Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

Tim Moors
This document contains basic words from Greek and Latin that are components of many words used in the English language, particularly in
scientific and medical terminology. Such terminology is often difficult to understand because of the number of words whose meaning must
be memorized. However, there are far fewer components (prefixes, roots, and suffixes) than there are words that combine those components,
so memorizing the meaning of the components can reduce how much you need to memorize, and can help you understand words that you
haven t yet been introduced to, but which are based on these components. The reuse is also helpful when crossing disciplines, e.g. once you
know that alto means high from music, you can also guess that alto clouds are high clouds (clouds at altitide), again reducing the volume
of material to memorize.
For example, the condition pulmonary barotrauma doesn t sound like anything else in the English language, but by decomposing it into
its components: pulmonary = lung, baro = pressure, trauma = wound, makes it much more meaningful: a wound to the lung caused by
pressure. Knowing the root baro also helps to understand the word barometer.
At the same time, learning a list of words is almost as boring as reading a telephone directory or phonebook. To make it easier, learn words
that are related to subjects of interest. This document is organized into areas of related words, and (eventually) the end of this document will
contain indices pointing to words that are related to particular fields of interest (e.g. dinosaurs, anatomy, etc).
This document contain a series of entries of the following form:
English form
Meaning
Root
CARB
CARBO
CARBON
CARBONI

coal, charcoal

carbo, carbon-

Language
(Lat/Gk)
L

Example
carboniferous

The English form column indicates how the component appears in English words. The components are capitalized in order to facilitate
searching. For example, if you search for ferous , you must pass the entries for carb- and voc- which contain (carboniferous and
vociferous) before reaching the entry for FEROUS. A case-sensitive search for FEROUS will lead you directly to the entry for ferous.
The root indicates the word from which the component was derived, and the Language column might indicate that the root was from Latin (L)
or Greek (G). The Example column occasionally contains notes, e.g. histogram is derived from histos meaning mast, not histo
meaning tissue.
Contents

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

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Objects
inanimate objects
Artificial objects
Physics
Biology
Botany
Zoology / Animals
Anatomy
External
Intergumentary system
Internal
Skeletal system
Circulatory system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Urinary system
Nervous system
Senses
Reproductive system
Medicine
Medical conditions
Medical operations
Abstract concepts and characteristics
Relationships and adjectives
Adjectives
Colours
Relationships
numbers / quantities
Verbs

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

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Objects
English form

Meaning

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

AX, AXI-, AXOCHIASMFOSS

PELV
SEB
TRAB

axis, axle
crossing
ditch
a basin
grease
beam, timber

axial

VULVVAGIN-LEMMA

a covering
a sheath
sheath

vulva
vagina

FORAM-

opening

SIN-, SINOVENTER,
VENTRCOELLACUNCAMERA
AREOLAATRICLAUSTR(O)

a hollow
hollow cavity, belly

VESTIBUL-

a porch

vestibule: anterior
entry to the mouth
and nose

CYST-

sac, bladder

blastocyst
(growing sac)

VESIC(O)

bladder

hollow
space, cavity, lake
vault
open space
vestibule
enclosure

fossil?

sinuses of the skull

ventral, ventricle

claustrum

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

L
from claudere to
shut

atrium
claustrophobia

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CYTCYTO
TUNIC-

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cell
covering

inanimate objects
Chemical elements
English form
NATRIARGENTUM
AURUM
FERROXY-

Meaning
sodium
silver
gold
iron
oxygen

Organic chemistry?
English form
LIP-, LIPOSTEATSTEATOATHERATHEROAMYL-

Example

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

fat; containing a lipid

fat

lipoprotein

fatty
starch

Meaning
coal, charcoal
stone, lime, chalk
stone, bone/rock?

