LAURA FINEBERG COOPER
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Spoonful #21: The Greek Root PHON

6/23/2019

1 Comment

 
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Much of our language is derived from Greek and Latin roots, and the more roots you learn, the easier it will be to decode unknown words. In honor of the last spoonful about HOMOPHONES, this highlights ten words derived from the Greek root PHON (sound).

HOMOPHONE = HOMO (same) 
Definition: words that sound the same but typically have different meanings and spellings 

TELEPHONE = TELE (far, far away, distance) 
Definition: a device that transmits sound over a distance

SYMPHONY = SYM or SYN (together).
Definition: harmonious musical composition for a full orchestra 

PHONICS = ICS (a body of facts, knowledge, or principles)
Definition: a way to teach reading that breaks words into letter sounds 

XYLOPHONE = XYLO (wood)
Definition: wooden bars struck by mallets to produce sound

EUPHONIUM =  EU (good, well); EUPHONOS (sweet-voiced)
Definition: like a tuba with a tenor voice
 
MICROPHONE = MICRO (small, tiny)
Definition: small device that amplifies voices or other sounds

CACOPHONY = KAK (bad) 
Definition: = harsh, discordant mixture of sounds

MEGAPHONE = MEGA (very large)
Definition: = large device that makes loud voices even louder

PHONOGRAPH= GRAPH or GRAPHY (to write)
Definition: = machine that can convert records to sound 

FUN FACT: Both the SAXOPHONE and SOUSAPHONE are named after their creators. Belgian inventor and musician Adolphe Sax might not be a household name, but I'm sure many of you are familiar with American composer/conductor John Philip Sousa and his military marches!

Happy Summer! I hope you enjoyed this spoonful. 

Sincerely,
Laura Fineberg Cooper

1 Comment
Marcia Strykowski link
7/7/2019 09:37:02 am

That's a lot of words all from one. Interesting about the instruments, too. I knew about Sousa, but not Sax!

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    ​A Spoonful of Grammar!

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    Sincerely,
    Laura Fineberg Cooper

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