On with more formative information on one of the more prolific Latin roots, forma. There are many different forms, or "shapes," in which this word is used, often as the suffix "-form". Aught cruciform is "shaped" like a cross (via the Latin crux, crucis: cross), whereas writing that is cuneiform is wedgelike in "shape" (via the Latin cuneus: wedge). Numerous anatomical descriptive terms use this suffix: penniform means "shaped like a wing or feather" (via the Latin penna: feather, wing), reniform is "shaped" like a kidney (cf. renal, pertaining to a kidney), arciform is "shaped" like an arch, plexiform is "shaped" like a network (such as in the retina of the eye), and pisiform is "shaped" like a pea, referring to a small bone of the 2o6 in the body (originally 350; many fuse in the odyssey towards adulthood). For more information on the roots used with the suffix "-form," check out www.wordempire.com .
Can a formula be deformed? Consider first what a formula is: a formula in mathematics is an
equation which gives ‘shape’ to a rule or fact. Something deformed in most cases refers to something "shaped from or down from" the way it should look, usually referring to something physical; so, an incorrect "formula" could be malformed, or "shaped badly," referring to no known rule or fact, or a warping thereof, a malignant serendipity, as it were. Imagine a scientist or mathematician, after having been misinformed or disinformed by such a rogue formula, attempting to apply it to solve the world's problems; after formatting it, or shaping it with countless myriads of data, his misguided and insidious formulaic approach would have to undergo a vast reformation, or "shaping again" after it wreaked vast havoc upon the fragile planet; any future attempts at world-saving schemes would have to be placed under the strictest reformatory preconformations before being allowed to be used on a Universal scale. Let us be glad that no Platonic Form, or Idea, ever took shape that embodied this aforementioned malformed formula. For more Greek and Latin root words examples, see this Greek and Latin roots site, at which you can see one of its Latin roots, forma, in all of its informative glory.
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English Vocabulary via Greek and Latin Root Word Origins
- Magister Brunner
- I have long been fascinated by Greek and Roman mythology, and the Greek and Latin roots of English vocabulary words; their infusion within the English language respectively forms the core of cultural literacy and English vocabulary. Learning a vast array of English vocabulary words can help people write more powerfully, speak clearly and confidently, and read with a much deeper appreciation for great literature, not to mention perform well on college and graduate school entrance examinations, such as the SAT and GRE. Other than intense reading itself, there is no better way of learning and, most importantly, remembering English vocabulary words than by learning Greek and Latin root words. My own love for reading and subsequent keen interest in English vocabulary began with the B.A. (hon) degree in English I received from UW Madison, and continued with the M.A. in English I earned from the University of Virginia; I currently teach Latin and Greek and Roman mythology at Tandem Friends School in Charlottesville, VA, farm organically, am Executive Editor of Membean.com, and practice yoga and dhyana on a daily basis (qigong when clement!).
