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

gymno

naked

Yes
.
Yes
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Examples

Definition

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gym (1)

(noun) - from the Greek word = physical education or sports class; a large room or building used for various indoor sports, sometimes equipped with gymnastic apparatus, locker, shower rooms, offices, classrooms, or even a swimming pool; metal framed outdoor play equipment, such as swing, seesaws, sliding boards, etc.

gymnasium (2)

(noun) - naked + exercise = a large room or building used for various indoor sports and usually equipped with gymnastic apparatus, lockers and showers, and sometimes offices, classrooms, and even a swimming pool. Note the similar word in German, from Latin word, school - a European university preparatory secondary school. The plural can be either -gymnasiums or gymnasia.

gymkhana (4)

(noun) gym + khana (some sources say may be derived from Hindi) = sports contests or athletic skills.

gymnast (2)

(noun) - from the word, related to trainer = one who does gymnastics.

gymnastic (2)

(adj.) - from the word, related to trainer = relating to gymnastics, athletics, sports. Gymnastically is the adverb form.

gymnastics (2)

(noun takes a singular verb) - from the word, related to trainer = exercises to develop strength and coordination; a competitive sport in which individuals perform acrobatic feats, demonstrating strength, balance, and body control. Also used to refer to mental or intellectual activity, as in intellectual gymnastic and mental gymnastics.

gymnophile (4)

(noun) - naked + love, loving = a naturist, a nudist.

gymnophobia (4)

(noun) - naked + fear of = an abnormal fear or dislike of being nude or other nude people.

gymnosophist (5)

(noun) - naked + wise man = one of the nude ascetics in ancient India who practiced meditation.

gymnosperm (5)

(noun) - naked + seed = a type of plant such as pine or fir trees which produce naked seeds not enclosed in an ovary. Gymnospermous is the adjective form and gymnospermy is the noun.

jungle gym (1)

(noun) - from the trademark Jungle gym(tm) , desert, waste + naked = a framework of poles and bars for use by playing children.