Decoding Civics: Legislature, Bicameral, Unilateral

Read the vocabulary of government by its Latin roots.

Civics vocabulary is largely Latin, and its roots describe how government works. Lex, legis means law: a legislature is the body that makes laws, and legislation is the laws themselves. Judex, judicis means judge, giving judiciary and judicial. Executive comes from exsequi, 'to follow out' or carry out, so the executive branch carries out the laws. Bicameral combines bi-, 'two,' with camera, 'chamber,' describing a legislature with two houses; unicameral means one. Latus, lateris means side: unilateral action is taken by one side, bilateral involves two, multilateral many.

Suffrage, from Latin suffragium, 'vote,' means the right to vote. Worked example: 'The bicameral legislature passed the bill, but the executive's unilateral veto blocked it. ' Decoded: both chambers of the lawmaking body approved, but the leader of the branch that carries out laws rejected it alone. Each root names a role.

• 1Lex/legis: law; judex: judge; exsequi: carry out.
• 2Camera: chamber; bicameral means two houses.
• 3Latus: side; unilateral, bilateral, multilateral.