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un- — not; reverse
unjust (adjective)
Unfair or contrary to what people are owed.
Root & originjust / jur — right or law Just and jur trace back to Latin ius, meaning right or law. Iustus means just; iuris is another form of ius.
Same-root relativesjustice · justify · injustice · jury · juror
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The unequal sentences imposed on the runaways were unjust.
Supporting reading: YPT 51
Beyond Takaki
It would be unjust to punish the whole team for one player's deliberate mistake.
unequal (adjective)
Different in amount, status, or opportunity under a relevant standard.
Root & originequ — equal or level Equ comes from Latin aequus, meaning equal, level, or fair.
Same-root relativesequal · equality · equity · equitable
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Unequal access to credit helped Anglo farmers purchase land from Mexican owners.
Supporting reading: YPT 136
Beyond Takaki
The two friends received unequal portions of pizza: one got a slice and the other got three.
uncivil (adjective)
Impolite or disrespectful toward others.
Root & originciv — citizen Civ comes from Latin civis, meaning a citizen. Civilis meant relating to citizens or civic life.
Same-root relativescivil · civic · civilian · civility · civilization
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
An uncivil remark and a law denying rights cause different kinds of harm.
Supporting reading: YPT 28
Beyond Takaki
The discussion became uncivil when players stopped explaining their ideas and started insulting one another.
unjustly (adverb)
In a way that is unfair or undeserved.
Root & originjust / jur — right or law Just and jur trace back to Latin ius, meaning right or law. Iustus means just; iuris is another form of ius.
Same-root relativesjustice · justify · injustice · jury · juror
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Judging Japanese Americans disloyal by ancestry treated individuals unjustly.
Supporting reading: YPT 276–277
Beyond Takaki
The goalie was unjustly blamed for a loss caused by several defensive mistakes.
unjustified (adjective)
Lacking an adequate or fair reason.
Root & originjust / jur — right or law Just and jur trace back to Latin ius, meaning right or law. Iustus means just; iuris is another form of ius.
Same-root relativesjustice · justify · injustice · jury · juror
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The evidence of Native farming makes the colonists’ accusation of idleness unjustified.
Supporting reading: YPT 35–36
Beyond Takaki
Calling the experiment a failure before checking its results was unjustified.
uncivilized (adjective)
Labeled as lacking supposedly proper social or cultural development.
Root & originciv — citizen Civ comes from Latin civis, meaning a citizen. Civilis meant relating to citizens or civic life.
Same-root relativescivil · civic · civilian · civility · civilization
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Colonists called Native people uncivilized while ignoring evidence of organized farming communities.
Supporting reading: YPT 35–36
Beyond Takaki
The movie's villain calls the islanders uncivilized because their customs differ from his own.
unequally (adverb)
In different amounts or with different degrees of protection or opportunity.
Root & originequ — equal or level Equ comes from Latin aequus, meaning equal, level, or fair.
Same-root relativesequal · equality · unequal · equity · equitable
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Drought affected landowners unequally because access to bank loans differed.
Supporting reading: YPT 136
Beyond Takaki
The work was divided unequally when one partner completed most of the project.
unfree (adjective)
Not free to choose how to live or work.
Root & originfree — not bound Free is inherited from Old English freo. English combines this base with endings and other words to describe freedom or people who have it.
Same-root relativesfree · freedom · freed · freeman
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Enslaved people were unfree because slaveholders claimed ownership of their labor and lives.
Supporting reading: YPT 89
Beyond Takaki
The novel follows unfree workers who organize against their ruler.
unprotected (adjective)
Without adequate defense or safeguards.
Root & origintect — cover Protect comes from Latin protegere, meaning to cover in front or shield, from tegere, to cover, and its related form tectus.
Same-root relativesprotect · protection · protective · protector
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Even Japanese Americans with citizenship remained unprotected against forced removal during World War II.
Supporting reading: YPT 277
Beyond Takaki
Without a case, my phone was unprotected when it fell.
unfairness (noun)
A lack of just or equal treatment.
Root & originfair — beautiful or acceptable Fair comes from Old English faeger, meaning beautiful or pleasing. Its meaning developed to include justice; unfairness is un- + fair + -ness.
Same-root relativesfair · unfair · fairness · fairly
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The unfairness of paying different wages by race helped motivate Japanese plantation workers to strike.
Supporting reading: YPT 197–198
Beyond Takaki
The unfairness of giving one team extra playing time upset the tournament's participants.
re- — again; back
reconstruct (verb)
To build again or piece together an account of the past.
Root & originstruct — build Struct comes from Latin struere, meaning to build or arrange parts together.
Same-root relativesstructure · construct · instruction · destruction · infrastructure
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Takaki uses different groups’ experiences to reconstruct a fuller account of American history.
Supporting reading: YPT 339–340
Beyond Takaki
The detective used security footage to reconstruct what happened before the necklace disappeared.
reform (verb)
To change a practice or institution in order to improve it.
Root & originform — shape Form comes from Latin forma, meaning a shape or pattern. The family also describes shaping ideas and behavior.
Same-root relativesform · transform · formation · information
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Civil rights activists sought to reform laws that protected unequal treatment.
Supporting reading: YPT 307 YPT 311
Beyond Takaki
The league wants to reform its tryout process so judges use the same standards for every player.
reclaim (verb)
To take back something previously held or lost.
Root & originclaim / clam — call out Claim and clam come from Latin clamare, meaning to call out.
Same-root relativesclaim · proclaim · proclamation · exclaim · clamor
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Pardoned planters moved to reclaim land that freedpeople believed was theirs.
Supporting reading: YPT 98
Beyond Takaki
Visit the lost-and-found office to reclaim the jacket you left in the gym.
redirect (verb)
To change the course or focus of something.
Root & originrect — straight or right Rect comes from Latin regere, to guide or rule, and rectus, meaning straight or right.
Same-root relativesdirect · direction · correct · rectify · rectitude
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Employers could redirect workers’ frustration toward another racial group.
Supporting reading: YPT 192 YPT 261
Beyond Takaki
A mirror can redirect a beam of light toward the opposite wall.
reconstruction (noun)
Rebuilding; also the period of rebuilding and contested rights after the Civil War.
Root & originstruct — build Struct comes from Latin struere, meaning to build or arrange parts together.
Same-root relativesstructure · construct · instruction · destruction · infrastructure
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Reconstruction raised the question of whether freedom would include land and economic independence.
Supporting reading: YPT 97–99
Beyond Takaki
After the storm damaged the playground, its reconstruction included stronger equipment and new trees.
restructure (verb)
To change how something is organized.
Root & originstruct — build Struct comes from Latin struere, meaning to build or arrange parts together.
Same-root relativesstructure · construct · instruction · destruction · infrastructure
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Allotment sought to restructure Native landholding by dividing collectively held land into individual parcels.
Supporting reading: YPT 174–175
Beyond Takaki
We need to restructure our practice schedule so everyone has time for homework.
reformer (noun)
A person who works to improve laws or institutions.
Root & originform — shape Form comes from Latin forma, meaning a shape or pattern. The family also describes shaping ideas and behavior.
Same-root relativesform · reform · transform · formation · information
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A reformer could promise Native independence while supporting allotment that reduced Native control of land.
Supporting reading: YPT 174 YPT 176
Beyond Takaki
As a school reformer, she worked to replace confusing grading policies with clear expectations.
reaction (noun)
A response to something that happens.
Root & originact — do or drive Act comes from Latin agere, meaning to do or drive; actus is a related form.
Same-root relativesaction · active · react · enact · interact
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The employers’ reaction to organizing revealed their interest in keeping workers divided.
Supporting reading: YPT 261
Beyond Takaki
My first reaction to the surprise concert tickets was a loud cheer.
reassign (verb)
To give something to a different person or place.
Root & originsign — mark Sign comes from Latin signum, meaning a mark or signal.
Same-root relativessignal · signature · signify · assign · design
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Allotment allowed the government to reassign control of land that Native nations had held collectively.
Supporting reading: YPT 174–175
Beyond Takaki
We need to reassign the camera work because our usual camera operator is absent.
reassignment (noun)
The act of assigning something again or differently.
Root & originsign — mark Sign comes from Latin signum, meaning a mark or signal.
Same-root relativessignal · signature · signify · assign · design
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The reassignment of land reshaped power as well as property ownership.
Supporting reading: YPT 174–175
Beyond Takaki
The reassignment of the solo gave another singer a chance to perform.
removal (noun)
The act of taking people or things away from a place.
Root & originmove / mot — move Move and mot trace back to Latin movere, meaning to move, and its related form motus.
Same-root relativesmovement · motion · motive · motivation
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Cherokee removal combined a disputed treaty with military force.
Supporting reading: YPT 75–76
Beyond Takaki
The removal of background noise made every instrument easier to hear in the recording.
removable (adjective)
Able to be taken away or displaced.
Root & originmove / mot — move Move and mot trace back to Latin movere, meaning to move, and its related form motus.
Same-root relativesmovement · removal · motion · motive · motivation
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Treating Native communities as removable obstacles placed settlers’ demands above existing homes and rights.
Supporting reading: YPT 75 YPT 79
Beyond Takaki
The keyboard's removable cover makes it easier to clean underneath the keys.
reclamation (noun)
The act of taking something back or restoring it for use.
Root & originclaim / clam — call out Claim and clam come from Latin clamare, meaning to call out.
Same-root relativesclaim · proclaim · proclamation · exclaim · clamor
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The planters’ reclamation of land reversed freedpeople’s hopes for independent ownership.
Supporting reading: YPT 98
Beyond Takaki
The community's reclamation of an abandoned lot turned it into a garden everyone could use.
redirection (noun)
A change in the course or focus of something.
Root & originrect — straight or right Rect comes from Latin regere, to guide or rule, and rectus, meaning straight or right.
Same-root relativesdirect · direction · correct · rectify · rectitude
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The redirection of anger toward other workers helped protect employers’ power.
Supporting reading: YPT 192 YPT 261
Beyond Takaki
The coach's redirection of practice toward passing helped the team work together.
relocate (verb)
To move someone or something to a different place.
