chapter-9

HOW TO TALK ABOUT ACTIONS

(Sessions 19–23)

TEASER PREVIEW

What verb means to:

belittle?

be purposely confusing?

tickle someone’s fancy?

flatter fulsomely?

prohibit some food or activity?

make unnecessary?

work against?

spread slander?

give implicit forgiveness for a misdeed?

change hostility to friendliness?

SESSION 19

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, of course, were probably nouns, as you identified

the things or people around you.

Mama, Dada, doll, baby, bottle, etc. perhaps were the first standard

syllables you uttered, 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, etc.

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.

Let’s be specific.

IDEAS

1. playing it down

Ready to go back thirty or more years? Consider some post-World

War II American political history:

Harry Truman couldn’t win the 1948 election. The pollsters said

so, the Republicans heartily agreed, even the Democrats, some in

high places, believed it. Mr. Truman himself was perhaps the only

voter in the country who was not entirely convinced.

Came the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November—well,

if you were one of those who stayed up most of the night listening

to the returns, and then kept your ear to the radio most of the next

day, you recall how you reacted to the unique Truman triumph.

It was no mean accomplishment, thought many people. Pure

accident, said others. If one out of twelve voters in a few key states

had changed his ballot, Harry could have gone back to selling ties,

one Republican apologist pointed out. It wasn’t anything Truman

did, said another; it was what Dewey didn’t do. No credit to

Truman, said a third; it was the farmers—or labor—or the

Republicans who hadn’t bothered to vote—or the ingenious

miscounting of ballots. No credit to Truman, insisted a fourth; it was

Wallace’s candidacy—it was the Democrats—it was Republican

overconfidence—it was sunspots—it was the Communists—it was

the civil service workers who didn’t want to lose their cushy jobs—it

was really Roosevelt who won the election.

Anyway Harry didn’t accomplish a thing—he was just a victim of

good fortune.

What were the apologists for Dewey’s failure doing?

They were disparaging Truman’s achievement.

2. playing it safe

Willing to look at some more history of the late 1940s?

Of course, Dewey did campaign, in his own way, 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 of the provisions which were bad. Was

he for it? The answer was yes—and also no. Take whichever answer

you wanted most to hear.

What was Dewey doing?

He was equivocating.

3. enjoying the little things

Have you ever gone through a book that was so good you kept

hugging yourself mentally as you read? Have you ever seen a play

or motion picture that was so charming that you felt sheer delight as

you watched? Or perhaps you have had a portion of pumpkin-

chiffon pie, light and airy and mildly flavored, and with a flaky,

delicious crust, that was the last word in gustatory enjoyment?

Now notice the examples I have used. I have not spoken of books

that grip you emotionally, of plays and movies that keep you on the

edge of your seat in suspense, or of food that satisfies a ravenous

hunger. These would offer quite a different, perhaps more lasting

and memorable, type of enjoyment. I have detailed, rather, 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.

4. playing it way up

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, or famous

entertainers. They show them ingratiating, almost servile attention,

worship and flatter them fulsomely.¹

How do we say it in a single word?

They adulate such celebrities.

5. accentuating the negative

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 and 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.

6. accentuating the affirmative

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; and you

have a passionate interest in experiencing, in living, in relating to

people.

Need you have any fears about making friends? Obviously not.

Your characteristics and temperament obviate such fears.

7. playing it wrong

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 (as,

unconsciously, they actually are) 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.

8. playing it dirty

“Harry?” He’s a closet alcoholic. Maud? She’s sleeping around—and

her stupid husband doesn’t suspect a thing. 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.

9. giving the benefit of any doubt

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, since,

after all, to invent a cliché, men are essentially polygamous by

nature?

If your answers are in the affirmative, how are you reacting to

such legal or ethical transgressions?

You condone them.

10. changing hostility

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. (Perhaps you failed to invite him to a gathering he wanted

to come to; or you neglected to consult him before making a

decision on a matter in which he felt he should have some say.) 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.

USING THE WORDS

Can you pronounce the words?

1. disparage

dis-PAIR′-Əj

2. equivocate

ee-KWIV′-Ə-kayt′

3. titillate

TIT′-Ə-layt′

4. adulate

AJ′-Ə-layt′

5. proscribe

prō-SKRĪB′

6. obviate

OB′-vee-ayt′

7. militate

MIL′-Ə-tayt

8. malign

mƏ-LĪN′

9. condone

kƏn-DŌN′

10. placate

PLAY′-kayt′

Can you work with the words?

1. disparage

a. flatter lavishly

2. equivocate

b. work against

3. titillate

c. prohibit

4. adulate

d. forgive

5. proscribe

e. change hostility to friendliness

6. obviate

f. purposely talk in such a way as

to be vague and misleading

7. militate

g. slander

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

Do you understand the words?

1. Do you normally disparage something you admire?

YES NO

2. Do you equivocate if you think it unwise to take a definite stand?

YES NO

3. Do pleasant things titillate you?

YES NO

4. Do emotionally mature people need constant adulation?

YES NO

5. Is sugar proscribed for diabetics?

YES NO

6. Does a substantial fortune obviate financial fears?

YES NO

7. Does a worker’s inefficiency often militate against his keeping his

job?

YES NO

8. Do people enjoy being maligned?

YES NO

9. Do we generally condone the faults of those we love?

YES NO

10. Can you sometimes placate a person by apologizing?

YES NO

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

10–yes

Can you use the words?

In this exercise you gain the value of actually writing a new word

as a meaningful solution to a problem. To think about a word, to say

it, to write it, to use it—that is the road to word mastery. 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.

KEY: 1–equivocate, 2–malign, 3–placate, 4–adulate, 5–proscribes,

6–condone, 7–disparage, 8–obviates, 9–militates, 10–titillates

Can you recall the words?

1. change hostility into friendliness

1. P__________________

2. make unnecessary

2. O__________________

3. belittle

3. D__________________

4. overlook or forgive a transgression

4. C__________________

5. tickle; delight; stimulate pleasurably

5. T__________________

6. spread malicious rumors about

6. M__________________

7. purposely use language susceptible of opposite interpretations

7. E__________________

8. act to disadvantage of

8. M__________________

9. forbid

9. P__________________

10. worship; flatter fulsomely

10. A__________________

SESSION 20

ORIGINS AND RELATED WORDS

1. equality

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. Your own accomplishment on the course will be

at par, above par, or below par.

