Arapacana Press

Mailing List | Guest Book | Contact | Links
B.J. Way's Family Tree | Sitemap

The Alphabetary Heraldic

Numbers
Prefixes/Suffixes

Numbers
Roman Numerals
Ethnic Identities
Nominæ Sacræ
Obsolete Letters
Notæ Iuris - Tironian Shorthand
Contractions
Superscriptions
Latin Prefixes
Latin Suffixes
Greek Suffixes
Greek Bases
Latin Sexual Terms

Numbers

,α : [Gk] number 1,000.
,β : [Gk] number 2,000.
,γ : [Gk] number 3,000.
,δ : [Gk] number 4,000.
,ε : [Gk] number 5,000.
1 day : [Ba] 24 hours.
1 foot : [Ba] 12 inches.
1 mile : [Ba] 1,760 yards.
1 minute : [Ba] 60 seconds.
4, JC factor : JC/GC factor 4 : the basic divisor used to determine both Julian and Gregorian leap years.  Cf. centesimal year, Gregorian factor 400, Julian factor 4.

400, GC factor : GC factor 400 : the basic Gregorian divisor used to determine whether a centesimal year should be a leap year.  The Julian Calendar (JC) allows 4 centesimal leap years over 400 years, but the Julian Calendar drops 3 of 4 Julian centesimal leap years, and retains only 1 of 4 centesimal years as Gregorian centesimal leap years.  Cf. centesimal year, Gregorian factor 400, Julian factor 4.

1 yard : [Ba] 3 feet.
1,760 yards : [Ba] 1 mile.
12 inches : [Ba] 1 foot.
15 years : Indiction Cycle.
24 hours : [Ba] 1 day.
2ter Urgroßvater : [Gm] second-great-grandfather.
3 feet : [Ba] 1 yard.

3,600 the number : [Ba] 602; 60 x 60; 10 x 360; the sexagesimal number of Sumer and Babylonia, based upon an approximation of the days in one solar year, that is to say roughly 360 days, or precisely 365 days or 366 days.  The number 3,600 was anciently written with a distinctive symbol.  When calculating annual interest today, businessmen often elect to use 360 days as a divisor, instead of 365, for the purpose of estimation.

36,000 the number : [Ba] 10 x 602; the sexagesimal number of Sumer and Babylonia which was written as a separate symbol.

360 degrees : [Ba] 6 x 60; 12 x 30; 24 x 15; the number of degrees in a circle.  The number 360 was based on an estimate of the number of days in one solar year, and became the Babylonian basis for the reckoning of time, and the measurement of arcs.

3ter Urgroßvater : [Gm] third-great-grandfather.
4ter Urgroßvater : [Gm] fourth-great-grandfather.
0060 seconds : [Ba] 1 minute.

60 the number : [Ba] the sexagesimal unit that Sumerians and Babylonians used to reckon time and large quantities.  When counting large numbers, the Babylonians often used the number 60 as a base unit, in a decimal-sexagesimal system, such that the number 75 would be counted as 60 +10 +5 =75.  Cf. 60, 600, 3,600, 36,000; second, minute, hour.

600 the number : [Ba] 10 x 60; the sexagesimal unit that Sumerians and Babylonians represented with a separate symbol.

69 : sixty-nine : six-à-neuf.
α’ : [Gk] number 1.
β’ : number 2.
γ’ : number 3.
δ’ : number 4.
ζ’ : number 7.
η’ : number 8.
θ’ : number 9.
ι’ : number 10.
ια’ : number 11.
ιβ’ : number 12.
ιγ’ : number 13.
ιδ’ : number 14.
ιε’ : number 15.
ιζ’ : number 17.
ιη’ : number 18.
ιθ’ : number 19.
ις’ : number 16.
κ’ : number 20.
κα’ : number 21.
κβ’ : number 22.
κγ’ : number 23.
κδ’ : number 24.
λ’ : number 30.
μ’ : number 40.
ν’ : number 50.
ξ’ : number 60.
ο’ : number 70.
π’ : number 80.
ρ’ : number 100.
σ’ : number 200.
τ’ : number 300.
φ’ : number 500.
χ’ : number 600.
ψ’ : number 700.
ω’ : number 800. [return to top]

Roman Numerals

1 : I : one, unus; primus, first.
2 : II : two, duo; secundus, second.
3 : III : three, tres; tertius, third.
4 : IV : four, quattuor; quartus, fourth.
5 : V : five, quinque; quintus, fifth.
6 : VI : six, sex; sextus, sixth.
7 : VII : seven, septem; septimus, seventh.
8 : VIII : eight, octo; octavus, eighth.
9 : IX : nine, novem; nonus, ninth.
10 : X : ten, decem; decimus, tenth.
11 : XI : eleven, undecim; undecimus.
12 : XII : twelve, duodecim; duodecimus.
13 : XIII : thirteen, tredecim; tertius decimus.
14 : XIV : fourteen, quattuordecim; quartus decimus.
15 : XV : fifteen, quindecim; quintus decimus.
16 : XVI : sixteen, sedecim, sexdecim; septimus decimus.
17 : XVII : seventeen, septendecim; septimus decimus.
18 : XVIII : eighteen, duodeviginti; duodevicesimus.
19 : XIX : nineteen, undeviginti; undevicesimus.
20 : XX : twenty, viginti; vicesimus.
21 : XXI : twenty-one, viginti unus, unus et viginti; vicesimus primus, unus et vicesimus.
22 : XXII : twenty-two, viginti duo, duo et viginti; vicesimus secundus, alter et vicesimus.
30 : XXX : thirty, triginta; tricesimus.
40 : XL : forty, quadraginta; quadragesimus.
50 : L : fifty, quinquaginta; quinquagesimus.
60 : LX : sixty, sexaginta; sexagesimus.
70 : LXX : seventy, septuaginta; septuagesimus.
80 : LXXX : eighty, octoginta; octogesimus.
90 : XC : ninety, nonaginta; nonagesimus.
100 : C : one hundred, centum; centesimus.
101 : CI : one hundred and one; centum unus, centum et unus; centesimus primus, centesimus et primus.
200 : CC : two hundred, ducenti; ducentesimus.
250 : K : two hundred and fifty.
300 : CCC : three hundred, trecenti; trecentesimus.
400 : G : four hundred, quadringenti; quadringentesimus.
500 : D : five hundred, quingenti; quingentesimus.
600 : DC : six hundred, sescenti; sescentesimus.
700 : DCC : seven hundred, septigenti; septingentesimus.
800 : DCCC : eight hundred, octigenti; octingentesimus.
900 : CM : nine hundred, nongenti; nongentesimus.
1000 : M : one thousand, mille; millesimus.
2000 : MM : two thousand, duo milia; bis millesimus.
100,000 : one hundred thousand, centum milia; centies millesimus.
1,000,000 : one million, decies centena milia; decies centies millesimus. [return to top]

Ethnic Identities  

Parts 1 : 0, Spanish : Español.[1]
Parts 1 : 0, Native : Indio.
Parts 1 : 0, Black : Negro.
Parts 1 : 1, Spanish-Native : Mestizo, half-breed, cross-breed.
Parts 1 : 1, Spanish-Black : Mulato, half-breed.
Parts 1 : 1, Native-Black : Zambo.
Parts 2 : 1 : 1, Black-Spanish-Native : Cimarrón, wild.
Parts 3 : 1, Spanish-Black : Cambuto.
Parts 3 : 1, Spanish-Black : Cuarterón, quarter mixed.
Parts 3 : 1, Spanish-Black : Morisco, Moorish.
Parts 3 : 1, Spanish-Black : Tresalvo, thrice saved.
Parts 3 : 1, Black-Native : Lobo, wolf.
Parts 3 : 1, Black-Spanish : Negro Fino, fine, thin negro.
Parts 3 : 1, Black-Spanish : Prieto, blackish, dark.
Parts 4 : 1 : 1 : 1 : 1, Black-Spanish-Native- Other-Other : Cambur, changed.
Parts 4 : 3 : 1, Spanish-Native-Black : Coyote.
Parts 6 : 1 : 1, Black-Spanish-Native:  Jabaro.
Parts 7 : 1, Spanish-Black : Albino, white.
Parts 7 : 1, Spanish-Black : Ochavado, eighth.
Parts 7 : 1, Spanish-Black : Sambahigo.
Parts : 13 : 2 : 1, Spanish-Black-Native : Tenté en el aire, held in the air.
Parts 15 : 1, Spanish-Black : Saltratas.
Parts 15 : 1, Spanish-Black : Tornatras, turning, give back.

