se

apart; aside

Spelled se · se- 'apart, aside, without'

Latin se- sets things apart: segregate separates a flock, select picks something out, and secret originally described something set aside.

Words built from it

secede — to withdraw formally from an organization or union
se- (apart) + cede (go)
sedition — conduct or speech that encourages rebellion against government authority
se- (apart) + it (go) + -ion (action or result)
segregate — to separate a group from others
se- (apart) + greg (flock) + -ate (verb ending)
separate — to divide or keep apart
se- (apart) + par (arrange) + -ate (verb ending)
secret — kept hidden or known only to a few
se- (apart) + cret (sift)
select — to choose from a larger group
se- (apart) + lect (choose)

serene — From Latin serenus, 'clear or calm'; its opening letters are not the prefix se-.