English form
ASTER

Language
(Lat/Gk)
L
L

Meaning

Geology
English form
CARB(ON)(I)
CALC
LITH

Root

Root
carbo, carbon-

Meaning
star

Language
(Lat/Gk)
L
L

Root
aster

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

amylase

carboniferous

Language
(Lat/Gk)
G

Example

Example
asteroid, astrology

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

VITRECOLOSS

glass
gigantic statue

LAMELLLAMINA
MITOCOL(L)
-GLEA, -GLIA

small plate
layer, sheet
thread, filament
glue
glue

Forces?
English form

kolossos
colossus

kolla

Meaning

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G
L

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

fire, fever

CALORTHERMTHERMOCRYCRYO-

heat
heat

STER-

solid

steros

AQUA-, AQUEHYDR-,
HYDROLYMPH
NIMBUS
HUMORRHEUM-

water
water

aque

XER(O)

dry

Example
pyromaniac,
pyrotechnics

calor

cold

RHE
-RRHEA

laminate
mitochondria
collagen

PYRPYRO-

water
rainy
a fluid
watery flow, change, or
flux
flow
flow or discharge

coliseum

calories
thermometer
cryogenics

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

cholesterol (solid
bile)

nimbus clouds
rheumatoid
arthritis
diarrhea
xerox? (dry

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copying?)
VENTUS
PNEUMO
PNEA
PNEUM(ATO)
AER(O)
ANEM(O)

wind
air, wind
breathing
breath, air
air
wind

ventilation

aer
anemos

G
G

anemone

Artificial objects
English form
BIBLIOFOLLIGLOMSAGITTSEPTUM
FENESTRFONTANCLAVICFLAGELLSERRATTHYROTRAPEZTYMPAN-

Meaning
book
bag, bellows
ball
arrow
fence
window
fountain
key
whip
saw
a shield
table
drum

Root
biblion

Language
(Lat/Gk)
G

Example
bibliography
?follicle?
sagitarius

flagella
serrated

Physics
English form
BARO

Meaning

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

weight, pressure

baros

heavy
depth

barys
bathos

G
G

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Example
barotrauma,
barometer

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

TONO-

tension

VALEN-

strength

DURA
SCLEROMALAC, MALACIA

hard
hard
soft

ALT(I)
ALTO
LEVA-

high, height

CAUST, CAUT
BELLUM
CID
CIDIUM
-CIDA
-CIDE
NECR(O)-

hypertonic
valere to be
strong

sclerosis
spondylomalacia =
a softening of the
vertebrae
altus

alto clouds
alto pitch

raise, elevate

death and destruction

English form
CINER

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Meaning
ashes
to burn

Root
cinis
ardere
kaustikos burning

war
a killing

caedere to kill

Language
(Lat/Gk)
L
L
G
L
L

Example
incinerate
caustic
fratricide,
homicide,
genocide,
insecticide

killer
destroy or kill
death

Biology
English form
BIOS
VIVVIVI

Meaning
life
life

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)
G

Example
biology
vivisection
in vivo

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VITAORG-

life
living

GERMIN-PLAS

grow
grow

English form

organism
organic?
germinate?

Meaning

GYN
ANDRANDROGERO-,
GERONTMATER
GAM-, GAMET-

mother
married, spouse

PAROUS
PED(O)

parent?
child

GON-, GONOSEMEN
ZYGAZYG-

seed, offspring
seed, sperm
a yoke, twin
unpaired

-NATA

birth

PARTUM

?birth?

microbiology:
English form

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woman
man, male, husband

Root

aner

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example
gynacologist
androgynous?
android?

old man

monogamy,
bigamy
ped also means
foot, e.g.
pedestrian, pedal,
bipedal

zygote

prenatal, neonatal,
antenatal
postpartum

Meaning

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Root

Language

Example

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(Lat/Gk)
MENING(O)- membrane

meningitis

Botany
English form

Meaning

ANTH(O)

flower

ARBOR
DENDRCORTPHY-

tree
tree, branch
bark
leaf

BLAST-BLAST
CAUL(I)
CARP(O)
COCC

bud, germ, sprout

generator
stalk
fruit
berry, seed

NUCLECAROTRHACHOS

pit, kernel, little nut

carrot, stupor
thorn

MYC-, MYCO-

fungus

Root
anthos

Language
(Lat/Gk)
G

Example
chrysanthemum?
anthology?

phyllon

blastos

caulis
karpos
kokkos

L
G

dendrite
corticosteroids?
phyllo pastry,
chlorophyl
blastocyst
trophoblast
cauliflower?
staphylococus
staphylo- (cluster)
+ cocus (berry) =
rounded bacteria
clustered like
bunches of grapes
nucleus

