Learn on PengiVocabulary for the College Bound Student (Grade 8)Chapter 5: Words Derived From Latin

Lesson 6: 16. Grat, 17. Mor (Mort), 18. Corp, 19. Due (Duct), 20. Secut (Sequ)

In this Grade 8 lesson from Vocabulary for the College Bound Student, students explore five Latin roots — grat (pleasant, thank), mor/mort (death), corp (body), duc/duct (lead), and secut/sequ (follow) — to build college-level vocabulary through definitions and contextual exercises. Students learn words such as ingratiate, moribund, habeas corpus, corpuscle, and related terms by tracing their meanings back to Latin origins. This chapter-based approach helps eighth graders expand academic vocabulary and recognize word patterns across subjects.

Section 1

The Root GRAT: Pleasant, Thank, Favor

Let's start with words that spread good vibes! The root GRAT is all about being pleasant and thankful. Check out these words that all share a connection to favors and gratitude.

Key Words

congratulate (v.)express one’s pleasure to another person at that person’s success
gracious (adj.)pleasant; courteous; kindly
grateful (adj.)feeling or expressing gratitude; thankful; obliged
gratify (v.)give or be a source of pleasure or satisfaction
gratis (adv.)without charge or payment; free
gratitude (n.)thankfulness
gratuitous (adj.)given freely; unwarranted
gratuity (n.)present of money in return for a favor or service; tip
ingrate (n.)ungrateful person
ingratiate (v.)establish (oneself) in the favor or good graces of another

Example Usage

  • I would consider myself a complete ingrate if I didn’t send a thank-you note for the birthday gifts.
  • Some hotels charge for Wi-Fi, but this one provides it gratis to all its guests.
  • Compliments about her beautiful artwork always gratify the young painter.

Section 2

The Root MOR (MORT): All About Death

Moving to a more serious topic, the root MOR or MORT deals with the concept of death. From eternal life to extreme embarrassment, these words cover a surprising range.

Key Words

immortal (adj.)not subject to death; imperishable
immortality (n.)eternal life; lasting fame
moribund (adj.)dying; near death
mortal (adj.)destined to die; human; causing death
mortal (n.)human being; person
mortality (n.)death rate; mortal nature
mortician (n.)undertaker
mortification (n.)shame; humiliation; embarrassment
mortify (v.)embarrass; shame; humiliate
mortuary (n.)funeral home
rigor mortis (n.)stiffness of the body that sets in several hours after death

Example Usage

  • J.K. Rowling's immortality is guaranteed by the lasting popularity of the Harry Potter series.
  • Areas with poor access to healthcare often have a higher infant mortality rate.
  • The coach didn't realize the mortification she caused her player when she criticized his mistake in front of the whole team.

Section 3

The Root CORP: The Body

Let's get physical... or legal, or organized! The root CORP is all about the 'body,' whether it's a person, a group, or a collection of work.

Key Words

corporal (adj.)bodily, as corporal punishment
corporation (n.)body authorized by law to act as a single person
corps (n.)organized body of persons; branch of the military
corpse (n.)dead body
corpulent (adj.)bulky; obese; very fat
corpus (n.)general collection or body of writings, laws, etc.
corpuscle (n.)blood cell; minute particle
corpus delicti (n.)facts proving a crime has been committed; body of the victim
esprit de corps (n.)spirit of a body of persons; group spirit
habeas corpus (n.)writ requiring a person to be brought before a court
incorporate (v.)combine so as to form one body

Example Usage

  • The debate team has a fantastic esprit de corps and always cheers for each other, win or lose.
  • A lawyer filed for a writ of habeas corpus to ensure her client would not be held in jail illegally.
  • The chef decided to incorporate fresh herbs from the garden into the new soup recipe.

Section 4

The Root DUC (DUCT): To Lead or Draw

Follow the leader! The root DUC or DUCT is found in words that involve leading, guiding, or pulling something along.

