RootsofEnglishsinGreekMythology

1、Roots of English Words in Greek MythologyGreeceGreece is a country in southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula. It borders the countries of Turkey, Albania, Republic of Macedonia, and Bulgaria. It is also bordered by the Ionian Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Aegean Sea. Greece is made up of

2、around 1400 islands of which 227 are inhabited. Most of Greece is mountainous, with Mount Olympus being the highest peak. Ancient Greece is thought to be the birthplace of Western civilization, and as such, has given us many things, like philosophy, democracy, the Olympic Games, mathematical and sci

3、entific principles, and drama (especially tragedy and comedy).Greek MythologyAncient people were curious about life, the world, and how and why things happen. They wanted to know how we got here, what those points of light in the sky are, why there are seasons, and what is our purpose. Mythology sta

4、rted as a way to explain all these things and to guide the behavior of people. Greek mythology is a mixture of old religious beliefs and rituals, taken from various cultures. Gradually, people came to believe that there were powerful beings that controlled the stars, seasons, weather, and plant and

5、animal life.These gods ruled from Mount Olympus and many temples were built to them. The people felt that if the gods were happy, they would enjoy good health, crops would be plentiful, and life would be good. If the gods were displeased, then they would send famine, drought, earthquakes (from Posei

6、don), storms, and lightning (from Zeus). Roots of English Words in Greek MythologyThe names of the gods live on through their stories and language. Many English words have Greek roots and a lot of them come straight from the names of certain gods. Here are some roots of English words in Greek mythol

7、ogy. They are presented in this order with the Greek word or name (followed by a description) > the English word (followed by a definition).Atlas (condemned to carry the heavens upon his shoulders) > atlas (book of maps)Ceres (goddess of agriculture) > cereal (food made from grains)Clotho (

8、the Fate who spun the thread of life) > cloth (material made by weaving)Cronos (keeper of time) > chronology (events in order of time)Er?s (god of love and sexual desire) > erotic (sexual in nature)Fortuna (goddess of luck) > fortune (chance or luck)Hypnos (god of sleep) > hypnosis (a

9、 sleep-like state of consciousness)H lios&god of the sun and guardian of oaths) > heliotrope (plant that turns towards the sun)Jove (another name for Jupiter) > jovial (jolly, merry)Khaos (thenothingness from which all sprang) > chaos (confusion, disorder)Mars (god of war) > martial (rel

10、ating to or about war)Mercury (messenger to the gods) > mercurial (fast or changing)Muses (goddesses of music) > musical (of or like music)Narcissus (a very vain god who fell in love with his own reflection) > narcissism (extreme love of self)Nectar (drink of the gods) > nectar, nectarin

11、e (fruit juice or sweet plant secretion)Nymphe (beautiful maidens, lesser deities who cared for plants and animals) > nymph (beautiful woman)keanos (God of the river Oceanus, the source of all the Earths fresh-water) > ocean (large body of water)Typhon (father of all monsters) > typhoon (hu

12、ge rotating tropical storm)Vulcan (god of fire) > volcano (opening in the earth through which lava erupts)Zephyrus (god of the west wind) > zephyr (gentle west wind)Ancient Greek WordsMany English words are derived from ancient Greek words. Here is a short list of some of them. The Greek word

13、is listed first; the English root word is second, followed by the definition:Angeion > angio - vesselBios > bio - lifeDeka > deka - tenEnergeia > energeia - energyGigas > gigant - huge, enormousGlossis > gloss - tongueHippos > hipp(o) - horseK u dos > k - u d glory, fameLogos

14、 > logo - thought, wordMetro > metr - to measureNeuron > neur(o) - nerve, sinewPetra > petra - rockPh o n e > ph - voicePseudo > pseud(o)- falseThermos > therm - hotToxicon > toxic - poisonZ o n e > z o- nbeltWe may not always notice these root words and their definitions

15、because we are so used to them being a normal part of our life. Many words that we use stem from a Greek nature and are very common in our language.Common Greek Root Words used in English TodayHere are common Greek root words (and their definitions) we use in English.Arch chiefAuto referring to the

16、selfBiblio -anything pertaining to a bookBios -life or living things in generalCosmos -order or worldCracy - any type of government entityDemos - pertaining peopleDerma - referring to the skinEthnos -race or nationGastro -pertaining to the stomachGeo -pertaining to the earthHydro -pertaining to wate

17、rHypno -pertaining to sleepIsos -equal, alike or identicalKilo - thousandLithos -referring to stoneLogos -word or studyMania -pertaining to madnessMega -large or powerfulMonos -pertaining to oneNeuron - pertaining to the nerveNomos -law or scienceOcto - eightPan - pertaining to all or everyPhobia -f

18、ear or dread of somethingPhone -referring to sound or speakingPsycho - pertaining to the soul or the mindScopos -to spy, watch or seeStatic -causing to standTele -referring to something far offTherapy -pertaining to curingThermo -pertaining to heatThesis -a position or opinionZoon -pertaining to animalsThe Greek AlphabetIf you have ever joined a fraternity or sorority, you may have been required to learn the Greek alphabet. Here are the names of the 24 letters of the Greek alphabet and their English equivalent. If pronunciation is