Word Roots: S

The Latin roots solv and its variant solut both mean “loosen.” Let’s absolutely resolve these roots right now in a resolute fashion!

Let’s begin with the root solv, which means “loosen.” A problem or puzzle can be thought of as a knot. When you solve a problem, you “loosen” or untie that knot. When you show resolve in doing so, you are determined to “loosen” that knot no matter what. Once you resolve or set the task to “loosen” the puzzle, you can absolve or “loosen” yourself from this responsibility by using willpower to complete it.

Chemistry labs often consist of dissolving different molecules. For instance, when you put sugar or salt into water, the molecules of these substances are said to dissolve, the bonds between their atoms becoming “loosened” or destroyed, causing them to disappear. A solvent, such as water, is that medium which “loosens” or unties those molecular bonds, hence bringing about the process of dissolving. A universal solvent is said to be something which can dissolve anything at all, but that of course is silly because then it would dissolve itself!

Having solved solv, let’s move on to its variant solut, which also means “loosen.” Sticking for a moment more with chemistry, when you find a solution to a chemistry problem, you have “loosened” or untied it. If you have solved the problem absolutely, then you have been “loosened” from all error, and thus were completely correct!

Many of us make New Year’s resolutions, or those promises which we are determined to keep, thereby having “loosened” ourselves from anything which might keep us from accomplishing them. For instance, you might make a resolution not to eat sugar. You would have to be entirely resolute to do that, having been “loosened” from anything that might get in your way of not doing so. Most of us, over time, become irresolute, no longer being “loosened” from all things that keep us from what we said we were going to do, and thus become tied to eating sugar once more.

I hope that we have now solved any major dilemmas with this verbal solution to learning that the roots solv and solut mean “loosen.” An untied knot can be a great thing!

The Latin root stat and variant stit mean “stand.” Today we will put you in a state of readiness, enabling you to “stand” prepared when the roots stat and stit make an appearance!

What is your station in life, that is, where do you “stand?” Is your status or “standing” in society high, low, or in the middle? Is your physical stature such that you “stand” tall above others? Is your societal “standing” so high that one day a statue, or image that “stands” erect, will be made so that others can remember that you once “stood” so tall? Imagine such a permanent statement of how things “stand” for you!

What is your current state of health, that is, where does it “stand?” Are you so healthy that you are ecstatic, “standing” outside of normal feelings so as to be very happy? Or are you forced to remain stationary, unable to move but only “stand” still? If your health is not so good, hopefully a doctor is not too distant or “standing” far away to take care of you!

A variant of the root stat is stit, formed so because a word with stit is sometimes easier to say than a word with stat. For instance, it is much easier to say “constitution” than “constatution,” and better to say “superstition” than “superstation”! Speaking of the former, a person’s constitution is how the well-being of her body “stands,” that is, how well her immune system keeps her healthy. A nation’s constitution, such as the US Constitution, is the setting forth of how a nation will “stand” as to its laws and structure of its government. A nation’s constitution helps to keep the nation and its people from becoming destitute, or “standing” from being in good shape, including financially. And if indeed something bad does happen, the written constitution hopefully provides restitution so that the nation or individual can “stand” strong again. Superstition is a “standing” above the belief in normal, everyday, tangible things, and instead having a belief in the reality of supernatural powers, not the basis of a good government.

Now that we have instituted the roots stat and stit as part of your roots knowledge, you will no longer misstate the meanings of words with those roots in them!

The Latin root word sid and its variant sed both mean “sit.”

Let’s first take a look at the root sid. Consider Sydney, a resident of a city, or that place where she “sits” back for a long time. She can “sit” in comfort at her residence, or that home where she is able to “sit” at leisure. Imagine that Sydney is president of a profitable company; as president, she “sits” in charge of her employees. In such a role she presides, or “sits” before everyone else as top dog.

Consider Sydney’s dismay when she finds out that there is a dissident in her company, or one who “sits” apart from those around him because he holds different opinions. Sydney considers rebels like that insidious, or “sitting” in secret ambush to upend her. Sydney ensures that his dissension will soon subside, or “sit” or settle down, and eventually go away, by offering him more money.

A variant of the root sid is sed, which also means “sit.” Do you know anyone who is a serious couch potato? He would be a good example of a sedentary person, or one who likes to “sit” around a lot. Has a doctor ever had to sedate you because you were too active? That sedative she gave you would cause you to settle or to “sit” down, forcing you to be inactive.

You may have learned in geology that sediment is that particulate matter that eventually “sits” upon or settles to the bottom of a body of water. Sedimentary rock is formed from that settled dirt and debris that has “sat” there and eventually compacted after a long time.

No longer will you have to “sit” down at a dictionary, thumbing through it to discover that sid and sed are both linguistically settled as “sit!”

