Vocab from Context
Tio Ramon was so incredibly funny that I always tried to stay near him at family get-togethers. In fact, he was a point of curiosity for me, since he was mostly quiet and my parents wouldn't talk about him or his life. I would sometimes watch him as he watched the rest of the family, as he stroked his beard and sipped his drink. But when that wry smile crept across his face, he would, in a few words, say the funniest and most sarcastic lines. Even years later, it might be all we'd remember from the night. Not the food, or the dresses—but that half-smile and the twinkle in his eyes as he said something so terribly funny, no one could believe he'd said it. Only family can make jokes like that.
humorously sarcastic or mocking
Name one of the meanings of the prefix a-.
1. not, without
2. in, into, on, in the act or state of
Ex: atypical, asleep, aback, away
What does the root "cred" signify?
beliece, truth
incredible, credibility, incredulous
What does the the suffix -able indicate?
capable of, fit for
laughable, teachable, washable, enjoyable
painstaking
characterized by extreme care and great effort
The rust-red coal smoldered, and we gathered closer to warm our hands before it died out completely. The feeling had just come back to my fingers when ashes grew dark and the cold night laid its cloak on our shoulders.
burn slowly and without a flame
What does the prefix dis- signify?
opposite of, absence of
EX: disagree, disrespect, dislike, disown, disbelief
jungo, junctum
join
Ex: join, joint, conjunction, disjointed, junction, subjugate
What does the suffix -fy mean?
to make, to form into
fortify, solidify, liquify
qualm
an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one's own conduct; a misgiving
He sat down to remove his shoes, but sunk back into the chair with a long sigh. The sheer exhaustion overtook him, and he closed his eyes for a moment.
He woke in the morning to the sound of birds, surprised to find he was still dressed, his shoes untied, but still on his feet.
sheer:
complete and without restriction
What does the prefix hyper- mean?
Can you name an example?
over, too much
EX: hyperextension, hyperactive, hyperbole
What does the root "magnus" indicate?
large, big
magnify, magnifier, magnitude, magnificent, magnanimous
What does the the prefix in- indicate?
in, on, not
inland, inexpensive, incarcerate
obstinate
marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
I held my sister's small, damp hand as tight as I could. I had been tasked with taking her through the throng, and I knew if her hand slipped from mine, she could be hurt or even lost. It seemed everyone was a head taller than me, and their arms batted against my stomach as I rushed us through the crowd, trying to move as quickly as we could, without yanking on her arm.
throng:
a large gathering of people
What does the prefix un- mean?
not
Ex: unrest, unfair, undo
What do the roots "scio, scitum (sci)" indicate?
know
Ex: science, scientific, conscience, prescience, omniscience
What does the the suffix -ic indicate?
relating to
Ex: iconic, organic, heroic, poetic
loll
hang loosely or laxly
The statue was lit with a soft-dawn light and as I approached, I slowed my steps. Every detail, from her eyelashes to the pores of her skin, was absolutely perfect. She seemed so real. I stared in silent reverence.
reverence:
a respectful mental attitude
What does the prefix dia- mean?
Across, through
Diagonal, diameter, diagram
What does the root "verbum" mean?
word
Ex: verb, proverb, verbal, verbiage, verbose, verbatim, verbalize
What does the suffix -ion indicate?
the action or process of
celebration, opinion, creation
listless
lacking zest or vivacity