Similarly, some days you may feel up to par, other days below

par.

Par is from a Latin word meaning equal. You may try, when you

play golf, to equal the expert score; and some days you may, or may

not, feel equal to your usual self.

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 (dis-

PAIR′-Əj-ing), as in “Why do you always make disparaging remarks

about me?”

Parity (PAIR′-Ə-tee) as a noun means equality; disparity (dis-PAIR′-

Ə-tee) means a lack of equality, or a difference. We may speak, for

example, of the disparity between someone’s promise and

performance; or of the disparity between the rate of vocabulary

growth of a child and of an adult. The adjective disparate (DIS′-pƏ-

rƏt) indicates essential or complete difference or inequality, as in

“Our philosophies are so disparate that we can never come to any

agreement on action.”

The word compare and all its forms (comparable, comparative, etc.)

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 (shoes, socks, gloves, etc.)

in pairs are equal or similar; your peers are those equal to you, as in

age, position, rank, or ability. Hence the expression “to be judged by

a jury of one’s peers.”

(British peers, however, such is the contradiction of language,

were nobles.)

2. how to say yes and no

Equivocate is built on another Latin word meaning equal—aequus

(the spelling in English is always equ-)—plus vox, vocis, voice.

When you equivocate (Ə-KWIV′-Ə-kayt′), you seem to be saying

both yes and no with equal voice. An equivocal (Ə-KWIV′-Ə-kƏl)

answer, therefore, 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)—they are, on most vital issues, mugwumps; they sit on

a fence with their mugs on one side and their wumps on the other.

You will often hear candidates for office say, publicly, that they

unequivocally promise, if elected, to…; and then they start

equivocating for all they are worth, like people who say, “Let me be

perfectly frank with you”—and then promptly and glibly lie through

their teeth.

3. statements of various kinds

Do not confuse equivocal with ambiguous (am′-BIG′-y

ōō

-Əs). An

equivocal statement is purposely, deliberately (and with malice

aforethought) couched in language that will be deceptive; an

ambiguous statement is accidentally couched in such language.

Equivocal is, in short, purposely ambiguous.

You will recall that ambi-, which we last met in ambivert and

ambidextrous, is a root meaning both; anything ambiguous may have

both one meaning and another meaning. If you say, “That sentence

is the height of ambiguity,” you mean that you find it vague because

it admits of both affirmative and negative interpretations, or

because it may mean two different things. Ambiguity is pronounced

am′-bƏ-GY

ōō

-Ə-tee.

Another type of statement or word contains the possibility of two

interpretations—one of them suggestive, risqué, or sexy. Such a

statement or word is a double entendre. This is from the French and

translates literally as double meaning. Give the word as close a french

pronunciation as you can—D

ōō

B′-lƏhn-TAHN′-drƏ. (The n’s are

nasalized, the r somewhat throaty, and the final syllable is barely

audible.)

REVIEW OF ETYMOLOGY

PREFIX, ROOT, SUFFIX

MEANING

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: _________________

USING THE WORDS

Can you pronounce the words?

1. parity

PAIR′-Ə-tee

2. disparity

dis-PAIR′-Ə-tee

3. disparate

DIS′-pƏ-rƏt

4. disparagement

dis-PAIR′-Əj-mƏnt

5. disparaging

dis-PAIR′-Əj-ing

6. peer

PEER

7. equivocate

Ə-KWIV′-Ə-kayt′

8. equivocation

Ə-kwiv′-Ə-KAY′-shƏn

9. equivocal

Ə-KWIV′-Ə-kƏl

10. unequivocal

un′-Ə-KWIV′-Ə-kƏl

11. ambiguous

am-BIG′-y

ōō

-Əs

12. ambiguity

am′-bƏ-GY

ōō

′-Ə-tee

13. double entendre

DOOB′-lƏhn-TAHN′-drƏ

Can you work with the words?

1. parity

a. belittlement

2. disparity

b. act of being deliberately vague

or indirectly deceptive;

statement that is deceptive or

purposely open to contrary

interpretations

3. disparagement

c. quality of being open to

misinterpretation; statement

with this quality

4. peer

d. statement or word with two

meanings, one of them risqué,

indelicate, or of possible sexual

connotation

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

Do you understand the words?

1. Is there a disparity in age between a grandfather and his

granddaughter?

YES NO

2. Is an equivocal statement clear and direct?

YES NO

3. Is an unequivocal answer vague and misleading?

YES NO

4. Are politicians often masters of equivocation?

YES NO

5. Are ambiguous sentences somewhat confusing?

YES NO

6. Are people with disparate perceptions of life likely to experience

reality in the same way?

YES NO

7. Is a disparaging look one of admiration?

YES NO

8. When people equivocate, are they evading the issue?

YES NO

9. Is the deliberate use of double entendres likely to shock

puritanical people?

YES NO

10. Are supervisors and their subordinates peers?

YES NO

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

Can you recall the words?

1. accidentally vague

1. A__________________

2. purposely vague

2. E__________________

3. equality

3. P__________________

4. word or statement one meaning of which may be interpreted as

risqué

4. D__________________

5. lack of equality

5. D__________________

6. belittlement

6. D__________________

7. clear; direct; capable of only one interpretation

7. U__________________

8. essentially or widely unequal or different

8. D___________________

9. one’s equal in age, rank, etc.

9. P__________________

10. to use words in a calculated effort to mislead or to be ambiguous

10. E__________________

SESSION 21

ORIGINS AND RELATED WORDS

1. more on equality

The root aequus, spelled equ- in English words, is a building block

of:

1. equity (EK′-wƏ-tee)—justice, fairness; i.e., equal treatment. (By

extension, stocks in the financial markets are equities, and the value

of your home or other property over and above the amount of the

mortgage you owe is your equity in it.) The adjective is equitable

(EK′-wƏ-tƏ-bƏl).

