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Prefixes and combining forms—P
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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.
P
paleo
Meaning:ancient
Example:Paleontologists study fossils.
pan
Meaning:all
Example:This pan-Canadian project will benefit educational institutions.
para
Meaning 1:additional, supplementary, secondary
Example:Civilians fought alongside soldiers in a paramilitary capacity.
Meaning 2:outside of
Example:Usually, what science cannot explain is considered paranormal.
Meaning 3:having to do with parachutes
Example:Paragliding can make you feel like a bird in flight.
Meaning 4:protect
Example:Sit under a parasol to protect yourself from the sun.
patho
Meaning:disease
Example:Pathologists study diseases.
patri
Meaning:father
Example:The family's patriarch, a respected elder, led the group.
ped
child
Example:A pediatrician is a doctor who treats children.
pedi, pedo
Meaning:foot
Examples:Pamper your feet with a pedicure.
Count the number of steps you take in a day with a pedometer.
penta
Meaning:five
Example:A pentagon has five sides.
per
Meaning:through, throughout
Example:His cologne permeated the room.
peri
Meaning:around
Example:We jogged the perimeter of the field.
petr, petri
Meaning:stone
Examples:Petra is a city carved in stone.
Petrified wood, or fossilized wood, is the provincial stone of Alberta.
phleb
Meaning:vein
Example:Phlebitis is inflammation in the veins of the legs.
photo
Meaning 1:light
Example:Plants create fuel from light through photosynthesis.
Meaning 2:photograph
Example:Our store offers photofinishing services.
physio
Meaning:physical
Example:I do physiotherapy exercises to correct my knee problems.
phyto
Meaning:plant
Example:Krill feed on phytoplankton, microscopic plants that live in the ocean.
picto
Meaning:picture
Example:The pictographs on Agawa Rock depict canoes and animals.
pluri
Meaning:many
Example:The pluridisciplinary program involves courses from several disciplines.
pneumo
Meaning:lung
Example:The flu shot may reduce the risk of catching pneumonia.
poly
Meaning:many
Example:A polyglot speaks many languages.
post
Meaning:after
Example:Enrolling in postsecondary education can lead to a brighter future.
pre
Meaning:before
Example:Families travelling with children can pre-board the flight.
pro
Meaning 1:promoting
Example:Pro-government supporters gathered in the square.
Meaning 2:acting for
Example:The pro-chairperson replaces the chair during holidays.
Meaning 3:before
Example:The prototype served as a pattern for later models.
pseudo
Meaning:false
Example:"Grey Owl" was the pseudonym of Archibald Belaney.
psycho
Meaning:mind
Example:A psychologist can help you manage your anger.
pyro
Meaning:fire
Example:The pyrotechnic show combined music with fireworks.
