Latin Words used in English, Literally, and Roman Numerals (from the Etruscans)

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy

Words ending in m are often Latin. Singular. For example, the word medium is singular, but the word media is plural. 'In which medium are you publishing? Just the newspapers?' (Although the word newspapers is plural, it is used as a collective.) No. I am publishing in all the media: newspapers, TV, the internet."

Roman numerals

Individual decimal places

	Thousands	Hundreds	Tens	Units
1	M	C	X	I
2	MM	CC	XX	II
3	MMM	CCC	XXX	III
4		CD	XL	IV
5		D	L	V
6		DC	LX	VI
7		DCC	LXX	VII
8		DCCC	LXXX	VIII
9		CM	XC	IX

Symbol	I	V	X	L	C	D	M
Value	1	5	10	50	100	500	1000

 Latin root word (English translation of root word) - English derivative word

ager  (field) - agriculture

agua (water) - aqueduct (bridge for water)

arbor (tree - arboretum (tree garden), arbour (shelter of two or more trees, sometimes in a lattice)

ducere (to lead) - aqueduct, duct, viaduct

duo (two) - dual (having two), duet (song for two voices), duo (pair of singers or musicians)

hortus (garden) - horticulture 

literal  (letter) - exactly as it is written, the literal meaning, literary, literate

mille (one thousand) - millennium 

pes, pedis (foot) - pedal, pedestal (base of pillar or column), pedestrian (person on foot), pedometer (measuring steps), pedicure (treating feet)

politus (polish) - polite

verus (truth - veritable, verify (find out the truth)

When I looked up Roman numerals in Wikipedia, the big surprise to me was that the Roman numerals were based on Etruscan numerals. I had seen the impressive huge cliffside arch which is the gateway to hilltop Perugia, capital of Umbria. I was reminded of the UK TV series names What The Romans Did For Us.

 I wondered what the Etruscans did for us. Now I know. They devised the signs for counting, copied and adapted by the neighbouring and conquering Romans, numerical symbols which are still used on clocks today. The numbers one and five like a V and ten like an X. Other numbers for one, two and so on, added or subtracted according to whether they are on the left or right of the larger numbers. Writing the larger number first.

The Romans added C and M.

Useful Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Latin_and_Greek_words_commonly_used_in_systematic_names

About the Author

Angela Lansbury is a teacher, tutor (in person and online) and workshop leader, specialising in English and other languages.

Please contact angela if you need an English language workshop for a Toastmasters Club or a business.