When things morph, they change shape. Morph- can also be combined with other roots to
form new words.
- Metamorphosis occurs when a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. It changes shape.
Q: Go back to the prefix a-. What does amorphous mean? (Turn to this
page for the answer.)non- not; without
English is full of negative roots. Non- is yet another of these pessimistic characters.
- Nonsense is an idea that does not make any sense.
- Nonfiction is a type of writing that does not contain any fictional elements; it is real.
- Something that is nondescript has no real description; it is difficult to describe.
omni- all
- Omnivorous animals are not simply carnivorous (eating meat) or herbivorous (eating
animals); they eat all foods. - Omniscience is the ability to “know all.” (Science is the pursuit of knowledge.) •
Omnipotence is the quality of being all-powerful. (Potency is power.) • Omnipresence
is the quality of being present everywhere, in all places.
peri- around
- Finding the perimeter of a rectangle means finding the complete distance around the
shape. - Having peripheral vision gives you the ability to see around your normal line of sight.
post- after
- To postpone an activity is to plan to complete it after its originally targeted deadline.
- The post-game show happens after the football game has ended.
- A postmortem is a medical examination of a body after its death. (What is mort-? You
guessed it: death.)
pre- before
- To prepare is to get ready for something before it happens.
- A prediction is a statement about the future before it happens.