In my native language, words are created using
'Root Words'+'Prefixes/suffixes'.
Also the root words make sense for us.Is English the same?
For example I think the word
'crete'is the root and'dis,con & ...'are its prefixes creating the words'concrete'or'discrete'. And does the word'crete'have meaning related to the meaning of the words'concrete'or'discrete'?
Thanks a lot
Answer
There is/was an English word "crete"(n.) meaning a cradle or frame: it is from the Old French "cretin" = basket, and probably gives us the word "crate. It is unrelated to the "-crete" in concrete and accrete, and is now dialect or obsolete.
In concrete the etymology: < Latin concrētus, past participle of concrēscĕre to grow together:
con = together,
Then we have accretion/to accrete Etymology: < classical Latin accrētiōn-, accrētiō increase < accrēt- , past participial stem of accrēscere accresce v. + -iō -ion suffix
Thus -crēscĕre to grow; increase.
Thus concrete something that grows together, i.e. solidifies.
There are various prefixes that attach to the "-crete" of other words which each have their own meaning or meanings.
Italics = OED
Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : Aaron , Answer Author : Greybeard