chapter-12

HOW TO FLATTER YOUR FRIENDS

(Sessions 32–37)

TEASER PREVIEW

What adjective aptly describes people who are:

friendly and easy to get along with?

tireless?

simple, frank, aboveboard?

keen-minded?

generous, noble, and forgiving?

able to do many things skillfully?

unflinching in the face of pain or disaster?

brave, fearless?

charming and witty?

smooth, polished, cultured?

SESSION 32

Words are the symbols of emotions, as well as ideas. You can show your

feeling by the tone you use (“You’re silly” can be an insult, an accusation,

or an endearment, depending on how you say it) or by the words you

choose (you can label a quality either “childish” or “childlike,” depending

on whether you admire it or condemn it—it’s the same quality, no matter

what you call it).

In Chapter 11 we discussed ten basic words that you might use to show

your disapproval. In this chapter we discuss ten adjectives that indicate

wholehearted approval.

Consider the interesting types of people described in the following

paragraphs, then note how accurately the adjective applies to each type.

IDEAS

1. put the kettle on, Polly

They are friendly, happy, extroverted, and gregarious—the sort of

people who will invite you out for a drink, who like to transact business

around the lunch table, who put the coffee to perking as soon as company

drops in. They’re sociable, genial, cordial, affable—and they like parties

and all the eating and drinking that goes with them.

The adjective is: convivial

2. you can’t tire them

Arnold Bennett once pointed out that we all have the same amount of

time—twenty-four hours a day. Strictly speaking, that’s as inconclusive an

observation as Bennett ever made. It’s not time that counts, but energy—

and of that wonderful quality we all have very different amounts, from

the persons who wake up tired, no matter how much sleep they’ve had, to

lucky, well-adjusted mortals who hardly ever need to sleep.

Energy comes from a healthy body, of course; it also comes from a

psychological balance, a lack of conflicts and insecurities.

Some people apparently have boundless, illimitable energy—they’re on

the go from morning to night, and often far into the night, working hard,

playing hard, never tiring, never “pooped” or “bushed”—and getting twice

as much done as any three other human beings.

The adjective is: indefatigable

3. no tricks, no secrets

They are pleasingly frank, utterly lacking in pretense or artificiality, in

fact quite unable to hide their feelings or thoughts—and so honest and

aboveboard that they can scarcely conceive of trickery, chicanery, or

dissimulation in anyone. There is, then, about them the simple naturalness

and unsophistication of a child.

The adjective is: ingenuous

4. sharp as a razor

They have minds like steel traps; their insight into problems that would

confuse or mystify people of less keenness or discernment is just short of

amazing.

The adjective is: perspicacious

5. no placating necessary

They are most generous about forgiving a slight, an insult, an injury.

Never do they harbor resentment, store up petty grudges, or waste energy

or thought on means of revenge or retaliation. How could they? They’re

much too big-hearted.

The adjective is: magnanimous

6. one-person orchestras

The range of their aptitudes is truly formidable. If they are writers, they

have professional facility in poetry, fiction, biography, criticism, essays—

you just mention it and they’ve done it, and very competently. If they are

musicians, they can play the oboe, the bassoon, the French horn, the bass

viol, the piano, the celesta, the xylophone, even the clavichord if you can

dig one up. If they are artists, they use oils, water colors, gouache,

charcoal, pen and ink—they can do anything! Or maybe the range of their

abilities cuts across all fields, as in the case of Michelangelo, who was an

expert sculptor, painter, poet, architect, and inventor. In case you’re

thinking “Jack of all trades…,” you’re wrong—they’re masters of all

trades.

The adjective is: versatile

7. no grumbling

They bear their troubles bravely, never ask for sympathy, never yield to

sorrow, never wince at pain. It sounds almost superhuman, but it’s true.

The adjective is: stoical

8. no fear

There is not, as the hackneyed phrase has it, a cowardly bone in their

bodies. They are strangers to fear, they’re audacious, dauntless,

contemptuous of danger and hardship.

The adjective is: intrepid

9. no dullness

They are witty, clever, delightful; and naturally, also, they are brilliant

and entertaining conversationalists.

The adjective is: scintillating

10. city slickers

They

are

cultivated,

poised,

tactful,

socially

experienced,

sophisticated, and courteous that they’re at home in any group, at ease

under all circumstances of social intercourse. You cannot help admiring

(perhaps envying) their smoothness and self-assurance, their tact and

congeniality.

The adjective is: urbane

USING THE WORDS

Can you pronounce the words?

1. convivial

kƏn-VIV′-ee-Əl

2. indefatigable

in′-dƏ-FAT′-Ə-gƏ-bƏl

3. ingenuous

in-JEN′-y

ōō

-Əs

4. perspicacious

pur′-spƏ-KAY′-shƏs

5. magnanimous

mƏg-NAN′-Ə-mƏs

6. versatile

VUR′-sƏ-tƏl

7. stoical

STŌ′-Ə-kƏl

8. intrepid

in-TREP′-id

9. scintillating

SIN′-tƏ-layt-ing

10. urbane

ur-BAYN′

Can you work with the words?

1. convivial

a. frank

2. indefatigable

b. unflinching

3. ingenuous

c. noble

4. perspicacious

d. capable in many directions

KEY: 1–i, 2–e, 3–a, 4–g, 5–c, 6–d, 7–b, 8–f, 9–h, 10–j

Do you understand the words? (I)

1. Convivial people are unfriendly.

TRUE FALSE

2. Anyone who is indefatigable tires easily.

TRUE FALSE

3. An ingenuous person is artful and untrustworthy.

TRUE FALSE

4. A perspicacious person is hard to fool.

TRUE FALSE

5. A magnanimous person is easily insulted.

TRUE FALSE

6. A versatile person does many things well.

TRUE FALSE

7. A stoical person always complains of his hard lot.

TRUE FALSE

8. An intrepid explorer is not easily frightened.

TRUE FALSE

9. A scintillating speaker is interesting to listen to.

TRUE FALSE

10. Someone who is urbane is always making enemies.

TRUE FALSE

KEY: 1–F, 2–F, 3–F, 4–T, 5–F, 6–T, 7–F, 8–T, 9–T, 10–F

Do you understand the words? (II)

1. convivial—hostile

SAME OPPOSITE

2. indefatigable—enervated

SAME OPPOSITE

3. ingenuous—worldly

SAME OPPOSITE

4. perspicacious—obtuse

SAME OPPOSITE

5. magnanimous—petty

SAME OPPOSITE

6. versatile—well-rounded

SAME OPPOSITE

7. stoical—unemotional

SAME OPPOSITE

8. intrepid—timid

SAME OPPOSITE

9. scintillating—banal

SAME OPPOSITE

10. urbane—erude

SAME OPPOSITE

KEY: 1–O, 2–O, 3–O, 4–O, 5–O, 6-S, 7–S, 8–O, 9–O, 10–O

Can you recall the words?

1. witty

1. S__________________

2. noble, forgiving

2. M__________________

3. capable in many fields

3. V__________________

4. keen-minded

4. P__________________

5. uncomplaining

5. S__________________

6. friendly

6. C__________________

7. poised; polished

7. U__________________

8. courageous

8. I__________________

9. tireless

9. I__________________

10. simple and honest; frank

10. I__________________

SESSION 33

ORIGINS AND RELATED WORDS

1. eat, drink, and be merry

The Latin verb vivo, to live, and the noun vita, life, are the source of a

number of important English words.

Convivo is the Latin verb to live together; from this, in Latin, was formed

the noun convivium (don’t get impatient; we’ll be back to English directly),

which meant a feast or banquet; and from convivium we get our English

word convivial, an adjective that describes the kind of person who likes to

attend feasts and banquets, enjoying (and supplying) the jovial good

fellowship characteristic of such gatherings.

Using the suffix -ity can you write the noun form of the adjective

convivial? __________________. (Can you pronounce it?)

2. living it up

Among many others, the following English words derive from Latin vivo,

to live:

1. vivacious (vī-VAY′-shƏs)—full of the joy of living; animated; peppy—a

vivacious personality. Noun: vivacity (vī-VAS′-Ə-tee). You can, as you know,

also add -ness to any adjective to form a noun. Write the alternate noun

form of vivacious: __________________.

2. vivid—possessing the freshness of life; strong; sharp—a vivid

imagination; a vivid color. Add -ness to form the noun: __________________.

3. revive (rƏ-VĪV′)—bring back to life. In the 1960s, men’s fashions of

the twenties were revived. Noun: revival (rƏ-VĪ′-vƏl).

4. vivisection (viv′-Ə-SEK′-shƏn)—operating on a live animal. Sect- is

from a Latin verb meaning to cut. Vivisection is the process of

experimenting on live animals to discover causes and cures of disease.

Antivivisectionists object to the procedure, though many of our most

important medical discoveries were made through vivisection.

