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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Breaking A Word Down Into Its Principal Parts
Hello,
I was wondering, how does one go about discriminating the main components of a given word, such as its suffixes, prefixes, and root word; and how does determine what a word means from these parts. For instance, the word absorb is made of the prefix ab (or perhaps abs), which means off, away, from, or apart. But what does sorb (or perhaps orb) mean? I couldn't find this as a root word or suffix.
I was wondering, how does one go about discriminating the main components of a given word, such as its suffixes, prefixes, and root word; and how does determine what a word means from these parts. For instance, the word absorb is made of the prefix ab (or perhaps abs), which means off, away, from, or apart. But what does sorb (or perhaps orb) mean? I couldn't find this as a root word or suffix.
Top answer
You need a dictionary that shows the derivations of words. I have the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, and it gives a derivation that goes back to the Latin word absorbere. ab- away from + sorbere to suck, from the Proto-European root srebh .
- You need a dictionary that shows the derivations of words.
- I have the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, and it gives a derivation that goes back to the Latin word absorbere.
- ab- away from + sorbere to suck, from the Proto-European root srebh .
- The word "slurp" also comes from this root.
- CJ
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4 Answers
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You need a dictionary that shows the derivations of words. I have the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, and it gives a derivation that goes back to the Latin word absorbere. ab- away from + sorbere to suck, from the Proto-European root srebh. The word "slurp" also comes from this root.
CJ
CJ
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Hello,
I asked this question, but did not realize that I was not logged in. How can I claim this question? Also, what edition of the dictionary do you have? Also, would you happen to know if there exists a book that is a completely exhaustive list of English root words, prefixes, and suffixes, and is not a work book?
I asked this question, but did not realize that I was not logged in. How can I claim this question? Also, what edition of the dictionary do you have? Also, would you happen to know if there exists a book that is a completely exhaustive list of English root words, prefixes, and suffixes, and is not a work book?
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Bashyboy... did not realize that I was not logged in. How can I claim this question?You can't. It's too late now.
Bashyboywhat edition of the dictionary do you have?First. It's old. Probably from the 1960s. I have the 1981 reprint.
Bashyboyif there exists a book that is a completely exhaustive
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This on-line dictionary is not as comprehensive as the OED (few rival it!), but it is a good resource.
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=absorb&allowed_in_frame=0
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=absorb&allowed_in_frame=0
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