It's Greek To Me!

Greek and Latin Prefixes, Roots and Suffixes used in English
This page © 1999 by Nicholas E. Miller


Basic term

Meaning

Greek
Latin
Prefix
Suffix

centi, centum

hundred

.
Yes
Yes
.

Examples

Definition

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cent (1)

(noun) - From the Latin word. = A unit of currency used in approximately 50 countries.

centesimal (5)

(adj.) - From the Latin word. = Divided into hundredths.

centesimo, centime, centimo (4)

(noun) - From the Latin word. A unit of currency used in a variety of countries.

centigrade (1)

(noun) - hundred + step. = The international scale used to indicate temperature. To convert from the provincial American system to the international system use this formula C = (F-32) / 1.8. To convert to that system, use F = (C x 1.8) + 32.

centigram (1)

(noun) - hundred + small measurement. = A unit of weight in the international system. It is 1/100th of a gram, or about 0.00035 ounces.

centiliter (1)

(noun) - hundred + a unit of weight. = A unit of volume in the international system. It is 1/100th of a liter, or about .34 fluid ounces.

centimeter (1)

(noun) - hundred + measure. = A unit of length in the international system. It is 1/100th of a meter, or about .39 inches.

centipede (3)

(noun) - hundred + foot. = A worm like insect with many legs and body segments.

centillion (5)

(noun) - hundred + -llion. = In the American system it would be 1 followed by 303 zeros (or 100 sets of 3 zeros after the first thousand). In the European system it is 1 followed by 600 zeros.

hundred percent (4)

(noun) - hundred + through + hundred. = To give your all or do your best. A complete amount.

percent (2)

(noun) - through, by the + hundred. = Out of a hundred. Represented by the symbol %.

percentage (2)

(noun) - through, by the + hundred. = A ratio computed as if the base were 100.

percentile (4)

(noun) - through, by the + hundred. = A number on a scale from 0 to 99 that divides the percent of a distribution that is equal to or below it. Membership in Mensa requires an IQ in the 98% percentile - or the top 2 percent.