Learn on PengiVocabulary for the High School Student (Grade 7)Chapter 4: Enlarging Vocabulary Through Latin Prefixes

Lesson 4: Latin Prefixes 19-24

In this Grade 7 lesson from Vocabulary for the High School Student, students expand their word knowledge by studying six Latin prefixes — circum-, co-/con-, ob-, per-, pre-, and pro- — and learning how each prefix shapes the meaning of words like circumnavigate, collusion, obstruct, permeate, premeditate, and propel. Students practice applying these prefixes to decode unfamiliar vocabulary and build stronger reading comprehension. The lesson is part of Chapter 4's systematic approach to enlarging vocabulary through Latin word roots.

Section 1

Words with CIRCUM- (around)

Let's take a look around at words that share the prefix CIRCUM-, which means 'around' or 'on all sides.'

Key Words

circumference (n.)circumlocution (n.)
circumnavigate (v.)circumscribe (v.)
circumspect (adj.)circumvent (v.)
  • A trainer might circumscribe an athlete's diet to improve performance.
  • If you had been more circumspect, you would have checked the weather forecast before hiking.
  • The students were asked to measure the circumference of the school's circular garden.

Section 2

Words with CON-, CO-, COL-, COR- (together, with)

Get together with these words! The prefixes CON-, CO-, COL-, and COR- all mean 'together' or 'with,' emphasizing unity and connection.

Key Words

coalesce (v.)coherent (adj.)
collaborate (v.)collusion (n.)
concord (n.)congenital (adj.)
convene (v.)correspond (v.)
  • For our history project, would you prefer to collaborate with me or work on your own?
  • When the new captain arrived, there was perfect concord among the crew.
  • Several small streams coalesce to form the main river just past the old bridge.

Section 3

Words with OB- (against, in the way)

What's standing in your way? These words use the prefix OB-, which means 'against,' 'in the way of,' or 'over.'

Key Words

obliterate (v.)obsess (v.)
obstacle (n.)obstruct (v.)
obtrude (v.)obviate (v.)
  • A lack of confidence can be a major obstacle to success in public speaking.
  • To obviate the need for a last-minute rush, we purchased our plane tickets months in advance.
  • The powerful storm threatened to obliterate the small coastal town.

Section 4

Words with PER- (through)

Let's get through this next group! All these words feature the prefix PER-, meaning 'through,' and they express ideas of continuation, penetration, or completion.

Key Words

perennial (adj.)perennial (n.)
perforate (v.)permeate (v.)
perplex (v.)persist (v.)
pertinent (adj.)perturb (v.)
  • Her argument was not very convincing because it included several points that were not pertinent to the main topic.
  • Why do you persist in playing video games when you know you have a major exam tomorrow?
  • The smell of freshly baked cookies began to permeate the entire house.

Section 5

Words with PRE- (before)

Think ahead! This group of words uses the prefix PRE-, which means 'before' or 'beforehand.'

Key Words

precede (v.)preclude (v.)
precocious (adj.)preconceive (v.)
prefabricated (adj.)preface (n.)
premature (adj.)premeditate (v.)
presume (v.)preview (n.)
  • The child who started reading novels at age four was considered quite precocious by her teachers.
  • The director's announcement of a sequel was premature, as the first movie hadn't even been released yet.
  • A sudden injury may preclude the star quarterback from playing in the championship game.

Section 6

Words with PRO- (forward)

Let's move forward with our final group! These words all contain the prefix PRO-, which means 'forward,' 'forth,' or 'before.'

Key Words

procrastinate (v.)proficient (adj.)profuse (adj.)
project (v.)prominent (adj.)propel (v.)
proponent (n.)prospect (n.)prospects (n.)
protract (v.)protrude (v.)provoke (v.)
  • The prospect of a three-day weekend motivated the employees to finish their work efficiently.
  • A true expert is not just knowledgeable but is also proficient in applying their skills.
  • The new engine was designed to propel the rocket farther into space than ever before.