The Latin root word spect and its variant spic both mean “see.” Today you will “see” just how conspicuous these two roots are in the English language, especially when you use your spectacles to do so!

Let’s begin with the root spect, which means “see.” Spectators, or those who “see” something, such as a sporting event, often expect or wait to “see” something spectacular, or worthy of being “seen.” As these spectators watch a sporting spectacle, they are often aided by spectacles, or glasses which allow them to “see.” What a spectacle it would be to catch “sight” of a specter, or a ghost which appears or is “seen!”

Imagine a crime scene in which something very puzzling happened. A police inspector might be sent to inspect or try to “see” what happened. The inspector might come up with a suspect, or someone she “sees” or “views” with mistrust. If the detective’s perspective, or the way she “sees” things is close to the truth, she will likely solve the crime.

If you really respect someone you “see” her or him in a positive light. When Aretha Franklin asked for respect in her hit song, she was asking to be looked upon more favorably.

Not only does the root spect mean “see,” but its variant spic does as well. Imagine someone in a large crowd is wearing stilts and a three-foot tall yellow hat—now that would be conspicuous, or easy to “see.” A despicable person, or one who does things that shouldn’t be “seen,” might shoot an arrow through that hat. If the archer was not seen in the act of shooting, people nevertheless might be suspicious if he were seen carrying around a bow, “seeing” it with mistrust. Someone who “sees” very clearly, or in a perspicacious way, might think to link the arrow which pierced the hat with the archer’s quiver full of arrows, thereby matching the archer to the crime!

You have certainly “seen” enough about spect and have been offered some of the verbal span of spic. You can now spectate away with more comfort in the wild word wood of English instead of merely speculating upon meanings of words you “see” each and every day!

1. specter: a ghost or phantom which appears to someone, allowing itself to be “seen”
2. perspicacious: of very clearly “seeing”
3.  

The Latin root word scrib and its variant script both mean “write.” Today we have “written” a unique podcast script to permanently “write” these roots into your memory!

Let’s begin with the root scrib, which means “write.” A scribe used to be the primary “writer” of copies before the printing press was invented. A scribe would often transcribe documents, or make “written” copies of them. A bored scribe might scribble or carelessly “write” meaningless marks on what he is “writing.” Imagine if a scribe were given a task which was indescribable, or could not be “written” about at all! Now imagine once more if a scribe were asked to inscribe, or “write” letters on stone with only his usual pen! Perhaps a doctor would have to prescribe pain killers, or “write” a note beforehand, to ease his aching fingers—it’s rough “writing” on stone!

Now let’s move on to the variant root script, which also means “write.” For instance, a script is simply a “written” text. Scribes often copied manuscripts, or documents once “written” by hand. These manuscripts “written” by scribes were often scriptures, or holy “writings.”

Do you have a subscription to a magazine? If so, you have “underwritten” it to provide money for its production. If you need some medicine that is available by prescription only, you must receive a “written” document beforehand from a physician to get it. Have you ever needed a transcript from your school, or document “written” across to another to make a copy, to prove that you’ve taken a certain course?

And just what does the abbreviation “PS” mean after a signature on a letter? It stands for the Latin post scriptum, or “postscript,” a further message which is “written” after the main body of the letter.

I have now “written” more than enough about both scrib and script. Enough describing and description for today!

scribble, transcribe 

The Latin root sent and its variant form sens mean to “feel.”

When something makes sense to you, you can easily get a ‘feeling’ for it. When something is nonsensical, on the other hand, you can’t get a ‘feeling’ for it at all! When you do something sensible, it’s what is ‘felt’ to be the right thing to do.

Humans ‘feel’ what is around them through their sensory apparatus, that is, their five senses, or ‘feelers.’ This faculty of sensation allows us all to ‘feel’ the world around us. Imagine if you were insensate, or had no ‘feeling’ whatsoever! People who are sensitive might prefer that, for they tend to ‘feel’ too much and so are susceptible to getting their ‘feelings’ hurt.

Having sensed that you are now ‘feeling’ pretty good about the root word sens, let’s move on to its variant sent, which also means to ‘feel.’ If you are a highly sentimental person, for instance, your ‘feelings’ rule your reaction to the world at large.

Our interactions with one another cause ‘feelings’ to waver. Let’s say that you are having a conversation with your best friend, and she asks you for your opinion. You can assent or agree to it by sending your ‘feelings’ towards her way of thinking. In the same fashion you could also consent to her wishes, or ‘feel’ similarly to her way of thinking. You could also show dissent by moving your ‘feelings’ away from what she is proposing. You might also resent what she has said by flinging your angry ‘feelings’ back at her!