L
G

Zoology / Animals
English form
ANTHROAV-

Meaning
human being
bird

Root
anthropos
avis

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Language
(Lat/Gk)
G
L

Example
anthropology
aviary

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CANICARCIN-,
CARCINO-

HIPPOCAVAL
CET(AC)

dog
crab
a cancer (apparently
because the veins
around a cancerous
tumour were thought to
resemble the limbs of a
crab)
horse
horse
whale, sea-monster

VACCCOCHLEA
CONCHA
COCCY-

cow
snail shell
shell
cuckoo

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canis
karkinos

L
G

canine

caballus
cetus
ketos

L
L
G

cavalry
cetacean
vaccine

Anatomy
External
English form
CORPOR,
CORPSOMASOMAT
SOMATO
-SOME

Meaning

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

body
body

limbs:
English form
BRACHIPINNIS
PENIPENNA-

Root

chromosome?

Meaning

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

arm
fin
a tail
a wing

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

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PTERON

wing

PTERYGOTE
SOMAOURA
CAUDCODA
CHIR
CHIRO
DACTYL
DACTYLO
CARPAL
MANUS
TARSAL
PEDAL

wings
body
tail
tail

cauda, coda

hand

cheir

Gk

wrist
hand
ankle
foot

POD(O)-

foot

caudal: towards
the tail
chiropractic: hand
activity
teradactyl?

finger or toe

head
English form
CEPHAL(O),
ENCEPHAL(O)
CAPUT-CIPIT
CORONA
OCULOOPHTHALM(O)
OT(O)AUR
AURI
BUCC-

pterosaur: pteron
wing + sauros
lizard

ped also means

foot, e.g.
pedestrian, pedal,
bipedal

Meaning
head
head
head
crown
eye
eye
ear
ear

Root
kephale

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

Gk

?ocipital?
coronary

otoscope
auris

cheek

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

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BUCCORHIN(O)ROSTRIS
NAS(O)
STOM(A)
LABI-, LABRI-

jaw
nose
nose
nose
mouth, opening
lip

gnathus

nasal
colostomy

See also Senses

regions:
English form
CERVIC-,
CERVIX
COL(L)
ACROMIAL
AXILLARY
STERNAL
STETH(O)
THORAC(O)
CELEVENTLAPAR(O)
GLUTECOXAL
INGUINAL

Meaning

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

neck

cervix

neck
point of shoulder?
armpit
breastbone
chest
chest
abdominal
the belly-side
flank, abdomen
buttock
hip
groin

collum

cervix = neck of
the womb
collar

stethos

stethoscope

venter = belly

ventral

Intergumentary system
English form
PILI
CAPILLHIRSUTCILICILI

Meaning
hair
hair
hairy
small hair
eyelid, eyelash

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

capillus

capillary

cilium

Lat

cilia: eyelash-like

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

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appendages to
cells
long-haired
CIRRUS
VILLUS
BARBA

tuft of hair
shaggy hair
beard

COMPHOCORN-, CORNUKERACUT-, CUTIC-

nail
horn
horn
skin

DERMLEPIS

skin
scales

LACT-, LACTOMAMM(O)MAST(O)
PECTPIPILL-

milk
breast
breast
breast
nipple

kometes

Gk
from komes hair
cirrus clouds
L

barbel - fish with

beard-like
appendages;
barber?

cutaneous,
cuticle?
derm(ato)

pectus

mastectomy
pectoral muscles

Internal
English form
SPLANCHNVISCEROHIST(O)-

SARCO-

Meaning
organ
organ
tissue

flesh

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

?hysterectomy?
Note: histogram
from Greek histos
mast
sarcophagus
(flesh eating)

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CARNEOCARN(I)

flesh

MY(O)-

muscle

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caro

carnage heap of
flesh; carnival:
lifting of flesh(eating): carnival
before Lenten fast,
incarnate
myocardial
infarction heart
muscle