Book overview

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Chapter 4: Enlarging Vocabulary Through Latin Prefixes

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Latin Prefixes 1-6

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Latin Prefixes 7-12

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Latin Prefixes 13-18

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  4. Lesson 4Current

    Lesson 4: Latin Prefixes 19-24

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Words with CIRCUM- (around)

Let's take a look around at words that share the prefix CIRCUM-, which means 'around' or 'on all sides.'

Key Words

circumference (n.)circumlocution (n.)
circumnavigate (v.)circumscribe (v.)
circumspect (adj.)circumvent (v.)
  • A trainer might circumscribe an athlete's diet to improve performance.
  • If you had been more circumspect, you would have checked the weather forecast before hiking.
  • The students were asked to measure the circumference of the school's circular garden.

Section 2

Words with CON-, CO-, COL-, COR- (together, with)

Get together with these words! The prefixes CON-, CO-, COL-, and COR- all mean 'together' or 'with,' emphasizing unity and connection.

Key Words

coalesce (v.)coherent (adj.)
collaborate (v.)collusion (n.)
concord (n.)congenital (adj.)
convene (v.)correspond (v.)
  • For our history project, would you prefer to collaborate with me or work on your own?
  • When the new captain arrived, there was perfect concord among the crew.
  • Several small streams coalesce to form the main river just past the old bridge.

Section 3

Words with OB- (against, in the way)

What's standing in your way? These words use the prefix OB-, which means 'against,' 'in the way of,' or 'over.'

Key Words

obliterate (v.)obsess (v.)
obstacle (n.)obstruct (v.)
obtrude (v.)obviate (v.)
  • A lack of confidence can be a major obstacle to success in public speaking.
  • To obviate the need for a last-minute rush, we purchased our plane tickets months in advance.
  • The powerful storm threatened to obliterate the small coastal town.

Section 4

Words with PER- (through)

Let's get through this next group! All these words feature the prefix PER-, meaning 'through,' and they express ideas of continuation, penetration, or completion.

Key Words

perennial (adj.)perennial (n.)
perforate (v.)permeate (v.)
perplex (v.)persist (v.)
pertinent (adj.)perturb (v.)
  • Her argument was not very convincing because it included several points that were not pertinent to the main topic.
  • Why do you persist in playing video games when you know you have a major exam tomorrow?
  • The smell of freshly baked cookies began to permeate the entire house.

Section 5

Words with PRE- (before)

Think ahead! This group of words uses the prefix PRE-, which means 'before' or 'beforehand.'

Key Words

precede (v.)preclude (v.)
precocious (adj.)preconceive (v.)
prefabricated (adj.)preface (n.)
premature (adj.)premeditate (v.)
presume (v.)preview (n.)
  • The child who started reading novels at age four was considered quite precocious by her teachers.
  • The director's announcement of a sequel was premature, as the first movie hadn't even been released yet.
  • A sudden injury may preclude the star quarterback from playing in the championship game.

Section 6

Words with PRO- (forward)

Let's move forward with our final group! These words all contain the prefix PRO-, which means 'forward,' 'forth,' or 'before.'

Key Words

procrastinate (v.)proficient (adj.)profuse (adj.)
project (v.)prominent (adj.)propel (v.)
proponent (n.)prospect (n.)prospects (n.)
protract (v.)protrude (v.)provoke (v.)
  • The prospect of a three-day weekend motivated the employees to finish their work efficiently.
  • A true expert is not just knowledgeable but is also proficient in applying their skills.
  • The new engine was designed to propel the rocket farther into space than ever before.

Book overview

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

Continue this chapter

Chapter 4: Enlarging Vocabulary Through Latin Prefixes

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Latin Prefixes 1-6

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Latin Prefixes 7-12

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: Latin Prefixes 13-18

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  4. Lesson 4Current

    Lesson 4: Latin Prefixes 19-24

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