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Question

Difficulty: EasyWord Formation: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots

In English morphology, prefixes are attached to the beginning of root words to alter their meanings. Which of the following best describes the meaning of the Latin prefix 'extra-' in the word 'extraordinary'?

  1. Beyond or outsideAnswer
  2. B
    Within or inside
  3. C
    Before or prior
  4. D
    Against or opposite

Answer

Beyond or outside
The prefix 'extra-' is derived from Latin and signifies 'outside' or 'beyond'. Therefore, something described as 'extraordinary' is beyond what is usual or ordinary.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the constituent parts of the word
The word 'extraordinary' is formed by combining the prefix 'extra-' with the base adjective 'ordinary'.
Isolating the prefix allows us to analyze its specific etymological contribution.
2
Determine the precise meaning of the prefix 'extra-'
The Latin prefix 'extra-' denotes 'outside', 'beyond', or 'exceeding the scope of'.
Applying morphological knowledge identifies the core function of 'extra-' in forming derived adjectives.

Key Concept

Prefix Morpheme Meanings
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Topics

Word Formation: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots

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