Meaning: change
Root word: Latin mūtare
Roots with similar meanings:
- mut– meaning “move”
Roots with opposite meanings:
Notes: The Greek and Latin roots meaning to move and to change are closely related, linked through proto-Indo-European. Therefore, many English words can be thought to derive from either root.
Derived English Words
Commonly encountered words are in bold.
Immutable: Unchanging over time or unable to be changed; often used to describe laws, principles, or characteristics that are constant and enduring.
Mutate: To undergo a change in form or nature; in genetics, it specifically refers to a change in the DNA sequence of an organism, which can lead to variations in traits.
Mutation: A change in the DNA sequence that can result in variations in traits or characteristics. Mutations can occur naturally or be induced by external factors.
Mutagen: An agent, such as a chemical, radiation, or biological factor, that causes mutations in the DNA of organisms, potentially leading to changes in traits or increased risk of disease.
Mutant: An organism or cell that has undergone a mutation, often resulting in observable changes in physical characteristics or behavior compared to the original form.
Mutilate: To inflict severe damage, injury, or disfigurement on something, often resulting in the loss of a part or the alteration of its appearance.
Permutation: An arrangement or rearrangement of elements in a particular order; often used in mathematics and combinatorics to describe different possible arrangements of a set of items.
Commutation: The act of changing or substituting one thing for another; in mathematics, it can refer to the property of certain operations where the order of the operands does not affect the outcome (e.g., addition and multiplication). In a legal context, it may refer to the reduction of a judicial sentence.
Other Uses
Links
List of Greek and Latin roots in English – Wikipedia
Other Roots Used in These Words
| Root | Meaning |
| gen- | origin |
| per- | thorough |
| im- | not |
| com- | with |
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