Skeletal system
English form

Meaning

RACHI(O)
SPONDYL
SPONDYLO
MEDULLMYELONOTOCANI(O)CHRONDR(O)CHONDRO

spine
vertebra

COST(O)PLEURDEN-, DENTDONTUS
ODONTOADOUS
OSSE(O)OSTE(O)ARTHRON
ARTHR-

rib
side, rib
tooth
teeth
teeth
tooth
bone
bone
joint

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

spondylolysis: +
"lysis" = dissolve

marrow
spinal cord, marrow
back
skull
cartilage
cartilage

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Example

notochord

hypochondriac =
below cartilage
(concern about
parts under the
breastbone)
pentacostal

arthritis
(inflamation of the

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ARTHROARTUS
ATRIC(UL)-

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joints)
joint
joint

Circulatory system
English form

Meaning

CARDI(O)
HAEMHEM- (NAM)
HEMA-,
HEMATO-,
HEMOSANGUINEMIA

heart
blood

ANGI(O)-

vessel

ARTERI(O)
AORTPHLEB(O)VEN(O)
VAS(O)

artery
great artery
vein
vein
vessel

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

kardia

blood
blood

anemia
angiitis,
angioplasty
aorta

vasculum small
vessel

vascular

Respiratory system
English form
BRONCHOPULMO(N(O))-

Meaning

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

bronchus
lung

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

pulmonary

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PNEUMON(O)

lung

BRANCHIA

gills

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pneumonia
pneumatic?
G

Digestive system
English form

Meaning

PEPPEPS
PEPT
PHAG-, PHAGONUTRIAILMENT-

digest

TROPH-

nourish

JUGULPHARYNG(O)

throat
throat

GLOSS(O)LINGUALINGU(O)

tongue
tongue

ILEENTER(O)GASTR(O)-

intestine
intestine
stomach

PROCT(O)

rectum, anus

HEPAT(O)CHOL(ER)
CHOLE-

liver
bile, or referring to
gallbladder, anger

BILI-

bile

eat, destroy
feed, nourish
nourish

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example
peptic acid

phagein

macrophage
ailmentary canal,
or digestive tract
atrophy,
trophoblast
jugular vein

linguistics

gastric, epigastric,
gastrointestinal

chole

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

hepatitis
cholera: bilious
disease;
cholesterol: bile
solid

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Urinary system
English form

Meaning

-URIA
DIUREMICTUR-

urine
urinate
urinate

RENREN(I)
REN(O)
ADRENNEPHRONEPHR-

kidney

PYEL(O)

pelvis of kidney

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

diuretic

renes

adrenal, renal

toward the kidney

kidney

Nervous system
English form
NEUR(O)
CEREBROCEREB(R)(O)
ENCEPH(AL
(O))PSYCH(O)MNEMSOMNUS
HYPNO-

Meaning
nerve
brain, especially the
cerebrum
brain
brain
mind, psyche
memory
sleep
sleep

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

cerebrum

cerebral
encephalograph

hypnos

hypnotise?

Senses

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

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See also head (for organs that perform the sensing)

English form

Meaning

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

SENS-ESTHESI
NARCO-

feeling
sensation
numbness

PLEG, -PLEGIA
-ALGIA, ALG

paralysis
pain in a certain part

-ODYN, ODYNO

pain

-OPIA

vision, defect of the

eye

myopia

OLFACTOSM-

smell
smell

olfactory

GUSTGLYCERGLYC(O)
SUCR-DIPS

taste
sweet, or referring to
glucose
sweet
thirst, dry

TACT-

touch

AUSCULTAUDITAUDI(O)

listen
to hear
hearing

ACOU-, ACUCANERE

hearing
to sing

esthete
narcotic,
narcolepsy
analgesic
(an=without+
algesis = sense of
pain)

glykeros or
glykys = sweet

glycerol, glucose?

tactile

audire

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

acoustics
L

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-PHASIA
VOX,
VOC-

speech
voice

vocalis

Page 19 of 35

vociferous
vocal

Endocrine system (end- + Greek krinein to separate)

ADEN(O)- gland adeniform: resembling a gland in shape
paracrine

Reproductive system
English form

Meaning

GONO
HYSTER(O)-

gonad?
uterus or womb

METROOOOOPHOR(O)
OV-, OVIORCHI(O)-

uterus
egg
ovaries
egg, ovum, ovary
testis/testes

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

hysterectomy,
hysteria (from the
notion that
hysteric women
were suffering
from disturbances
of the womb)
ocyte?