Root & originloc — place Loc comes from Latin locus, meaning a place.
Same-root relativeslocal · locate · location · allocate
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The government forced Japanese American families to relocate from their homes.
Supporting reading: YPT 276–277
Beyond Takaki
Rain forced us to relocate the outdoor concert to the gym.
relocation (noun)
A move to another place, which may be voluntary or forced.
Root & originloc — place Loc comes from Latin locus, meaning a place.
Same-root relativeslocal · locate · location · relocate · allocate
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Calling incarceration relocation can make forced confinement sound like an ordinary move.
Supporting reading: YPT 276–277
Beyond Takaki
The team's relocation to a different practice field changed everyone's travel plans.
recapture (verb)
To take back into control someone or something that had escaped or been lost.
Root & origincapt / cept / ceive — take These forms trace back to Latin capere, meaning to take, and its related form captus.
Same-root relativescapture · captive · accept · receive · perception
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Authorities could recapture runaways, but the courts did not punish them equally.
Supporting reading: YPT 51
Beyond Takaki
We raced to recapture the flag that the other team had taken from our base.
redistribute (verb)
To change how something is divided among people or places.
Root & origintrib / tribut — allot or assign Trib and tribut come from Latin tribuere, meaning to allot, assign, or give.
Same-root relativestribute · contribute · contribution · distribute · attribute
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Allotment helped redistribute control of Native land to individuals and outside interests.
Supporting reading: YPT 174–175
Beyond Takaki
We need to redistribute the project tasks so one person is not doing everything.
redistribution (noun)
A change in how resources or control are divided.
Root & origintrib / tribut — allot or assign Trib and tribut come from Latin tribuere, meaning to allot, assign, or give.
Same-root relativestribute · contribute · contribution · distribute · attribute
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The failure of land redistribution left many freedpeople dependent on former masters.
Supporting reading: YPT 98–99
Beyond Takaki
The redistribution of rehearsal time gave the struggling section more practice.
rebuild (verb)
To build again after damage or loss.
Root & originbuild — construct Build comes from Old English byldan, meaning to construct a house. Re- in rebuild means again.
Same-root relativesbuild · builder · building · rebuilding
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
After emancipation, formerly enslaved people worked to rebuild their lives under difficult economic conditions.
Supporting reading: YPT 99
Beyond Takaki
Our club will rebuild the damaged model bridge.
reorganize (verb)
To arrange people or things in a new way.
Root & originorgan — tool or instrument Organize traces back to Greek organon, meaning a tool or instrument. The family developed meanings about arranging parts to work together.
Same-root relativesorgan · organize · organization · organizer
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Japanese plantation workers proposed that laborers reorganize across nationalities in one union.
Supporting reading: YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
We can reorganize the rehearsal schedule so everyone can attend.
in- / im- / il- / ir- — not
inaction (noun)
Failure to take action.
Root & originact — do or drive Act comes from Latin agere, meaning to do or drive; actus is a related form.
Same-root relativesaction · active · react · enact · interact
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The delay in school integration showed that official inaction could leave a court ruling unenforced.
Supporting reading: YPT 303–304
Beyond Takaki
Our inaction after the first leak allowed water to damage more of the ceiling.
immovable (adjective)
Unable or unwilling to be moved or changed.
Root & originmove / mot — move Move and mot trace back to Latin movere, meaning to move, and its related form motus.
Same-root relativesmovement · removal · motion · motive · motivation
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The strikers’ refusal to abandon their demands showed an immovable commitment to fair treatment.
Supporting reading: YPT 243
Beyond Takaki
The game's immovable stone wall forces players to find another route.
illegible (adjective)
Too unclear to read reliably.
Root & originleg / lect — gather or read Leg and lect come from Latin legere, meaning to gather, choose, or read, and its related form lectus.
Same-root relativescollect · select · elect · legible · collection
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
An illegible line in a court record would make a claim about John Punch’s punishment harder to verify.
Supporting reading: YPT 51
Beyond Takaki
The handwritten password was illegible, so I asked its owner to print it more clearly.
irresponsible (adjective)
Failing to consider duties or the consequences of an action.
Root & originspond / spons — pledge or answer Spond and spons come from Latin spondere, meaning to promise or pledge. Respondere meant to answer in return.
Same-root relativesrespond · response · responsible · responsibility · sponsor
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Calling a whole population disloyal because of ancestry was an irresponsible way to judge individuals.
Supporting reading: YPT 276–277
Beyond Takaki
It would be irresponsible to leave the lab's heat source on after everyone goes home.
irresponsibility (noun)
Failure to act with proper care for duties or consequences.
Root & originspond / spons — pledge or answer Spond and spons come from Latin spondere, meaning to promise or pledge. Respondere meant to answer in return.
Same-root relativesrespond · response · responsible · responsibility · sponsor
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The targeting of people by ancestry raises a question of official irresponsibility.
Supporting reading: YPT 276–277
Beyond Takaki
His irresponsibility with the borrowed camera left the club paying for a broken lens.
inhuman (adjective)
Extremely cruel or lacking ordinary compassion.
Root & originhuman — human being Human comes from Latin humanus, meaning human, related to homo, meaning a human being.
Same-root relativeshumanity · humane · humanize · dehumanize
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The poisoned wine offered after a peace treaty was an inhuman use of another group’s trust.
Supporting reading: YPT 33
Beyond Takaki
The fictional coach's inhuman punishment leaves injured players without water or medical help.
inhumanity (noun)
Extreme cruelty or a lack of concern for people’s suffering.
Root & originhuman — human being Human comes from Latin humanus, meaning human, related to homo, meaning a human being.
Same-root relativeshumanity · humane · humanize · dehumanize · inhuman
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The inhumanity of the poisoning exposed the gap between a promise of peace and colonial action.
Supporting reading: YPT 33
Beyond Takaki
The novel reveals the villain's inhumanity when he laughs at the suffering he has caused.
illiberal (adjective)
Restricting freedom or rejecting equal rights and open disagreement.
Root & originliber — free Liber comes from Latin liber, meaning free. It is a different Latin word from liber meaning book.
Same-root relativesliberty · liberate · liberation · liberal
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Excluding Irish people from officeholding and property ownership was an illiberal use of colonial power.
Supporting reading: YPT 28
Beyond Takaki
The fictional school's illiberal policy bans student newspapers from criticizing any rule.
illiberally (adverb)
In a way that restricts freedom or equal rights.
Root & originliber — free Liber comes from Latin liber, meaning free. It is a different Latin word from liber meaning book.
Same-root relativesliberty · liberate · liberation · liberal · illiberal
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Colonial authorities governed illiberally when they denied rights according to group membership.
Supporting reading: YPT 28
Beyond Takaki
The principal in the novel acts illiberally when she punishes students for peaceful disagreement.
incredible (adjective)
Very difficult to believe or remarkably surprising.
Root & origincred — believe or trust Cred comes from Latin credere, meaning to believe or trust. Credit originally involves trusting that someone will repay.
Same-root relativescredit · credible · credibility · discredit · credulous
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The speed of the loss of Native land seems incredible until we examine how allotment worked.
Supporting reading: YPT 174–175
Beyond Takaki
The goalkeeper made an incredible save, reaching a ball that seemed certain to enter the net.
incredulous (adjective)
Unwilling or unable to believe something.
Root & origincred — believe or trust Cred comes from Latin credere, meaning to believe or trust. Credit originally involves trusting that someone will repay.
Same-root relativescredit · credible · credibility · discredit · credulous
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A reader may be incredulous that officials called the Cherokee treaty legal despite the blocked announcement and jailed chief.
Supporting reading: YPT 75
Beyond Takaki
I was incredulous when my friend claimed to have finished the difficult game in three minutes.
ineffective (adjective)
Failing to produce the intended result.
Root & originfact / fect — do or make Fact and fect come from Latin facere, meaning to do or make, and its related form factus.
Same-root relativesfactory · factor · effect · effective · manufacture
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A promise of land rights was ineffective protection when debt made owners sell their land.
Supporting reading: YPT 41
Beyond Takaki
The umbrella was ineffective in the storm because its fabric was full of holes.
injustice (noun)
Unfair treatment or a violation of rights.
Root & originjust / jur — right or law Just and jur trace back to Latin ius, meaning right or law. Iustus means just; iuris is another form of ius.
Same-root relativesjustice · justify · jury · juror
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The later apology recognized the injustice of Japanese American incarceration.
Supporting reading: YPT 300
Beyond Takaki
Excluding a player because of a disability is an injustice that a team should challenge.
indirect (adjective)
Working through another action, person, or condition.
Root & originrect — straight or right Rect comes from Latin regere, to guide or rule, and rectus, meaning straight or right.
Same-root relativesdirect · direction · correct · rectify · rectitude
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Debt offered Jefferson an indirect way to obtain Native land.
Supporting reading: YPT 41
Beyond Takaki
Better sleep had an indirect effect on my quiz score by improving my concentration.
indirectly (adverb)
Through another action, person, or condition.
Root & originrect — straight or right Rect comes from Latin regere, to guide or rule, and rectus, meaning straight or right.
Same-root relativesdirect · direction · correct · rectify · rectitude
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Legal fees could indirectly transfer land even when Mexican owners won their cases.
Supporting reading: YPT 136
Beyond Takaki
By helping me sleep better, evening walks indirectly improved my concentration in class.
indefinite (adjective)
Without a clearly stated limit or endpoint.
Root & originfin — end or boundary Fin comes from Latin finis, meaning an end or boundary. Define originally involved setting limits.
Same-root relativesdefine · definition · finite · confine · final
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
An indefinite promise of future equality offers less security than an enforceable right.
Supporting reading: YPT 41
Beyond Takaki
The injured singer announced an indefinite break without setting a return date.
indefinitely (adverb)
For a period with no fixed endpoint.
Root & originfin — end or boundary Fin comes from Latin finis, meaning an end or boundary. Define originally involved setting limits.
Same-root relativesdefine · definition · finite · confine · final
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Debt could postpone a sharecropper’s hope of buying land indefinitely.
