Inkhorn Dictionary

The Most Useless Terms in English Language

Compiled by

To you.

Contents

The Atoms
A
abdomin(o)

abortion [n] a medical operation in which a developing baby is removed from a womans body so that it is
not born alive
abortus [n] a human fetus under 0.5kg in weight when
removed from the mothers body
aborticide [n] the destruction of a fetus; [n] an abortion causing drug
abortional [a] relating to abortion and miscarriage
abortifacient [a] causing abortion; [n] an abortion
causing drug
abortionism [n] the advocacy or practice of abortion

(Latin : abdomen : belly)

abdomen (belly)
abdominal [a] relating to the abdomen
abdominous [a] pot-bellied
abdominalgia [n] abdominal pain
abdominoscopy [n] examination of the abdomen to
detect disease
abdominothoracic [a] relating to the abdomen and
thorax
abdominovesical [a] relating to the abdomen and urinary bladder
abdominoperineal [a] relating to the abdomen and
perineum
abdominoplasty [n] operation to tighten abdominal
muscles and remove excess fat
abdominocentesis [n] surgical puncturing of the abdomen to remove excess fluid

acanth(o)

(Latin : ab- + luere : toward + to wash)

wash (wash away or off)
ablute [vt] to wash; [vi] to wash oneself
abluent [n] detergent; [a] helping to wash
abluvion [n] that which is washed off
ablution [n] the act of washing or cleansing (especially
some part of the body as a religious rite)
ablutionary [a] relating to ablution
bathe (cleanse the body)
ablutophobia [n] fear of bathing
ablutomania [n] obsession with bathing and cleanliness

(Greek : akanthos : thorn)

spine (thorn)
acanthoid [a] shaped like a spine or thorn
acanthophorous [a] bearing spines
acanthaceous [a] (of a plant) armed with prickles
acanthus [n] a taxonomic genus of mediterranean
plants having prickly leaves
acanthocarpous [a] having fruit covered with spines
acanthopterous [a] spiny-winged
acanthopterygious [a] spiny-finned
acanthocyte [n] an abnormal red blood cell that has
thorny projections of protoplasm
acanthocytosis [n] the presence of acanthocytes in the
blood stream
acanthosis [n] a thickening of the prickle cells in the
skin (as in eczema and psoriasis)
acanthesia [n] an abnormality of cutaneous sensory
perception that causes a simple touch to be felt as a
painful pinprick
acanthology [n] the subfield of biology studying
spines, as in sea urchins or certain spiny-headed worms
acanthocephala [n] the taxonomic class of elongated
worm-like intestinal parasites with spiny heads living
in vertebrates
acanthite [n] a major source of silver, forming slender
pointed crystals

abort(i)

acar(o)

(Latin : aboriri : miscarry)

miscarriage (abortion)

(Greek : akari : mite)

mite or tick (small arachnids)

abiet(o)
(Latin : abies : silver fir)
fir (evergreen tree of genus Abies)
abietic [a] relating to the fir tree or its products
abietite [n] a substance resembling mannite found in
the needles of the common silver fir

ablu

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acaroid [a] mite or tick like in form
Acari, Acarina [n] the taxon of arachnids containing
mites and ticks
acarid, acaridian, acaridean [n] a member of Acari
acarophobia [n] fear of mites and ticks
acarology [n] the study of Acari
acariasis, acaridiasis [n] an infestation with itch mites
acaricide [n] a substance that kills mites and ticks

accipitr(o)
(Latin : accipiter : bird of prey)
falcon or hawk (general bird of prey)
accipitral [a] relating to falcons or hawks; hawklike
Accipitriformes [n] a taxonomic order including most
diurnal birds of prey (hawks, eagles, vultures, and others)
Accipitridae [n] a family of the order Accipitriformes
with strongly hooked bills
Accipitrinae [n] a subfamily of Accipitridae; often
known as true hawks
Accipiter [n] a genus of the subfamily Accipitrinae;
many of which are named as goshawks and sparrowhawks
accipitrine [a] relating or belonging to Accipiter

acervative [a] heaped up or tending to heap up

acervose [a] full of heaps
acervuline [a] resembling little heaps

acest(o)
(Greek : akestos : healed)
healing (mending)
acestoma [n] abundant granulations that form a cicatrix (a mark on the skin left by the healing of injured
tissue)

acet(i/o); acetyl(i/o)
(Latin : acere : to be sour)
vinegar (the sour-tasting liquid)
acetic acid [n] a type of carboxylic acid, which when
combined with water forms vinegar
acetate [n] the salt of acetic acid (also called
ethanoate)
acetyl [n] the organic group of acetic acid
acetic [a] relating to acetic acid or vinegar
acetose, acetous [a] sour like vinegar
acetify [vt] to convert into acid or vinegar
acetimetry [n] the ascertainment of the strength of
vinegar

acetabul(i)
acer(o)
(Latin : acerbus : harsh)
sharp (needlelike)
acerate, acerose [a] narrow, long, and sharply pointed,
as pine leaves are

acer(o)
(Latin : acer : maple)
maple (the tree)
aceric [a] obtained from the maple, as aceric acid is

acerb(o)
(Latin : acerbus : harsh)
harsh (severe)
acerbic [a] harsh in tone
acerbity, acerbitude [n] harshness of action
exacerbate [vt] to make a problem worse (and harsher
to deal with)
sour or bitter (of taste, language, or attitude)
acerbic [a] tasting sour or bitter
acerbate [vt] to make sour or bitter tasting; [vt] to
make bitter or resentful
acerbity, acerbitude [n] sourness or bitterness (of
taste)

acerv(o)
(Latin : acervare : to heap up)
heap (pile, mound)
acerval [a] relating to heaps
acervate, coacervate [vt] to heap up; [a] growing in
heaps

(Latin : acetabulum : cup-shaped vessel)

saucer (disc)
acetabuliform, acetabular [a] shaped like a saucer or
cup
acetabuliferous [a] furnished with fleshy cups for adhering (as a cuttlefish is)
acetabulum [n] a cup-shaped hollow in the hipbone
into which the head of the femur fits to form a balland-socket joint
acetabulectomy [n] an excision of the acetabulum
acetabuloplasty [n] corrective surgery of the acetabulum

acetar(i)
(Latin : acetaria : salad plants)
salad (mixture of raw or cooked vegetables)
acetarious [a] used in salads (as of plants)
acetary [n] acid pulp in certain fruits, such as the pear

acheron(o); acheront(o)
(Greek : akheron : river of the Lower World)
underworld ((religion) the world of the dead)
Acheron [n] the river in the Nether World or infernal
regions
Acheronian, Acherontic [a] dark and dismal (as of the
rivers Acheron and Styx in Hades); dismal
acherontia [n] deaths head moth

achlu(o)
(Greek : akhluo : to grow dark)
dark (devoid of light)
achluophobia [n] fear of the dark

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acicul(i/o)

acou; acoustic(o)

(Latin : acicula : small needle)

needle (sharp pointed object)
aciculiform [a] shaped like a needle
acicular [a] shaped like a needle (as said of leaves or
crystals)
acicula [n] (plural: aciculae) like a needle or bristle
spine on some animals or plants
aciculate [a] having aciculae

(Greek : akouein : to hear)

hearing (sense of sound perception)
acoustic [a] relating to the way people hear things
acoumetry [n] measurement of the power of hearing
acoumeter [n] an instrument for measuring the acuteness of hearing
acousma [n] non-verbal auditory hallucination, such as
ringing or hissing
acousticophobia [n] fear of noise
sound (vibrations capable of being heard)
acoustic [a] relating to sound
acoustics [n] the branch of physics concerning sound

acid(i/o)
(Latin : acidus : sharply sour)
sour (sharp and biting in taste)
acidulent [a] sour tasting
acidulous [a] mildly sour tasting
acid (a sour water-soluble compound forming a salt when
reacting with bases)
acid [n] a sour water-soluble compound forming a salt
when reacting with bases
acidiferous [a] bearing acid, as liquids may be
acidimetry [n] the measurement of strengths of acids
acidify [vt] to make acidic
acidulate [vt] to make mildly acidic
acidophile [n] thriving in acid (as of some bacteria);
[a] easily stained by acid
acidosis [n] excessively acidic tissues or fluids
acidemia [n] the disorder of increased acid in the
blood
aciduria [n] the disorder of increased acid in the urine

acin(i)
(Latin : acinus : berry growing in a cluster)
grape (a berry growing in clusters on a grapevine)
aciniform [a] shaped like a cluster of grapes
acinus [n] (plural: acini) one of the small drupelets
which make up fruits, such as blackberries or raspberries
acinose [a] relating to acini
acinous [a] consisting of acini

acinac(i)
(Latin : acinus : berry growing in a cluster)
scimitar (curved oriental saber)
acinaciform [a] shaped like a scimitar

acr(o)
(Greek : akhros : furthest,highest,pointed)
height (altitude)
acrophobia [n] fear of heights
acrobat [n] a person who walks and performs stunts at
great heights
extremity (farthest point (abstractly or bodily))
acronym [n] an abbreviation forming a word, such as
NASA (BBC is an initialism, as it is read letter by letter)
acromion [n] the outward end of the spine of the
shoulder blade
acromegaly [n] chronic enlargement of the extremities
and face
acrocephaly [n] congenital abdnormality where the
skulls top assumes a cone shape
acrocyanosis [n] cyanosis (bluish discoloration) of the
extremities
acrophony [n] naming a letter of the alphabet by using
a word whose initial sound is the sound represented by
that letter

acr(i)
(Latin : acerbus : harsh)
bitter (of taste or language)
acrid [a] unpleasantly bitter or pungent
acridity, acritude [n] bitterness; pungency; disagreeability in language
acrity [n] sharpness; keenness
acrimonious [a] marked by strong resentment or cynicism

acipenser(o)

acrid(i)

(Greek : akkipesios : sturgeon)

sturgeon (large primitive fishes valued for their flesh and
roe)
acipenserine [a] relating to sturgeons
Acipenseriformes [n] a taxonomic order of basal rayfinned fishes including sturgeons and paddlefishes
Acipenseridae [n] a family of the order Acipenseriformes containing many fish that are collectively called
sturgeons
Acipenser [n] a genus of the family Acipenseridae

