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gen

(JEN)

birth or origin

Greek and Latin both use gen for birth or beginning. Genesis is the beginning; a generator makes things start.

rootGreek & Latin
Build, break, make

Example words

  • generate

    to bring into being

  • genesis

    the beginning or origin

  • genetics

    the study of how traits are passed at birth

  • generation

    all the people born at about the same time

Common Core alignment

Grades served: 7, 8

  • L.7.4bUse common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., belligerent, bellicose, rebel).
  • L.8.4bUse common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., precede, recede, secede).

Build, break, make. Roots about building, breaking, joining, and making things.

Browse all build, break, make roots →
L.7.4bL.8.4b
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