Supporting reading: YPT 99
Beyond Takaki
We cannot postpone the group project indefinitely; eventually we need to begin.
inequality (noun)
A difference in resources, standing, rights, or opportunities.
Root & originequ — equal or level Equ comes from Latin aequus, meaning equal, level, or fair.
Same-root relativesequal · equality · unequal · equity · equitable
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Economic inequality limited the independence of freedpeople without land.
Supporting reading: YPT 98–99
Beyond Takaki
The inequality in equipment access meant one team practiced on new computers while another shared an old laptop.
impartial (adjective)
Not unfairly favoring a side or group.
Root & originpart — portion Part comes from Latin pars, with the related form partis, meaning a piece or share.
Same-root relativespartial · partition · depart · department · impart
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
An impartial account should examine the evidence behind competing land claims.
Supporting reading: YPT 135–136
Beyond Takaki
An impartial referee applies the rules to both teams fairly.
impartiality (noun)
Fairness that does not favor a side because of identity or interest.
Root & originpart — portion Part comes from Latin pars, with the related form partis, meaning a piece or share.
Same-root relativespartial · partition · depart · department · impart
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The exclusion of Irish people from juries raises a question about the courts’ impartiality.
Supporting reading: YPT 28
Beyond Takaki
Judging performances without seeing the musicians helped protect the panel's impartiality.
independent (adjective)
Able to act without being controlled by another.
Root & originpend / pens — hang or weigh This family connects Latin pendere, to hang, with pendere, to weigh or pay. Pens is a related form in words about weighing and payment.
Same-root relativesdepend · suspend · expense · compensate · compensation
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Freedpeople sought land so they could lead more independent lives.
Supporting reading: YPT 98–99
Beyond Takaki
An independent musician can decide which songs to release without a record label's approval.
independence (noun)
Freedom from another’s control, including the resources needed to act for oneself.
Root & originpend / pens — hang or weigh This family connects Latin pendere, to hang, with pendere, to weigh or pay. Pens is a related form in words about weighing and payment.
Same-root relativesdepend · suspend · expense · compensate · compensation
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Independence required more than release from legal ownership.
Supporting reading: YPT 98–99
Beyond Takaki
Learning to cook gave me more independence because I could prepare my own meals.
impossible (adjective)
Unable to happen or be done.
Root & originposs — be able Possible comes from Latin possibilis, from posse, meaning to be able. Im- in impossible means not.
Same-root relativespossible · possibility · possibly
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Sharecroppers found it nearly impossible to buy land when their earnings barely covered their debts.
Supporting reading: YPT 99
Beyond Takaki
Finishing a twenty-hour project in one hour is impossible.
illegal (adjective)
Forbidden by law.
Root & originleg — law Leg in legal and legislature comes from Latin lex, with the form legis, meaning law. It is different from leg meaning read in legible.
Same-root relativeslegal · legislate · legislation · legislature
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A rule can make an action illegal without making the rule fair, as laws supporting racial segregation show.
Supporting reading: YPT 99
Beyond Takaki
Parking in front of a fire hydrant is illegal.
dis- — apart; opposite; reverse
disrespect (noun)
A failure to recognize someone’s dignity or rights.
Root & originspect — look Spect comes from Latin specere, meaning to look. It connects literal looking with viewpoints and judgments.
Same-root relativesinspect · respect · spectator · perspective · prospect
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The refusal to honor Native land claims showed disrespect for Native ownership.
Supporting reading: YPT 40–41
Beyond Takaki
Laughing at a teammate's accent shows disrespect and can make the team feel unsafe.
disrupt (verb)
To interrupt the normal operation of something.
Root & originrupt — break Rupt comes from Latin rumpere, meaning to break; ruptus is a related form.
Same-root relativesrupture · interrupt · erupt · corrupt
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A strike could disrupt plantation production by withholding labor.
Supporting reading: YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
A sudden loss of internet service can disrupt an online tournament.
discredit (verb)
To damage belief or trust in a person, claim, or institution.
Root & origincred — believe or trust Cred comes from Latin credere, meaning to believe or trust. Credit originally involves trusting that someone will repay.
Same-root relativescredit · credible · credibility · credulous
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Evidence of cultivated fields helps discredit the claim that Native people did not farm.
Supporting reading: YPT 35–36
Beyond Takaki
A screenshot showing that the image was edited could discredit the rumor about the singer.
dislocation (noun)
A serious disruption of people’s place, relationships, or usual way of life.
Root & originloc — place Loc comes from Latin locus, meaning a place.
Same-root relativeslocal · locate · location · relocate · allocate
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Forced removal caused dislocation that involved more than a change of address.
Supporting reading: YPT 75–76
Beyond Takaki
In the film, the family's sudden move causes dislocation as the children lose familiar routines and friendships.
distraction (noun)
Something that draws attention away from an issue.
Root & origintract — pull Tract comes from Latin trahere, meaning to pull or draw; tractus is a related form.
Same-root relativesattract · extract · distract · contract · subtract
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Racial hostility could become a distraction from workers’ shared economic interests.
Supporting reading: YPT 150 YPT 152
Beyond Takaki
The television became a distraction, so I moved to a quieter room to study.
disruption (noun)
An interruption that changes how something normally works.
Root & originrupt — break Rupt comes from Latin rumpere, meaning to break; ruptus is a related form.
Same-root relativesrupture · interrupt · disrupt · erupt · corrupt
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The disruption caused by a strike could pressure employers even when workers did not win every demand.
Supporting reading: YPT 198–199
Beyond Takaki
The power outage caused a disruption in rehearsal because the amplifiers stopped working.
disruptive (adjective)
Interrupting an established pattern or operation.
Root & originrupt — break Rupt comes from Latin rumpere, meaning to break; ruptus is a related form.
Same-root relativesrupture · interrupt · disrupt · erupt · corrupt
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Employers viewed a united strike as disruptive to their control of production.
Supporting reading: YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
Loud notifications are disruptive when the class is listening to a quiet recording.
discreditable (adjective)
Bringing shame or deserved criticism.
Root & origincred — believe or trust Cred comes from Latin credere, meaning to believe or trust. Credit originally involves trusting that someone will repay.
Same-root relativescredit · credible · credibility · discredit · credulous
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Using a peace agreement to arrange a poisoning was discreditable conduct.
Supporting reading: YPT 33
Beyond Takaki
Taking credit for a teammate's entire project was discreditable behavior.
disservice (noun)
An action that harms someone’s interests or fails to help them properly.
Root & originserv — serve Serv connects Latin servire, meaning to serve, with servus, meaning an enslaved person. Modern family words have developed several different meanings.
Same-root relativesserve · service · servant · servitude · subservient
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A history that repeats colonial stereotypes does a disservice to the people whose farming those stereotypes erase.
Supporting reading: YPT 35–36
Beyond Takaki
Telling a beginner that practice does not matter does them a disservice.
dissent (verb)
To disagree with an established decision or view.
Root & originsent / sens — feel or perceive Sent and sens come from Latin sentire, meaning to feel or perceive, and its related form sensus.
Same-root relativessense · sensitive · sensation · consent
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Cherokee leaders continued to dissent from the demand that they abandon their homeland.
Supporting reading: YPT 74–75
Beyond Takaki
I respect the captain, but I dissent from the decision to skip warm-ups.
dissenter (noun)
A person who disagrees with an established decision or view.
Root & originsent / sens — feel or perceive Sent and sens come from Latin sentire, meaning to feel or perceive, and its related form sensus.
Same-root relativessense · sensitive · sensation · consent · dissent
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A dissenter could challenge removal by appealing to existing treaty rights.
Supporting reading: YPT 74
Beyond Takaki
The only dissenter argued that the group should rehearse again before performing.
dissension (noun)
Disagreement within a group, especially when it weakens cooperation.
Root & originsent / sens — feel or perceive Sent and sens come from Latin sentire, meaning to feel or perceive, and its related form sensus.
Same-root relativessense · sensitive · sensation · consent · dissent
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Planters encouraged dissension among workers to prevent united action.
Supporting reading: YPT 192 YPT 199
Beyond Takaki
Dissension over who should sing the solo made it difficult for the band to rehearse.
distribute (verb)
To divide or give something among people or places.
Root & origintrib / tribut — allot or assign Trib and tribut come from Latin tribuere, meaning to allot, assign, or give.
Same-root relativestribute · contribute · contribution · attribute
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Some politicians wanted to distribute former Confederate estates to freedpeople.
Supporting reading: YPT 98
Beyond Takaki
Please distribute the art supplies so every table has scissors and paper.
distribution (noun)
The way something is divided among people or places.
Root & origintrib / tribut — allot or assign Trib and tribut come from Latin tribuere, meaning to allot, assign, or give.
Same-root relativestribute · contribute · contribution · distribute · attribute
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The distribution of land shaped the possibilities for freedom after slavery.
Supporting reading: YPT 98–99
Beyond Takaki
The uneven distribution of microphones made some singers difficult to hear.
distributive (adjective)
Concerned with how benefits, burdens, or resources are divided.
Root & origintrib / tribut — allot or assign Trib and tribut come from Latin tribuere, meaning to allot, assign, or give.
Same-root relativestribute · contribute · contribution · distribute · attribute
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A distributive question asks who received land and who remained dependent on wages or crops.
Supporting reading: YPT 98–99
Beyond Takaki
The club faced a distributive question: how should it divide limited practice time among all its teams?
disobey (verb)
To refuse or fail to follow an order or rule.
Root & originaud — hear Obedience traces back to Latin oboedire, meaning to listen or obey, related to audire, meaning to hear. Its root changed spelling as the word passed through French.
Same-root relativesobey · obedience · obedient · disobedience
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Some Filipino workers chose to disobey their leader's order to end the 1920 strike.
Supporting reading: YPT 199
Beyond Takaki
In the story, the hero must disobey an unfair order to protect a friend.
disobedience (noun)
Refusal or failure to follow an order or rule.
Root & originaud — hear Obedience traces back to Latin oboedire, meaning to listen or obey, related to audire, meaning to hear. Its root changed spelling as the word passed through French.
