ad-
(Latin: prefix; to, toward, a direction toward, addition to, near, at; and changes to: ac-, af-, ag-, al-, an-, ap-, aq-, ar-, as-, at- when ad- is combined with certain words that begin with the letters c, f, g, l, n, p, q, r, s, and t)
The Latin element ad carries the idea of "in the direction of" and combines with many Latin words and roots to make common English words.
The form ad- appears in this form before a vowel and before the consonants d, h, j, m, and v. It is simplified to a- before sc, sp and st.
Before c, f, g, l, n, p, q, r, s, and t; ad- is changed to ac-, af-, ag-, al-, an-, ap-, aq-, ar-, as-, and at-.
In other words, the d of ad usually changes into the same letter as the first letter of the following root or word when it is a consonant: ad-fix becomes affix, and ad-sign becomes assign; therefore, making a double consonant.
Another example includes: attract as with ad-tract (drawn towards); so it has a double t. On the other hand when ad- precedes a vowel, as with adapt, it is simply ad-apt, with one d. For the same reason, there is only one d in adore and adumbrate, because ad- has combined with orare and umbra each of which starts with a vowel.
So, remember: since these Latin words begin with vowels and not consonants, the d of ad does not double as shown in the previous examples.
Equivalent to "from top to bottom".
A Roman phrase similar to English, "From soup to nuts"; but it means "From start to finish". This meaning is based on the fact that Roman dinners often started with eggs and ended with fruit.
From the beginning to the end of any enterprise; thoroughly, or without qualification.
He’s dead.
Used to express the cost of individual items.
Before sc, sp, and st; ad- is simplified to a-: ascend, aspect, et al.
Before c-, ad- is assimilated to ac-: accelerate, accept, accept, accident, accord, accumulate, accurate, accurate, et al.
Before f, ad- becomes af-: affable, affect, affidavit, affiliate, affinity, affirm, affix, afflatus, afflict, affluence, et al.
Before g, ad- becomes ag-: agglomeration, agglutinate, aggrandize, aggravate, aggravate, aggregate, aggression, aggressive, aggressive, aggressor, et al.
Before l, ad- becomes al-: allege, allegiance, alleviate, alliteration, allocate, allude, allure, allusion, alluvium, et al.
Before n, ad- becomes an-: annex, annihilate, annotate, announce, annul, annulment, et al.
Before p, ad- becomes ap-: apparatus, appeal, appearance, append, appendage, appendix, appetite, applaud, applause, applicable, application, applied, apply, appoint, apportion, apposition, appraise, appreciate, apprehend, apprentice, approach, appropriate, approve, approximate, et al.
Before q, ad- becomes ac-: acquaint, acquaintance, acquiesce, acquiescence, acquire, acquisition, acquital, et al.
Before r, ad- becomes ar-: arrears, arrest, arrive, arrogant, et al.
Before s, ad- becomes as-: ascent, ascertain, ascribe, aspect, , assail, assailant, assault, assemble, assent, assert, assertion, , asset, assiduous, assign, assignment, assist, assistant, associate, assonance, assortment, assuage, assume, assumption, assurance, assure, assuredly et al.
Used to indicate a specific year date.
The motto of the state of Kansas, USA and Campbell University, Buies Creek, North Carolina, USA.
This motto suggests that we achieve great things only by encountering and overcoming adversities; it will be rough going, but we will make it.
Augusta refers to holy places, angusta to narrow spaces; therefore, sometimes we can not achieve great results without suffering by squeezing through narrow spaces.
This statement refers to the calends, the first day of the month, that was a feature of the Roman calendar, but the Greeks had no calends.
The calends was the day that interest on borrowed money was to be paid, so for Roman debtors they were tristes calendae, "the unhappy calends".
For the purpose of winning good will.
