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Is <adapt> the base element?

Is <adapt> the base element of <adaptable>?
Or does it have a prefix?  

To answer this question we need to look at meaning of the word <adapt>.  Meaning is the first consideration whenever you are analysing a word and the two meanings state that <adapt> has to do with making something fit in with something else or to make something suitable. So these definitions suggest a connection between <adapt> and the idea of “fitting” or “suitable”.

After meaning, we need to look at the structure of the word to find the base element. We start by looking for any prefixes or suffixes.

Latin: ad + aptāre ‘to fit’ from
aptus ‘fitting, suitable’ from apere ‘to fasten’

Is there a prefix <ad-> and can we prove this with other words that use the same prefix?

A quick look in any dictionary will verify that there is indeed a prefix <ad-> with a general denotation of ‘to, towards’ or ‘near; next to’ and that it is used in words of Latin origin. Some words taking this prefix include: <adjust>, <admit> and <advise>.

This then leaves the letter string <apt> for the base. We can easily verify that there is a spelling <apt> which is a free base element and justify this with words like <aptitude>, <aptness> and <aptly>. But does it carry a similar denotation to that of <adapt>?

There are several definitions for <apt> some of which are more common than others.  But the one shows a connection between <apt> and <adapt> is no. 4. Both come from the Latin word aptāre meaning ‘to fit’ and both share the idea of “fitting” or “suitable”

<apt>, therefore, is the base element of <adapt>.

The Word Sum:

ad + apt → adapt