Meaning: birth, origin, kind, race
Root word: several Greek and Latin words, all stemming from proto-Indo-European
Roots with similar meanings:
Roots with opposite meanings:
Roots that be confused:
- gony meaning “knee”,
- gonia meaning “corner, angle”
- genu meaning “knee”
- gyn- meaning “woman”
Notes: Many words that end in “gen” indicate that are the source of something: an allergen produces an allergic reaction. Many words are related to the field of genetics.
Derived English Words
Commonly encountered words are in bold.
Allergen: A substance that can cause an allergic reaction in individuals who are sensitive to it.
Antigen: A substance that induces an immune response in the body, often recognized by antibodies.
Biogenesis: The principle that living organisms arise from pre-existing life, as opposed to spontaneous generation.
Dysgenic: Relating to or resulting in the degeneration of a population’s genetic quality.
Endogen: Originating from within an organism or system.
Endogenous: Produced or originating from within an organism, tissue, or cell.
Exogenous: Originating from outside an organism or system.
Epigene: Pertaining to processes occurring on the surface or within a layer of the earth, often in relation to geology.
Epigenesis: The theory that organisms develop from the successive differentiation of cells and tissues rather than from a preformed organism.
Epigenetics: The study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the underlying DNA sequence.
Epigone: A less distinguished follower or imitator of a more prominent person or artist.
Eugene: A male given name derived from the Greek word meaning “well-born” or “noble.”
Eugenic: Relating to the science of improving a population’s genetic quality, often through selective breeding.
Eugenics: A controversial movement aimed at improving the genetic composition of the human population through selective reproduction and other measures.
Genesis: The origin or mode of formation of something; often refers to the beginning or creation.
Angiogenesis: The process by which new blood vessels form from pre-existing ones. It is a vital physiological process in growth and healing, as well as in the development of certain diseases, including cancer, where tumors can stimulate the formation of new blood vessels to supply their growth.
Paragenesis: The formation of minerals in a close association or sequence, often in the context of geology.
Progenesis: A form of development in which the reproductive stage is reached more quickly than usual.
Homogenesis: The development of similar structures or forms in different species or environments.
Agenesis: The absence or incomplete development of an organ or part.
Hypogenesis: A term referring to underdevelopment or insufficient development.
Gene: The basic unit of heredity; a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for building proteins.
Genetic: Relating to genes or heredity.
Genophobia: An irrational fear or aversion to genes or genetic technology.
Genotype: The genetic constitution of an individual organism, particularly in relation to specific traits.
Homogenetic: Relating to similar genetic traits or characteristics.
Monogenic: Relating to a trait or condition determined by a single gene.
Polygenous: Involving multiple genes in the inheritance of a trait.
Pseudogene: A segment of DNA that resembles a gene but is non-functional.
Genocide: The deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
Gonad: An organ that produces gametes; in humans, these are the ovaries in females and the testes in males.
Hypogonadism: A medical condition characterized by low levels of sex hormones due to inadequate function of the gonads (testes in males and ovaries in females). It can lead to symptoms such as reduced libido, infertility, and other hormonal imbalances.
Hallucinogen: A substance that induces alterations in perception, mood, and cognitive processes, often leading to visual or auditory hallucinations. Common examples include LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline.
Iatrogenic: Referring to a condition or complication that is caused by medical treatment or intervention. This can include side effects from medications or complications arising from surgeries.
Ketogenic: Pertaining to a diet that is high in fats and low in carbohydrates, designed to induce a state of ketosis in the body. In ketosis, the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates, which can be used for weight loss or management of certain medical conditions.
Pyrogen: A substance that causes fever, typically by triggering the body’s immune response. Pyrogens can be produced by the body (endogenous) or introduced from external sources, such as bacteria or viruses (exogenous).
Heterogeneous: Composed of different or diverse elements or constituents.
Homogeneous: Composed of similar or identical parts; uniform in composition.
Hydrogen: A chemical element with the symbol H, known for being the lightest and most abundant element in the universe.
Oxygen: A chemical element with the symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a colorless, odorless gas essential for the respiration of most living organisms. Oxygen plays a critical role in cellular respiration and is a key component of water (H₂O) and many organic compounds.
Nitrogen: A chemical element with the symbol N and atomic number 7. It is a colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere. Nitrogen is essential for life as it is a fundamental component of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).
Carcinogen: A substance or agent that is capable of causing cancer in living tissue. Carcinogens can be chemical compounds, biological agents, or physical agents, and exposure to them increases the risk of developing cancer.
Carcinogenic: Describing a substance or agent that promotes or causes cancer. This term is often used in the context of research and regulation to identify materials that pose a risk of carcinogenesis.
