Identify Meaning of Roots and Affixes
prefix meaning "all" or "every"
omni-
Multiply → Identify the root and explain its meaning.
Root: pli(c) / ply
Meaning: “fold” or “layer”
The word indictment contains the root dict.
Using this root, infer what the word might relate to.
→ What could this word be connected to?
It has something to do with saying or speaking officially, like an accusation or formal statement.
The word fertility ends in -ity.
Sentence: The fertility of the soil helped the crops grow quickly.
→ Is this word a noun, verb, or adjective, and how do you know?
Noun — because -ity is a noun-forming suffix.
to form nouns that show the state, quality, or act of something
-nce
Predict → Identify the root and explain its meaning.
Root: dict
Meaning: “to say” or “to speak”
The word omnipotent begins with the prefix omni-.
Using this word part, infer what this type of power might be like.
→ What might “omnipotent” suggest?
It means having all power or being extremely powerful.
The word synthesize ends in -ize.
Sentence: Scientists can synthesize new materials in the lab.
→ Is this word a noun, verb, or adjective, and how do you know?
Verb — because -ize is a verb-forming suffix meaning “to make or become.”
"to hold" or "to keep"
tin (tinu, ten, tain)
Capture → Identify the root and explain its meaning.
Root: cap / ceit / ceive / cip / cept
Meaning: “to take, seize, or hold”
The unfamiliar word temporal includes the root temp.
Using this root, infer what kind of things “temporal” might describe.
→ What might “temporal” be related to?
It relates to time or things that change over time.
BONUS! The word adhesive ends in -ive.
Sentence: The adhesive on the tape was strong enough to hold the poster to the wall.
→ Is this word a noun, verb, or adjective, and how do you know?
Adjective — because -ive is often used for adjectives that describe a quality.
(It can also be a noun, but in this sentence it’s describing “adhesive tape.”)
"fold" or "layer"
pli(c)/ ply
Temporary → Identify the root and explain its meaning.
Root: temp
Meaning: “time” or “season”
The word symbiosis includes the prefix sym-/syn- and the suffix -sis.
Using these parts, infer what type of process this might be.
→ What might “symbiosis” involve?
It describes a process where two things live or work together.
BONUS! The teacher joked that homework seemed omnipresent in students’ lives.
→ Is this word a noun, verb, or adjective, and how do you know?
Adjective — because -ent often forms adjectives that describe a characteristic.
a root meaning "to carry," "to bring," or "to produce."
fer
Break apart the word synchronize using the word parts we studied.
→ Identify the word parts and explain each.
syn- / sy- / sym- – prefix meaning “together”
chron – (not from your list — means “time”)
-ize / -yze – suffix meaning “to make or become”
The word acquiescence contains the root quis/ques/quir.
Using this root family, infer what kind of action or behavior this might describe.
→ What could “acquiescence” mean based on the root?
It means agreeing, giving in, or going along with something.
The word analysis ends in -sis.
Sentence: Her analysis of the novel included strong evidence and clear reasoning.
→ Is this word a noun, verb, or adjective, and how do you know?
Noun — because -sis forms nouns that describe a process or action.