What does the prefix ad- mean?

• A. Toward, to, in the direction of
• B. Without
• C. Away from
• D. The main meaning of root word

Answer: (A)

The prefix ad- signals toward or in the direction of. It comes from Latin ad- meaning to, toward, or near, and is used in medical terms to indicate movement or location toward something—think adduction (movement toward the midline) and words like adrenal (located near the kidney). This is why the best choice is “toward, to, in the direction of.”

The other options don’t fit because ad- is not a prefix meaning without (that would be a-, an-) or away from (that would be ab- or de-). And a statement about the main meaning of the root word isn’t describing a prefix meaning at all.