List of Greek morphemes used in English

Greek morphemes are parts of words originating from the Greek language. This article lists Greek morphemes used in the English language.

Common morphemes

Morpheme	Definition	Example word
Andr	Man	Android: a machine made to look like a man
Anthrop	Humankind	Anthropology: the study of humankind (see logy)
Arch	Rule; govern	Gynarchy: Government by a woman [see gyn]
Archae	Ancient; old	Archaeology: The science or study of antiquities, esp. prehistoric antiquities, such as the remains of buildings or monuments of an early epoch, inscriptions, implements, and other relics, written manuscripts, etc. [see logy]
Bath	Depth	Bathometer: a device measuring depth (see meter)
Biblio	Book	Bibliophobia: the fear of books [see phobia]
Caco	Bad	Cacography: poor handwriting [see graph]
Centr	Center	Centerpiece: an ornamental object used in a central position, esp. on the center of a dining-room table
Chrom	Color	Polychrome: having many colors [see poly]
Chron	Time	Chronological: being in time order
Cycl	Circle	Bicycle: a vehicle with two wheels in tandem, usually propelled by pedals connected to the rear wheel by a chain, and having handlebars for steering and a saddlelike seat. [see bi]
Dem	People	Democracy: Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people
Di	Two	Dichromatic: having two colors [see chrom]
Dyn	Power	Dynasty: a sequence of rulers from the same family, stock, or group
Erg	Work	Ergonomics: the science of equipment design, intended to maximize productivity, especially in the workplace
Eu	Good	Euphony: pleasant combinations of sound [see phon]
Gen	Origin; kind	Genesis: the first book in the Bible
Geo	Earth	Geology: the study of the earth [see logy]
Gon	Angle	Polygon: a many sided shape [see poly]
Graph; gram	Write; draw; record	Telegraph: the long-distance transmission of written messages without physical transport of letters [see tele]
Gyn	Woman	Misogyny: The hatred of women [see miso]
Helio	Sun	Heliotherapy: therapeutic exposure to sunlight [see therap]
Hem; haem	Blood	Hemorrhage: a profuse discharge of blood
Hemi	Half	Hemisphere: one of the halves into which the earth is divided
Hetero	Unlike; different	Heterogeneous: Differing in kind; having unlike qualities; possessed of different characteristics; differing in origin [see gen]
Homo	Same	Homogenous: Having a resemblance in structure, due to descent from a common progenitor with subsequent modification [see gen]
Iso	Equal	Isography: Imitation of another's handwriting [see graph]
Latry	Worship	Idolatry: the religious worship of idols
Log	Word; idea; study	Dialog: A conversation between people. (dia: through) + (logos: speech, reason) = ("exchange of thoughts")
Logy; ology	Discourse; learn	Trilogy: a set of three works of art that are connected
Macro	Long	Macrocosm: any large thing; universe
Mancy	Prophecy	Bibliomancy: prophesying by use of books [see biblio]
Machia; Machy	War; fight	Theomachy: war or struggle between gods [see theo]
Mania	Madness	Pyromaniac: A person suffering from pyromania; A person who is obsessed with fire; one who lights things on fire
Mega	Large	Megalomania: a mental disorder characterized by delusions of power [see mania]
Meter	Measure	Diameter: the length of a straight line passing from side to side of any figure or body, through its center
Micro	Small	Microscopic: so small it's hard to see [see scop]
Miso	Hate	Misology: the dislike of arguments (see log)
Mono	One	Monopoly: an exclusive privilege to carry on a business, traffic, or service, granted by a government
Olig	Few	Oligarchy: a form of government all the power resides with few people [see arch]
Ortho	Correct; straight	Orthodontics: the branch of dentistry dealing with the prevention and correction of irregular teeth
Pan	All	Pandemic: prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world [see dem]
Para	Beside; beyond; abnormal	Paralysis: loss of muscle function for one or more muscles
Path	Feeling; disease	Sociopath: a person, whose behavior is antisocial and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience.
Phil	Friend	Philanthropy: the desire to help others [see anthrop]
Phobia	Fear of	Arachnaphobia: The fear of spiders
Phon	Sound	Euphonic: Pleasing to the ear [see eu]
Poly	Many	Polymath: a person whose expertise spans a significant number of different subject areas
Rhe	Flood; flow; gush; burst	Logorrhea: a flood of words spoken quickly (see log)
Scop; scept	Look at; examine	Kaleidoscope: A toy in which reflections from mirrors make patterns
Sphere	Ball	Atmosphere: the layer of air and gas around the Earth and other planets
Stat; stas	Stop	Static: showing little or no change
Tel; tele	Far; distant	Telephone: Apparatus designed to convert sound waves into electrical waves which are sent to and reproduced data distant point [see phon]
Theo	God	Atheist: one who believes in no gods
Therap	Cure	Therapy: Treatment of illness or disability

See also

• English words of Greek origin

External links

• Greek Morphemes, Khoff, Mountainside Middle School
• English vocabulary elements, Keith M. Denning, Brett Kessler, William R. Leben, William Ronald Leben, Oxford University Press US, 2007, 320pp, p. 127, ISBN 978-0-19-516802-0 at Google Books