CANT from the Latin verb cantare, meaning "sing," produces several words that come directly from Latin. But some others came to English by way of French, which added an h to the root, giving us such words as chant and chantey.

Word Phonetic Audio
cantata kən-ˈtä-tə
incantation ˌin-ˌkan-ˈtā-shən
cantor ˈkan-tər
descant ˈde-ˌskant

LINGU comes from the Latin word that means both "tongue" and "language," and in English today tongue can still mean "language" (as in "her native tongue"). Our expression "slip of the tongue" is just a translation of the Latin phrase lapsus linguae. The root even shows up in a slangy-sounding word like lingo. And since lingu- changed to langu- in French, our word language is related as well.

Word Phonetic Audio
linguistics liŋ-ˈgwi-stiks
multilingual ˌməl-tē-ˈliŋ-gwəl
lingua franca ˈliŋ-gwə-ˈfraŋ-kə
linguine liŋ-ˈgwē-nē

SPIR comes from the Latin words meaning "breath" and "breathe." When we inspire others--that is, give them inspiration--it's as though we're breathing new energy and imagination into them. When you expire, or die, you "breath out" your soul in your last breath. A license, membership, credit card, or free offer may also expire, at a time indicated by its expiration date.

Word Phonetic Audio
spirited ˈspir-ə-təd
dispirit (ˌ)di-ˈspir-ət
respirator ˈre-spə-ˌrā-tər
transpire tran(t)-ˈspī(-ə)r

VER comes from the Latin word for "truth." A verdict in a trial is "the truth spoken" (see DICT). But a just verdict may depend on the veracity, or "truthfulness," of the witnesses.

Word Phonetic Audio
verify ˈver-ə-ˌfī
aver ə-ˈvər
verisimilitude ˌver-ə-sə-ˈmi-lə-ˌtüd
veracity və-ˈra-sə-tē

TURB comes from the Latin verb turbare, "to throw into confusion or upset," and the noun turba, "crowd" or "confusion." So a disturbance, for example, confuses and upsets normal order or routine.

Word Phonetic Audio
turbid ˈtər-bəd
perturb pər-ˈtərb
turbine ˈtər-bən
turbulent ˈtər-byə-lənt

VOLU/VOLV comes from the Latin verb volvere, meaning "to roll, wind, turn around, or twist around." Thus, revolve simply means "turn in circles." And a volume was originally a scroll or roll of papyrus.

Word Phonetic Audio
voluble ˈväl-yə-bəl
devolve di-ˈvälv
evolution ˌe-və-ˈlü-shən
convoluted ˈkän-və-ˌlü-təd

FAC comes from the Latin verb facere, meaning "to make or do." Thus, a fact was originally simply "something done." A benefactor is someone who does good. And to manufacture is to make, usually in a factory.

Word Phonetic Audio
factor ˈfak-tər
factotum fak-ˈtō-təm
facile ˈfa-səl
facilitate fə-ˈsi-lə-ˌtāt

LUM comes from the Latin noun lumen, meaning "light." Thus, our word illuminate means "to supply with light" or "make clear," and illumination is light that shines on something.

Word Phonetic Audio
lumen ˈlü-mən
luminous ˈlü-mə-nəs
bioluminescent ˌbī-ō-ˌlü-mə-ˈne-sᵊnt
luminary ˈlü-mə-ˌner-ē

Words from Mythology and History

Word Phonetic Audio
muse ˈmyüz
iridescent ˌir-ə-ˈde-sᵊnt
mausoleum ˌmȯ-sə-ˈlē-əm
mentor ˈmen-ˌtȯr
narcissism ˈnär-sə-ˌsi-zəm
tantalize ˈtan-tə-ˌlīz
thespian ˈthe-spē-ən
zephyr ˈze-fər