(Latin : acridium : grasshopper)

grasshopper (the insect)
Acridoidea [n] the taxonomic superfamily of
grasshoppers which includes the locusts
Acrididae [n] the family of grasshoppers
acridology [n] the study of grasshoppers and locusts
to prevent famine (a subdiscipline of orthoptery, which
studies grasshoppers, crickets, locusts, and others)
acridid [n] a species of grasshopper with short antennae

acromi(o)
(Greek : akromion : point of the shoulder blade)
shoulder (the body part)
acromion [n] a high bony process on the scapula
(shoulder blade)
acromial [a] relating to the acromion
acromioplasty [n] removal of part of the acromion
(especially when it is causing friction with a tendon)
acromionectomy [n] resection of the acromion

actin(o)
(Greek : aktis : ray)
ray (emanating beam or line)
actinoid, actiniform [a] having a radiated form (like a
sea anemone)
actinocarpous [a] having flowers and fruit radiating
from one point
radiation (energy radiated in the form of rays)
actinism [n] the property of radiation that enables it to
produce photochemical effects
actinotherapy [n] the treatment of disease (especially
cancer) by exposure to radiation from a radioactive
substance

acu(i)
(Latin : aculeatus : prickly)
sharp (pointed)
acuate [a] ending in a sharp point
acuation, acuition [n] the act of sharpening
acumen, acuity [n] quickness of perception or discernment

acule(i)
(Latin : aculeatus : prickly)
prickle (small sharp-pointed tip)
aculeiform [a] shaped like a prickle
aculeate, aculeous [a] covered with prickles
aculeolate [a] covered with small prickles
aculeus [n] a prickle growing on the bark of some
brambles and roses

acut(i)
(Latin : acutus : sharp)
sharp (pointed)
acute angle [n] an angle less than 90 degrees
acutangular [a] of a shape having acute angles
acutifoliate [a] having sharp-pointed leaves

acyr(o)
(Greek : a- + kuros : lacking + authority)
incorrect usage of words (mistakes in speech)
acyrology [n] incorrect usage of words

adelph(o)
(Greek : adelphos : brother)
brother (male of the same parentage)

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adelphogamy [n] marriage between a brother and sister; [n] marriage of a woman to two or more brothers
Philadelphia [n] the largest Pennsylvanian city (so
named as the city of brotherly love)
adelphous [a] (of a flower) having clustered stamens
adelphopoiesis [n] a Christian tradition to unite same
sex people (normally men) in a church-recognised
friendship
adelphophagy [n] the consumption of one embryo
by another in utero; particularly as it relates to certain
amphibians, sharks and fishes

aden(i/o)
(Greek : aden : gland)
gland (secretory organ)
adenous, adenose [a] relating to glands
adeniform [a] shaped like a gland
adenophorous [a] producing glands
adenography [n] the field of anatomy describing
glands
adenology [n] the field of physiology treating glands
adenalgia, adenalgy [n] pain in a gland
adenovirus [n] any of a group of viruses including
those that in humans cause upper respiratory infections
(so named for their discovery in the adenoids)
adenitis [n] glandular inflammation
adenopathy [n] a glandular disease or enlargement of
glandular tissue (especially of the lymph glands)
adenoids [n] glandular tissue at the back of the nose
adenoidectomy [n] surgical removal of the adenoids
adenotomy [n] dissection or incision into glands
adenine [n] one of the four bases of DNA (named as
such for it is found in all glandular tissue)

adip(o)
(Latin : adeps : fat)
fat (soft greasy substance or fatty tissue)
adipous [a] fatty
adipescent [a] becoming fatty
adiposity [n] fatness
adipose [a] (in medicine) describing fatty body tissues
adiposis [n] a condition marked by accumulation of
adipose tissue
adipocyte [n] a connective tissue cell that stores fat
adipocere [n] a waxy substance formed by the decomposition of fatty tissue in dead bodies

adjut(i); adjuv(i)
(Latin : adjutare : assist)
help (assistance)
adjute [vt] to add
adjutory [a] serving to help or assist
adjutator, adjutor [n] a helper or assistant
adjutrix [n] a female helper or assistant
adjutant [n] a regimental staff officer assisting the
colonel or commanding officer of a regiment or garrison in the details of relevant duty

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adjutancy [n] skillful arrangement in aid; [n] the office
of an adjutant

adren(o)
(Latin : ad- + renes : towards + kidney)
adrenal gland
adrenal gland [n] either of a pair of complex endocrine glands situated near the kidney
adrenaline [n] the hormone which increases the rate
of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate
metabolism in preparing the muscles for exertion (also
called epinephrine)
noradrenaline [n] the hormone which raises blood
pressure (also called norepinephrine)
adrenal glands [n] the glands lying above the kidneys
that produce adrenaline and noradrenaline
adrenalopathy [n] any pathological condition of the
adrenal glands
adrenalinuria [n] the disorder of high levels of
adrenaline being present in the urine
adrenalectomy [n] the surgical removal of one or both
adrenal gland

adular(i)
(Italian : Adula : a mountain group in the Grison Alps)
blue (the colour)
adularescence [n] (of a gemstone) an optical phenomenon of a milky bluish luster or flow originating
below the surface
adularia [n] a sometimes opalescent variety of orthoclase formed at a low temperature

adulat(i)
(Latin : adulari : to fawn upon)
flattery (praise)
adulate [vt] to flatter in a servile way
adulator [n] a servile or hypocritical flatterer
adulatress [n] a female adulator
aduatory [a] describing something excessively flattering

adunc(i)
(Latin : adunctus : hooked)
hook (sharp curve or crook)
aduncous, aduncate [a] curved inwards; hooked
aduncity [n] curvature inwards; hookedness

aede(o)
(Greek : aidoia : private parts)
genitals (external sex organ)
aedeagus [n] the copulatory organ (genitals) of some
male insects

aegag(o)
(Greek : aigagros : wild goat)
wild goat
Capra aegagrus [n] the wild goat

aegr(i)
(Latin : aegrotare : to be sick)
illness (sickness)
aegrotat [n] a medical certificate certifying that a student is ill

aer(i/o)
(Greek : aer : air)
air (gases of wind, breathing, and the atmosphere)
aeriform [a] having the form or nature of air
aerokinesis [n] the ability to control the movement of
air
aerate [vt] to infuse with air
aerify [vt] to infuse with air; [vt] to vaporize
aeriferous [a] conveying air (as a windpipe does)
aerosphere [n] the atmosphere
aeromancy [n] divination using weather conditions
aerometry [n] the science of measuring the air (its
pressure, density etc.)
aerology [n] meteorology of the total extent of the atmosphere
aeronomy [n] meteorology of the upper atmosphere
aerography [n] the production of weather charts
aerodynamics [n] the science of how things move
through the air; [n] the properties of an object regarding the manner in which air flows around it
aerobiology [n] the study of the dispersion of airborne
biological materials
aeroscope [n] an apparatus designed for collecting
spores, germs, bacteria, etc., suspended in the air
aerostat [n] a hot-air balloon
aerostatics [n] the science of lighter-than-air aircraft;
[n] the branch of statics studying gases in equilibrium
aeronaut [n] a balloonist
aerodonetics [n] the study of the stability of aircraft in
flight (especially the study of gliders)
aerobatics [n] spectacular stunts, performed in an airplane or glider

aerug(o)
(Latin : aerugo : rust of copper)
verdigris (blue-green patina or rust that forms on coppercontaining metals)
aerugo [n] the rust of any metal, especially of brass or
copper
aeruginous [a] of the nature or colour of the rust of
copper (verdigris)

aescul(i); escul(i)
(Latin : aesculus : Italian oak)
horse chestnut (the type of tree)
Aesculus hippocastanum [n] a tree with large palmate
leaves, clustered white to red flowers, and shiny inedible seeds; the horse chestnut
esculic [a] relating to or obtained from the horse chestnut

aestiv(i/o); estiv(i/o)
(Latin : aestivus : of summer)
summer (the season)
aestival [a] relating to the summer (as in aestival diseases)
aestivoautumnal [a] relating to the summer and autumn
aestivate [vi] to spend the summer or to pass the summer in a state of torpor
aestivation [n] the summer equivalent of hibernation
done by some snails

aet(o)
(Greek : aetos : eagle)
eagle (the bird)
aetites [n] the eaglestone, a concretionary nodule of
clay ironstone, supposed to promote childbirth, as the
ancients believed eagles would leave them in their nest
to do the same

aethe(o)
(Greek : a- + ethos : not + custom)
unusual (strange)
aetheogamous [a] propogated in an unusual way

aeti(o)
(Greek : aitia : cause)
cause (events providing the origin of something)
aetiogenic [a] of a causal nature
aetiology [n] the investigation of the causes of any
disease; [n] the general science of the origin and development of things

aev(i)
(Latin : aevum : age)
time (the flow of events)
aeviternal [a] everlasting or endless
aeviternity [n] eternal existence
medieval [a] relating to the Middle Ages
aevum [n] the mode of existence of angels and saints
in heaven between the eternity of God and the temporal
experience of material beings

afflat(i)

CONTENTS
Afro-American [n] a black American
Afroasiatic [n] a family of languages including as
subfamilies Semitic, Egyptian, Berber, Cushitic, and
Chadic (also called Hamito-Semitic)

agalmat(o)
(Greek : agalma : work of art)
statue (the type of sculpture)
agalmatomancy [n] divination using statues
agalmatophilia [n] sexual attraction to a statue, doll,
mannequin or other similar figurative object

agap(o)
(Greek : agape : love)
love (the strong positive emotion of regard and affection)
agape [n] the love feast of the primitive Christians,
being a meal partaken of in connection with the communion
Agapetae [n] first century Christians who consecrated
themselves with God with a vow of chastity and associated with laymen

agaric(o)
(Greek : Agaria : town in Sarmatia)
mushroom (common name for an edible agaric (contrasting with the inedible toadstool))
agaric [n] a fungus with a fruiting body that resembles
a mushroom, having a convex or flattened cap with
gills on the underside
Agaricales [n] the taxonomic order containing many
familiar distinctively gilled mushrooms, including the
common mushroom

agath(o)
(Greek : agathos : good)
good (moral excellence)
agathology [n] the branch of philosophy studying that
which is good
agathism [n] the doctrine that all things tend towards
ultimate good
agathodemon [n] a benevolent spirit
agathokakological, agathocacological [a] composed
of good and evil

agat(o)

(Latin : af- + flare : to + blow)

breathe upon (literally by air)
afflation [n] blowing or breathing upon
inspiration (arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity)
afflated [a] resulting from influence or inspiration
afflatus [n] supernatural impulse or inspiration (divinely imparted)

(Greek : akhates : agate (River Achates in Sicily))

agate (impure form of quartz consisting of banded chalcedony)
agate [n] an ornamental stone consisting of a hard variety of chalcedony (quartz), typically banded in appearance
agatine [a] relating to agate
agatiferous [a] bearing or producing agate
agatize [vt] to convert into or make resemble agate

afro

agglutin(o)

(Latin : Afer : African)

African (relating to Africa)

(Latin : ad- + glutinare : to + glue)

stick (adhere)