Nominæ Sacræ 

ds : Deus : God the Father.
iћs : iћc : Iesus : Jesus the Son.
xps : xpc : Christus : Christ the Annointed.
sps : Spiritus : Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost.
dñs : Dominus : Lord. [return to top]

Obsolete Letters

┐: et : and, &.
Ð : ð : [ante 1600] th : the eth; the barred d; the Middle English letter for the th in them.
Ŋ : ŋ : the agma, the eng; the \ng\ sound, as in long.

þ : th : \th, th\ : [ante 1600, Old & Middle En] the thorn; a letter equivalent to modern Icelandic Edh or Eth; the letter pronounced as th in three.  English has so many instances of the th sound, that scribes and printers were reluctant to drop the convention of using one letter instead of two, so many determined to retain the thorn, by substituting y for þ.  Thus, the language acquired the convention of expressing the in its very familiar Renaissance form ye or yeYe should and ought to be pronounced as the ordinary definite article the, but readers unschooled in Saxon orthography have commonly misapprehended the word, so we today pronounce the article in the way it appears to be written.

Þ : w : [ante 1300] the wyn; the wen.  In transcriptions, the letter w is commonly substituted for the wyn.

З : g : gh : \y, kh\ : [ante 1100] the yogh; the Saxon letter g.  This archaic symbol was used side-by-side with uses of the continental letter g, until about ad 1100, when the continental g replaced it, in most cases.

З : gh : \kh\ : [ante 1600] the Saxon letter g, which stands for the ch in loch.  The letter in its Saxon form was retained to selectively represent some occurrences of gh, as in the word niЗt for night, and then was abandoned entirely about 1600, when such words came to be written in their present fashion.  In Middle English, the letter З was sometimes used to write the y in year (Зear), or the gh in light (liЗt).

Notæ Iuris 
Tironian Shorthand

.i. : id est : i.e. : that is.
.N. : enim : for, namely.
.s. : scilicet : certainly, namely.
Э : eius : that, of that sort.
¹ : est : is, it is.
7 : ┐:|3|: and, et, &; the et-sign.
gi : igitur : according, consequently, therefore.
go : ergo, therefore (²).
ł : uel, vel : or. [return to top]

Contractions

F : f : secundum, according to (not second); the long s (ſ) plus com- (>).
-āō : -atio : -ation.
-āōēm : -ationem.
bts : beatus : blessed.
dcs : dictus : saying.
ēps : episcopus : bishop.
fco : facto : fact.
fcum : factum : fact.
fło : falso : false.
fm : festum : feast.
fr : frater : brother.
frēm : fratrem : brother.
ħendum : habendum : have.
hre : habere : have.
lre : litere : by letter.
mā : materia : matter.
miā : misericordia, mercy; miseria, misery.
m­­r : mater, mother; martyr.
nr : noster : our.
-ōē : -ione : -ion.
ōē : omne : all.
-ōīs : -ionis.
ōm : obiectum : opposite.
pr : pater : father.
qm : quoniam : since, seeing that, now that.  This must not be confused with quum, the popluar but incorrect spelling of cum.
qn : [suspension] quando.
rō : ratio : account.
rōē : ratione : by account, by means.
scō : sancto : sacred.
słr : similiter : similar.
tm : tantum : as much, so much; only, merely.
tn : tamen : still, nevertheless.
ūr : uester, vester : your.
ūrī : uestri, vestri : [plural] your. [return to top]

Superscriptions

|a| : [after q-] -ua.
|a| : -ra- : [supermedial].
|e|: -er- : [supermedial].
|i| : [after q-] -ui : [supersuffix].
|i| : -ri- : [supermedial].
|o| : [after q-] -uo : [supersuffix].
|p| : per : [symbol] through.
|p| : pre : [symbol] before.
|p| : pro : [symbol] for.
|u| : -ur-.
aqa : aqua : water.
cimen : crimen.
figuat : figurat (not figat).
gaue : graue, grave.
qi : qui : who.
qo : quo : from whom, by whom.
vebi : uerbi, verbi (not ubi).
Suspensions  
| |: [supersuffix] -us, -or, -os.
|>| : [prefix] con-, com-; the com-sign.
|r| : [suffix] -es, -is.
|~|ˉ| : [supersuffix nasal] -m, -n, -on, -uin; a macron or tilde placed above a letter to represent a final
nazalization.
|~|²| : [supersuffix velar] -ur.
|’| : [suffix] -ing, -m, -n, -ñ; the em-sign, a tag signaling nazalization.
|²| : the ditto-sign, ar-sign.
|3| : [conjunction] et, the et-sign, equivalent to the ampersand (&); sometimes written as the numeral seven (7).
|3| : [old supersuffix, obsolete] –m.
|3| : -bus.
|3| : -licet, written as z in the suspension viz., meaning videlicet.
|3| : -que : the que-sign.
|4| : [suffix] -rum; the jove-sign, rum-sign; a symbol shaped like the sign for Jupiter.
|’|-’|-n’|-ñ| : [supersuffix] -ing; a general sign for suspension of any kind.
-b; : -bus.
-q’ : -que.
-q; : -que.
-bus : |3|
-b’ : bus.
= : the Beneventan abbreviation stroke.
com- : > : with, together.
con- : > : with, together.
-er- : |”|
-es : |ſ |r|
-ing : |’|
-ir- : |”|
-is : |ſ |r|
aūt : autem.
-m : |’|
ei’ : eius.
-m’ : -mus.
-m : |3|
-n : |’|
-ñ : |’|
-on : |~|ˉ|
-or : |”| : one who does.
-or- : |”|
-os : |”|
-que : |3|
-r- : |”|
-re- : |”|
-ri- : |”|
-rum : |4|[Jupiter] [suffix]
-ue : |3|
-uin : |~|ˉ|
-ur : |2|~|
-us : |3| [return to top]

