Summaries of the type just presented are always a little overwhelming. Let us look for some short-cuts and strategies for learning the list.<\/p>\r\n
Tackle first those prefixes that are obvious. In addition to the five we encountered in \u00a7131<\/a>, you can deal easily with amphi- <\/b>(\u201con both sides\u201d) and peri- <\/b>(\u201caround\u201d), which are quite uncomplicated. For the one, think of amphitheatre<\/i> and amphibious<\/i>; for the other, perimeter, periscope, periphery, peripatet<\/i>ic, <\/i>and periphrasis.<\/i> The prefix dia<\/b>- is also fairly straightforward: diameter<\/i> (\u201cmeasure across\u201d), diagonal<\/i> (\u201cthrough the angle\u201d), diatonic<\/i> (\u201cthrough the tones\u201d), diaphragm<\/i> (\u201cfence across\u201d), and diaphanous<\/i> (\u201cshowing through\u201d). Like its Latin cognate, Greek pro-<\/b> can mean \u201cbefore\u201d or \u201cforward\u201d: prophet<\/i> (\u201cbefore speaker\u201d), prophecy, prophesy, proscenium, prostate, prophylactic, program, problem <\/i>(see \u00a7137<\/a>). Though they look much alike, hyper-<\/b> (\u201cover\u201d) and hypo-<\/b> (\u201cunder\u201d) are easy opposites. English has the hybrids hyperactive<\/i> (\u201cThat kid is hyper!\u201d<\/i>) and hypertension<\/i>, plus hyperbole, hyperbola, <\/i>and hyperthermia<\/i> (a hot-tub ailment). In contrast, hypo-<\/b> yields hypodermic, hypothesis,<\/i> hypochondria,<\/i> and hypothermia.<\/i><\/p>\r\n In some usages, ana- <\/b>and cata-<\/b> are also opposites, meaning \u201cup\u201d and \u201cdown.\u201d An anabasis<\/i> (\u201cgoing up\u201d) is the opposite of a catabasis<\/i> (\u201cgoing down\u201d), but those words are rare and exotic. More common are analysis<\/i> and catalysis<\/i>, where -lysis<\/i> is a \u201cloosening.\u201d Anatomy<\/i> makes sense as \u201ccutting up.\u201d The force of cata-<\/b> is apparent in catastrophe<\/i> (\u201cturning down\u201d), cataclysm<\/i> (\u201cflooding down\u201d), cataract<\/i> (\u201cbreaking down\u201d), and catalepsy<\/i> (\u201cseizing down\u201d), but it is less clear in catalogue<\/i>. Don\u2019t be surprised or discouraged if you have trouble making the semantic connection between certain Greek prefixes and some of their English derivatives.<\/p>\r\n The Greek prefixes apo-<\/b> and ec-<\/b> (ex-<\/b>) correspond quite closely to their Latin cognates ab-<\/b> and ex-<\/b>. The meaning \u201caway from\u201d is clear in apostle<\/i> or apostolic<\/i> (verb base \u201csend\u201d), apogee<\/i> (\u1f00\u03c0\u03bf-\u03b3\u03b7), and apostrophe<\/i> (originally a rhetorical \u201cturning away\u201d). What is an apotheosis<\/i>? Something eccentric<\/i> (\u1f10\u03ba + \u03ba\u03b5\u03bd\u03c4\u03c1\u03bf\u03bd + -\u03b9\u03ba\u03bf\u03c2) is \u201cout of centre.\u201d Can you work out the etymological meanings of eclectic<\/i>, exodus<\/i>, and ecdysis?<\/i> The last is the action of the snake slipping out of its skin, or the larva shedding its cocoon. It was H.L. Mencken who used that notion to coin the impeccable Greek form ecdysiast<\/i>, to describe a strip-tease dancer.<\/p>\r\n The difference between en-<\/b> and epi-<\/b> is basically the difference between in<\/i> and on<\/i> (or upon<\/i>). A condition that is endemic<\/i> (< \u03b4\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2) is more ingrained than one that is epidemic<\/i>\u2014though the latter may be more alarming. Relatively few English words are derived from en-<\/b>: energy<\/i>, enema<\/i>, enthusiasm<\/i>\u2014originally, a feeling that one had a god (\u03b8\u03b5\u03bf\u03c2) inside one\u2019s body. There are many more from epi-<\/b>: epigram, epitaph, epidermis, epiglottis, eponym, eponymous, ephemeral<\/i> (< \u1f21\u03bc\u03b5\u03c1\u03b1, \u201cday\u201d). An eponym<\/i> is a famous or notorious proper name that has been placed \u201cupon\u201d some object, process, condition, concept, etc.: Braille, boycott, pasteurize, cardigan, quisling, valentine, roentgen, Alzheimer\u2019s <\/i>Disease.