Latin · root
facere
do, make
Forms
- fac-
- fact- — Latin stem of the form meaning ‘done’ or ‘made.’
- -fic- — Used in Latin compounds.
- -fect- — Stem of the form meaning ‘done’ or ‘made’ in Latin compounds.
- -fy — English ending developed from Latin -ficare, a formation based on this verb.
Origin
Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *dheh₁-, ‘put; set; do.’
Note
Especially productive in formations meaning ‘cause to become.’
Words sharing this root
affectTo produce a change in someone or something.affectTo put on a manner or quality that is not genuine.affectAn observable expression of emotion.affectionWarm feelings of care or attachment toward someone or something.amplificationAn increase in strength, amount, or extent.amplifyTo make something stronger or more pronounced.artifactAn unintended effect introduced by a process of observation, recording, or analysis.artifactAn object made or modified by humans, especially one from the past.artificeClever invention or contrivance.benefactorA person who gives money or other help to someone or a cause.benefitSomething that contributes to someone's welfare.certificateAn official document serving as proof, or the act of issuing one.certificationOfficial confirmation that required standards or qualifications have been met.certifyTo make an authoritative declaration of someone's status or qualification.clarificationThe removal of material that makes something unclear.clarifyTo remove what obscures clarity.comfitA small sweet made by coating a seed or nut with sugar.confectionAn elaborately prepared sweet food.counterfeitA copy made to deceive people into believing it is genuine.defeatTo overcome opposition and prevent its success.defectTo abandon one side or country for another.defectA flaw or imperfection.defectionThe act of abandoning allegiance to a country, group, or cause.defectiveFlawed or not working properly.deficiencyA lack or shortage of something needed or expected.deficientLacking enough of something necessary or expected.deficitAn amount by which something falls short of what is needed or expected.discomfitureThe unsettling of someone's confidence or plans.edificationInstruction that improves understanding or moral character.edificeA large, impressive building.edifyTo improve someone's understanding or moral character through instruction.effectA result caused by an action or process.effectiveSuccessful in producing the intended result.effectiveExisting or functioning in practice, whether formally recognized or not.effectivelyIn a way that achieves a result, or in practical effect.effectualSuccessful in producing the intended result.efficacyThe ability to produce a desired result.efficientAchieving the desired result with little waste of time, energy, or resources.facsimileA faithful copy of an original document or object.factSomething real or known to be true.factionA group within a larger organization whose views differ from those of other members.factorAn element that contributes to producing a result.factorAn agent who conducts business on another's behalf.factorA business that buys unpaid invoices at a discount and collects payment.factotumAn employee or helper who performs many different tasks.featAn impressive or difficult achievement.fortificationThe strengthening of something against attack or damage.fortifyTo build up strength against a threat or weakness.glorificationThe act of presenting someone or something as admirable or worthy of great honor.gratificationPleasure from having a desire or need fulfilled.gratifyTo please or satisfy someone by fulfilling a desire or need.imperfectHaving faults or lacking completeness.imperfectA verb form expressing ongoing or habitual action in the past.infectTo introduce a disease-causing agent that spreads within a host.infectionThe establishment and spread of harmful microorganisms within a host.insufficientNot enough to meet a need or requirement.justifiableAble to be defended as reasonable or right.justificationThe establishing of someone or something as right.justificationThe alignment of text evenly with margins.justifyTo establish that something is right or warranted.justifyTo adjust text so its edges line up with a margin or margins.liquefactionThe process of becoming liquid or beginning to behave like a liquid.liquefyTo make or become liquid.magnificationAn increase in apparent size.magnificenceThe quality of being splendid or impressively beautiful.magnificentExceptionally impressive in beauty or quality.magnifyTo increase something's apparent size.malefactorA person who commits a crime or other wrongdoing.modificationA change to something or the act of changing it.modifyTo alter a feature without replacing the whole.mollifyTo make someone less angry or hostile.mortificationDeath or decay of body tissue.mortificationSelf-denial or bodily discipline for religious or moral reasons.mortificationExtreme embarrassment or humiliation.mortifyTo suppress bodily desires through discipline or self-denial.mortifyTo make someone feel deeply embarrassed or humiliated.munificenceGreat generosity in giving.notificationA notice bringing something to someone's attention.notifyTo formally or directly inform someone of something.nullificationThe act of declaring something legally void or making it ineffective.nullifyTo make something invalid or ineffective.officeA room or building where administrative or professional work is done.olfactoryRelating to the sense of smell.orificeAn opening into a body cavity or device.pacificPeaceful or inclined to avoid conflict.parfaitA rich dessert served frozen or in layers.perfectA grammatical form linking an earlier action or state to a later reference time.perfectHaving no shortcomings for a particular purpose, or making something so.perfectionCompletion of the formal requirements that protect a legal right against third-party claims.perfectionThe state of being completely without faults.perfectlyWithout fault or completely.petrifiedChanged into stone or a stone-like substance.pluperfectA verb tense expressing an action completed before another past time.prefectA person appointed to supervise a community or institution.proficiencyCompetence or skill in a subject or activity.proficientSkilled and competent at a task or subject.profitA financial or other benefit gained from an activity.prolificProducing a large amount or number of somethingpurificationThe removal of impurities or contaminants.purifierSomething or someone that removes impurities.purifyTo rid something of impurities.putrefactionThe decay of organic matter that produces a foul smell.putrefyTo decay or cause to decay through bacterial action, producing a foul smell.qualificationSuitability established by meeting a requirement.qualificationA condition that limits the scope or force of a statement.qualifyTo meet or enable someone or something to meet the requirements for a role or opportunity.qualifyTo modify the meaning or scope of something by adding conditions or descriptive detail.quantifyTo measure or express an amount in numbers.ratificationFormal approval that makes an agreement or decision official.ratifyTo formally approve an agreement or decision and make it valid.rectificationThe purification of a liquid by repeated distillation.rectificationThe conversion of alternating current into direct current.rectificationThe process of putting something right.rectifyTo convert alternating current into direct current.rectifyTo purify a liquid by repeated distillation.rectifyTo put something wrong right.sacrificeThe relinquishing of something valued for a purpose.sanctifyTo declare or make something sacred.satisfactionThe fulfillment of a need or requirement.satisfactoryGood enough to meet requirements or expectations.satisfyTo meet a need or requirement adequately.significanceEvidence that an observed result is unlikely under a specified chance model.significanceThe importance of something.significanceThe meaning conveyed by something.significantImportant or large enough to matter.significantMeeting a statistical threshold for evidence against a chance explanation.significantlyTo an important degree or in a way that conveys meaning.signifyTo mean or be a sign of something.signifyTo matter or have importance.signifyTo engage in indirect wordplay or ritual insult.simplificationThe act or result of making something easier or less complex.simplifyTo make something simpler or easier.specificationA precise description of required qualities or details.specifyTo state or describe something precisely.stratificationThe arrangement of something in successive layers.stupefyTo overwhelm people so they cannot think clearly.sufficeBe enough for a purpose.sufficientEnough to meet a need, purpose, or standard.terrificExtremely good or impressive.terrifyTo frighten someone very much.testifyTo give evidence that something is true, especially in a formal statement.unifyTo bring separate things together into one whole.verificationThe process of checking that something is true or meets requirements.verifyTo confirm that something is true, accurate, or valid.vilifyTo speak or write about someone in a severely abusive way.