5. Viviparous (vī-VIP′-Ər-Əs)—producing live babies. Human beings and

most other mammals are viviparous. Viviparous is contrasted to oviparous

(ō-VIP′-Ər-Əs), producing young from eggs. Most fish, fowl, and other

lower forms of life are oviparous.

The combining root in both these adjectives is Latin pareo, to give birth

(parent comes from the same root). In oviparous, the first two syllables

derive from Latin ovum, egg.

Ovum, egg, is the source of oval and ovoid, egg-shaped; ovulate (Ō′-vyƏ-

layt′), to release an egg from the ovary: ovum (Ō-vƏm), the female germ

cell which, when fertilized by a sperm, develops into an embryo, then into

a fetus (FEE′-tƏs), and finally, in about 280 days in the case of humans, is

born as an infant.

The adjective form of ovary is ovarian (ō-VAIR′-ee-Ən); of fetus, fetal

(FEE′-tƏl). Can you write the noun form of the verb ovulate? __________________.

Love, you may or may not be surprised to hear, also comes from ovum.

No, not the kind of love you’re thinking of. Latin ovum became oeuf in

French, or with “the” preceding the noun (the egg), Voeuf, pronounced

something like L

ŏŏ

F. Zero (picture it for a moment) is shaped like an egg

(0), so if your score in tennis is fifteen, and your opponent’s is zero, you

shout triumphantly, “Fifteen love! Let’s go!”

3. more about life

Latin vita, life, is the origin of:

1. vital (VĪ′-tƏl)—essential to life; of crucial importance—a vital matter;

also full of life, strength, vigor, etc. Add the suffix -ity to form the noun:

__________________. Add a verb suffix to construct the verb: __________________

(meaning: to give life to). Finally, write the noun derived from the verb you

have constructed: __________________.

2. Revitalize (ree-VĪ′-tƏ-līz′) is constructed from the prefix re-, again,

back, the root vita, and the verb suffix. Meaning? __________________. Can you

write the noun formed from this verb? __________________.

3. The prefix de- has a number of meanings, one of which is essentially

negative, as in defrost, decompose, declassify, etc. Using this prefix, can you

write a verb meaning to rob of life, to take life from? __________________. Now

write the noun form of this verb: __________________.

4. Vitamin—one of the many nutritional elements on which life is

dependent. Good eyesight requires vitamin A (found, for example, in

carrots); strong bones need vitamin D (found in sunlight and cod-liver oil);

etc.

Vitalize, revitalize, and devitalize are used figuratively—for example, a

program or plan is vitalized, revitalized, or devitalized, according to how it’s

handled.

4. French life

Sometimes, instead of getting our English words directly from Latin, we

work through one of the Latin-derived or Romance languages. (As you

will recall, the Romance languages—French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese,

and Romanian—are so called because they were originally dialects of the

old Roman tongue. English, by the way, is not a Romance language, but a

Teutonic one. Our tongue is a development of a German dialect imposed

on the natives of Britain by the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes of early English

history. Though we have taken over into English more than 50 per cent of

the Latin vocabulary and almost 30 per cent of the classical Greek

vocabulary as roots and prefixes, our basic language is nevertheless

German).

The French, using the same Latin root vivo, to live, formed two

expressive phrases much used in English. French pronunciation is, of

course, tricky, and if you are not at least superficially acquainted with

that language, your pronunciation may sound a bit awkward to the

sophisticated ear—but try it anyway. These phrases are:

1. joie de vivre—pronounced something like zhwahd′-VEEV′ (zh is

identical in sound to the s of pleasure).

Literally joy of living, this phrase describes an immense delight in being

alive, an effervescent keenness for all the daily activities that human

beings indulge in. People who possess joie de vivre are never moody,

depressed, bored, or apathetic—on the contrary, they are full of sparkle,

eager to engage in all group activities, and, most important, always seem

to be having a good time, no matter what they are doing. Joie de vivre is

precisely the opposite of ennui (this is also a word of French origin, but is

easy to pronounce: AHN′-wee), which is a feeling of boredom, discontent,

or weariness resulting sometimes from having a jaded, oversophisticated

appetite, sometimes from just finding all of life tedious and unappetizing,

and sometimes implying in addition physical lassitude and general

inactivity. Young children and simple people rarely experience ennui—to

them life is always exciting, always new.

2. bon vivant, pronounced something like BŌNG′-vee-VAHNG′—the -NG

a muted nasal sound similar to the -ng in sing.

A bon vivant is a person who lives luxuriously, especially in respect to

rich food, good liquor, expensive theater parties, operas, and other

accouterments of upper-class life. Bon vivant means, literally, a good liver;

actually, a high liver, one who lives a luxurious life. When you think of a

bon vivant (usually, language being sexist, a male), you get the picture of

someone attired in top hat, “soup and fish” or tuxedo, raising his cane to

call a taxi while a beautiful, evening-gowned and sophisticated-looking

woman, sparkling in diamonds and furs, waits at his side. They’re going to

a champagne and partridge supper at an outrageously expensive

restaurant, etc.—fill in your own details of the high life.

The bon vivant is of course a convivial person—and also likely to be a

gourmet (g

ŏŏ

r-MAY′), another word from French.

5. food and how to enjoy it

The gourmand (G

ŏŏ

R′-mƏnd) enjoys food with a sensual pleasure. To

gourmands the high spots of the day are the times for breakfast, lunch,

dinner, and midnight supper; in short, they like to eat, but the eating must

be good. The verb form, gormandize (GAWR′-mƏn-dīz′), however, has

suffered a degeneration in meaning—it signifies to stuff oneself like a pig.

A gourmand is significantly different from a gourmet, who has also a

keen interest in food and liquor, but is much more fastidious, is more of a

connoisseur, has a most discerning palate for delicate tastes, flavors, and

differences; goes in for rare delicacies (like hummingbirds’ tongues and

other such absurdities); and approaches the whole business from a

scientific, as well as a sensual, viewpoint. Gourmet is always a

complimentary term, gourmand somewhat less so.

The person who eats voraciously, with no discernment whatever, but

merely for the purpose of stuffing himself (“I know I haven’t had enough

to eat till I feel sick”), is called a glutton (GLUT′-Ən)—obviously a highly

derogatory term. The verb gluttonize is stronger than gormandize; the

adjective gluttonous (GLUT′-Ə-nƏs) is about the strongest epithet you can

apply to someone whose voracious eating habits you find repulsive.

Someone who has a voracious, insatiable appetite for money, sex,

punishment, etc. is also called a glutton.

REVIEW OF ETYMOLOGY

PREFIX, ROOT, SUFFIX

MEANING

1. vivo

to live

ENGLISH WORD _______________

2. -ous

adjective suffix

ENGLISH WORD _______________

3. re-

again, back

ENGLISH WORD _______________

4. sectus

cut

ENGLISH WORD _______________

5. anti-

against

ENGLISH WORD _______________

6. ovum

egg

ENGLISH WORD _______________

7. pareo

to give birth, produce

ENGLISH WORD _______________

8. vita

life

ENGLISH WORD _______________

9. -ize

verb suffix

ENGLISH WORD _______________

10. -ation

noun suffix

ENGLISH WORD _______________

added to verbs

ENGLISH WORD _______________

ending in -ize

ENGLISH WORD _______________

11. de-

negative prefix

ENGLISH WORD _______________

12. bon

good

ENGLISH WORD _______________

13. -ate

verb suffix

ENGLISH WORD _______________

USING THE WORDS

Can you pronounce the words? (I)

1. conviviality

kƏn-viv′-ee-AL′-Ə-tee

2. vivacious

vī-VAY′-shƏs

3. vivacity

vī-VAS′-Ə-tee

4. vivid

VIV′-id

5. vividness

VIV′-id-nƏs

6. revive

rƏ-VĪV

7. revival

rƏ-VĪV′-Əl

8. vivisection

viv′-Ə-SEK′-shƏn

9. antivivisectionist

an′-tee (or tī)-viv′-Ə-SEK′-shƏn-ist

10. viviparous

vī-VIP′-Ər-Əs

11. oviparous

ō-VIP′-Ər-Əs

12. oval

Ō′-vƏl

13. ovoid

Ō′-voyd′

14. ovary

Ō′-vƏ-ree

15. ovarian

ō-VAIR′-ee-Ən

16. ovulate

Ō-vyƏ-layt′

17. ovulation

ō-vyƏ-LAY′-shƏn

Can you pronounce the words? (II)

