Building a Better Vocabulary

z A base word is a word that can stand on its own. In the word

XQSUR¿WDEOH, for example, the base word is SUR¿W, which means

“monetary gain.”

z A SUH¿[ is a morpheme, or unit of meaning, that can be attached to

WKHEHJLQQLQJRIDEDVHZRUGRUURRW7KHSUH¿[LQXQSUR¿WDEOH is

un-, meaning “not.”

z A VXI¿[ is a morpheme that can be attached to the end of a

EDVH ZRUG RU URRW 7KH VXI¿[ LQXQSUR¿WDEOH is -able, meaning

“capable of.”

z $I¿[LVWKHXPEUHOODWHUPIRUSUH¿[HVDQGVXI¿[HV

z RootsDUHPRUSKHPHVWKDWFDQQRWVWDQGDORQHEXWWRZKLFKSUH¿[HV

DQGVXI¿[HVFDQDWWDFK:H¶YHDOUHDG\ZRUNHGH[WHQVLYHO\ZLWKRQH

root: fac. Another example is the Latin root spect, meaning “look or

see.” Spect isn’t a standalone English word, but it’s an incredibly

fertile root, giving us spectacles, inspector, spectator, speculate,

retrospect, and many other words.

Circumspect (adjective)

Cautious, prudent.

z Circumspect is a combination of circum (“around”) and spect

(“look”). To remember this word, think of a cautious person

“looking around” before he or she acts.

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Review Questions