10 Common Latin Words in English
Last week, we covered ten Latin words used in English and their English derivatives. Because it was such a success, because Latin is such an important source for English, and because we promised a part two…here are ten more Latin words in English!
If you are the type that loves word etymology and word borrowings, check out our past blogs with words that come from French, Yiddish, and German here and here!
So, get a bit ancient with your vocabulary and check out the list below:
Gravis
Latin meaning: heavy
English derivatives: aggravate (to annoy someone or make heavy), grave (serious), gravity (the force that keeps things on the ground), grief (extreme sadness).
Herba
Latin meaning: grass
English derivatives: herbal (having to do with herbs), herbivore (an animal that only eats plants).
Labor
Latin meaning: toil
English derivatives: labor (work), laboratory (where scientists work), collaboration (when people work together to achieve something), elaboration (to explain something, to work out in detail).
Memor
Latin meaning: mindful
English derivatives: commemorate (to remember an event), memoir (a book someone writes about their life), memory (what you remember), memorial (a ceremony or statue for an event or a person).
Nox
Latin meaning: night
English derivatives: equinox (when daylight and nighttime are the same amount of hours, happens twice a year), nocturnal (when an animal is only awake at night), nocturne (a song, usually inspired by the night).
Ordo
Latin meaning: order
English derivatives: coordinate (to match things together), disorder (when something is not organized), insubordinate (to disobey authority), ordnance (a rule), ordinary (normal and in order), ornery (if someone is bad tempered).
Panis
Latin meaning: bread
English derivatives: accompany (to go somewhere with someone), pantry (a small room where food is kept), company (a business, to associate with someone, to come together at a meal).
Rivus
Latin meaning: brook (a small stream)
English derivatives: rival (an enemy who uses a common stream), derivation (when you get something from a source), rivulet (a small stream of liquid).
Sanus
Latin meaning: sound, healthy
English derivatives: insane (a mental illness that prevents normal thinking), sanatorium (a mental hospital), sanity (reasonable and rational behavior).
Tribus
Latin meaning: tribe, three
English derivatives: attribute (to credit someone with something), distribute (to share something with a number of people), tribal (belonging to a tribe of people), tribute (a gift meant to show respect).
Did YOU know these Latin words in English? Do you know any other English derivatives of these words? Share them with us in the comments below and test your knowledge!
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Erin Duffin lives in Berlin, is an English teacher, yoga instructor, and attributes her great success to great collaboration with both friends and rivals!
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