Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms (Paperback)

~ Donald J. Borror (Author)
Key Phrases: suffix meaning, word roots, Dictionary of Word Roots

Product Details

• Paperback: 134 pages
• Publisher: Mayfield Publishing Company (June 1960)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874840538
• ISBN-13: 978-0874840537
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,526 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greek to Me, December 8, 2004

By	Jeremy W. Forstadt (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have owned Donald J. Borror's DICTIONARY OF WORD ROOTS AND COMBINING FORMS for at least 20 years and would never dream of parting with it. Though I consult it only rarely, it can be immensely helpful when one wishes to delve into the meaning of obscure words, particularly of the scientific or bio-medical sort.

This dictionary is comprised mainly of an alphabetical listing of Greek and Latin roots, though commonly used roots and combining forms from other languages are included as well. There are also useful chapters on the formulation of scientific names, the transliteration of Greek words, and on common combining forms. This last chapter (the one on common combining forms) is particularly useful if your goal is to create new descriptive words as it is conveniently subdivided into descriptive categories (color, size, shape, animal structures, etc.).

I would have to admit that the DICTIONARY OF WORD ROOTS AND COMBINING FORMS would not be near the top of any list of writer's "essential" references, but I do not mean to imply by this that it is not worth owning. On the contrary, I believe that this happy little dictionary is highly useful-though specialized-and should be included in any complete writer's library.

Jeremy W. Forstadt

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wore out my first copy, and am now wearing out my second copy!, March 7, 2006

By	Susan Warren "Science Rocks!" (La Habra, CA USA) - See all my reviews

My father, a PhD, bought this book for me at the beginning of my freshman year as a Biology major. I used that book all through college in my science classes, and in my writing classes. I have been a Biology teacher for 17 years, and my original book has fallen apart from use. I still keep it, as I treasure this gift from my father. I have a second copy and use it with my students frequently. I am considering buying a third copy, as I know that soon it will be difficult to find another. It is a 'must have' for all science majors as well as science teachers!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be on the shelf of all students of biology, January 27, 2005

By	Walter H. Sakai (Thousand Oaks, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a biology professor, and I required this text of all of my majors students until it went out of print. I now tell my students to hunt copies down on Amazon, ebay, or used book stores.
I am a great fan of learning the Latin and Greek roots of words to remembering the meaning of words. My students have a greater appreciation for the tongue-twisting words that we find in biology.