disparage (dis-PAIR′-əj)
To belittle, speak slightingly of, lower the reputation of
Sessions 19–23 · Source
Verbs are incalculably useful to you. Every sentence you think, say, read, or write contains an implied or expressed verb, for it is the verb that carries the action, the movement, the force of your ideas.
As a young child, you used verbs fairly early. Your first words were probably nouns, as you identified the things or people around you — Mama, Dada, doll, baby, bottle — for naming concrete things or real persons is the initial step in the development of language.
Soon there came the ability to express intangible ideas, and then you began to use simple verbs — go, stop, stay, want, eat, sleep. As you gained maturity, your verbs expressed ideas of greater and greater complexity; as an adult you can describe the most involved actions in a few simple syllables — if you have a good store of useful verbs at your command.
The richer and more extensive your vocabulary of verbs, the more accurately and expressively you can communicate your understanding of actions, reactions, attitudes, and emotions.
In this chapter you will master 10 powerful action verbs (Session 19) and then explore their etymology and related word families across Sessions 20–23, culminating in a comprehensive chapter review.
Let's be specific. Here are ten verbs, each illustrated in a scenario.
Ready to go back thirty or more years? Harry Truman couldn't win the 1948 election. The pollsters said so, the Republicans heartily agreed, even the Democrats believed it. But came the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November — those who stayed up listening to the returns recall the unique Truman triumph.
What were the apologists for Dewey's failure doing? They were disparaging Truman's achievement.
Dewey campaigned for the presidency. As the Republican aspirant, he had to take a stand on the controversial Taft-Hartley Act. Was he for it? He was for that part of it which was good. Naturally, he was against any provisions which were bad. Take whichever answer you wanted most to hear.
What was Dewey doing? He was equivocating.
Have you ever gone through a book so good you kept hugging yourself mentally as you read? Or had a portion of pumpkin-chiffon pie, light and airy with a flaky, delicious crust? Not the things that grip you emotionally, but the mental or physical stimuli that excite enjoyably but not too sharply — a delightful novel, a charming play, a delicious dessert.
How do such things affect you? They titillate you.
You know how the teen-agers of an earlier generation adored, idolized, and overwhelmed Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, the Beatles? And of course you know how certain people fall all over visiting celebrities — best-selling authors, much publicized artists, famous entertainers. They show them ingratiating, almost servile attention, worship and flatter them fulsomely.
How do we say it in a single word? They adulate such celebrities.
What does the doctor say to you if you have low blood sugar? "No candy, no pastries, no chocolate marshmallow cookies, no ice cream!" — your morale dropping lower as each favorite goody is placed on the forbidden list.
What, in one word, is the doctor doing? The doctor is proscribing harmful items in your diet.
You are warm, friendly, enthusiastic, outgoing, easy to please; you are quick to show appreciation, yet accept, without judgment or criticism, the human weaknesses of others. You are a fascinating talker, an even better listener. You believe in, and practice, honest self-disclosure; you feel comfortable with yourself and therefore with everyone else.
Need you have any fears about making friends? Obviously not. Your characteristics and temperament obviate such fears.
Theodor Reik, in his penetrating book on psychoanalysis Listening with the Third Ear, talks about neurotic people who unconsciously wish to fail. In business interviews they say exactly the wrong words, they do exactly the wrong things, they seem intent on insuring failure in every possible way, though consciously they are doing their best to court success.
What effect does such a neurotic tendency have? It militates against success.
"Harry? He's a closet alcoholic. Maud? She's sleeping around. Bill? He's embezzling from his own company. Paul? He's a child molester. Sally? You don't know that she's a notorious husband-beater?"
What is this character doing? He's maligning everyone.
Do you think it's all right to cheat on your income taxes? At least just a little? It's wrong, of course, but doesn't everybody do it? How do you feel about marital infidelity? Are you inclined to overlook the occasional philandering of the male partner?
If your answers are in the affirmative, how are you reacting to such legal or ethical transgressions? You condone them.
Unwittingly you have done something that has aroused anger and resentment in your best friend. You had no desire to hurt him, yet he makes it obvious that he feels pretty bitter about the whole situation. His friendship is valuable to you and you wish to restore yourself in his good graces.
What do you do? You try to placate him.
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1. Do you normally disparage something you admire?