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agglutinative [a] tending to adhere
agglutinant [n] a viscous substance causing parts to
adhere
agglutinate [vi] to cause to adhere with a viscous substance; [vi] (in cytology) the clumping together of cells
agglutinin [n] (the) protein on cells causing agglutination to occur

agit(o)
(Latin : agitare : to drive)
excite (stimulate)
agitate [v] to cause to be excited
agitative [a] tending to agitate
agitophasia, agitolalia [n] abnormally rapid speech in
which words are imperfectly spoken or dropped out of
a sentence

agm(o); agmat(o)
(Greek : agmat : fragment)
fracture (breaking of hard tissue)
agmatology [n] the branch of medicine concerning
fractures; [n] a treatise on fractures
catagmatic [a] tending to consolidate fractures

agn(i)
(Latin : agnus : lamb)
lamb (baby sheep)
agnus dei [n] a cake of wax stamped with a figure of a
lamb bearing a cross or flag that is blessed by the Pope

agon(o)
(Greek : agein : to drive)
contest (competition)
protagonist [n] one who takes the leading part in a
drama
deuteragonist [n] the second most important character
in a drama after the protagonist
tritagonist [n] the third most important character in a
drama after the protagonist and deuteragonist
antagonist [n] one who contends with the antagonist
(possibly being or being against the deuteragonist)
agonism [n] a contest
agonist [n] a contestant in a public game
agonistics [n] the science of athletic combats
agonistical [a] relating to violent contests, bodily or
mental
agonothete [n] an officer who presided over the great
public games in Greece
agonothetic [a] relating to the office of an agonothete

agora
(Greek : agora : marketplace)
open space (for marketplaces, for example)
agoraphobia [n] fear of wide open spaces, crowds,
and busy social conditions
agora [n] a place in ancient Greek towns where markets and public meetings were held outside

agr(i/o)
(Latin : ager : field)
agriculture (farming)
agriculture [n] the science or practice of farming
agrarian [a] relating to ownership, tenure, and cultivation of land; [a] rural; [a] wild (as said of plants)
agrobiology [n] the science of plant life and nutrition
agriscience [n] the application of science to agriculture
agronomy [n] the science and technology of producing
and using plants for food, fuel, fiber, and land reclamation
agrochemical [n] a chemical used in agriculture, such
as pesticide or fertilizer; [a] relating to agrochemicals
agroforestry [n] agriculture incorporating the cultivation of trees
agribusiness [n] big business connected to agriculture
agritourism [n] tourism where tourists stay in farms to
experience farm life or explore the countryside
agrisystem [n] an agricultural system
agriforest [n] a forest of commercial timber

agrest(i)
(Latin : agerestis : rural)
field (enclosed land cleared of trees)
agrestic, agrestical [a] rustic and uncouth; [a] characteristic of the fields or country
agrestial [a] growing wild on arable land (as weeds
do)

agrost(o)
(Greek : agrostis : grass)
grass (narrow-leaved green herbage)
agrostology [n] the subfield of botany which studies
grasses
agrostography [n] a description of grasses
agrostis [n] a taxonomic genus of grasses, including
bent grass and redtop (which is valuable in pastures)

aichm(o)
(Greek : aichme : point of a spear)
point (sharp end)
aichmophobia [n] fear of needles and other pointed
objects
aichmomancy [n] divination using sharp pointed objects, such as pins, knives, forks, or nails

ailur(o)
(Greek : ailouros : cat)
cat (feline)
ailurophilia [n] love of cats
ailuromania [n] obsession with cats
ailurophobia [n] fear of cats
ailuromancy [n] divination using cats
ailurophagy [n] consumption of cats (as is prohibited
in some countries)
ailuranthrope [n] a werecat (or weircat), as found in
European folklore

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aischr(o)
(Greek : aischros : distasteful)
obscenity (dirty word)
aischrology [n] the vocabulary of obscenity
Aischrocrania [n] a genus of fruit flies

al(i)
(Latin : ala : wing)
wing (movable organ for flying)
aliform [a] shaped like a wing
aligerous, aliferous [a] having wings
alar, alary [a] having or resembling wings
alate, alated [a] having wing-like extensions, as of
seeds or insects
alation [n] the state of being winged
ala [n] a wing or winglike structure (plural: alae)
alula [n] (plural: alulae) a small projection on the anterior edge of the wing of modern birds and a few non
avian dinosaurs
aliped [a] wing-footed (as a bat is)

alacr(i)
(Latin : alacer : lively)
promptness (doing things without delay)
alacrity, alacriousness [n] brisk and cheerful readiness
alacrious [a] having alacrity
alacrify [n] to imbue with alacrity

alaud(i)
(Latin : alauda : lark)
skylark (brown-speckled European lark)
alaudine [a] relating to skylarks
Alaudidae [n] the taxonomic family containing the
larks

alb(i)
(Latin : albus : white)
white (colour)
albescent, albicant [a] growing or becoming white
albification [n] the act or process of making white
albication [n] the process of becoming white, or developing white patches, or streaks
albugineous [a] resembling the white of an eye or egg,
as of textures or body fluids
albumin [n] a simple water-soluble protein found in
egg white, milk, and blood serum
albuminous [a] relating to or containing albumin
albuminuria [n] the disorder of excessive albumin being present in the urine (typically a symptom of kidney
disease)
albumen [n] egg white or the protein contained in it
alburnum [n] sapwood (the frequently white layer
between the bark and heartwood containing the functioning vascular tissue
albatross [n] a large web-footed bird with powerful
gliding flight

CONTENTS
albinism [n] the congenital absence of pigmentation
in the eyes and skin and hair, resulting in a very pale
complexion, deep red pupils, and pink or blue irises
albino [n] someone who is born with albinism
albiness [n] a female born with albinism
alb [n] a white linen liturgical vestment with sleeves
worn by priests
albedo [n] the fraction of solar energy (shortwave radiation) reflected from a planetary surface back into
space
album [n] a blank book with pockets or envelopes (in
Roman times, this applied to blank or white tablets
used for public notices)
Albion [n] a literary term for Britain or England, after
the white cliffs of Dover

alcelaph(o)
(Greek : alke + elaphos : elk + deer)
antelope (the animal)
Alcelaphinae [n] the taxonomic subfamily containing
wildebeest and antelope
alcelaphine [a] relating to Alcelaphinae

alcid(i)
(Latin : alca : auk)
auk (black-and-white short-necked web-footed diving
bird of northern seas)
Alcidae [n] a taxonomic family of web-footed diving
seabirds of northern seas (including auks and puffins)
alcidine [a] relating to Alcidae (awks, in particular)

aleator(i)
(Latin : alea : game of chance)
chance (luck or fortune)
aleatory, aleatoric [a] dependent on chance; [a] of
musical compositions involving elements chosen at
random
Aleatoricism [n] the incorporation of chance into the
process of creation of art or media
dice (small cube for generating random numbers)
aleatory, aleatoric [a] dependent on the roll of a die

alector(o); alectr(o); alectry(o)

(Greek : alektrion : cock)
cock (rooster)
alectoromachy, alectryomachy [n] cockfighting
alectoromancy, alectryomancy [n] divination using
roosters (where the rooster is observed eating grain
scattered on the ground)
alectorides [n] a group of birds including the common
fowl and pheasants

aleth(o); alethi(o)
(Greek : alethes : truth)
truth (trueness or verity)
alethophobia [n] fear of the truth; [n] the inability to
accept unflattering facts about your nation, religion,
culture, ethnic group, etc.

CONTENTS
alethiology [n] the study of truth (a subfield of epistemology)
Alethia [n] the ancient Greek personification of truth
alethic logic [n] the modal logic of necessity and possibility and contingency
alethic [a] relating to the various modalities of truth
(such as necessity or possibility)

aleur(o)
(Greek : aleuron : meal)
flour (fine powdery foodstuff)
aleuromancy [n] divination using flour (where slips of
paper with divinations are baked in flour balls and the
balls are distributed randomly)
aleurometer [n] an instrument for determining the expansive properties, or quality, of gluten in flour
aleurone [n] a granular protein in the outermost layer
of endosperm of many seeds or cereal grains
aleuronic [a] relating to aleurone

alex(i)
(Greek : alexein : ward off)
ward off (repel)
alexipyretic [a] serving to ward off fever (antifebrile)
alexipharmic [n] an antidote against poison or infection
alexipharmical [a] relating to alexipharmics
alexithymia [n] deficiency in understanding, processing, or describing emotions

alg(i)

11
alien [n] foreigner; [a] foreign; [n] creature from another planet; [a] relating to an inhabited planet other
than Earth; [a] strange
alienage, alienism [n] the quality of being alien
alias [n] a different name that someone uses instead of
their real name
alibi [n] a claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a criminal one, is alleged
to have taken place
alienable [a] transferrable to another owner
inalienable [a] incapable of being repudiated, transferred, or forfeited (usually said of rights)
alienate, abalienate [vt] to transfer property or ownership; [vi] to turn love or friendliness into hostility or
indifference
alienator, alienor [n] a person who alienates
alienee [n] one to whom the title of property is transferred
alienist [n] a psychiatrist and specialist in the legal aspects of mental illness

aliment(o)
(Latin : alere : to nourish)
nourishment (food)
aliment [n] food or nourishment
alimental [a] relating to or providing aliments
alimentary [a] providing (wholesome) nourishment
alimentation [n] the act of supplying aliments
alimentative [a] relating to alimentation
alimentology [n] the science of nutrition
alimentotherapy [n] treatment by dieting

(Latin : algere : to be cold)

cold (low temperature)
algid [a] cold
algor [n] cold; chilliness
algific [a] producing cold

aliph(o)

alg(e/o)

allact(o)

(Greek : algos : pain)

pain (hurting)
algesic, algesiogenic, algogenic [a] pain-causing
algology [n] the study of pain
algesthesis [n] the perception of pain
algesimeter [n] an instrument for determining sensitivity of the skin to pain
algesthesia [n] hypersensitivity to pain
algophobia [n] fear of pain
algolagnia, algophilia [n] a condition where a person
gains sexual pleasure from pain
algodystrophy, algesidystrophy [n] disturbance of
growth, particularly in bone and cartilage, that causes
pain

(Greek : alephein : to anoint with oil)

fat (oily greasy substance)
aliphatic compound [n] an organic compound that is
an alkane or alkene or alkyne or their derivative

(Greek : allasein : to exchange)

exchange (interchange)
catallactic [a] relating to exchange
catallactics [n] a theory of the way the free market
system reaches exchange ratios and prices

allagm(o)
(Greek : allasein : to exchange)
exchange (interchange)
synallagmatic contract [n] (in law) a contract imposing reciprocal obligations upon both parties
anallagmatic curve [n] (in mathematics) a curve
which is invariant under inversion

allant(o)
ali
(Latin : alius : other)
other (not the same as the ones already mentioned)

(Greek : allas : sausage)

sausage (highly seasoned minced meat stuffed in casings)
allantoid [a] shaped like a sausage (botuliform)

12

allax(i)
(Greek : allaxis : to exchange)
exchange (interchange)
morphallaxis [n] the regeneration of specific tissue in
a variety of organisms due to loss or death of the existing tissue
trophallaxis [n] the exchange of regurgitated food that
occurs between adults and larvae in colonies of social
insects

CONTENTS
alloparent [n] in biology and sociology, an adult animal involved in parent-like behaviour to an individual
that is not their offspring
allochezia [n] expulsion of something other than feces
through the anus; [n] defecation through somewhere
other than the anus
allogamy [n] cross-fertilization in plants
allocthonous [a] (of rocks or deposits) found in a place
other than where they and their constituents formed

allel(o)

allotr(o)

