Building Vocabulary from Word Roots

Lesson 7

Latin Bases

past, pastor, and greg

past, pastorThe Latin base past or

pastor means “shepherd.” This base does NOT attach

to prefixes.These bases are often used

to create words central to religious and civil rights movements; they create words literally and figuratively related to shepherds and flocks.

gregThe Latin base greg means

“flock” or “herd.” This base attaches to five

Latin prefixes:• ad- (to, toward, add to)• con- (with, together)• e- (out)• se- (aside, away)• de- (down)

Only one greg word does not attach to a prefix: gregarious.

past, pastor= “shepherd”

pastor + al (relating to) = pastoral—(“related to” “shepherd”)

When someone acts in a pastoral manner, they are acting like a shepherd, whether literally or figuratively.

pastor (“shepherd”)The pastor of a church is the leader, acting as

a shepherd to his church followers.

greg= “flock, herd”con- (with, together) + greg = congregation—(“flock” “together”)

When you join a congregation of people, you are becoming part of a group.

ad- (to, toward, add to) + greg= aggregate—(a cluster of items “added to” a “herd” or mass)

Concrete is a common aggregate, combining several types of rock particles to create a hard surface.

se- (aside, away) + greg= segregate— (to move something “aside” or “away” from the “herd”)

When a person or group is experiencing segregation, he or they are being kept out of a group.

Use the definitions of the bases, prefixes, and suffixes, if provided, and the context of the sentence to determine the meanings of the bolded words.

Seeing the pastor performing the casual service in the large pasture reminded me of a pastoral painting I had seen of a young boy and his sheep.

Practice

Seeing the pastor performing the casual service in the large pasture reminded me of a pastoral painting I had seen of a young boy and his sheep.

•Pastor- the “shepherd” or leader of a church

•Pasture- the grassy area where shepherds graze

their sheep

•Pastoral- relating to a pastor or shepherd;

countryside or pastureland

Practice

Use the definitions of the bases, prefixes, and suffixes, if provided, and the context of the sentence to determine the meanings of the bolded words.

The congregation of students was shocked by the egregious discrimination committed when the group of girls was segregated from the dodgeball tournament. (the prefix con- means “with”, the prefix e- means “out”, the prefix se- means “aside, away”)

Practice

The congregation of students was shocked by the egregious discrimination committed when the group of girls was segregated from the dodgeball tournament. (the prefix con- means “with”, the prefix e- means “out”, the prefix se- means “aside, away”)

• Congregation- to “flock” or come together as a group; a group of people

• Egregious- standing “out” from the “flock” for negative reasons; something outstandingly bad

• Segregated-moved “away” from the “flock”; separated from the group

Practice

Greg—this base means _________, _________

Shelly is such a gregarious person that she is known to nearly every student in the school. She smiles, waves, and talks to everyone she meets, and she is always surrounded by a group of people.

•Define the word gregarious using a definition of the base

Test Prep

Greg—this base means flock, herd

Shelly is such a gregarious person that she is known to nearly every student in the school. She smiles, waves, and talks to everyone she meets, and she is always surrounded by a group of people.

•Define the word gregarious using a definition of the base•Having the quality of liking groups of people; sociable

Test Prep

Past, pastor—these bases mean _________

The new preacher was slightly amazed at the large number of pastoral duties he was expected to complete: leading the services, counseling members of the church, studying the readings, visiting the sick, and so much more.

•Define the word pastoral using a definition of the base

Test Prep

Past, pastor—these bases mean shepherd

The new preacher was slightly amazed at the large number of pastoral duties he was expected to complete: leading the services, counseling members of the church, studying the readings, visiting the sick, and so much more.

•Define the word pastoral using a definition of the base•Relating to the “shepherd” or leader of a church

Test Prep