Membean Rootcasts

The im[*port*]ant Latin root word *port* means 'carry.' Some common English words that use this root include im[*port*], ex[*port*], de[*port*], and re[*port*]. An easy way to remember this word root is through the word [*port*]able, which is something that is easily 'carried' from one place to another.

The Latin root *sent* and its variant form *sens* mean to 'feel.' Some common English words that come from these two roots include [*sens*]ation, [*sens*]ible, re[*sent*], and con[*sent*]. Remember that when you [*sens*]e something you 'feel' it, and when you are being [*sent*]imental, your 'feelings' take precedence over anything else.

The Latin root word *fin* means an 'end,' as in a 'boundary' or 'limit.' Some common English vocabulary words that come from this Latin root word include [*fin*]al, [*fin*]ish, and de[*fin*]ition. Perhaps the easiest way to remember that this root word means 'end' is through the word in[*fin*]ite, since something in[*fin*]ite has no 'end!'

Common prefixes like *in-* and *con-* sometimes change their form in English words. The prefix roots in _combine_ , _collate_ and _corrupt_ are all *con-*. Likewise the prefix roots in _illegal_ and _irregular_ are *in-*. This disguising of prefix roots is called *prefix assimilation*.

The Latin root word *vert* means 'turn.' This root gives rise to many English vocabulary words, including [*vert*]ical, re[*vert*], and con[*vert*]. This root word can keep your word sense right-side up instead of in[*vert*]ing it by 'turning' you upside-down.

The Latin root word *dict* and its variant *dic* both mean 'say.' Some common English vocabulary words that come from this word root include [*dict*]ionary, contra[*dict*], and de[*dic*]ate. Perhaps the easiest way in which to remember this root is the word pre[*dict*]ion, for a pre[*dict*]ion is 'said' before something actually happens.

The English word root *fect* comes from a Latin verb meaning 'make' or 'do.' Some common English words that come from *fect* include in[*fect*], per[*fect*], and de[*fect*]. A way to per[*fect*]ly remember *fect* is that something per[*fect*] is so well 'done' that it cannot be 'made' any better.

The Greek root word *log* means 'word,' and its variant suffix *-logy* means 'study (of).' Some common English words that use this root include bio[*logy*], mytho[*logy*], cata[*log*], and pro[*log*]ue. Bio[*logy*], of course, is the 'study' of life, whereas a pro[*log*]ue constitutes the 'words' spoken to introduce a poem or novel.

The Greek root word *bio* means 'life.' Some common English vocabulary words that come from this root word include [*bio*]logical, [*bio*]graphy, and amphi[*bi*]an. One easy word that is helpful in remembering *bio* is [*bio*]logy, or the study of 'life.'

It's a *fact* that the Latin root word *fact* has 'made' many words in English; in point of *fact*, it even means 'made' or 'done.' Some common English words that come from *fact* include manu[*fact*]ure, arti[*fact*], and satis[*fact*]ion. A very easy way to remember *fact* is the original idea behind the word [*fact*]ory, which is a place where products are 'made.'