Latin Prefixes 

a- : ab- : away, from.
ab- : a- : away, from.
ac- : ad-, to, towards, in addition.
acr- : ac- : acu-.
act- : ag- : ig- : to do, drive.
acu- : ac- : acr- : sharp.
ad- : to, towards, in addition.
af- : ad-.
ag- : ad-.
ag- : ig- : act- : to do, drive.
al- : ad-.
alien- : of another.
am- : to love.
an- : ad-.
anim- : mind, feeling, life.
ann- : annu- : enni- : year.
annu- : ann- : enni- : year.
ante- : before.
ap- : ad-.
aqu- : aqua- : water.
aqua- : aqu- : water.
ar- : ad-.
art- : art, skill.
as- : ad-.
at- : ad-.
10-18 : atto- : a : [SI prefix; Dn, Nw] atten; eighteen; one quintillionth (10-18) part of.  Cf. attogram.
a : atto- : [SI prefix; Dn, Nw] atten; eighteen; one quintillionth (10-18) part of.  Cf. attogram.
atto- : a : [SI prefix; Dn, Nw] atten; eighteen; one quintillionth (10-18) part of.  Cf. attogram.
aud- : audit- : to hear.
audit- : aud- : to hear.
bell- : war.
bene- : well, good.
benign- : kind.
bi- : bin- : two, twice.
bin- : bi- : two, twice.
cad- : cid- : cas- : to fall, befall.
calc- : limstone, pebble.
cap- : cip- : capt- : cept- : to take, seize.
capit- : cipit- : head.
capt- : cap- : cip- : cept- : to take, seize.
capt- : cap-.
carn- : flesh.
cas- : cad- : cid : to fall, befall.
ced- : cess- : to go, yield.
ceiv- : cap-.
celer- : swift.
c : 10-2 : cent- : centi : [Lt] hundred.
10-2 : cent- : centi : c : [Lt] hundred.
cent- : centi : c : [Lt] hundred; 10-2.
centi- : cent- : [Lt] hundred; 10-2.
cept- : cap- : cip- : capt- : to take, seize.
cern- : cret- : to separate, distinguish.
cess- : ced- : to go, yield.
cest- : cast-.
cid- : cad- : cas- : to fall, befall.
cid- : cis- : to kill, cut.
cip- : cap- : capt- : cept- : to take, seize.
cipit- : capit- : head.
circum- : around.
cis- : cid- : to kill, cut.
claim- : clam-.
clam- : claim- : to cry out.
clos- : clud- : clus- : to shut.
clud- : clos- : clus- : to shut.
clus- : clud- : clos- : to shut.
co- : com-, cum, with, together.
col- : com-, cum, with, together.
com- : cum, with, together; completely, very, greatly, deeply, forcibly.
con- : com-, cum, with, together.
contra- : counter-, against, opposite.  This prefix is uncommon in Latin, but quite common in English.
cor- : com-, cum, with, together.
cord- : heart.
corp- : corpor- : corpus- : body.
corpor- : corp- : corpus- : body.
corpus- : corpor- : corp- : body.
cours- : cur- : curr- : curs- : to run, go.
cre- : cresc- : cret- : to grow.
cred- : credit- : to believe, trust.
credit- : cred- : to believe, trust.
cresc- : cre- : cret- : to grow.
cret- : cern- : to separate, distinguish.
cret- : cre- : cresc- : to grow.
cruc- : cross.
cub- : cumb- : to lie down.
culp- : blame, fault.
cumb- : cub- : to lie down.
cur- : cours- : curr- : curs- : to run, go.
curr- : cours- : cur- : curs- : to run, go.
curs- : cours- : cur- : curr- : to run, go.
curs- : cur-.
curs- : curr-.
de- : div- : god.
de- : down, away, aside, out, off; utterly, completely.
da : deka- : [SI prefix, Gk] ten; 101, 10.
101 : deka- : da : [SI prefix, Gk] ten; 10.
deka- : da : [SI prefix, Gk] ten; 101, 10.
deci- : decim- : d : [Lt] tenth; 10-1.
10-1 : deci- : decim- : d : [Lt] tenth.
d : [SI prefix] 10-1 : deci- : decim- : [Lt] tenth.
decim- : deci- : tenth.
di- : dis-, apart, away, not.
dic- : dict- : to say.
dict- : dic- : to say.
dif- : dis-, apart, away, not.
dis- : apart, away, not.
div- : de- : god.
doc- : doct- : to teach.
doct- : doc- : to teach.
du- : two.
duc- : duct- : to lead.
duct- : duc- : to lead.
e- : from, out, forth; exceedingly, up.
ef- : e- : from, out, forth; exceedingly, up.
enni- : ann- : annu- : year.
equ- : equal, even.
err- : to wander.
ex- : e- : from, out, forth; exceedingly, up.
1018: exa- [SI prefix] : E.
exa- : E : [SI prefix] 1018.
fa- : fat- : to speak.
fac- : fic- : fact- : fect- : to do, make.
fact- : fac- : fic- : fect- : to do, make.
fall- : fals- : to deceive.
fals- : fall- : to deceive.
fat- : fa- : to speak.
fect- : fac- : fic- : fact- : to do, make.
f : [SI prefix] 10-15 : femto- : [Dn, Nw] one quadrillionth (10-15) part of.
10-15 : femto- : f : [Dn, Nw] one quadrillionth (10-15) part of.
femto- : f : [Dn, Nw] one quadrillionth (10-15) part of.
fer- : to bear, carry.
ferv- : to boil, bubble.
fic- : fac- : fact- : fect- : to do, make.
fid- : faith.
fidel- : faithful.
fin- : end, limit.
firm- : firm, strong.
flect- : flex- : to bend.
flex- : flect- : to bend.
flor- : flower.
flu- : flux- : to flow.
flux- : flu- : to flow.
fort- : strong.
found- : fund- : fus- : to pour, melt.
fract- : frang- : fring- : to break.
frang- : fring- : fract- : to break.
fring- : frang- : fract- : to break.
fund- : fus- : found- : to pour, melt.
fus- : fund- : found- : to pour, melt.
gen- : gener- : race, kind.
gen- : genit- : to produce, give birth to.
gener- : gen- : race, kind.
genit- : gen- : to produce, give birth to.
ger- : gest- : to carry, produce.
gest- : ger- : to carry, produce.
grad- : gress- : to step, go.
gran- : grain.
grand- : great.
grat- : pleasing, grateful.
grav- : heavy.
greg- : flock, herd.
gress- : grad- : to step, go.
her- : hes- : to stick.
hes- : her- : to stick.
i- : it- : to go.
ig- : ag- : act- : to do, drive.
il- : in-, en-, em-, in, into, on, upon, against.
il- : in-, un-, not.
im- : in-, en-, em-, in, into, on, upon, against.
im- : in-, un-, not.
in- : en-, em-, in, into, on, upon, against.
in- : un-, not.
inter- : between, among.
intro- : within, in.
ir- : in-, en-, em-, in, into, on, upon, against.
ir- : in-, un-, not.
it- : i- : to go.
jac- : ject- : to throw.
ject- : jac- : to throw.
joc- : joke.
join- : junct-.
judic- : judgment.
junct- : join- : to join.
jur- : to swear.
lat- : to bear, carry.
later- : side.
lect- : leg- : lig- : to choose, pick out, read.
leg- : lig- : lect- : to choose, pick out, read.
lev- : light in weight.
lig- : lect- : leg- : to choose, pick out, read.
line- : line.
liter- : letter, literature.
loc- : place.
locut- : loqu- : to speak.
loqu- : locut- : to speak.
luc- : light; to shine.
lud- : lus- : to play, mock.
lumin : light.
lus- : lud- : to play, mock.
magn- : great.
mal- : male- : malign- : bad.
male- : mal- : malign- : bad.
malign- : mal- : male- : bad.
man- : manu- : hand.
manu- : man- : hand.
matern- : matr- : mother.
matr- : matern- : mother.
medi- : middle.
milit- : soldier.
m : [SI prefix] 10-3 : mill- : milli- : m : [Lt] thousand; 10-3.
10-3 : mill- : milli- : m : [Lt] thousand; 10-3.
mill- : milli- : m : [Lt] thousand; 10-3.
milli- : mill- : m : [Lt] thousand; 10-3.
minor- : minus- : minut- : small, smaller.
minus- : minor- : minut- : small, smaller.
minut- : minor- : minus- : small, smaller.
mis- : miss- : mit- : mitt- : to send, let go.
misc- : to mix.
miss- : mis- : mit- : mitt- : to send, let go.
mit- : mild, soft.
mit- : mis- : miss- : mitt- : to send, let go.
mitt- : mis- : miss- : mit- : to send, let go.
moll- : mild, soft.
mon- : monit- : to warn, advise.
monit- : mon- : to warn, advise.
mort- : death.
mot- : mov- : to move.
mov- : mot- : to move.
mult- : many.
mut- : change.
nasc- : nat- : to be born.
nat- : nasc- : to be born.
neg- : to deny.
nomen- : nomin- : name, noun.
nomin- : nomen- : name, noun.
nul- : null- : nothing.
null- : nul- : nothing.
nunci- : -nounce : to announce.
ob- : towards, to, opposite, against, over.
oc- : ob-, towards, to, opposite, against, over.
oct- : eight.
octav- : eighth.
of- : ob-, towards, to, opposite, against, over.
omn- : all.
op- : ob-, towards, to, opposite, against, over.
ordin- : order.
ound- : und- : wave.
part- : part.
pass- : pati- : to endure, suffer.
pass- : pati-.
patern- : patr- : father.
pati- : pass- : to endure, suffer.
patr- : patern- : father.
patri- : fatherland, country.
pecuni- : money.
ped- : foot.
pel- : pell- : puls- : to drive, push.
pell- : pel- : puls- : to drive, push.
pend- : pens- : to hand, weigh, pay.
pens- : pend- : to hand, weigh, pay.
per- : through; thoroughly, very, completely.
pet- : petit- : to seek, assail.
1015 : peta- [SI prefix] : P [SI prefix].
peta- [SI prefix] : P [SI prefix] : 1015.
petit- : pet- : to seek, assail.
10-12 : pico- : p : [It] piccolo; small; one trillionth (10-12) part of.
pico- : p : [It] piccolo; small; one trillionth (10-12) part of.
p : [abbreviation] pico- : [It] piccolo; small; one trillionth (10-12) part of.
plac- : to please, appease.
ple- : plet- : to fill.
plet- : ple- : to fill.
plex- : plic- : plicit- : ply- : to fold, interweave, tangle.
plic- : plex- : plicit- : ply- : to fold, interweave, tangle.
plicit- : plex- : plic- : ply- : to fold, interweave, tangle.
ply- : plex- : plic- : plicit- : to fold, interweave, tangle.
plen- : full.
pon- : posit- : pound- : -pose : to place, put.
port- : to carry.
posit- : pon- : pound- : -pose : to place, put.
pound- : pon- : posit- : -pose : to place, put.
post- : after.
pot- : to have power.
præ- : pre-, before, in front, forth; very.
prec- : prayer.
pred- : prey.
press- : to press.
prim- : first.
prob- : prov- : good; to test.
prol- : offspring.
propri- : one’s own, fitting.
prov- : prob- : good; to test.
pro- : pur-, before, in front, forth, out, away, instead of, for.
pugn- : fight.
puls- : pel- : pell- : to drive, push.
punct- : pung- : to prick, point.
pung- : punct- : to prick, point.
purg- : to clean.
put- : to reckon, think.
quadr- : quadru- : four.
quadru- : quadr- : four.
quart- : fourth.
quest- : quir- : quisit- : to ask, seek.
quir- : quest- : quisit- : to ask, seek.
quisit- : quest- : quir- : to ask, seek.
quint- : fifth.
radic- : root.
rect- : right, straight.
rect- : reg- : rig- : to straighten, rule.
reg- : rect- : rig- : to straighten, rule.
rig- : rect- : reg- : to straighten, rule.
rog- : to ask.
rupt- : to break.
re- : back, again.
red- : re-, back again.
sacr- : secr- : sacred.
sal- : sil- : salt- : sult- : to leap.salt- : sal- : sil- : sult- : to leap.
sanct- : holy.
sanguin- blood.
sati- : satis- : enough.
satis- : sati- : enough.
sci- : to know.
scrib- : script- : to write.
script- : scrib- : to write.
se- : apart, aside, without.
sec- : seg- : sect- : to cut.
secr- : sacr- : sacred.
sect- : sec- : seg- : to cut.
secut- : sequ- : to follow.
sed- : sid- : sess- : to sit, settle.
seg- : sec- : sect- : to cut.
semi- : half, partly.
sen- : old.
sens- : sent- : to feel, think.
sent- : sens- : to feel, think.
sept- : septem- : seven.
septem- : sept- : seven.
sequ- : secut- : to follow.
serv- : to serve, save.
sess- : sed- : sid- : to sit, settle.
sext- : sixth, six.
sid- : sed- : sess- : to sit, settle.
sil- : sal- : salt- : sult- : to leap.
simil- : simul- : like.
simul- : simil- : like.
sol- : alone.
solut- : solv- : to loosen, free.
solv- : solut- : to loosen, free.
son- : sound.
spec- : spic- : spect- : to look.
spic- : spec- : spect- : to look.
spir- : to breathe.
spect- : spec- : spic- : to look.
st- : sta- : stat- : to stand.
sta- : st- : stat- : to stand.
stat- : st- : sta- : to stand.
strain- : strict- : string- : to draw tight.
strict- : strain- : string- : to draw tight.
string- : strain- : strict- : to draw tight.
stru- : struct- : to build.
struct- : stru- : to build.
sub- : under.
suc- : sub-, under.
suf- : sub-, under.
sug- : sub-, under.
sult- : sal- : sil- : salt- : to leap.
sup- : sub-, under.
super- : sur-, over, above.
sur- : sub-, under.
sus- : sub-, under.
tact- : tang- : ting- : to touch.
tain- : ten- : tent- : tin- : to hold.
tang- : tact- : ting- : to touch.
tempor- : time.
ten- : tain- : tent- : tin- : to hold.
tend- : tens- : tent- : to stretch, strive.
tens- : tend- : tent- : to stretch, strive.
tent- : tain- : ten- : tin- : to hold.
tent- : tend- : tens- : to stretch, strive.
tenu- : thin.
1012 : tera- : T : [SI prefix].
tera- : T : [SI prefix] 1012.
termin- : boundary, end.
tin- : tain- : ten- : tent- : to hold.
ting- : tact- : tang- : to touch.
torqu- : tort- : to twist.
tort- : torqu- : to twist.
tra- : across, over.
tract- : to drag, draw.
trans- : across, over.
tri- : three.
trit- : to rub, wear.
trud- : trus- : to push, thrust.
trus- : trud- : to push, thrust.
turb- : to disturb.
un- : one.
und- : ound- : wave.
vail- : val- : to be strong, be worth.
val- : vail- : to be strong, be worth.
ven- : vent- : to come.
vent- : ven- : to come.
ver- : true.
verb- : word, verb.
vers- : vert- : to turn.
vert- : vers- : to turn.
vest- : garment.
vi- : way, road.
vict- : vinc- : to conquer.
vid- : vis- : to see.
vinc- : vict- : to conquer.
vir- : poison.
vis- : vid- : to see.
viv- : to live.
voc- : vok- : voice; to call.
vok- : voc- : voice; to call.
vol- : to wish.
volut- : volv- : to roll.
volv- : volut- : to roll.
vor- : to devour.
vulg- : common.
[return to top]

