What best describes the affect of adding a prefix like bi or tri to root word?

Adding prefixes like "bi" or "tri" to a root word changes the meaning of the word. Here's how:

* Prefixes modify the root word's meaning: They add a specific nuance or aspect to the original meaning of the word.

* They don't change the word's grammatical function: While changing the meaning, they usually don't alter the word's part of speech (e.g., noun, verb, adjective).

Examples:

* Bi:

* Bicycle: Two wheels (from "cycle" meaning wheel).

* Bilingual: Speaking two languages (from "lingual" meaning language).

* Tri:

* Triangle: A shape with three sides (from "angle").

* Tripod: A stand with three legs (from "pod" meaning foot).

In summary, prefixes like "bi" and "tri" provide a concise way to modify a word's meaning by indicating a specific number or quantity.