2. Do you equivocate if you think it unwise to take a definite stand?
3. Do pleasant things titillate you?
4. Do emotionally mature people need constant adulation?
5. Is sugar proscribed for diabetics?
6. Does a substantial fortune obviate financial fears?
7. Does a worker's inefficiency often militate against his keeping his job?
8. Do people enjoy being maligned?
9. Do we generally condone the faults of those we love?
10. Can you sometimes placate a person by apologizing?
Write the verb that best fits each situation.
1. You've been asked to take a stand on a certain issue, but you don't have the courage to be either definitely for or against. You ___.
2. You spread around an unpleasant story that you know will blacken someone's reputation. You ___ that person.
3. Your friend is justifiably angry — you asked him to go to a party with you, ignored him all evening, and then finally left with someone else. What must you do if you wish to restore the relationship? You must try to ___ him.
4. You virtually worship your therapist. You express your admiration in lavish flattery; you praise her in such excessive terms that she appears devoid of all human frailty. You ___ her.
5. You are crowding 260 on the scales, so your doctor warns against high-calorie meals, rich desserts, second helpings, excessive carbohydrates, etc. The doctor ___ these foods.
6. Your child Johnnie has smacked the neighbor's kid — entirely without provocation, you are forced to admit. But after all, you think, tomorrow the other kid will, with equal lack of provocation, probably smack Johnnie. You ___ Johnnie's behavior.
7. When your son, understandably expecting praise, mentions the three B's and two A's he earned in his courses, you respond, callously, "Is that the best you can do? What stopped you from getting all A's?" You ___ his accomplishment.
8. You have run out of cash and plan to go to the bank to make a withdrawal; then unexpectedly you discover a twenty-dollar bill you secreted in your desk drawer months ago. Your find ___ a trip to the bank.
9. You are the soul of honesty, but unfortunately, you have a sneaky, thievish, sinister look — and no one ever trusts you. Your appearance ___ against you.
10. The centerfold of Playboy or Playgirl provides a mild and agreeable stimulation. The centerfold ___ you.
1. change hostility into friendliness
P________________
2. make unnecessary
O________________
3. belittle
D________________
4. overlook or forgive a transgression
C________________
5. tickle; delight; stimulate pleasurably
T________________
6. spread malicious rumors about; slander
M________________
7. purposely use language susceptible of opposite interpretations
E________________
8. act to the disadvantage of
M________________
9. forbid; prohibit
P________________
10. worship; flatter fulsomely
A________________
If you play golf, you know that each course or hole has a certain par, the number of strokes allowed according to the results achieved by expert players. Par is from a Latin word meaning equal.
When we speak of parity payments to farmers, we refer to payments that show an equality to earnings for some agreed-upon year. So when you disparage, you lower someone's par, or feeling of equality (dis- as you know, may be a negative prefix). The noun is disparagement (dis-PAIR′-əj-mənt), the adjective disparaging.
Parity (PAIR′-ə-tee) as a noun means equality; disparity (dis-PAIR′-ə-tee) means a lack of equality, or a difference. The adjective disparate (DIS′-pə-rət) indicates essential or complete difference or inequality.
The word compare and all its forms (comparable, comparative) derive from par, equal. Two things are compared when they have certain equal or similar qualities (con-, com-, together, with). Pair and peer are also from par. Things in pairs are equal or similar; your peers are those equal to you in age, position, rank, or ability — hence the expression "to be judged by a jury of one's peers."
Equivocate is built on another Latin word meaning equal — aequus (spelled equ- in English words) — plus vox, vocis, voice. When you equivocate, you seem to be saying both yes and no with equal voice. An equivocal (ə-KWIV′-ə-kəl) answer is by design vague, indefinite, and susceptible of contradictory interpretations, quite the opposite of an unequivocal (un′-ə-KWIV′-ə-kəl) response, which says Yes! or No!, and no kidding. Professional politicians are masters of equivocation (ə-kwiv′-ə-KAY′-shən).
Do not confuse equivocal with ambiguous (am′-BIG′-yōö-əs). An equivocal statement is purposely, deliberately couched in language that will be deceptive; an ambiguous statement is accidentally couched in such language. Equivocal is, in short, purposely ambiguous.
Ambi-, which we last met in ambivert and ambidextrous, is a root meaning both; anything ambiguous may have both one meaning and another meaning. Ambiguity (am′-bə-GYōö′-ə-tee) is the quality of being susceptible of two interpretations.