Latin Suffixes  

-able : -ibilis : -bile : able to be, worthy to be; able to.
-acious : tending to.
-acity : quality of being inclined to.
-acy : quality of being or having.
-al : -alis : -ale : -ial : -eal : pertaining to.
-alis : -ale : -al : pertaining to.
-an : -ane.
-an : -anus : -ana : -anum : pertaining to.
-ana : -anus : -anum : -an : -ane : pertaining to.
-ance : -ancy : -ence : -ency : quality of —ing.
-ane : -an : -anus : -ana : -anum : -ian : pertaining to.
-ant : -ent : -ient : a present participial ending.
-anum : -anus : -ana : -an : -ane : pertaining to.
-anus : -ana : -anum : -an : -ane : pertaining to.
-ar : -aris : -are : pertaining to.
-aris : -are : -ar : pertaining to.
-ary : -arium : place for.
-ary : pertaining to.
-ate : a verbal suffix.
-ate : office of.
-ate : possessing.
-bile : -able : -ible : -ble : able to be, worthy to be; able to.
-bilis : -able : -ible : -ble : able to be, worthy to be; able to.
-ble : -bilis : -bile : able to be, worthy to be; able to.
-ce : -cium : -tium : action, the result of action.
-ce : -tia : quality, state, condition.
-cium : -ce : action, the result of action.
-cle : -cule : little.
-cule : -cle : little.
-efy : to make.
-egate : -igate.
-el : little.
-egate : -igate : to make.
-ence : -ency : -ance.
-ent : -ant.
-er : -tor : -sor : doer, agent, the one who.
-esce : to begin.
-fic : making.
-fy : to make.
-ia : -y : quality, state, condition.
-ible : -able : -ibilis : -bile : able to be, worthy to be; able to.
-ic : -icus : -ica : -icum : pertaining to.
-ic : -tic : pertaining to.
-ica : -icus : -icum : -ic : pertaining to.
-icum : -icus : -ica : -ic : pertaining to.
-icus : -ica : -icum : -ic : pertaining to.
-eous : -ious : -ous : full of.
-id : tending to.
-ific : making.
-ify : to make.
-igate : -egate : to make.
-il : little.
-il : -ile : pertaining to.
-ile : -il : pertaining to.
-ile : able to be.
-imony : -mony : quality of.
-ine : pertaining to.
-ion : act of.
-iose : -ose : full of.
-ious : -eous : -ous : full of.
-itious : tending to.
-itude : quality of.
-ity : -ety : -ty : quality of.
-ium : -y : action, the result of action.
-ive : tending to.  Cf. genealogical adjectives.
-le : -ole.
-lence : -olence : -ulence : state or quality of being full of.
-men : result of.
-ment : result of.
-mony : -imony : quality of.
-nounce : nunci- : to announce.
-ole : -le : -ule : little.
-olence : -lence : -ulence : state or quality of being full of.
-olent : -ulent : full of.
-or : one who does.
-or : -or : action, the result of action.
-or : -our : state of.
-ory : -orium : place for.
-orium : -ory : place for.
-osa : -osus : -osum : -ous : -ose : full of.
-ose : -osus : -osa : -osum : full of.
-ose : -iose : full of.
-osum : -osus : -osa : -ous : -ose : full of.
-osus : -osa : -osum : -ous : -ose : full of.
-ous : -osus : -osa : -osum : full of.
-ous : -ious : -eous : full of.
-pose : pon- : posit- : pound- : to place, put.
-rix : she who does.
-sio : -sionis : -sion : action, the result of action.
-sion : -sio : -sionis : action, the result of action.
-sor : -tor : -er : doer, agent, the one who.
-tas : -tatis : -ty : quality, state, condition.
-tia : -ce : quality, state, condition.
-tic : -ic : pertaining to.
-tio : -tionis : -tion : action, the result of action.
-tion : -tio : tionis : action, the result of action.
-tium : -ce : action, the result of action.
-tor : -sor : -er : doer, agent, the one who.
-tude : -tudo : -tudinis : quality, state, condition.
-tudo : -tudinis : -tude : quality, state, condition.
-ty : -tas : -tatis : quality, state, condition.
-ule : -ole.
-ulence : -lence : -olence : state or quality of being full of.
-ulent : -olent : full of.
-ulous : -uous : tending to.
-uous : -ulous : tending to.
-ure : act of.
-y : -ia : quality, state, condition.
-y : -ium : action, the result of action.
[return to top]

