Building Vocabulary from Word Roots

Lesson 11Latin and Greek Bases

nov and neo

Nov and Neo

The Latin base nov and the Greek base neo both mean “new.”

Greek-based words beginning with neo tend to be medical or scientific in nature.

Latin-based words beginning with nov occur in more general contexts.

Nov and Neo

Nov is usually found at the beginning of words and followed by a second base.

Nov can be found after two prefixes: in- (in,on, into) and re- (back, again)

Nov and NeoNeo is always found

at the beginning of words. When defining words beginning with neo, look at the second base in the word to determine its meaning, finding a way to incorporate the word “new.”

Nov and NeoThe French form of

this base is nouveau. This word often appears in art and social studies.

Art nouveau=new (modern) art

Nouveau riche=new money, newly wealthy

nov= “new”

Nov + ice (quality of, state of)= novice— “person” who is “new” to a profession or activity

Re + nov + ate (forms a verb) = renovate— to “make” “new” “again”

Nov + el = novel — “new” and original

neo= “new”

Neo + lith(stone) + ic (of, related to)= neolithic— related to the “new” “stone” age

Neo + phyt(plant) = neophyte— literally means “new” “plant” or “seedling”; metaphorically speaking (more common usage), it refers to a novice, beginner, someone new to an idea or job

The equipment in the neonatal unit seemed to be made of stone from a Neolithic age. It certainly was not suited to delivering babies!

How do each of the bolded words mean “new”?

How many other words beginning with “neo” can you think of?

Although she was a novice decorator, her innovative ideas resulted in a wonderful renovation of the old building.

How do each of the bolded words mean “new”?

How many other words beginning with “nov” can you think of?

How do the bolded words mean “new”?

Thomas Edison’s novel idea of recording a human voice led to the phonograph, or “talking machine.”

“Batmobile” and “beemobile” are neologisms that describe vehicles.

The novelty of some video games fades quickly.As a neophyte, she was not familiar with all of

the group’s rules.