(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 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.

adulterer (s) (noun), adulterers (pl)
1. Someone who commits fornication or extramarital relations between partners who are not married to each other.
2. Etymology: from Old French fornication, from Late Latin fornicationem (fornicatio; from fornicari "to fornicate"; from Latin fornix, "brothel"; originally "arch, vaulted chamber"; from fornus "arched or domed shape".

Roman prostitutes commonly solicited customers from under the arches of certain buildings; therefore, fornication means, "intimate relations between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman"; extended in the Bible as adultery.

The fact of being darkened or overshadowed.
advance (verb), advances; advanced; advancing
1. To move someone or something forward in position.
2. To put something forward; such as, a proposal.
3. To supply something or part of something; especially, money, before it is due.
4. To rise, or to make or help someone rise, in rank or position.
5. To make something happen earlier than originally expected.
6. Etymology: from Latin abante, "before" which was based on ab-, "from" and ante, "before".
advantage (s) (noun), advantages (pl)
1 A superior or favorable position in relation to someone or something: Henry was hoping to gain an advantage in his negotiations with the company.
2. A circumstance or factor that places a person in a favorable position in relation to another individual or to other people.
3. Etymology: from Old French avant, "before"; from Latin abante, "before".
1. The transfer of a property of the atmosphere; such as, heat, cold, or humidity, by the horizontal movement of an air mass: "Today's temperatures were higher due to the advection of warm air into the region."
2. The rate of change of an atmospheric property caused by the horizontal movement of air.
3. The horizontal movement of water, as in an ocean current.
advection fog
A type of fog formed when warm, moist air moves horizontally over a cold surface and the air is consequently cooled to below its dew point.

This condition is found especially along a coastline where the temperature of land and the temperature of water significantly differ.

advectional invesion
A departure from the usual decrease of temperature with increasing altitude, caused by advection.
A reference to or caused by advection (the transfer of heat, cold, or other atmospheric properties by the horizontal motion of a mass of air).
adventitia (s) (noun)
A membrane that covers an organ but is not part of that organ: "Adventitia is primarily made up of connective tissue."

"The layer known as adventitia is a pliable sheet of tissue that covers, lines, or connects the organs or cells of animals or plants."

adventitial (adjective)
adventitious (adjective)
2. Appearing casually, or out of the normal or usual place; especially, in botany of roots, shoots, buds, etc. produced in unusual parts of the plant.
3. Not in the usual order or place.
4. Not natural or hereditary; such as, roots that form on stems, a growth of hair where it usually does not grow, or the growth of a plant in a foreign habitat.
adventitious bud
A leaf bud that occurs in an unusual position; such as, on leaves or roots.
1. That which comes to us, or happens without design; chance, fortune, luck.
2. A chance occurrence, an event or issue, an accident.
3. A hazardous or perilous enterprise or performance; a daring feat; hence, a prodigy, a marvel.
4. Any novel or unexpected event in which one shares; an exciting or remarkable incident befalling any one.
5. The encountering of risks or participation in novel and exciting events; adventurous activity, enterprise.
A word used to modify (describe) or limit (make specific), the meaning of a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Most adverbs are formed by adding -ly to adjectives; however, adjectives ending in ic add ally: basic, basically. Others, such as well, "far, low, hard, early", and "fast"; have the same form as adjectives.

In summary: adverbs tell manner (how), time (when), place (where), degree (how much), and sometimes cause (why).

Adverbs of manner: "politely, carefully, not, equally, tenderly".

Adverbs of time: "now, then soon, later, early, often".

Adverbs of place: "here, there, near, forward, far."

Adverbs of degree: "very, so, much, too, extremely, rather."

Adverbs of cause: "why, therefore, hence".

adversary (s) (noun), adversaries (pl)
1. A person who, or that which, takes up a position of antagonism, or acts in a hostile manner; an opponent, antagonist; an enemy, a foe: The governor's political adversaries tried to keep him from winning a second term in office.
2. Etymology: from Anglo-French adverser, from Old French adversier, from Latin adversarius, "opponent, rival"; literally, "turned toward one", from adversus, "turned against".
A foe or a person who opposes another person.
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An opponent, an enemy, or a foe.
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