Copy affix/roots and definitions and create your own original sentence for each VDP word of the week. Work will be assessed periodically for completion grade. Quizzes will be given on word usage and definitions.
11/1 – 11/5
Hyper~: Too much
Hypo~: Too little
These can be used either as a root, prefix or suffix
1st Word: hypocrisy
(n.) pretending to believe what one does not
Model Sentence:
Once the politician began passing legislation that contradicted his campaign promises, his hypocrisy became apparent.
2nd Word: hypothetical
(adj.) supposed or assumed true, but unproven
Model Sentence:
Even though it has been celebrated by seven major newspapers, that the drug will be successful when tested in humans is still hypothetical.
3rd Word: hyperbole
(n.) A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect
Model Sentence:
When Mom says she has told me a million times to clean my room, she is using hyperbole.
4th Word: hyperventilate
(v.) to breathe abnormally fast or deeply so as to cause a loss of carbon dioxide in the blood
Model Sentence:
Sometimes stress will causes a person to hyperventilate, which can be relieved by breathing into a paper bag.
10/25 – 10/29
Hydra~: Water
Hydro~: Water
These can be used as roots or prefixes.
1st Word: hydroponics
(n.) The science of growing or productions of plants in nutrient rich solutions of moist inert materials instead of earth
Model Sentence:
EPCOT has an exhibit of hydroponics where tomatoes are grown in a liquid solution instead of soil.
2nd Word: hydraulics
(n.) A branch of science that deals with practical applications (as the transmission of energy or the effects of flow) of liquid (as water) in motion.
Model Sentence:
After seeing the power of water first hand, Dan decided to pursue an engineering career specializing in hydraulics.
3rd Word: cacohydrophobia
(n.) a fear of drinking or of being contaminated in some way with bad water.
Model Sentence:
Since Hurricane Katrina destroyed their sewer systems, some citizens of New Orleans have suffered from cacohydrophobia, a fear of bad water.
4th Word: hydroplaning
(adj.) a reference to a vehicle, vehicle tire, etc., to skid on the film of water of a wet surface (usually a street after a rain) with a resulting decrease in automotive control.
Model Sentence:
The hydroplaning car pirouetted across the highway and stopped perilously close to the busy intersection.
10/18 – 10/22
Dic~: Speak
Dict~: Speak
These can be used either as a root, prefix or suffix
1st Word: abdicate
(v.) to renounce or relinquish sovereignty, or its equivalent
Model Sentence:
A king who abdicates renounces or swears away his kingly privileges and duties.
2nd Word: indicate
(v.) to point out, point to, make known, show (more or less distinctly).
Model Sentence:
To indicate a special interest in something or someone, people will often point or call by name.
3rd Word: malediction
(n.) slander or evil talk about someone
Model Sentence:
The candidate slings one malediction after another in an attempt to discredit his opponent.
4th Word: vindictive
(adj.) spite feeling, showing or done with a desire to hurt someone
Model Sentence:
Molly’s vindictive behavior indicated a lack of maturity, understanding, and compassion.
10/11 – 10/15
Gram~/Graph~: Write
These can be used either as a prefix or a suffix
#1 Word: Grammar
(n.) rules imposed on a given language for speaking and writing it
Model Sentence:
Grammar is my favorite part of learning about a language.
#2 Word: Graphology
(n.) the study of handwriting
Model Sentence:
Many people believe that graphology is a way to learn about the character or personality of a person.
#3 Word: Graphic
(adj.) described in realistic and vivid detail
Model Sentence:
Some of the forensic scenes in CSI are rather graphic.
#4 Word: Telegram
(n.) a message transmitted by a system that converts a coded message into electrical impulses and sends it to a distant receiver
Model Sentence:
A hundred and fifty years ago, before emails and the telephone, the telegram was the quickest way to send important messages.
10/4 – 10/8
Con~: With
This is used as a prefix
#1 Word: Confluence
(n.) a gathering together
Model Sentence:
A confluence of different factors made tonight the perfect night.
#2 Word: Congenial
(adj.) pleasantly agreeable
Model Sentence:
His congenial manner made him popular wherever he went.
