Etymological root

ponere

Latin

to put; to place

Forms to recognize: pōnō, pōnere, positum

Latin pōnere and positum connect this family through putting and placing. Position and deposit retain the posit spelling. Compose, expose, and oppose reached English through French forms, so they are historical relatives rather than simple modern combinations of an English prefix and pone. Use the placing image to remember the family, then learn each usage pattern.

Learn this word family

compose
to be the parts that make up something; to form a whole

Three elected representatives compose the neighborhood committee.
deposit
A sum of money paid as a first part of a larger payment, or to reserve something.

We paid a deposit on the apartment before arranging the moving date.
expose
To uncover something so that it can be seen.

The workers removed the plaster to expose the original brick wall.
oppose
To disagree with and try to prevent something.

Several residents oppose the plan to close the only public library.
position
The place where someone or something is.

The map shows the exact position of the shelter beside the river.

# ponere

**Type:** Etymological root
**Language:** Latin
**Slug:** ponere

## Meanings
1. to put
2. to place

## Variants
- pōnō
- pōnere
- positum

## Notes
Latin pōnere and positum connect this family through putting and placing. Position and deposit retain the posit spelling. Compose, expose, and oppose reached English through French forms, so they are historical relatives rather than simple modern combinations of an English prefix and pone. Use the placing image to remember the family, then learn each usage pattern.

## Learn This Word Family
- compose: Three elected representatives compose the neighborhood committee.
- deposit: We paid a deposit on the apartment before arranging the moving date.
- expose: The workers removed the plaster to expose the original brick wall.
- oppose: Several residents oppose the plan to close the only public library.
- position: The map shows the exact position of the shelter beside the river.

## Words From This Root
- position - The place where someone or something is.
- deposit - A sum of money paid as a first part of a larger payment, or to reserve something.
- expose - To uncover something so that it can be seen.
- oppose - To disagree with and try to prevent something.
- compose - to be the parts that make up something; to form a whole
- composite - made up of distinct parts; a thing formed from several elements
- apposite - strikingly appropriate or pertinent
- apropos - relevant to the matter; with reference to
- discompose - to disturb the composure of; to unsettle
- provost - a senior academic administrator; the head of certain colleges
- imposing - grand and impressive in size or appearance
- purposive - having or showing conscious purpose; deliberate
- supposition - an assumption or belief held without proof
- opposer - one who opposes or resists something
- predisposition - an inclination or tendency to a particular condition or behavior
- compositor - a person who sets type for printing
- composure - calm self-control, especially under stress
- exposition - a comprehensive explanation, or a large public exhibition
- imposture - the act of deceiving by assuming a false identity or character
- indispose - to make unwilling or unfit; to make slightly unwell
- indisposed - slightly unwell; unwilling or disinclined
- indisposition - a slight illness; an unwillingness or aversion
- opposing - in conflict or contrast with; on the other side
- repository - a place where things are stored or kept
- transpose - to cause two or more things to change places; to put in a different key
- disposable - intended to be used once and then thrown away
- exponent - a person who supports an idea, or a mathematical power indicator
- expound - to explain or present something in detail
- impost - a tax or duty, especially one levied on imported goods
- impostor - a person who deceives others by pretending to be someone else
- imposure - an act of imposition or deception; a fraud or imposture
- interpose - to place or insert between; to intervene with a remark or action
- interposition - the act of placing between, or of intervening
- juxtaposition - the placing of things side by side for contrast or comparison
- oppositeness - the state or quality of being directly contrary or opposed
- postbox - a public box into which letters are placed for collection by the post office
- predisposed - inclined or made susceptible to something beforehand
- propone - to propose or put forward, especially formally in Scots law
- purposefully - with deliberate intent and determination
- reimposition - the act of imposing something again, such as a tax or restriction
- superimposition - the placing of one thing over another, especially so both remain visible
- transposition - the act of switching the order or position of two things

to put; to place

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Words from this root(42)

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