The study of where words come from and how their meanings changed over time.

The starting point or beginning of something, like a language or a word. Latin: oriri (to rise, like the sun rising in the morning).

An older family member—or an older language—that came before. Latin: ante (before) + cedere (to go)

To take a word from another language and use it in English. Old English / Germanic: borgian (to lend or borrow). English is a giant "borrower"—it took words from over 350 languages!

The study of word parts (building blocks) and how they fit together to make meaning. Greek: morphe (shape/form) + logos (study of).

The main part of a word that holds the core meaning. Old English: rot (underground part of a plant).

A word part added to the beginning of a root word to change its meaning. Latin: pre (before) + fixus (fastened or attached).

A word part added to the end of a root word to change its meaning or part of speech. Latin: sub (under/after) + fixus (attached).

Anglo-Saxon (Old English)

The original, everyday language of ancient England. It gives us our short, common words. Named after two ancient tribes (Angles + Saxons) who moved to Britain. These are your everyday home words (like mother, sun, dog), usually one or two syllables.

An ancient language from Rome that gave English most of its fancy, school, and book words. Language spoken in ancient Rome (Italy) thousands of years ago.

An ancient language from Greece that gave English our science, math, art, and technology words. Language spoken in ancient Greece.

A mashup language made of everyday Anglo-Saxon words, fancy Latin words, and scientific Greek words. Old English: Englisc (named after the Angles tribe). English is like a salad made of ingredients from different countries!

An island nation in Europe where the English language was born as different historical groups met, fought, and mixed their words Latin: Britannia (the island of the Britons).

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Mophology Intro

How our language came to be

Term	Definition
Etymology	The study of where words come from and how their meanings changed over time.
Origin	The starting point or beginning of something, like a language or a word. Latin: oriri (to rise, like the sun rising in the morning).
Ancestor	An older family member—or an older language—that came before. Latin: ante (before) + cedere (to go)
Borrow	To take a word from another language and use it in English. Old English / Germanic: borgian (to lend or borrow). English is a giant "borrower"—it took words from over 350 languages!
Morphology	The study of word parts (building blocks) and how they fit together to make meaning. Greek: morphe (shape/form) + logos (study of).
Root Word	The main part of a word that holds the core meaning. Old English: rot (underground part of a plant).
Prefix	A word part added to the beginning of a root word to change its meaning. Latin: pre (before) + fixus (fastened or attached).
Suffix	A word part added to the end of a root word to change its meaning or part of speech. Latin: sub (under/after) + fixus (attached).
Anglo-Saxon (Old English)	The original, everyday language of ancient England. It gives us our short, common words. Named after two ancient tribes (Angles + Saxons) who moved to Britain. These are your everyday home words (like mother, sun, dog), usually one or two syllables.
Latin	An ancient language from Rome that gave English most of its fancy, school, and book words. Language spoken in ancient Rome (Italy) thousands of years ago.
Greek	An ancient language from Greece that gave English our science, math, art, and technology words. Language spoken in ancient Greece.
English	A mashup language made of everyday Anglo-Saxon words, fancy Latin words, and scientific Greek words. Old English: Englisc (named after the Angles tribe). English is like a salad made of ingredients from different countries!
Great Britain	An island nation in Europe where the English language was born as different historical groups met, fought, and mixed their words Latin: Britannia (the island of the Britons).

Created by: user-2048206

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