Key Words

aqueduct (n.)channel for conducting waterconducive (adj.)tending to lead to; helpful
conduct (v.)lead; guide; escortdeduction (n.)taking away; subtraction
duct (n.)tube or channelductile (adj.)easily led; able to be drawn out
induce (v.)lead on; persuadeinduct (v.)admit as a member; initiate
induction (n.)ceremony for membership; reasoningseduction (n.)enticement; leading astray
traduce (v.)slander; vilifyviaduct (n.)bridge for a road or railroad

Example Usage

  • A quiet environment is conducive to studying for a big exam.
  • Even though he was nervous, his friends were able to induce him to sing karaoke.
  • As our car crossed the long viaduct, we had a breathtaking view of the river gorge below.

Section 5

The Root SECUT (SEQU): To Follow

What comes next? Words with the root SECUT or SEQU are all about finding out. They relate to following, in order, in logic, or in time.

Key Words

consecutive (adj.)following in regular order; successive
consequence (n.)that which follows logically; result; importance
execute (v.)follow through to completion; carry out; put to death
inconsequential (adj.)of no consequence; trivial; unimportant
non sequitur (n.)statement that does not follow from previous statements
persecute (v.)oppress; harass; annoy
prosecute (v.)conduct legal proceedings against; sue
sequel (n.)something that follows; continuation

Example Usage

  • The team celebrated its fifth consecutive victory.
  • The choice of napkin color was inconsequential to the success of the party.
  • Fans were thrilled when the author announced a sequel to her best-selling fantasy novel.

Book overview

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

Continue this chapter

Chapter 5: Words Derived From Latin

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: LATIN PREFIXES 1-15

  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: LATIN PREFIXES 16-30

  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: 1. Rupt, 2. Cide, 3. String (Strict), 4. Vor, 5. Viv

  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: 6. Tort (Tors), 7. Vict (Vinc), 8. Fract (Frag), 9. Omni, 10. Fleet (Flex)

  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: 11. Ten (Tin, Tent), 12. Mon (Monit), 13. Mand (Mandat), 14. Cred (Credit), 15. Fid

  6. Lesson 6Current

    Lesson 6: 16. Grat, 17. Mor (Mort), 18. Corp, 19. Due (Duct), 20. Secut (Sequ)

  7. Lesson 7

    Lesson 7: 21. Cur (Curr, Curs), 22. Gress (Grad), 23. Ped, 24. Tact (Tang), 25. Prehend (Prehens)

  8. Lesson 8

    Lesson 8: 26. Ject, 27. Vert (Vers), 28. Mis (Miss, Mit, Mitt), 29. Locut (Loqu), 30. Fer(ous)

Lesson overview

Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.

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Section 1

The Root GRAT: Pleasant, Thank, Favor

Let's start with words that spread good vibes! The root GRAT is all about being pleasant and thankful. Check out these words that all share a connection to favors and gratitude.

Key Words

congratulate (v.)express one’s pleasure to another person at that person’s success
gracious (adj.)pleasant; courteous; kindly
grateful (adj.)feeling or expressing gratitude; thankful; obliged
gratify (v.)give or be a source of pleasure or satisfaction
gratis (adv.)without charge or payment; free
gratitude (n.)thankfulness
gratuitous (adj.)given freely; unwarranted
gratuity (n.)present of money in return for a favor or service; tip
ingrate (n.)ungrateful person
ingratiate (v.)establish (oneself) in the favor or good graces of another

Example Usage

  • I would consider myself a complete ingrate if I didn’t send a thank-you note for the birthday gifts.
  • Some hotels charge for Wi-Fi, but this one provides it gratis to all its guests.
  • Compliments about her beautiful artwork always gratify the young painter.

Section 2

The Root MOR (MORT): All About Death

Moving to a more serious topic, the root MOR or MORT deals with the concept of death. From eternal life to extreme embarrassment, these words cover a surprising range.

Key Words

immortal (adj.)not subject to death; imperishable
immortality (n.)eternal life; lasting fame
moribund (adj.)dying; near death
mortal (adj.)destined to die; human; causing death
mortal (n.)human being; person
mortality (n.)death rate; mortal nature
mortician (n.)undertaker
mortification (n.)shame; humiliation; embarrassment
mortify (v.)embarrass; shame; humiliate
mortuary (n.)funeral home
rigor mortis (n.)stiffness of the body that sets in several hours after death

Example Usage

  • J.K. Rowling's immortality is guaranteed by the lasting popularity of the Harry Potter series.
  • Areas with poor access to healthcare often have a higher infant mortality rate.
  • The coach didn't realize the mortification she caused her player when she criticized his mistake in front of the whole team.

