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Chapter 22: Greek Verbs and their Derivatives
To illustrate our approach, let us take five different Greek verbs and show how a knowledge of their roots alone will help us understand a lot of English vocabulary. The present infinitive forms will also be listed, if only to prove that they are really irrelevant to English. Much more importantly, you’ll be given a few simple rules for creating Greek nouns and adjectives from verb roots. Though you will not gain any grammatical insight into the Greek verb, you will emerge from this short experiment with the basic equipment that you need to cope with Greek verb derivatives in English.
Table 22.1: | ||||
VERB ROOT | ENGLISH MEANING | PRESENT INFINITIVE | ||
θε- | – | “place” | τιθεναι | (“to place”) |
δο- | – | “give” | διδοναι | (“to give”) |
στα- | – | “stand” | ἱσταναι | (“to stand”) |
κρι- | – | “divide,” “judge” | κρινειν | (“to judge”) |
λυ- | – | “loosen,” “set free” | λυειν | (“to loosen”) |
As always, the root is the minimal element of meaning. Though θε- and δο- could not stand alone in Greek speech, they were the sounds that made the Greek ear register the idea of “placing” and “giving,” respectively. The infinitives τιθεναι and διδοναι are examples of actual words formed from verb roots—you can see the two roots at their heart. One may well ask, however, whether there is any point in learning these complicated Greek forms (unless it is to recognize them when they occur in major English dictionaries). From our examples above, it would appear that the Greek present infinitive may end either in -ναι or in -ειν. Greek τιθεναι is the equivalent, in form and meaning, of Latin ponere , whereas Greek διδοναι corresponds with Latin dare . (The roots δο- and da- are cognate.)
We’ll completely ignore the question, “How did the Greeks use these roots to express verbal concepts?” Instead, let’s ask, “How did the Greeks form other parts of speech in which these verb roots have affected English?” Here is one answer. It was common practice in Greek to add the suffix -σις (- sis ) to a verb root in order to create an abstract noun. Therefore Greek had a noun θεσις ( the-sis ) that meant “a placing.” We may compare it with its Latin parallel from ponere , the abstract noun positio ( posit-io ). Although they are not really synonyms, thesis and position —English words with the same etymological meaning—do have some semantic relationship. The Greek form may be adapted in English: δοσις ( do-sis ), “a giving,” is the etymon of English dose .
If θεσις means “a placing,” then συνθεσις ( syn-thesis ) is “a placing together,” ἀντιθεσις ( anti-thesis ) is “a placing against,” and ὑποθεσις ( hypo-thesis ) is “a placing beneath.” Would you agree that the Greek derivatives synthesis and hypothesis have semantic links with the parallel Latin derivatives composition and supposition ? A metathesis is a “change” (μετα-) in placement—for instance, a transposition of two letters of the aplhabet—oops, I meant alphabet. A prosthesis (cf. §133 ) is something “placed in addition” (προσ-), like an artificial limb. We see two Greek prefixes at work in the noun παρενθεσις ( par-en-thesis ), a device for placing something in and beside.
Moving down our experimental list of verb roots, we can assume that the same noun suffix will be added to στα- to produce στασις, “a standing”; and we may be familiar with the English word stasis (used, for instance, of a fluid stoppage in human physiology). More interesting, perhaps, is ἐκστασις ( ek-stasis ), source of the English word ecstasy . In Greek mystery religions, you achieved the state of ecstasy when you had the feeling that you were “standing outside” your body, thus allowing the god to come inside (ἐνθυσιασμος, E enthusiasm ). The medical term μεταστασις ( meta-stasis ) describes the “change of standing” when a cancer moves from one part of the body to another.
From the verb root κρι- ( kri- , “divide,” “judge”) there is only one noun of this type—κρισις; a crisis is a moment of division or judgement. (Note also criterion < κριτηριον). However, from the verb root λυ- ( ly- , “loosen”) we have a bonanza of English noun derivatives (all pure Greek): analysis, catalysis, paralysis, dialysis, and psychoanalysis. Several of these were discussed in the last chapter, but now you will be better equipped to understand their form. If the Latin translation of λυειν (“to loosen”) is solvere , then an analysis is perhaps equivalent to a resolution ( resolutio ).
