It is not a complete word. It takes on a new meaning when it is affixed with either a prefix, a suffix, or both. Its spelling is sometimes altered to accommodate the affix. Word roots are letters or groups of letters that carry a literal meaning, usually a Latin, Greek, or French derivative. They are not complete words.
Affixes lend special meanings to word roots and, at times, alter the spellings and meanings.
Affixes can be added to change the part of speech of the base word. The spelling is occasionally adjusted to accommodate the affix. This chapter gives working examples of nouns being changed to adjectives by simply adding a suffix. Spellings and meanings are only slightly altered. Occasionally an -ar suffix is used in an altered spelling.