Circum-
The
prefix circum- means “around” or “all sides.”
The circumference of the circle is two inches. (Meaning: The length of the boundary around the circle is two
inches.)
Please stop trying to evade
the issue with circumlocution.
(Meaning: Please stop trying to evade the issue by speaking around what you mean.)
Everybody please circumscribe the correct answer on your
paper. (Meaning: Everybody please draw a circle
around the correct answer on your paper.)
They circumnavigated the globe. (Meaning: They sailed around the globe.)
Con-
The
prefix con- means “together”
or “with.” When con- precedes a root that starts with letters l or r, the n becomes l or r, respectively.
When con- precedes a root that starts
with the letters p,m, or b, the n becomes m.
The men conspired to overthrow the government. (Meaning: The men plotted together to overthrow the
government.)
Michelle and Susan conferred about the proper procedure.
(Meaning: Michelle and Susan discussed
the proper procedure together.)
They corresponded by videotape while he was away. (Meaning: They communicated with each other by videotape while he was away.)
The materials were very compact. (Meaning: The materials were very well packed together.)
Contra-
Contra- means “against”, “opposing,” or
“opposite.”
Helen contradicted Ellen’s testimony. (Meaning: Helen’s testimony was opposite Ellen’s.)
He described a contrary view of situation. (Meaning: He
described an opposing view of the
situation.)
The students contravened the rules. (Meaning: The
students acted in opposition to the
rules.)
The two men had contrasting views of the issue.
(Meaning: The two men held opposing views
on the issue.)
De-
The
prefix de- means “from” or “down.”
The soldier was demoted for improper behavior. (Meaning:
The soldier’s rank was lowered, or
brought down, for improper behavior. Demoted is opposite of promoted.)
She deducted forty dollars from the total cost of the coat. (Meaning:
She subtracted forty dollars from the
total cost of the coat.)
They debarked the ship peacefully. (Meaning: They came down from the ship peacefully.)
The dead plants began to decay. (Meaning: The dead plants began
to break down to basic parts.)
Dis-
Dis- means “apart” or “away.”
They boys dissected the frog. (Meaning: The boys took the frog apart.)
She dissented from the majority opinion. (Meaning: She voted apart from the majority opinion.)
The employer dismissed the staff member. (Meaning:
The employer sent the staff member away.)
The materials dissipated. (Meaning: The materials separated or moved away from each other.)
He is a dissident. (Meaning: His ideas are apart from those of majority.)
Dys-
The
prefix dys- means “bad,” “faulty,” “difficulty,” or “illness.”
He was suffering from dysentery. (Meaning: He was suffering
from an illness of the large intestine.)
Joe has dyslexia. (Meaning: Joe has difficulty
reading.)
The doctor has treated Jane
for dysphasia. (Meaning: The doctor
has treated Jane for difficulty in
swallowing.)
Many children in that
country have died from dystrophy.
(Meaning: Many children in that country have died from bad nutrition or illness caused by lack of proper nutrition.)
Eu-
The
prefix eu- means “good” or “well.” It’s the opposite of the prefix dys- .
Tim gave a beautiful eulogy about Glenn. (Meaning: Tim gave a
beautiful statement about the good things
Glenn has done.)
He tried to think of an
appropriate euphemism to lessen the
impact of his words. (Meaning: He tried to think of an appropriate good substitute expression to lessen the
impact of his words.)
The doctor says his dyspepsia
has been replaced by eupepsia.
(Meaning: The doctor says his dyspepsia has been replaced by good digestion.)
The instrument provides a euphonious sound. (Meaning: The instrument
provides good, or pleasing, sound.)
Ex-
The
prefix ex- means “out,” “out of,” or “from.”
He emitted a low sound. (Meaning: He sent out a low sound.)
They expelled the unruly students. (Meaning: they drove out, or removed, the unruly students from the institution.)
The doctor asked him to exhale slowly. (Meaning: The doctor
asked him to breathe out slowly.)
That organ excretes waste. (Meaning: That organ sends out waste.)
They exculpated him. (Meaning: They showed that he was without blame.)
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