(Greek : allos : other)

reciprocation (alternating back-and-forth movement)
allele, allelomorph [n] one of a pair of genes that appear at a particular location on a particular chromosome and control the same characteristic, such as blood
type or colorblindness
allelic [a] relating to alleles
allelopathy [n] the suppression of growth of one plant
species by another due to the release of toxic substances

(Greek : allotrios : strange)

abnormal (unnatural)
allotriophagy [n] the desire for improper food
allotropism, allotropy [n] the phenomenon of an element existing in two or more physical forms
allotrope [n] a structurally different form of an element

alli(a)
(Latin : alium : garlic)
garlic (strong-smelling pungent-tasting bulb)
Allium [n] a genus of plants, including the onion, garlic, leek, and chive
alliaceous [a] smelling of onions or garlic; [a] relating
to Allium
alliaphage [n] an eater of garlic

all(o)
(Greek : allos : other)
other (not the same as the ones already mentioned)
allogeneous [a] different in nature or kind
allochroic [a] changeable in colour
allochroous [a] changing colour
alloquy [n] speaking to another; an address
allonym [n] a fictitious name used by writers and
movie stars; a pseudonym
allograph [n] a signature made by one person on behalf of another (compare to an autograph); [n] any of
the symbols that constitute a grapheme (m and M are
allographs in the Roman alphabet)
allomorph [n] any of the different phonological representations of a morpheme; [n] any of the different
crystalline forms of a substance
allotheism [n] the worship of gods foreign to ones
own land
allopoiesis [n] in philosophy, creation of something
other than the self (contrasted with autopoiesis creation of the self)
allopathy [n] the conventional treatment of disease
(by drugs having opposite effects to the symptoms as
opposed to homeopathy)
alloplastic [n] artificial materials substituted for tissue
grafts in surgery

alopec(o)
(Greek : alopekia : fox mange)
fox (the animal)
alopecoid [a] similar in form to a fox
alopecia, alopecy [n] baldness or loss of hair
alopecist [n] a practitioner preventing or curing alopecia

alphit(o)
(Greek : alphiton : barley)
barley (a hardy cereal with coarse bristles extending from
the ears)
alphitomancy [n] divination using barley meal (in Ancient Greece, suspects were fed barley meal and those
who felt indigestion were the guilty party)

alter(i)
(Latin : alter : other)
other (not the same as the ones already mentioned)
alterity [n] otherness
alterant [a] gradually changing
alter [v] change in a comparatively small but significant way
alternate [a] every other; [v] occur in turn repeatedly
alternative [a] available as another possibility; [n] one
of two or more possibilities
altercate [v] to argue, quarrel, or wrangle

alti
(Latin : altus : high)
height (altitude)
altitude [n] the height of an object in relation to sea or
ground level
altimetry [n] the practice of measuring altitudes or
heights
altimeter [n] an instrument for measuring altitudes
altivolant [a] high-flying
altiloquent [a] high-sounding; lofty; pompous

CONTENTS
altisonant, altisonous [a] high-sounding; lofty;
pompous
altitudinarian [a] lofty in doctrines or aims

13
amaritude [n] bitterness (in taste)
amaretto [n] almond-flavoured Italian liqueur; [n]
almond-flavoured cookies (plural amaretti)

alumin(i)

amaranth(o)

(Latin : alumen : alum)

aluminium (the metal)
aluminium, aluminum [n] a light, silvery metallic
chemical element, extracted from bauxite (symbol Al;
atomic number 13)
aluminous [a] relating to aluminium
aluminiferous [a] containing aluminium
aluminize [v] to cover with aluminium
aluminium oxide [n] a chemical compound, Al2O3, of
aluminium and oxygen, occurring in aluminium oxides
alumina [n] various forms of aluminium oxide occurring naturally as corundum
aluminate [n] a compound of alumina and a metallic
oxide

(Greek : a- + marainein : not + wither)

purple (colour)
amaranth [n] a shade of purple; [n] an imaginary and
poetic flower supposed to never fade; [n] a genus of
annual or short-lived perennial plants with green, purplish, or crimson flowers
amaranthine [a] purplish; [a] unfading or undying,
like the poetic amaranth; [a] pertaining to the actual
amaranth

amath(o)
(Greek : amathos : sand)
dust (fine powdery material)
amathophobia [n] fear of dust
amathomancy [n] divination using sand

alut(o)
(Latin : aluta : soft leather)
leather (animal skin material)
alutaceous [a] leathery; [a] leather-coloured
alutation [n] the tanning or dressing of leather

alv(i)
(Latin : alvus : belly)
belly (stomach)
alvine [a] relating to or in the belly or intestines (e.g.
alvine discharges or concretions)

alve
(Latin : alveus : basket, beehive)
beehive (natural habitation for bees)
alveolate, alveated [a] deeply pitted, like a honeycomb
alveary [n] beehive; [n] hollow of the external ear

am(o); amat(o)
(Latin : amare : to love)
love (the strong positive emotion of regard and affection)
amatory, amatorious, amatorian, amative [a] romantic
amatorial [a] relating to love or love making
amability [n] lovableness
amorous [a] showing, feeling or relating to sexual desire
amour [n] a lover (especially a secret one)
amour propre [n] self-love; self-respect; a sense of
ones own worth
friendship (friendly relationship)
amiable [a] (of a person) friendly, pleasant
amity [n] friendly relations

amar(i)
(Latin : amarus : bitter)
bitter (of taste)

amaur(o)
(Greek : amaros : dark)
dark (devoid of light)
amaurosis [n] partial or total loss of sight (resulting
in darkness) without pathology of the eye caused by
disease of optic nerve or retina or brain

amax(o)
(Greek : amaxis : little wagon)
automobile (a motor vehicle with four wheels)
amaxophobia [n] fear of being in or riding in an automobile
amaxomania [n] obsession with being in or riding in
an automobile

ambigu
(Latin : ambi + agere : around + drive)
uncertain (ambiguous)
ambiguous [a] open to two or more interpretations
(sometimes intentionally to mislead); [a] having more
than one possible meaning
ambiguity, ambiguousness [n] the quality of being
ambiguous; inexactness
unambiguous [a] having a single clearly defined
meaning; [a] not open to doubt or misunderstanding
unambiguity, unambiguousness [n] clarity achieved
by the avoidance of ambiguity
disambiguate [v] to state unambiguously

ambly(o)
(Latin : amblus : dim,dulled)
dull (blunt)
amblygonal [a] obtuse-angled
amblygon [n] an obtuse-angled figure (especially an
obtuse-angled triangle)
dim (lacking in light)

14
amblyopia, amblyopy [n] visual impairment without apparent organic pathology (such as a lesion of the
eye)
amblyoscope [n] a reflecting stereoscope used to evaluate or stimulate binocular vision

ambul(o)
(Latin : ambulare : to walk)
walk (travel by foot)
ambulate [vi] to walk or move about
ambulative [a] walking
ambulant [a] walking; [a] moving from place to place
ambulation [n] the act of walking
ambulatory [a] relating to or adapted for walking; [a]
able to walk about; [n] a covered walkway
ambulophobia [n] the fear of walking or standing
ambulator [n] walker
perambulate [v] to walk with no particular goal; [v] to
inspect on foot
ambulance [n] a vehicle that takes people to and from
hospitals

ameb(o); amoeb(o)
(Greek : amoibe : change)
ameba (naked freshwater or marine or parasitic protozoa)
ameba, amboeba [n] naked freshwater or marine or
parasitic protozoa that form temporary pseudopods for
feeding and locomotion
amebic, amoebic [a] relating to amoeba
amoeboid [a] amoeba-shaped
amboebocyte [n] any cell having properties similar to
an amoeba, such as shape, mobility, or the ability to
engulf particles
amoeboid movement [n] the most common mode of
locomotion (crawling-like) in Eukaryotic cells
amoebean [a] alternately answering

amel(o)
(French : enamayller : enamel)
enamel (hard white substance covering the crown of a
tooth)
ameloblast [n] a cell from which tooth enamel develops
ameloblastoma [n] a malignant jaw tumour stemming
from ameloblasts
amelogenesis [n] the developmental process of forming tooth enamel

ament(i)
(Latin : a- + mens : not + mind)
insanity (disorder of the mind)
amentia, amenty [n] extreme mental retardation

CONTENTS
amicable [a] (of a general object) characterized by
friendliness
amicability, amicableness [n] friendliness
amicicide [n] the murder of a friend

amm(o)
(Greek : ammos : sand)
sand (loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral)
ammochryse [n] a yellow, soft stone (sandy and
golden in appearance) consisting of glossy yellow particles
ammodyte [n] a genus of fishes known as the sand eel

amni
(Latin : amnis : river)
river (large natural stream of water)
amnigenous [a] born or bred near a river
amnicolist [n] one who lives near a river

amnio
(Greek : amnion : membrane around the fetus)
amniotic sac (thin innermost membranous sac enclosing
the developing embryo of higher vertebrates)
amnion, amniotic sac, amnios [n] the thin innermost
membranous sac enclosing the developing embryo of
higher vertebrates
amniomancy [n] divination based on the characteristics of the amniotic sac at childbirth
amnioscopy [n] examination of a foetus and the lowest
part of the amniotic sac
amnioscope [n] an endoscope used to examine the amniotic cavity and its foetus, and introduced through the
cervical canal
amniocentesis [n] the procedure of extracting amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac using a hollow needle
puncturing the abdominal wall for diagnosing possible
genetic defects of pregnancy complications

ampel(o)
(Greek : ampelos : vine)
vine (a plant with a weak stem that derives support from
climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface)
ampelography [n] the scientific discription of the vine
Ampelopsis [n] a taxonomic genus which formerly
included the Virginia creeper

ampulla
(Greek : amphoreus : jar with two handles)
bottle (glass or plastic vessel used for storing drinks or
other liquids)
ampulla [n] a two-handled flask used by Romans for
wine and oil
ampullar, ampullary [a] relating to ampulla
ampullaceous [a] shaped like a swollen bottle

amic(i)

amych(o)

(Latin : amicus : friend)

friend (ally)

(Greek : amussein : lacerate)

irritation (abnormal sensitivity to stimulation)

CONTENTS
amychophobia [n] fear of scratches or being scratched

15
anatine [a] relating to ducks
anatiferous [a] producing ducks

amygdal(i/o)
(Greek : amugdale : almond)
almond (oval-shaped edible seed of the almond tree)
amygdalaceous, amygdaline [a] relating to almonds
amygdaliferous [a] bearing almonds
amygdaloid [a] shaped like an almond
amygdalin [n] a glucoside (white crystalline substance) extracted from bitter almonds
amygdalic acid [n] an acid extracted from bitter almonds; mandelic acid
amygdalic [a] relating to almonds; [a] derived from
amygdalin
amygdalate [a] relating to almonds; [n] emulsion
made of almonds

amyl(o)
(Greek : amulon : starch)
starch (the foodstuff)
amylum [n] starch
amylaceous [a] relating to starch; [a] starchy
amyloidal [a] starch-like

anathem(o); anathemat(o)
(Greek : anathema : an accursed thing)
curse (execration)
anathema [n] something one absolutely cannot stand;
[n] a detested person; [n] a formal ecclesiastical curse
accompanied by excommunication
anathematic, anathematical [a] relating to anathema
anathemize, anathematize [v] to pronounce an anathema against; to curse; [v] to declare to be evil

ancipit(i)
(Latin : anceps : two-headed)
two-edges (two-boundaries)
ancipital, ancipitous [a] (in biology) flattened and
having two edges

ancistr(o)
(Greek : ankistron : hook)
hook (sharp crook)
ancistroid [a] shaped like a hook

an(u); ann(u)

ancon(o)

