What are the meanings of prefix and root in word intersect?

The word "intersect" doesn't have a prefix in the traditional sense. However, it does have a root word, which is "sect".

Here's a breakdown:

* "sect": This root word comes from the Latin "secare", meaning "to cut". It's related to words like "section", "dissect", and "bisect".

The word "intersect" literally means "to cut into", referring to the point where two lines or shapes cross each other. So, "intersect" is a combination of the prefix "inter-", meaning "between", and the root "sect".

It's important to note that the prefix "inter-" is not actually part of the word's etymology. It's a separate element added to the root "sect" to create the word "intersect". However, it contributes to the overall meaning of the word, suggesting that the "cutting" happens *between* two things.