Medicine
iatr(o)
-iatrics medical specialty

doctor

-dontist, e.g. orthodontist, periodontist, prosthodontist

peri- + Greek odont-, odous, odOn tooth

Medical conditions
English form

Meaning

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Root

Language

Example

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(Lat/Gk)
OSIS
-IA
-ISM
-TY
-EMIA

condition
condition
condition
condition of, state
condition of the

English form
DYS-

Meaning

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

bad, faulty, abnormal

difficult, painful
displaced
tender
swelling
swelling
swelling or knot
swollen
clot, lump

dysfunctional

-ITIS

inflammation

dermatitis,
hepatitis, arthritis,
etc

SEPTI-ASTHEN
-OMA
ONCONCOTRAUMA

rotten
weakness
tumor
tumor

antiseptic

ECTOPPIA
EDEMTUBERGANGLI-BRYO
THROMB-,
THROMBO-

-PATHY,
PATH

wound

embryo
thrombosis

carcinoma
oncology
G

barotrauma

disease

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

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PATHO
-RRHAGIA

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abnormal or excessive
discharge
ferment

-ZYME

Medical operations
English form
-ECTOMY

Meaning

OPSY

excision (removal by
cutting)
repair
reconstruction of a part,
plastic surgery
incision (operation by
cutting)
establishment of an
artificial opening
examination

SCOPY

examination

THERAP

treatment

-PLASTY
TOMY
-STOMY

tox-, toxi-

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example
mastectomy
rhinoplasty,
angioplasty
(fixing arteries)

colostomy
G

autopsy: seeing
for oneself
see scope =
instrument

poison

pharmaco
pyosebserosudoranginthyro-

Root

pus
grease
serum
sweat
choked
a shield

drug
sebaceous

Abstract concepts and characteristics

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

English form

Meaning

GNOSTIC
-LOGY
-ICIAN

knowing
the study of
noun suffix meaning
specialist / practitioner

VERITAS
PSEUD(O)
BONUS
KAKOS
MALEU
NOCI-

truth?
false
good
bad
bad, abnormal
normal
harmful

AMIC, AM(OR),
IMIC
AMAT-PHIL, -PHILO
-PHOB
-PHOBIA

to love

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Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example
agnostic
obstetrician,
electrician,
patrician

L
G

amare

amor love; amicus

friend
amicable

like, love
fear

Time
English form

Meaning

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

CHRON(O)
TEMPL-,
TEMPOBRADY-

time
time

chronos

slow

bradys

TACHY-

rapid, fast, quick

bradycardia
(abnormally slow
heart beat)
tachometer?

MEN-,

month

menstruation

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

MENSTRUANNUS

year

CENE, CAINO
NEOARCHPRESBY

new, recent
new
ancient, primitive
elder

POIE
GENE

make, produce
beginning, origin,
become, originate
the end

TELO-

English form

Page 23 of 35

L
kainos

archaios

Meaning

Root

archaic

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

ATLAS
APHRODITE
BAAKCHOS

god
goddess of love
god

G
G
G

-ARCHES
-ARCHOS

ruler

monarchy (one
ruler), -cracy (e.g.
democracy,
plutocracy)

-NOM
ARCHI-

govern
first, chief

architect,
archangel

AUT-, AUTOPROPRI-

self, by oneself
one s own

automobile
proprietary

Communication
English form
-GRAM

autos

Meaning
data that are

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example
telegram

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

-GRAPH
TELE
SCOPE
-SCOPE

systematically recorded
writer or signaler
an instrument used for
recording or drawing
at a distance

SEMA
PHOROS

watcher or observer
instrument used for
examination
ign or symbol
bearer or carrier

NOM-

name

Page 24 of 35

graphos
G

telegram,
telegraph
telescope

skopos

semaphore
phosphorus?
nomenclature

Relationships and adjectives

Groups of objects
English form

Meaning

STAPHYLO-

cluster

STREPTOCUMULUS
STRAT-

chain
heap
layer

pot pouri:
English form
COMMIS-

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example
staphylococus
staphylo- (cluster)
+ cocus (berry) =
rounded bacteria
clustered like
bunches of grapes
cumulus clouds
stratus clouds,
strata

stratus

Meaning

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

united

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

5.8.2008

Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

TENSTETANASPER
DECIDARISTOS
-TEGM
-FEROUS

English form

stretched
rigid, tense
rough
falling off
best
cover
bearing, yielding,
producing, containing

Meaning

ORTHO-

striaght, direct

ANKYL(O)
ANUS
ARACUS

crooked, curved
ring
curve

Page 25 of 35

tension
tetanus
L
deciduous
aristocracy

carboniferous

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example
orthogonal?
orthodontist?

