Lectures on the Science of Language

by F. Max Müller

A. Primitive roots are those which consist—

(1) of one vowel; for instance, i, to go;

(2) of one vowel and one consonant; for instance, ad, to eat;

(3) of one consonant and one vowel; for instance, dâ, to give.

B. Secondary roots are those which consist—

(1) of one consonant, vowel, and consonant; for instance, tud, to strike.

In these roots either the first or the last consonant is modificatory.

C. Tertiary roots are those which consist—

(1) of consonant, consonant, and vowel; for instance, plu, to flow;

(2) of vowel, consonant, and consonant; for instance, ard, to hurt;