Teratogen: An agent or factor that causes malformation or abnormal development in a fetus or embryo. Teratogens can lead to congenital disorders and may include certain drugs, chemicals, and infections.
Mutagen: An agent that causes genetic mutation, leading to changes in the DNA sequence of an organism. Mutagens can be physical (like radiation), chemical, or biological, and their effects may contribute to various genetic disorders and cancer.
Hypogene: Relating to processes or formations occurring beneath the earth’s surface.
Hypogenic: Pertaining to processes originating beneath the surface.
Hypogenous: Referring to structures developing beneath a surface.
Pathogen: An organism, such as a bacterium or virus, that causes disease.
Pathogenesis: The development of a disease or the mechanism by which a disease occurs.
Gametogenesis: The process by which gametes (sperm and eggs) are produced.
Oogenesis: The process of egg (ovum) development in females.
Spermatogenesis: The process by which sperm cells are produced in the male reproductive system.
Orogeny: The process of mountain formation, typically through tectonic plate movements and geological forces such as folding, faulting, and volcanic activity. Orogeny results in the creation of mountain ranges and is often associated with the convergence of continental plates.
Orogenic: Relating to or resulting from orogeny; used to describe processes, features, or regions associated with mountain formation. This term often appears in geological contexts to discuss the effects of tectonic activity on the Earth’s crust.
Orogenesis: The geological process of mountain building, encompassing the various mechanisms involved in the formation of mountain ranges. It includes the study of tectonic, volcanic, and sedimentary processes that contribute to the development of mountainous terrain.
Engender: To cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition; to produce or bring about.
Gender: The classification of individuals as male or female based on their biological and social characteristics. The term is also used in discussions of gender identity and roles.
Generate: To produce or create; to cause something to come into being or to bring about a particular result.
Generator: A device or machine that converts one form of energy into another, commonly used to produce electrical energy. In a broader sense, it can refer to anything that produces or brings about a particular result or effect.
Genius: Exceptional intellectual or creative power or ability; a person who exhibits extraordinary talent or intelligence in a specific area.
Ingenious: Clever, inventive, and resourceful; demonstrating creative and original thought.
Genital: Relating to the reproductive organs; often used in discussions of anatomy and reproduction.
Genitalia: The reproductive organs, especially those involved in sexual reproduction. This term encompasses both male and female reproductive structures.
Genitive: A grammatical case that indicates possession or relation; used in languages to denote relationships between nouns.
Congenial: Having a pleasant or friendly disposition; suitable or agreeable in nature or character. Often used to describe compatibility in social settings.
Genial: Friendly and cheerful; having a pleasant and warm disposition.
Genteel: Refined and well-mannered; often associated with upper-class social status and behaviors.
Gentle: Having a mild, kind, or tender nature; free from harshness or severity.
Genuine: Authentic and real; not fake or counterfeit; sincere in feeling or expression.
Ingenuous: Innocent and unsuspecting; showing childlike simplicity and candidness.
Genus: A rank in the biological classification system (taxonomy) that groups together species sharing common characteristics; the first part of a scientific name in binomial nomenclature.
Genealogy: The study of family lineage and the tracing of ancestry and descent.
Generation: The act or process of producing or creating; also refers to a group of individuals born and living at about the same time, often considered in terms of social or historical context.
Indigenous: Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native to a region or environment.
Primogenitor: The first ancestor or original ancestor of a family or lineage; often refers to the firstborn child.
Progeny: Offspring or descendants of a person, animal, or plant; the result of reproduction.
Progenitor: An ancestor or a precursor from which others are descended or developed.
Other Uses
Links
List of Greek and Latin roots in English – Wikipedia
Other Roots Used in These Words
| Root | Meaning |
| a- | not, no |
| all- | other |
| angio- | vessel of the body |
| anti- | against |
| bio- | life |
| carcin- | cancer |
| cid– | cut, kill |
| con- | with |
| dys- | badly, ill |
| en- | in |
| endo- | inside |
| epi- | upon |
| eu- | good, true |
| gam- | wedding, marriage |
| heter- | other |
| hom- | same |
| hydro- | water |
| hypo- | under |
| iatr- | heal |
| in- | in |
| log- | word, reason, speech, thought |
| mono- | one |
| mut- | change |
| oo- | egg |
| oro- | mountain |
| oxy- | acid |
| para- | beside, near |
| path- | disease |
| phob- | fear |
| poly- | many |
| prim- | first |
| pro- | before |
| pseud- | fake |
| pyr- | fire |
| terat- | monster |
| typ- | stamp, model |
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