Same-root relativesobey · obedience · obedient · disobey
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The disobedience of Filipino workers who stayed on strike showed that leaders did not control every member.
Supporting reading: YPT 199
Beyond Takaki
The fictional captain punished the crew's disobedience after they refused an unsafe order.
displaced (adjective)
Forced to leave a home or familiar place.
Root & originplace — area or position Place came through French from Latin platea, a broad street, from Greek plateia, broad. Displace means to move from a place.
Same-root relativesplace · placement · displace · replacement
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Displaced Japanese American families were sent to guarded camps during World War II.
Supporting reading: YPT 277
Beyond Takaki
The storm's displaced residents stayed temporarily in a school gym.
pre- — before
predict (verb)
To state what is likely to happen.
Root & origindict — say Dict comes from Latin dicere, meaning to say; dictus is a related form.
Same-root relativesdictate · contradict · diction · dictionary
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Planters could not reliably predict that students would accept plantation inequality after learning democratic ideals.
Supporting reading: YPT 203
Beyond Takaki
Use the pattern in the first four numbers to predict the fifth number.
prescribe (verb)
To set out a required rule or course of action.
Root & originscribe / script — write Scribe and script come from Latin scribere, meaning to write, and its related form scriptus.
Same-root relativesdescribe · description · transcription · inscription
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Colonial law could prescribe different punishments for Black and white servants.
Supporting reading: YPT 51
Beyond Takaki
A doctor may prescribe a course of physical therapy to help an athlete recover from an injury.
precede (verb)
To happen or come before something else.
Root & origincede / ceed / cess — go or yield These forms come from Latin cedere, meaning to go, withdraw, or yield, and its related form cessus.
Same-root relativesrecede · proceed · concession · succession · access
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
In Takaki’s account, Native farms precede English settlements in New England.
Supporting reading: YPT 35–36
Beyond Takaki
A short warm-up should precede the team's hardest exercise drills.
prediction (noun)
A statement about a likely future event.
Root & origindict — say Dict comes from Latin dicere, meaning to say; dictus is a related form.
Same-root relativesdictate · predict · contradict · diction · dictionary
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Takaki’s discussion of demographic change invites readers to examine a prediction about who will count as a minority.
Supporting reading: YPT 340
Beyond Takaki
Our prediction was that the plant near the window would grow faster than the plant in the dark.
predictable (adjective)
Able to be reasonably expected.
Root & origindict — say Dict comes from Latin dicere, meaning to say; dictus is a related form.
Same-root relativesdictate · predict · contradict · diction · dictionary
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A predictable consequence of paying by the piece was pressure on workers to produce more clothing.
Supporting reading: YPT 223
Beyond Takaki
The opponent's attacks became predictable because she used the same move at the start of every round.
prescription (noun)
An officially stated rule or recommended course of action.
Root & originscribe / script — write Scribe and script come from Latin scribere, meaning to write, and its related form scriptus.
Same-root relativesdescribe · description · prescribe · transcription · inscription
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Allotment was presented as a prescription for Native independence, even as it reduced Native landholding.
Supporting reading: YPT 174 YPT 176
Beyond Takaki
The coach's prescription for better endurance was a gradual increase in practice, with regular rest days.
preference (noun)
A tendency to choose or favor something.
Root & originfer — carry or bring Fer comes from Latin ferre, meaning to carry or bring. In this family, carrying also describes transferring ideas.
Same-root relativestransfer · refer · infer · confer · differ
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The planters’ preference for divisions among workers served their interest in controlling labor.
Supporting reading: YPT 192
Beyond Takaki
My preference for quiet study spaces explains why I usually choose the library.
precedence (noun)
Priority in importance or order.
Root & origincede / ceed / cess — go or yield These forms come from Latin cedere, meaning to go, withdraw, or yield, and its related form cessus.
Same-root relativesrecede · proceed · concession · succession · access
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Giving settlers’ demands precedence over Native land rights shaped removal policy.
Supporting reading: YPT 74–75
Beyond Takaki
Getting enough sleep takes precedence over finishing one more video game level.
precedent (noun)
An earlier example used to guide a later decision or action.
Root & origincede / ceed / cess — go or yield These forms come from Latin cedere, meaning to go, withdraw, or yield, and its related form cessus.
Same-root relativesrecede · proceed · concession · succession · access
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
English conquest in Ireland supplied a precedent for methods later used across the Atlantic.
Supporting reading: YPT 28–29
Beyond Takaki
Allowing one team a replay set a precedent that other teams could cite.
preclude (verb)
To prevent something or make it impossible under the circumstances.
Root & originclude / clus — close Clude and clus come from Latin claudere, meaning to close, and its related form clausus.
Same-root relativesinclude · inclusion · exclude · exclusion · conclude
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The citizenship restriction could preclude Japanese immigrants from buying California land.
Supporting reading: YPT 208
Beyond Takaki
A dead battery would preclude using the camera until we recharge it.
prewar (adjective)
Existing or happening before a war.
Root & originwar — conflict War came through northern French from a Germanic word for confusion or strife. Prewar means before a war; postwar means after it.
Same-root relativeswar · wartime · postwar · antiwar
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Prewar racial barriers did not disappear automatically when Japanese Americans served in World War II.
Supporting reading: YPT 276–277
Beyond Takaki
The museum displays a prewar photograph of the city's original train station.
prejudge (verb)
To judge before considering enough evidence.
Root & originjud — judge Judge comes through French from Latin iudicare, to judge, related to ius, law, and dicere, to say. Prejudge means to judge before examining the evidence.
Same-root relativesjudge · judgment · judicial · prejudice
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Officials who treated Japanese ancestry as proof of disloyalty chose to prejudge people rather than examine individual conduct.
Supporting reading: YPT 275 YPT 277
Beyond Takaki
Do not prejudge the new student before you get to know her.
pro- — forward; before; in favor of
project (verb)
To estimate or imagine something in the future.
Root & originject — throw Ject comes from Latin iacere, meaning to throw; iactus is a related form.
Same-root relativesreject · eject · inject · objection
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Population trends allowed writers to project a future in which no single group would remain the majority.
Supporting reading: YPT 340
Beyond Takaki
We can project next month's savings by assuming we continue to save ten dollars each week.
produce (verb)
To make, create, or bring about something.
Root & originduce / duct — lead Duce and duct come from Latin ducere, meaning to lead, and its related form ductus.
Same-root relativesproduction · conduct · reduce · introduce
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Plantation owners depended on workers to produce crops for sale.
Supporting reading: YPT 192
Beyond Takaki
Solar panels produce electricity when light reaches their cells.
prospect (noun)
A possibility or expectation concerning the future.
Root & originspect — look Spect comes from Latin specere, meaning to look. It connects literal looking with viewpoints and judgments.
Same-root relativesinspect · respect · spectator · perspective
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The prospect of better wages encouraged people to move toward northern industrial cities.
Supporting reading: YPT 257
Beyond Takaki
The prospect of performing onstage makes me nervous and excited at the same time.
prospective (adjective)
Expected or possible in the future.
Root & originspect — look Spect comes from Latin specere, meaning to look. It connects literal looking with viewpoints and judgments.
Same-root relativesinspect · respect · spectator · perspective · prospect
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Letters describing El Norte gave prospective migrants information about work and opportunity.
Supporting reading: YPT 238
Beyond Takaki
The robotics club invited prospective members to try building a simple robot before joining.
projection (noun)
An estimate or image of a possible future.
Root & originject — throw Ject comes from Latin iacere, meaning to throw; iactus is a related form.
Same-root relativesreject · eject · inject · project · objection
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A demographic projection challenges a fixed picture of who belongs in the United States.
Supporting reading: YPT 340
Beyond Takaki
Our projection shows that we could finish the game by Friday if each level takes twenty minutes.
production (noun)
The process of making goods or creating something.
Root & originduce / duct — lead Duce and duct come from Latin ducere, meaning to lead, and its related form ductus.
Same-root relativesproduce · conduct · reduce · introduce
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Sugar production depended on the labor of immigrant workers.
Supporting reading: YPT 192
Beyond Takaki
The production of our short film required actors, camera operators, and an editor.
productive (adjective)
Producing useful results or substantial output.
Root & originduce / duct — lead Duce and duct come from Latin ducere, meaning to lead, and its related form ductus.
Same-root relativesproduce · production · conduct · reduce · introduce
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Powhatan farmers had already made their land productive before colonists sought to take it.
Supporting reading: YPT 33
Beyond Takaki
Our study session was productive because we solved the problems that had confused us all week.
productivity (noun)
The amount produced in relation to the time or resources used.
Root & originduce / duct — lead Duce and duct come from Latin ducere, meaning to lead, and its related form ductus.
Same-root relativesproduce · production · conduct · reduce · introduce
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Payment by output pushed garment workers to increase productivity.
Supporting reading: YPT 223
Beyond Takaki
The team increased its productivity by assembling more robots in the same amount of time.
propose (verb)
To put forward a plan for consideration.
Root & originpose — put or place Pose came through French poser, meaning to place, from Latin pausare, meaning to pause. French linked its meaning to Latin ponere, to place.
Same-root relativespose · compose · expose · impose
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The Japanese union went beyond separate ethnic organizing to propose one union for workers of all nationalities.
Supporting reading: YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
I propose that we test both designs before choosing which robot to enter in the contest.
proposition (noun)
A claim or proposal that can be considered and tested.
Root & originposit — place Posit comes from Latin ponere, meaning to place, and its related form positus. Its history became linked with the French pose family.
Same-root relativesposition · composition · imposition · opposition
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The proposition that allotment would make Native people independent must be tested against the land losses that followed.
Supporting reading: YPT 174–175
Beyond Takaki
We tested the proposition that a wider paper wing would keep the plane in the air longer.
proceed (verb)
To continue or go forward.
Root & origincede / ceed / cess — go or yield These forms come from Latin cedere, meaning to go, withdraw, or yield, and its related form cessus.
Same-root relativesrecede · concession · succession · access
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Officials allowed removal to proceed despite serious objections to the treaty.
