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sp

Latin

Variants

spspyspecspetspic

Related Roots

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About This Root

From Latin specere (to look at, observe), past participle spectum. One of English's most prolific Latin roots, with many variant forms: spec-, spect-, spic-. Produces special (worth looking at), aspect (how something looks from a direction), respect (look back at, regard), suspect (look from below, distrust), inspect (look into), perspective, spectacle.

Associated Words

age-specific

Applying to a particular age group only

aspect

A particular feature or element of something

TOEFLGREB1

auspice

Patronage or protection; a favorable omen

TOEFLGREC2

auspices

Support or sponsorship from an organization or person

TOEFLGREC2

auspicious

Showing signs of future success; favorable

TOEFLGREC2

auspiciously

In a favorable and promising manner

C2

better-than-expected

Surpassing what was anticipated

broad-spectrum

Effective against a wide range of targets

case-specific

Applying only to a particular case

circumspect

Cautious and careful about all circumstances

TOEFLC2

circumspection

Careful caution and prudence in one's actions

C2

circumspectly

In a careful and cautious manner

C2

conspectus

A comprehensive overview or summary of a subject

GREC2

conspicuous

Clearly visible and attracting attention

IELTSTOEFLGRE

conspicuously

In a very noticeable or striking manner

C2

context-specific

Relevant only within a particular context

cross-species

Involving or occurring between different species

culture-specific

Particular to a specific culture

despicable

Deserving contempt; morally reprehensible

TOEFLGREC2

despise

To regard with strong contempt or scorn

IELTSTOEFLGRE

despised

Regarded with strong contempt

B2

despite

without being affected by; in spite of

NGSL 1kB1

discipline-specific

Relating to a particular academic or professional field

disrespect

A lack of respect or courtesy; to treat someone rudely

TOEFLB1

disrespected

Treated without respect or regard

disrespectful

Showing a lack of respect; rude

TOEFLB1

disrespectfully

In a rude manner showing lack of respect

B1

domain-specific

Designed or specialized for a particular field or subject area

endangered-species

A species at risk of extinction

especial

Greater or more significant than usual; exceptional

C2

especially

to a greater degree; particularly

NGSL 1kA2

espy

To catch sight of something not easily seen

GREC2

expect

to believe something will happen; to require

NGSL 1kA2

expectable

Able to be expected or anticipated

A2

expectancy

A state of anticipation and hope that something will happen

IELTSA2

expectant

Eagerly waiting for something; pregnant

A2

expectantly

In an eager, hopeful manner while waiting

A2

expectation

A belief or hope that something will happen

NGSL 2kB2

expected

Considered likely or probable to happen

B2

expectedly

In an expected or predictable way

A2

gender-specific

Applying to one particular gender only

higher-than-expected

Greater than was anticipated or predicted

inauspicious

Suggesting bad luck or an unfavorable outcome

C2

inconspicuous

Not easily noticed; not standing out

C2

inconspicuously

Without attracting attention or standing out

C2

industry-specific

Relating to a particular industry only

inspect

To examine carefully or officially

TOEFLB2

inspection

A careful or official examination

IELTSTOEFLGRE

inspector

An official who inspects; a police officer rank

TOEFLB2

introspect

To examine one's own thoughts and feelings

C2

introspection

The act of examining one's own thoughts and feelings

C2

introspective

Tending to examine one's own thoughts and feelings

TOEFLGREC2

long-expected

Waited or hoped for over a long period

lower-than-expected

Below the anticipated or predicted level

non-specific

Not clearly defined or specific

oversight

An unintentional omission or mistake; supervision of a process

TOEFLGREA1

perspective

A point of view or outlook; the technique of depicting depth on a flat surface

NGSL 2kIELTSTOEFL

perspicacious

Having keen insight and sharp judgment

GREC2

perspicuity

Clarity and lucidity, especially in expression

GREC2

perspicuous

Clearly expressed and easy to understand

GREC2

prospect

The likelihood of future success; a wide view or scene; to search for minerals

NGSL 2kIELTSTOEFL

prospecting

Searching for valuable minerals or resources

TOEFLB2

prospective

Likely or expected in the future; potential

IELTSTOEFLB2

prospector

A person who searches for mineral deposits

TOEFLB2

prospectus

An official document describing a business or investment for potential investors

IELTSB2

region-specific

Relating to a particular region only

respect

admiration and consideration for someone; to esteem