Before we leave our trial group of verb roots, let us become acquainted with two other Greek suffixes used in verb derivatives.
Whereas the suffix -sis was added to verbs to form abstract nouns, the suffix -ma ( -ma ) was similarly used to create concrete nouns. The only example apparent in our trial group is θεμα ( the-ma ), source of English theme . There are some other verbal derivatives of this type that have entered English without change: drama (< δρα-, “do”), dogma (< δοκ-, “think”), and cinema (κινη-, “move”). Others have been adapted in spelling, like poem (< ποιν-, “make”; cf. ποιν-της > L poeta , “maker”).
Finally, you should meet the suffix -τικος ( -tikos ), which will turn a Greek verb root (or base) into an adjective. Don’t confuse it with the suffix -ικος ( -ikos ), which converts a Greek noun base into an adjective. From our list of sample verbs, we can at once spot English words like synthetic (συνθετικος, syn-the-tikos ), hypothetical (ὑποθετικος, hyp-o-the-tikos + L -alis ), critic (κριτικος, cri-tikos ), static (στατικος, sta-tikos ), ecstatic (ἐκστατικος, ek-sta-tikos ), analytic (ἀναλυτικος, ana-ly-tikos ), catalytic (καταλυτικος, kata-ly-tikos ), and paralytic (παραλυτικος, para-ly-tikos ).
With this theoretical and practical [1] knowledge at our disposal, we can now survey a number of common Greek roots, trying out each of these suffixes in turn.
Greek and Latin Roots: Part II - Greek Copyright © 2016 by Peter Smith (Estate) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.
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thesis. (n.). late 14c., "unaccented syllable or note, a lowering of the voice in music," from Latin thesis "unaccented syllable in poetry," later (and more correctly) "stressed part of a metrical foot," from Greek thesis "a proposition," also "downbeat" (in music), originally "a setting down, a placing, an arranging; position, situation" (from reduplicated form of PIE root *dhe-"to set, put").
thesis (plural theses) Senses relating to logic, rhetoric, etc. (rhetoric) A proposition or statement supported by arguments. (by extension) A lengthy essay written to establish the validity of a thesis (sense 1.1), especially one submitted in order to complete the requirements for a non- doctoral degree in the US and a doctoral degree in the ...
For Students. Find thesis (Noun) in the Latin Online Dictionary with English meanings, all fabulous forms & inflections and a conjugation table: thesis, thesis, thesi, thesem, theses, thesium.
The term thesis comes from the Greek word θέσις, meaning "something put forth", and refers to an intellectual proposition. Dissertation comes from the Latin dissertātiō, meaning "discussion". Aristotle was the first philosopher to define the term thesis.. A 'thesis' is a supposition of some eminent philosopher that conflicts with the general opinion...for to take notice when any ...
The meaning of THESIS is a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view; especially : one written by a candidate for an academic degree. ... lowering of the voice, from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin, from Greek, downbeat, more important part of a foot, literally, act of laying down; in other ...
There are seven meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun thesis. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. thesis has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. prosody (Middle English) music (Middle English) rhetoric (late 1500s) logic (late 1500s) education (late 1700s) philosophy (1830s)
[Etymonline for 'thesis (n.)':] late 14c., "unaccented syllable or note," from Latin thesis "unaccented syllable in poetry," later (and more correctly) "stressed part of a metrical foot," from Greek thesis "a proposition," also "downbeat" (in music), originally "a setting down, a placing, an arranging; position, situation," from root of tithenai "to place, put, set," from PIE root * dhe-"to ...
Thesis definition: a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, especially one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections. See examples of THESIS used in a sentence.