2. inequity (in-EK′-wƏ-tee)—injustice, unfairness (equity plus the

negative prefix in-). Adjective: inequitable (in-EK′-wƏ-tƏ-bƏl).

3. iniquity (in-IK′-wƏ-tee)—by one of those delightful surprises and

caprices characteristic of language, the change of a single letter (e to

i), extends the meaning of a word far beyond its derivation and

original denotation. Injustice and unfairness are sinful and wicked,

especially if you naïvely believe that life is fair. So a “den of

iniquity” is a place where vice flourishes; an iniquity is a sin or vice,

or an egregiously immoral act; and iniquity is wickedness, sinfulness.

Adjective: iniquitous (in-IK′-wƏ-tƏs).

4. equinox (EE′-kwƏ-noks′)—etymologically, “equal night,” a

combination of aequus and nox, noctis, night. The equinox, when day

and night are of equal length, occurs twice a year: about March 21,

and again about September 21 or 22. (The adjective is equinoctial—

ee′-kwƏ-NOK′-shƏl.) Nocturnal (nok-TURN′-Əl), derived from nox,

noctis, describes people, animals, or plants that are active or flourish

at night rather than during daylight hours. Cats and owls are

nocturnal, as is the moonflower, whose blossoms open at night; not

to mention “night people,” whose biorhythms are such that they

function better after the sun goes down, and who like to stay up late

and sleep well into midmorning. A nocturne (NOK′-turn) is a musical

composition of dreamy character (i.e., night music), or a painting of

a night scene.

equanimity

(ee′-kwƏ-NIM′-Ə-tee

ek′-wƏ-NIM′-Ə-tee)—

etymologically aequus plus animus, mind, hence “equal mind.”

Maintain your equanimity, your evenness of temper, your

composure, your coolness or calmness, when everyone around you

is getting excited or hysterical, and you will probably be considered

an admirable person, though one might wonder what price you pay

for such emotional control. (Other words built on animus, mind, will

be discussed in Chapter 12.)

6. Equability (ee′-kwƏ-BIL′-Ə-tee or ek′-wƏ-BIL′-Ə-tee)—a close

synonym of equanimity. A person of equable (EE′-kwƏ-bƏl or EK′-wƏ-

bƏl) temperament is characteristically calm, serene, unflappable,

even-tempered.

7. equilibrium (ee′-kwƏ-LIB′-ree-Əm)—by derivation aequus plus

libra, balance, weight, pound, hence “equal balance.” Libra (LĪ′-brƏ)

is the seventh sign of the zodiac, represented by a pair of scales.

Now you know, in case the question has been bothering you, why

the abbreviation for the word pound is lb. and why the symbol for

the British pound, the monetary unit, is £. Equilibrium is a state of

physical balance, especially between opposing forces. When you are

very drunk you may have difficulty keeping your equilibrium—the

force of gravity is stronger than your ability to stay upright. An

equilibrist (Ə-KWIL′-Ə-brist), as you might guess, is a professional

tightrope walker—a performer successfully defying the law of

gravity (when sober) by balancing on a thin overhead wire.

The equator divides the earth into equal halves, and words like

equation, equivalent, equidistant, equiangular, and equilateral (from

Latin latus, lateris, side) are self-explanatory.

2. not to be confused with horses

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 (if you must make the distinction); and equine (EE′-kwīn)

is like a horse, as in appearance or characteristics, or descriptive of

horses.

Equestrian is also an adjective referring to horseback riding, as an

equestrian statue; and equine is also a noun, i.e., a horse.

So the equ- in these words, from Latin equus, horse, is not to be

confused with the equ- in the words of the previous section—that

equ- is from aequus, equal. (Remember, also, not to confuse the ped-

in pedestrian, from Latin pedis, foot, with the ped- in pediatrician,

from Greek paidos, child.)

3. hear voices?

Equivocal, you will recall, 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 (not at all quiet

or subtle), or the vociferous play of young children (“Please! Try to

be quiet so Dad can get his work done!”), though unfortunately TV

addiction has abnormally eliminated child noises, at least during the

program breaks between commercials. (Vociferous will be discussed

at greater length in Chapter 10.)

If you are vocal (VŌ′-kƏl), you express yourself readily and freely

by voice; vocal sounds are voiced; vocal music is sung; and you know

what your vocal cords are for.

To vocalize (VŌ′-kƏ-līz′) is to give voice to (“Vocalize your anger,

don’t hold it in!”), or to sing the vocals (or voice parts) of music.

(Can you write the noun form of the verb vocalize? __________________.) A

vocalist (VŌ′-kƏ-list) is a singer. And Magnavox (vox plus magnus,

large) is the trade name for a brand of radios and TV sets.

REVIEW OF ETYMOLOGY

PREFIX, ROOT, SUFFIX

MEANING

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 _________________

USING THE WORDS

Can you pronounce the words? (I)

1. equity

EK′-wƏ-tee

2. equitable

EK′-wƏ-tƏ-bƏl

3. inequity

in-EK′-wƏ-tee

4. inequitable

in-EK′-wƏ-tƏ-bƏl

5. iniquity

in-IK′-wƏ-tee

6. iniquitous

in-IK′-wƏ-tƏs

7. equinox

EE′-kwƏ-noks′

8. equinoctial

ee′-kwƏ-NOK′-shƏl

9. nocturnal

nok-TURN′-Əl

10. nocturne

NOK′-turn

Can you pronounce the words? (II)

1. equanimity

ee′-kwƏ (or ek′-wƏ) -NIM′-Ə-tee

2. equability

ee′-kwƏ (or ek′-wƏ) -BIL′-Ə-tee

3. equable

EE′-kwƏ-bƏl or EK′-wƏ-bƏl

4. equilibrium

ee′-kwƏ-LIB′-ree-Əm

5. equilibrist

ee-KWIL′-Ə-brist

6. equilateral

ee-kwƏ-LAT′-Ər-Əl

7. equestrian

Ə-KWES′-tree-Ən

8. equine

EE′-kwīn

9. vociferous

vō-SIF′-Ər-Əs

10. vocal

VŌ′-kƏl

11. vocalize

VŌ′-kƏ-līz′

12. vocalization

vō′-kƏ-lƏ-ZAY′-shƏn

13. vocalist

VŌ′-kƏ-list

Can you work with the words? (I)