<\/i> A mysterious 18th century English physician, the apocryphal Dr. Condom, may be the eponymous hero of the prophylactic rubber sheath\u2014though that etymology was questioned in the <\/span>Oxford English Dictionary.<\/i><\/p>\r\n There are only three prefixes on the list that have not yet been mentioned. Pros-<\/b> (usually \u201cin addition\u201d) is quite rare, occurring in the words prosthesis<\/i> and prosthetic<\/i>\u2014referring to an artificial limb or other device that is \u201cplaced in addition.\u201d Meta- <\/b>suggests a carrying over or beyond, like Latin trans-<\/b>, and will sometimes connote change: metaphor, metamorphosis, metathesis, metastasis, metaphysics.<\/i> Finally there is para-<\/b>, which most often means \u201cbeside\u201d or \u201calongside.\u201d The paragraph<\/i> originally got its name from the symbol (now \u00b6) that was \u201cwritten beside\u201d it in the margin. A paradox<\/i> is an opinion that stands beside or contrary to the norm. A parapleg<\/i>ic<\/i> is one who has been struck at the side (paralyzed<\/i>), as opposed to a quadriplegic<\/i>, who has lost the use of all four limbs. Note also paraphrase<\/i>, parallel <\/i>(par-allel, \u201cbeside one another\u201d), and paraphernalia<\/i>, a word related to a bride\u2019s dowry. In 20th century English, para-<\/i> has been further extended in uses like parapsychology<\/i> and paramedic.<\/i><\/p>\r\n There are some deceptive para-<\/i> forms in English that have nothing to do with the Greek prefix. From Latin parare<\/b> (\u201cprepare\u201d), Italian derived a combining form that meant a \u201cshield\u201d or \u201cprotection.\u201d A parachute<\/i> will protect us from falling, just as a parasol<\/i> will shield us from the sun. A parapet<\/i> (It. parapetto<\/i>) was originally meant to protect the chest (L pectus<\/b>). Because you have long since learned to take nothing for granted in word study, you won\u2019t be surprised that English has two different forms spelled para-<\/i>. It is certainly risky to leap to etymological conclusions merely on the basis of superficial appearances.<\/p>\r\n In lieu of exercises for Chapter 21, look up some of the italicized English words that have appeared in this section. But don\u2019t worry too much about Greek vocabulary that is completely unfamiliar. There is a strong likelihood that many of those strange-looking words contain Greek verb bases that we\u2019ll meet in the next chapter. You may recall that it was hard to get full control of Latin prefixes until we had studied some verb roots. That problem applies also to our work in Greek.<\/p>\r\n Here\u2019s another short and snappy assignment. Now that we\u2019ve surveyed the whole field of Greek prefixes, how many English derivatives can you list from the noun \u1f40\u03bd\u03c5\u03bc\u03b1 (\u1f40\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4- )?<\/p>","rendered":" Summaries of the type just presented are always a little overwhelming. Let us look for some short-cuts and strategies for learning the list.<\/p>\n Tackle first those prefixes that are obvious. In addition to the five we encountered in \u00a7131<\/a>, you can deal easily with amphi- <\/b>(\u201con both sides\u201d) and peri- <\/b>(\u201caround\u201d), which are quite uncomplicated. For the one, think of amphitheatre<\/i> and amphibious<\/i>; for the other, perimeter, periscope, periphery, peripatet<\/i>ic, <\/i>and periphrasis.