Another type of statement contains the possibility of two interpretations — one of them suggestive, risqué, or sexy. Such a statement is a double entendre (DōöB′-lən-TAHN′-drə).
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1. Is there a disparity in age between a grandfather and his granddaughter?
2. Is an equivocal statement clear and direct?
3. Is an unequivocal answer vague and misleading?
4. Are politicians often masters of equivocation?
5. Are ambiguous sentences somewhat confusing?
6. Are people with disparate perceptions of life likely to experience reality in the same way?
7. Is a disparaging look one of admiration?
8. When people equivocate, are they evading the issue?
9. Is the deliberate use of double entendres likely to shock puritanical people?
10. Are supervisors and their subordinates peers?
1. accidentally vague
A________________
2. purposely vague
E________________
3. equality
P________________
4. word or statement one meaning of which may be interpreted as risqué
D________________
5. lack of equality
D________________
6. belittlement
D________________
7. clear; direct; capable of only one interpretation
U________________
8. essentially or widely unequal or different
D________________
9. one's equal in age, rank, etc.
P________________
10. to use words in a calculated effort to mislead or to be ambiguous
E________________
Write the English word that uses each prefix, root, or suffix.
1. par — equal. English word: ___
2. -ment — noun suffix attached to verbs. English word: ___
3. -ity — noun suffix attached to adjectives. English word: ___
4. dis- — negative prefix. English word: ___
5. con-, com- — with, together. English word: ___
6. aequus (equ-) — equal. English word: ___
7. vox, vocis — voice. English word: ___
8. -ate — verb suffix. English word: ___
9. -ion — noun suffix attached to verbs ending in -ate. English word: ___
10. -ous — adjective suffix. English word: ___
11. ambi- — both. English word: ___
The root aequus, spelled equ- in English words, is a building block of:
Equestrian (ə-KWES′-tree-ən) is someone on a horse (as pedestrian is someone on foot); an equestrienne (ə-kwes′-tree-EN′) is a woman on a horse. Equine (EE′-kwīn) is like a horse, or descriptive of horses — and also a noun for a horse.
The equ- in these words, from Latin equus, horse, is not to be confused with the equ- meaning equal from aequus. (Remember also not to confuse the ped- in pedestrian, from Latin pedis, foot, with the ped- in pediatrician, from Greek paidos, child.)
Equivocal combines aequus with vox, vocis, voice; and vox, vocis combines with fero, to bear or carry, to form vociferous (vō-SIF′-ər-əs), etymologically "carrying (much) voice," hence loud, noisy, clamorous, as vociferous demands.
If you are vocal (VŌ′-kəl), you express yourself readily and freely by voice. To vocalize (VŌ′-kə-līz′) is to give voice to, or to sing the vocals of music. The noun form is vocalization (vō′-kə-lə-ZAY′-shən). A vocalist (VŌ′-kə-list) is a singer.
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1. Is life always equitable?
2. Does the cynic expect more inequity than equity in life?
3. Do ethical people practice iniquity?
4. Does the equinox occur once a month?
5. Are nocturnal animals active at night?
6. If you generally preserve your equanimity, do you often get very excited?
7. Is it easy to maintain your equilibrium on icy ground?
8. Is equability the mark of a calm, even-tempered person?
9. Does an equilateral triangle have equal sides?
10. Is an equine a dog?
11. If you demand something vociferously, do you make a lot of noise?
12. If you are vocal, do you have difficulty expressing yourself?
13. Is a vocalist the same as an instrumentalist?
1. to give voice to; to express aloud; to sing
V________________
2. tightrope walker
E________________
3. active or flourishing at night
N________________
4. descriptive or characteristic of, or like, a horse
E________________
5. referring to the voice; skillful or fluent in expressing by voice
V________________
6. calm and unflappable in temperament
E________________
7. wicked, sinful
I________________
8. night music
N________________
9. fairness, justice
E________________
1. loud, noisy, clamorous
V________________
2. person on horseback
E________________
3. calmness or evenness of temper
E________________
4. unfair, unjust
I________________
5. sin; wickedness; grossly immoral behavior
I________________
6. time when day and night are of equal length
E________________
7. fair, just, evenhanded
E________________
8. physical balance; balance between opposing forces
E________________
9. having equal sides
E________________
10. singer
V________________
Write the English word that uses each prefix, root, or suffix.