1. vital

VĪ′-tƏl

2. vitality

vī-TAL′-Ə-tee

3. vitalize

VĪ′-tƏ-līz′

4. vitalization

vī′-tƏ-lƏ-ZAY′-shƏn

5. revitalize

ree-VĪ′-tƏ-līz′

6. revitalization

ree-vī′-tƏ-lƏ-ZAY′-shƏn

7. devitalize

dee-VĪ′-tƏ-līz′

8. devitalization

dee-vī′-tƏ-lƏ-ZAY′-shƏn

9. joie de vivre

zhwahd′-VEEV′

10. ennui

AHN′-wee

11. bon vivant

BŌNG′ vee-VAHNGT

12. gourmand

ŏŏ

R′-mƏnd

13. gourmet

ŏŏ

r-MAY′

14. gormandize

GAWR′-mƏn-dīz′

15. glutton

GLUT′-Ən

16. gluttonous

GLUT-Ə-nƏs

17. gluttonize

GLUT′-Ə-nīz′

18. vitamin

VĪ′-tƏ-min

Can you work with the words? (I)

1. oval, ovoid

a. peppy

2. revitalize

b. bearing live young

3. gluttonous

c. strong, sharp

4. vivacious

d. piggish; greedy

5. vivid

e. egg-shaped

6. viviparous

f. bearing young in eggs

7. oviparous

g. give new life to

KEY: 1–e, 2–g, 3–d, 4–a, 5–c, 6–b, 7–f

Can you work with the words? (II)

1. conviviality

a. release of the egg

2. vivisection

b. a “high liver”

3. antivivisectionist

c. experimentation on live animals

4. ovulation

d. one who is a connoisseur of good

food

5. vitality

e. effervescence; joy of living

6. joie de vivre

f. one who enjoys food

7. ennui

g. one who eats greedily; one who is

greedy (as for punishment, etc.)

8. bon vivant

h. boredom

9. gourmand

i. congeniality

10. gourmet

j. strength, vigor

11. glutton

k. one who is against

experimentation on live animals

KEY: 1–i, 2–c, 3–k, 4–a, 5–j, 6–c, 7–h, 8–b, 9–f, 10–d, 11–g

Can you work with the words? (III)

1. revive

a. rob of life or strength

2. vital

b. nutritional element necessary for

life

3. vitalize

c. important, crucial

4. devitalize

d. stuff oneself like a pig

5. gluttonize

e. breathe life into

6. vitamin

f. bring back to life

KEY: 1–f, 2–c, 3–e, 4–a, 5–d, 6–b

Do you understand the words? (I)

1. conviviality—asceticism

SAME OPPOSITE

2. vivacious—apathetic

SAME OPPOSITE

3. vivid—dull

SAME OPPOSITE

4. revive—kill

SAME OPPOSITE

5. revitalize—rejuvenate

SAME OPPOSITE

6. ennui—boredom

SAME OPPOSITE

7. bon vivant—“man about town”

SAME OPPOSITE

8. gormandize—starve

SAME OPPOSITE

9. glutton—ascetic

SAME OPPOSITE

10. joie de vivre—boredom

SAME OPPOSITE

KEY: 1–O, 2–O, 3–O, 4–O, 5–S, 6–S, 7–S, 8–O, 9–O, 10–O

Do you understand the words? (II)

1. vivacity—liveliness

SAME OPPOSITE

2. revival—renewal

SAME OPPOSITE

3. vivisection—experimentation on corpses

SAME OPPOSITE

4. ovulation—egg-releasing

SAME OPPOSITE

5. devitalize—reinvigorate

SAME OPPOSITE

6. vitality—fatigue

SAME OPPOSITE

7. gluttonous—greedy

SAME OPPOSITE

8. gourmand—ascetic

SAME OPPOSITE

9. ovoid—egg-shaped

SAME OPPOSITE

KEY: 1–S, 2–S, 3–O, 4–S, 5–O, 6–O, 7–S, 8–O, 9–S

Do you understand the words? (III)

1. Humans are viviparous.

TRUE FALSE

2. Cows are oviparous.

TRUE FALSE

3. Ovulation takes places in females only when they are married.

TRUE FALSE

4. An antivivisectionist believes in experimenting on live animals.

TRUE FALSE

5. Vitamins are essential to good health.

TRUE FALSE

6. A bon vivant lives like a hermit.

TRUE FALSE

7. A gourmet stuffs himself with food.

TRUE FALSE

8. It is normal for young children to be overwhelmed with ennui.

TRUE FALSE

9. People who are keenly alive possess joie de vivre.

TRUE FALSE

KEY: 1–T, 2–F, 3–F, 4–F, 5–T, 6–F, 7–F, 8–F, 9–T

Can you recall the words?

1. bearing young by eggs (adj.)

1. O__________________

2. bearing live young (adj.)

2. V__________________

3. good-fellowship

3. C__________________

4. operating on live animals

4. V__________________

5. one who is opposed to such an activity

5. A__________________

6. the process of releasing an egg from the ovary

6. O__________________

7. to remove life or vigor from

7. D__________________

8. joy of living

8. J__________________

9. one who eats like a pig

9. G__________________

10. a “high liver”

10. B__________________

11. one who is a connoisseur of good food

11. G__________________

12. one who gets a sensual enjoyment from good food

12. G__________________

13. to stuff oneself like a pig; to eat greedily

13. G__________________

or G__________________

14. boredom; discontent; tedium

14. E__________________

15. liveliness, pep

15. V__________________

or V__________________

16. egg-shaped

16. O__________________

17. to bring renewed life or vigor to

17. R__________________

or O__________________

18. referring to the ovary (adj.)

18. O__________________

19. essential to life; crucial; of utmost importance

19. V__________________

SESSION 34

ORIGINS AND RELATED WORDS

1. no fatigue

Indefatigable is a derived form of fatigue—in- is a negative prefix, the

suffix -able means able to be; hence, literally, indefatigable means unable to

be fatigued. The noun is indefatigability (in′-do-fat′-Ə-gƏ-BIL′-Ə-tee).

2. how simple can one be?

Ingenuous is a complimentary term, though its synonyms naïve, gullible,

and credulous are faintly derogatory.

To call people ingenuous implies that they are frank, open, artless—in

other words, not likely to try to put anything over on you, nor apt to hide

feelings or thoughts that more sophisticated persons would consider it

wise, tactful, or expedient to conceal.

Ingenuous should not be confused with ingenious (in-JEEN′-yƏs)—note

the slight difference in spelling—which on the contrary means shrewd,

clever, inventive.

The noun form of ingenuous is ingenuousness; of ingenious, ingenuity (in′-

jƏ-N

ōō

′-Ə-tee) or ingeniousness.

To call people naïve (nah-EEV′) is to imply that they have not learned

the ways of the world, and are therefore idealistic and trusting beyond the

point of safety; such idealism and trust have probably come from

ignorance or inexperience. The noun is naïveté (nah-eev-TAY′).

Credulous (KREJ′-Ə-lƏs) implies a willingness to believe almost anything,

no matter how fantastic. Credulity (krƏ-J

ōō

′-lƏ-tee), like naïveté, usually

results, again, from ignorance or inexperience, or perhaps from an

inability to believe that human beings are capable of lying.

Gullible (GUL′-Ə-bƏl) means easily tricked, easily fooled, easily imposed on.

It is a stronger word than credulous and is more derogatory. Gullibility

(gul′-Ə-BIL′-Ə-tee) results more from stupidity than from ignorance or

inexperience.

These four synonyms, ingenuous, naïve, credulous, and gullible, are fairly

close, but they contain areas of distinction worth remembering. Let’s

review them:

1. ingenuous—frank, not given to concealment

2. naïve—inexperienced, unsophisticated, trusting

3. credulous—willing to believe; not suspicious or skeptical

4. gullible—easily tricked

3. belief and disbelief

Credulous comes from Latin credo, to believe, the same root found in

credit (if people believe in your honesty, they will extend credit to you; they

will credit what you say). -Ous is an adjective suffix that usually signifies

full of. So, strictly, credulous means full of believingness.

Do not confuse credulous with credible. (KRED′-Ə-bƏl). In the latter word

we see combined the root credo, believe, with -ible, a suffix meaning can

be. Something credible can be believed.

Let’s chart some differences:

Credulous listeners—those who fully believe what they hear

A credible story—one that can be believed

An incredulous (in-KREJ′-Ə-lƏs) attitude—an attitude of skepticism, of

non-belief

An incredible (in-KRED′-Ə-bƏl) story—one that cannot be believed

Incredible characters—persons who are so unique that you can scarcely

believe they exist.

Nouns are formed as follows:

credulous—credulity (krƏ-J

ōō

′-lƏ-tee)

incredulous—incredulity (in-krƏ-J

ōō

′-lƏ-tee)

credible—credibility (kred′-Ə-BIL′-Ə-tee)

incredible—incredibility (in-kred′-Ə-BIL′-Ə-tee)

To check your understanding of these distinctions, try the next test.

Can you use these words correctly?