(Latin : anus : ring)

ring (halo or doughnut shape)
anus [n] the excretory ring-shaped opening at the end
of the alimentary canal
anal [a] relating to the anus; [a] orderly; mean

(Greek : ankon : elbow)

elbow (hinge joint between forearm and upperarm)
ancon, ancone [n] elbow; [n] in architecture, a projecting bracket or console supporting a cornice
anconeal [a] relating to the elbow
anconoid, anconal [a] elbow-like
anconeus [n] a muscle of the elbow and forearm

anacard(i)
(Greek : ana + kardia : upwards + heart)
cashew (the tree or its nuts)
Anacardiaceae [n] the taxonomic family containing
the cashew tree
Anacardium [n] the genus of the family Anacardiaceae containing the cashew tree
Anacardium occidentale [n] the cashew tree
anacardiaceous [a] belonging to, or resembling, Anacardiaceae
anacardic acids [n] lipids found in the shell of the
cashew nut

anaps(o)
(Greek : an- + apsis : upwards + arch)
turtle (the reptile)
Anapsida [n] the taxonomic subclass containing turtles, tortoises, and terrapins
anapsid [n] a primitive reptile having no opening in
the temporal region of the skull; all extinct except turtles

anat(i)
(Latin : anas : duck)
duck (web-footed broad-billed swimming bird)

ancyr(o)
(Greek : ankur : anchor)
anchor (mechanical device preventing vessel movement)
ancyroid [a] shaped like the fluke of an *anchor*

andr(o)
(Greek : andros : man)
man (adult male)
androphobia [n] fear of men
misandry [n] the hatred of men
androphilia [n] love of men; [n] sexual interest in men
androcracy [n] a government ruled by men
andragogy [n] the methods used to teach adults
andronym [n] the name of the husband taken on by
the wife
andromorph [n] an organism with male physical characteristics
androecious [a] having masculine reproductive organs
androgynous, androgynal [a] having both male and
female characteristics
androgynism [n] hermaphroditism
androgen [n] a male sex hormone
androsterone [n] another name for testosterone

16
andrology [n] the study of male health (especially infertility and impotence)
androtomy [n] dissection of the human body (as opposed to zootomy dissection of animal bodies)
androecium [n] the stamens of a flower collectively
android [n] a human-looking robot

anem(o)

CONTENTS

angl(o)
(Latin : Angli : the English people)
english
Anglophone [n] a speaker of English
Anglomania [n] adoration of the English of British
Anglocentric [a] describing that which is centred on
England or Britain

(Greek : anemos : wind)

wind (air current)
anemology [n] the study of the movement of winds
anemograph, anemometer [n] an instrument for measuring the speed, duration, and direction of the wind
anemoscope [n] a device showing the direction of the
wind, such as a weather vane
anemogram [n] a record produced by an anemograph
anemophilous [a] describing a plant that is pollinated
by the wind
anemone [n] a plant of the buttercup family which
typically has brightly coloured flowers and deeply divided leaves (literally called the windflower, as it was
thought the flowers only open when the wind blows)

angui

anet(o)

angul(o)

(Greek : anetos : relaxed)

soothing (affording physical relief)
anetic [a] soothing
relax (loosen)
anetoderma [n] atrophy of the skin in which it becomes bag like and wrinkled (and thus relaxed)

angi(o)
(Greek : angeion : vessel)
blood vessel (a vessel in which blood circulates)
angiography [n] the X-ray examination of blood vessels
angiocardiography [n] the examination of the heart
and its blood vessels
angioscope [n] an instrument for examining capillary
vessels
angioma [n] a benign tumour composed of blood vessels or lymph vessels
angiogenesis [n] the production of new blood vessels
angiotomy [n] dissection of blood vessels and lymphatics of the body
angiology [n] the subfield of anatomy studying blood
vessels and lymphatics

(Latin : anguis : snake, serpent, dragon)

snake (serpent)
anguiform [a] snake-shaped
anguine [a] relating to snakes
anguineous, anguineal [a] snake-like

anguill(i)
(Latin : anguilla : eel)
eel (voracious snakelike marine or freshwater fishes)
anguilliform [a] shaped like an eel
Anguilliformes [n] the taxonomic order of fish, any
member of which is called by the common name eel
Anguillidae [n] the family of the order Anguilliformes
containing the freshwater eels

(Latin : angulus : angle)

angle (the space between two lines or planes that intersect)
angular, angulous, angulose [a] having angles or
sharp corners; [a] (of a person) bony, gaunt, spindly
inangular [a] not angular
angulate [a] having sharp angles; [vt] to make or become angular
angulation [n] the act of angulating; [n] the precise
measurement of angles
angulometer [n] an instrument for measuring external
angles
angulo-dentate [a] angularly toothed, as leaves are
equiangular [a] having all angles equal
multangular, polyangular [a] having multiple angles
triangular [a] having three angles
rectangular [a] having four right angles
quadrangular [a] having four angles
pentangular [a] having five angles
hexangular [a] having six angles
heptangular, septangular [a] having seven angles
octangular [a] having eight angles

angust(i)
angin(o)
(Greek : ankhone : strangling)
strangulation (compression or constriction of a tube)
agina, angina pectoris [n] a heart condition marked
by paroxysms of chest pain due to reduced oxygen to
the heart
anginal, aginose [a] relating to angina (in particular
the pain of it)

(Latin : angustus : constricted)

narrow (not wide)
angustate, angust [a] narrowed
angustation [n] the act of making narrow
angustifolious, angustifoliate [a] having narrow
leaves
angustiseptate [a] describing a plant part with narrow
partitions

CONTENTS

anim(a)
(Latin : anima : soul)
life (living phenomena)
animose, animous [a] full of vigor
unanimous [a] in complete agreement; [a] acting as a
whole
multanimous [a] having many minds or aspects; [a]
many-sided
parvanimity [n] smallness of the mind
equanimity [n] steadiness of the mind under stress;
composure
animosity, animus [n] a feeling of ill will arousing
hostility
animal [n] a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

aniso
(Greek : an- + isos : not + equal)
unequal (not the same)
anisosthenic [a] of unequal strength
anisopetalous [a] having unequal petals
anisophyllous [a] having unequal leaves
anisostemonous [a] having unequal stamens
anisomerous [a] having unequal numbers of floral organs (e.g. four petals to six stamens)
anisometric [a] having unsymmetrical parts, as said of
crystals
anisodactylous [a] unequally toed (said of bird with
three turned forward and one backwards)
anisotropy [n] the property of being directionally dependent
anisonogamist [n] someone married to a person with
an age unusually different to their own
anisodactyly [n] an arrangement of digits with three
toes forward and one back

ankyl(o)
(Greek : ankulos : crooked)
crooked (bent)
ankylosis, anchylosis [n] the growing together of
bones to form a single unit; [n] an onset of stiffness
or inflexibility
ankyloglossia [n] a congenital oral anomaly in which
the lingual frenulum is unusually short and thick, decreasing the tongues mobility
ankylosaurus, ankylosaur [n] large herbivorous dinosaur with a club-like tail from the Cretaceous period
Ancylostoma [n] a taxonomic genus containing the
hookworms
ancylostomiasis, anchylostomiasis, ankylostomiasis
[n] infection by the hookworm Anyclostoma

ann(i/u)
(Latin : annus : year)
year (365 day period)

17
annals [n] a chronological account of events in successive years; [n] reports of the work of a society or
learned body
annalist [n] a composer of annals
anniversary [n] the date on which an event (especially
a marriage) took place or an institution was founded in
a previous year
annual [a] occurring every year; [a] completing its life
cycle within a year; [n] yearbook
annualist [n] a composer of yearbooks
annuary [n] a yearbook
annuity [n] income from capital investment paid in a
series of regular payments

annul(a)
(Latin : annulus : ring)
ring (doughnut, circle)
annulary, annular [a] shaped like a ring
annulation [n] a circular or ring-shaped formation
annulus [n] a ring shape; doughnut; halo
annulose [a] composed of ring-like segments

anomal(o)
(Greek : an- + homalos : not + even)
irregular (atypical)
anomalous [a] deviating from the general or common
order or type
anomaly, anomalism, anomal [n] something anomalous
anomaloflorous [a] having anomalous flowers
anomalipede [a] having anomalous feet

anophel(o)
(Greek : an- + ophelos : without + advantage)
mosquito (two-winged insect with blood-sucking female)
Anopheles [n] a taxonomic genus of mosquitoes that
are vectors of malaria
anopheline [a] relating to malaria mosquitoes; [n] any
mosquito of the genus Anopheles
anophelicide [n] an agent destroying the Anopheles
mosquito
anophelism [n] the habitual presence of Anopheles
mosquitoes in any region

ans(i)
(Latin : ansa : handle)
handle (part to grip on)
ansate, ansated [a] having a handle

anser(i)
(Latin : answer : goose)
goose (the bird)
anserine, anserous [a] relating to geese; [a] stupid
Anseriformes [n] a taxonomic order within the class
Aves consisting of waterfowl such as geese, ducks, and
swans