1. aequus (equ-) — equal. English word: ___
2. in- — negative prefix. English word: ___
3. nox, noctis — night. English word: ___
4. animus — mind. English word: ___
5. -ity — noun suffix. English word: ___
6. libra — balance, weight, pound. English word: ___
7. -ist — person who. English word: ___
8. latus, lateris — side. English word: ___
9. equus — horse. English word: ___
10. -ine — like, descriptive of. English word: ___
11. pedis — foot. English word: ___
12. paidos (ped-) — child. English word: ___
13. vox, vocis — voice. English word: ___
14. fero — to bear, carry. English word: ___
15. magnus — large. English word: ___
Titillate comes from a Latin verb meaning to tickle, and may be used both literally and figuratively. You can titillate by gentle touches in strategic places (literally), or you can (figuratively) titillate people's minds, fancies, and palates by charm, brilliance, wit, or promises.
Titillation (tit′-ə-LAY′-shən) has the added meaning of light sexual stimulation. (Note that both noun and verb are spelled with a double l, not a double t.)
A compliment is a pleasant and courteous expression of praise; flattery is stronger and often considered insincere. Adulation (aj′-ə-LAY′-shən) is flattery and worship carried to an excessive, ridiculous degree. The adjective adulatory (aj′-ə-lə-TAWR′-ee) ends in -ory, an adjective suffix. (The derivation is from a Latin verb meaning to fawn upon.)
Proscribe, to forbid, is commonly used for medical, religious, or legal prohibitions. The derivation is the prefix pro-, before, plus scribo, scriptus, to write. In ancient Roman times, a man's name was written on a public bulletin board if he had committed some crime. The noun is proscription (prō-SKRIP′-shən); the adjective proscriptive (prō-SKRIP′-tiv).
Scribo, scriptus is the building block of many common words: scribe, scribble, prescribe, describe, subscribe, script, the Scriptures, manuscript, typescript. Manuscript combines manus, hand, with scriptus — something handwritten. To subscribe is to write one's name under an order or contract (sub-, under). To inscribe is to write in or into. A postscript is something written after (post, after) the main part is finished.
You are familiar with the word via, by way of, from the Latin word for road. When something is obvious, etymologically it is right there in the middle of the road where no one can fail to see it. And if you meet an obstacle in the road and dispose of it forthwith, you are doing what obviate says.
The noun is obviation (ob′-vee-AY′-shən).
Surprisingly, via, road, is also the root in the English word trivial (TRIV′-ee-əl). Where three roads (tri-, three) intersect, you find a public place, and you will not talk of important or confidential matters — you will instead talk of trivial things, unimportant, without great significance. The plural noun trivialities (triv′-ee-AL′-ə-teez) and trivia (TRIV′-ee-ə) both mean insignificant trifles.
Militate derives from militis, one of the forms of the Latin noun meaning soldier or fighting man. If something militates against you, it fights against you, i.e., works to your disadvantage. (Militate is always followed by the preposition against and never takes a personal subject.)
The adjective militant (MIL′-ə-tənt) means aggressively fighting for a cause. The noun is militancy (MIL′-ə-tən-see). Military and militia also have their origin in militis.
Built on Latin malus, bad, evil, to malign is to speak evil about, to defame, to slander. Malign is also an adjective meaning bad, harmful, evil, hateful. Another adjective form is malignant (mə-LIG′-nənt), as in "a malignant growth," i.e., one that is cancerous (bad). The noun of malignant is malignancy (mə-LIG′-nən-see). The noun form of the adjective malign is malignity (mə-LIG′-nə-tee).
Add the root dico, dictus, to say or tell, to form malediction (mal′-ə-DIK′-shən), a curse. Adjective: maledictory (mal′-ə-DIK′-tə-ree).
Add the root volo, to wish, to construct the adjective malevolent (mə-LEV′-ə-lent), wishing evil or harm. The noun is malevolence (mə-LEV′-ə-ləns).
Add facio, factus, to do or make, to form the adjective maleficent (mə-LEF′-ə-sənt), doing harm or evil. The noun is maleficence (mə-LEF′-ə-səns). A malefactor (MAL′-ə-fak′-tər) is a wrongdoer, an evildoer; a malefaction (mal′-ə-FAK′-shən) is a crime or evil deed.
From French mal, bad: maladroit (mal′-ə-DROYT′), clumsy, bungling, awkward, etymologically "having a bad right hand." The noun is maladroitness. Also malaise (mə-LAYZ′), an indefinite feeling of bodily discomfort, etymologically "bad ease."
