Which characteristic is common in words derived from Greek?

Words derived from Greek often exhibit complex constructions, featuring roots and prefixes that contribute significantly to their meanings. This characteristic allows for a rich vocabulary that encompasses various scientific, medical, and technical terms. For example, in English, many words such as "biology" (bio- meaning life, and -logy meaning the study of) and "telephone" (tele- meaning far, and -phone meaning sound) illustrate this complexity effectively.

This complexity stems from the structure of the Greek language itself, which frequently combines different morphemes (the smallest units of meaning) to form new words. As a result, understanding Greek roots and prefixes can greatly enhance one's vocabulary and comprehension, especially in specialized fields. Other options do not accurately capture the nature of Greek-derived words; short or everyday vocabulary does not apply as these terms are often more specialized, while irregular spellings relate primarily to the transition from Greek to English rather than being a defining characteristic of the words themselves. Additionally, many Greek-derived words are less common in everyday speech, especially compared to simpler, more frequently used vocabulary.