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Difficulty: MediumLatin Roots

The words traction, extract, and retract all share the Latin root morpheme *tract*. Based on the morphological structure of these words, what is the primary meaning of the root *tract*?

  1. A
    To push or drive
  2. To pull or drawAnswer
  3. C
    To arrange or classify
  4. D
    To write or record

Answer

To pull or draw
The Latin root 'tract' originates from the Latin verb 'trahere' (past participle 'tractus'), meaning to pull, drag, or draw. In English, this root forms words such as 'traction' (the physical friction or pulling grip), 'extract' (to pull or draw out), and 'retract' (to take back or draw back). Therefore, the correct definition of the root is to pull or draw.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the shared base morpheme 'tract' across the vocabulary words traction, extract, and retract.
Isolated Latin root 'tract'.
Recognizing the common root enables deduction of the core underlying meaning shared by all derived words.
2
Analyze the semantic contribution of the root when combined with known prefixes (e.g., 'ex-' [out] + 'tract' = pull out; 're-' [back] + 'tract' = draw back).
Established that each formation involves drawing, dragging, or pulling.
Morphological decomposition confirms that the fundamental definition of 'tract' is 'to pull or draw'.

Key Concept

Latin root 'tract' meaning to pull or draw
Estimated Time:45s
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Latin Roots

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