1. equity

a. time when night and day are of

equal length

2. inequity

b. balance of mind; composure;

calmness under trying

circumstances

3. iniquity

c. horseback rider

4. equinox

d. a horse

5. nocturne

e. sinfulness; wickedness;

immoral act; sin

6. equanimity

f. unfairness, injustice

7. equilibrium

g. tightrope walker

8. equestrian

h. singer

9. equilibrist

i. fairness, justice

10. equine

j. balance, especially between

opposing forces

11. vocalist

k. night music

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

Can you work with the words? (II)

1. equitable

a. descriptive of time when night

and day are of equal length

2. inequitable

b. give voice to; sing

3. iniquitous

c. having equal sides

4. equinoctial

d. using, or referring to, the

voice; freely expressing by

voice

5. nocturnal

e. noisy, loud, clamorous

6. equable

f. calm, unruffled, even-tempered

7. equilateral

g. fair, just

8. vociferous

h. referring or pertaining to, or

active at, night

9. vocal

i. sinful, wicked, immoral

10. vocalize

j. unfair, unjust

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

Do you understand the words?

1. Is life always equitable?

YES NO

2. Does the cynic expect more inequity than equity in life?

YES NO

3. Do ethical people practice iniquity?

YES NO

4. Does the equinox occur once a month?

YES NO

5. Are nocturnal animals active at night?

YES NO

6. If you generally preserve your equanimity, do you often get very

excited?

YES NO

7. Is it easy to maintain your equilibrium on icy ground?

YES NO

8. Is equability the mark of a calm, even-tempered person?

YES NO

9. Does an equilateral triangle have equal sides?

YES NO

10. Is an equine a dog?

YES NO

11. If you demand something vociferously, do you make a lot of

noise?

YES NO

12. If you are vocal, do you have difficulty expressing yourself?

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

no, 11–yes, 12–no, 13–no

Can you recall the words? (I)

1. to give voice to; to express aloud; to sing

1. V__________________

2. tightrope walker

2. E__________________

3. active or flourishing at night

3. N__________________

4. descriptive or characteristic of, or like, a horse

4. E__________________

5. referring to the voice; skillful or fluent in expressing by voice

5. V__________________

6. calm and unflappable in temperament

6. E__________________

7. wicked, sinful

7. I__________________

8. night music

8. N__________________

9. fairness, justice

9. E__________________

KEY: 1–vocalize, 2–equilibrist, 3–nocturnal, 4–equine, 5–vocal, 6–

equable, 7–iniquitous, 8–nocturne, 9–equity

Can you recall the words? (II)

1. loud, noisy, clamorous

1. V__________________

2. person on horseback

2. E__________________

or E__________________

3. calmness or evenness of temper

3. E__________________

or E__________________

4. unfair, unjust

4. I__________________

5. sin; wickedness; grossly immoral behavior

5. I__________________

6. time when day and night are of equal length

6. E__________________

7. fair, just, evenhanded

7. E__________________

8. physical balance; balance between opposing forces

8. E__________________

9. having equal sides

9. E__________________

10. singer

10. V__________________

SESSION 22

ORIGINS AND RELATED WORDS

1. how to tickle

Titillate comes from a Latin verb meaning to tickle, and may be

used both literally and figuratively. That is (literally), you can

titillate by gentle touches in strategic places; you are then causing an

actual (and always very pleasant) physical sensation. Or you can

(figuratively) titillate people, or their minds, fancies, palates (and

this is the more common use of the word), by charm, brilliance, wit,

promises, or in any other way your imagination can conceive.

Titillation (tit′-Ə-LAY′-shƏn) has the added meaning of light sexual

stimulation. (Note that both noun and verb are spelled with a

double I, not a double t.)

2. how to flatter

A compliment is a pleasant and courteous expression of praise;

flattery is stronger than a compliment and often considered

insincere. Adulation (aj′-Ə-LAY′-shƏn) is flattery and worship carried

to an excessive, ridiculous degree. There are often public figures

(entertainers, musicians, government officials, etc.) who receive

widespread adulation, but those not in the public eye can also be

adulated, as a teacher by students, a wife by husband (and vice

versa), a doctor by patients, and so on. (The derivation is from a

Latin verb meaning to fawn upon.)

The adjective adulatory (aj′-Ə-lƏ-TAWR′-ee) ends in -ory, a suffix

we are meeting for the first time in these pages. (Other adjective

suffixes: -al, -ic, -ical, -ous.)

3. ways of writing

Proscribe, to forbid, is commonly used for medical, religious, or

legal prohibitions.

A doctor proscribes a food, drug, or activity that might prove

harmful to the patient. The church proscribes, or announces a

proscription (prō-SKRIP′-shƏn) against, such activities as may harm

its parishioners. The law proscribes behavior detrimental to the

public welfare.

Generally, one might concede, proscribed activities are the most

pleasant ones—as Alexander Woolcott once remarked, if something

is pleasurable, it’s sure to be either immoral, illegal, or fattening.

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 for which his

property or life was to be forfeited; Roman citizens in good standing

would thereby know to avoid him. In a similar sense, the doctor

writes down those foods or activities that are likely to commit

crimes against the patient’s health—in that way the patient knows

to avoid them.

Scribo, scriptus is the building block of scores of common English

words: scribe, scribble, prescribe, describe, subscribe, script, the

Scriptures, manuscript, typescript, etc. Describe uses the prefix de-,

down—to describe is, etymologically, “to write down” about.

Manuscript, combining manus, hand (as in manual labor), with

scriptus, is something handwritten—the word was coined before the

invention of the typewriter. The Scriptures are holy writings. To

subscribe (as to a magazine) is to write one’s name under an order or

contract (sub-, under, as in subway, subsurface, etc.); to subscribe to a

philosophy or a principle is figuratively to write one’s name under

the statement of such philosophy or principle.

