SECTION XIX. ANALYSIS OF WORDS. That part of a derivative word which contains the principal idea, is called the ROOT, or RADICAL. Thus TRACT, in the word EXTRACT, is the radical part, and means to draw. The syllable Ex, which comes before the radical, is called a PREFIX, and means out; so that the two combined signify to draw out. If now to the word EXTRACT we add the syllable ED, which is called a SUFFIX, and means did, we shall have EX TRACT ED, which, putting the meaning of the several parts together, may be defined did draw out. Thus the meaning of each part is disclosed, and the whole satisfactorily explained. This mode of dealing with words, in order to ascertain their full and exact signification, is called, ANALYSIS. It should be added, that the roots or radicals, in English, are of two kinds. Some of them are entire, independent words, and may stand in a sentence without being combined with any prefix or suffix. Thus, act, JOIN, SOFT, are of this kind, and are hence called separable radicals. But there are many which, like JECT, in EJECT, CLUDE, in EXCLUDE, and TEP, in TEPID, can never appear alone. These have a separate and independent meaning, like the others, and may be defined in the same manner; but, because of their always forming only a part of a word, they are called inseparable radicals. PREFIXES. In the Exercises following, the PREFIX, and the RADICAL, each with the proper definition underneath, occupy the first and second columns respectively. In the third column, they are put together as one word, and in the fourth, the DERIVATIVE word thus formed, is defined by bringing together the definitions previously given of the parts taken separately. ings of some of the Prefixes. Thus, Be, in Behead, means to deprive of, and is then said to be Privative; so De, in Defame, and Dis, in Disarm. When a Prefix signifies not, as in dislike (not to like), it is said to be Negative. When it merely adds force to the natural meaning of the radical, as Con, in Convert, it is said to be Intensive, and may be rendered by such words, as very, completely, entirely, etc. Dis cred it, Dis sev er, Un cur' rent, |