Greek Words Combined With Latin Words, the old making the new: bicycle and more

Roman Colosseum in Rome, capital of Ancient Rome and modern Italy

Greek Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens, capital of modern Greece.

I learned Latin and school. At the time I wished I had instead learned a modern language such as Italian or Spanish or German. 

But later I regretted not having learned Greek. My handy Concise Oxford dictionary gave me the etymology (origin) of words, the roots.  I made two lists on the back pages of my dictionary headed NOTES. I listed the Latin words. I listed the Greek words.

However, some words were both Greek and Latin. Since they did not fit into either category, I ignored them. Wasted effort, I thought, wrongly. I was annoyed at being found thwarted in my neat division of word originas into two lists. But that changed.

Today I suddenly had a new idea. Make a list of words combining both, Latin and Greek, Greek and Latin. 

No more wasted time. So here is the list of Greek-Latin words for your enlightenment as well as mine. Now every word whose origin I have researched is useful, has an explanation, and has a place.  

Latin - Greek

bi (Latin for twice or two or double) + Greek (Kuklos wheel) - bicycle

How do you remember that bicycle is a hybrid word, and which half is which? Think of the two wheels being Latin and Greek. The more recent word, the Latin, is at the front. chronologically, behind, is the Greek word.

Greek - Latin 

tele (Greek far) + visio - (Latin I see) - television

Now we can start to see patterns, which help us to remember, compare and contrast, classify and identify words.

This is an ongoing list. Come back to see more. Or look up words in a physical or online dictionary of etymology. Send me your suggestions.

About the Author

Angela Lansbury, teacher of English and other languages.