Here's a breakdown:
* Root word: The basic form of a word, often a single syllable, that carries the core meaning.
* Cognates: Words that share the same root word, often from different languages but with similar meanings.
Example:
* Root word: "scrib" (meaning "to write")
* Cognates:
* English: "scribe," "script," "inscription"
* Latin: "scribere"
* French: "écrire"
Let me know if you have any other questions!