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December 5, 2014 by Mike Bergin

Roots2Words Affix of the Week: PROTO-

Looking to add a lot more words your personal lexicon or just want to better understand the English language? Learn the common roots, prefixes, and suffixes that so many of our words are based on, and you’ll have the tools to recognize familiar words or decode unfamiliar ones. That’s the Roots2Words way!

 

Your Roots2Words Affix of the Week is PROTO-:

roots2wordssquare200PROTO- is a prefix meaning first, foremost, or original.
(Prefixes appear at the beginning of words)

 
**EXAMPLES**

protocol (noun) – customs, regulations, or standard etiquette; a code of conduct for diplomatic relations or other specific situations
BREAKDOWN: PROTO- (first) + COL- (glue)

protohuman (adj) – pertaining to the first humans other than Homo sapiens
BREAKDOWN: PROTO- (first) + HUM- (human) + -AN (pertaining to)

protoplasm (noun) – the living, semifluid contents of plant and animal cells
BREAKDOWN: PROTO- (first) + PLASM- (molded or formed)

prototype (noun) – the original, model, or exemplar on which something is based or formed; an early sample or test model (also prototypical)
BREAKDOWN: PROTO- (original) + TYPE- (impression or kind)

protozoan (noun) – any of various minute unicellular organisms formerly regarded as invertebrates of the phylum Protozoa
BREAKDOWN: PROTO- (first) + ZOA- (animal, life) + -AN (pertaining to)

 
**EASILY CONFUSED**

protean (adj) – readily changing shape or form; highly variable or mutable
protein (noun) – any of numerous large, complex naturally-produced molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids

Both words derive from the root PROTO-, but protean arrives as a derivation of Proteus, the early Greek sea god renowned for his ability to change shape.

 
If you love learning new words every week, imagine how much fun you’ll find learning new roots and words every day for FREE. Subscribe to the Roots2Words Essentials program!

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Mike Bergin
Tens of thousands of students a year prep for the SAT & ACT through programs Mike Bergin created or organized. After more than 25 years of intensive experience in the education industry, he's done it all as a teacher, tutor, director, curriculum developer, blogger, podcaster, and best-selling author. Mike founded Chariot Learning in 2009 to deliver on the promise of what truly transformative individualized education can and should be.

Helping high schoolers with tests, school, and life is what Chariot Learning is all about. Let us know how we can help you!

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