By knowing just a little bit about the language of the ancient Greeks and ancient Romans, who spoke and wrote Latin, a student can dramatically increase their English vocabulary. For example, consider the Latin word Scribere = "to write." Can you name 12 words in English with this root? If not, consider these...
1. scribe: a person who "writes," or copies, professional documents and manuscripts
2. nondescript: etymologically "not written about;" that is, of unclear nature or having no individuality
3. script: a style of "writing," such as handwriting or a particular system of writing
4. inscribe: to "write," engrave or carve upon a surface
5. inscription: the product of the inscribing
6. circumscribe: etymologically to "write around," that is, to draw a line around, hence,
by extension, to limit or restrict or define the boundaries of
7. circumscription: the state of being circumscribed
8. transcribe: etymologically to "write across," that is, to make a copy in full of another written
work
9. transcription: the product of the transcribing
10. transcript: an official "writing," such as a record of college courses taken at a university, along
with grades and degree transferred
11. subscribe: to "write under," thus, by extension, pledge an amount of money, or sign one's name
to in agreement.
12. prescribe: to "write beforehand;" that is, proffer as a rule or guide of conduct, or make rules to
be followed; most commonly heard as a doctor's suggestion for remedial medicine
prescription: the act of "prescribing," that is, aught prescribed as a rule or law to be followed,
such as a doctor's written document to be shown at a pharmacy
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