Greek Suffixes  

-ac : -ic : -tic : [Gk] pertaining to.
-arch : [Gk] one who rules.
-archy : [Gk] rule by.
-arion : -arium : [Gk] little.
-arium : -arion : [Gk] little.
-ast : -st : [Gk] one who does.
-cracy : [Gk] rule by.
-crat : [Gk] one who advocates or practices rule by.
-ectomy : [Gk] surgical removal of.
-emia : [Gk] condition of the blood.
-gram : [Gk] thing written.
-graph : [Gk] writing.
-graphy : [Gk] writing.
-hedron : [Gk] solid figure.
-ia : -y : [Gk] quality of.
-iasis : [Gk] diseased condition.
-ic : -ac : -tic : [Gk] pertaining to.
-ician : [Gk] specialist in.
-ics : -tics : [Gk] art, science, or study of.
-idium : [Gk] little.
-in : -ine : [Gk] chemical substance.
-ine : -in : [Gk] chemical substance.
-ion : -ium : [Gk] little.
-iscus : -isk : [Gk] little.
-isk : -iscus : [Gk] little.
-ism : [Gk] belief in.
-ist : [Gk] one who believes in.
-ite : [Gk] one connected with.
-itis : [Gk] inflamation of.
-ium : -ion : [Gk] little.
-ium : [Gk] part.
-ize : [Gk] a verbal suffix.
-logy : [Gk] science of.
-m : -ma : -me : [Gk] result of.
-ma : -m : -me : [Gk] result of.
-mania : [Gk] madness about.
-maniac : [Gk] one having a madness for.
-me : -m : -ma : [Gk] result of.
-meter : [Gk] measure.
-metry : [Gk] art or science of measuring.
-nomy : [Gk] science of.
-oid : [Gk] like.
-oma : [Gk] tumor.
-osis : [Gk] diseased condition of.
-path : [Gk] one who suffers from a disease of.
-pathy : [Gk] disease of.
-phobe : [Gk] one who fears or hates.
-phobia : [Gk] abnormal fear of.
-rrhea : -rrhoea : [Gk] abnormal discharge.
-rrhoea : -rrhea : [Gk] abnormal discharge.
-scope : [Gk] instrument for viewing.
-se : -sia : -sis : -sy : [Gk] act of.
-sia : -se : -sis : -sy : [Gk] act of.
-sis : -se : -sia : -sy : [Gk] act of.
-st : -ast : [Gk] one who does.
-sy : -se : -sia : -sis : [Gk] act of.
-t : -te : [Gk] he who.
-te : -t : [Gk] he who.
-therapy : [Gk] treatment of, treatment by.
-tic : -ac : -ic : [Gk] pertaining to.
-tics : -ics : [Gk] art, science, or study of.
-tomy : [Gk] surgical operation on.
-y : -ia : [Gk] quality of.
[return to top]

