What is the basic part of a word that gives the main meaning without prefixes or suffixes?

The correct answer is "root." In linguistics, the root of a word is the fundamental part that carries the core meaning. It is the base component upon which affixes like prefixes (which come before the root) and suffixes (which come after) can be added to create new words or alter the meaning of the original one. For example, in the word "unhappiness," "happy" is the root, while "un-" and "-ness" are the prefixes and suffixes that modify it.

The root generally provides the essential semantic content of the word, making it a critical element in understanding and building vocabulary. Understanding roots can greatly enhance comprehension and word-building skills, as recognizing roots helps decipher unfamiliar words.

While "stem," "base," and "affix" may relate to word formation, they do not specifically define the part of the word that embodies its main meaning without additional modifications. Stems often include roots along with some inflection, while bases can refer to roots in some contexts but can also include affixes. An affix, on the other hand, is not part of the core meaning but rather modifies it.