Latin Prefixes 1-6

Donna W.
prefixes ab-, a-, abs-: from, away, off
prefix ad-: to, toward, near
prefix ante-: before
prefix post-: after
prefix bi-: two
prefix semi-: half, partly
25 words 184 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. abduct
    take away to an undisclosed location against their will
    He had just left prison after abducting a female cyclist in 2004.
  2. abhor
    feel hatred or disgust toward
    The practice, which dates back centuries, is abhorred by animal rights groups.
  3. abnormal
    not typical or usual or regular
    The abnormal growths he induced were not cancerous legions brought on by a pathogen but benign growths caused in large part by vitamin A deficiency. Slate (Oct 8, 2012)
  4. abrasion
    an area where the skin is torn or worn off
    Rockies starter Drew Pomeranz pitched three scoreless innings despite getting an abrasion on the top of his thumb. Seattle Times (Mar 8, 2012)
  5. abscond
    run away, often taking something or somebody along
    He later took part in many professional races, although his brother absconded with most of his earnings.
  6. abstain
    refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something
    One panel member abstained from voting on the safety profile.
  7. avert
    turn away or aside
    Leaders from both parties are running short on time to reach a deal to avert the year-end fiscal cliff.
  8. adequate
    sufficient for the purpose
    Simple swipe cards to monitor attendance would be more than adequate, and save the teacher time doing roll call.
  9. adjacent
    having a common boundary or edge
    Adjacent to the unfenced housing project is a senior citizens complex. Seattle Times (Nov 15, 2012)
  10. adjoin
    lie next to another or share a boundary
    Impoverished Yemen adjoins the world's top oil exporter, Saudi Arabia.
  11. advent
    arrival that has been awaited
    Much has changed in 15 years, including the advent of online dating.
  12. adversary
    someone who offers opposition
    Four years ago when he was first elected, he made engaging with America's adversaries one of his principal foreign policy goals.
  13. adverse
    in an opposing direction
    Previous research has suggested light pollution can have adverse effects on wildlife.
  14. antecedent
    someone from whom you are descended
    London, it is calculated, contains ten thousand of these shoeless, homeless, friendless, forsaken, ragged, unwashed, uncombed young urchins of doubtful antecedents.  Ritchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)
  15. postdate
    be later in time
    The French occupation of Madagascar postdates our visit to it. Mahan, A. T. (Alfred Thayer)
  16. postmortem
    occurring or done after death
    Durham police said a postmortem examination showed that death was due to a head injury.
  17. postscript
    a note appended to a letter after the signature
    Susan read it over twice, turning the page each time, evidently in hope of finding an enlightening postscript. Warner, Anne
  18. bicameral
    consisting of two chambers
    Bicameral committees, which include House and Senate members, get complicated. New York Times (Apr 21, 2011)
  19. bicentennial
    the 200th anniversary, or the celebration of it
    Mint was authorized to produce 500 gold medals for the nation's bicentennial. Wall Street Journal (Dec 6, 2010)
  20. biennial
    occurring every second year
    “The response was overwhelming,” Ms. Phillips said, “So we’ve decided to make it a biennial event.”
  21. bimonthly
    occurring twice in one of the year's twelve divisions
    The counselors continue their training in bimonthly meetings with one another. New York Times (Sep 7, 2010)
  22. bilateral
    having two sides or parts
    But the talks are far broader than many of the bilateral agreements the United States has struck in recent years.
  23. bipartisan
    supported by both sides
    We don’t know what bipartisan compromise may be worked out in the coming months.
  24. bisect
    cut in half or cut in two
    In April 1997, Grand Forks, N.D., was threatened by the flooding Red River, which bisects the city.
  25. semiconscious
    partially conscious; not completely aware of sensations
    He knew no one, and did not speak, though he was semiconscious. Avery, Harold
Created on Sat Dec 15 18:53:54 EST 2012 (updated Wed Dec 19 10:27:44 EST 2012)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.