Practice the bases going from forms to meanings,
and from meanings to forms.
BALL-, BOL-
BLE- throw, put
ballistics, the study of the dynamics of projectiles,
or of the functioning of firearms
symbol, something that represents something else by association,
resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used
to represent something invisible
emblem, an object or a representation that functions as
a symbol
hyperbole, figure of speech in which exaggeration is used
for emphasis or effect
metabolism, the complex of physical and chemical processes
occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary
for the maintenance of life
problem, a question to be considered, solved, or answered;
a situation, matter, or person that presents perplexity or difficulty
DERM(AT)- skin
dermatitis, inflammation of the skin.
dermatology, the branch of medicine that is concerned with
the physiology and pathology of the skin
epidermis, the outer, protective, nonvascular layer of
the skin of vertebrates (plants have them, too)
hypodermic, of or relating to the layer just beneath the
epidermis
pachyderm, any of various large, thick-skinned, hoofed
mammals such as the elephant, rhinoceros, or hippopotamus
DOX, DOG- teaching, opinion
dogma, an authoritative principle or belief, especially
one considered to be absolutely true; a doctrine relating to matters
such as morality and faith, set forth in an authoritative manner
by a church
dogmatic, characterized by an authoritative, arrogant declaration
of unproved or unprovable principles; stubbornly clinging to an
unprovable position
heterodox, not in agreement with accepted beliefs, especially
in church doctrine or dogma
orthodox, adhering to what is commonly accepted, customary,
or traditional
paradox, a true statement that seems self-contradictory;
a seemingly contradictory statement that may nonetheless be true;
one exhibiting inexplicable or contradictory aspects
GNO(S)- to know
gnomic, given to saying aphorisms, proverbs
agnostic, one who believes that there can be no proof of
the existence of God but does not deny the possibility that God
exists
diagnosis, A critical analysis of the nature of something,
usually something medical; the conclusion reached by such analysis
physiognomy, the art of judging human character from facial
features
prognosis, a prediction of the probable course and outcome
of a disease; a forecast or prediction
prognosticate, to predict according to present indications
or signs; foretell
HOM(E)- same, similar,
regular
homologous, similar in origin and structure, but not
necessarily in function
anomaly, deviation or departure from the normal or common
order, form, or rule; one that is peculiar, irregular, abnormal,
or difficult to classify
homeopathy, a system for treating disease based on the
administration of minute doses of a drug that in massive amounts
produces symptoms in healthy individuals similar to those of the
disease itself
homily, A short sermon, especially one intended to edify
a congregation on a practical matter and not intended to be a
theological discourse
homogenized, to make uniform in consistency
homonym, one of two or more words that have the same sound
and often the same spelling but differ in meaning
homograph, one of two or more words that have the same
spelling but differ in meaning (root/root, grave/grave)
homosexual, having a sexual orientation to persons of the
same sex
MORPH- shape, form
amorphous, lacking definite form; shapeless
metamorphosis, a transformation, as by magic or sorcery;
a marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function
morphology, the branch of biology that deals with the form
and structure of organisms without consideration of function;
the study of the structure and form of words in language or a
language
ONYM- name, word
anonymous, having an unknown or unacknowledged name
antonym, a word having a meaning opposite to that of another
word
homonym, one of two or more words that have the same sound
and often the same spelling but differ in meaning
pseudonym, a fictitious name assumed by an author; a pen
name
synonym, a word having the same or nearly the same meaning
as another word or other words in a language
PHER-, PHOR- bear, go
euphoria, a feeling of great happiness or well-being
metaphor, a figure of speech in which a word or phrase
that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another,
thus making an implicit comparison, as in "a sea of troubles"
paraphernalia, personal belongings; the articles used in
a particular activity; equipment
periphery, a line that forms the boundary of an area; a
perimeter
phosphorescence, emission of light without burning or by
very slow burning without appreciable heat, as from the slow oxidation
of phosphorous
semaphore, a visual signaling apparatus with flags, lights,
or mechanically moving arms, as one used on a railroad
TAX-, TACT- arrange, put in order
syntax, the study of the rules whereby words or other
elements of sentence structure are combined to form grammatical
sentences
tactician, one who is skilled in the planning and execution
of military tactics
tactics, a procedure or set of maneuvers engaged in to
achieve an end, an aim, or a goal
taxidermy, the art or operation of preparing, stuffing,
and mounting the skins of dead animals for exhibition in a lifelike
state
taxon, a taxonomic category or group, such as a phylum,
order, family, genus, or species
taxonomy, the science, laws, or principles of classification