Supporting reading: YPT 75
Beyond Takaki
Once both players are ready, they can proceed to the next round.
process (noun)
A connected series of actions that produces a result.
Root & origincede / ceed / cess — go or yield These forms come from Latin cedere, meaning to go, withdraw, or yield, and its related form cessus.
Same-root relativesrecede · proceed · concession · succession · access
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Dispossession was a process involving laws, debts, and transfers of ownership.
Supporting reading: YPT 135–136
Beyond Takaki
Turning a rough song into a finished recording is a process of writing, rehearsing, and revising.
procession (noun)
A group moving forward together, often in an ordered line.
Root & origincede / ceed / cess — go or yield These forms come from Latin cedere, meaning to go, withdraw, or yield, and its related form cessus.
Same-root relativesrecede · proceed · concession · succession · access
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The Choctaw procession included sick people, newborn children, and elders struggling through severe winter conditions.
Supporting reading: YPT 73
Beyond Takaki
The marching band led a procession of players onto the field.
proclaim (verb)
To announce something publicly and emphatically.
Root & originclaim / clam — call out Claim and clam come from Latin clamare, meaning to call out.
Same-root relativesclaim · proclamation · exclaim · clamor
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Officials could proclaim Native rights while pursuing policies that weakened them.
Supporting reading: YPT 41
Beyond Takaki
The announcer will proclaim the winner after the judges check every score.
proclamation (noun)
A formal public announcement.
Root & originclaim / clam — call out Claim and clam come from Latin clamare, meaning to call out.
Same-root relativesclaim · proclaim · exclaim · clamor
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A proclamation of rights offers little security if officials refuse to enforce those rights.
Supporting reading: YPT 41
Beyond Takaki
The principal's proclamation announced a schoolwide celebration of the robotics team's victory.
provoke (verb)
To cause or bring about a strong reaction.
Root & originvoc / voke — voice or call Voc and voke connect Latin vox, meaning voice, with vocare, meaning to call.
Same-root relativesvocal · vocation · advocate · invoke
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Seizing land and destroying food supplies could provoke Native resistance.
Supporting reading: YPT 32–33
Beyond Takaki
A surprise ending can provoke a lively debate among movie fans.
provocation (noun)
An action that causes anger, resistance, or another strong reaction.
Root & originvoc / voke — voice or call Voc and voke connect Latin vox, meaning voice, with vocare, meaning to call.
Same-root relativesvocal · vocation · advocate · invoke · provoke
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Colonial destruction was a provocation that belongs in an explanation of the conflict.
Supporting reading: YPT 32–33
Beyond Takaki
The player ignored his opponent's insulting provocation and focused on the next point.
proslavery (adjective)
Supporting slavery or its continuation.
Root & originslave — enslaved person Slave came through French from medieval Latin sclavus, linked to the name Slav because many Slavic people were enslaved in medieval Europe. That history does not limit who the modern word describes.
Same-root relativesslave · slavery · enslave · enslavement · antislavery
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Proslavery arguments portrayed enslaved people as unable to care for themselves in order to defend bondage.
Supporting reading: YPT 89
Beyond Takaki
The historical novel's narrator challenges a politician's proslavery speech.
trans- / tran- — across; through
transport (verb)
To carry people or goods from one place to another.
Root & originport — carry Port comes from Latin portare, meaning to carry. The things carried can be goods, people, or information.
Same-root relativesimport · export · deportation · portable
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Railroads helped transport Mexican workers north toward jobs in the United States.
Supporting reading: YPT 239
Beyond Takaki
A van will transport our band and its instruments to the concert.
transform (verb)
To change something substantially.
Root & originform — shape Form comes from Latin forma, meaning a shape or pattern. The family also describes shaping ideas and behavior.
Same-root relativesform · reform · formation · information
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Northern factory jobs could transform migrants’ incomes without ending racial exclusion.
Supporting reading: YPT 261
Beyond Takaki
Adding drums and a bass line can transform a quiet melody into a dance track.
transfer (verb)
To move something from one owner, place, or person to another.
Root & originfer — carry or bring Fer comes from Latin ferre, meaning to carry or bring. In this family, carrying also describes transferring ideas.
Same-root relativesrefer · infer · confer · differ
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Legal costs could help transfer land from Mexican owners to Anglo buyers.
Supporting reading: YPT 135–136
Beyond Takaki
Use the cable to transfer your photos from the camera to the computer.
transcribe (verb)
To put spoken or written words into another written record.
Root & originscribe / script — write Scribe and script come from Latin scribere, meaning to write, and its related form scriptus.
Same-root relativesdescribe · description · prescribe · transcription · inscription
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A historian might transcribe a migrant’s account to preserve the person’s words for analysis.
Supporting reading: YPT 239
Beyond Takaki
We will transcribe the interview so readers can follow the musician's exact words.
transportation (noun)
The movement of people or goods between places.
Root & originport — carry Port comes from Latin portare, meaning to carry. The things carried can be goods, people, or information.
Same-root relativestransport · import · export · deportation · portable
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Rail transportation accelerated migration from Mexico to the United States.
Supporting reading: YPT 239
Beyond Takaki
Our band arranged transportation so every musician could get to the competition.
transformation (noun)
A major change in form, character, or organization.
Root & originform — shape Form comes from Latin forma, meaning a shape or pattern. The family also describes shaping ideas and behavior.
Same-root relativesform · reform · transform · formation · information
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The transformation of Native land into individual allotments opened land to outside ownership.
Supporting reading: YPT 174–175
Beyond Takaki
The caterpillar's transformation into a butterfly changes its body, movement, and diet.
transcription (noun)
A written record made from spoken words or another text.
Root & originscribe / script — write Scribe and script come from Latin scribere, meaning to write, and its related form scriptus.
Same-root relativesdescribe · description · prescribe · inscription
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A transcription of a migrant’s account can preserve a voice that a broad national story overlooks.
Supporting reading: YPT 239
Beyond Takaki
The transcription of our podcast includes each speaker's words and name.
transmit (verb)
To send or pass something from one person or place to another.
Root & originmit / miss — send Mit and miss come from Latin mittere, meaning to send or let go, and its related form missus.
Same-root relativesmission · permission · admission · dismiss
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Migrant letters could transmit information about jobs and life in El Norte.
Supporting reading: YPT 238
Beyond Takaki
The microphone will transmit your voice to the speakers at the back of the room.
transmission (noun)
The passing of information or something else between people or places.
Root & originmit / miss — send Mit and miss come from Latin mittere, meaning to send or let go, and its related form missus.
Same-root relativesmission · transmit · permission · admission · dismiss
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The transmission of news through letters helped shape later migration decisions.
Supporting reading: YPT 238
Beyond Takaki
A damaged cable interrupted the transmission of sound from the keyboard to the speakers.
transferable (adjective)
Able to be moved or passed to someone else.
Root & originfer — carry or bring Fer comes from Latin ferre, meaning to carry or bring. In this family, carrying also describes transferring ideas.
Same-root relativestransfer · refer · infer · confer · differ
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Treating land as transferable property made changes in ownership central to the struggle over resources.
Supporting reading: YPT 135–136
Beyond Takaki
The ticket is transferable, so I can give it to my cousin if I cannot attend.
sub- — under
subject (verb)
To force someone to experience a condition or treatment.
Root & originject — throw Ject comes from Latin iacere, meaning to throw; iactus is a related form.
Same-root relativesreject · eject · inject · project · objection
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The government could subject Japanese Americans to removal and confinement based on ancestry.
Supporting reading: YPT 276–277
Beyond Takaki
Do not subject your teammates to insults when a match goes badly.
submit (verb)
To yield to authority or present something for consideration.
Root & originmit / miss — send Mit and miss come from Latin mittere, meaning to send or let go, and its related form missus.
Same-root relativesmission · transmit · permission · admission · dismiss
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Cherokee leaders did not simply submit to the claim that a minority-signed treaty represented their people.
Supporting reading: YPT 74–75
Beyond Takaki
Please submit your design to the contest before the deadline.
subvert (verb)
To undermine the power or operation of an established system.
Root & originvert / vers — turn Vert and vers come from Latin vertere, meaning to turn, and its related form versus.
Same-root relativesconvert · conversion · divert · reverse · diverse
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A united strike could subvert the employers’ strategy of division.
Supporting reading: YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
Players who secretly alter scores can subvert the tournament's ranking system.
subservient (adjective)
Subordinate to another’s wishes or purposes.
Root & originserv — serve Serv connects Latin servire, meaning to serve, with servus, meaning an enslaved person. Modern family words have developed several different meanings.
Same-root relativesserve · service · servant · servitude
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Planters preferred a subservient workforce that would not organize for better conditions.
Supporting reading: YPT 192
Beyond Takaki
A subservient teammate agrees to every demand, even when the captain's plan seems unfair.
subjection (noun)
The condition of being brought under another’s control.
Root & originject — throw Ject comes from Latin iacere, meaning to throw; iactus is a related form.
Same-root relativesreject · eject · inject · project · objection
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Irish subjection involved restrictions on property, officeholding, and marriage.
Supporting reading: YPT 28
Beyond Takaki
In the fantasy novel, the city's subjection to the sorcerer ends when the heroes break his spell.
submission (noun)
Acceptance of another’s authority or control.
Root & originmit / miss — send Mit and miss come from Latin mittere, meaning to send or let go, and its related form missus.
Same-root relativesmission · transmit · permission · admission · dismiss
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Native resistance shows that colonial demands did not produce automatic submission.
Supporting reading: YPT 32–33
Beyond Takaki
In the novel, the coach demands complete submission and punishes anyone who questions his orders.
subservience (noun)
Submission to another’s authority or interests.
Root & originserv — serve Serv connects Latin servire, meaning to serve, with servus, meaning an enslaved person. Modern family words have developed several different meanings.
Same-root relativesserve · service · servant · servitude · subservient
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The strike rejected subservience by turning workers’ shared needs into collective demands.
Supporting reading: YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
The story challenges the robot's subservience when it begins making decisions for itself.
subversion (noun)
An effort to undermine an established system or authority.
