Advanced English 10: Vocabulary Unit 6

Word Origins and Etymology

Vocabulary Word Language of Origin Original Root(s) Original/Changed Meaning L Ad – to Accede Cedere – go/move Old French Brant – blade of a sword, prow Brandish of a ship L Com – with/completely Comprise Prehendere – to catch hold of, seize Old English Deft Gedaefte Mild, Gentle L De – away Destitute Statuere – put place L Ex – out Written at the end of medieval Explicit Plicare – to fold books: “The book is unrolled” L Ex – out Extirpate Stirps – a root, stock of a tree L In – not Inopportune Ob- to, toward Portus – harbor Greek Referred to pretended or Ironic Eiron – dissembler exaggerated ignorance Unknown Musty Variant of “moist” L Officium – service, duty, Officious function, business L Ominous Omen – forboding

L Pinna – peak, point Pinnacle L Pre – before Premeditated Meditari – to think over, consider Old French Rampant Ramper – to creep, climb L Solari – console, smooth Solace L Status – manner of standing, Stately position, condition L Sub – under Bending, kneeling down Supple Placare – appease L Sub – down Suppress Premere – push against L Venum – for sale Venal Synonym and Antonym Studies: Your book has a number of synonyms and antonyms listed for each (or most) of your vocabulary words. For each word, look at the word and its synonyms and group them according to connotation (positive, negative, or neutral). If there is a word that your book lists as a synonym but you feel it does not truly fit the meaning of the word, explain why you feel this is the case. Three of your words are missing antonyms or both synonyms and antonyms. For these three words, come up with at least one example in each category and explain why you feel it is an appropriate choice.

1. Accede– Consent (+); Concur (n); Comply (n); Assent (+)

2. Brandish – Swing (n); Shake (-)

3. Comprise – Compose (n); Constitute (n); Encompass (+)

4. Deft – Dexterous (+); Adroit (+); 16. Proficient (n); 17. Ironic – Incongruous (n); Satiric (-); 5. Clever (+); Masterful (+) Sardonic (-);

6. 18. Wry (n)

7. Destitute – Wanting (-); Devoid (n); 19. Musty – Hackneyed (-); Antiquated (-) Penniless (-) 20. 8. 21. 9. 22. Officious – Meddlesome (-); Prying (-); 10. Explicit –Distinct (n); Forthright (+); Impertinent (-); Unambiguous (n); 23. Obtrusive (-) 11. Clear (+) 24. 12. 25. Ominous – Unpropitious (-); 13. Extirpate – Uproot (-); Eradicate (-); Inauspicious (n); Protentous (-) Wipe Out (-); Excise (n) 26. 14. 27. Pinnacle – Apex (+); Acme (n); 15. Inopportune – Ill-timed(-); Summit (n); Apogee (n) Inconvenient (-); Inappropriate (-); Unsuitable (n) 28. 29. 37. Stately – Grand (+); Magnificent (+); Imposing (-) 30. Premeditated – Preplanned (n); Rehearsed (n); Prearranged (n) 38.

31. 39.

32. Rampant – Widespread (n); 40. Supple – Flexible (n); Limber (+); Unrestrained (-); Extravagant (-); Pliable (n); Pliant (n) Prevalent (n) 41. 33. 42. 34. Solace – Soothe (+); Reassure (n); Cheer up (+) 43. Suppress – Subdue (n); Crush (-); Stifle (-); Squelch (-); Quash (-); Silence (-) 35. 44. 36. 45. Venal – Dishonest (-); Bribable (-); Corruptible (-); Mercenary (-)