L
L

Adjectives
English form
-AL
-AR

-ABLE

English form
CUSPDELTA

Meaning

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

adjective suffix
indicating of, relating
to, or characterized by
adjective suffix
indicating of, relating
to, being, or
resembling
adjective suffix: able to,
capable of
Meaning

Example
lateral

viable: ability to
live of exist
Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

pointed
triangular

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

5.8.2008

Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

ARRECT-

upright

LATENCRYPT-

hidden
hidden

STRIAMACULA
FASCIATUM
ACTIN-

furrow, streak
spot
spotted
banded
having a radiate form

STEGO
CHARCHAROS

plates
jagged/rough

PRONRECT
SAPHEN
SQUAM

bent forward
straight
visible, clear
scale, flat

STEN-, STENO-

narrow, compressed

VISCOS-PLASM
ORECTOS

sticky
form, shape
stretched-out

Page 26 of 35

latent, latency

aktin

stegos = roof

stegosaurus

stenograph

Colours
English form

Meaning

CHROMCHROMAT
CHROMATO

coloured

LUMEN
CANDERE

light
to be shining white,
shine, glow with heat

Root
chroma

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Language
(Lat/Gk)
G

Example
chromosome

illuminate?
L

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

RUBRI
ERYTHRERYTHRO-

red
red

erythros

Page 27 of 35

LUTEUM, LUT-

orange
yellow

CHRYS(O)

gold

chrysos

CHLOR(O)

pale green, yellowish

green

chloros

VERT, VERD
CAERULEUS
CYANCYANOLIVIDUS

green
blue
blue

viridis

LEUKOALB
ALBI
GLAUCMELANMELANOLUCIHYAL-

black and blue

purple
white
white

??erythocyte = red
blood cell??
corpus luteum:
yellow body
chrysanthemum:
golden flower
chlorine,
chlorophyll (many
names are derived
from chlorine &
describe substances
that aren t green,
e.g. chloroform
CHCl3 &
chlorofluorocarbon)
chloasma =
to be green
verdant
cyanide?

albus

gray
black, dark

Lat

leukemia?
albino?
glaucoma?
melanoma?

clear
clear

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

Page 28 of 35

colours in English and Italian: (translation by Alta Vista s Babel Fish; note that the order was reversed)
red orange yellow green blue indigo violet purple brown white black
nero bianco marrone viola viola dell' indaco blu verde giallo arancione rosso

Relationships
English form
A, AN
A, AB, ABS

Meaning
without, absence or lack
prefix that negates that
which follows
away, from, away from,
departing from

AD-

to or toward

ANT-, ANTI-

opposed to; preventing

or inhibiting, against
against, counter
with, together
(or gives the word more
force
thoroughly )

CONTRACOM, CON, CO
(OR COL, CORBEFORE L
OR R )
SYM-, SYNJUXTAPARA-

English form

IMPARA
HOM-, HOMO-

Root

Language

Example

G
L

abnormal:
departing from
normal

together, with

symbiotic

near, close to
beside, near

juxtaposition
parallel,
paranormal?

Meaning

not
same as
same

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

impossible
parallel, paragon?

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

Page 29 of 35

HETERO-

different or other

heterosexuality

META-

beyond, between,
transition
beyond

ultraviolet

ULTRAEPISUPRASUPER-

over, above, outer,

superficial, upon
on, at, besides
above, upon
above, upon

SUBINFINFRA

beneath, under
lower
beneath

PERI-

around

CIRCUM-

around, about, round

EC-, EX-, ECTO-

out, outside, away from

epi

Gk

See also epidemi

superior: toward
the head (for
directions)
superficial
toward the
body surface

inferus

superior,
superficial
Sirloin steaks
(from sur, meaning
over (from
Latin super))
submarine
inferior
infrared
perimeter,
pericardial ?
periscope?

circum

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

circumference,
circumcise
circa

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

EXOEXTRAEXTRINS-

outside, outer layer

outside, beyond
from the outside

ENDO-

within, inside, inner,

taking in

EN-, EMESOINTRAINTER-

in, inside
within
within, inside
among, between

MESOMEDI-

middle
middle

English form
ISO-

Meaning
equal, same,
homogeneous, uniform

English form
RETROPANOMNITRANSAMPHI-

Meaning
backward, behind
all, universal
universally
across, through
on both sides; of both
kinds

