Challenge yourself to think of more English words that may have come from these Latin roots, and then check a dictionary to confirm the derivation. In her memoir, When All the World Was Young, Barbara Holland wrote that Latin was "the scalpel in my hand for dissecting English."
Editor's note: This section would not be possible without the instruction of David L. Rhody, retired high-school Latin teacher.
Latin Word | Definition | English Derivatives |
villa | villa, house |
villa, village, villager |
alta |
tall, high, deep |
altitude, altimeter, alto |
antiqua |
antique, old |
antique, antiquity, ancient |
longa |
long |
longitude, longevity, long |
magna |
large, great |
magnify, magnificent, magnitude |
pictura |
picture |
picture, picturesque, pictorial |
nova |
new |
novice, novel, novelty, nova, Nova Scotia |
terra |
land, earth |
terrier, terrace, terrestrial, terrain |
prima |
first |
prime, primary, primitive, primeval |
sub |
under |
subway, subterranean, suburban |
corna |
horn |
cornucopia, cornet, clavicorn |
est |
is |
estate, establish, essence |
habere |
have |
have, habit, habitual |
casa |
small house |
casino |
via |
street |
via |
parva |
small |
parval, parvanimity |
lata |
wide, broad |
latitude, lateral, latitudinal |
bona |
good |
bonus, bonanza, bona fide |
copia |
plenty |
copious, cornucopia, copiously |
fama |
fame |
fame, famous, infamous |
provincia |
province |
province, provincial, provincialism |
multa |
many |
multitude, multiple, multiplex |
nominare |
to name |
nominate, nominal, name, nominative |
postea |
later |
postlude, postgraduate, posthumous |
non |
not |
nonfction, nonmetal, nonexistent |
in |
in |
in |
aqua |
water |
aquatics, aquarium, aqueduct, aqueous |
agricola |
farmer |
agriculture |
bestia |
beast |
bestial, bestiality |
figura |
figure, shape |
figure, figurine, figment, figurative |
flamma |
flame |
flame, flamboyant, flambeau |
herba |
herb |
herb, herbivorous, herbage |
insula |
island |
insular, insulate, insularity |
lingua |
language |
language, lingual, linguistics |
nauta |
sailor |
nautical, nautilus |
pirata |
pirate |
pirate, piratical |
schola |
school |
scholar, school, scholastic |
alba |
white |
albino, albinism albumen |
amica |
friendly |
amicable, amicability, amity |
beata |
happy |
beatific, beatify, beatitude |
maritima |
sea |
maritime |
mea |
me |
me, my |
mira |
strange |
miracle, miraculous, mirage |
nota |
noted |
noted, note, notice, notable, noticeable |
obscura |
dark |
obscure, obscured, obscurity |
periculosa |
dangerous |
perilous, peril |
propinqua |
near to |
propinquity |
pulchra |
beautiful |
pulchritude |
quieta |
quiet |
quiet, quietude, disquiet |
circum |
around |
circumstance, circumnavigate, circumspect |
filia |
daughter |
filly, filial |
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