To inscribe is to write in or into (a book, for example, or metal or

stone). A postscript is something written after (Latin post, after) the

main part is finished.

Note how -scribe verbs change to nouns and adjectives:

VERB

NOUN

ADJECTIVE

prescribe

prescription

prescriptive

subscribe

subscription

subscriptive

Can you follow the pattern?

describe

_________________

inscribe

_________________

proscribe

_________________

4. it’s obvious

You are familiar with the word via, by way of, which is from the

Latin word for road. (The Via Appia was one of the famous highways

of ancient Roman times.) When something is obvious, etymologically

it is right there in the middle of the road where no one can fail to

see it—hence, easily seen, not hidden, conspicuous. And if you meet

an obstacle in the road and dispose of it forthwith, you are doing

what obviate says. Thus, if you review your work daily in some

college subject, frenzied “cramming” at the end of the semester will

be obviated. A large and steady income obviates fears of financial

insecurity; leaving for work early will obviate worry about being

late. To obviate, then, is to make unnecessary, to do away with, to

prevent by taking effective measures or steps against (an

occurrence, a feeling, a requirement, etc.). The noun is obviation

(ob′-vee-AY′-shƏn).

Surprisingly, via, road, is the root in the English word trivial (tri-,

three). Where three roads intersect, you are likely to find busy

traffic, lots of people, in short a fairly public place, so you are not

going to talk of important or confidential matters, lest you be

overheard. You will, instead, talk of trivial (TRIV′-ee-Əl) things—

whatever is unimportant, without great significance; you will

confine your conversation to trivialities (triv′-ee-AL′-Ə-teez) or to

trivia (also a plural noun, pronounced TRIV′-ee-Ə), insignificant

trifles.

5. war

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. Thus, your

timidity may militate against your keeping your friends. (Militate is

always followed by the preposition against and, like obviate, never

takes a personal subject—you don’t militate against anyone, but

some habit, action, tendency, etc. militates against someone or

something.)

The adjective militant (MIL′-Ə-tƏnt) comes from the same root. A

militant reformer is one who fights for reforms; a militant campaign

is one waged aggressively and with determination. The noun is

militancy (MIL′-Ə-tƏn-see), and militant is also a noun for the person

—“Sally is a militant in the Women’s Liberation movement.”

Military and militia also have their origin in militis.

6. first the bad news

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, as in “the malign influence of his unconscious will to

fail.” Another adjective form is malignant (mƏ-LIG′-nƏnt), as in “a

malignant glance,” i.e., one showing deep hatred, or “a malignant

growth,” i.e., one that is cancerous (bad).

The noun of malignant is malignancy (mƏ-LIG′-nƏn-see), which,

medically, is a cancerous growth, or, generally, the condition, state,

or attitude of harmfulness, hatefulness, evil intent, etc. The noun

form of the adjective malign is malignity (mƏ-LIG′-nƏ-tee).

Observe how we can construct English words by combining malus

with other Latin roots.

Add the root dico, dictus, to say or tell, to form malediction (mal′-Ə-

DIK′-shƏn), a curse, i.e., an evil saying. Adjective: maledictory (mal′-

Ə-DIK′-tƏ-ree).

Add the root volo, to wish, to will, or to be willing, and we can

construct the adjective malevolent (mƏ-LEV′-Ə-lent), wishing evil or

harm—a malevolent glance, attitude, feeling, etc. The noun is

malevolence (mƏ-LEV′-Ə-lƏns).

Add the root facio, factus, to do or make (also spelled, in English

words, fec-, fic-, factus, or, as a verb ending, -fy), to form the

adjective maleficent (mƏ-LEF′-Ə-sƏnt), doing harm or evil, or causing

hurt—maleficent acts, deeds, behavior.

Can you figure out, and pronounce, the noun form of maleficent?

__________________.

A malefactor (MAL′-Ə-fak′-tƏr) is a wrongdoer, an evildoer, a

criminal—a malefactor commits a malefaction (mal′-Ə-FAK′-shƏn), a

crime, an evil deed.

French is a “Romance” language, that is, a language based on

Roman or Latin (as are, also, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and

Romanian), and so Latin malus became French mal, bad, the source

maladroit

(mal′-Ə-DROYT′),

clumsy,

bungling,

awkward,

unskillful, etymologically, having a “bad right hand.” (See adroit,

Chapter 3.) The noun is maladroitness. Also from French mal: malaise

(mƏ-LAYZ′), an indefinite feeling of bodily discomfort, as in a mild

illness, or as a symptom preceding an illness; etymologically, “bad

ease,” just as disease (dis-ease) is “lack of ease.”

Other common words that you are familiar with also spring from

Latin malus: malicious, malice, malady; and the same malus functions

as a prefix in words like maladjusted, malcontent, malpractice,

malnutrition, etc., all with the connotation of badness.

And what’s the good news? See Session 23.

REVIEW OF ETYMOLOGY

PREFIX, ROOT, SUFFIX

MEANING

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 _________________

WORKING WITH THE WORDS

Can you pronounce the words? (I)

1. titillation

tit′-Ə-LAY′-shƏn

2. adulation

aj′-Ə-LAY′-shƏn

3. adulatory

AJ′-Ə-lƏ-tawr′-ee

4. proscription

prō-SKRIP′-shƏn

5. proscriptive

prō-SKRIP′-tiv

6. obviation

ob′-vee-AY′-shƏn

7. trivial

TRIV′-ee-Əl

8. trivialities

triv′-ee-AL′-Ə-teez

9. trivia

TRIV′-ee-Ə

10. militant

MIL′-Ə-tƏnt

11. militancy

MIL′-Ə-tƏn-see

12. malign (adj.)

mƏ-LĪN′

13. malignity

mƏ-LIG′-nƏ-tee

14. malignant

mƏ-LIG′-nƏnt

15. malignancy

mƏ-LIG′-nƏn-see

Can you pronounce the words? (II)

