Membean Rootcasts

Prefixes are key morphemes in English vocabulary that begin words. The English prefix *ante-*, which means "before," appears in a fair number of English vocabulary words, such as [*ante*]bellum and [*ante*]date. You can remember that the prefix *ante-* means "before" from the poker term *ante*, which means to put money into the pot "before" each round of the poker game begins.

The Greek root word *anthrop* means "human." This Greek word root is the origin of a number of English vocabulary words, including [*anthrop*]ology and [*anthrop*]omorphic. The Greek root word *anthrop* can be recalled through the word phil[*anthrop*]ist, for a "phil[*anthrop*]ist" is someone who etymologically "loves humans," and so does all she or he can to help the "human" race via unselfish support.

The Latin root word *centr* means "center." This Latin root is the word origin of a good number of English vocabulary words, including [*centr*]al, ec[*centr*]ic, and con[*centr*]ate. The Latin root word *centr* is easily recalled through the word ego[*centr*]ic, for someone who is ego[*centr*]ic is someone whose own "center" or self is first and foremost, above all others.

The Latin root word *am* means "love." This Latin root is the word origin of a good number of English vocabulary words, including [*am*]ateur, [*am*]atory, and [*Am*]anda. The Latin root word *am* is easily recalled through the word [*am*]or, or "love," which is not only both the Spanish and Latin words for "love," but is often used in English to refer to Cupid, the god of "love" whom we see flying around on Valentine's Day causing so much trouble!

The Latin root word *loc* means "place." This Latin root is the word origin of a large number of English vocabulary words, including [*loc*]al and [*loc*]omotive. The word root *loc* is easily recalled through the word [*loc*]ation, for a "[*loc*]ation" is simply a "place" where something or someone is.

The Latin root word "cent" which means "one hundred" and the prefix *centi-* which means "one-hundredth" are both important morphemes in the English language. Some examples of words that derive from both this word root and prefix include per[*cent*], *cent*, [*centi*]liter, and [*centi*]gram. An easy way to remember the root *cent* is through the word [*cent*]ury, which is a period of "one hundred" years; a [*centi*]meter on the other hand is "one-hundredth" of a meter.

Prefixes are key morphemes in English vocabulary that begin words. The English prefix *de-*, which means "off" or "from," appears in hundreds of English vocabulary words, such as [*de*]jected, [*de*]duce, and [*de*]ficient. You can remember that the prefix *de-* means "from" or "off" via the word [*de*]scend, or to climb down "from" or "off" a height, such as a mountain.

Prefixes are key morphemes in English vocabulary that begin words. The Greek prefix *auto-* means "self." Good examples using the prefix *auto-* include [*auto*]motive and [*auto*]pilot. An easy way to remember that the prefix *auto-* means "self" is through the word [*auto*]biography, or the history of a person which is written by that person her"self."

The Latin root word *medi* means "middle." This Latin root is the word origin of a large number of English vocabulary words, including [*medi*]eval, [*medi*]ocre, and [*medi*]a. This Latin root word *medi* is easily recalled through the word [*med*]ium, for a "[*med*]ium" temperature is right in the "middle" of being hot and cold.

The Latin root word *prim* which means "first" is an important contributor to the English language. This Latin root is the word origin of a good number of English words, such as [*prim*]e, [*prim*]itive, and [*prim*]ate. Perhaps the easiest way to remember that *prim* means "first" is through the adjective [*prim*]ary, for a [*prim*]ary concern is "first" above all others.