NGSL 1kTOEFLB1

respectability

The quality of being socially acceptable and having a good reputation

B1

respectable

Deserving respect; morally acceptable; fairly good

B1

respectably

In a decent, socially acceptable manner; moderately well

B2

respected

Admired and held in high regard

B2

respectful

Showing respect and politeness

B1

respectfully

In a polite, considerate manner showing respect

B1

respecting

With regard to; concerning

B1

respective

Belonging separately to each person or thing mentioned

TOEFLB1

respectively

Each in the order already mentioned

NGSL 3kTOEFLB1

respite

A short rest or relief from difficulty; a temporary postponement

GREC1

retrospect

A looking back on or reflection of past events; as a verb, to engage in such reflection

IELTSTOEFLB1

retrospection

The act of thinking about or reviewing past events

B1

retrospective

Relating to the past; an exhibition reviewing an artist's career

TOEFLC2

retrospectively

Looking back on past events; with retroactive effect

B1

self-respect

A proper sense of one's own worth and dignity

self-respecting

Having proper pride in one's own worth

single-species

Consisting of only one biological species

special

distinguished from ordinary; a one-off program or discounted item

NGSL 1kIELTSA1

special-interest

Relating to a group with specific shared concerns

specialist

An expert in a specific field or branch of medicine

NGSL 3kB1

speciality

A particular area of expertise; something a person or place is especially known for

IELTSA1

specialization

The process of focusing on a particular field or skill

A1

specialize

To focus on a particular area of work or study

NGSL 3kIELTSGRE

specialized

Designed for a specific purpose; highly skilled in a particular field

TOEFLGREB1

specially

For a particular purpose or person; in a special way

B1

specialty

A particular area of expertise; something a person or place is especially known for

TOEFLB2

species

A biological group whose members can interbreed; a type or kind

NGSL 3kIELTSTOEFL

species-rich

Containing a large variety of species

specific

clearly defined; relating to a particular thing

NGSL 1kIELTSTOEFL

specifically

In a precise or explicit manner; referring to something particular

NGSL 2kB2

specification

A detailed description of requirements or design criteria for a product or work

IELTSTOEFLB1

specifics

The particular details or exact facts of something

GREA2

specified

Clearly and explicitly stated or defined

TOEFLB2

specify

To state something clearly and in detail

NGSL 3kTOEFLB2

specimen

A sample or example taken as representative of a group; a sample for analysis

IELTSTOEFLGRE

specious

Appearing reasonable or true but actually false or misleading

GREC2

spectacle

An impressive public display or scene; an embarrassing scene

IELTSTOEFLB2

spectacular

Impressively striking or dramatic; a lavish public performance

IELTSTOEFLGRE

spectacularly

In an impressively striking or dramatic manner

TOEFLB1

spectate

To watch an event as a spectator

C2

spectator

A person who watches an event without taking part

IELTSTOEFLGRE

spectrum

A range of colours from light; a broad range of related things or ideas

IELTSTOEFLGRE

speculate

To form opinions without firm evidence; to make risky financial investments

IELTSTOEFLGRE

speculation

Forming opinions without firm evidence; risky financial investment

TOEFLB2

speculative

Based on guesswork rather than facts; involving financial risk

GREB2

speculatively

In a way based on guesswork or financial risk-taking

C1

speculator

A person who takes financial risks for potential gains; a theorizer

C1

spy

A person who secretly gathers information; to act as a spy

A1

spying

Secretly gathering information; espionage

A1

subject-specific

Relating to a particular subject or topic

suspect

To believe someone is guilty without proof; a person under suspicion; regarded with distrust

NGSL 2kIELTSTOEFL

suspectable

Liable to be suspected

suspected

Believed to be guilty or responsible without proof

B1

suspicion

A feeling that something is wrong without definite proof

TOEFLGREB1

suspicious

Causing or feeling distrust or doubt

IELTSTOEFLGRE

suspicious-looking

Having an appearance that arouses suspicion

suspiciously

In a way that shows distrust or arouses suspicion

B2

suspiciousness

The quality of being distrustful or arousing suspicion

C2

unexpected

Not expected; happening by surprise

B1

unexpectedly

In a way that was not anticipated; by surprise

B1

unspecialized

Not adapted for a particular purpose or function

C1

unspecific

Not specific or detailed; vague

C1

unspecified

Not clearly identified or described

C1

unspectacular

Not impressive or remarkable; ordinary

B1

well-respected

Held in high esteem by others