And what's the good news? See Session 23.
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1. Does a malignant look indicate kindly feelings?
2. Is a cancer sometimes called a malignancy?
3. Are trivialities important?
4. If your house is cluttered with trivia, are these objects of great value?
5. Do people enjoy having maledictions hurled at them?
6. Is a maleficent act likely to cause harm or hurt?
7. Does maladroitness show skill?
8. Is a malefactor a wrongdoer?
9. Does an adulatory attitude show exaggerated admiration?
10. Is militancy the same as passiveness?
1. clumsy, awkward
M________________
2. bearing ill-will; wishing harm
M________________
3. pleasurable stimulation
T________________
4. a person aggressively fighting for a cause
M________________
5. prohibition against something injurious
P________________
6. excessive flattery; exaggerated admiration
A________________
7. vague feeling of general physical discomfort
M________________
8. a criminal; a wrongdoer
M________________
9. a curse
M________________
10. a crime; bad or evil act or behavior
M________________
1. fact or act of making unnecessary or of taking effective steps toward prevention
O________________
2. aggressive attitude
M________________
3. harmful, hurtful, bad
M________________
4. unimportant, insignificant
T________________
5. unimportant, insignificant things; trifles
T________________
6. cursing; of the nature of, or relating to, curses (adj.)
M________________
7. worshipful
A________________
Write the English word that uses each prefix, root, or suffix.
1. -ory — adjective suffix. English word: ___
2. scribo, scriptus — to write. English word: ___
3. de- — down. English word: ___
4. manus — hand. English word: ___
5. sub- — under. English word: ___
6. in- — in, into. English word: ___
7. post — after. English word: ___
8. via — road. English word: ___
9. tri- — three. English word: ___
10. militis — soldier. English word: ___
11. malus — bad, evil. English word: ___
12. dico, dictus — to say, tell. English word: ___
13. volo — to wish. English word: ___
14. facio (fec-, fic-, fy) — to do, make. English word: ___
15. -ence, -ancy — noun suffix. English word: ___
Malus is bad; bonus is good. The adverb from the Latin adjective bonus is bene, and bene is the root found in words that contrast with the mal- terms we studied in Session 22.
So benign (bə-NĪN′) and benignant (bə-NIG′-nənt) are kindly, good-natured, not harmful, as in benign neglect, a benign tumor (not cancerous). The corresponding nouns are benignity (bə-NIG′-nə-tee) and benignancy (bə-NIG′-nən-see).
A malediction is a curse; a benediction (ben′-ə-DIK′-shən) is a blessing, a "saying good." Adjective: benedictory (ben′-ə-DIK′-tə-ree).
In contrast to maleficent is beneficent (bə-NEF′-ə-sənt), doing good. The noun is beneficence (bə-NEF′-ə-səns).
In contrast to malefactor is benefactor (BEN′-ə-fak′-tər), one who does good things for another. A woman who so operates is a benefactress (BEN′-ə-fak′-trəs). The benefaction (ben′-ə-FAK′-shən) is the gift or charitable act; the person receiving it is a beneficiary (ben′-ə-FISH′-ər-ee or ben′-ə-FISH′-ee-air-ee). Benefit and beneficial are other common words built on bene + a form of facio.
So let others be malevolent toward you — confuse them by being benevolent (bə-NEV′-ə-lent), wishing them well. The noun is benevolence (bə-NEV′-ə-ləns).
The adjective bonus, good, is found in English bonus, extra payment; in bonbon, a candy ("good-good," using the French version); and in bona fide (BŌ′-nə-FĪD′ or BŌ′-nə-FĪ′-dee), etymologically "in good faith," hence valid, without pretense or fraudulent intent. Fides is Latin for faith or trust, as in fidelity (fə-DEL′-ə-tee), faithfulness; infidel (IN′-fə-dəl), one who does not have the right faith; and infidelity (in′-fə-DEL′-ə-tee), unfaithfulness.
Benediction and malediction derive from dico, dictus, to say, tell. Dictate, dictator, dictation, dictatorial (dik′-tə-TAWR′-ee-əl) — telling others what to do. Predict is to tell beforehand. Contradict is to say against. Addiction, etymologically "a saying to or toward," is the compulsion to say "yes" to a habit.
