PUT comes from the Latin verb putare, meaning "to think, consider, or to believe." So, for example, a reputation is what others think of you. But when the root shows up in such words as computer, dispute, and deputy, its meaning is harder to trace.

LOG from the Greek word logos, meaning "word," "speech," or "reason." is found particularly in English words that end in -logy and -logue. The ending -logy often means "the study of"; so, for instance, biology is the study of life, and anthropology is the study of humans. And -logue usually indicates a type of discussion; thus, dialogue is conversation between two people or groups, and an epilogue is an author's last words on a subject.But exceptions aren't hard to find.

TERR comes from the Latin terra, "earth." A territory is a large expanse of land. Terra firma is Latin for "firm ground" as opposed to the swaying seas. A terrace is a leveled area, often one created for farming on a sloping hill. And the French word for potato, pomme de terre, means literally "apple of the earth."

MAR from the Latin word mare, meaning "sea," brings its salty tang to several English words. A submarine is an undersea ship. Marine means basically "relating to the sea," so when the Continental Marines were established back in 1775, their job was to provide on-board security on naval ship; but they immediately began to be used on land as well, and the marines have continued to operate on both land and sea ever since.

PATH comes from the Greek word pathos, which means "feeling" or "suffering." So a pathetic sight moves us to pity, and a sympathetic friend "feel with" you when you yourself are suffering.

PEN/PUN comes from the Latin words poena, "penalty," and punire, "to punish." A penalty is, of course, a punishment.

MATR/MATER comes from the Greek and Latin words for "mother." A matron is a mature woman with children. And matrimony is marriage itself, the traditional first step forward motherhood.

AQU comes from aqua, the Latin word for "water." We keep pet fish in an aquarium at home or visit larger sea animals in a building with that name. Water sports such as swimming, canoeing, and sailing are sometimes called aquatics. In Scandinavia there's a popular drink called aquavit, the name coming from the Latin aqua vitae, "water of life"--though instead of water it mostly consists of alcohol.

Words from Mythology