Lesson 14: PATH
The Root
PATH comes from Greek and means "feeling" or "disease."
When you see this root, think about emotions (words like empathy) or sickness (words like germs).
Word List
| Word | Parts | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| sympathy | SYM- (together) / EM- (in) + PATHY (feeling) | feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune (feeling *with*) |
| empathy | SYM- (together) / EM- (in) + PATHY (feeling) | the ability to understand and share the feelings of another (feeling *in*) |
| apathy | A- (without) / ANTI- (against) + PATHY (feeling) | lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern (no feeling) |
| antipathy | A- (without) / ANTI- (against) + PATHY (feeling) | a deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion (feeling *against*) |
| pathetic | PATH (feeling) + -ETIC (causing) | arousing pity, especially through vulnerability or sadness |
| pathology | PATH (disease) + -OLOGY (study) / -GEN (creator) | the scientific study of disease |
| pathogen | PATH (disease) + -OLOGY (study) / -GEN (creator) | a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease |
| psychopath | PSYCH- (mind) / SOCIO- (society) + PATH (disease) | a person suffering from chronic mental disorder with abnormal or violent social behavior |
| telepathy | TELE- (far) + PATHY (feeling) | the supposed communication of thoughts or feelings by means other than the known senses (feeling from *far*) |
| homeopathy | HOMEO- (similar) + PATHY (disease/treatment) | a system of treating disease by minute doses of natural substances |
| osteopath | OSTEO- (bone) + PATH (treatment/disease) | a medical practitioner who emphasizes the treatment of medical disorders through the manipulation and massage of the skeleton and musculature |
| sociopath | PSYCH- (mind) / SOCIO- (society) + PATH (disease) | a person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior and a lack of conscience |
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
Choose the word that best completes each sentence.
- The doctor sent the tissue sample to __________ to check for disease.
a) telepathy
b) pathology
c) apathy
d) sympathy
- He felt great __________ for the family who lost their home in the fire.
a) sympathy
b) pathogen
c) apathy
d) antipathy
- Wash your hands to wash away any dangerous __________.
a) sympathies
b) pathogens
c) osteopaths
d) telepathies
- She has great _________ for her friend because she went through the exact same problem last year.
a) antipathy
b) empathy
c) pathology
d) apathy
- The movie villain was a __________ who cared nothing for human life.
a) homeopath
b) sympathizer
c) telepath
d) psychopath
- His grades suffered because of his __________; he just didn't care about school.
a) antipathy
b) empathy
c) sympathy
d) apathy
- The shivering, wet puppy was a __________ sight.
a) pathetic
b) telepathic
c) pathological
d) sympathetic
- Twins sometimes claim to have __________, knowing what the other is thinking.
a) sympathy
b) antipathy
c) telepathy
d) pathology
- The crowd showed their __________ for the corrupt leader by booing loudly.
a) sympathy
b) empathy
c) apathy
d) antipathy
- An __________ treats patients by manipulating bones and muscles.
a) homeopath
b) osteopath
c) psychopath
d) sociopath
- __________ is a type of alternative medicine using natural substances.
a) Homeopathy
b) Telepathy
c) Pathology
d) Empathy
- A __________ lacks a conscience and often breaks the rules of society.
a) homeopath
b) telepath
c) sociopath
d) pathologist
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
Use each word from the word bank exactly once.
Word Bank: sympathy, empathy, apathy, antipathy, pathetic, pathology, pathogen, psychopath, telepathy, homeopathy, osteopath, sociopath
I sent a card to express my __________ when her dog died.
The voters' __________ was high; nobody bothered to show up to the polls.
The detective wondered if the killer was a __________ because the crime was so brutal.
Antibiotics kill the __________ that causes the infection.
I feel deep __________ for you because I broke my leg once, too.
The __________ examined the blood sample under a microscope.
He claimed to use __________ to read my mind.
The team made a __________ attempt to win, scoring zero points.
She has a strong __________ toward broccoli; she hates it!
My back hurt, so I went to see an __________ for an adjustment.
Some people swear by __________, using herbs to heal minor ailments.
The criminal was diagnosed as a __________, unable to follow social rules.
Practice 3: Reading Passage
The Doctor
Dr. Vance worked in pathology. Every day, he looked for the pathogen making people sick. It was a scientific job, but he never lost his sympathy for the patients.
Sometimes, he felt deeply sad, almost bordering on empathy, when he saw a child suffering. He hated the apathy of the insurance companies who didn't seem to care if people got well. He vowed never to become cold or pathetic in his efforts to help.
Reading PassageQuestions
- Dr. Vance worked in "pathology," meaning:
a) He studied the mind
b) He studied diseases
c) He studied bones
d) He studied feelings
- A "pathogen" is:
a) A germ or virus
b) A doctor
c) A feeling
d) A medicine
- He felt "sympathy," meaning:
a) He felt angry
b) He didn't care
c) He felt pity and sorrow for them
d) He felt sick
- He hated the "apathy" of the insurance companies. This means:
a) Their high prices
b) Their lack of care or concern
c) Their violence
d) Their stupidity
- He vowed not to become "pathetic," meaning:
a) Sad and weak
b) Strong and brave
c) A sociopath
d) A homeopath
Answer Key
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
- b
- a
- b
- b
- d
- d
- a
- c
- d
- b
- a
- c
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
- sympathy
- apathy
- psychopath
- pathogen
- empathy
- pathology
- telepathy
- pathetic
- antipathy
- osteopath
- homeopathy
- sociopath
Reading Passage Questions
- b
- a
- c
- b
- a