Word Root of SURVIVE. The Latin word vivere, meaning “ to live, ” gives us the root viv. Words from the Latin vivere have something to do with living. To sur viv e is to remain alive.To re viv e is to bring back to life.he Latin word vivere, meaning “ to live, ” gives us the root viv. Words from the Latin vivere have something to do with living. To sur viv e is to remain alive. To re viv e is to bring back to life.