Latin word root · Speech & Writing

lect-: reading, choosing, gathering

lect- is a Latin root meaning “reading, choosing, gathering”. Learn its variants and explore 4 connected words.

Meaning and variants

Meaning: reading, choosing, gathering

Root forms: lect-, leg-, lig-

Source word: legō — to collect, gather, bring together, catch

Word family and examples

• select

  to carefully choose as being the best or most suitable

• collect

  to bring or gather together

• dialect

  A lect (often a regional or minority language) as part of a group or family of languages, especially if they are viewed as a single language, or if contrasted with a standardized idiom that is considered the 'true' form of the language (for example, Bavarian as contrasted with Standard German).

• legible

  clear enough to be read

Root connections help with vocabulary recall. They are not a complete etymological history, and a spelling match alone does not prove a relationship.

Explore this root in the app →