Facio, factus, to do or make, appears as fec-, fic-, or as a verb ending -fy. Thus factory is a place where things are made; a fact is something done; fiction is something made up; manufacture is to make by hand; clarify, simplify, liquefy, magnify are among hundreds of -fy verbs.
Volo, to wish, to will, to be willing, occurs in voluntary, involuntary, volunteer. Less common is volition (vō-LISH′-ən), the act or power of willing or wishing, as in "of her own volition."
Placate is built on the root plac- which derives from two related Latin verbs meaning 1) to please, and 2) to appease, soothe, or pacify. The noun is placation (play-KAY′-shən), the adjective either placative (PLAK′-ə-tiv or PLAY′-kə-tiv) or placatory (PLAK′-ə-tawr-ee or PLAY′-kə-tawr-ee).
One who can be soothed, whose hostility can be changed to friendliness, is placable (PLAK′-ə-bəl or PLAY′-kə-bəl). But the other one may at that point be implacable (im-PLAK′-ə-bəl or im-PLAY′-kə-bəl) — im- is a respelling of in-, not, before the letter p. Implacable has taken on the added meaning of unyielding to entreaty or pity; hence, harsh, relentless. The noun is implacability (im-plak′-ə-BIL′-ə-tee).
If you are placid (PLAS′-id), you are calm, easygoing, serene, undisturbed. The noun is placidity (plə-SID′-ə-tee).
If you are complacent (kəm-PLAY′-sənt), you are pleased with yourself (com-, from con-, with, together); you may, in fact, be smug, too pleased with your position or narrow accomplishments. The noun is complacence (kəm-PLAY′-səns) or complacency (kəm-PLAY′-sən-see).
To condone is to forgive, overlook, pardon, or be uncritical of an offense or antisocial act. The noun is condonation (kon′-dō-NAY′-shən). Condone is built on Latin dono, to give, the root found in donor, donate, and donation.
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1. Are benedictions given in houses of worship?
2. Is it pleasant to be the recipient of a beneficent act?
3. Are kind people benevolent?
4. Do placatory gestures often heal wounds and soothe disgruntled friends?
5. Are some unambitious people complacent?
6. Does benignity show malice?
7. Is a benefaction an act of philanthropy?
8. Is an implacable foe of corruption likely to condone corrupt acts?
9. Is a bona fide offer made insincerely?
10. Does a benignant attitude indicate hostility?
1. benign — hateful
2. benignant — kindly
3. benediction — malediction
4. benefactor — evildoer
5. beneficiary — giver
6. benevolent — well disposed
7. bona fide — valid
8. fidelity — unfaithfulness
9. infidel — true believer
10. dictatorial — submissive
11. placative — pacifying
12. implacable — unyielding
13. placid — calm
14. complacent — discontented
15. condonation — forgiveness
1. tending to give orders
D________________
2. act of overlooking (an offense, etc.)
C________________
3. unyieldingly hostile; beyond soothing; relentless; pitiless
I________________
4. intended to soothe or pacify (adj.)
P________________
5. one's desire, wishes, or unforced will
V________________
6. calmness
P________________
7. self-satisfaction; smugness
C________________
8. non-believer in the "true" religion
I________________
9. kindly; well disposed
B________________
10. unfaithfulness
I________________
11. involving a blessing (adj.)
B________________
12. doing something good or kind (adj.)
B________________
13. faithfulness
F________________
14. sincere; valid; in good faith
B________________
15. one who does something good, kind, or charitable (for another)
B________________
16. a kind or charitable deed
B________________
17. recipient of kindness, gift, etc.
B________________
18. able to be soothed or pacified
P________________
Write the English word that uses each prefix, root, or suffix.
1. bonus, bene — good, well. English word: ___
2. fides — faith. English word: ___
3. dico, dictus — to say, tell. English word: ___
4. pre- — before, beforehand. English word: ___
5. phone — sound. English word: ___
6. contra- — against, opposite. English word: ___
7. ad- — to, toward. English word: ___
8. facio, factus, fec-, fic-, -fy — to make or do. English word: ___
9. -ory — place where. English word: ___
10. manus — hand. English word: ___
11. volo — to wish, to will, to be willing. English word: ___
12. plac- — to please, appease, soothe, pacify. English word: ___
13. -ive — adjective suffix. English word: ___
14. -ory — adjective suffix. English word: ___
15. im- (in-) — not; negative prefix. English word: ___
16. com- (con-) — with, together. English word: ___
17. dono — to give. English word: ___
1. To belittle:
2. To be purposely confusing:
3. To work to the disadvantage of:
4. To slander:
5. Lack of equality:
6. Phrase that may have two interpretations, one of them indelicate or off-color:
7. Hateful:
8. Ill will:
9. Kindly:
10. Inflexibly hostile:
11. Giving orders imperiously:
12. Self-satisfaction:
Write the meaning of each root. An example word using that root is provided as a clue.
