Learn on PengiVocabulary from Latin and Greek Roots, Level IXUnit 13 ~ Unit 16

Ch 4.4: Unit 16

This group of words comes from the Greek prefix META, meaning "after, changed, or beyond," and deals with changes and transformations. Key Words | Word | Definition | | | | | metabolism (n.) | The process through which an organism changes food into energy | | metamorphosis (n.) | Change in form; transformation | | metaphorical (adj.) | Symbolic rather than literal |.

Section 1

Root: META — after, changed, beyond

This group of words comes from the Greek prefix META, meaning "after, changed, or beyond," and deals with changes and transformations.

Key Words

WordDefinition
metabolism (n.)The process through which an organism changes food into energy
metamorphosis (n.)Change in form; transformation
metaphorical (adj.)Symbolic rather than literal

Example Usage

  • A hummingbird has a fast metabolism, so it must consume nectar constantly to get enough energy.
  • The once-shy boy's metamorphosis into a confident public speaker was amazing to watch.

Word Spark

  • metamorphosis: Think of a caterpillar wrapping itself in a cocoon and emerging as a beautiful butterfly.
  • metaphorical: Like when you say "my heart is broken," you don't mean it's in actual pieces.

Section 2

Root: AL — other, another

These words are built on the Latin root AL from ALIUS, meaning "other or another," and often relate to being different or separate.

Key Words

WordDefinition
inalienable (adj.)Not able to be taken away
alienate (v.)To make hostile
alias (n.)A name that is not one's true name

Example Usage

  • The Constitution grants citizens certain inalienable rights, such as freedom of speech.
  • Tom's constant bragging about his achievements began to alienate his coworkers.

Word Spark

  • alienate: Imagine constantly interrupting your friends while they talk, until they start avoiding you.
  • alias: Think of a superhero's everyday name that they use to hide their secret identity.

Section 3

Root: ALTER — other

Coming from the Latin root ALTER, meaning "other," these words explore changes, choices, and conflicts.

Key Words

WordDefinition
alteration (n.)A change or modification
alternate (v.)To go back and forth; change from one thing to another
altercation (n.)A fight or dispute

Example Usage

  • The seamstress made a slight alteration to the dress, making it a perfect fit.
  • The small disagreement over the parking spot quickly turned into a loud altercation.

Word Spark

  • altercation: Think of two drivers yelling at each other after a minor fender bender in a parking lot.
  • alteration: Like when a tailor shortens the sleeves on your new jacket so it fits perfectly.

Section 4

Root: SIMUL — to imitate, to pretend

These words, derived from the Latin root SIMUL, meaning "to imitate or pretend," are all about appearances and deception.

Key Words

WordDefinition
simulate (v.)To mimic; imitate
dissemble (v.)To conceal the truth; to deceive
semblance (n.)Rough likeness of

Example Usage

  • Pilots use advanced flight simulators to simulate emergency situations without any real danger.
  • After the party, we worked to restore the living room to some semblance of cleanliness.

Word Spark

  • dissemble: Like a child with chocolate on their face insisting they didn't eat any cookies.
  • semblance: Think of a messy room that's been quickly "cleaned" by shoving everything under the bed.

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Unit 13 ~ Unit 16

  1. Lesson 1

    Ch 4.1: Unit 13

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  2. Lesson 2

    Ch 4.2: Unit 14

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  3. Lesson 3

    Ch 4.3: Unit 15

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  4. Lesson 4Current

    Ch 4.4: Unit 16

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Root: META — after, changed, beyond

This group of words comes from the Greek prefix META, meaning "after, changed, or beyond," and deals with changes and transformations.

Key Words

WordDefinition
metabolism (n.)The process through which an organism changes food into energy
metamorphosis (n.)Change in form; transformation
metaphorical (adj.)Symbolic rather than literal

Example Usage

  • A hummingbird has a fast metabolism, so it must consume nectar constantly to get enough energy.
  • The once-shy boy's metamorphosis into a confident public speaker was amazing to watch.

Word Spark

  • metamorphosis: Think of a caterpillar wrapping itself in a cocoon and emerging as a beautiful butterfly.
  • metaphorical: Like when you say "my heart is broken," you don't mean it's in actual pieces.

Section 2

Root: AL — other, another

These words are built on the Latin root AL from ALIUS, meaning "other or another," and often relate to being different or separate.

Key Words

WordDefinition
inalienable (adj.)Not able to be taken away
alienate (v.)To make hostile
alias (n.)A name that is not one's true name

Example Usage

  • The Constitution grants citizens certain inalienable rights, such as freedom of speech.
  • Tom's constant bragging about his achievements began to alienate his coworkers.

Word Spark

  • alienate: Imagine constantly interrupting your friends while they talk, until they start avoiding you.
  • alias: Think of a superhero's everyday name that they use to hide their secret identity.

Section 3

Root: ALTER — other

Coming from the Latin root ALTER, meaning "other," these words explore changes, choices, and conflicts.

Key Words

WordDefinition
alteration (n.)A change or modification
alternate (v.)To go back and forth; change from one thing to another
altercation (n.)A fight or dispute

Example Usage

  • The seamstress made a slight alteration to the dress, making it a perfect fit.
  • The small disagreement over the parking spot quickly turned into a loud altercation.

Word Spark

  • altercation: Think of two drivers yelling at each other after a minor fender bender in a parking lot.
  • alteration: Like when a tailor shortens the sleeves on your new jacket so it fits perfectly.

Section 4

Root: SIMUL — to imitate, to pretend

These words, derived from the Latin root SIMUL, meaning "to imitate or pretend," are all about appearances and deception.

Key Words

WordDefinition
simulate (v.)To mimic; imitate
dissemble (v.)To conceal the truth; to deceive
semblance (n.)Rough likeness of

Example Usage

  • Pilots use advanced flight simulators to simulate emergency situations without any real danger.
  • After the party, we worked to restore the living room to some semblance of cleanliness.

Word Spark

  • dissemble: Like a child with chocolate on their face insisting they didn't eat any cookies.
  • semblance: Think of a messy room that's been quickly "cleaned" by shoving everything under the bed.

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Unit 13 ~ Unit 16

  1. Lesson 1

    Ch 4.1: Unit 13

    LearnPractice
  2. Lesson 2

    Ch 4.2: Unit 14

    LearnPractice
  3. Lesson 3

    Ch 4.3: Unit 15

    LearnPractice
  4. Lesson 4Current

    Ch 4.4: Unit 16

    LearnPractice