1. malediction

mal′-Ə-DIK′-shƏn

2. maledictory

mal′-Ə-DIK′-tƏ-ree

3. malevolent

mƏ-LEV′-Ə-lƏnt

4. malevolence

mƏ-LEV′-Ə-lƏns

5. maleficent

mƏ-LEF′-Ə-sƏnt

6. maleficence

mƏ-LEF′-Ə-sƏns

7. malefactor

MAL′-Ə-fak′-tƏr

8. malefaction

mal′-Ə-FAK′-shƏn

9. maladroit

mal′-Ə-DROYT′

10. maladroitness

mal′-Ə-DROYT′-nƏs

11. malaise

mƏ-LAYZ′

Can you work with the words? (I)

1. titillation

a. prohibition

2. adulation

b. hatefulness; harmfulness

3. proscription

c. clumsiness

4. militancy

d. quality of wishing evil; ill-will

5. malignity

e. prevention; fact or act of

making unnecessary or of

doing away with

6. malediction

f. worship; excessive flattery

7. maladroitness

g. vague feeling of bodily

discomfort

8. obviation

h. pleasurable stimulation;

tickling

9. malevolence

i. a curse

10. malaise

j. aggressiveness

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

Can you work with the words? (II)

1. adulatory

a. aggressive; “fighting”

2. proscriptive

b. of no great consequence

3. militant

c. bearing ill-will; wishing harm

4. malign

d. of the nature of curses

5. trivial

e. clumsy, awkward

6. maledictory

f. worshipful, adoring

7. malevolent

g. bad, harmful, hurtful

8. maladroit

h. relating or pertaining to

prohibitions

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

Do you understand the words?

1. Does a malignant look indicate kindly feelings?

YES NO

2. Is a cancer sometimes called a malignancy?

YES NO

3. Are trivialties important?

YES NO

4. If your house is cluttered with trivia, are these objects of great

value?

YES NO

5. Do people enjoy having maledictions hurled at them?

YES NO

6. Is a maleficent act likely to cause harm or hurt?

YES NO

7. Does maladroitness show skill?

YES NO

8. Is a malefactor a wrongdoer?

YES NO

9. Does an adulatory attitude show exaggerated admiration?

YES NO

10. Is militancy the same as passiveness?

YES NO

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

Can you recall the words? (I)

1. clumsy, awkward

1. M__________________

2. bearing ill-will; wishing harm

2. M__________________

3. pleasurable stimulation

3. T__________________

4. a person aggressively fighting for a cause

4. M__________________

5. prohibition against something injurious

5. P__________________

6. excessive flattery; exaggerated admiration

6. A__________________

7. vague feeling of general physical discomfort

7. M__________________

8. a criminal; a wrongdoer

8. M__________________

9. a curse

9. M__________________

10. a crime; bad or evil act or behavior

10. M__________________

KEY: 1–maladroit, 2–malevolent, 3–titillation, 4–militant, 5–

proscription,

6–adulation,

7–malaise,

8–malefactor,

9–

malediction, 10–malefaction

Can you recall the words? (II)

1. fact or act of making unnecessary or of taking effective steps

toward prevention

1. O__________________

2. aggressive attitude

2. M__________________

3. harmful, hurtful, bad

3. M__________________

or M__________________

4. unimportant, insignificant

4. T__________________

5. unimportant, insignificant things; trifles

5. T__________________

or T__________________

6. cursing; of the nature of, or relating to, curses (adj.)

6. M__________________

7. worshipful

7. A__________________

SESSION 23

ORIGINS AND RELATED WORDS

1. so now what’s the good news?

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 the previous session.

So benign (bƏ-NĪN′) and benignant (bƏ-NIG′-nƏnt) are kindly, good-

natured, not harmful, as in benign neglect, a benign judge, a benign

tumor (not cancerous), a benignant attitude to malefactors and

scoundrels. 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.” The adjective is benedictory (ben′-Ə-DIK′-

tƏ-ree).

In contrast to maleficent is beneficent (bƏ-NEF′-Ə-sƏnt), doing good.

The noun? __________________.

In contrast to malefactor is benefactor (BEN′-Ə-fak′-tƏr), one who

does good things for another, as by giving help, providing financial

gifts or aid, or coming to the rescue when someone is in need. If you

insist on making sexual distinctions, a woman who so operates is a

benefactress (BEN′-Ə-fak′-trƏs). And, of course, the person receiving

the benefaction (ben-Ə-FAK′-shƏn), the recipient of money, help, etc.,

is a beneficiary (ben′-Ə-FISH′-Ər-ee or ben-Ə-FISH′-ee-air-ee). Benefit

and beneficial are other common words built on the combination of

bene and a form of facio, to do or make.

So let others be malevolent toward you—confuse them by being

benevolent (bƏ-NEV′-Ə-lƏnt)—wish them well. (Turn the other cheek?

Why not?) The noun? __________________

The adjective bonus, good, is found in English bonus, extra

payment, theoretically—but not necessarily—for some good act; in

bonbon, a candy (a “good-good,” using the French version of the

Latin adjective); and in bona fide (BŌ′-nƏ-FĪD′ or BŌ′-nƏ-FĪ′-dee),

etymologically, “in good faith,” hence valid, without pretense,

deception, or fraudulent intent—as a bona fide offer, a bona fide

effort to negotiate differences, etc. Fides is Latin for faith or trust, as

in fidelity (fƏ-DEL′-Ə-tee), faithfulness; Fido, a stereotypical name for

a dog, one’s faithful friend; infidel (IN′-fƏ-dƏl), one who does not

have the right faith or religion (depending on who is using the

term), or one who has no religion (Latin in-, not); and infidelity (in′-

fƏ-DEL′-Ə-tee), unfaithfulness, especially to the marriage vows.

2. say, do, and wish

Benediction and malediction derive from dico, dictus, to say, tell.

Dictate, dictator, dictation, dictatorial (dik′-tƏ-TAWR′-ee-Əl)—words

that signify telling others what to do (“Do as I say!”)—are built on

dico, as is predict, to tell beforehand, i.e., to say that something will

occur before it actually does (pre-, before, as in prescient).