Greek Bases

acou- : acu- : [Gk] to hear.
acr- : [Gk] highest, the extremities.
actin- : [Gk] ray, radiating structure.
acu- : acou- : [Gk] to hear.
aden- : [Gk] gland.
aesthe- : esthe- : [Gk] to feel, perceive.
agog- : -agogue : [Gk] to lead.
agon- : [Gk] struggle, contest.
alg- : [Gk] pain.
all- : [Gk] other.
andr- : [Gk] man, male.
angel- : [Gk] messenger, message.
angi- : [Gk] vessel.
anth- : [Gk] flower.
anthrop- : [Gk] human being, man.
archa- : archae- : arche- : [Gk] ancient, primitive, beginning.
archae- : archa- : arche- : [Gk] ancient, primitive, beginning.
arche- : archa- : archae- : [Gk] ancient, primitive, beginning.
arthr- joint, speech sound, articulation.
asce- : to exercise.
aster- : astr- : [Gk] star.
astr- : aster- : [Gk] star.
aut- : [Gk] self.
ball- : bol- : ble- : [Gk] to throw, put.
bar- : [Gk] weight, pressure.
bi- : [Gk] life.
bibli- : [Gk] book.
blast- : [Gk] bud, formative, substance, embryonic cell.
ble- : ball- : bol- : [Gk] to throw, put.
bol- : ball- : ble- : [Gk] to throw, put.
brachy- : [Gk] short.
brady- : [Gk] slow.
bucol- : [Gk] cowherd.
cac- : [Gk] bad.
cal- : call- : kal- : kall- : [Gk] beauty.
call- : cal- : kal- : kall- : [Gk] beauty.
canon- : [Gk] a rule.
cardi- : [Gk] heart.
carp- : [Gk] fruit.
cau- : caus- : [Gk] to burn.
caus- : cau- : [Gk] to burn.
centr- : [Gk] center.
cephal- : [Gk] head.
cheir- : chir- : [Gk] hand.
chir- : cheir- : [Gk] hand.
chlor- : [Gk] green, yellowish-green; chorine.
chol- : [Gk] chole- : bile, gall.
chole- : chol- : [Gk] bile, gall.
chondr- : [Gk] cartilage.
chore- : [Gk] dance.
chrom- : chromat- : [Gk] color.
chromat- : chrom- : [Gk] color.
chron- : [Gk] time.
cine- : kine- : [Gk] to move.
cla- : [Gk] to break.
clys- : [Gk] to wash.
cocc : coccus : [Gk] berry, seed; spherical bacterium.
coccus : cocc : [Gk] berry, seed; spherical bacterium.
cosm- : [Gk] universe, order.
cra- : [Gk] to mis.
cri- : [Gk] to judge, decide, separate.
cryph- : crypt- : [Gk] hidden, secret.
crypt- : cryph- : [Gk] hidden, secret.
cyan- : [Gk] dark blue.
cycl- : [Gk] circle, wheel.
cyn- : cynos- : [Gk] dog.
cynos- : cyn- : [Gk] dog.
cyst- : [Gk] bladder, sac; sac containing morbid matter.
cyt- : [Gk] cell.
dactyl- : [Gk] digit, finger, toe.
daemon- : demon- : [Gk] spirit, evil spirit.
dec- : deca- : [Gk] ten.
deca- : dec- : [Gk] ten.
dem- : [Gk] people.
demon- : daemon- : [Gk] spirit, evil spirit.
denr- : [Gk] tree, tree-like structure.
derm- : dermat- : [Gk] skin.
dermat- : derm- : [Gk] skin.
deuter- : second.
di- : twice, double.
dich- : in two.
didac- : [Gk] to teach.
do- : [Gk] to give.
dog- : dox- : [Gk] opinion, teaching.
dolich- : [Gk] long.
dox- : dog- : [Gk] opinion, teaching.
drom- : [Gk] a running, a course.
dyn- : dynam- : [Gk] force, power.
dynam- : dyn- : [Gk] force, power.
ego- : [Gk] I.
enter- : [Gk] intestine.
er- : erot- : [Gk] love.
erg- : urg- : [Gk] work.
erot- : er- : [Gk] love.
erythr- : [Gk] red.
esthe- : aesthe- : [Gk] to feel, perceive.
ethn- : [Gk] race, cultural group.
eury- : eurys- : [Gk] wide, broad.
eurys- : eury- : [Gk] wide, broad.
gam- : [Gk] marriage.
gastr- : [Gk] stomarch.
ge- : [Gk] earth.
gen- : gene- : gon- : [Gk] to be produced; to originate, produce.
gen- : gene- : [Gk] kind, race.
gene- : gen- : gon- : [Gk] to be produced; to originate, produce.
gene- : gen- : [Gk] kind, race.
ger- : geront- : [Gk] old age, old people.
geront- : ger- : [Gk] old age, old people.
109 : giga- : G : [SI prefix; Gk] ten to the ninth power; giant; billion, 1,000,000,000.
giga- : G : [SI prefix; Gk] 109, ten to the ninth power; giant; billion, 1,000,000,000.
gloss- : glot- : glott- : [Gk] tongue, language.
glot- : gloss- : glott- : [Gk] tongue, language.
glott- : gloss- : glot- : [Gk] tongue, language.
glyph- : [Gk] to carve.
gno- : [Gk] to know.
gon- : [Gk] angle, angled figure.
gon- : gen- : gene- : [Gk] to be produced; to originate, produce.
gon- : [Gk] generative, reproductive, sexual.
gymn- : [Gk] naked.
gyn- : gynec- : gynaec- : gyne- : [Gk] woman, female.
gynaec- : gynec- : gyn- : gyne- : [Gk] woman, female.
gyne- : gynec- : gyn- : gynaec- : [Gk] woman, female.
gynec- : gyn- : gynaec- : gyne- : [Gk] woman, female.
haem- : hem- : hemat- : haemat- : [Gk] blood.
haemat- : haem- : hem- : hemat- : [Gk] blood.
102 : hect- : hecto- : h : [Gk] hundred, 100.
h : hect- : hecto- : [Gk] hundred, 102, 100.
hect- : hecto- : h : [Gk] hundred, 102, 100.
hedon- : [Gk] pleasure.
hegemon- : [Gk] leader.
heli- : [Gk] sun.
hem- : haem- : hemat- : haemat- : [Gk] blood.
hemat- : haem- : hem- : haemat- : [Gk] blood.
hemer- : [Gk] day.
hemi- : [Gk] half.
hepat- : [Gk] liver.
hept- : hepta- : [Gk] seven.
hepta- : hept- : [Gk] seven.
heter- : [Gk] other, different.
hex- : hexa- : [Gk] six.
hexa- : hex- : [Gk] six.
hier- : [Gk] sacred.
hipp- : [Gk] horse.
hist- : histi- : [Gk] tissue.
histi- : hist- : [Gk] tissue.
hod- : od- : [Gk] way, road.
hol- : [Gk] whole.
hom- : home- : homal- : [Gk] same, regular.
homal- : hom- : home- : [Gk] same, regular.
home- : hom- : homal- : [Gk] same, regular.
hydr- : [Gk] water.
hygr- : [Gk] wet, moist.
hyster- : [Gk] uterus, hysteria.
iatr- : [Gk] physician, medicine.
ichthy- : [Gk] fish.
icon- : [Gk] image.
ide- : [Gk] thought, idea.
idi- : [Gk] one’s own, peculiar.
is- : [Gk] equal.
kal- : cal- : call- : kall- : [Gk] beauty.
kall- : cal- : call- : kal- : [Gk] beauty.
k : kilo- : [SI prefix; Gk] one thousand, 103, 1,000.
103 : kilo- : k : [SI prefix; Gk] one thousand, 1,000.
kilo- : k : [SI prefix; Gk] one thousand, 103, 1,000.
kine- : cine- : [Gk] to move.
lab- : lep- : lem- : [Gk] to take, seize.
later- : latr- : [Gk] to worship excessively, be fanatically devoted to.
latr- : later- : [Gk] to worship excessively, be fanatically devoted to.
lect- : log- : -logue : [Gk] speech, word, proportion, reasoning.
lect- : log : logue : [Gk] to speak, choose.
lem- : lab- : lep- : [Gk] to take, seize.
lep- : lab- : lem- : [Gk] to take, seize.
leuc- : leuk- : [Gk] white.
leuk- : leuc- : [Gk] white.
lip- : [Gk] fat.
lite : lith- : [Gk] stone.
lith- : lite : [Gk] stone.
log- : lect- : -logue : [Gk] speech, word, proportion, reasoning.
log : logue : lect- : [Gk] to speak, choose.
-logue : lect- : log- : [Gk] speech, word, proportion, reasoning.
logue : log : lect- : [Gk] to speak, choose.
ly- : [Gk] to loosen.
macr- : [Gk] large, long.
manc- : mant- : [Gk] to divine by means of.
mant- : manc- : [Gk] to divine by means of.
mast- : maz- : [Gk] breast.
maz- : mast- : [Gk] breast.
M : mega- : megal- : [SI prefix; Gk] large; a million, 106, 1,000,000.
106: mega- : megal- : M : [SI prefix; Gk] large; a million, 1,000,000.
mega- : megal- : M : [SI prefix; Gk] large; a million, 106, 1,000,000.
megal- : mega- : [Gk] large, a million.
melan- : [Gk] black, dark.
mening- : [Gk] membrane.
mer- : [Gk] part.
mes- : [Gk] middle.
10-6 : micr- : micro- [Gk] small, one millionth part of.
micr- : micro- : [Gk] small, one millionth part of; 10-6.
micro- : micr- : [Gk] small, one millionth part of; 10-6.
mim- : [Gk] to imitate.
mis- : [Gk] hatred.
mne- : [Gk] to remember.
mon- : [Gk] one, single.
morph- : [Gk] form, shape.
my- : mys- : myos- : [Gk] muscle.
myc- : mycet- : [Gk] fungus, mold.
mycet- : myc- : [Gk] fungus, mold.
myel- : [Gk] bone marrow, spinal cord.
myos- : my- : mys- : [Gk] muscle.
mys- : my- : myos- : [Gk] muscle.
naut- : [Gk] sailor.
ne- : [Gk] new, new and different form of.
necr- : [Gk] the dead, corpse, dead tissue.
nephr- : [Gk] kidney.
nes- : [Gk] island.
neur- : [Gk] nerve.
10-9 : -nano : nanos : n : [Gk] dwarf; one billionth (10-9)part of.
n : [SI prefix; Gk] nano.
nano- : nanos : n : [Gk] dwarf; one billionth (10-9)part of.
oct- : octa- : [Gk] eight.
octa- : oct- : [Gk] eight.
od- : hod- : [Gk] way, road.
od- : [Gk] song, poem.
odont- : [Gk] tooth.
olig- : [Gk] few.
onym- : [Gk] name, word.
oo- : [Gk] egg.
op- : opt- : [Gk] eye; to see.
ophthalm- : [Gk] eye.
opt- : op- : [Gk] eye; to see.
ora- : [Gk] to see.
ornis : ornith- : [Gk] bird.
ornith- : ornis : [Gk] bird.
orth- : [Gk] straight, correct.
ost- : oste- : [Gk] bone.
oste- : ost- : [Gk] bone.
ot- : [Gk] ear.
paed- : ped- : [Gk] child.
palae- : pale- : [Gk] old.
pale- : palae- : [Gk] old.
pan- : pant- : [Gk] all, every.
pant- : pan- : [Gk] all, every.
pate- : [Gk] to walk.
path- : [Gk] to feel, suffer, disease.
patr- : [Gk] father.
patri- : [Gk] family, clan.
ped- : paed- : [Gk] child.
ped- : paed- : [Gk] child.
-pedia : [Gk] education.
pent- : penta- : [Gk] five.
penta- : pent- : [Gk] five.
pep- : pept- : [Gk] to digest.
pept- : pep- : [Gk] to digest.
petr- : [Gk] rock.
pha- : phan- : [Gk] to show, appear.
pha- : phe- : [Gk] to speak.
phan- : pha- : [Gk] to show, appear.
phe- : pha- : [Gk] to speak.
phem- : [Gk] voice.
pher- : phor- : [Gk] to bear, to.
phil- : [Gk] to love.
phleb- : [Gk] vein.
phon- : [Gk] sound, voice.
phor- : pher- : [Gk] to bear, to.
phot- : [Gk] light.
phra- : [Gk] to speak.
phren- : [Gk] mind, diaphragm.
phy- : [Gk] to grow.
phyll- : [Gk] leaf.
physi- : [Gk] nature.
plas- : plast- : [Gk] to form.
plast- : plas- : [Gk] to form.
platy- : [Gk] flat, broad.
pleg- : [Gk] paralysis.
plex- : [Gk] paralytic stroke.
pod- : [Gk] foot.
pol- : polis : [Gk] city, state.
polem- : [Gk] war.
polis : pol- : [Gk] city, state.
poly- : [Gk] many, much.
prot- : [Gk] first, original, primitive.
pseud- : [Gk] false.
psych- : [Gk] mind.
pter- : [Gk] wing.
pteryg- : pteryx : [Gk] wing, fin.
pteryx : pteryg- : [Gk] wing, fin.
py- : [Gk] pus.
pyr- : [Gk] fire.
rhin- : -rrhin- : [Gk] nose.
-rrhin- : rhin- : [Gk] nose.
schis- : schiz- : [Gk] to split.
schiz- : schis- : [Gk] to split.
scler- : [Gk] hard.
som- : somat- : [Gk] body.
somat- : som- : [Gk] body.
soph- : [Gk] wise.
sta- : [Gk] to stand, stop.
stal- : -stle : stol- : [Gk] to send, draw.
-stle : stal- : stol- : [Gk] to send, draw.
stol- : stal- : -stle : [Gk] to send, draw.
stom- : stomat- : [Gk] mouth.
stomat- : stom- : [Gk] mouth.
stroph- : [Gk] to turn.
tach- : [Gk] speed.
tachy- : [Gk] swift.
tact- : tax- : [Gk] to arrange, put in order.
taph- : [Gk] tomb.
taut- : [Gk] the same.
tax- : tact- : [Gk] to arrange, put in order.
techn- : [Gk] art, skill, craft.
tele- : [Gk] afar, operating at a distance.
tetr- : tetra- : [Gk] four.
tetra- : tetr- : [Gk] four.
thanas- : thanat- : [Gk] death.
thanat- : thanas- : [Gk] death.
the- : [Gk] god.
the- : [Gk] to place, put.
thec : theca : [Gk] case.
therm- : [Gk] heat.
thromb- : [Gk] clot.
thym- : [Gk] mind, strong feeling.
tom- : [Gk] to cut.
ton- : -tonus : [Gk] stetching, tension.
-tonus : ton- : [Gk] stetching, tension.
top- : [Gk] place.
tox- : [Gk] poison.
tri- : [Gk] three.
trop- : [Gk] to turn.
troph- : [Gk] to nourish, grow.
typ- : [Gk] stamp, model.
ur- : [Gk] tail.
ur- : [Gk] urine.
urg- : erg- : [Gk] work.
xanth- : [Gk] yellow.
xen- : [Gk] stranger, foreigner.
xyl- : [Gk] wood.
zo- : [Gk] animal.
[return to top]