1. par
Example: parity
2. aequus (equ-)
Example: equivocal
3. vox, vocis
Example: vocal
4. nox, noctis
Example: nocturnal
5. libra
Example: equilibrist
6. latus, lateris
Example: equilateral
7. equus
Example: equine
8. pedis
Example: pedestrian
9. paidos (ped-)
Example: pedagogue
10. fero
Example: vociferous
11. magnus
Example: magnify
12. scribo, scriptus
Example: proscribe
13. manus
Example: manuscript
14. post
Example: postscript
15. via
Example: trivial
16. militis
Example: militate
17. malus
Example: malefactor
18. dico, dictus
Example: dictatorial
19. volo
Example: volition
20. facio (fec-, fic-, -fy)
Example: benefactor, fiction, simplify
21. bonus
Example: bona fide
22. fides
Example: fidelity
23. phone
Example: Dictaphone
24. plac-
Example: placate
25. dono
Example: donation
(Answers in Chapter 18)
You have been adding, over the past twenty-three sessions, hundreds of words to your vocabulary; you have been learning hundreds of prefixes, roots, and suffixes that make it possible for you to figure out the meaning of many unfamiliar words you may come across in your reading.
As time goes on and you notice more and more of the words you have studied whenever you read, or whenever you listen to lectures, the radio, or TV, the thrill of recognition plus the immediate comprehension of complex ideas will provide a dividend of incalculable value.
You will hear these words in conversation, and you will begin to use them yourself, unself-consciously, whenever something you want to say is best expressed by one of the words that exactly verbalizes your thinking. Another priceless dividend!
So keep on! You are involved in a dividend-paying activity that will eventually make you intellectually rich.
Note on fulsome: Fulsome (FŌ′ōL-səm) does not mean, despite its appearance, fully or completely, but rather offensive because of excessiveness or insincerity, often in reference to compliments, praise, admiration, or flattery.
All primary words and derived forms from Chapter 9, Sessions 19–23.
To belittle, speak slightingly of, lower the reputation of
To be deliberately vague or ambiguous; to hedge; to avoid committing to a definite answer
To tickle the fancy; to excite or stimulate pleasantly, especially in a mild or light way
To flatter excessively; to fawn upon; to worship with exaggerated admiration
To prohibit, forbid, or outlaw; especially used for medical, religious, or legal prohibitions
To make unnecessary; to prevent or do away with by taking effective measures
To have force or influence against; to work to the disadvantage of (always followed by against)
To speak evil of; to slander; to defame (v.); bad, harmful, evil (adj.)
To overlook an offense; to give tacit forgiveness; to excuse or pardon without protest
To pacify; to appease; to change the hostile attitude of (someone) to a friendly one
Equality; the state of being equal or equivalent
Accidentally open to more than one interpretation; having an uncertain or unclear meaning
A word or phrase with two interpretations, one of them risqué, indelicate, or of sexual connotation
Justice; fairness; equal and impartial treatment
Either of two times a year (about March 21 and September 22) when day and night are of equal length
Evenness of mind or temper; composure; calmness, especially under stress
A state of physical balance; balance between opposing forces
A person who rides a horse; of or relating to horseback riding (adj.)
Loud, noisy, clamorous; making much outcry
A curse; an evil saying
Wishing evil or harm to others; ill-disposed; malicious
A wrongdoer; an evildoer; a criminal
Clumsy, bungling, awkward, unskillful; having a "bad right hand"
Of little importance or significance; unimportant; commonplace
Kindly, good-natured; not harmful or cancerous
The recipient of a gift, benefit, or act of charity; one who benefits from something
In good faith; sincere; valid; without pretense, deception, or fraudulent intent
The act or power of willing; the exercise of the will; a conscious choice or decision
Not to be soothed or pacified; relentless; unyielding to entreaty or pity; harsh
Pleased with oneself; smug; self-satisfied; too easily content with one's situation or accomplishments
Domineering; of or like a dictator; tending to give orders in a manner permitting no refusal