18

anth(o)
(Greek : anthos : flower)
flower (a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms)
anthophobia [n] fear of flowers
anthomania [n] extravagant fondness of flowers
anthography [n] a description of flowers
anthophorous [a] bearing flowers
anthophagous [a] eating flowers (said of insects)
anthobian [n] a beetle which feeds on flowers
antholite [n] a fossilized flower
anthotaxy [n] the arrangement of flowers in a cluster
anthology [n] a collection of selected literary passages

anthrac(o)
(Greek : anthrak : charcoal)
coal (fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter)
anthracomancy [n] divination using burning coal
anthracometer [n] an instrument for measuring the
amount of carbonic acid in a mixture
anthracite [n] a hard natural coal that burns slowly
and gives intense heat
anthraciferous [a] anthracite-bearing
anthraconite [n] a coal-black marble, usually emitting
a fetid smell when rubbed

anthrop(o)
(Greek : anthropos : human being)
human
anthropology [n] the social science studying origins
and social relationships of human beings
anthropocentric [a] human-centered
anthropoid [n] a being resembling a human; [a] resembling a human
anthropomorphism, theanthropism [n] the representation of objects (especially a god) as having human
form or traits
anthropogeny [n] the study of the origins and development of human beings
anthropogenic, anthropogenetic [a] relating to the
study of the origins and development of human beings
anthropometry [n] measurement and study of the human body and its parts and capacities
anthroposophy [n] knowledge of the nature of man
(human wisdom)
anthropopathy [n] the ascribing of human feelings or
qualities to deities
anthropoglot [n] an animal (such as a parrot) with a
human tongue
anthropotomy [n] human anatomy
anthropomancy [n] divination by looking at human
entrails
anthroposcopy [n] anthropology based upon visual
observation of the physical characteristics of the human body

antiqu

CONTENTS
(Latin : antiquus : old)
old (aged)
antique [n] a collectable object (especially piece of
art) highly valued for its age and quality; [a] like an
antique; [a] very old
antiquist, antiquary [n] a collector of antiques
antiquity [n] the ancient past, especially the period
of classical and other human civilizations before the
Middle Ages; [n] an antique of the ancient past
antiquary [a] relating to antiquity
antiquarianism [n] the study or love of antiquities
antiquate [v] to make old, obsolete, or antique

antr(o)
(Greek : antron : cave)
cave (large dark enclosed space)
antre [n] a cavern
antrum [n] a cavern or cavity
antral [a] relating to an antrum

aort(o)
(Greek : aeirein : to lift)
aorta (the large trunk artery that carries blood from the
left ventricle of the heart to branch arteries)
aorta [n] (plural: aortae) the large trunk artery that carries blood from the left ventricle of the heart to branch
arteries
aortic, aortal [a] relating to the aorta
aortitis [n] inflammation of the aorta

apert(o)
(Latin : apertus : open)
open (unobstructed (literally or figuratively))
apert [a] open; evident; undisguised
apertness [n] openness; frankness
aperture [n] the act of opening; [n] an natural or manmade opening; [n] a device that controls the amount of
light admitted

aphan(o)
(Greek : aphanes : unmanifest)
invisible (unseeable (also, to make invisible to obscure))
aphanite [n] a very compact, dark-colored rock, consisting of hornblende, or pyroxene, and feldspar, but
none of them in perceptible grains

aph(e)
(Greek : haphe : touch)
touch (the sense of touch and bodily contact)
aphephobia [n] fear of being touched
dysaphia [n] a disorder in the sense of touch
anaphia [n] absence of the sense of touch
hyperaphia [n] abnormal acuteness of the sense of
touch

CONTENTS

aphn(o)
(Greek : aphneios : wealthy)
wealth (riches)
aphnology [n] the science of wealth

aphr(o)
(Greek : aphros : foam)
foam (froth)
Aphrodite [n] goddess of love and beauty and daughter of Zeus in ancient mythology, born in the foam of
the waters of Paphos

aphrodi
(Greek : aphrodisiakos : venereal (from Aphrodite))
sexual desire (desire for sexual intimacy)
aphrodisiac [n] a drug or other agent that stimulates
sexual desire
aphrodisiac, aphrodisiacal [a] stimulating sexual desire
Aphrodite [n] goddess of love and beauty and daughter of Zeus in ancient mythology
aphrodisian [a] relating to Aphrodite ro Venus
aphrodisiomania [n] abnormal and excessive erotic
interest

api; api(o)
(Latin : apis : bee)
bee (the insect)
apiarian [a] relating to bees
apian [a] belonging to bees
apiology [n] the study of bees; [n] the study of honeymaking
apiary [n] a place where bees are kept; a beehouse
apiarist [n] one in charge of an apiary; a beekeeper
apiphobia [n] the fear of bees

api(o)
(Greek : apion : pear)
pear (the fruit)
apioid [a] pear-shaped

apic
(Latin : apex : summit)
apex (peak, acme)
apex [n] the highest point of something (figuratively or
literally)
apical, apicular [a] situated at the apex
subapical [a] being under the apex; [a] being just below the apex

apolaust(o)
(Greek : apolaustos : enjoyable)
enjoyment (pleasure)
apolaustic [a] devoted to enjoyment

apor(o); aporet(o)
(Greek : aporos : doubtful)
doubt (uncertainty)

19
aporetic [a] doubting; skeptical
aporia [n] an expression of deliberation with oneself
regarding uncertainty or doubt as to how to proceed

apostem(o)
(Greek : apostema : abscess)
abscess (a swelling filled with purulent matter)
aposteme [n] an abscess; a swelling filled with purulent matter
apostematous [a] relating to abscesses
apostemate [v] to form an abscess
apostemation [n] the formation of an abscess

appell(i)
(Latin : appellare : to address or accost)
name (title)
appellation [n] a name or title; [n] the action of giving
a name to someone or something
appellative [a] relating to a name (or the giving of
one); [n] a common noun (such as doctor, mother,
or sir) used to address people
appellate [a] in law, relating to applications for decisions to be reversed
appellant [n] in law, a person who applies to a higher
court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court

appet(i)
(Latin : appetere : to strive after)
desire (a want)
appete [vt] to seek for; to desire
appetent [a] desiring
appetible [a] desirable
appetite, appetence, appetency [n] a feeling of craving something
appetizing, appetising [a] stimulating the appetite
appetiser [n] food or drink to stimulate the appetite
inappetence, inappetency [n] lack of desire

apric(i)
(Latin : apricus : open to the sun)
sunbathing (basking in the Sun)
apricate [vi] to sunbathe
apricity [n] sunshine; [n] warmth from sunshine

aqu(a/i)
(Latin : aqua : water)
water (the clear drinkable liquid)
aqueity [n] wateriness
aqueous, aquose [a] watery (as a solvent or medium
is)
aquiform [a] having the form of water
aquiferous [a] containing or conveying water
aquatic [a] describing activity taking place in water;
[a] describing plants or animals that live in water
aquatile [a] inhabiting the water
aquaculture, aquiculture [n] fish farming or other
water-based cultivation

20
aquarium [n] a tank of water for keeping aquatic animals
aquifer [n] an underground rock formation containing
extractible water
aquiparous [a] secreting water, as glands do
aquapuncture [n] alleviation of pain by introduction
of water subcutaneously
aquarobics [n] aerobics as performed in the water
aquamarine [a] a shade of blue tinged with green

aquil(i)
(Latin : aquila : eagle)
eagle (keen-sighted diurnal bird of prey)
aquiline [a] relating to eagles; [a] curved like the beak
of an eagle
aquilated [a] adorned with eagles heads

arach(o)
(Greek : arakis : leguminous plant)
peanut (the plant or its pod)
arachidic acid [n] an acid found in peanut oil
arachidic [a] relating to arachidic acid

arachn(o)
(Greek : arachne : spider)
spider (arachnid with eight legs)
arachnoid [a] relating to spiders; [a] relating to or resembling spider webs
Arachnida, Arachnids [n] the taxonomic class of
athropods having eight joint legs, which includes spiders and scorpions
arachnid [n] an arthropod of the class Arachnida
arachnophobia [n] fear of spiders
arachnology [n] the study of arachnids
arachnoid [a] like a spider (or, more generally, an
arachnid)
arachnoid mater [n] one of the layers of the
meninges, which protects the brain

arane(i)
(Latin : aranea : spider)
spider (arachnid with eight legs)
araneiform [a] having the form of a spider
araneous [a] cobweb-like; [a] thin and delicate
Araneae [n] the taxonomic order comprising eightlegged air-breathing arthropods with venom-injecting
fangs
araneidan [a] relating to Araneidae

CONTENTS
arborical, arboreal, arborary, arborous [a] relating
to trees; [a] formed by trees
arboreal, arboreous, arboricole [a] inhabiting a tree
(as certain birds are)
arboreal, arboreous, arborescent, arboriform [a]
resembling a tree
arboriculture [n] the tending of and caring for trees
arbour, arbor [n] a garden alcove shaded by trees or
plants
arboretum [n] a facility where trees and shrubs are
cultivated for exhibition
arboret [n] a small tree or shrub
arborator [n] one who plants or prunes trees
arborist [n] one who studies trees

arcan(i)
(Latin : arcanus : secret)
secret (something intended to remain hidden from others)
arcane [a] hidden; secret
arcanum [n] (plural: arcana) a secret; a mystery

arc(i)
(Latin : arcus : bow)
arch (curved shape)
arciform, arcuate, arcate [a] shaped like an arch; [a]
curved

archae(o); arche(o)
(Greek : arkhaios : ancient)
ancient (belonging to the very distant past)
archaeology, archeology [n] the subfield of anthropology studying ancient human history and prehistory
archaeobotany [n] the study of botanical remains
found by archaeologists
archaeometry [n] the application of scientific techniques to the dating of remains
archaeopteryx, archeopteryx, Archaeopteryx lithographica [n] an extinct primitive bird of the Jurassic
period having teeth, hollow bones, and a long feathered
tail; considered the most primitive of all birds
Archaea [n] single-celled organisms lacking nuclei,
formerly called archaebacteria, but now known to be
fundamentally different to bacteria

arct(o)

(Latin : aratus : plow)

tillage (the cultivation of soil for raising crops)
aratory [a] contributing to plowing or tillage
aration [n] tillage

(Greek : arktos : bear)

bear (the mammal)
arctic [a] relating to regions around the North Pole
(after Urse Major, the great bear constellation of the
north)
arctophily [n] the hobby of collecting teddy bears
arctolatry [n] bear worship, as found in many North
Eurasian and North American ethnic religions such as
the Sami, Nivkh, Ainu

arbor(i)

ardu

(Latin : arbor : tree)

tree (tall woody plant)

(Latin : arduus : steep, difficult)

difficult (hard)

arat(i)

CONTENTS
arduous [a] difficult and tiring
arduousness, arduity [n] difficulty

aren(o)
(Latin : arena : sand)
sand (loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral)
arenose [a] sandy
arenarious [a] sandy (as may describe soil)
arenulous [a] full of fine sand
arenaceous [a] resembling or containing sand; [a]
growing in sandy areas
arenicolous [a] growing or living or burrowing in sand
arenation [n] application of hot sand to the body

areo
(Greek : Ares : planet Mars)
Mars (the Red Planet)
areology [n] the scientific study of Mars (in particular,
its geology)
areography [n] the scientific study of Mars geographical features
areoflora [n] hypothetical Martian vegetation
areobotany [n] the scientific study of areoflora
areosynchronous [a] referring to a spacecraft in orbit around Mars that stays above the same spot on its
surface
areocentric [a] referring to a coordinate system based
on the planet Mars

21
argentic [a] relating to compounds in which silver is
bivalent
argentite [n] cubic silver sulphide (commonly called
vitreous silver)

argill(o)
(Greek : argillos : white clay)
clay (fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard
when fired)
argillous [a] clayey
argillaceous [a] resembling or containing clay
argilliferous [a] producing clay
argil [n] a white clay (especially a white clay used by
potters)
argillite [n] a sedimentary rock differing from shale in
being bound by silica and from slate in having no slate
cleavages

argyr(o)
(Greek : argyros : silver)
silver (the soft white precious metal)
argyria, argyrism [n] a slate-gray or bluish discoloration of the skin and deep tissues due to the deposit
of insoluble albuminate of silver
Argyrol [n] an antiseptic consisting of a compound of
protein and silver
argyrodite [n] a rare steel-gray mineral consisting of
silver and germanium and sulphur

aret(o)

arid(i)

