Arabic words are mostly composed of 3-letter or 4-letter root words. These roots have meanings of their own; but other letters can be added to them to open up a myriad of new possibilities that maintain the root's essence. For example, ج-م-ع (G-M-'A) literally means to gather, combine, collect, or put together. From these 3 letters tens of words are derived that convey different aspects of the root’s essential meaning.