Page 30 of 35

extrinsic
endocrine,
endothelium,
endothermic
(absorbs heat),
endometrium
esophagus
intrinsic?

mesoderm
median
medial:
toward the middle

Root

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Language

Example
isomer, isosceles

Language

Example

Gk

isos

Root

L
amphibian

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

English form
ANTE

Meaning
before, preceding

OBANTER
ANTERI

before, against
front, forward

PRE-, PROPOST-

before, ahead of
after, behind

POSTERPOSTERIDORS(AL)
LATER-

back, behind

Page 31 of 35

Root
ante

Language
(Lat/Gk)
L

antenatal: before
birth
see also pre- :
earlier than, prior
to
?obstetrician?
anterior: toward
the front of the
body
posterior: toward
the back
a posterio

back
side

Magnitude
English form

Example

dorsal fins on fish

lateral: toward the
sides

Meaning

HYPERHYPO-

excess, excessive, high

deficient, below, low

PENIA

deficient, deficiency

NANO-

dwarf

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example

hypothalamus,
hypochondriac =
below cartilage
(concern about
parts under the
breastbone)

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

MICRO-ELL
-ELLE
BRACHYS,
BRACHY
BREVMEGA-,
MEGAL-,
MEGALOMACROMAGNAMPL(I)

small
small

LATPLATY-

wide
flat, broad

organelle

short
short
large
large
large
large

Page 32 of 35

G
brevis

brevity

amplus

amplify
latitude?, lateral
platypus Greek
platypous flatfooted, from platys
broad, flat + pous
foot

meio- less

numbers / quantities
English form
ARITH-

Meaning
number

-MER
MER-, MERO-ATOMOS
SEMIHEMIDEMI-

part

HOLO-

whole

indivisible
half
half
half

Root
arithmos

Language
G

L
Gk
demidiare = to
halve

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Example
arithmetic,
logarithm
isomer: equal
parts
atom
semicircle
hemisphere
demigod
hologram

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

Page 33 of 35

UNI

unicycle,
university,
universe

MONOOLIGPOLYMULTIDI
DIPL
DIPLO
BI

single
few
many, multiple, much
many
twice, double

TERTIUS
TRIQUAD-,
QUADRPENTCENT(I)

third
three
four-sided

KILO-

double, twice, two

five
centi used in English to
mean a hundredth part
thousand

oligarchy

bini two together,

bis twice

L
tertiary
triangle
quadrangle

centum a hundred

centimetre,
century

Verbs
English form
APPENDDESMDIALYSDIASTOLDUC-, DUCT
EJACEMBOLEXCRET
FLATPHENOPTOS-

Meaning
hang to
bond
separate, break apart
stand apart
lead, draw
to shoot forth
wedge
separate
blow, blown
show, appear
fall

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

Root

Language
(Lat/Gk)

Example
appendix?

aquaduct

phenomenon?

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

CADERE
RUGASALTASYNERGTROP-TOME
SPHIN-CLAST
RHAG
-CRINE
HORMONINTERCALKIN-, KINESMUTAOSMOANASTOMOSPIN-, PINOSTROMA
VIBR-FERENT
CED, CEED, CES
(S)
CID, CIS
CAES-STITIA
-TRUD
BALLEIN

to fall
fold, wrinkle
leap
work together
turn, change
to cut
squeeze
break
break, burst
separate
to excite
insert
move
change
pushing
come together
drink
spread out
shake, quiver
carry
to cover
to go, withdraw,
yield
access
to cut, kill

Page 34 of 35

cadence?

tropics

hemorrhage
endocrine

mutation
osmosis

kalyptein
cedere

G
L

caedere

come in to stand
thrust
to throw

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

concede, proceed,
recession
circumcise (cut
around), incision:
a cutting into

embolism
(presence of)
(blood clots etc)
thrown in (i.e.
inserted, put in the
way, blocking)
ballast?

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Basic Greek and Latin for understanding science and medicine

Page 35 of 35

Last updated: 2001 Apr. 24. Please send comments about this page to moors@ieee.org. Go to Tim Moors's home page.

http://www.eet.unsw.edu.au/~timm/GreekLatin.html

5.8.2008