(Greek : arete : virtue)

virtue (moral excellence)
aretaics [n] the science of virtue
aretology [n] the branch of moral philosophy with
studies virtue
aretegenic [a] conducive to or producing virtue

(Latin : aridus : dry)

dry (lacking in moisture)
aridity, aridness [n] dryness by heat
arid [a] dry and barren

arie

(Greek : argos : idle)

idle (lazy)
argamblyopia [n] amblyopia (defective vision) from
non-use of the eye

(Latin : aries : ram)

ram (uncastrated adult male sheep)
arietate [vi] to butt, like a ram
arietation [n] butting, like a ram
aries [n] the Ram, a zodiacal constellation in the northern hemisphere between Pisces and Taurus

argent(i)

arist(o)

(Latin : argentum : silver)

silver (the soft white precious metal)
argental [a] relating to silver
argentate [a] silvery white
argentation [n] a coating or overlaying with silver
argentiferous [a] containing or yielding silver
argentry [n] silver plate or vessels
argent [n] a metal tincture used in heraldry to give a
silvery appearance; [a] lustrous gray
argentan [n] an alloy of nickel with copper and zinc
(commonly called German silver)
argentous [a] relating to compounds in which silver is
univalent

(Greek : aristos : best)

best (most good)
aristology [n] the science of dining
aristophrenia [n] the condition of having a superior
intellect
aristocracy [n] a privileged class holding hereditary
titles; nobility; [n] the most powerful members of a
society
aristocrat [n] a member of the aristocracy

arg(o)

arithm(o)
(Greek : arithmos : number)
number (figure)

22
arithmomancy, arithmancy [n] divination using numbers
arithmometer [n] a calculating machine
arithmetic [n] human computation using numbers; [n]
number theory
arthmetician [n] a person skilled in arithmetic (computation of numbers)

arm(o)
(Latin : armus : shoulder)
shoulder (part of the body between the neck and upper
arm)
armomancy [n] divination using shoulder blades of
dead animals; [n] divination using ones shoulders

art(i)
(Latin : ars : art)
art (creative expression)
art [n] the products of human creative skill and imagination, intended to be appreciated mainly for their
beauty or emotional power; [n] a branch of creative
activity (such as music, literature, or dance)
artist [n] a creator of art
skill (ability)
artifice [n] a deceptive maneuver
artificial [a] unreal (contrived by art rather than nature); [a] stilted; contrived
artisan, artificer [n] a skilled worker who practices
some trade or handicraft
artifact, artefact [n] a man-made object

arteri(o)
(Greek : arteria : artery)
artery (muscular bodily circulation vessel)
artery [n] a muscular-walled blood vessel carrying
(mainly oxygenated) blood from the heart to the body
arterial [a] relating to arteries; [a] denoting an important route in a system of roads, railway lines, or rivers
arteriole [n] a small branch of an artery leading into
capillaries
arteriolar [a] relating to arterioles
arteriovenous [a] connecting an artery to a vein
arteriography [n] a systematic description of the arteries; [n] investigation into an artery using radiography
arteriometer [n] an instrument for measuring the diameter of an artery, or its change in size during pulsation
arteriogram [n] an X ray of an artery filled with a
contrast medium
arteriogenesis [n] an increase in the diameter of existing arterial vessels
arteriopathy [n] any disease of the arteries
arteriosclerosis [n] the hardening of the walls of the
arteries (usually in old age)
arteriostenosis [n] constriction of the artery
arteritis [n] inflammation of the walls of an artery

CONTENTS
arteriotomy [n] cutting into or opening an artery
arterioplasty [n] an operation for the reconstruction of
the wall of an artery

arthr(o)
(Greek : arthron : joint)
joint (in a body)
arthralgia [n] pain in a joint
arthritis [n] a disease causing painful inflammation
and stiffness of the joints
arthroplasty [n] the surgical reconstruction or replacement of a joint
arthrodesis [n] the surgical fixation of a joint causing
fusion and immobility
arthropod [n] a member of a large group of invertebrate animals that includes insects, spiders, crustaceans, and their relatives

arthropod(o)
(Greek : arthro + pod : joint + foot)
arthropod (type of invertebrate)
Arthropoda [n] a taxonomic phylum of jointed-foot
invertebrates including arachnids, crustaceans, insects,
millipedes, and centipedes
arthropod [n] a member of the taxonomic phylum
Arthropoda
arthropodal, arthropodan [a] relating to invertebrates
of the taxonomic phylum Arthropoda
arthropodology [n] the study of arthropods

articul(a)
(Latin : articulus : small joint)
joint (in a body)
abarticulation [n] dislocation of a joint
articular [a] relating to the joints of the body
articulate [a] speaking fluently and coherently; [a]
having joints or jointed segments; [v] to pronouce
something clearly and distinctly; [v] to form a joint
articulation [n] the formation of clear and distinct
sounds in speech
articulatory [n] relating to articulation
disarticulate [a] separate at the joints
inarticulate [a] describing someone not able to express themselves clearly; [a] describing statements not
spoken or pronounced clearly

artio
(Greek : artios : even)
even number
Artiodactyla [n] an order of hooved mammals of the
subclass Eutheria (including pigs and peccaries and
hippopotami and members of the suborder Ruminantia)
having an even number of functional toes
artiodactylous [a] relating to mammals belonging to
the order Artiodactyla

arto

CONTENTS
(Greek : artos : bread)
bread (the food (used for likeness))
Artocarpus [n] a taxonomic genus of the mulberry
family which includes the breadfruit
artocarpous [a] relating to the breadfruit

arund(i); arundin(i)
(Latin : harundo : reed)
reed (the plant)
arundinaceous [a] relating to reeds or canes
arundineous [a] abounding in reeds; reedy
arundiferous [a] producing reeds or canes
Arundinaria [n] the taxonomic genus of bamboo in
the grass family, commonly known as canes

arvicol(i)
(Latin : arvum + colere : field + dwell)
meadow mouse
arvicoline [a] inhabiting fields or rural areas
Arvicolinae [n] a taxonomic subfamily of rodents that
includes voles, lemmings, muskrats, and meadow mice

asc(o)
(Greek : askos : bag)
sac (cavity within an organism)
ascus [n] sac-like structure in which ascospores are
formed through sexual reproduction of ascomycetes
ascomycetes [n] any fungus of the class Ascomycetes
(or subdivision Ascomycota) in which the spores are
formed inside an ascus
ascospore [n] sexually produced fungal spore formed
within an ascus
ascocarp [n] mature fruiting body of an ascomycetous
fungus
ascocarpous [a] relating to ascocarps

ascari
(Greek : askaris : intestinal worm)
intestinal worm
Ascaridida [n] the taxonomic order of parasitic roundworms with three lips on the anterior end
Ascarididae [n] the family of the order Ascaridida of
large parasitic intestinal roundworms
Ascaris [n] the genus of the family Ascarididae consisting of parasitic nematode worms
Ascaris suum [n] a species of Ascaris; a large roundworm affecting pigs
ascariasis [n] an intestinal infection, which through its
progression causes shortness of breath, fever, abdominal swelling, and diarrhea
Ascaris lumbricoides [n] a species of Ascaris; a
roundworm affecting humans and causing ascariasis
ascaricide [n] a drug to treat ascariasis

asmat(o)
(Greek : asma : song)
song (words set to music to be sung)

23
asmatographer [n] a song or music seller
asmatography [n] the art of composing songs

aspid(o)
(Greek : aspid : shield)
shield (broad protecting piece of material)
aspidate [a] shaped like a shield
aspidomancy [n] divination using a shield

assidu(i)
(Latin : assiduous : sitting down to)
unceasing
assiduity, assiduousness [n] constant or close attention to what one is doing
assiduous [a] displaying assiduity

aster(o)
(Greek : aster : star)
star (remote incandescent body like the sun)
asterism [n] a cluster of stars (or a small constellation)
asteroid [n] a small rocky celestial found especially
between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter
asteroidal [a] relating to asteroids
Asteroidea [n] a taxonomic class containing starfish

asthen(o)
(Greek : asthenes : without strength)
weakness (the condition of being weak)
asthenia, astheny [n] an abnormal loss of strength
asthenic [a] lacking strength or vigor; [a] having a
slender physique
asthenopia [n] weakness of sight
asthenosphere [n] the zone of the Earths upper mantle below the lithosphere (approximately 80 to 200 km
below the surface)

astra
(Greek : astrapaios : of lightning)
lightning (the natural electrical discharge)
astral [a] star-related; [a] starry
astraphobia [n] an abnormal fear of thunder and lightning

astro
(Greek : aster : star)
star (remote incandescent body like the sun)
astrophobia [n] fear of stars or celestial space
astrogeny [n] the creation or evolution of stars
astrognosy [n] the science or knowledge of the stars,
esp. the fixed stars
astrolatry [n] worship of the stars
astroscopy [n] observation of the stars
astronomy [n] the subfield of physics studying celestial bodies and the universe as a whole
astronomize [v] to study astronomy; [v] to talk about
astronomy
astrometry [n] the measurement of the positions, motions, and magnitudes of stars

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astrography [n] a description of the stars, or the science of describing them
astrology [n] divination using positions of the planets,
Sun, and Moon
astrologize [v] to study astrology
astrophysics [n] the branch of physics concerned with
the physical and chemical properties, origin, and evolution of the celestial bodies
astronaut [n] a person trained to travel in a spacecraft
astrocyte [n] any of the star-shaped cells in the tissue
supporting the brain and spinal cord (neuroglia)
astroid [n] a hypocycloid having four cusps
astroite [n] a star-shaped fossil

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atramentarious [a] suitable for making ink

atri(o)
(Latin : atrium : central hall)
cavity (empty space within solid object)
atrium [n] the open main court of a Roman house; [n]
a cavity or chamber in the body (especially the upper
chamber of each half of the heart)
atrial [a] relating to atriums
atrioventricular [a] relating to the atrial and ventricular chambers of the heart
atriopore [n] a hole in a lancelet through which water
exits the body

atax(o); ataxi(o)

atychi

(Greek : a- + taktos : without + order)

disorder (state of confusion)
ataxy [n] disorder, irregularity; [n] irregularity in disease
ataxiophobia, ataxophobia [n] morbid fear of disorder or untidiness
ataxia, ataxy [n] inability to coordinate voluntary
muscle movements
ataxic [a] relating to ataxia
ataxaphasia, ataxiaphasia, ataxiophemia [n] inability to speak, due to imperfect muscular coordination

