* Root words are the basic building blocks of words. They carry the core meaning and can't be broken down further. Examples include "graph" (writing), "port" (carry), or "ject" (throw).
* Base words are simple words that can be added to prefixes and suffixes to create new words. They're often, but not always, root words.
Let's break down the two words:
* Plentiful: This word is formed by combining the base word "plenty" with the suffix "-ful," meaning "full of."
* Misfortunate: This word is formed by combining the prefix "mis-" (meaning "badly" or "wrongly") with the base word "fortunate," which itself combines the base word "fortune" with the suffix "-ate."
Therefore, neither "plentiful" nor "misfortunate" are root or base words. They are derived from other words, with prefixes and suffixes added to create their specific meanings.