Inventions Vocabulary Project

Greek and Latin Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes

by Mindy Ittenbach Ellicott Mills Middle School

April, 2015

BRAINSTORMING

• Have you ever wondered what it would be like to solve one of the world’s biggest problems. . .

Ex: Finding a cure for cancer, or finding a solution to air pollution

Or perhaps solve a big problem that you have?Ex: You can’t keep track of your agenda book, or your little brother keeps getting in your stuff?

BRAINSTORMING (continued)

1. Determine which problem you would like to solve!

2. Think about how you would like to resolve it.

3. Think about an invention that would help you with your problem (it can be as crazy as you like)

Let’s take a look at one idea. . .

BRAINSTORMING (continued)

Ex: Problem- My brother keeps coming in my room and messing with my stuff!

Solution- I would like to keep my brother OUT of my room forever!

BRAINSTORMING (continued)

My Invention- A scanner installed outside of my bedroom that scans anyone who enters. The scanner can tell the difference between my mom, dad, and my brother (and my cat and dog, too).When it detects my brother is trying to enter my room, a laser beam streams particles at him, and then a shield pops up and blocks the doorway from him.

I will call my new invention the:

Littlebrotherdoorstopperlaserscanner

VOCABULARY CONNECTION

• What do Greek and Latin root words, prefixes, and suffixes have to do with inventions?

• That’s easy! If you want people all over the world to understand what your invention is all about, you need to use a language or languages that many people can understand.

GETTING TO THE ROOT

Many English words and parts of words can be traced back to Latin or Greek. If you know the meaning of a word's parts, you can probably guess what it means.

A root (also called a stem) is the part of the word that gives its basic meaning, but can't be used by itself. Roots need other word parts to complete them: either a prefix at the beginning, or a suffix at the end, or sometimes both.

Latin Roots• The root -aqua- means water; example: aquarium

• The root -ject- means to throw; example: reject

• The root -mem- means to keep in mind; example: memory

• The root -port- means to carry; example: transport

• The root -scrib-/-script- means to write; example: prescription

Latin Prefixes• The prefix co- means together; example: cooperate

• The prefix de- means away, off; example: defrost

• The prefix inter- means between, among; example: international

• The prefix pre- means before; example: prevent

• The prefix re- means again; example: replace

• The prefix sub- means under; example: subway

Latin Suffixes• The suffix -able/-ible means capable or worthy of; example:

workable

• The suffix -fy/-ify, means make or cause to become; example: horrify

• The suffix -ly means like, to the extent of; example: highly

• The suffix -ous means full of; example: wondrous

• The suffix -ty/-ity means state of, power to; example: purity

Greek Roots• The root -chron- means time; example: chronology• • The root -bio- means life; example: biology

• The root -dem- means people; example: democracy

• The root -phon- means sound; example: telephone

• The root -psych- means mind, soul, spirit; example: psychology

• The root -scope- means to see; example: telescope

Greek Prefixes

• The prefix a-/an- means without, not; examples: anaerobic, amoral

• The prefix auto- means self; example: autopilot • The prefix geo- means Earth; example: geography• • The prefix micro- means small; example: microscope

• The prefix tele- means far off; example: television

Greek Suffixes• The suffix-ism means act, state, theory of; example: realism

• The suffix-ist means one who believes in, practices; example: capitalist

• The suffix-graph means write, draw, describe, record; example: photograph

• The suffix-logy means talk, speech, study; example: biology

• The suffix-meter means measure, measuring device; example: kilometer

Directions: 1.Think about a problem you have or see that you’d like to

change.2.Think about what you would do to solve/fix this problem.3.Using your imagination, design an invention that will help you

solve/fix the problem you have identified.4.Name your invention (must be at least 4 words in length).5.Write a description of your invention. Be sure to include:

A.Title of invention (4 or more words)B.Translated title (Latin or Greek only, labeled)C.Describe the problem the invention is intended for.D.Explain HOW the invention works (Use complete

sentences)E.Complete a diagram of the invention, with parts clearly

labeled

DIRECTIONS:1. Log in to your computer2. Go to iKeepBookmarks:Find: ITTENBACH

INVENTIONSLatin & Greek Roots

Select

G Geoudegymnmiasmbygeo

earth (Greek) ude ground (Greek)gymn bare (Greek)miasmPollution (Greek)

The Geoudegymnmiasm makes litter a thing of the past. You plant the seed, addwater, and a special plant grows. The pollenspreads across a 100-mile radius, destroyingtrash in that area. This invention is safe for plants and animals, does not aggravate allergies, and comes with a money-back guarantee!

References

• The World Almanac for Kids 2004. Copyright © 2003 by World Almanac Education Group, Inc. The World Almanac and The World Almanac for Kids are registered trademarks of World Almanac Education Group, Inc.

• http://www.archives.nd.edu/words.html