(Greek : atucheo : to fail)

failure (lack of success)
atychiphobia [n] fear of failure (kakorrhaphiophobia)

atm(o)
(Greek : atmos : vapour)
vapour (substance diffused in air)
atmology [n] the science of the laws and phenomena
of aqueous vapour
atmolyse, atmolyze [v] to separate mingled gases of
unequal diffusibility by transmission through porous
substances
atmolysis [n] the act or process of atmolysing
atmometer [n] an instrument measuring the rate of
evaporation of water
atmosphere (the envelope of gases around a planet)
atmosphere [n] the envelope of gases surrounding the
earth or another planet; [n] the mood or tone of a place,
situation, or creative work (the ambience or aura)
atmospherology [n] the science of the atmosphere

atr(o)
(Latin : ater : black)
black (the colour)
atrous [a] coal-black
atroceruleous [a] deep blue-black

auant(o)
(Greek : auantikos : wasted)
wasting away
auantic [a] wasting away; atrophic

auchen(o)
(Greek : auchen : neck)
neck (body part)
auchenium [n] the part of the neck nearest the back

audac(i)
(Latin : audax : bold)
bold (daring)
audacity, audaciousness [n] willingness to take surprisingly bold risks; [n] impudence
audacious [a] showing audacity; [a] disrespectful or
impudent

audi(o)
(Latin : audire : to hear)
hearing (the sense)
auditory [a] relating to hearing
audiology [n] the branch of science and medicine
studying hearing
audiometry [n] measurement of the range and sensitivity of hearing
audiobook [n] a recording of the reading of a book
sound (air vibrations to be heard)
audiogenic [a] produced by sound
audiovisual [a] relating to sight and sound
audiophile [n] a hi-fi enthusiast

atrament(o)
(Latin : atramentum : black ink)
ink (dark liquid)
atrament, atramentum [n] a very black (usually liquid) substance (as may come from an octopus)
atramentous, atramentaceous, atramental [a] black
as ink; [a] inky

augment(i)
(Latin : augere : to increase)
grow (increase)
augment [v] to enlarge or increase; [v] to grow or intensify
augmentative [a] tending to augment

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augmentation [n] the act of augmenting; [n] the
amount by which something increases

augur(i)
(Latin : augere : to promote)
divination (foretelling the future)
augury [n] an omen; [n] the interpretation of omens
augur [n] a diviner who interprets augury; [v] to divine
augurship [n] the interpretation of omens
augurial, augural [a] relating to augury
augurous [a] foreboding
augurate [v] to divine; [n] the office of an augur

aul(o)
(Greek : aulos : a tube)
pipe (hollow tube)
aulophyte [n] a nonparasitic plant that lives in the cavity of another plant for shelter
flute (the instrument)
aulophobia [n] fear of flutes
auletic [a] relating to a pipe (flute); [a] relating to a
piper

25
aurichalceous [a] coloured like brass (the alloy of copper and zinc)
aurichalcite [n] a hydrous carbonate of copper and
zinc, found in pale green or blue crystalline aggregations yielding a kind of brass on reduction

auricul(i)
(Latin : auricula : outer ear)
ear (organ of hearing)
auricular [a] relating to ears; [a] perceived by ears; [a]
shaped like an ear
auricle [n] a small conical pouch projecting from the
upper anterior part of each atrium of the heart
auriculate [a] having auricles

aurig
(Latin : auriga : chariot)
carriage (vehicle with wheels drawn by horses)
aurigation [n] the act of driving a chariot or carriage
chariot (two-wheeled horse-drawn battle vehicle)
aurigal [a] relating to a chariot

aur(i/o)

auror

(Latin : aurum : gold)

gold (the metal)
aurous, auric [a] relating to gold
auriferous [a] bearing gold
aurivorous [a] eating gold (figuratively greedy)
deaurate, inaurate [a] gilded; [vt] to gild
aurigraphy [n] the art of writing in gold
aureate [a] elaborately or excessively ornamented; [a]
golden (in colour)
aurocephalous [a] having a gold-coloured head
auriphrygiate [a] embroidered or decorated with gold

(Latin : aurora : dawn)

dawn (daybreak)
aurora [n] dawn; daybreak; morning; [n] bands of
light caused by charged solar particles
auroral [a] relating to dawn
Aurora [n] in Roman mythology, goddess of the dawn
(the Greek counterpart is Eos)
aurora borealis [n] aurora in the northern hemisphere
aurora australis [n] aurora in the southern hemisphere

aur(i)
(Latin : aurus : ear)
ear (the organ)
aurally [a] relating to the ear
auriform [a] shaped like an ear
auricled [a] having ear-shaped appendages or lobes
auriculate, aurited [a] having lobes like the ear
auriscope [n] an instrument for examining the ear
aurist [n] specialist in treating disorders of the ear
auricle [n] the externally visible cartilaginous structure
of the external ear

auranti
(Latin : aurantium : an orange)
orange (the fruit)
aurantiaceous [n] relating to the orange fruit; [a] relating to Aurantiaceae (a former order of plants containing orange)

aurichalc(o)
(Greek : aurichalkon : yellow copper ore)
copper (the metal)

austr
(Latin : auster : south wind)
south (the direction opposite to north)
austrine, austral [a] southern; southerly

aut
(Greek : autos : self)
self
autobiography [n] a self-written biography
autodidact [n] a self-taught person
automath [n] a self-taught person
autonomy [n] political independence
autonomous [a] capable of operating independently
autocrat [n] a cruel dictator; despot; tyrant
autolatry [n] self-worship
autofecundation [n] self-fecundation
autogamy [n] self-fertilization
autogenesis [n] spontaneous generation
autoschediastical [a] offhand; extemporary
autochthonous, autochthonal [a] aboriginal; indigenous; native
autofluorescence [n] self-induced florescence
autopoiesis [n] self-creation

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automaton [n] a mechanism or organism that operates
independently of external control
autoplasty [n] surgical repair using tissue from another part of the patients body
autosome [n] a chromosome that is not a sex chromosome
autosemantic [n] a linguistic unit meaningful in isolation and without context
autotroph [n] an organism, such as a plant, capable of
synthesizing its own food
autotelism [n] the belief that an entity has within itself
its own meaning or purpose
autograph [n] a persons own signature
autogenous, autogenic [a] originating within the body
autophoby [n] fear of referring to oneself (due to fear
of being egotistical)
autoptical, autoptic [a] seen with ones own eyes (as
of testimony)
autopsy [n] a post-mortem examination
automatic, automatous [a] operating by itself
automation [n] the introduction of automatic equipment in a factory
autopilot [n] a program which keeps an aircraft on
course without the pilots intervention
autofocusing [a] describing a camera which focuses
without assistance

autumn
(Latin : autumnus : autumn)
autumn (the season)
autumn [n] fall; the season after summer and before
winter
autumnal [a] relating to autumn
aestivoautumnal [a] relating to summer and autumn

aux
(Greek : auxanein : to increase)
growth (increase)
auxesis [n] growth resulting from an increase in cell
size (as opposed to cell division)
auxetic [a] relating to or promoting auxesis; [n] a material which when stretched becomes thicker perpendicular to the applied force
auxanometer [n] an instrument that measures the linear growth of plant shoots
auxin [n] a plant hormone that promotes root formation and bud growth

auxili
(Latin : auxilium : help)
help (assistance)
auxiliary, auxiliar, auxiliatory [a] helping; supporting; assisting; [a] supplementary; subsidiary; [a] held
in reserve for exceptional circumstances; [a] of a ship,
having both sails and an engine
auxiliary verb [n] a verb accompanying a main verb

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in a clause to add functional or grammatical meaning
(e.g. could in I could run there)
auxilian [n] a volunteer at a hospital (usually part of a
group)

avar
(Latin : avaritia : covetousness)
greed (covetousness)
avaricious, avarous [a] greedy; covetous
avarice [n] the excessive desire of gain (in particular of
wealth)

avena
(Latin : avena : oats)
oat (the grass or its seed)
avenaceous [a] relating to oats; like oats
avenage [n] a quantity of oats paid by a tenant to a
landlord instead of rent
Avena [n] a taxonomic genus of grasses that include
the common oat
Avena sativa [n] the taxonomic name of the common
oat, serving as livestock feed, and used as oatmeal and
rolled oats by humans

avern
(Latin : Lake Avernus : the entrance to hell)
underworld ((religion) the world of the dead)
Avernus [n] the entrance to Hell or the underworld; [n]
Hell or the underworld; [n] a lake of Campania, south
Italy (ancient writers fancied its poisonous vapors to be
so harmful as to kill birds flying over it and associated
it with infernal regions)
Avernian, Avernal [a] relating to lake Avernus

avi
(Latin : avis : bird)
bird (the animal)
avian [a] relating to *birds*
aviculture [n] the breeding and rearing of birds
avifauna [n] all the kinds of birds inhabiting a region
aviary [n] an enclosure or place for keeping birds
aircraft (flying vehicle)
aviation [n] the flying or operating of aircraft
aviate [vi] to operate an aircraft
aviator [n] an aircraft pilot
aviatrix [n] a female aviator
flying (flight)
aviophobia [n] fear of flying

avid
(Latin : avidus : greedy)
eager (showing a keen interest)
avid, avidious [a] eager; greedy
avidity, avidness [n] eagerness; greediness

avit
(Latin : avitus : grandfather)
grandfather

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avital [a] relating to a grandfather or ancestor

avuncul
(Latin : avunculus : uncle)
uncle (brother of a parent)
avuncular [a] relating to uncles; [a] friendly as an uncle
avunculicide [n] the killing of an uncle (as featured
throughout mythology)
avunculate, avunculism [n] the close social relationship between a maternal uncle and his nephew

27

axio
(Greek : axios : worth)
value (worth)
axiology [n] the study of values and value judgements
axiom [n] a statement or proposition which is regarded
as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true
axiomatic [a] relating to or like axioms
axiopisty [n] trustworthiness

azo

(Latin : axis : pole of the earth)

axis (a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies
certain conditions)
axis [n] an imaginary line about which a body rotates;
[n] a fixed line used to determine the coordinates of
points in a space; [n] a straight central part to which
others are connected
axial [a] relating to an axis; [a] operating along an axis
axile [a] in botany, in or of an axis

(Greek : a- + ksoein : not + to live)

nitrogen (the element)
azote [n] nitrogen
azotic [a] relating to nitrogen; nitric
azotous [a] nitrous (as in azotous acid)
azotize [vt] to nitrogenize
azotemeter [n] an apparatus for measuring the proportion of nitrogen; a nitrometer
azotite [n] a salt formed by the combination of azotous
acid with a base; a nitrite
azobenzene [n] a substance (C6H5.N2.C6H5) derived
from nitrobenzene, forming orange red crystals which
are easily fusible

axilla

azur(i)

(Latin : axilla : armpit)

armpit
axilla, axillary cavity, axillary fossa [n] the armpit
axillary, axillar [a] relating to the armpit
axillar [n] a feather connecting the undersurface of the
wing and the body

(Latin : azur : azure)

sky-blue
azure [a] sky-blue; [n] lapis lazuli
azureous [a] sky-blue
azurite [n] blue carbonate of copper
azurine [n] the blue roach of Europe; [a] azure

axi