Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms

An excellent, comprehensive little powerhouse of etymology. Superlatively useful for students of biology, fairly helpful for students of any other science; positively beautiful for anyone interested in the Classical influence over modern language. I would recommend this book for anyone who attends university (for education, not beer). Language nerds--particularly DEAD language nerds, like me--will swoon over it. My copy is slim and small, practically petite enough for a pocket. I carry it with me everywhere I go on campus, right next to my planner.

The best way to understand and remember technical terms is to understand their roots, and these roots are themselves descriptive of the thing. For example, the scientific name OSMODERMA EREMICOLA, taking the parts of this name (osm=smell, derm=skin, erem=solitary, col=dwell) pretty much describes the Hermit Flower Beetle.

Contains a summary of the rules for the formulation of scientific names. For example "Scientific names are Latinized, but may be derived from any language or from the names of people or places". "Scientific names are usually descriptive"--size, form, color, habits--"The rules permit a name to be merely an arbitrary combination of letters but such names are not recommended" [113]).

Lists "Common Combining Forms" in a show more separate section [118]. This is convenient for formulating a new name - a list of roots under catagories such as Colors, Types of animals or plants, Activity, Habitat, etc. show less

Very useful for creating new names from Latin and Greek, mainly.

An excellent reference for reviewing word roots. Very useful for biology students.

A very useful reference for breaking words down to determine their meaning.