<\/i> The prefix dia<\/b>– is also fairly straightforward: diameter<\/i> (\u201cmeasure across\u201d), diagonal<\/i> (\u201cthrough the angle\u201d), diatonic<\/i> (\u201cthrough the tones\u201d), diaphragm<\/i> (\u201cfence across\u201d), and diaphanous<\/i> (\u201cshowing through\u201d). Like its Latin cognate, Greek pro-<\/b> can mean \u201cbefore\u201d or \u201cforward\u201d: prophet<\/i> (\u201cbefore speaker\u201d), prophecy, prophesy, proscenium, prostate, prophylactic, program, problem <\/i>(see \u00a7137<\/a>). Though they look much alike, hyper-<\/b> (\u201cover\u201d) and hypo-<\/b> (\u201cunder\u201d) are easy opposites. English has the hybrids hyperactive<\/i> (\u201cThat kid is hyper!\u201d<\/i>) and hypertension<\/i>, plus hyperbole, hyperbola, <\/i>and hyperthermia<\/i> (a hot-tub ailment). In contrast, hypo-<\/b> yields hypodermic, hypothesis,<\/i> hypochondria,<\/i> and hypothermia.<\/i><\/p>\n In some usages, ana- <\/b>and cata-<\/b> are also opposites, meaning \u201cup\u201d and \u201cdown.\u201d An anabasis<\/i> (\u201cgoing up\u201d) is the opposite of a catabasis<\/i> (\u201cgoing down\u201d), but those words are rare and exotic. More common are analysis<\/i> and catalysis<\/i>, where -lysis<\/i> is a \u201cloosening.\u201d Anatomy<\/i> makes sense as \u201ccutting up.\u201d The force of cata-<\/b> is apparent in catastrophe<\/i> (\u201cturning down\u201d), cataclysm<\/i> (\u201cflooding down\u201d), cataract<\/i> (\u201cbreaking down\u201d), and catalepsy<\/i> (\u201cseizing down\u201d), but it is less clear in catalogue<\/i>. Don\u2019t be surprised or discouraged if you have trouble making the semantic connection between certain Greek prefixes and some of their English derivatives.<\/p>\n The Greek prefixes apo-<\/b> and ec-<\/b> (ex-<\/b>) correspond quite closely to their Latin cognates ab-<\/b> and ex-<\/b>. The meaning \u201caway from\u201d is clear in apostle<\/i> or apostolic<\/i> (verb base \u201csend\u201d), apogee<\/i> (\u1f00\u03c0\u03bf-\u03b3\u03b7), and apostrophe<\/i> (originally a rhetorical \u201cturning away\u201d). What is an apotheosis<\/i>? Something eccentric<\/i> (\u1f10\u03ba + \u03ba\u03b5\u03bd\u03c4\u03c1\u03bf\u03bd + -\u03b9\u03ba\u03bf\u03c2) is \u201cout of centre.\u201d Can you work out the etymological meanings of eclectic<\/i>, exodus<\/i>, and ecdysis?<\/i> The last is the action of the snake slipping out of its skin, or the larva shedding its cocoon. It was H.L. Mencken who used that notion to coin the impeccable Greek form ecdysiast<\/i>, to describe a strip-tease dancer.<\/p>\n The difference between en-<\/b> and epi-<\/b> is basically the difference between in<\/i> and on<\/i> (or upon<\/i>). A condition that is endemic<\/i> (< \u03b4\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2) is more ingrained than one that is epidemic<\/i>\u2014though the latter may be more alarming. Relatively few English words are derived from en-<\/b>: energy<\/i>, enema<\/i>, enthusiasm<\/i>\u2014originally, a feeling that one had a god (\u03b8\u03b5\u03bf\u03c2) inside one\u2019s body. There are many more from epi-<\/b>: epigram, epitaph, epidermis, epiglottis, eponym, eponymous, ephemeral<\/i> (< \u1f21\u03bc\u03b5\u03c1\u03b1, \u201cday\u201d). An eponym<\/i> is a famous or notorious proper name that has been placed \u201cupon\u201d some object, process, condition, concept, etc.: Braille, boycott, pasteurize, cardigan, quisling, valentine, roentgen, Alzheimer\u2019s <\/i>Disease.<\/i> A mysterious 18th century English physician, the apocryphal Dr. Condom, may be the eponymous hero of the prophylactic rubber sheath\u2014though that etymology was questioned in the <\/span>Oxford English Dictionary.<\/i><\/p>\n There are only three prefixes on the list that have not yet been mentioned. Pros-<\/b> (usually \u201cin addition\u201d) is quite rare, occurring in the words prosthesis<\/i> and prosthetic<\/i>\u2014referring to an artificial limb or other device that is \u201cplaced in addition.\u201d Meta- <\/b>suggests a carrying over or beyond, like Latin trans-<\/b>, and will sometimes connote change: metaphor, metamorphosis, metathesis, metastasis, metaphysics.