Prefixes are key morphemes in English vocabulary that begin words. Even though the prefix se- means “apart,” this podcast will no longer keep you “apart” from understanding words with se- in them!
Have you ever had a secret, or piece of sensitive information that you wanted kept “apart” from the ears of people so as to hide it? Most people are dying to tell their secrets, so they carefully select or single out or “apart” one of their friends to whom to tell the secret with the caution that the selected friend keep it hidden. Sometimes it’s very hard to separate or keep “apart” one friend from the rest to whom to reveal the secret. That select friend may end up revealing the secret anyway, which might prompt you to sever that friendship, hence cutting it “apart” from being whole.
Sometimes those things kept “apart” aren’t so good. For instance, when Britain during Brexit seceded or went “apart” from the European Union, there was a lot of financial difficulty. Keeping people segregated or “apart” from one another causes many hard feelings and is often unjust. A sedition or going “apart” from an existing government in a rebellion can in the long term be a good thing, but can also cause great hardship in the short term.
Then again, going “apart” can have its advantages. If you have a big test to study for, it is probably best to seclude or shut yourself “apart” from others so as to be able to concentrate. This would allow you to work in a sedulous fashion, “apart” from not getting your work completed and hence “apart” from slacking off!
Are you now feeling more secure about the prefix se-? Hopefully you are indeed “apart” from care or worry concerning words that have se- in them!
- secret: piece of information kept “apart” from what you’re comfortable revealing
- select: single “apart” from a number of things
- separate: keep “apart” from other things
- sever: cut “apart”
- secede: go “apart”
- segregate: to keep certain groups of people “apart” from one another
- sedition: a going “apart” from an existing government
- seclude: shut “apart”
- sedulous: of being “apart” from slacking off
- secure: “apart” from care or worry