Which of the following is the definition of the word prefix?
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an affix added at the beginning of a word root
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a basic word part that often comes from Greek or Latin
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an affix added to the end of a word root
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word part added at the beginning or end of a word root that changes the word’s meaning
To find the definition of the word "prefix," you can break down the options provided and see which one accurately describes its meaning.
Option 1: "An affix added at the beginning of a word root." This definition fits the concept of a prefix because a prefix is a word part added at the beginning of a word root, changing the meaning of the word. Therefore, option 1 correctly defines a prefix.
Option 2: "A basic word part that often comes from Greek or Latin." While this statement is true for many word roots, it does not specifically define a prefix. It is more of a general description of word parts and their origins, which can include prefixes, roots, or suffixes.
Option 3: "An affix added to the end of a word root." This definition refers to a suffix, not a prefix. A suffix is a word part added at the end of a word root, changing the meaning or function of the word.
Option 4: "A word part added at the beginning or end of a word root that changes the word’s meaning." This definition is too broad because it encompasses both prefixes and suffixes. However, it correctly states that prefixes are word parts that can be added at the beginning of a word root to change its meaning.
Based on the analysis of the options, the correct definition of a prefix is "an affix added at the beginning of a word root" (option 1).