Ever wonder why a sentry is called a sentry? Or a sentinel a sentinel? It is because both a sentry and a sentinel are able to keenly ‘feel’ or perceive who or what is around them, hence are able to do their guard duties effectively.

I’m ‘feeling’ that this would be a sensible time to stop, to which I’m sure you will assent. Glad to have had you on our short journey of ‘feeling’ out sens and sent!

sert (join): sermon

serv (keep, guard, save)

serv (wait on, serve)

sever (strict, grave)

The Latin root word spir means “breathe.” This podcast will give you the inspiration you need to “breathe” knowledge into the reading of words with the root spir in them!

Did you know that the blowhole of a whale is called its spiracle, the aperture through which the whale “breathes?” The spiracle aids in the respiration of the whale, that is, its “breathing” in and out and back again. Of course, when a whale expires, hopefully due to a ripe old age, it has “breathed” out its last “breath.”

When you have an inspiration, an idea is “breathed” into your mind. Say that the idea may make you rich; it will nevertheless more than likely require a great deal of perspiration on your part, or that sweat “breathing” through the pores of your skin, to bring about that vast wealth. If you work hard enough, the idea may become reality or transpire, that is, “breathe” across from not being done to occurring for real.

Your inspiration may require a conspiracy to bring it about, or a “breathing” together of a group of people while hatching a plot of some sort. Your group might indeed need to conspire or “breathe” together if your aspiration, or “breathing” towards a goal of some kind, was to have every Twinkie in the world for yourselves! If you work hard as you aspire to or “breathe” towards that goal, you might very well reach it.

I hope that this podcast has spearheaded the way towards a knowledge of spir, having provided you with the inspiration to meet words with spir in them head on!

1. spiracle: blowhole through which a whale “breathes”
2. perspiration: the act of sweat “breathing” through the skin’s pores

The Latin root word son means “sound.” Let’s “sound” out this root today!

Many words come from the Latin root word son which means “sound.” For instance, a sonic boom is a very large “sound.” Sonar, originally “SOund Navigation And Ranging,” uses “sound” to detect objects under the water where they cannot be seen with the naked eye.

As one might expect, musicians and poets have created words from the root word son which means “sound.” For instance, a sonata originally meant a piece of music whose “sound” is produced through instruments only; conversely, a cantata is a piece which is sung. Poets, on the other hand, write sonnets, or short poems which at root mean a little “sound” or little song. Assonance, a device used by poets, describes the repetition of vowel “sounds” in verse. Poets sometimes create effects of dissonance, or disagreeable “sound,” to describe a disturbing situation.

Linguistics also has words that have to do with “sounding.” For instance, a consonant is a letter that must “sound” with a vowel because it has no “sound” by itself, which is why all words have vowels.

Have you ever been with a group of people who have said something in unison? If so, you all “sounded” as one, or “sounded” together. Speaking of the word “sound” itself, it too comes from the root word son for obvious reasons.

Enough “sounding” off about son. Now this root will resonate through your brain as you see the root word son, leading successfully to resounding recall!

Prefixes are key morphemes in English vocabulary that begin words. The prefix sub-, with its variants suc-, suf-, sug-, sup-, and sur-, all mean “under.”

Sub- is the most common form of this prefix. A submarine, for instance, travels “under” the sea. A subway is the way to travel “under” a city. When you have a subpar performance, it is “under” what it should be. When you subscribe to a magazine, you “under”write it so as to provide the writers of the magazine with money for their efforts. And a subterranean cave is “under” the earth.

Sub- also has a large number of variant spellings, which not only all begin with su-, making them easy to spot, but also follow the rules of prefix assimilation, which makes the word easier to say. Let’s take a look at a number of these spelling variants so that you can get the hang of them.

The prefix sub- changes naturally to suf-, which also means “under,” in front of roots that begin with an f. If a prefix begins or sits at the “top” of a word, a suffix is fixed “under” or “at the foot of” it. How silly “subfix” would sound! If something is sufficient, enough has been made or done “under” it to hold it up. Again, “subficient” just doesn’t work. And when one suffers, one carries “under” herself a heavy burden. Imagine our suffering if we had to say “I am subferring from a cold!”

Let’s look at some other variants of sub-, which follow three common rules:
1. All mean “under.”
2. All begin with su-.
3. All follow the rules of prefix assimilation.

• Succor: When you succor another person, you run “under” her in order to help her.
• Suggest: When you suggest something, you carry it “under” the notice of other people.
• Support: When someone supports you, she goes “under” you to carry you in some way.
• Surreal: Something surreal is not quite real, but is “under” that which is real, hence seems dreamlike.

Don’t be taken “under” by words that contain sub-, but realize that sub- and its variants beginning with su- just want to take you “under” their linguistic wing!

