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Difficulty: MediumLatin Roots

The city council issued an official edict requiring all residents to conserve water during the summer drought.

Based on word structure, what is the foundational meaning of the Latin root *dict* in the word edict?

  1. A
    To write or record
  2. To speak or declareAnswer
  3. C
    To rule or govern
  4. D
    To conceal or silence

Answer

To speak or declare
The correct answer 'To speak or declare' accurately reflects the Latin root *dict* (from *dicere*), which forms the core meaning of words involving speaking, stating, or pronouncing, such as *edict* (a proclamation spoken out), *verdict* (speaking the truth), and *dictate* (to state authoritatively).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Isolate the Latin root within the target word.
The word *edict* consists of the prefix *e-* (meaning 'out' or 'forth') and the base morpheme *dict*.
Separating prefixes and affixes reveals the core morpheme responsible for the primary meaning.
2
Determine the semantic definition of the root *dict* across related vocabulary.
The root *dict* originates from the Latin verb *dicere*, meaning 'to speak', 'to say', or 'to declare' (seen in *dictate*, *predict*, *contradict*, and *verdict*).
Associating the target root with familiar morphological relatives confirms its foundational definition.

Key Concept

Latin root morpheme analysis (*dict* = to speak/declare)
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Latin Roots

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