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UNIT ONE
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Unit One
PHOT, PHOS
Greek PHOS, PHOTOS “light”
PHOTOTROPIC
Because they are phototropic, daisies always grow towards the sun.
adj. Tending to grow or move towards light
G. photos + tropein, “to turn” = to turn toward the light
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Unit One
PHOT, PHOS
Greek PHOS, PHOTOS “light”
PHOSPHORESCENT
Harvey stuck phosphorescent stars on his ceiling so that it would
resemble the nighttime sky.
adj. Giving off light without heat
G. phos + phorein, “to bear” = light-bearing
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Unit One
PHOT, PHOS
Greek PHOS, PHOTOS “light”
PHOTOGENIC
Lucy was so photogenic that total strangers often asked to take her picture.
adj. Attractive in pictures or photographs
G. photos + genic, “suitable for” = suitable for photographs
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LUC
Latin LUX, LUCIS “light”
LUCID
Sophie’s explanation of quantum physics was so lucid that I
understood everything.
adj. Easy to understand; clear
syn: comprehensible
ant: confusing
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Unit One
LUC
Latin LUX, LUCIS “light”
ELUCIDATE
The attorney asked the witness to further elucidate the information he had.
v. To make clear by explaining
L. e, “from,” + lucis = to bring light from
syn: clarify
ant: confuse
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LUC
Latin LUX, LUCIS “light”
TRANSLUCENT
Through a translucent blue cloth draped over the window, we could
see the sun.
adj. Allowing light to pass through
L. trans, “through,” + lucis = light passing through
syn: semi-transparent
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Unit One
SPEC, SPECT
Latin SPECERE, SPECTUM “to look at”
CIRCUMSPECT
The marchers in the protest tried to be circumspect and not break any laws.
adj. Careful; mindful of rules and consequences
L. circum, “around,” + spectum = looking around
syn: prudent
ant: reckless
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Unit One
SPEC, SPECT
Latin SPECERE, SPECTUM “to look at”
PROSPECT
The prospect of a trip to the dentist with my bratty kid brother was
hardly thrilling.
n. That which is expected
L. pro, “forward,” + spectum = looked forward to
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Unit One
SPEC, SPECT
Latin SPECERE, SPECTUM “to look at”
SPECTER
Hattie seemed to see a specter in every corner of the dark house.
n. A ghost or phantom
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HECTOR the SPECTER was host of the ghost party.
Unit One
VID, VIS
Latin VIDERE, VISUM “to see, to look”
INVIDIOUS
One candidate made an invidious speech against his opponent.
adj. Hateful or spiteful
L. in, “against,” + videre = to look against
syn: defamatory
ant: pleasant
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VID, VIS
Latin VIDERE, VISUM “to see, to look”
PROVIDENTIAL
Through a providential series of events, Nigel found himself manager
of the company.
adj. Happening by good fortune
L. pro, “forward,” + videre = to look forward
syn: fortunate
ant: unlucky
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Unit One
VID, VIS
Latin VIDERE, VISUM “to see, to look”
IMPROVISE
When Carl lost the cards with his speech on them, he was forced to
improvise.
v. To create without any forethought or preparation
L. in, “not,” + pro, “forward,” + visum = not seen in advance
ant: plan
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