Question

roots, prefixes, and suffixes
study the entries and answer the questions that follow.
the prefix dia means \across.\
the roots vad and vas mean \go.\
the roots trud and trus mean \thrust.\
the root verb means \word.\
the root ab means \away\ or \from.\
the suffix gram means \written.\
the suffix meter means \measure.\
the root tele means \afar.\

1. using literal translations as guidance, define the following words without using a dictionary.

a. diameter
b. diagram
c. speedometer
d. invade
e. evasive
f. telegram

1. literally, if you intrude, you __, so the word obtrusion probably means __.

the word abstruse contains the root trus, but the word means \difficult to understand.\ explain how abstruse might have acquired its meaning.

1. if you repeat someone word for word, then you quote that person ____.

if you are __, then you use too many words; if you commit verbicide, then you __.

1. list as many words as you can think of that contain the root ab.
2. list as many words as you can think of that contain the root gram.

Explanation:

1. A. diameter: The prefix dia means "across" and the suffix meter means "measure". So, diameter is a measure across (a circle).

B. diagram: The prefix dia means "across" and the suffix gram means "written". So, diagram is something written across (to represent an idea or object).
C. speedometer: The root speed (not given in the list but common knowledge) and the suffix meter means "measure". So, speedometer is a device that measures speed.
D. invade: The root vad means "go". The prefix in (not given in the list but common) means "into". So, invade is to go into (a place, usually by force).
E. evasive: The root vas means "go". The prefix e - (variant of ex -) means "out". So, evasive is related to going out (avoiding, eluding).
F. telegram: The root tele means "afar" and the suffix gram means "written". So, telegram is something written and sent afar.

1. The root trud/trus means "thrust". For intrude, the prefix in - means "in". So, if you intrude, you thrust in. For obtrusion, the prefix ob - can mean "against". So, obtrusion is probably thrusting against (forcing something unwanted on others). For abstruse, the prefix ab - means "away". If we think of something being thrust away (not easily accessible), it can be "difficult to understand".
2. If you repeat someone word for word, since the root verb means "word", you quote that person verbatim. If you use too many words, related to the root verb (word), you are verbose. If you commit verbicide, since verb is "word" and cide (not in the list but common, like homicide - killing of a person) means "killing", you kill words (misuse or overuse words in a way that destroys their proper meaning).
3. Words with root ab: abduct (ab - away, duct - lead; lead away), abnormal (ab - away, normal - usual; away from usual), abhor (ab - away, hor - hate; hate away, detest strongly).
4. Words with root gram: grammar (related to written words - rules of language), program (written plan), epigram (short, witty written statement).

Answer:

1.
A. A measure across (a circle).
B. Something written across (to represent an idea or object).
C. A device that measures speed.
D. To go into (a place, usually by force).
E. Related to going out (avoiding, eluding).
F. Something written and sent afar.

1. Thrust in; thrusting against (forcing something unwanted on others). For abstruse, if we consider the idea of something being thrust away (not easily accessible), it can be "difficult to understand".
2. Verbatim; verbose; kill words (misuse or overuse words in a way that destroys their proper meaning).
3. abduct, abnormal, abhor.
4. grammar, program, epigram.