes and suffixes, or even other roots, can be attached. Micro- is a prefix so parts come after it, and -mania is a suffix so parts come before it.

In the case of -phil-, parts can come before it or after it since it is a root. Depending on the source used, hyphens may or may not be used in this manner.

Answer: Philadelphia

Philadelphia means "city of brotherly love" since "phil-" ("-phil-"), "philo-" and "-philia" all means "love". And once again it depends on your source as to how the root is listed; however, knowing even the basic form is helpful in understanding vocabulary. If you can figure out what part of the word means then it is likely you will be able to understand its context meaning.

Answer: angle

Polygon means "many (poly) angle(d)". Think of other math terms with the root -gon such as "hexagon" or "octagon". Knowing "-gon" means angle what do you think "hexa-" and "octo-" might mean? An octopus has eight arms so "octo-" might mean "eight" so "octogon" could mean "eight angles"...

Answer: True

The root is also found in the form -logue-. Think about how these words use -log- in their meaning: dialogue, monologue, epilogue. (dia=two, mono=one, epi=after).

Answer: all of these

The Greek root "-arch" has two closely related meanings - "chief, principal" and "rule, (form of) government". A monarchy is a one person government since -mono- is one. An archbishop is the chief bishop, and an architect is in effect a "master or chief builder".

The element "-tect" in this word is derived from the Greek "tekton" - meaning "builder, craftsman". (Note. This sense of "-tect" should never be confused with "-tect" in words of Latin origin, such as "protect").

Answer: time measure

"-Chron"= "time" and "-meter" ("-metr") = "measure", so a "chronometer" is a time measure, but it is easier to just say "watch" or "clock". Here are a few more -meter words: barometer, centimeter, diameter, and odometer.

Answer: all of these

If -rrh threw you it is no surprise as most roots do combine at least one vowel with consonants. In fact, this is about the only root I have come across with no vowels. Let's look at "hemorrhage": these roots mean "flow" or "gush" and "haem" means "blood"--so a hemorrhage is a "blood gush".

Here's an extra for you: "logorrhea". Think "word" and "gush". There is a difference between a great conversationalist and someone who just talks, and talks, and talks ...

Answer: -cephal

Hope you didn't get a bit of a cephalagia from this question (hint:
"-algia" means "pain"). Why would an octopus be considered a "cephalpod"? (Hint: "-pod" means "foot"). And any ideas what cephalometry is all about? (Remember what "-metr" means?)

Answer: -dactyl-

Dactylogy or sign language means "finger words". The other choices relate to other parts of the body: "-glot" = "tongue", "-pod" = "foot, and "-derm" = "skin".