Spelling List 7 Mrs. Maimone

Ortho means correct or right. It comes from the Greek word orth, meaning correct or straight. Dox (also, doc or doct) means opinion or thinking. It comes from the Latin word doctus which means teaching. Therefore, orthodox means “correct thinking.” It could also mean “right opinion.”

Hetero means different or opposing. It’s Greek. I will use the color green for Greek roots. Dox means thinking or opinion. It comes from the Latin word, doc, meaning teaching. I will use red for Latin (Roman) roots. Therefore, heterodox means opposing opinion. Some English words combine Latin and Greek roots. A synonym for heterodox is unorthodox. In English, the prefix un means not. Unorthodox means “not correct opinion.”

Dent is tooth. A dentist is a person who works on teeth. What does an orthodontist do? Are you beginning to see that a lot of our words come from Greek and Latin?

Scope comes from scopos, meaning to look at, or view. Tele means far. So, a telescope helps you view things that are far away. Can you think of any words that use tele or scope in them?

Bio is Latin for life. Logy comes from logia, meaning the science or study of. When you put it all together, biology means the study of life. Theo refers to God. What do you think theology is? Can you think of any other words that use these roots?

Domus means home or house. Europe was once called Christendom. Can you figure out why? Have you ever heard the words domicile or domestic?

Omni means all. Sci comes from scire meaning to know. Omniscient means to know all things. Who could be omniscient?

Soph comes from sophia, meaning wisdom. Phile means love or friendship. A philosopher is one who loves wisdom. Philosophy is a love of wisdom.

From cruci, meaning cross. Later, the word, crucifixus (the crucified one) came into use, meaning Jesus Christ on the cross. A crucifix is a cross with the body of Jesus Christ on it.

Millen is from milleni, which means thousand each. Millenarian means “of or relating to a thousand” and usually refers to years. Millenarianism refers to the belief that a thousand year period of peace will follow the second coming of Christ. A millenarian believes in this doctrine-that a period of peace and happiness will come in the future.

This means to arrange in a system, or to classify. It comes form the Latin word systema.

Mort comes from mortis, meaning death. Venial comes from venia, meaning pardon, or forgive. Until the 16 th century, Christians believed that some sins are more deadly, or mortal, than others. The Catholic Church continues to teach this. So, murder, for the Catholic Church, is a deadly sin. A person’s life cannot be restored. However, stealing a pencil is less serious, or venial. It is forgivable. Martin Luther taught that there is no difference between mortal and venial sin. One need only be saved by his faith in Jesus Christ to be forgiven of any sin.

Helio refers to the sun. It’s Greek. Centric means to go around or circle (from the Greek word kentron). Therefore, heliocentric means to go around the sun. Geo refers to the earth (Greek). Can you figure out what geocentric means? Lun means moon. What do you think lunar means? Solus is Latin for sun. What do you think solar means? Be careful, though. The root sol can mean sun, comfort, soothe, alone, or only!

In Greek, this is apostolikos. In Latin, it is apostolicus. In English, Greek, or Latin, it still has the same meaning: of or deriving from the apostles.

Scriptura refers to the Holy Scriptures- the Old and New Testament. Script means to write. A scribe writes things down. Sola Scriptura is a belief promoted by Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation in Germany, during the 16 th century. Luther taught that scriptures alone are an infallible source and rule of faith and practice. The Catholic Church taught, and still teaches, that scriptures need to be interpreted in light of Tradition- the interpretation of the apostles and early church fathers.

This comes from paenitentia, meaning contrition or sorrow for one’s sins or wrongs.

This means to cut off from communion with a church. Ex means outside. Commun means common, or public. Communion means within the community. An excommunicated person is outside the community-usually this refers to a religious community.