Prefixes are key morphemes in English vocabulary that begin words. The prefix super- and its variant sur- mean “over.”

We all know that the DC Comics hero Superman is the hero who stands “over” all other men in power. He is the superstar in the DC Comics line of heroes, or the star that stands “over” other heroic stars, such as Batman and Wonder Woman. Speaking of superstars, the football game that stands “over” all other football games is, you got it, the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl features the superior teams from the AFC and the NFC divisions facing off against each other, that is, the two teams that stood “over” all the rest during the football season.

School systems love to have members of management who stand “over” all others, such as superintendents, who are in charge of entire school systems. They supervise, or watch “over” the schools in their respective districts.

A variant of the prefix super-, which also means “above,” is the morpheme sur-. For instance, a surname is that name which is “over” a family and thereby identifies it, or the family’s last name. The surface of something is etymologically the face that lies “over” what it’s covering. When you surpass everyone else’s SAT scores at your school, you pass “over” them all, thus getting the highest score. One who takes a survey of people wants to look “over” what they think. And have you ever been hit with a surcharge on your cell phone bill, those sneaky little charges that go “over” what you are supposed to pay? Sometimes you’d like to hit those kinds of charges “over” the head!

Now that you have been surrounded with superlative examples of words which contain the prefixes super- and sur-, you will never again have to look those words “over” twice before knowing what they mean. That’s just supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Prefixes are key morphemes in English vocabulary that begin words. Even though the prefix se- means “apart,” this podcast will no longer keep you “apart” from understanding words with se- in them!

Have you ever had a secret, or piece of sensitive information that you wanted kept “apart” from the ears of people so as to hide it? Most people are dying to tell their secrets, so they carefully select or single out or “apart” one of their friends to whom to tell the secret with the caution that the selected friend keep it hidden. Sometimes it’s very hard to separate or keep “apart” one friend from the rest to whom to reveal the secret. That select friend may end up revealing the secret anyway, which might prompt you to sever that friendship, hence cutting it “apart” from being whole.

Sometimes those things kept “apart” aren’t so good. For instance, when Britain during Brexit seceded or went “apart” from the European Union, there was a lot of financial difficulty. Keeping people segregated or “apart” from one another causes many hard feelings and is often unjust. A sedition or going “apart” from an existing government in a rebellion can in the long term be a good thing, but can also cause great hardship in the short term.

Then again, going “apart” can have its advantages. If you have a big test to study for, it is probably best to seclude or shut yourself “apart” from others so as to be able to concentrate. This would allow you to work in a sedulous fashion, “apart” from not getting your work completed and hence “apart” from slacking off!

Are you now feeling more secure about the prefix se-? Hopefully you are indeed “apart” from care or worry concerning words that have se- in them!

sever, secede, sedition, seclude, segregate

The English prefix syn- along with its variant sym- mean “together.” Today we will synthesize what is known about these prefixes, making you sympathetic towards them!

Let’s begin today with the more common prefix syn-, which means “together.” When two people possess synergy, they work well, creating positive, flowing energy “together.” When clocks are synchronized, their times are placed “together” so that they all show the same time. A synonym is a word that can be placed “together” with another because they have similar meanings. The syntax of a sentence is the way in which words are put “together” so that they make sense.

A Jewish house of worship is called a synagogue, which etymologically means a place where people are led “together” to worship. And a synthesis? That would be a placing “together” of separate elements into a unified, intelligible whole.

For the purposes of symmetry, let’s now move on to the most common variant of syn-, or sym-, which also means “together.” A symphony is the sounding “together” of many instruments. If you were to cut a figure which possesses perfect symmetry exactly in half, both halves would measure “together” perfectly equally. A symbol is a sign that stands for or represents something, thereby throwing the two “together.”

Cold symptoms, such as a runny nose and coughing, are those results or indications that fall “together” with that particular viral disease. You might feel sympathy for someone suffering from cold symptoms, able to feel her suffering “together” with her.

Your linguistic synapses will now fire at full capacity when thrown “together” with those simply sensational syn- and sym-!

1. synergy: energy created ‘together’ with another
2. synchronize: to place two clocks ‘together’ in time
3. synonym: a word that can be placed ‘together’ with another due to closeness in meaning
4. syntax: an arranging ‘together’ of words in a sentence to make it meaningful
5. synagogue: a place where people are led ‘together’ for worship
6. synthesis: a placing ‘together’ of separate elements into a unified whole
7. symphony: a sounding ‘together’ of instruments
8. symmetry: two objects which can be measured ‘together’ perfectly
9. symbol: a sign thrown ‘together’ with that which it represents
10. symptom: an indication that falls ‘together’ with an ailment or disease
11. sympathy: a feeling of suffering ‘together’ with another person
12. synapse: that which allows two nerves to join ‘together’