Use credulous, credible, or corresponding negative or noun forms in the

following sentences:

1. She listened __________________ly to her husband’s confession of his

frequent infidelity, for she had always considered him a paragon of

moral uprightness.

2. He told his audience an __________________ and fantastic story of his

narrow escapes.

3. He’ll believe you—he’s very __________________.

4. Make your characters more __________________ if you want your readers to

believe in them.

5. We listened dumb-struck, full of __________________, to the shocking details

of corruption and vice.

6. He has the most __________________ good luck.

7. The __________________ of it! How can such things happen?

8. Naïve people accept with complete __________________, whatever anyone

tells them.

9. “Do you believe me?” “Sure—your story is __________________ enough.”

10. I’m not objecting to the total __________________ of your story, but only to

your thinking that I’m __________________enough to believe it!

KEY: 1–incredulously, 2–incredible, 3–credulous, 4–credible, 5–

incredulity, 6–incredible, 7–incredibility, 8–credulity, 9–credible,

10–incredibility, credulous

4. what people believe in

Credo, to believe, is the origin of four other useful English words.

1. Credo (KREE′-do)—personal belief, code of ethics; the principles by

which people guide their actions.

2. Creed—a close synonym of credo; in addition, a religious belief, such

as Catholicism, Judaism, Protestantism, Hinduism, etc.

3. Credence (KREE′-dƏns)—belief, as in, “I place no credence in his

stories.” or “Why should I give any credence to what you say?”

4. Credentials (krƏ-DEN′-shƏls)—a document or documents proving a

person’s right to a title or privilege (i.e., a right to be believed), as in,

“The new ambassador presented his credentials to the State Department.”

5. heads and tails

We can hardly close our book on the words suggested by ingenuous

without looking at the other side of the coin. If ingenuous means frank,

open, then disingenuous (dis-in-JEN′-y

ōō

-Əs) should mean not frank or open.

But disingenuous people are far more than simply not ingenuous. They are

crafty, cunning, dishonest, artful, insincere, untrustworthy—and they are

all of these while making a pretense of being simple, frank, and

aboveboard. You are thinking of a wolf in sheep’s clothing? It’s a good

analogy.

Similarly, a remark may be disingenuous, as may also a statement, an

attitude, a confession, etc.

Add -ness to form the noun derived from disingenuous: __________________.

REVIEW OF ETYMOLOGY

PREFIX, ROOT, SUFFIX

MEANING

1. in-

negative prefix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

2. -ness

noun suffix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

3. credo

to believe

ENGLISH WORD _____________

4. -ous

adjective suffix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

5. -ible

can be; able to be

ENGLISH WORD _____________

6. -ity

noun suffix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

7. -ence

noun suffix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

8. dis-

negative prefix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

USING THE WORDS

Can you pronounce the words?

1. indefatigability

in′-dƏ-fat′-Ə-gƏ-BIL′-Ə-tee

2. ingenuousness

in-JEN′-y

ōō

-Əs-ness

3. ingenious

in-JEEN′-yƏs

4. ingenuity

in′-jƏ-N

ōō

′-Ə-tee

5. naïve

nah-EEV′

6. naïveté

nah-eev-TAY′

7. credulous

KREJ′-Ə-lƏs

8. incredulous

in-KREJ′-Ə-lƏs

9. gullible

GUL′-Ə-bƏl

10. gullibility

gul′-Ə-BIL′-Ə-tee

11. credible

KRED′-Ə-bƏl

12. incredible

in-KRED′-Ə-bƏl

13. credulity

krƏ-J

ōō

′-lƏ-tee

14. incredulity

in′-krƏ-J

ōō

′-lƏ-tee

15. credibility

kred′-Ə-BIL′-Ə-tee

16. incredibility

in-kred′-Ə-BIL′-Ə-tee

17. credo

KREE′-dō

18. creed

KREED

19. credence

KREE′-dƏns

20. credentials

krƏ-DEN′-shƏlz

21. disingenuous

dis′-in-JEN′-y

ōō

-Əs

22. disingenuousness

dis′-in-JEN′-y

ōō

-Əs-nƏs

Can you work with the words? (I)

WORDS

DEFINITIONS

1. indefatigability

a. cunning

2. ingenuousness

b. skepticism

3. disingenuousness

c. personal code of ethics

4. naïveté

d. frankness

KEY: 1–f, 2–d, 3–a, 4–h, 5–g, 6–b, 7–e, 8–c

Can you work with the words? (II)

1. ingenious

a. easily tricked

2. credulous

b. religious belief

3. gullible

c. inexperienced; unworldly

4. incredible

d. document proving privileges,

identity, etc.

5. creed

e. unbelievable

6. credentials

f. shrewdness; cleverness

7. ingenuity

g. clever; inventive; shrewd

8. naïve

h. willing to believe

KEY: 1–g, 2–h, 3–a, 4–e, 5–b, 6–d, 7–f, 8–c

Do you understand the words?

1. Is indefatigability a sign of physical and emotional health?

YES NO

2. Is ingenuousness a normal quality of young childhood?

YES NO

3. Is ingenuity a characteristic of inventors?

YES NO

4. Are some adolescents naïve?

YES NO

5. Are unintelligent people often gullible?

YES NO

6. Is incredulity the mark of the agnostic?

YES NO

7. Does an incredible story invite belief?

YES NO

8. Do people generally live by a credo?

YES NO

9. Does our Constitution guarantee certain rights to Americans

irrespective of their creed?

YES NO

10. Are ingenious people sometimes disingenuous?

YES NO

11. Do we generally give credence to incredible statements?

YES NO

KEY: 1–yes, 2–yes, 3–yes, 4–yes, 5–yes, 6–yes, 7–no, 8–yes, 9–yes, 10–

yes, 11–no

Can you recall the words?

1. inexperience; unsophistication

1. N__________________

2. believing (adj.)

2. C__________________

3. religious belief

3. C__________________

4. believable

4. C__________________

5. great reservoir of energy

5. I__________________

6. frankness

6. I__________________

7. crafty; dishonest

7. D__________________

8. inventive; clever

8. I__________________

9. easily tricked

9. G__________________

10. skeptical

10. I__________________

11. unbelievable

11. I__________________

12. personal code

12. C__________________

SESSION 35

ORIGINS AND RELATED WORDS

1. how to look

The Latin root specto, to look, is the source of a host of common English

words: spectacle, spectator, inspect, retrospect (a looking back), prospect (a

looking ahead), etc. In a variant spelling, spic-, the root is found in

conspicuous (easily seen or looked at), perspicacious, and perspicuous.

A perspicacious (pur′-spƏ-KAY′-shƏs) person is keen-minded, mentally

sharp, astute. Per- is a prefix meaning through; so the word etymologically

means looking through (matters, etc.) keenly, intelligently. The noun:

perspicacity (pur′-spƏ-KAS′-Ə-tee). Write an alternate noun ending in -ness:

Perspicacity is a synonym of acumen (AK′-y

ōō

′-mƏn), mental keenness,

sharpness, quickness; keen insight. The root is Latin acuo, to sharpen.

2. sharpness

From acuo, to sharpen, come such words as acute, sharp, sudden, as

acute pain, an acute attack of appendicitis, acute reasoning, etc; and

acupuncture (AK′-y

ōō

-punk′-chƏr), the insertion of a (sharp) needle into the

body for medical purposes. The noun form of acute, referring to the mind

or thinking, is acuteness or acuity (Ə-KY

ōō

-Ə-tee); in other contexts,

acuteness only.

Acupuncture combines acuo, to sharpen, with punctus, point. When you

punctuate a sentence, you put various points (periods, commas, etc.) where

needed; when lightning punctuates the storm, or when the silence is

punctuated by the wailing of police sirens, again points, etymologically

speaking, interrupt the atmosphere, the quiet, etc.

If you are punctual, you’re right on the point of time (noun: punctuality);

if you’re punctilious (punk-TIL′-ee-Əs), you are exact, scrupulous, very

careful to observe the proper points of behavior, procedure, etc. (noun:

punctiliousness). And to puncture something, of course, is to make a hole in

it with a sharp point—as to puncture someone’s tire, or figuratively,

illusions, fantasies, or ego. Pungent (PUN′-jƏnt) comes from another form

of the root punctus (pungo, to pierce sharply), so a pungent smell or taste is

sharp, spicy, pricking the nose or taste buds, so to speak; and a pungent

wit sharply pierces one’s sense of humor. Can you write the noun forms of

this adjective? __________________ or __________________.

3. some more looking

Perspicacious should not be confused with perspicuous (pƏr-SPIK′-y

ōō

-Əs).

Here is the important distinction:

Perspicacious means smart, sharp, able to look through and understand

quickly. This adjective applies to persons, their reasoning, minds, etc.

