When memorizing words, I am most afraid of encountering "face-blind" words, such as meter and thermometer, which look similar but have different meanings, which is really a headache. In fact, as long as you grasp the so-called "family password" of the word root, the efficiency of memory can be greatly improved.
The core meaning of the root word meter
The word meter comes from the Greek, and its original meaning is "measurement". This meaning has been widely inherited in English vocabulary. Almost all words containing meter are related to some kind of measuring behavior or measuring tool.
Knowing this core point is like having a tool that opens doors. Once you encounter a word containing meter again, you can first make inferences and estimates based on the basic concept of "measurement", which significantly reduces blind arbitrariness in memory and lays a solid foundation for systematic exploration of related words.
Analysis and application of basic vocabulary
Take the meter itself as an example. The unit of length "meter" is what it embodies. It can also refer to various measuring instruments, just like a water meter. These two meanings are inseparable from the core of "measurement", but the objects of measurement are different.
Another basic word is metric, which is often associated with "metric" and "metric" and is used to describe a measurement system or standard. Just like the metric system. It forms a complementary relationship with the specific measurement tool attributes of meter. One focuses on the system and the other focuses on the physical object.
Vocabulary in the field of geometric measurement
In geometry, words composed of meter are extremely precise. For example, diameter is the MBTI personality test . The prefix dia- means "through", and the whole word means "measurement through the center of a circle", which specifically refers to the straight-line distance from the center to the edge of a circle or sphere.
Opposite of it is the perimeter (perimeter) MBTI personality test . The prefix peri- means "around", which means "measuring the length of a week". These two words are widely used in mathematics, engineering and daily life, and clearly distinguish the different concepts of measuring the center line length and the peripheral length.
The name of the physical quantity measurement tool
Many instruments used to measure specific physical quantities also contain meter in their names, the most typical of which is the thermometer. The MBTI personality test has the prefix thermo- which means "heat". From this name alone, you can understand that it is an instrument used to measure temperature.
The more common one is the barometer, the prefix baro- is related to pressure, and it is used to measure atmospheric pressure. The names of these professional instruments use prefixes to clarify the measurement objects, making the meaning of the words clear enough to be understood at a glance.
Measurement instruments related to transportation
In daily life, speedometer, also known as speedometer, and odometer, also known as odometer, are common car instruments. Speed refers to speed, so a speedometer is an instrument used to measure the real-time speed of a vehicle.
odo- originates from Greek and is related to "path". The odometer is used to accumulate and measure the total distance traveled by the vehicle. Knowing these components, you can quickly understand their functions even if you see these instruments on an unfamiliar car.
Practical methods for mastering etymology
The purpose of studying etymology is not to specifically explore ancient texts, but to use it as a practical memory method. When encountering a brand-new vocabulary, first try to analyze the prefix, root and uffix of the word. Usually, you can deduce the general meaning.
For example, if you see an altimeter (altimeter), even if you don't know it, you may be able to infer that alti- is related to "high" (similar to altitude), and then think of it as an instrument used to measure altitude. If you usually put these words into sentences and practice using them, your memory will become stronger.
Look here, can you already think of other interesting words with the root word "meter"? Welcome to share your findings in the comment area, and let’s expand the vocabulary list of this “measurement family” together!