Root & originvert / vers — turn Vert and vers come from Latin vertere, meaning to turn, and its related form versus.
Same-root relativesconvert · conversion · divert · reverse · diverse
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
From the planters’ viewpoint, organizing across ethnic lines threatened subversion of their control.
Supporting reading: YPT 192 YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
The film portrays the hacker's subversion of the contest as an attack on its fairness.
co- / con- / com- / col- / cor- — together; sometimes intensifies
construct (verb)
To build or create something.
Root & originstruct — build Struct comes from Latin struere, meaning to build or arrange parts together.
Same-root relativesstructure · instruction · destruction · infrastructure
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Colonial lawmakers helped construct a racial hierarchy by assigning unequal punishments to Black and white servants.
Supporting reading: YPT 51
Beyond Takaki
Our robotics team will construct a bridge from cardboard and test how much weight it holds.
collaborate (verb)
To work together toward a shared goal.
Root & originlabor — work Labor comes from Latin labor, meaning work or effort.
Same-root relativeslaborer · laborious · collaboration · elaborate
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Japanese and Filipino workers were able to collaborate in the 1920 Hawaiian strike.
Supporting reading: YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
The drummer and singer will collaborate to write a rhythm that fits the lyrics.
compose (verb)
To put parts together into a whole.
Root & originpose — put or place Pose came through French poser, meaning to place, from Latin pausare, meaning to pause. French linked its meaning to Latin ponere, to place.
Same-root relativespose · expose · propose · impose
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
We can compose an explanation that connects tobacco profits with the demand for Powhatan land.
Supporting reading: YPT 33
Beyond Takaki
We will compose a song by combining a melody, a bass line, and a drum pattern.
correspond (verb)
To exchange messages or be in agreement.
Root & originspond / spons — pledge or answer Spond and spons come from Latin spondere, meaning to promise or pledge. Respondere meant to answer in return.
Same-root relativesrespond · response · responsible · responsibility · sponsor
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Migrants could correspond with relatives through letters about life in El Norte.
Supporting reading: YPT 238
Beyond Takaki
The two musicians correspond by email while writing songs from different cities.
construction (noun)
The process of building or creating something.
Root & originstruct — build Struct comes from Latin struere, meaning to build or arrange parts together.
Same-root relativesstructure · construct · instruction · destruction · infrastructure
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The construction of racial inequality involved laws that gave workers different rights.
Supporting reading: YPT 51 YPT 53
Beyond Takaki
The construction of our stage set took three afternoons and a lot of recycled cardboard.
constructive (adjective)
Helping to build, improve, or solve something.
Root & originstruct — build Struct comes from Latin struere, meaning to build or arrange parts together.
Same-root relativesstructure · construct · instruction · destruction · infrastructure
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A constructive comparison of Ireland and North America explains both shared colonial methods and important differences.
Supporting reading: YPT 27–29
Beyond Takaki
Her constructive feedback explained how I could make the chorus easier to sing.
conform (verb)
To behave according to an accepted rule or expectation.
Root & originform — shape Form comes from Latin forma, meaning a shape or pattern. The family also describes shaping ideas and behavior.
Same-root relativesform · reform · transform · formation · information
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Schools pressured immigrant children to conform to dominant American expectations.
Supporting reading: YPT 246–247
Beyond Takaki
All science fair projects must conform to the same safety rules.
conformity (noun)
Agreement with accepted rules or expectations.
Root & originform — shape Form comes from Latin forma, meaning a shape or pattern. The family also describes shaping ideas and behavior.
Same-root relativesform · reform · transform · formation · information
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Pressure for conformity could make students feel that their home language had little value.
Supporting reading: YPT 246–247
Beyond Takaki
The dance contest requires conformity to its safety rules, but dancers choose their own music and costumes.
contract (noun)
A binding agreement between parties.
Root & origintract — pull Tract comes from Latin trahere, meaning to pull or draw; tractus is a related form.
Same-root relativesattract · extract · distract · subtract
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
An indenture was a contract that could require years of labor before freedom.
Supporting reading: YPT 51
Beyond Takaki
Before recording the album, the singer read the contract to understand how she would be paid.
contractual (adjective)
Connected to the terms of a contract.
Root & origintract — pull Tract comes from Latin trahere, meaning to pull or draw; tractus is a related form.
Same-root relativesattract · extract · distract · contract · subtract
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Contractual limits on white servants’ labor contrasted with John Punch’s sentence of lifetime servitude.
Supporting reading: YPT 51
Beyond Takaki
The band's contractual duties include performing for one hour and arriving before the sound check.
commit (verb)
To pledge oneself to an action or cause.
Root & originmit / miss — send Mit and miss come from Latin mittere, meaning to send or let go, and its related form missus.
Same-root relativesmission · transmit · permission · admission · dismiss
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Workers could commit to a shared strike despite employers’ efforts to divide them.
Supporting reading: YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
I will commit to practicing guitar for fifteen minutes every afternoon.
commitment (noun)
A pledge or sustained dedication to something.
Root & originmit / miss — send Mit and miss come from Latin mittere, meaning to send or let go, and its related form missus.
Same-root relativesmission · transmit · permission · admission · dismiss
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Commitment to a collective struggle helped garment workers continue demanding change.
Supporting reading: YPT 225–226
Beyond Takaki
Her commitment to the team showed in the way she practiced even when she was not starting.
collaboration (noun)
The act of working together.
Root & originlabor — work Labor comes from Latin labor, meaning work or effort.
Same-root relativeslaborer · laborious · collaborate · elaborate
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Collaboration across national groups threatened planters’ strategy of dividing workers.
Supporting reading: YPT 192 YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
Our collaboration combined her drawing skills with my experience writing game dialogue.
collaborative (adjective)
Involving people working together.
Root & originlabor — work Labor comes from Latin labor, meaning work or effort.
Same-root relativeslaborer · laborious · collaborate · collaboration · elaborate
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A collaborative strike depended on relationships that crossed ethnic boundaries.
Supporting reading: YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
The puzzle is collaborative because each player has clues that the others need.
collaborator (noun)
Someone who works with others on a shared effort.
Root & originlabor — work Labor comes from Latin labor, meaning work or effort.
Same-root relativeslaborer · laborious · collaborate · collaboration · elaborate
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A collaborator in a strike must consider the needs of other workers as well as personal demands.
Supporting reading: YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
My collaborator composed the music while I edited the video.
correspondence (noun)
Communication through letters or other messages.
Root & originspond / spons — pledge or answer Spond and spons come from Latin spondere, meaning to promise or pledge. Respondere meant to answer in return.
Same-root relativesrespond · response · responsible · responsibility · sponsor
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Correspondence helped families learn about opportunities before moving north.
Supporting reading: YPT 238
Beyond Takaki
Their correspondence included messages about melodies, lyrics, and plans for the next recording.
composition (noun)
The arrangement of parts within a whole.
Root & originposit — place Posit comes from Latin ponere, meaning to place, and its related form positus. Its history became linked with the French pose family.
Same-root relativesposition · imposition · opposition · proposition
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The ethnic composition of the plantation workforce became a tool in employers’ efforts to divide workers.
Supporting reading: YPT 192
Beyond Takaki
The composition of the photograph directs your attention toward the small bird in the center.
consent (noun)
Freely given agreement or permission.
Root & originsent / sens — feel or perceive Sent and sens come from Latin sentire, meaning to feel or perceive, and its related form sensus.
Same-root relativessense · sensitive · sensation · dissent
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The blocked announcement and jailed chief raise serious questions about Cherokee consent to the treaty.
Supporting reading: YPT 75
Beyond Takaki
Ask for a friend's consent before posting a photo of them online.
collect (verb)
To bring separate things together.
Root & originleg / lect — gather or read Leg and lect come from Latin legere, meaning to gather, choose, or read, and its related form lectus.
Same-root relativesselect · elect · legible · collection
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Students can collect evidence of land loss, debt, and unequal access to courts.
Supporting reading: YPT 135–136
Beyond Takaki
We will collect temperature readings every five minutes.
collection (noun)
A group of things brought together.
Root & originleg / lect — gather or read Leg and lect come from Latin legere, meaning to gather, choose, or read, and its related form lectus.
Same-root relativescollect · select · elect · legible
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A collection of facts about Mexican land loss becomes an argument when the writer connects legal costs with forced sales.
Supporting reading: YPT 135–136
Beyond Takaki
My collection of concert tickets reminds me of the shows I have attended.
collective (adjective)
Involving people acting or sharing together.
Root & originleg / lect — gather or read Leg and lect come from Latin legere, meaning to gather, choose, or read, and its related form lectus.
Same-root relativescollect · select · elect · legible · collection
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Collective action threatened employers’ ability to keep workers divided.
Supporting reading: YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
The robot was a collective achievement that required every teammate's ideas.
collectively (adverb)
Together as a group.
Root & originleg / lect — gather or read Leg and lect come from Latin legere, meaning to gather, choose, or read, and its related form lectus.
Same-root relativescollect · select · elect · legible · collection
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Japanese and Filipino workers acted collectively to stop plantation production.
Supporting reading: YPT 198
Beyond Takaki
The class collectively decided to donate its fundraiser money to the animal shelter.
convert (verb)
To change something into another form or bring someone to a different belief.
Root & originvert / vers — turn Vert and vers come from Latin vertere, meaning to turn, and its related form versus.
Same-root relativesconversion · divert · reverse · diverse
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
English promoters presented the plan to convert Native people to Christianity as a purpose of colonization.
Supporting reading: YPT 30–31
Beyond Takaki
The app can convert a voice recording into a written transcript.
conversion (noun)
A change in form, use, or belief.
Root & originvert / vers — turn Vert and vers come from Latin vertere, meaning to turn, and its related form versus.
Same-root relativesconvert · divert · reverse · diverse
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The promise of religious conversion existed alongside demands for Native land.
Supporting reading: YPT 30–31 YPT 33
Beyond Takaki
The conversion of the garage into a rehearsal room required soundproofing and better lighting.
convertible (adjective)
Able to be changed into another form or use.