Perspicuous is the obverse side of the coin—it means easily understood

from one look, and applies to writing, style, books, and like things that

have to be understood. Hence it is a synonym of clear, simple, lucid. If you

write with perspicuous style, your language is clear, easy to understand. If

you are perspicacious, you understand quickly, easily.

The noun form of perspicuous is perspicuity (pur′-spƏ-KY

ōō

′-Ə-tee), or, of

course, perspicuousness.

A spectacle is something to look at; spectacles (eyeglasses) are the means

by which you get a comfortable and accurate look at the world. Anything

spectacular is, etymologically, worth looking at.

A spectator is one who looks at what’s happening.

To inspect is to look into something.

Retrospect (RET′-rƏ-spekt′) is a backward look—generally the word is

preceded by the preposition in, for instance, “His life in retrospect seemed

dreary and dull,” or “Most experiences seem more enjoyable in retrospect

than in actuality” (retro-, backward).

Prospect (PROS′-pekt′) is a forward look; prospective (prƏ-SPEK′-tiv) is the

adjective. What’s the prospect for inflation, for world peace, for the

domestic energy supply? Your prospective mother-in-law is the one you can

look forward to if you marry a certain person; similarly, your prospective

bride, groom, child, job, vacation, etc. is the person, thing, or activity in

the future that you look forward to. (The prefix is pro-, forward, ahead,

before.)

If you enjoy looking at yourself, figuratively speaking, then you like to

examine your mental processes and emotional reactions, in the intense

way characteristic of the introvert (see Chapter 3). Your mind’s eye turns

inward, and you spend a good deal of time analyzing yourself, your

character, your personality, your actions. Hence, since you look inward,

you are introspective (in′-trƏ-SPEK′-tiv)—the prefix is intro-, inside, within.

If you introspect (in′-trƏ-SPEKT′), you look inward and examine your inner

reactions. Too much introspection (in′-trƏ-SPEK′-shƏn) or introspectiveness

may lead to unhappiness or to depressing thoughts or feelings of anxiety—

few people have the courage to see themselves as they really are.

There are times when you have to look around most carefully; you must

then be circumspect (SUR′-kƏm-spekt′)—watchful, cautious, alert (circum-,

around).

The noun is circumspection (sur′-kem-SPEK′-shƏn) or circumspectness.

If something looks good or sensible, but actually is not, we call it

specious (SPEE′-shƏs). A specious argument sounds plausible, but in reality

is based on an error, a fallacy, or an untruth. The noun is speciousness.

REVIEW OF ETYMOLOGY

PREFIX, ROOT, SUFFIX

MEANING

1. specto

to look

ENGLISH WORD _____________

2. per-

through

ENGLISH WORD _____________

3. acuo

to sharpen

ENGLISH WORD _____________

4. punctus

point

ENGLISH WORD _____________

5. -ate

verb suffix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

6. -al

adjective suffix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

7. pungo

to pierce sharply

ENGLISH WORD _____________

8. -ent

adjective suffix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

9. -ence, -ency

noun suffixes

ENGLISH WORD _____________

10. -ness

noun suffix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

11. -ity

noun suffix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

12. retro-

backward

ENGLISH WORD _____________

13. pro-

forward, ahead, before

ENGLISH WORD _____________

14. intro-

inside, within

ENGLISH WORD _____________

15. -ion

noun suffix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

16. -ive

adjective suffix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

17. circum-

around

ENGLISH WORD _____________

USING THE WORDS

Can you pronounce the words? (I)

1. perspicacious

pur′-spƏ-KAY′-shƏs

2. perspicacity

pur′-spƏ-KAS′-Ə-tee

3. acumen

AK′-y

ōō

′-mƏn

4. acute

Ə-KY

ōō

T′

5. acuity

Ə-KY

ōō

′-Ə-tee

6. acupuncture

AK′-y

ōō

-punk′-chƏr

7. punctuate

PUNK′-ch

ōō

-ayt′

8. punctilious

punk-TIL′-ee-Əs

9. puncture

PUNK′-chƏr

10. pungent

PUN′-jƏnt

11. pungence

PUN′-jƏns

12. pungency

PUN′-jƏn-see

Can you pronounce the words? (II)

1. perspicuous

pƏr-SPIK′-y

ōō

-Əs

2. perspicuity

pur′-spƏ-KY

ōō

′-Ə-tee

3. retrospect

RET′-rƏ-spekt′

4. prospect

PROS′-pekt′

5. prospective

prƏ-SPEK′-tiv

6. introspective

in′-trƏ-SPEK′-tiv

7. introspect

in′-trƏ-SPEKT′

8. introspection

in′-trƏ-SPEK′-shƏn

9. circumspect

SUR′-kƏm-spekt′

10. circumspection

sur′-kƏm-SPEK′-shƏn

11. specious

SPEE′-shƏs

Can you work with the words? (I)

1. perspicacious

a. extremely careful, exact, or

proper in procedure

2. acumen

b. clear; easy to understand

3. acupuncture

c. a forward look

4. punctilious

d. looking inside, or examining or

analyzing, oneself

5. pungent

e. keen-minded

6. perspicuous

f. sharp; spicy; piercing

7. retrospect

g. careful, watchful, wary, cautious;

“looking around”

8. prospect

h. sharpness of mind or thinking

9. introspective

i. a backward look

10. circumspect

j. medical insertion of needles

KEY: 1–e, 2–h, 3–j, 4–a, 5–f, 6–b, 7–i, 8–c, 9–d, 10–g

Can you work with the words? (II)

1. acute

a. pierce; make a hole in; (noun) a

small hole

2. acuity

b. clarity; lucidity; ability to be

understood quickly and easily

3. punctuate

c. sounding plausible, or looking

right, but actually false or untrue

4. puncture

d. in the future; describing that

which, or one who, can be looked

forward to

5. pungence, pungency

e. care; watchfulness; caution

6. perspicuity

f. sharp; sudden; keen-minded

7. prospective

g. tending to examine and to think

about one’s motives, feelings, etc.

8. introspective

h. interrupt sharply or suddenly

9. circumspection

i. sharpness or spiciness of taste,

smell, wit, etc.

10. specious

j. keeness of mind, thinking, or

intellect

KEY: 1–f, 2–j, 3–h, 4–a, 5–i, 6–b, 7–d, 8–g, 9–e, 10–c

Do you understand the words?

1. perspicacious—dull-witted

SAME OPPOSITE

2. acumen—stupidity

SAME OPPOSITE

3. acute—sharp

SAME OPPOSITE

4. acuity—perspicacity

SAME OPPOSITE

5. punctilious—casual

SAME OPPOSITE

6. pungent—flat, dull

SAME OPPOSITE

7. perspicuous—clear

SAME OPPOSITE

8. retrospect—backward look

SAME OPPOSITE

9. prospect—expectation

SAME OPPOSITE

10. introspective—extroverted

SAME OPPOSITE

11. prospective—in the past

SAME OPPOSITE

12. circumspect—careless

SAME OPPOSITE

13. specious—true

SAME OPPOSITE

KEY: 1–O, 2–O, 3–S, 4–S, 5–O, 6–O, 7–S, 8–S, 9–S, 10–O, 11–O, 12–O,

13–O

Can you recall the words? (I)

1. plausible, but false or incorrect

1. S__________________

2. spiciness, sharpness; piercing quality

2. P__________________

or P__________________

3. clear; easily understood

3. P__________________

4. sharpness of mind or of intelligence

4. A__________________

or A__________________

5. care and caution; wariness

5. C__________________

or C__________________

6. piercing of the skin with needles for medical purposes

6. A__________________

7. tending to examine one’s motives, etc.; loooking inward (adj.)

7. I__________________

8. exact in the observance of proper procedure

8. P__________________

9. to pierce and make a small hole in

9. P__________________

10. a backward look or view

10. R__________________

KEY: 1–specious, 2–pungence or pungency, 3–perspicuous, 4–acumen or

acuteness or acuity, 5–circumspection or circumspectness, 6–

acupuncture, 7–introspective, 8–punctilious, 9–puncture, 10–

retrospect

Can you recall the words? (II)

1. keenness of mind

1. P__________________

or P__________________

2. sharp; sudden; keen-minded

2. A__________________

3. to interrupt suddenly

3. P__________________

4. spicy; piercing in taste, smell, wit, etc.

4. P__________________

5. clarity; clearness of style or language

5. P__________________

or P__________________

6. keen-minded; perceptive

6. P__________________

7. a look forward

7. P__________________

8. act or process of looking inward

8. I__________________

9. carefully looking around; cautious; wary

9. C__________________

10. anticipated; “to be”; looked forward to (adj.)

10. P__________________

SESSION 36

ORIGINS AND RELATED WORDS

1. the great and the small

You are familiar with Latin animus, mind. Animus and a related root,

anima, life principle, soul, spirit (in a sense, these meanings are all very

similar), are the source of such words as animal, animate and inanimate,

animated, and animation; knowing the meaning of the roots, you have a

better understanding of any word built on them.