The brand name Dictaphone combines dico with phone, sound;

contradict, to say against, or to make an opposite statement (“Don’t

contradict me!”; “That contradicts what I know”) combines dico with

contra-, against, opposite; and addiction, etymologically “a saying to

or toward,” or the compulsion to say “yes” to a habit, combines dico

with ad-, to, toward.

Facio, factus, to do or make (as in malefactor, benefactor), has, as

noted, variant spellings in English words: fec-, fic-, or, as a verb

ending, -fy.

Thus factory is a place where things are made (-ory, place where);

a fact is something done (i.e., something that occurs, or exists, or is,

therefore,

true);

fiction,

something

made

invented;

manufacture, to make by hand (manus, hand, as in manuscript,

manual), a word coined before the invention of machinery; artificial,

made by human art rather than occurring in nature, as artificial

flowers, etc.; and clarify, simplify, liquefy, magnify (to make clear,

simple, liquid, larger) among hundreds of other -fy verbs.

Volo, to wish, to will, to be willing (as in malevolent, benevolent),

occurs in voluntary, involuntary, volunteer, words too familiar to need

definition, and each quite obviously expressing wish or willingness.

Less common, and from the same root, is volition (vō-LISH′-Ən), the

act or power of willing or wishing, as in “of her own volition,” i.e.,

voluntarily, or “against her volition.”

3. if you please!

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.

If you succeed in placating an angry colleague, you turn that

person’s hostile attitude into one that is friendly or favorable. The

noun is placation (play-KAY′-shƏn), the adjective either placative

(PLAK′-Ə-tiv or PLAY′-kƏ-tiv) or placatory (PLAK′-Ə-taw-ree or PLAY′-

kƏ-taw-ree). A more placatory attitude to those you have offended

may help you regain their friendship; when husband and wife, or

lovers, quarrel, one of them finally makes a placative gesture if the

war no longer fulfills his or her neurotic needs—one of them

eventually will wake up some bright morning in a placatory mood.

But then, such is life, 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. One who can be soothed, whose

hostility can be changed to friendliness, is placable (PLAK′-Ə-bƏl or

PLAY′-kƏ-bƏl).

Implacable has taken on the added meaning of unyielding to

entreaty or pity; hence, harsh, relentless, as “The governor was

implacable in his refusal to grant clemency.”

The noun form of implacable is implacability (im-plak′-Ə-BIL′-Ə-tee

or im-play′-kƏ-BIL′-Ə-tee). Can you write (and pronounce) the noun

derived from placable? __________________.

If you are placid (PLAS′-id), you are calm, easygoing, serene,

undisturbed—etymologically, you are pleased with things as they

are. Waters of a lake or sea, or the emotional atmosphere of a place,

can also be placid. 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, such is

one common connotation of the word, be smug, too pleased with

your position or narrow accomplishments, too easily self-satisfied,

and the hour of reckoning may be closer than you realize. (Humans,

as you know, are delighted to be critical of the contentment of

others.)

The noun is complacence (kƏm-PLAY′-sƏns) or complacency (kƏm-

PLAY′-sƏn-see).

4. how to give—and forgive

To condone is to forgive, overlook, pardon, or be uncritical of (an

offense, or of an antisocial or illegal act). You yourself might or

might not indulge in such behavior or commit such an offense, but

you feel no urge to protest, or to demand censure or punishment for

someone else who does. You may condone cheating on one’s income

tax, shoplifting from a big, impersonal supermarket, or exceeding

the speed limit, though you personally observe the law with

scrupulousness. (Not everyone, however, is so charitable or

forgiving.) The noun is condonation (kon′-dō-NAY′-shƏn).

Condone is built on Latin dono, to give, the root found in donor,

one who gives; donate, to give; and donation, a gift.

REVIEW OF ETYMOLOGY

PREFIX, ROOT, SUFFIX

MEANING

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 _________________

USING THE WORDS

Can you pronounce the words? (I)

1. benign

bƏ-NĪN′

2. benignity

bƏ-NIG′-nƏ-tee

3. benignant

bƏ-NIG′-nƏnt

4. benignancy

bƏ-NIG′-nƏn-see

5. benediction

ben′-Ə-DIK′-shƏn

6. benedictory

ben′-Ə-DIK′-tƏ-ree

7. beneficent

bƏ-NEF′-Ə-sƏnt

8. beneficence

bƏ-NEF′-Ə-sƏns

9. benefactor

BEN′-Ə-fak′-tƏr

10. benefaction

ben′-Ə-FAK′-shƏn

11. beneficiary

ben′-Ə-FISH′-Ər-ee or ben′-Ə-

FISH′-ee-air-ee

12. benevolent

bƏ-NEV′-Ə-lƏnt

13. benevolence

bƏ-NEV′-Ə-lƏns

14. bona fide

BŌ′-nƏ FĪD′ or BŌ′-nƏ FĪ′-dee

15. fidelity

fƏ-DEL′-Ə-tee

16. infidelity

in′-fƏ-DEL′-Ə-tee

17. infidel

IN′-fƏ-dƏl

Can you pronounce the words? (II)

1. dictatorial

dik′-tƏ-TAWR′-ee-Əl

2. volition

vō-LISH′-Ən

3. placation

play-KAY′-shƏn

4. placative

PLAK′-Ə-tiv or PLAY′-kƏ-tiv

5. placatory

PLAK′-Ə-tawr-ee or PLAY′-kƏ-

tawr-ee

6. placable

PLAK′-Ə-bƏl or PLAY′-kƏ-bƏl

7. implacable

im-PLAK′-Ə-bƏl or im-PLAY′-kƏ-

bƏl

8. placability

plak′-Ə-BIL′-Ə-tee or play′-kƏ-BIL′-

Ə-tee

9. implacability

im-plak′-Ə-BIL′-Ə-tee or im-play′-

kƏ-BIL′-Ə-tee

10. placid

PLAS′-id

11. placidity

plƏ-SID′-Ə-tee

12. complacent

kƏm-PLAY′-sƏnt

13. complacence

kƏm-PLAY′-sƏns

14. complacency

kƏm-PLAY′-sƏn-see

15. condonation

kon′-dō-NAY′-shƏn

Can you work with the words? (I)

1. benign

a. wishing good things (for

another) ; well disposed

2. benedictory

b. domineering; giving orders in

a manner permitting no refusal

3. benevolent

c. not to be soothed or pacified;

unyielding to pity or entreaty

4. bona fide

d. tending, or intended, to pacify,

to soothe, or to change

hostility to friendliness

5. dictatorial

e. kindly, good-natured; not

cancerous

6. placatory

f. calm, unruffled, undisturbed

7. implacable

g. self-satisfied; smug

8. placid

h. of the nature of, or relating to,

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

Can you work with the words? (II)

1. benevolence

a. recipient of money, kindness,

etc.