Root & originvert / vers — turn Vert and vers come from Latin vertere, meaning to turn, and its related form versus.
Same-root relativesconvert · conversion · divert · reverse · diverse
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Jefferson treated Native debt as convertible into land for white settlers.
Supporting reading: YPT 41
Beyond Takaki
The convertible desk can change from a sitting workstation to a standing one.
convertibility (noun)
The ability to be changed into another form or use.
Root & originvert / vers — turn Vert and vers come from Latin vertere, meaning to turn, and its related form versus.
Same-root relativesconvert · conversion · divert · reverse · diverse
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The convertibility of debt into land made credit a possible instrument of dispossession.
Supporting reading: YPT 41
Beyond Takaki
The backpack's convertibility into a shoulder bag makes it useful for different trips.
compensate (verb)
To provide something in recognition of a loss, harm, or work.
Root & originpend / pens — hang or weigh This family connects Latin pendere, to hang, with pendere, to weigh or pay. Pens is a related form in words about weighing and payment.
Same-root relativesdepend · suspend · expense · compensation
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The 1988 law sought to compensate surviving Japanese Americans who had been incarcerated.
Supporting reading: YPT 300
Beyond Takaki
The store offered to compensate the customer for the damaged headphones.
compensation (noun)
Something given for work or in recognition of harm or loss.
Root & originpend / pens — hang or weigh This family connects Latin pendere, to hang, with pendere, to weigh or pay. Pens is a related form in words about weighing and payment.
Same-root relativesdepend · suspend · expense · compensate
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The compensation accompanied an official apology for Japanese American incarceration.
Supporting reading: YPT 300
Beyond Takaki
The musician received compensation for performing at the festival.
compensatory (adjective)
Intended to offset a loss or recognize a harm.
Root & originpend / pens — hang or weigh This family connects Latin pendere, to hang, with pendere, to weigh or pay. Pens is a related form in words about weighing and payment.
Same-root relativesdepend · suspend · expense · compensate · compensation
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The compensatory payments recognized a wrong that money could not fully undo.
Supporting reading: YPT 300
Beyond Takaki
The airline offered a compensatory payment after losing the band's equipment.
contribute (verb)
To give something or help bring about a result.
Root & origintrib / tribut — allot or assign Trib and tribut come from Latin tribuere, meaning to allot, assign, or give.
Same-root relativestribute · contribution · distribute · attribute
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Tobacco profits helped contribute to the demand for more Powhatan farmland.
Supporting reading: YPT 33
Beyond Takaki
Each team member can contribute one idea before we choose a design.
contribution (noun)
Something given or a role in producing a result.
Root & origintrib / tribut — allot or assign Trib and tribut come from Latin tribuere, meaning to allot, assign, or give.
Same-root relativestribute · contribute · distribute · attribute
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Immigrant workers made a major contribution to the growth of Hawaiian sugar production.
Supporting reading: YPT 192
Beyond Takaki
Her contribution of a stronger bridge design helped the group pass the weight test.
contributor (noun)
A person or factor that helps produce a result.
Root & origintrib / tribut — allot or assign Trib and tribut come from Latin tribuere, meaning to allot, assign, or give.
Same-root relativestribute · contribute · contribution · distribute · attribute
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Each worker was a contributor to the production that plantation owners depended on.
Supporting reading: YPT 192
Beyond Takaki
The drummer was a major contributor to the song's energetic sound.
compel (verb)
To force someone to act through pressure or authority.
Root & originpel / puls — push or drive Pel and puls come from Latin pellere, meaning to push or drive, and its related form pulsus.
Same-root relativescompulsion · compulsive · expel · repel
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Debt could compel landowners to sell even after winning their claims.
Supporting reading: YPT 136
Beyond Takaki
A tournament rule can compel every player to use the same approved equipment.
compulsion (noun)
Pressure or force that makes someone act.
Root & originpel / puls — push or drive Pel and puls come from Latin pellere, meaning to push or drive, and its related form pulsus.
Same-root relativescompel · compulsive · expel · repel
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Economic compulsion narrowed the choices available to sharecroppers.
Supporting reading: YPT 99
Beyond Takaki
I joined the choir freely, without any compulsion from my family.
compulsory (adjective)
Required by authority or force rather than freely chosen.
Root & originpel / puls — push or drive Pel and puls come from Latin pellere, meaning to push or drive, and its related form pulsus.
Same-root relativescompel · compulsion · compulsive · expel · repel
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
For the Cherokee who refused to leave, removal became compulsory under military force.
Supporting reading: YPT 75
Beyond Takaki
Wearing safety goggles is compulsory during this chemistry experiment.
compulsive (adjective)
Driven by an urge that feels difficult to resist.
Root & originpel / puls — push or drive Pel and puls come from Latin pellere, meaning to push or drive, and its related form pulsus.
Same-root relativescompel · compulsion · expel · repel
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Calling Cherokee removal compulsory describes military force; compulsive would describe an urge that feels difficult to resist.
Supporting reading: YPT 75
Beyond Takaki
Her compulsive checking of the game score made it hard to concentrate on the movie.
compulsively (adverb)
Because of an urge that feels difficult to resist.
Root & originpel / puls — push or drive Pel and puls come from Latin pellere, meaning to push or drive, and its related form pulsus.
Same-root relativescompel · compulsion · compulsive · expel · repel
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
When reading about removal, checking a date carefully is useful; checking it compulsively can distract from explaining the policy.
Supporting reading: YPT 74–75
Beyond Takaki
He refreshed the page compulsively even though the results would not be posted until morning.
compulsiveness (noun)
The quality of being driven by urges that feel difficult to control.
Root & originpel / puls — push or drive Pel and puls come from Latin pellere, meaning to push or drive, and its related form pulsus.
Same-root relativescompel · compulsion · compulsive · expel · repel
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Compulsiveness describes hard-to-control urges; it does not explain the military power that forced the Cherokee to leave.
Supporting reading: YPT 75
Beyond Takaki
The compulsiveness of her score-checking made even a quiet dinner feel interrupted.
compelling (adjective)
Strong enough to hold attention or persuade someone.
Root & originpel / puls — push or drive Pel and puls come from Latin pellere, meaning to push or drive, and its related form pulsus.
Same-root relativescompel · compulsion · compulsive · expel · repel
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The unequal sentences provide compelling evidence that racial distinctions shaped colonial law.
Supporting reading: YPT 51
Beyond Takaki
Her clear examples made the presentation compelling.
de- — away; down; reverse
deport (verb)
To remove someone from a country through government action.
Root & originport — carry Port comes from Latin portare, meaning to carry. The things carried can be goods, people, or information.
Same-root relativestransport · import · export · deportation · portable
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
During the Depression, officials moved to deport Mexicans as public hostility toward them grew.
Supporting reading: YPT 252
Beyond Takaki
In the film, officials threaten to deport the singer before her final concert.
dehumanize (verb)
To portray or treat people as lacking full human worth.
Root & originhuman — human being Human comes from Latin humanus, meaning human, related to homo, meaning a human being.
Same-root relativeshumanity · humane · humanize · inhuman
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Calling a people savage could help colonizers dehumanize them and excuse violence.
Supporting reading: YPT 28 YPT 35–36
Beyond Takaki
Cruel online comments can dehumanize a celebrity by treating her as an object instead of a person.
deduce (verb)
To reach a conclusion by reasoning from evidence.
Root & originduce / duct — lead Duce and duct come from Latin ducere, meaning to lead, and its related form ductus.
Same-root relativesproduce · production · conduct · reduce · introduce
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
We can deduce from John Punch’s sentence that race affected the legal consequences of escape.
Supporting reading: YPT 51
Beyond Takaki
From the wet umbrella and muddy shoes, I could deduce that it had been raining outside.
deportation (noun)
Removal from a country by government action.
Root & originport — carry Port comes from Latin portare, meaning to carry. The things carried can be goods, people, or information.
Same-root relativestransport · import · export · portable
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Deportation campaigns also uprooted children born in the United States.
Supporting reading: YPT 252
Beyond Takaki
The film follows a musician whose possible deportation could separate her from her band and family.
description (noun)
An account of the qualities or features of something.
Root & originscribe / script — write Scribe and script come from Latin scribere, meaning to write, and its related form scriptus.
Same-root relativesdescribe · prescribe · transcription · inscription
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A description of Native people as idle helped justify taking their land.
Supporting reading: YPT 35–36
Beyond Takaki
The game's description promised cooperative puzzles that two players could solve together.
descriptive (adjective)
Giving information about what something is like.
Root & originscribe / script — write Scribe and script come from Latin scribere, meaning to write, and its related form scriptus.
Same-root relativesdescribe · description · prescribe · transcription · inscription
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A descriptive sentence identifies what happened before an analysis explains why it mattered.
Supporting reading: YPT 33
Beyond Takaki
The review's descriptive language helped me imagine the sound of the new album.
deduction (noun)
A conclusion reached by reasoning from evidence.
Root & originduce / duct — lead Duce and duct come from Latin ducere, meaning to lead, and its related form ductus.
Same-root relativesproduce · production · conduct · reduce · introduce
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The deduction that law helped create racial hierarchy rests on the unequal sentences.
Supporting reading: YPT 51
Beyond Takaki
My deduction was that the battery was dead because the controller worked as soon as I replaced it.
dehumanization (noun)
The denial of people’s full human worth or dignity.
Root & originhuman — human being Human comes from Latin humanus, meaning human, related to homo, meaning a human being.
Same-root relativeshumanity · humane · humanize · dehumanize · inhuman
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Dehumanization helped make taking land or forcing labor appear acceptable to those who benefited.
Supporting reading: YPT 28 YPT 35–36
Beyond Takaki
Calling other players worthless objects is a form of dehumanization that ignores their feelings and dignity.
depoliticize (verb)
To present an issue as separate from political choice or conflict.
Root & originpolit — city or community Polit traces back to Greek polis, meaning a city, through words about citizens and public affairs.
Same-root relativespolitics · political · politician · politicize · apolitical
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Explaining land loss only as personal failure would depoliticize the role of courts and credit.
