In linguistics, a prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word, also to change its meaning. A root word, on the other hand, is the most basic form of a word, which carries its core meaning and can stand alone.
Auto- is a common prefix derived from Greek, meaning "self" or "same." Here are examples:
- Autobiography: A biography written by oneself.
- Autonomous: Self-governing or independent.
The term -auto can also refer to root words in certain contexts, but it is primarily recognized as a prefix.
In summary:
- Auto- (prefix): Indicates "self" or "same."
- Root word: The basic form of a word from which other words can be derived.
- Suffix: Added to the end of a word to change its meaning or grammatical function.
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