Magnanimous contains, in addition to animus, mind, the root magnus,

large, great, which you recall from magniloquent. Magnanimous people

have such great, noble minds or souls that they are beyond seeking petty

revenge.

The noun is magnanimity (mag′-nƏ-NIM′-Ə-tee).

On the other hand, people who have tiny, tiny minds or souls are

pusillanimous (py

ōō

′-sƏ-LAN′-Ə-mes)—Latin pusillus, tiny. Hence, they are

contemptibly petty and mean. The noun is pusillanimity (py

ōō

′-sƏ-lƏ-NIM′-

Ə-tee).

Other words built on animus, mind:

1. unanimous (y

ōō

-NAN′-Ə-mƏs)—of one mind. If the Supreme Court

hands down a unanimous opinion, all the judges are of one mind (Latin

unus, one). The noun is unanimity (y

ōō

′-nƏ-NIM′-Ə-tee).

equanimity

(ee′-kwƏ-NIM′-Ə-tee

ek′-wƏ-NIM′-Ə-tee)—

etymologically, “equal (or balanced) mind.” Hence, evenness or calmness

of mind; composure. If you preserve your equanimity under trying

circumstances, you keep your temper, you do not get confused, you

remain calm (Latin aequus, equal).

3. animus (AN′-Ə-mƏs)—hostility, ill will, malevolence. Etymologically,

animus is simply mind, but has degenerated, as words often do, to mean

unfriendly mind. The word is most often used in a pattern like, “I bear you

no animus, even though you have tried to destroy me.” (Such a statement

shows real magnanimity!)

4. animosity (an′-Ə-MOS′-Ə-tee)—ill will, hostility. An exact synonym of

animus, and a more common word. It is used in patterns like, “You feel a

good deal of animosity, don’t you?”, “There is real animosity between Bill

and Ernie,” “If you bear me no animosity, why do you treat me so badly?”

2. turning

Versatile comes from verto, versus, to turn—versatile people can turn

their hand to many things successfully. The noun is versatility (vur′-sƏ-TIL′-

Ə-tee).

3. Zeno and the front porch

Centuries ago, in ancient Greece, the philosopher Zeno lectured on a

topic that still piques the human mind, to wit: “How to Live a Happy

Life.” Zeno would stand on a porch (the Greek word for which is stoa) and

hold forth somewhat as follows: people should free themselves from

intense emotion, be unmoved by both joy and sorrow, and submit without

complaint to unavoidable necessity.

Today, psychologists suggest pretty much the exact opposite—let your

emotions flow freely, express your love or animosity, don’t bottle up your

feelings. But in the fourth century B.C., when Zeno was expounding his

credo, his philosophy of control of the passions fell on receptive ears. His

followers were called Stoics, after the stoa, or porch, from which the

master lectured.

If we call people stoical, we mean that they bear their pain or sorrow

without complaint, they meet adversity with unflinching fortitude. This

sounds very noble, you will admit—actually, according to modern

psychological belief, it is healthier not to be so stoical. Stoicism (STŌ′-Ə-siz-

Əm) may be an admirable virtue (mainly because we do not then have to

listen to the stoic’s troubles), but it can be overdone.

4. fear and trembling

Intrepid is from Latin trepido, to tremble. Intrepid people exhibit courage

and fearlessness (and not a single tremble!) when confronted by dangers

from which you and I would run like the cowards we are. (You recognize

the negative prefix in-.)

The noun: intrepidity (in′-trƏ-PID′-Ə-tee), or, of course, intrepidness.

Trepido is the source also of trepidation (trep′-Ə-DAY′-shƏn)—great fear,

trembling, or alarm.

5. quick flash

Scintilla, in Latin, is a quick, bright spark; in English the word scintilla

(sin-TIL′-Ə) may also mean a spark, but more commonly refers to a very

small particle (which, in a sense, a spark is), as in, “There was not a

scintilla of evidence against him.”

In the verb scintillate (SIN′-tƏ-layt′), the idea of the spark remains;

someone who scintillates sparkles with charm and wit, flashes brightly

with humor. The noun is scintillation (sin′-tƏ-LAY′-shƏn).

6. city and country

People who live in the big city go to theaters, attend the opera, visit

museums and picture galleries, browse in bookstores, and shop at

Robinson’s, Bloomingdale’s, Marshall Field, or other large department

stores.

These activities fill them with culture and sophistication.

Also, they crowd into jammed subway trains or buses, squeeze into

packed elevators, cross the street in competition with high-powered

motorcars, patiently stand in line outside of movie houses, and then wait

again in the lobby for seats to be vacated.

Also, they have the privilege of spending two hours a day going to and

coming from work.

As a result, city-dwellers are refined, polished, courteous—or so the

etymology of urbane (from Latin urbs, city) tells us. (And you must be

absurdly credulous, if not downright gullible, to believe it.) The noun is

urbanity (ur-BAN′-Ə-tee).

So urbane people are gracious, affable, cultivated, suave, tactful—add

any similar adjectives you can think of.

Urban (UR′-bƏn) as an adjective simply refers to cities—urban affairs,

urban areas, urban populations, urban life, urban development, etc.

Consider some prefixes: sub-, near; inter-, between; intra-, inside, within;

ex-, out.

Add each prefix to the root urbs, using the adjective suffix -an:

sub__________________: near the city

(Sub- has a number of meanings: under, near, close to, etc.)

inter__________________: between cities

intra__________________: within a city

ex__________________: out of the city

The suburbs are residential sections, or small communities, close to a

large city; Larchmont is a suburb of New York City, Whittier a suburb of

Los Angeles.

Suburbia (sƏ-BUR′-bee-Ə) may designate suburbs as a group; suburban

residents, or suburbanites (sƏ-BUR′-bƏ-nīts′), as a group; or the typical

manners, modes of living, customs, etc. of suburban residents.

An interurban bus travels between cities, an intraurban bus within a single

city.

An exurb (EKS′-urb) lies well beyond, way outside, a large city, and

generally refers to a region inhabited by well-to-do families. Exurb has

derived forms corresponding to those of suburb. Can you construct them?

Plural noun:

__________________

Adjective:

__________________

Resident:

__________________

As a group; manners, customs, etc.:

__________________

Urbs is the city; Latin rus, ruris is the country, i.e., farmland, fields, etc.

So rural (R

ŏŏ

R′-Əl) refers to country or farm regions, agriculture, etc.—a

wealthy rural area.

Rustic (RUS′-tik) as an adjective may describe furniture or dwellings

made of roughhewn wood, or furnishings suitable to a farmhouse; or,

when applied to a person, is an antonym of urbane—unsophisticated,

boorish, lacking in social graces, uncultured. Noun: rusticity (rus-TIS′-Ə-

tee). Rustic is also a noun designating a person with such characteristics,

as in, “He was considered a rustic by his classmates, all of whom came

from cultured and wealthy backgrounds.”

Urbane and rustic, when applied to people, are emotionally charged

words. Urbane is complimentary, rustic derogatory.¹

To rusticate (RUS′-tƏ-kayt′) is to spend time in the country, away from

the turmoil and tensions of big-city life. Can you construct the noun?

__________________.

REVIEW OF ETYMOLOGY

PREFIX, ROOT, SUFFIX

MEANING

1. animus

mind

ENGLISH WORD _____________

2. anima

soul, spirit, life principle

ENGLISH WORD _____________

3. magnus

large, great

ENGLISH WORD _____________

4. pusillus

tiny

ENGLISH WORD _____________

5. unus

one

ENGLISH WORD _____________

6. aequus (equ-)

equal

ENGLISH WORD _____________

7. verto, versus

to turn

ENGLISH WORD _____________

8. stoa

porch

ENGLISH WORD _____________

9. in-

negative prefix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

10. trepido

to tremble

ENGLISH WORD _____________

11. scintilla

a spark

ENGLISH WORD _____________

12. urbs

city

ENGLISH WORD _____________

13. sub-

near, close to, under

ENGLISH WORD _____________

14. inter-

between

ENGLISH WORD _____________

15. intra-

within, inside

ENGLISH WORD _____________

16. ex-

out

ENGLISH WORD _____________

17. rus, ruris

country, farmlands

ENGLISH WORD _____________

18. -ate

verb suffix

ENGLISH WORD _____________

19. -ion

noun suffix aded to -ate verbs

ENGLISH WORD _____________

USING THE WORDS

Can you pronounce the words? (I)

