ANGLO-SAXON PREFIX 1
What is a sound (or combination of sounds) placed before and connected to a word or root to form a new word. Examples:
PREFIX WORD OR ROOT NEW WORD
FORE (Anglo-Saxon prefix meaning "beforehand") + SEE = FORESEE (meaning "see beforehand)
DIS ( Latin prefix meaning "apart") + SECT (root meaning "cut") = DISSECT (meaning "cut apart")
HYPER (Greek prefix meaning "over" + CRITICAL = HYPERCRITICAL (meaning "overcritical")
WHY STUDY PREFIXES?
A knowledge of prefixes and their meanings can help you enlarge your vocabulary. The number of English words beginning with prefixes is considerable, and it keeps increasing. once you know what a particular prefix means, you have a clue to the meaning of every word beginning with that prefix. For example, when you learn that the Latin prefix bi means "two," you are better able to understand--and remember--the meaning of bipartisan ("representing two political parties"), bilingual ("speaking two languages") bisect ("cut in two"), etc. Our prefixes come mainly from Anglo-Saxon (Old English), Latin, and Ancient Greek.
PURPOSE OF THIS UNIT
This unit has a double purpose: (1) to acquaint you with important Anglo-Saxon refixes, and (2) to help you add to your vocabulary a number of useful words beginning with these prefixes.
Anglo-Saxon Prefixes 1-4
PRETEST 1
Insert the letter of the best answer in the space provided.
1. An outspoken person is not likely to be ________.
(A) bold (B) frank (C) shy
2. When you have a foreboding, yo feel that something ______ is going to happen.
(A) unimportant (B) unfortunate (C) good
3. Misgivings result from ______.
(A) doubts and suspicious (B) selfishness (C) increased output
4. Forebears are associated mainly with the _______.
(A) present (B) past (C) future.
STUDY YOUR NEW WORDS
1. FORE-: "beforehand", "front", "before"
forearm = literally, "front part of the arm" part of the am fro the wrist to the elbow
forebear = (literally, one who has been or existed before") ancestor; forefather
foreboding = feeling beforehand of coming trouble; misgiving; presentiment
forecast = estimate beforehand of a future happening; prediction prophecy
forefront = (literally, "front part of the front") foremost place or part; vanguard
foregoing = going before; preceding
foremost = standing at the front; first; most advanced; leading; principal; chief
foreshadow = indicate beforehand
foresight = power of seeing beforehand what is likely to happen; prudence
foreword = front matter preceding the text of a book; preface; introduction