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Prefixes and combining forms—A to B
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Want to expand your vocabulary? Figure out the meaning of an unknown word? If so, learning to identify prefixes and understanding their meaning will help you do just that.
What's a prefix? It's a word form that attaches itself to the beginning of another word (the base word) to change the word's meaning. For example, the prefix ex means "former." Connect it to the base word friend, and you're no longer on friendly terms—you're an ex-friend. Big difference!
But what about ex in the word exclude? Is that a prefix, too? No, it isn't. It's a combining form meaning "out," and it attaches itself to a root word, not a base word. Remove the ex, and you're left with the root clude, which makes no sense by itself.
Have fun increasing your word knowledge with these common English prefixes and combining forms.
A
a-
Meaning 1:of
Example: The court ruled that the statements were akin to hate literature.
Meaning 2: gives emphasis to verbs of motion
Example: Arise!
Meaning 3:in the process of, in the act of
Example:A-huntingwe will go!
Meaning 4: in a particular state
Example: Her face was aglow with happiness.
Meaning 5: completely, utterly
Example: I was a little abashed when I met her for the first time.
Meaning 6: on, in or into
Example: All aboard!
Meaning 7: in the direction of, to
Example: The captain went ashore.
a, an
Meaning: not, without
Examples: They had no regard for right and wrong. How amoral!
Anaerobic bacteria can live without air.
ab
Meaning: away, departing from Example: That behaviour is abnormal.
acu
Meaning: with a needle Example: Acupuncture is a traditional form of Chinese medicine.
aero
Meaning 1: air, atmosphere Example: Dancing is good aerobic exercise that uses lots of oxygen.
Meaning 2: aviation Example: The aeroplane took off from the dirt runway.
agro
Meaning: agricultural Example: He works as an agronomist for Agriculture Canada.
allo
Meaning: other, different
Example: In Canada, an allophone is someone whose first language is neither English nor French.
ambi
Meaning:both
Example: Gordie Howe is ambidextrous: he can shoot a puck from both sides of his body.
ante
Meaning 1: before (in time), preceding, earlier
Example: She is specializing in antenatal care.
Meaning 2: before (in space)
Example: I'll meet you in the anteroom.
anti
Meaning 1: opposite to
Example: The movie's ending was anticlimactic.
Meaning 2: different from the usual
Example: The literary character Duddy Kravitz is an anti-hero.
Meaning 3:opposed to, against
Example:Pacifists are antiwar; they believe in resolving issues peacefully.
Meaning 4:preventing
Example:Use antifreeze to unlock the car door.
Meaning 5: acting against
Example: The doctor presribed an antibiotic.
aqua, aqui
Meaning: water
Example:I enjoy my aquafitness classes.
arch
Meaning: chief, principal
Example: An archbishop is a bishop of the highest rank.
astro
Meaning 1:relating to the stars
Example:Do you believe in astrology?
Meaning 2: relating to outer space
Example:Julie Payette is a Canadian astronaut.
B
be
Meaning 1: all around, all over
Examples: The father was beset with grief over the sad news.
Bespattered with mud, the child played happily.
Meaning 2: thoroughly, excessively
Examples: People seemed bemused that we were just hanging around by the accident.
They did not begrudge the time they spent on the task.
Meaning 3:having, covered with
Examples: I felt like a bejewelled queen wearing that necklace.
The bespectacled student raised his hand.
Meaning 4:affect with
Example:Alcohol befogs the mind.
Meaning 5: cause to be, cause to seem, make
Example:He belittled her with his remarks.
Meaning 6:treat as
Example: They befriended the new neighbours.
bi
Meaning 1:having two (of something)
Example:I rode my bicycle to work.
Meaning 2: occurring every two (years, months, weeks)
Example:The biennial conference is held in a smoke-free municipality.
Meaning 3:occurring twice
Example:Employees are paid bimonthly.
biblio
Meaning: book
Example:She's a bibliophile: she loves books.
