2. A prefix is a group of letters
attached to the beginning of a
root or word (or even group of
words) serving to modify
and/or extend meaning. A
prefix changes the meaning of
a word.
3. This is a list of the most
common prefixes in English,
together with their basic
meaning and some examples.
5. anti-
be-
also ant-
opposing,
antiagainst, the aircraft,
opposite
antibiotic,
anticlimax
all over, all bespatter,
around
beset
completely bewitch,
bemuse
having,
bejewelled
covered
with
affect with befog
(added to
nouns)
cause to be becalm
(added to
adjectives)
10. re-
again
semi-
half, partly
sub-
also suc-,
suf-, sug-,
sup-, sur-,
sus-
at a lower
position
repaint,
reappraise,
reawake
semicircle,
semiconscious
submarine,
subsoil
lower in rank
sublieutenant
nearly,
approximately
sub-tropical
11. trans-
across, beyond
into a different
state
ultra-
transnational,
transatlantic
translate
ultramicroscopic
not
unacceptable,
unreal, unhappy,
unmanned
reversal or
cancellation of
action or state
under-
ultraviolet,
ultrasonic
extreme
un-
beyond
unplug, unmask
beneath, below
underarm,
undercarriage
lower in rank
undersecretary
not enough
underdeveloped