2. benefaction

b. free will

3. beneficiary

c. act of overlooking, or of

forgiving, an offense or

transgression

4. infidelity

d. faithfulness

5. volition

e. self-satisfaction; smugness

6. placation

f. calmness

7. fidelity

g. act of pacifying, or of turning

hostility or anger into friendly

feelings

8. condonation

h. attitude of wishing good things

for another

9. placidity

i. faithlessness

10. complacency

j. good deed; act of charity or

kindness

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

Do you understand the words? (I)

1. Are benedictions given in houses of worship?

YES NO

2. Is it pleasant to be the recipient of a beneficent act?

YES NO

3. Are kind people benevolent?

YES NO

4. Do placatory gestures often heal wounds and soothe disgruntled

friends?

YES NO

5. Are some unambitious people complacent?

YES NO

6. Does benignity show malice?

YES NO

7. Is a benefaction an act of philanthropy?

YES NO

8. Is an implacable foe of corruption likely to condone corrupt acts?

YES NO

9. Is a bona fide offer made insincerely?

YES NO

10. Does a benignant attitude indicate hostility?

YES NO

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

10–no

Do you understand the words? (II)

1. benign—hateful

SAME OPPOSITE

2. benignant—kindly

SAME OPPOSITE

3. benediction—malediction

SAME OPPOSITE

4. benefactor—evildoer

SAME OPPOSITE

5. beneficiary—giver

SAME OPPOSITE

6. benevolent—well disposed

SAME OPPOSITE

7. bona fide—valid

SAME OPPOSITE

8. fidelity—unfaithfulness

SAME OPPOSITE

9. infidel—true believer

SAME OPPOSITE

10. dictatorial—submissive

SAME OPPOSITE

11. placative—pacifying

SAME OPPOSITE

12. implacable—unyielding

SAME OPPOSITE

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

12–S, 13–S, 14–O, 15–S

Can you recall the words?

1. tending to give orders

1. D__________________

2. act of overlooking (an offense, etc.)

2. C__________________

3. unyieldingly hostile; beyond soothing; relentless; pitiless

3. I__________________

4. intended to soothe or pacify (adj.)

4. P__________________

or P__________________

5. one’s desire, wishes, or unforced will

5. V__________________

6. calmness

6. P__________________

7. self-satisfaction; smugness

7. C__________________

or C__________________

8. non-believer in the “true” religion

8. I__________________

9. kindly; well disposed

9. B__________________

or B__________________

10. unfaithfulness

10. I__________________

11. involving a blessing (adj.)

11. B__________________

12. doing something good or kind (adj.)

12. B__________________

13. faithfulness

13. F__________________

14. sincere; valid; in good faith

14. B__________________

15. one who does something good, kind, or charitable (for another)

15. B__________________

16. a kind or charitable deed

16. B__________________

17. recipient of kindness, gift, etc.

17. B__________________

18. able to be soothed or pacified

18. P__________________

KEY: 1–dictatorial, 2–condonation, 3–implacable, 4–placatory or

placative,

5–volition,

6–placidity,

7–complacence

complacency, 8–infidel, 9–benign, benignant, or benevolent,

10–infidelity, 11–benedictory, 12–beneficent, 13–fidelity, 14–

bona fide, 15–benefactor, 16–benefaction, 17–beneficiary, 18–

placable

CHAPTER REVIEW

A. Do you recognize the words?

1. To belittle:

(a) titillate, (b) disparage, (c) adulate

2. To be purposely confusing:

(a) equivocate, (b) obviate, (c) proscribe

3. To work to the disadvantage of:

(a) malign, (b) militate, (c) placate

4. To slander:

(a) malign, (b) condone, (c) placate

5. Lack of equality:

(a) parity, (b) disparity, (c) ambiguity

6. Phrase that may have two interpretations, one of them

indelicate or off-color:

(a) equivocation, (b) ambiguity, (c) double entendre

7. Hateful:

(a) malignant, (b) benignant, (c) malaise

8. Ill will:

(a) malaise, (b) malevolence, (c) maleficence

9. Kindly:

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

B. Can you recognize roots?

MEANING

ROOT

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

KEY: 1–equal, 2–equal, 3–voice, 4–night, 5–balance, 6–side, 7–

horse, 8–foot, 9–child, 10–carry, bear, 11–large, 12–write,

13–hand, 14–after, 15–road, 16–soldier, 17–bad, 18–say, tell,

19–wish, 20–do, make, 21–good, 22–faith, 23–sound, 24–

please, soothe, pacify, 25–give

TEASER QUESTIONS FOR THE AMATEUR

ETYMOLOGIST

1. Keeping in mind the roots animus in equanimity and magnus in

Magnavox or magnify, can you combine these two roots to form a

noun meaning, etymologically, largeness of mind? __________________. Can

you figure out the adjective form, ending in -ous, of the noun you

have constucted? __________________.

2. If equilateral means equal-sided, can you construct an adjective

meaning two-sided? __________________.

3. Trans- is a prefix meaning across. Build a verb meaning to write

across (from one form or language to another): __________________. What

is the noun derived from this verb? __________________.

4. What disease was so named on the erroneous assumption that it

was caused by “bad air?” __________________.

5. Facio may appear in English words as fec-. Using the prefix con-,

together, can you form a noun sometimes used as a synonym for

candy, cake, or ice cream (etymologically, “something made

together”)? __________________.

(Answers in Chapter 18)

THE THRILL OF RECOGNITION

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.

(End of Session 23)

1 Fulsome (F

ōō

L′-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.