1. magnanimity

mag′-nƏ-NIM′-Ə-tee

2. pusillanimous

ōō

′-sƏ-LAN′-Ə-mƏs

3. pusillanimity

ōō

′-sƏ-lƏ-NIM′-Ə-tee

4. unanimous

ōō

-NAN′-Ə-mƏs

5. unanimity

ōō

-nƏ-NIM′-Ə-tee

6. equanimity

eek′ (or ek′)-wƏ-NIM′-Ə-tee

7. animus

AN′-Ə-mƏs

8. animosity

an′-Ə-MOS′-Ə-tee

9. versatility

vur′-sƏ-TIL′-Ə-tee

10. stoic

STŌ′-ik

11. stoicism

STŌ′-Ə-siz-Əm

Can you pronounce the words? (II)

1. intrepidity

in′-trƏ-PID′-Ə-tee

2. trepidation

trep′-Ə-DAY′-shƏn

3. scintilla

sin-TIL′-Ə

4. scintillate

SIN′-tƏ-layt′

5. scintillation

sin′-tƏ-LAY′-shƏn

6. urbanity

ur-BAN′-Ə-tee

7. suburbia

sƏ-BUR′-bee-Ə

8. interurban

in′-tƏr-UR′-bƏn

9. intraurban

in′-trƏ-UR′-bƏn

10. exurbs

EKS′-urbz

11. exurban

eks-UR′-bƏn

12. exurbanite

eks-UR′-bƏn-īt′

13. exurbia

eks-UR′-bee-Ə

Can you pronounce the words? (III)

1. rural

ŏŏ

R′-Əl

2. rustic

RUS′-tik

3. rusticity

rus-TIS′-Ə-tee

4. rusticate

RUS′-tƏ-kayt′

5. rustication

rus′-tƏ-KAY′-shƏn

6. pejorative

pƏ-JAWR′-Ə-tiv

Can you work with the words? (I)

1. magnanimity

a. calmness, composure

2. pusillanimity

b. ability either to do many different

things well, or to function

successfully in many areas

3. unanimity

c. fearlessness; great courage

4. equanimity

d. unemotionality; bearing of pain,

etc. without complaint

5. animosity

e. big-heartedness; generosity;

quality of forgiving easily

6. versatility

f. a sparkling with wit or cleverness

7. stoicism

g. fear and trembling; alarm

8. intrepidity

h. complete agreement, all being of

one mind

9. trepidation

i. petty-mindedness

KEY: 1–e, 2–i, 3–h, 4–a, 5–j, 6–b, 7–d, 8–c, 9–g, 10–f

Can you work with the words? (II)

1. urbanity

a. referring to the countryside

2. suburbia

b. word with negative or derogatory

connotation; describing such a

word or words

3. exurbia

c. to spend time in the country

4. animus

d. residential areas near big cities;

customs, etc. of the inhabitants of

such areas

5. interurban

e. residential areas far from big

cities; customs, etc. of the

inhabitants of such areas

6. intraurban

f. between cities

7. rural

g. roughhewn, farmlike;

unsophisticated, uncultured

8. rustic

h. sophistication, courtesy, polish,

etc.

9. rusticate

i. anger, hatred, hostility

10. pejorative

j. within one city

SESSION 37

READY FOR A STRONG REVIEW?

Drill, drill, drill! This is the important secret of learning words

thoroughly.

Review, review, review! This is the secret of remembering, assimilating,

digesting, and keeping as permanent acquisitions all the new words you

have learned.

So pitch in with enthusiasm to the rest of this chapter, made up of a

series of valuable tests on all the chapter words. Ready?

Can you work with the words? (I)

1. retrospect

a. complete agreement

2. acumen

b. pettiness

3. magnanimity

c. malevolence

4. pusillanimity

d. backward look

5. unanimity

e. calmness

6. equanimity

f. ability in many fields

7. animosity

g. mental keenness

8. versatility

h. generosity

KEY: 1–d, 2–g, 3–h, 4–b, 5–a, 6–e, 7–c, 8–f

Can you work with the words? (II)

1. stoicism

a. fearlessness

2. intrepidity

b. sparkle

3. trepidation

c. inward look

4. scintillation

d. uncomplaining attitude to pain or

trouble

5. urbanity

e. falsity

6. introspection

f. polish, cultivation

7. circumspection

g. care, cautiousness

8. speciousness

h. fear

KEY: 1–d, 2–a, 3–h, 4–b, 5–f, 6–c, 7–g, 8–e

Can you work with the words? (III)

1. exurbs

a. of one mind

2. pusillanimous

b. ill will

3. unanimous

c. pertaining to the city

4. animus

d. petty

5. rustic

e. self-analytical

6. urban

f. regions far from the city

7. introspective

g. cautious

8. circumspect

h. false, though plausible

9. specious

i. countrified

KEY: 1–f, 2–d, 3–a, 4–b, 5–i, 6–c, 7–e, 8–g, 9–h

Can you work with the words? (IV)

1. perspicacity

a. clearness

2. perspicuity

b. to be witty

3. stoic

c. spend time in the country

4. scintilla

d. one who controls his emotions

5. scintillate

e. to look inward

6. rural

f. a very small amount

7. rusticate

g. keen intelligence

8. introspect

h. clear, understandable

9. perspicuous

i. keen-minded

10. perspicacious

j. pertaining to the country.

KEY: 1–g, 2–a, 3–d, 4–f, 5–b, 6–j, 7–c, 8–e, 9–h, 10–i

Do you understand the words? (I)

1. Does life often seem pleasanter in retrospect?

YES NO

2. Are people of acuity gullible?

YES NO

3. Is perspicacity a common characteristic?

YES NO

4. Is a person of acumen likely to be naïve?

YES NO

5. Is a perspicuous style of writing easy to read?

YES NO

6. Should all writers aim at perspicuity?

YES NO

7. Is magnanimity a characteristic of small-minded people?

YES NO

8. Does a person of pusillanimous mind often think of petty revenge?

YES NO

9. Is a unanimous opinion one in which all concur?

YES NO

KEY: 1–yes, 2–no, 3–no, 4–no, 5–yes, 6–yes, 7–no, 8–yes, 9–yes

Do you understand the words? (II)

1. Is it easy to preserve one’s equanimity under trying circumstances?

YES NO

2. Do we bear animus toward our enemies?

YES NO

3. Do we usually feel great animosity toward our friends?

YES NO

4. Do we admire versatility?

YES NO

5. Does a stoic usually complain?

YES NO

6. Is stoicism a mark of an uninhibited personality?

YES NO

7. Do cowards show intrepidity in the face of danger?

YES NO

8. Do cowards often feel a certain amount of trepidation?

YES NO

9. Is a scintilla of evidence a great amount?

YES NO

10. Do dull people scintillate?

YES NO

11. Is urbanity a characteristic of boorish people?

YES NO

KEY: 1–no, 2–yes, 3–no, 4–yes, 5–no, 6–no, 7–no, 8–yes, 9–no, 10–no,

11–no

Do you understand the words? (III)

1. Is New York City a rural community?

YES NO

2. Is a village an urban community?

YES NO

3. Do you rusticate in the city?

YES NO

4. Are extroverts very introspective?

YES NO

5. Does an introvert spend a good deal of time in introspection?

YES NO

6. In dangerous circumstances, is it wise to be circumspect?

YES NO

7. Do specious arguments often sound convincing?

YES NO

KEY: 1–no, 2–no, 3–no, 4–no, 5–yes, 6–yes, 7–yes

Do you understand the words? (IV)

1. retrospect—prospect

SAME OPPOSITE

2. acute—perspicacious

SAME OPPOSITE

3. acumen—stupidity

SAME OPPOSITE

4. perspicuous—confused

SAME OPPOSITE

5. magnanimous—noble

SAME OPPOSITE

6. pusillanimous—petty

SAME OPPOSITE

7. unanimous—divided

SAME OPPOSITE

8. equanimity—nervousness

SAME OPPOSITE

9. animosity—hostility

SAME OPPOSITE

10. animus—friendliness

SAME OPPOSITE

11. versatility—monomania

SAME OPPOSITE

12. stoicism—cowardice

SAME OPPOSITE

13. intrepidity—fear

SAME OPPOSITE

14. trepidation—courage

SAME OPPOSITE

15. scintilla—slight amount

SAME OPPOSITE

16. urbanity—refinement

SAME OPPOSITE

17. rustic—crude

SAME OPPOSITE

18. rural—urban

SAME OPPOSITE

19. introspective—self-analytic

SAME OPPOSITE

20. circumspect—careless

SAME OPPOSITE

21. specious—true

SAME OPPOSITE

KEY: 1–O, 2–S, 3–O, 4–O, 5–S, 6–S, 7–O, 8–O, 9–S, 10–O, 11–O, 12–O,

13–O, 14–O, 15–S, 16–S, 17–S, 18–O, 19–S, 20–O, 21–O

Can you recall the words? (I)

1. ability in many fields

1. V__________________

2. pertaining to the city (adj.)