θέσις. Ancient Greek (grc) thesis. Latin (lat) Thesis. thesis. English (en) (logic) An affirmation, or distinction from a supposition or hypothesis.. (music) The accented part of the measure, expressed by the downward beat; the opposite of arsis.. (poetry) The depression of the voice in pronouncing the syllables of a word.. (poetry) The ...
Tremendous thanks and appreciation to all of you. The online etymology dictionary (etymonline) is the internet's go-to source for quick and reliable accounts of the origin and history of English words, phrases, and idioms. It is professional enough to satisfy academic standards, but accessible enough to be used by anyone.
Thesis definition: A proposition that is maintained by argument. ... Origin of Thesis Latin from Greek from tithenai to put dhē-in Indo-European roots Senses 5 and 6, Middle English from Late Latin lowering of the voice from Greek downbeat.
Definition of thesis noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. ... via late Latin from Greek, literally 'placing, a proposition', from the root of tithenai 'to place'. See thesis in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary See thesis in the ...
Translation of "thesis" into Latin. thesis, schola, scola are the top translations of "thesis" into Latin. Sample translated sentence: In 1875, he obtained his doctorate with a thesis on the urogenital organs of reptiles. ↔ Anno 1875 obtinuit doctoratum thesi de Reptilium organis urogenitalibus. thesis noun grammar.
About the Book. Greek and Latin Roots: Part I - Latin is part one of a two part series. This series examines the systematic principles by which a large portion of English vocabulary has evolved from Latin and (to a lesser degree) from Greek. This book focuses on Latin roots. A link to the second part focusing on the Greek roots can be found below.
Over 100 Latin and Greek root words and their meanings to help you learn English vocabulary—with the pages on EnglishHints to study and practice each. english hints. ... *thesis- a proposition : hypothetical, synthetic : Gk,G+L : torquere (tort)- to twist : distortion, tortuous : 50+pr : trahere (tract)- to pull : attraction, extract :
something that can be proved by research or observation. A thesis statement should NOT be a fact, BUT. it should be supported by facts in your essay. opinion. something a person believes, thinks, or feels. A thesis should be your... opinion. affix. a group of letters added to the beginning or end of a word to change its meaning.
CLA 030 Word Roots. Katie Cruz. In this course, we will learn Latin and Greek word roots to help us better understand, use, and appreciate the English language. Approximately 65% of English vocabulary comes from Greek and Latin; if we consider the specialized terminology of law, medicine, biology, and other sciences, this share goes as high as ...
Because Latin was the language of the educated for much of European history, the fields of medicine, law, religion, and science have an especially large proportion of Latin words. Sometimes, the Latin roots have taken on English spellings or endings, but many English words remain essentially the same as their Latin forms.
§82. English Derivatives from Latin Present Participles §83. Interesting Words §84. English Spelling Irregularities §85. The Latin Gerundive: the -ND- form §86. Chapter 12: Exercises 156 Chapter 13: Turning Latin Verbs into Latin Adjectives 160 162 164 §87. The Latin suffixes -BILIS (> E -ble) and -ILIS (> E -ile) §88.
hypothesis. (n.) 1590s, "a particular statement;" 1650s, "a proposition, assumed and taken for granted, used as a premise," from French hypothese and directly from Late Latin hypothesis, from Greek hypothesis "base, groundwork, foundation," hence in extended use "basis of an argument, supposition," literally "a placing under," from hypo- "under ...
θέσῐς • (thésis) f (genitive θέσεως); third declension. a setting, placement, arrangement. deposit. adoption (of a child) adoption (in the more general sense of accepting as one's own) (philosophy) position, conclusion, thesis. (dance) putting down the foot. (metre) the last half of the foot. (rhetoric) affirmation.
Syn and Thesis- Greek root words. Syn. Click the card to flip 👆. with,together. Click the card to flip 👆.
Here is one answer. It was common practice in Greek to add the suffix -σις (- sis) to a verb root in order to create an abstract noun. Therefore Greek had a noun θεσις (the-sis) that meant "a placing.". We may compare it with its Latin parallel from ponere, the abstract noun positio (posit-io).