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DICT: the Latin root meaning “say, speak”

DICT comes from Latin and means “say, speak”. You can see it in contradict, contradiction and dictate. WordPith uses it in 11 words.

Meaning
say, speak
Origin
Latin
Type
Root
Word lists
Core Roots, Law & Legal Latin, SAT / ACT / PSAT, Spelling Bee Roots

Words built from DICT

CONTRADICT

contradict

To say the opposite

Latin contradicere, to speak against.

CONTRADICTION

contradiction

Speaking against: two claims that cannot both hold

Latin contra dicere, to speak against. Contrary and counter are the same opposition.

DICTATE

dictate

To say what must be done, or what must be written down

Latin dictare, to say repeatedly. A dictator was originally a temporary Roman emergency office.

DICTATOR

dictator

A ruler with total power

Latin dictare, to say repeatedly. Rome’s dictator was a six-month emergency office.

DICTATORIAL

dictatorial

Given to laying down the law

Latin dictator, one who dictates. Rome’s was a six-month emergency office, not a career.

EDICT

edict

An order issued by authority

Latin edicere, to speak out.

JURISDICTION

jurisdiction

The reach of a court’s authority

Latin ius, law, plus dicere, to say: the area in which this court gets to say what the law is.

VERDICT

verdict

What the jury says is true

Latin verum dictum, a true saying. The two words fused in Anglo-French.

BENEDICTION

benediction

A blessing: a good saying

Latin bene dicere, to speak well of. Benison is the same word, worn down by French.

MALEDICTION

malediction

A curse: a bad saying

Latin male dicere. Malison is its worn-down twin, and both are now rare.

VALEDICTION

valediction

A farewell address

Latin vale, be well, the Roman goodbye, plus dicere. A valedictorian gives it.

Quick check

1. Which word means: To say the opposite?

2. Which word means: What the jury says is true?

3. Which word means: An order issued by authority?

Roots that pair with DICT

Build contradict and more from DICT tiles

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