Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms

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Summary: Especially for botanists, horticulturists and home gardeners
Review: As a beginning grad student in hort in 1972, I was introduced to this book by one of my professors. Among all the books I have collected, this is the one I have used most often. I love plants, and this book of words helps me understand and identify the plants I study, and to recognize their features. I often recommend it to my students. I'm glad it's still in print. It's a real treasure.

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Summary: Should be on the shelf of all students of biology
Review: I am a biology professor, and I required this text of all of my majors students until it went out of print. I now tell my students to hunt copies down on Amazon, ebay, or used book stores.
I am a great fan of learning the Latin and Greek roots of words to remembering the meaning of words. My students have a greater appreciation for the tongue-twisting words that we find in biology.

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Summary: You'll use it everyday
Review: I bought this to help me pick apart the more difficult words and latin names in our Vertebrate Zoology course... this has been the biggest help ever. You can find the meaning of almost any word, and even make your own words up! I use this book about every 3 minutes when I sit down to study, it's great!

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Summary: Greek to Me
Review: I have owned Donald J. Borror's DICTIONARY OF WORD ROOTS AND COMBINING FORMS for at least 20 years and would never dream of parting with it. Though I consult it only rarely, it can be immensely helpful when one wishes to delve into the meaning of obscure words, particularly of the scientific or bio-medical sort.

This dictionary is comprised mainly of an alphabetical listing of Greek and Latin roots, though commonly used roots and combining forms from other languages are included as well. There are also useful chapters on the formulation of scientific names, the transliteration of Greek words, and on common combining forms. This last chapter (the one on common combining forms) is particularly useful if your goal is to create new descriptive words as it is conveniently subdivided into descriptive categories (color, size, shape, animal structures, etc.).

I would have to admit that the DICTIONARY OF WORD ROOTS AND COMBINING FORMS would not be near the top of any list of writer's "essential" references, but I do not mean to imply by this that it is not worth owning. On the contrary, I believe that this happy little dictionary is highly useful-though specialized-and should be included in any complete writer's library.

Jeremy W. Forstadt

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Summary: A samll book that is a huge resource.
Review: I have worn out 3 copies of this marvelous book. I keep trying to find larger versions ot this book but can find none--regardless of size--that matches Dr. Borrors little volume. This is the Strunk and White for word roots and combining forms. Useful for virtually everyone. A must for anyone even remotely interested in any aspect of science.

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Summary: Super little reference
Review: I used this when a bioscience major at Colo State Univ in
the 60's. It was invaluable then and it still remains on
my book shelf as a reference. Thanks Dr. Borror!

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Summary: You Need this Book
Review: If you are working or studying in a biomedical discipline, you need this book. Borror's Dictionary constitutes a portable, easily used guide to the Latin and Greek (and a few other languages) roots that constitute the building blocks of medical and scientific lexicons. Dollar for dollar, it represents one of the best purchases a student can make toward his or her education.

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Summary: One of the neatest little books I have ever seen.
Review: My science teacher has this book and loves it. A while ago, we studied dinosaurs and I wanted to know what all the names meant. Not only was it helpful, but I had fun looking things up! This book is packed with information and interesting facts. I love to use it!

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Summary: handy
Review: Nice little reference (134 pages) packed with word roots and their definitions - adds a little poetry to the scientific names we come across in insects and others

Rating:
Summary: handy
Review: Nice little reference (134 pages) packed with word roots and their definitions - adds a little poetry to the scientific names we come across in insects and others