Medical Terminology Resources: OpenStax - Free Textbook

Mnemonic Device for Latin Roots
Example        
Latin or Greek Translation    
Mnemonic Device

ad
to; toward
ADvance toward your goal

ab
away from
n/a

sub
under
SUBmarines move under water.

ductor
something that moves
A conDUCTOR makes a train move.

anti
against
If you are antisocial, you are against engaging in social activities.

epi
on top of
n/a

apo
to the side of
n/a

longissimus
longest
“Longissimus” is longer than the word “long.”

longus
long
long

brevis
short
brief

maximus
large
max

medius
medium
“Medius” and “medium” both begin with “med.”

minimus
tiny; little
mini

rectus
straight
To RECTify a situation is to straighten it out.

multi
many
If something is MULTIcolored, it has many colors.

uni
one
A UNIcorn has one horn.

bi/di
two
If a ring is DIcast, it is made of two metals.

tri
three
TRIple the amount of money is three times as much.

quad
four
QUADruplets are four children born at one birth.

externus
outside
EXternal

internus
inside
INternal