Latin Sexual Terms


actus : a sexual act.
addressee: referent.
admissarius : stallion.
admissura : mare.
admitto : to bring the male to the female.
adventores : clients, Johns of prostitutes.
aluta : soft leather; penis.
amo : to love passionately.
ansæ : testicles.
antrum : anus.
anus : anus, ring.
babus : basus : vasus : penis.
basus : vasus : penis.
battuo : to bang, beat.
bracchia macra : the extended arm; the phallus of Priapus.  Even today, this symbol serves as an
bscene gesture.
brothel slang : the colloquial terms of the brothel, as opposed to those used in a household, e.g.
ugium, spurium, calo, sturtheum.[2]
bulla : a phallic symbol.
bursa : purse, scrotum.
cacando : to defile.
cacator : defiler.
cacaturio : the desiderative form of the verb to defecate.
caco : to defecate, defile.
cacuit : he defiled.
cadureum : testicle.
calare : to loosen, slacken.
calo : [brothel slang]
capillus : hair of the head.  Opp. pilus.
capulus : sword hilt, penis.  Cf. gladius.
capus : scapus, penis.
caput : head, glans of the penis.
caraculum : carajo [Sp] : stake, penis, mentula.
carmina iocosa : song
catamitus : [Gk] catamite.
cauda : penis.
caulis : stalk, cabbage stalk.
CD : [Lt] a combination of letters representing the penis (C) and scrotum (D).  Cf. ρ, the Greek letter rho.
cephalum : glans of the penis; caput.
cicer : penis.
cinædus : [Gk] the rider in homosexual intercourse.
circulus : the corona of the glans.
coeo : to come together in matrimony; to copulate in any way.
coetus : [disyllabic] sexual union, a meeting together.
coeundi causa : a cause for having been dragged off into a room for sexual intercourse.[3]
coitus : [trisyllabic] sexual union, a meeting together.
coleatam cuspidem : the betesticled lance.
coleo : coglione [It] : couillon [Fr] : testicle.
coleus : couille [Fr] : testicle.
coliculus : penis.
columna : penis.
comprimo : to press together, for sexual gratification, as adolescents might do.  Cf. opprimo.
concido : to bang, beat; pedico.
concubitus : to join together in the same room.
concumbo : to lie or recline together at table, to lie and have intercourse with.
coniungo : to join in intercourse.  Cf. iungo.
conquinisco : to squat, bend over of sex.  Cf. ocquinisco.
constupro : Cf. strupro.
contrariumst : at opposite ends of the body.
contus : penis.
corna : horn, penis.
corpora : sexual organ; a term used 28 times by Ovid.
coxim : squatting on one’s haunches.
crispitudo : to wave, brandish the penis.
crispo : to wave, brandish the penis.
cubito : to live down often, be accustomed to lie.
cubitura :
cubo : to lie down, recline.
cucullus : foreskin, hood for the head.
cucumis : cucumber; penis.
cucutium : foreskin.  Cf. præputium.
culus : anus, rectum, buttocks.
cunnilingus :
cunnum lingere : [metaphor] to eat the genitalia.  Cf. fellare.
cunnum lingere : to lick the cunnum.  Cf. lingere mentulam.
cunnus : the female pudenda.
dactyl : a metrical foot consisting of one long syllable and two short.  An obscene interpretation of
he dactyl says that the long syllable stands for the penis, whereas the two short syllables (breves) stand for the testicles.[4]
deliciæ : [50 bc] diversion, pleasure; illicit sex.
deliciæ : allurements; extra-marital affairs.
delta: δέλτα : Δ : [Gk] the triangular Greek letter delta that signifies the shape of a female’s pubic
hair, according to Aristophanes;[5] the triangle that signifies lesbians and gays.
delumbo : to castrate.  Cf. lumbus.
depso : to knead; to have grinding intercourse.  Cf. perdepso.
didumoi : [Gk] twins; testicles.
digitus impudicus : the middle finger extended, an apotropaic obscene gesture.
dormio cum : to sleep with.  Cf. iaceo cum, maneo.
ducere : [Plautine] to take.
ducere domum : [Plautine] to take home.
ducere uxorem : [Plautine] to take a wife.
ducere uxorem domum : [Plautine] to take a wife home.
duco : to take a whore, take a woman.
emplastrum : plaster.[6]
eugium : [brothel slang] cunnus.
ex utero : after birth; after childbearing.
facio : to do it.
factum : intercourse.
fascinum : a phallus-shaped amulet worn around one’s neck to ward off the evil eye; dildo.
fellare : [metaphor] to eat the genitalia.  Cf. cunnum lingere.
fellatio : fellatio, sucking of the penis.
fellator : irrumatus.
fello : to engage in fellatio.  The verb disappeared from Romance languages.  Cf. sugere.
fica : fig.
fimus : ox or cow dung or manure; a polite equivalent to merda.  Cf. stercus.
fiscus : money bag, scrotum.
foreplay: ludas.
frico : to masturbate.
frictrix : fellatrix.  Cf. natrix.
furtum : adultery, theft; illicit sexual intercourse.
futo : hit, beat.
futuo : fot-en-cul [Fr] : pedico, to act as a pederast.
futuo : to have sexual intercourse with a woman.
fututio : pedicatio.
genitales partes : genital parts.
genitalium virga descendens : the descending rod of the genital parts.
genius : genitale.
gladius : sword, penis.  Cf. capulus.
glans : acorn, chestnut; head of the penis.  Cf. balanos [Gk].
glandula : penis.
gods and goddesses of marriage : Subigus, Pertunda.
gurgulio : throat, oesophagus; penis.
hæreo : to hand upon the rear; to attach to a person.
hanc partem : sexual organ; that part; a phrase used 73 times by Ovid.
homosexual terms adopted from Greek : pedico, pathicus, cinædus, catamitus, malacus.
horse : a symbol for a woman.  Cf. animal metaphors for women.
hortus : culus, rectum, buttocks.
iaceo cum : to lie with.  Cf. dormio cum, maneo.
ilei pondera : a circumlocution for testicles.[7]  Cf. pondera.
impleo : to inseminate.
in utero : before birth.
in vices : by taking turns.  Cf. inque vices.
inferior pars : feminine genitalia.
infima pars : feminine genitalia.
inguem : mentula.
inguinis : sexual organ; a term used 6 times by Ovid.
inguinis arma : penis.
inludo : to humiliate or insult by some sexual act.  Cf. insulto.
inprolis nundum vir : impubes.
inque vices equitant ac Luna teste moventur : taking turns riding and moving in the Moon’s witness.
[8]
  This expression was used to describe an act of lesbian passion.
insulto : to humiliate or insult by some sexual act.  Cf. inludo.
iocari : joer [Fr] : yogar [Sp] : joking.
irrumatio : sucking, giving head.
irrumator :
irrumator : sucker.
irrumo : suck; a denominative of ruma ‘teat.’
iungo : to join in intercourse.  Cf. coniungo.
know: to have sexual intercourse, in the biblical contexts, e.g. cognitæ, cognouit, nosse, notitiam
abuisse
.
kusthos : [Gk] the female pudenda.
labia : lip.
lambo : lingo, to lick.
landica : clitoris; an indecent term.
laxus cunnus : an enlarged clitoris; hiatus; an obscene and offensive invective.
legitima : lawful copulation, when there is no question of the marriage nuptials having preceded it.
legitimus amor : lawful love.
legitimus coetus : lawful intercourse.
legitimus nuptiæ : lawful nuptials.
libido : coitus, sexual lust or desire.
lingere mentulam : to lick the penis.  Cf. cunnum lingere.
lingo : fello, to lick.
lotium : liquid for washing; urine used for washing clothes, cleaning the teeth, et cetera.  Cf. urina.
ludas : foreplay; unspecified physical play that falls short of intercourse.
lumbulus : male sexual organs.
lumbus : loins, the source of procreation often named in Christian Latin; genitalia.  Cf. delumbo.
maneo : to spend the night with.  Cf. cormio cum, iaceo cum.
masturbatio : masturbation.
masturbor : man + stuprare : to masturbate.
matrimonium : concubitus.
matrix : [later than vulva] womb.  Cf. uterus, vulva.
medicus invidiæ : a phallus hung under a car as a charm against the evil eye (invidiæ), envy, or ill will.
meio : to urinate.  Cf. mingo.
membra : sexual organ; a term used 13 times by Ovid.
membra genitalia : genital members.
membrum virile : penis.
menta : spearmint stalk.
mentula : a diminutive of menta.
mentula : penis.  The Romance terms were caraculum and virga.  The low-class terms are strutheum,
itus, turtur.
mentula languida : flacid penis.
mentula rigida : erect penis, hard-on.
mentulam caco : to defile the penis with fecal matter.
merda : excrement, dung of animals; dross of metal.  Cf. stercus, fimus.
metonymy : euphemisms for sexual acts.
mimæ : prostitute mimes who performed obscene acts at the festival of Floralia in April each year.
[9]

