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
Latin se- (apart) + cedere (go) → secedere → secede
sedition — conduct or speech that encourages rebellion against government authority
Latin sed- (apart, a form of se-) + itio (going), from ire (go) → seditio → sedition
segregate — to separate a group from others
Latin se- (apart) + grex, gregis (flock) → segregare → segregate
separate — to divide or keep apart
Latin se- (apart) + parare (prepare, arrange) → separare → separate
secret — kept hidden or known only to a few
Latin se- (apart) + cernere (sift, distinguish) → secernere (set apart) → secretus → secret
select — to choose from a larger group
Latin se- (apart) + legere (gather, choose) → seligere → selectus → select

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