Section 3

The Root CORP: The Body

Let's get physical... or legal, or organized! The root CORP is all about the 'body,' whether it's a person, a group, or a collection of work.

Key Words

corporal (adj.)bodily, as corporal punishment
corporation (n.)body authorized by law to act as a single person
corps (n.)organized body of persons; branch of the military
corpse (n.)dead body
corpulent (adj.)bulky; obese; very fat
corpus (n.)general collection or body of writings, laws, etc.
corpuscle (n.)blood cell; minute particle
corpus delicti (n.)facts proving a crime has been committed; body of the victim
esprit de corps (n.)spirit of a body of persons; group spirit
habeas corpus (n.)writ requiring a person to be brought before a court
incorporate (v.)combine so as to form one body

Example Usage

  • The debate team has a fantastic esprit de corps and always cheers for each other, win or lose.
  • A lawyer filed for a writ of habeas corpus to ensure her client would not be held in jail illegally.
  • The chef decided to incorporate fresh herbs from the garden into the new soup recipe.

Section 4

The Root DUC (DUCT): To Lead or Draw

Follow the leader! The root DUC or DUCT is found in words that involve leading, guiding, or pulling something along.

Key Words

aqueduct (n.)channel for conducting waterconducive (adj.)tending to lead to; helpful
conduct (v.)lead; guide; escortdeduction (n.)taking away; subtraction
duct (n.)tube or channelductile (adj.)easily led; able to be drawn out
induce (v.)lead on; persuadeinduct (v.)admit as a member; initiate
induction (n.)ceremony for membership; reasoningseduction (n.)enticement; leading astray
traduce (v.)slander; vilifyviaduct (n.)bridge for a road or railroad

Example Usage

  • A quiet environment is conducive to studying for a big exam.
  • Even though he was nervous, his friends were able to induce him to sing karaoke.
  • As our car crossed the long viaduct, we had a breathtaking view of the river gorge below.

Section 5

The Root SECUT (SEQU): To Follow

What comes next? Words with the root SECUT or SEQU are all about finding out. They relate to following, in order, in logic, or in time.

Key Words

consecutive (adj.)following in regular order; successive
consequence (n.)that which follows logically; result; importance
execute (v.)follow through to completion; carry out; put to death
inconsequential (adj.)of no consequence; trivial; unimportant
non sequitur (n.)statement that does not follow from previous statements
persecute (v.)oppress; harass; annoy
prosecute (v.)conduct legal proceedings against; sue
sequel (n.)something that follows; continuation

Example Usage

  • The team celebrated its fifth consecutive victory.
  • The choice of napkin color was inconsequential to the success of the party.
  • Fans were thrilled when the author announced a sequel to her best-selling fantasy novel.

Book overview

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

Continue this chapter

Chapter 5: Words Derived From Latin

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: LATIN PREFIXES 1-15

  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: LATIN PREFIXES 16-30

  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: 1. Rupt, 2. Cide, 3. String (Strict), 4. Vor, 5. Viv

  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: 6. Tort (Tors), 7. Vict (Vinc), 8. Fract (Frag), 9. Omni, 10. Fleet (Flex)

  5. Lesson 5

    Lesson 5: 11. Ten (Tin, Tent), 12. Mon (Monit), 13. Mand (Mandat), 14. Cred (Credit), 15. Fid

  6. Lesson 6Current

    Lesson 6: 16. Grat, 17. Mor (Mort), 18. Corp, 19. Due (Duct), 20. Secut (Sequ)

  7. Lesson 7

    Lesson 7: 21. Cur (Curr, Curs), 22. Gress (Grad), 23. Ped, 24. Tact (Tang), 25. Prehend (Prehens)

  8. Lesson 8

    Lesson 8: 26. Ject, 27. Vert (Vers), 28. Mis (Miss, Mit, Mitt), 29. Locut (Loqu), 30. Fer(ous)