Learn on PengiVocabulary from Latin and Greek Roots, Book 1, Level VIIUnit 1 ~ Unit 4

Ch 1.1: Unit 1

In this Grade 5 vocabulary lesson from Vocabulary from Latin and Greek Roots, Book 1, Level VII, students study four Latin root families — FAC/FIC/FECT, ACT/AG, OPER, and FUNCT — all meaning "to make," "to do," or "to work." Students learn to recognize how prefixes and roots combine to form words such as facsimile, deficient, coagulate, inoperable, malfunction, and defunct. Each word is presented with its Latin etymology, definition, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences to build both vocabulary and word-analysis skills.

Section 1

Root FAC/FIC/FECT: To Make, To Do

Let's build our vocabulary with words that are all about 'making' or 'doing' things!

Key Words

WordDefinition
facsimile (n.)A copy; an imitation
deficient (adj.)Not having enough; lacking
petrify (v.)To scare; to frighten
affection (n.)A feeling of love or liking; tender feeling
suffice (v.)To be enough

Example Usage

  • The museum displayed a high-quality facsimile of the Declaration of Independence.
  • The doctor explained that the patient's diet was deficient in iron, so she recommended a new meal plan.
  • Looking down from the top of the skyscraper can petrify someone who is afraid of heights.

Explanation

The Latin root FACERE, FACTUM means "to make" or "to do." Many English words containing "fac," "fact," "fic," "fect," or "fy" share this core meaning of making or doing something.

Section 2

Root ACT/AG: To Do, To Drive

Now for a group of words that are all about action and getting things done!

Key Words

WordDefinition
transact (v.)To carry out
agenda (n.)A list of things to do
coagulate (v.)To solidify; to clump or clot

Example Usage

  • Since the bank was having computer issues, I could not transact my deposit.
  • The first item on the club's agenda is to vote for a new president.
  • When you make cheese, you add an enzyme to make the milk coagulate into curds.

Explanation

The Latin root AGERE, ACTUM means "to do" or "to drive." This root drives the meaning of words related to action and carrying things out.

Section 3

Root OPER: To Work

Let's get to work on these words that all stem from the idea of 'working.'

Key Words

WordDefinition
inoperable (adj.)1. Not working 2. Not able to be fixed or cured
cooperate (v.)To work with; to be helpful to
operational (adj.)In working order

Example Usage

  • The antique clock was beautiful, but sadly its gears had rusted, making it inoperable.
  • The teacher asked the students to cooperate on the group project to ensure they finished on time.
  • After a few repairs, the old lawnmower was fully operational again.

Explanation

The Latin root OPERARE, OPERATUM means "to work." This root is at the heart of words that describe how things work—or don't work.

Section 4

Root FUNCT: To Work, To Perform

Finally, let's look at a few more words related to how things 'work' or 'perform.'

Key Words

WordDefinition
defunct (adj.)No longer working; no longer active
malfunction (n.)Something that goes wrong; a problem

Example Usage

  • My favorite video game store is now defunct, so I have to buy games online.
  • A system malfunction caused the city's traffic lights to all turn green at once.

Explanation

Similar to OPER, the Latin root FUNGI, FUNCTUM means "to work" or "to perform." This root often appears in words related to the performance or failure of a task.

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Section 1

Root FAC/FIC/FECT: To Make, To Do

Let's build our vocabulary with words that are all about 'making' or 'doing' things!

Key Words

WordDefinition
facsimile (n.)A copy; an imitation
deficient (adj.)Not having enough; lacking
petrify (v.)To scare; to frighten
affection (n.)A feeling of love or liking; tender feeling
suffice (v.)To be enough

Example Usage

  • The museum displayed a high-quality facsimile of the Declaration of Independence.
  • The doctor explained that the patient's diet was deficient in iron, so she recommended a new meal plan.
  • Looking down from the top of the skyscraper can petrify someone who is afraid of heights.

Explanation

The Latin root FACERE, FACTUM means "to make" or "to do." Many English words containing "fac," "fact," "fic," "fect," or "fy" share this core meaning of making or doing something.

Section 2

Root ACT/AG: To Do, To Drive

Now for a group of words that are all about action and getting things done!

Key Words

WordDefinition
transact (v.)To carry out
agenda (n.)A list of things to do
coagulate (v.)To solidify; to clump or clot

Example Usage

  • Since the bank was having computer issues, I could not transact my deposit.
  • The first item on the club's agenda is to vote for a new president.
  • When you make cheese, you add an enzyme to make the milk coagulate into curds.

Explanation

The Latin root AGERE, ACTUM means "to do" or "to drive." This root drives the meaning of words related to action and carrying things out.

Section 3

Root OPER: To Work

Let's get to work on these words that all stem from the idea of 'working.'

Key Words

WordDefinition
inoperable (adj.)1. Not working 2. Not able to be fixed or cured
cooperate (v.)To work with; to be helpful to
operational (adj.)In working order

Example Usage

  • The antique clock was beautiful, but sadly its gears had rusted, making it inoperable.
  • The teacher asked the students to cooperate on the group project to ensure they finished on time.
  • After a few repairs, the old lawnmower was fully operational again.

Explanation

The Latin root OPERARE, OPERATUM means "to work." This root is at the heart of words that describe how things work—or don't work.

Section 4

Root FUNCT: To Work, To Perform

Finally, let's look at a few more words related to how things 'work' or 'perform.'

Key Words

WordDefinition
defunct (adj.)No longer working; no longer active
malfunction (n.)Something that goes wrong; a problem

Example Usage

  • My favorite video game store is now defunct, so I have to buy games online.
  • A system malfunction caused the city's traffic lights to all turn green at once.

Explanation

Similar to OPER, the Latin root FUNGI, FUNCTUM means "to work" or "to perform." This root often appears in words related to the performance or failure of a task.

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