What does the 'root' of a word refer to?

The root of a word refers to the base form of a word without any affixes, such as prefixes or suffixes. It serves as the core component that conveys the main meaning of the word. For example, in the word "unhappiness," the root is "happy," which is the essential part that carries the fundamental meaning of the word. Understanding the root helps in identifying the meaning of various words and can assist in deducing the meanings of unfamiliar words by recognizing shared roots.

In contrast, the definition of a word in context relates to how a word is used within a sentence, which may differ from its stand-alone meaning. The number of syllables pertains to the pronunciation and phonetic structure of the word rather than its semantic core. Etymology involves the history and origin of a word, exploring how its form and meaning have changed over time, rather than focusing on its base form.