<\/i> Finally there is para-<\/b>, which most often means \u201cbeside\u201d or \u201calongside.\u201d The paragraph<\/i> originally got its name from the symbol (now \u00b6) that was \u201cwritten beside\u201d it in the margin. A paradox<\/i> is an opinion that stands beside or contrary to the norm. A parapleg<\/i>ic<\/i> is one who has been struck at the side (paralyzed<\/i>), as opposed to a quadriplegic<\/i>, who has lost the use of all four limbs. Note also paraphrase<\/i>, parallel <\/i>(par-allel, \u201cbeside one another\u201d), and paraphernalia<\/i>, a word related to a bride\u2019s dowry. In 20th century English, para-<\/i> has been further extended in uses like parapsychology<\/i> and paramedic.<\/i><\/p>\n There are some deceptive para-<\/i> forms in English that have nothing to do with the Greek prefix. From Latin parare<\/b> (\u201cprepare\u201d), Italian derived a combining form that meant a \u201cshield\u201d or \u201cprotection.\u201d A parachute<\/i> will protect us from falling, just as a parasol<\/i> will shield us from the sun. A parapet<\/i> (It. parapetto<\/i>) was originally meant to protect the chest (L pectus<\/b>). Because you have long since learned to take nothing for granted in word study, you won\u2019t be surprised that English has two different forms spelled para-<\/i>. It is certainly risky to leap to etymological conclusions merely on the basis of superficial appearances.<\/p>\n In lieu of exercises for Chapter 21, look up some of the italicized English words that have appeared in this section. But don\u2019t worry too much about Greek vocabulary that is completely unfamiliar. There is a strong likelihood that many of those strange-looking words contain Greek verb bases that we\u2019ll meet in the next chapter. You may recall that it was hard to get full control of Latin prefixes until we had studied some verb roots. That problem applies also to our work in Greek.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s another short and snappy assignment. Now that we\u2019ve surveyed the whole field of Greek prefixes, how many English derivatives can you list from the noun \u1f40\u03bd\u03c5\u03bc\u03b1 (\u1f40\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4- )?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"menu_order":3,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"Chapter 21: Greek Prefixes","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[52],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-109","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","chapter-type-numberless"],"part":104,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/greeklatinroots2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/greeklatinroots2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/greeklatinroots2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/greeklatinroots2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/greeklatinroots2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":531,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/greeklatinroots2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/109\/revisions\/531"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/greeklatinroots2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/104"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/greeklatinroots2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/109\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/greeklatinroots2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/greeklatinroots2\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=109"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/greeklatinroots2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=109"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/greeklatinroots2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}