Word part · Latin root
Lect root words: meaning and 21 examples
In short
The Latin root lect (from Latin) means "choose, gather, or read". It is also spelled leg and lig. Words with it include elect, election, elections, elective, collect and collection. Spelled leg or lig in some words: legible (able to be read), eligible (able to be chosen).
- Part
- lect
- Meaning
- choose, gather, or read
- Origin
- Latin
- Also spelled
- leg, lig
- Words listed
- 21
Spelled leg or lig in some words: legible (able to be read), eligible (able to be chosen).
Words with the Latin root lect
The list runs from shorter, common words to longer ones. The bands are a rough guide built from syllable count and how common each word is in our word list, not a grade-level standard. Read each word, then its word sum.
Colors:prefixroot or basesuffix
Start here: short, common words (about grades 3 and 4)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| elect | e (prefix)+lect (root or base)→electthe prefix changes to match | choose by voting |
| collect | col (prefix)+lect (root or base)→collectthe prefix changes to match | gather things together |
More words: select, lecture, legend, neglect
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| election | e (prefix)+lect (root or base)+ion (suffix)→electionthe prefix changes to match | a time when people vote to choose someone |
| elections | e (prefix)+lect (root or base)+ion (suffix)+s (suffix)→electionsthe prefix changes to match | more than one election |
| elective | e (prefix)+lect (root or base)+ive (suffix)→electivethe prefix changes to match | a class you get to choose |
| collection | col (prefix)+lect (root or base)+ion (suffix)→collectionthe prefix changes to match | a group of things gathered together |
| legible | leg (root or base)+ible (suffix)→legible | clear enough to be read |
| illegible | il (prefix)+leg (root or base)+ible (suffix)→illegiblethe prefix changes to match | too messy to be read |
More words: selective, lecturer, intellect, intelligent, collective
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| collector | col (prefix)+lect (root or base)+or (suffix)→collectorthe prefix changes to match | a person who gathers things of one kind |
| recollect | re (prefix)+col (prefix)+lect (root or base)→recollectthe prefix changes to match | gather back into your mind; remember |
| eligible | e (prefix)+lig (root or base)+ible (suffix)→eligiblethe prefix changes to match | able to be chosen |
| legendary | legend (root or base)+ary (suffix)→legendary | famous, like someone in a legend |
Where does lect sit in a word?
A root can come first, last or in the middle. Students who only look at the start of a word miss half of these.
- At the start:
- legible
- In the middle:
- election, elections, elective, collection, collector, illegible, eligible
- At the end:
- elect, collect, recollect
How do you teach the root lect?
This root carries three ideas that fit together: choose, gather and read. Start with elect and collect, which most students know. To elect is to choose by voting; to collect is to gather. Then show legible and lecture and explain that reading was once thought of as gathering words with your eyes. Students like that link, and it gives them a way to remember why one root covers all three meanings.
A quick routine
Say, "Lect means choose, gather or read. Your job is to tell me which one each word uses." Show election, collector, recollect, legible and elective. The student reads the word, finds lect or leg, and holds up one, two or three fingers for choose, gather or read. Then the student explains one answer in a full sentence. Dictate collection to finish, since the double l catches people.
What do students mix up with lect?
The leg spelling of this root collides with leg meaning law. Legible and legend are about reading; legal and legislate are about law. Students also see lect in electric and think of choosing, but electric comes from a Greek word for amber, so it is a false friend. Select, neglect and intellect do belong. Reflect does not; it holds flect, which means bend.
For the sounds inside these words, see the phonics word lists. Routines that fit: meanings of prefixes and suffixes, circle the parts, read the base and flexible routine for big words.
Questions people ask
What does the root lect mean?
Lect means "choose, gather, or read". It is a Latin root, also spelled leg and lig. Spelled leg or lig in some words: legible (able to be read), eligible (able to be chosen).
What are some words with the root lect?
Start with elect, collect, select and lecture. Then move to election, elections, collector and recollect. This page lists 21 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Is electric from the root lect?
No. Electric comes from the Greek word for amber, which gives off a spark when rubbed. The letters l, e, c, t sit in it by chance. Choose, gather and read do not fit its meaning, which is the quick test.
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