mingo : to urinate.  Cf. meio.
molo : to fuck; to grind wheat into flour in a mill.  Cf. permolo.
muliebre veretrum : female genitalia.  Cf. veretro femineo.
natrix : water snake, penis.
naturalia : the sexual parts of both sexes.
neruos : sexual organ; a term used 35 times by Ovid.
neruus : sinew, tendon; penis.
nupsit heri : he had homosexual intercourse yesterday; Martial’s reference to a mock marriage ceremony between homosexuals.[10]
nupta verba : obscenities of the bedroom; the words a bride must learn.
ocquinisco : to squat, bend over of sex.  Cf. conquinisco.
officiosi : pathics.
officium : duty, sexual duty.
olera : mentula.
olla : cunnus.
ollula : cunnus.
opera : the male part in the act of intercourse.
opprimo : to press together, for sexual gratification, as adolescents might do.  Cf. comprimo.
opus : the male part in the act of intercourse.
palus : stake, the phallus of Priapus.
palus ab inguine :
pars genitalis : genital part.
pars obscena : obscene part.
pars pessima nostri : sexual organ; a phrase used 69 times by Ovid.
pars pudenda : pudendal part.
partes genitales : genital parts.
particula : penis.
pathicus : [Gk]
patior : the passive rôle in intercourse.
patratio : orgasm.
patro : to accomplish it; to cum.
pecten : pubic hair.
pectiniculus :
peculiati : mentulati.
peculium : private property; penis.
pedicare :
pedicari : dividi.
pedicatio :
pedicationis causa : a cause for having been violated in the anus.
pedicator : bugger.
pedicator : prostitute.
pedico :
pedicor :
pedo : to defecate; to break wind.
penis : literally tail.  The original meaning had become obsolete by the classical period.
pensilia : the things that hand; male genitalia.
percellana : porcellana : porcelaine [Fr] : a shell having the shape of a female’s external pudenda.
percussorium : penis; plectrum for a string instrument.
perdepso : to forcefully knead.  Cf. depso.
permolo : to have intercourse with another man’s wife.  Cf. molo.
Pertunda : the goddess who takes part in the deflowering of a bride.
pertundo : pulso.
pertunsorium : penis.
phallus : Φαλλός : [Gk] penis.
pilus : hair of the body.
pinnacula : little wings, labia.
pipinna : [colloquial] a boy’s penis.
pirus : pear tree; penis.  Boccaccio recorded the Tale of the Enchanted Pear Tree.
podex : anus.
polimen : testicle; balls.
pondera : testicles.
porcellana : percellana.
porcus : girl’s pudenda; a nursery word used by women.
præputium : foreskin.  Cf. cucutium.
Priapus : penis, mentula; the god of fertility.
proles : euphemism for testicles.
pudenda : the sexual parts of both sexes.
pudenda virilia : masculine sexual parts.
pyramis : penis.
radius virilis : penis.
ramus : [brothel] branch; penis; a metaphor of the brothel.
ramus : penis.
rapio : to rape; to drag off into captivity; a euphemism for duco.
raptor : rapist.
rem habere : to have intercourse with a prostitute.
res veneria : the venereal thing; sexual intercourse.
rigidus : male erection.  Cf. tentigo.
ruma : rumis : teat.
rumis : ruma : teat.
ruta : the herb rue.
rutulam : a little bit of rue.
salio : to mount a female animal; to be mounted.
saura : lizard; penis.  Cf. sira.
scalpo : to chisel, sculpt; to scratch the culus in pedicatio.
sceptrum : penis.
schemata : sexual acts.
scrautum : a leather quiver.
scrotum : testicle sack.  Cf. bursa, fiscus.
servio : to serve the homosexual patentia.
sexual organs : genitalia.  Ovid used these words in Amores and Ars Amatoriainguinis (6 times),
embra (13), corpora (28), neruos (35), pars pessima nostri (69), and hanc partem (73).[11]
sexual parts of both sexes: naturalia, pudenda.
sinus femininus : [euphemism] vagina, womb.
sinus muliebris : [euphemism] vagina, womb.
sira : lizard; penis.  Cf. saura.
sopio : penis, the red and shameless part.
spurium : [brothel slang] illegitimate children; a term of abuse.
stercus : stool, the excrement of any animal; a polite equivalent to merda.  Cf. fimus.
strutheum : [brothel slang] sparrow; penis, a low-class term for mentula.
stuprator : disgracer.
stupro : Cf. constupro.
stuprum : disgrace; an illicit sexual act.
subigito : to fondle, lay hands on.  This verb is the same as subigo, but has a weaker sense, used in
omedy.  Cf. subigo.
subigo : to fuck actively in intercourse either homosexual or heterosexual; to bring the female to the male; to master, subdue.  Cf. subigito.
Subigus : the marital god.
sugere : to suck; to engage in fellatio.  This verb replaced fello in Romance languages.  Cf. fello.
supervenio : to mate naturally without human intervention.  Cf. venio.
tango : to touch, caress.
telum : a metaphor for penis.
temo : pole, penis.
teneo : to embrace, hold.
tentigo : male erection; an erect landica or clitoris.  Cf. rigidus.
terminus : boundary marker; penis; palus; boundary marker of wood or stone.
tero : frico, sollicito; to masturbate; to kiss.
testiculus : the diminutive form of testis.
testis : witness; a personification of the male organ or its parts.
testo : testis.
thyrsus : stem of a plant; penis.
titus : dove; penis, a low-class term for mentula.
tracto : to work the penis in masturbation.
triumphator : victor.
tundo : futuo.
turpitudo : to engage in the turpitude of some sexual misdemeanor.
tursus : vulger form of thyrsus.
turtur : penis, a low-class term for mentula.
urina : cf. lotium.
uterus : [Republic] womb, belly.  Cf. vulva.
vas : vessel, container; womb; implement with two handles; the penis and two testicles.
vasculum : vas : penis; vessel, container; womb.
vectis : [Romance] penis.
veneris res : venereal thing; sexual intercourse.
venio : to have sex with a man.
ventris arma : penis.
venus : sexual intercourse.
veretro femineo : female genitalia.  Cf. muliebre veretrum.
veretrum : penis; female genitalia.
verpa : the vox propria for penis.  Cf. mentula.
verpus qui pedicat : the penis used to bugger.
vexo : harass, annoy, disturb.
virga : branch, rod; penis; mentula.
virgula : the diminutive of virga.
virilia : manhood; a euphemism for penis.
virilitas : manhood; a euphemism for penis.
vivilis veretri : penis.
volutor : to have a roll, to tumble.
volva : the membrane that surrounds the fetus.
vomer : ploughshare, penis.
vox propria :
vulva : [Empire] womb; Pliny’s term for an animal’s matrix.  Cf. uterus.
womb: uterus, vulva, matrix.
ρ : [Gk] the Greek letter rho, said to depict the penis and scrotum.  Cf. CD.
[return to top]


[1] Flores and Ludwig 1993.

[2] Adams 1982:  215.

[3] Adams 1982:  175.

[4] Adams 1982:  39.

[5] Lys. 151.  Adams 1982:  39.

[6] Adams 1982:  40.

[7] Adams 1982:  51.

[8] Adams 1982:  166.

[9] Adams 1982:  5.

[10] Adams 1982:  160.

[11] Adams 1982:  217.

 
© 2007 Arapacana Press     (Top of page)