2. U__________________

3. to spend time in the country

3. R__________________

4. merest spark; small amount

4. S__________________

5. courage

5. I__________________

KEY: 1–versatility, 2–urban, 3–rusticate, 4–scintilla, 5–intrepidity

Can you recall the words? (II)

1. unflinching fortitude

1. S__________________

2. countrified; unpolished

2. R__________________

3. pertaining to the countryside (adj.)

3. R__________________

4. a looking back to the past

4. R__________________

5. nobleness of mind or spirit

5. M__________________

KEY: 1–stoicism, 2–rustic, 3–rural, 4–retrospect, 5–magnanimity

Can you recall the words? (III)

1. keen-mindedness

1. A__________________

2. clear, lucid

2. P__________________

3. petty, mean

3. P__________________

4. all of one mind or opinion

4. U__________________

5. ill will

5. A__________________

or A__________________

KEY: 1–acuity, 2–pcrspicuous, 3–pusillanimous, 4–unanimous, 5–animus

or animosity

Can you recall the words? (IV)

1–4. keenness of mind

1. P__________________

or P__________________

2. A__________________

3. A__________________

4. A__________________

5. clearness of style or language

5. P__________________

6. one who keeps his emotions, during times of trouble, hidden

6. S__________________

7. sophistication, courtesy, refinement

7. U__________________

KEY: 1–perspicacity or perspicaciousness, 2–acumen, 3–acuity, 4–

acuteness (2–4 in any order), 5–perspicuity, 6–stoic, 7–urbanity

Can you recall the words? (V)

1. pettiness of character

1. P__________________

2. noun form of unanimous

2. U__________________

3. mental calmness, balance

3. E__________________

4. fear and trembling

4. T__________________

5. to sparkle with wit and humor

5. S__________________

KEY: 1–pusillanimity, 2–unanimity, 3–equanimity, 4–trepidation, 5–

scintillate

Can you recall the words? (VI)

1. a looking inward; an examining of one’s mental processes or emotional

reactions

1. I__________________

2. cautious

2. C__________________

3. seemingly true, actually false

3. S__________________

4. to think of one’s mental processes

4. I__________________

5. care, watchfulness

5. C__________________

KEY: 1–introspective, 2–circumspect, 3–specious, 4–introspect, 5–

circumspection

THREE FURTHER TESTS

I. matching

MEANING

WORD

1. convivial

a. frank

2. indefatigable

b. noble, forgiving

3. ingenuous

c. unflinching; unemotional

4. perspicacious

d. courteous; polished; suave

5. magnanimous

e. companionable, gregarious

6. versatile

f. witty

7. stoical

g. capable in many directions

8. intrepid

h. brave

9. scintillating

i. keen-minded

10. urbane

j. tireless

KEY: 1–e, 2–j, 3–a, 4–i, 5–b, 6–g, 7–c, 8–h, 9–f, 10–d

II. same or opposite?

1. vivacious—sluggish

SAME OPPOSITE

2. vital—crucial

SAME OPPOSITE

3. ennui—boredom

SAME OPPOSITE

4. bon vivant—gourmand

SAME OPPOSITE

5. gourmet—ascetic

SAME OPPOSITE

6. ingenuous—crafty

SAME OPPOSITE

7. naïve—sophisticated

SAME OPPOSITE

8. credulous—skeptical

SAME OPPOSITE

9. disingenuous—insincere

SAME OPPOSITE

10. credo—belief

SAME OPPOSITE

KEY: 1–O, 2–S, 3–S, 4–S, 5–O, 6–O, 7–O, 8–O, 9–S, 10–S

III. changing parts of speech

Change these adjectives to nouns not ending in -ness.

1. indefatigable

2. perspicacious

3. stoical

4. urbane

5. naïve

6. incredulous

7. incredible

8. perspicuous

9. magnanimous

10. pusillanimous

KEY: 1–indefatigability, 2–perspicacity, 3–stoicism, 4–urbanity, 5–

naïveté,

6–incredulity,

7–incredibility,

8–perspicuity,

9–

magnanimity, 10–pusillanimity

CHAPTER REVIEW

A. Do you recognize the words?

1. Tireless:

(a) convivial, (b) indefatigable, (c) versatile

2. Frank, unsophisticated:

(a) ingenuous, (b) ingenious, (c) intrepid

3. Unflinching, uncomplaining:

(a) perspicacious, (b) urbane, (c) stoical

4. Noble, forgiving, generous:

(a) pusillanimous, (b) unanimous, (c) magnanimous

5. Between cities:

(a) interurban, (b) intraurban, (c) exurban

6. Giving birth to live young:

(a) oviparous, (b) ovulation, (c) viviparous

7. Tedium, boredom:

(a) ennui, (b) joie de vivre, (c) vitality

8. Connoisseur of choice food:

(a) gourmet, (b) gourmand, (c) glutton

9. Inexperienced in the ways of the world:

(a) credulous, (b) naïve, (c) credible

10. Easily tricked:

(a) gullible, (b) incredulous, (c) ingenious

11. Backward look:

(a) prospect, (b) retrospect, (c) introspection

12. Clearness:

(a) perspicacity, (b) perspicuity, (c) intrepidity

KEY: 1–b, 2–a, 3–c, 4–c, 5–a, 6–c, 7–a, 8–a, 9–b, 10–a, 11–b, 12–b, 13–a,

14–a

B. Can you recognize roots?

ROOT

EXAMPLE

1. vivo

_________________

MEANING vivacious

2. sectus

_________________

MEANING vivisection

3. pareo

_________________

MEANING viviparous

4. ovum

_________________

MEANING oviparous

5. vita

_________________

MEANING vital

6. bon

_________________

MEANING bon vivant

7. credo

_________________

MEANING credible

8. specto

_________________

MEANING spectator

9. acuo

_________________

MEANING acupuncture

10. punctus

_________________

MEANING punctuate

11. pungo

_________________

MEANING pungent

12. animus

_________________

MEANING animosity

13. pusillus

_________________

MEANING pusillanimous

14. magnus

_________________

MEANING magnanimous

15. unus

_________________

MEANING unanimous

16. aequus (equ-)

_________________

MEANING equanimity

17. verto, versus

_________________

MEANING versatile

18. stoa

_________________

MEANING stoical

19. trepido

_________________

MEANING trepidation

20. scintilla

_________________

MEANING scintillate

21. urbs

_________________

MEANING urban

22. rus, ruris

_________________

KEY: 1–to live, 2–cut, 3–to give birth, produce, 4–egg, 5–life, 6–good, 7–

to believe, 8–to look, 9–to sharpen, 10–point, 11–to pierce sharply,

12–mind, 13–tiny, 14–big, great, large, 15–one, 16–equal, 17–to

turn, 18–porch, 19–to tremble, 20–spark, 21–city, 22–country,

countryside

TEASER QUESTIONS FOR THE AMATEUR ETYMOLOGIST

1. Recalling the root vivo, to live, can you think of the verb that means

to live on? __________________.

Can you write the noun form? __________________.

2. How would you explain a vivarium? __________________.

3. Recalling the meanings of Latin vita, what would you understand if

someone asked you for your vita before you appeared for an interview for

a professional position? __________________.

4. Unus is Latin for one. Can you use this root to construct words

meaning:

(a) animal with one horn:

__________________.

(b) of one form:

__________________.

(d) oneness:

__________________.

(e) one-wheeled vehicle:

__________________.

5. Annus is Latin for year; verto, versus, as you know, means to turn. Can

you, then, explain the word anniversary in terms of its roots? __________________

6. How about universe and university in terms of their roots (unus, one;

verto, versus, to turn)?

(a) universe:

__________________

(b) university:

__________________

7. Use inter-, between, to form words of the following meanings:

(a) between states (adj.):

__________________

(b) between nations (adj.):

__________________

and advanced (adj.):

__________________

(d) to break in (between people

conversing):

__________________

(e) between persons (adj.):

__________________

8. Use intra-, within, to form words with the following meanings (all

adjectives):

(a) within one state:

__________________

(b) within one nation:

__________________

(d) within the muscles:

__________________

(Answers in Chapter 18)

WORDS INFLUENCE YOUR THINKING

By now, you have thoroughly explored hundreds upon hundreds of

valuable words and scores upon scores of important Greek and Latin roots.

As you went along you stopped at frequent intervals to say aloud, think

about, work with, and recall the words you were adding to your

vocabulary.

By now, therefore, the words you have been learning are probably old

friends of yours; they have started to influence your thinking, have

perhaps begun to appear in your conversation, and have certainly become

conspicuous in your reading. In short, they have been effective in making

changes in your intellectual climate.

Let us pause now for another checkup of the success of your study. In

the next chapter, you will find a second Comprehensive Test. Take the test

cold if you feel that all the material is at your fingertips; or spend a little

time reviewing Chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12 if you believe such review is

necessary.