Membean Word Root Of the Day

The Latin root *lig* and its variants *li* and *ly* mean "tie." This Latin root is the word origin of a good number of English vocabulary words, including [*lig*]ament, re[*li*]able and re[*ly*]. The root *lig* is easily recalled via the word ob[*lig*]ation, for an ob[*lig*]ation "ties" you to the doing of something.

Prefixes are key morphemes in English vocabulary that begin words. A large number of English vocabulary words contain the prefix *se-*, which means "apart." Examples using this prefix include [*se*]parate, [*se*]cret and [*se*]lect. An easy way to remember that the prefix *se-* means "apart" is through the word [*se*]cure, for when you feel [*se*]cure you are "apart" from worrying or undue care about something potentially troubling.

The Latin root *loqu* and its variant *locut* mean "speak." These roots are the word origins of a fair number of English vocabulary words, including e[*loqu*]ent, [*loqu*]acious, e[*locut*]ion, and circum[*locut*]ion. The roots *loqu* and *locut* are easily recalled through the words soli[*loqu*]y, or a "talking" by oneself, and inter[*locut*]or, or a person with whom you are "talking" or conversing.

The Latin root *fort* means "strong." This Latin root is the word origin of a large number of English vocabulary words, including ef[*fort*], com[*fort*], and [*fort*]e. The root *fort* is easily recalled via the word *fort*, for a "*fort*" is a "strong" building constructed so as to withstand enemy attack.

The Latin root *sect* means "cut." This Latin root is the word origin of a good number of English vocabulary words, including in[*sect*], dis[*sect*], and inter[*sect*]. The root *sect* is easily recalled via the word [*sect*]ion, for a [*sect*]ion is a "cut"-off piece of a larger whole.

The Latin root *cult* means "grow." This Latin root is the word origin of a good number of English vocabulary words, including [*cult*]ure, [*cult*]ivate and horti[*cult*]ure. The root *cult* is easily recalled via the word agri[*cult*]ure, for agri[*cult*]ure is the "growing" of plants via farming.

The Latin root *patr* means "father." This Latin root is the word origin of a fair number of English vocabulary words, including [*pater*]nity, [*patter*]n, and [*patr*]on. The root *patr* is easily recalled via the word [*patr*]iotic, as someone who is acting in a [*patr*]iotic fashion is supporting the "father"land.

The Latin root *anim* means "mind" or "spirit." This Latin root is the word origin of a good number of English vocabulary words, including un[*anim*]ous, [*anim*]ated, and [*anim*]osity. The root *anim* is easily recalled via the word [*anim*]al, for an [*anim*]al is a living, moving creature and so contains a "spirit" and "mind."

The Latin root *matr* means "mother." This Latin root is the word origin of a good number of English vocabulary words, including [*matr*]iarch, [*mater*]ial, and [*matter*]. The root *matr* is easily recalled via the word [*mater*]nal, for a woman who acts in a [*mater*]nal fashion is being "motherly."

The Latin root *dur* means "hard." This Latin root is the word origin of a good number of English vocabulary words, including en[*dur*]e, [*dur*]ing, and [*dur*]ation. The root *dur* is easily recalled via the word en[*dur*]e, for if you can en[*dur*]e a trial, you are "hard" enough to withstand its challenges.

The Latin root *stat* and its variant *stit* mean "stand." This Latin root is the word origin of a large number of English vocabulary words, including [*stat*]e, [*stat*]ue, con[*stit*]ution and super[*stit*]ion. The root *stat* is easily recalled via the word [*stat*]ionary or "standing" still, whereas *stit* can be recalled via in[*stit*]ute, to make something like an organization "stand" by creating it.

The Latin root *it* means "go." This Latin root is the word origin of and so "goes" through a number of English vocabulary words, including trans[*it*], amb[*it*]ion, and in[*it*]ials. The root *it* is easily recalled via the word ex[*it*], which is the part of the building where you "go" out.

The Latin root *rupt* means "burst." This Latin root is the word origin of a good number of English vocabulary words, including dis[*rupt*], [*rupt*]ure, and inter[*rupt*]. The root *rupt* is easily recalled via the word bank[*rupt*], for if you've gone bank[*rupt*] your bank account has "burst," spilling out all its contents and leaving you with no money!

The Latin root *temp* means "time." This Latin root is the word origin of a fair number of English vocabulary words, including con[*temp*]orary, [*temp*]orary, and the Latin phrase [*temp*]us fugit. The root *temp* is easily recalled via the word [*temp*]o, as the [*temp*]o of a piece of music is the "timing" of it, that is, whether it goes at a fast or slow pace when played.

The Greek root *arch* means "rule." This Greek root is the word origin of a fair number of English vocabulary words, including matri[*arch*], patri[*arch*], and olig[*arch*]y. The root *arch* is easily recalled via the word an[*arch*]y, which is a period of time in which there is no "rule" at all in a country.