Supporting reading: YPT 135–136
Beyond Takaki
Calling a library closure purely technical can depoliticize a choice about which public services to fund.
depoliticization (noun)
The treatment of a political issue as if it involved no public choices or power.
Root & originpolit — city or community Polit traces back to Greek polis, meaning a city, through words about citizens and public affairs.
Same-root relativespolitics · political · politician · politicize · apolitical
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The depoliticization of poverty hides policies that helped keep freedpeople landless.
Supporting reading: YPT 98–99
Beyond Takaki
The documentary criticizes the depoliticization of park closures when officials describe budget priorities as unavoidable facts.
depart (verb)
To leave a place or move away from a course of action.
Root & originpart — portion Part comes from Latin pars, with the related form partis, meaning a piece or share.
Same-root relativespartial · partition · department · impart
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The Cherokee were forced to depart from their homeland.
Supporting reading: YPT 75–76
Beyond Takaki
Our bus will depart from the school entrance at eight o'clock.
departure (noun)
The act of leaving or a change from an established course.
Root & originpart — portion Part comes from Latin pars, with the related form partis, meaning a piece or share.
Same-root relativespartial · partition · depart · department · impart
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Forced departure separated families from homes and familiar places.
Supporting reading: YPT 75–76
Beyond Takaki
The album's quiet acoustic sound is a departure from the band's usual loud style.
detain (verb)
To hold someone and prevent them from leaving.
Root & origintain / ten — hold Tain and ten trace back to Latin tenere, meaning to hold. Related forms also appear as tent in retention and detention.
Same-root relativesretain · retention · contain · sustain
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The militia’s decision to detain Chief Ross weakened opposition to the removal treaty.
Supporting reading: YPT 75
Beyond Takaki
In the mystery film, security officers detain a suspect while they check the missing necklace's location.
detention (noun)
The holding of someone under authority so that they cannot leave freely.
Root & origintain / ten — hold Tain and ten trace back to Latin tenere, meaning to hold. Related forms also appear as tent in retention and detention.
Same-root relativesretain · retention · detain · contain · sustain
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Chief Ross’s detention was part of the coercive process surrounding the treaty.
Supporting reading: YPT 75
Beyond Takaki
The fictional detective questions a suspect who is being held in detention.
ex- — out; away
export (verb)
To send goods to another country for sale.
Root & originport — carry Port comes from Latin portare, meaning to carry. The things carried can be goods, people, or information.
Same-root relativestransport · import · deportation · portable
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Landlords continued to export food from Ireland while many Irish people faced famine.
Supporting reading: YPT 106
Beyond Takaki
The company will export its headphones to stores in several other countries.
extract (verb)
To take or draw something out of a larger source.
Root & origintract — pull Tract comes from Latin trahere, meaning to pull or draw; tractus is a related form.
Same-root relativesattract · distract · contract · subtract
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Planters used coercion to extract labor from enslaved people.
Supporting reading: YPT 89–90
Beyond Takaki
In the lab, we used a filter to extract solid particles from the muddy water.
expose (verb)
To reveal something previously hidden or overlooked.
Root & originpose — put or place Pose came through French poser, meaning to place, from Latin pausare, meaning to pause. French linked its meaning to Latin ponere, to place.
Same-root relativespose · compose · propose · impose
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Comparing promises with actions can expose colonial deception.
Supporting reading: YPT 33 YPT 41
Beyond Takaki
Checking the original image can expose edits that make a fake screenshot look real.
extend (verb)
To make something reach farther or last longer.
Root & origintend / tens / tent — stretch These forms come from Latin tendere, meaning to stretch. Attention originally points to stretching the mind toward something.
Same-root relativesextension · tension · intention · attention
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Railroad corporations sought to extend their tracks across Native land.
Supporting reading: YPT 79
Beyond Takaki
Adding another cable will extend the microphone's reach across the stage.
exportation (noun)
The sending of goods abroad for sale.
Root & originport — carry Port comes from Latin portare, meaning to carry. The things carried can be goods, people, or information.
Same-root relativestransport · import · export · deportation · portable
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Food exportation during the Irish famine revealed whose interests controlled the use of the land.
Supporting reading: YPT 106
Beyond Takaki
The exportation of the studio's handmade drums brings its instruments to musicians abroad.
extraction (noun)
The process of taking something from a source.
Root & origintract — pull Tract comes from Latin trahere, meaning to pull or draw; tractus is a related form.
Same-root relativesattract · extract · distract · contract · subtract
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The extraction of labor depended on power as well as demand for agricultural products.
Supporting reading: YPT 89–90
Beyond Takaki
The extraction of a damaged tooth required a visit to the dentist.
expression (noun)
The communication of a thought, feeling, or identity.
Root & originpress — press Press comes from Latin premere, meaning to press; pressus is a related form. Pressure can be physical or social.
Same-root relativespressure · oppression · repression · compression
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The Navajo language became a means of expression that the military valued after schools had tried to silence it.
Supporting reading: YPT 288–289
Beyond Takaki
Writing a song became her favorite form of expression when she struggled to explain her feelings aloud.
expressive (adjective)
Clearly communicating thoughts or feelings.
Root & originpress — press Press comes from Latin premere, meaning to press; pressus is a related form. Pressure can be physical or social.
Same-root relativespressure · oppression · repression · expression · compression
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Migrants’ songs are expressive records of how crossing a border felt.
Supporting reading: YPT 239
Beyond Takaki
The singer's expressive voice made the audience feel both the character's fear and hope.
extension (noun)
An increase in reach, size, or duration.
Root & origintend / tens / tent — stretch These forms come from Latin tendere, meaning to stretch. Attention originally points to stretching the mind toward something.
Same-root relativesextend · tension · intention · attention
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The extension of railroad lines depended on government decisions about Native sovereignty.
Supporting reading: YPT 79
Beyond Takaki
The teacher granted an extension so we had two more days to finish the video.
extensive (adjective)
Covering a large area or involving a great amount.
Root & origintend / tens / tent — stretch These forms come from Latin tendere, meaning to stretch. Attention originally points to stretching the mind toward something.
Same-root relativesextend · extension · tension · intention · attention
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
The extensive loss of Native land followed policies that opened reservation land to outsiders.
Supporting reading: YPT 174–175
Beyond Takaki
The game includes an extensive map with dozens of islands and hundreds of hidden locations.
exclaim (verb)
To say something suddenly or with strong feeling.
Root & originclaim / clam — call out Claim and clam come from Latin clamare, meaning to call out.
Same-root relativesclaim · proclaim · proclamation · clamor
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
A reader might exclaim in disbelief on discovering that the peace toast contained poison.
Supporting reading: YPT 33
Beyond Takaki
Players sometimes exclaim in surprise when a hidden door opens.
exclamation (noun)
A sudden or forceful expression of feeling.
Root & originclaim / clam — call out Claim and clam come from Latin clamare, meaning to call out.
Same-root relativesclaim · proclaim · proclamation · exclaim · clamor
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
An exclamation of anger captures one response to the poisoning, but analysis must also explain its purpose.
Supporting reading: YPT 33
Beyond Takaki
Her delighted exclamation told us she had finally solved the puzzle.
exclude (verb)
To keep someone or something out.
Root & originclude / clus — close Clude and clus come from Latin claudere, meaning to close, and its related form clausus.
Same-root relativesinclude · inclusion · exclusion · conclude
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Citizenship restrictions helped exclude Japanese immigrants from land ownership.
Supporting reading: YPT 208
Beyond Takaki
A food allergy should not automatically exclude a student from the cooking club.
exclusion (noun)
The act or condition of being kept out.
Root & originclude / clus — close Clude and clus come from Latin claudere, meaning to close, and its related form clausus.
Same-root relativesinclude · inclusion · exclude · conclude
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Racial exclusion connected immigration rules, citizenship, and property rights.
Supporting reading: YPT 208
Beyond Takaki
The exclusion of beginners left several new players without a team.
exclusive (adjective)
Restricted to a particular group, with others kept out.
Root & originclude / clus — close Clude and clus come from Latin claudere, meaning to close, and its related form clausus.
Same-root relativesinclude · inclusion · exclude · exclusion · conclude
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
An exclusive idea of citizenship denied belonging to people whose labor the economy valued.
Supporting reading: YPT 192 YPT 208
Beyond Takaki
The game's exclusive tournament is open only to players who qualified in earlier rounds.
expend (verb)
To use up time, money, effort, or another resource.
Root & originpend / pens — hang or weigh This family connects Latin pendere, to hang, with pendere, to weigh or pay. Pens is a related form in words about weighing and payment.
Same-root relativesdepend · suspend · expense · compensate · compensation
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Mexican owners had to expend money defending land titles in unfamiliar courts.
Supporting reading: YPT 135–136
Beyond Takaki
Do not expend all your energy in the first minute of the race.
expel (verb)
To force someone out of a place or group.
Root & originpel / puls — push or drive Pel and puls come from Latin pellere, meaning to push or drive, and its related form pulsus.
Same-root relativescompel · compulsion · compulsive · repel
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Troops were used to expel Cherokee people from their homeland.
Supporting reading: YPT 75
Beyond Takaki
The gaming league may expel a player who repeatedly cheats.
expulsion (noun)
The act of forcing someone out.
Root & originpel / puls — push or drive Pel and puls come from Latin pellere, meaning to push or drive, and its related form pulsus.
Same-root relativescompel · compulsion · compulsive · expel · repel
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Cherokee expulsion opened land to white settlers.
Supporting reading: YPT 75–76
Beyond Takaki
The player's expulsion from the tournament followed a review of the cheating evidence.
excluded (verb)
Kept someone or something out; past tense of exclude.
Root & originclude / clus — close Clude and clus come from Latin claudere, meaning to close, and its related form clausus.
Same-root relativesinclude · inclusion · exclude · exclusion · conclude
Word-history source
Word history: Etymonline
In Takaki’s history
Immigration laws excluded Chinese workers while employers had depended on their labor.
Supporting reading: YPT 154–155
Beyond Takaki
The team excluded the broken sensor from its final robot design.