#3 Word: Contemporaneous
(adj.) existing during the same time
Model Sentence:
Though her novels do not feature the themes of Romanticism, Jane Austen’s work was contemporaneous with those of Wordsworth and Byron.
#4 Word: Constituent
(n.) an essential part
Model Sentence:
The most important constituent of her perfume is something called ambergris.
9/27 – 10/1
Bi~: Two
Di~: Two
These are used as prefixes
#1 Word: Bifocals
(n.) glasses with lenses that have two focal lengths
Model Sentence:
At a certain age most people require bifocals for close and distant vision.
#2 Word: Bicuspid
(n.) having two points or cusps, as a bicuspid tooth or premolar or a crescent moon
Model Sentence:
Susan lost her first bicuspid as she chewed on the hamburger.
#3 Word: Dichotomy
(n.) division into two, usually contradictory, parts or divisions
Model Sentence:
The dichotomy of the situation was that I knew my parents were right even though I did not want to believe them.
#4 Word: Dialogue
(n.) a conversation between two or more people
Model Sentence:
The dialogue between Pat and Mike was heated to say the least.
9/20-9/24
Auto~: Self
This is used as a prefix
#1 Word: Autocrat
(n.) a ruler having unlimited power
Model Sentence:
The former leader of Iraq was an autocrat by the name of Saddam Hussein.
#2 Word: Autonomous
(adj.) Not controlled by others or outside forces; independent
Model Sentence:
Joe’s autonomous situation required that he be self-sufficient and responsible.
#3 Word: Autodidact
(n.) a self-taught person
Model Sentence:
The mechanic was an autodidact who learned his trade through practice and experience.
#4 Word: Automaton
(n.) a self-operating machine or mechanism, esp. a robot
Model Sentence:
An automaton substitutes for a person during dangerous situations.
9/13-9/17
Ante~: Before
Anti~: Against
These are used as prefixes
#1 Word: Antecedent
(n.) something that came before
Model Sentence:
The great tradition of Western culture had its antecedent in the culture of Ancient Greece.
#2 Word: Antediluvian
(adj.) ancient
Model Sentence:
The antediluvian man still believed that Eisenhower was president of the United States and hot dogs cost a nickel.
#3 Word: Antipathy
(n.) a strong dislike, repugnance
Model Sentence:
I know you love me, but because you are a liar and a thief, I feel nothing but antipathy for you.
#4 Word: Antithesis
(n.) the absolute opposite
Model Sentence:
Your values, which hold war and violence in the highest esteem, are the antithesis of my pacifist beliefs.
9/7-9/10
Bio~: Life
This is used as a prefix
#1 Word: Biopsy (v.) to remove tissue from a living body for diagnostic purposes
Model Sentence:
The doctor will biopsy a small portion of the lump to determine if it is cancerous.
#2 Word: Biosphere (n.) the part of the earth and its atmosphere capable of supporting life
Model Sentence:
It is feared that our biosphere will become less hospitable as pollution increases.
#3 Word: Bioluminescence (n.) emission of visible light from living organisms
Model Sentence:
Some female lightning bugs will mimic the bioluminescence of other types in order to attract and eat the males.
#4 Word: Biogenic (adj.) produced by or necessary for the maintenance of living organisms or biological processes
Model Sentence:
From the latest exploration, scientists are learning whether or not there are biogenic conditions on Mars.
8/30-9/3
Ab~: From or away
Ad~: To
These are used as prefixes
#1 Word: Adulation (n.) extreme praise
Model Sentence:
Though the book was pretty good, Marcy did not believe it deserved the adulation it received.
#2 Word: Abscond (v.) to sneak away and hide
Model Sentence:
In the confusion, the super-spy absconded into the night with the secret plans.
#3 Word: Absolution (n.) freedom from blame, guilt, sin
Model Sentence:
Once all the facts were known, the jury gave Angela absolution by reaching a verdict of not guilty.
#4 Word: Adhere (v.) to stick to something
Model Sentence:
We adhered the poster to the wall with tape.
