Unit 13, Vocabulary and Spelling 271Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
Vocabulary and
SpellingLesson 87
Building Vocabulary: PrefixesA prefix is a word part that is added to the beginning of a word and changes its
meaning. An understanding of prefixes and their meanings will help you learn
new words.
The king was dethroned. (The prefix de- means “remove from” or “reduce”;
therefore, the king was removed from his throne.)
PREFIX MEANING EXAMPLE MEANING
in- not indirect not direct
non- without nonstop without stopping
not nonsalable unable to be sold
un- opposite of, not unclean not clean
to reverse untie to loosen
pre- before prepay to pay in advance
de- remove from dethrone remove from the throne
reduce degrade to make lower
dis- opposite of, not disagree not agreeExercise 1 Underline the prefix of each word. Using the meaning of the prefix, write in
the blank the meaning of the word. Use a dictionary if you are uncertain of the meaning.preselect to select in advance- devalue to lower in value
- disassemble to take apart
- unfit not proper or qualified
- preview to view in advance
- inactive not active, at rest
- nonverbal without speech
- defrost to remove frost
- unfold to remove the folds,
to open up - prewar before the war
- disbud to remove a plant’s buds
- nonsense without reason or sense
- preheat to heat in advance
- deactivate to stop action
- undo to reverse what
has been done - discourage to take away one’s courage
- insensitive not sensitive, unfeeling
- disadvantage opposite of advantage
- nonskid without sliding or skidding
- involuntary not voluntary
- prejudge to judge in advance