Unit 1 — Etymologies

Lesson 1

a, an…lacking, withoutacer, acut…sharp

acro…high,tipaesthet…beauty, sensation

agr…field, farmalter…otherambi…bothami…friendamor…love

anti,ant…against

Apathy without feeling or passion

Amoral lacking morals, values

Anarchy without rule or order, chaos

Anhydrous lacking water, dry, arid

a, an….lacking, without

apathy

apathy….without feeling or passionHer obvious apathy extended to “working” on the computer.

amoral

amoral….lacking morals, values, indecentThe amoral dance was her signature piece of indecency.

Anhydrous ….lacking water

anhydrous

The Sahara’s anhydrous climate was not a welcome sign for travelers.

anarchy

anarchy….without rule, lawlessness

The crowd’s rowdy behavior dipped into chaos and anarchy.

acumen mental sharpness, insight

acerose needlelike

exacerbate worsen severely, aggravate

acerbic sour or bitter tasting, biting, cutting comments

acer, acut….sharp

acumen

His acumen was reflected in the works he published.

acumen…mental sharpness, insight

acerose

acerose…needlelike, sharpIts acerose leaves make the white pine a prickly partner in the forest.

exacerbate

exacerbate…worsen, aggravateHis refusal to compromise would only exacerbate the petty argument.

acerbic

acerbic…sour or bitter, sharp or bitingThe Groucho Letters offers proof of the late comic’s acerbic wit.

acronym a word formed form the initial letters of other words

acropolis the fortified highest point in a city; a citadel

acromegaly chronic disease that features the enlargement of the extremities

acrophobia fear of high places

acro….high, tip

Joe’s acronym T-shirt raised more than a few eyebrows at the synagogue.

acronym…a word formed from the initial letters of other words.

acronym

The parthenon and acropolis of Hellenic times still inspire awe today.

acropolis…a fortified citadel on the high point of the city

acropolis

His acromegaly costs him his job in electronic manufacturing.

acromegaly…a disease that enlarges bones of the extremeties

acromegaly

His acrophobia prevented him from using even a step-ladder.

acrophobia…fear of heights

acrophobia

aesthete one who cultivates a sensitivity to beauty

anaesthesia total or partial loss of sensation

aesthetic pertaining to beauty

aesthetician one skilled in giving facials, manicures, pedicures and other beauty treatments

aesthet….beauty, sensation

Oscar Wilde was indeed an aesthete; Sting carries on the tradition.

aesthete…one who appreciates and loves beauty

aesthete

The doctor administered the anesthesia and waited hopefully. anesthesia…a drug producing controlled

unconsciousness

anesthesia

Aesthetic Appreciation has become a standard course in many universities. aesthetic …pertaining to beauty and the

arts

aesthetic

She found her financial success as an aesthetician.

aesthetician… one skilled in giving facials, manicures, pedicures and other beauty treatments

aesthetician

agrestic rural

agrarian of fields and farming

agronomy scientific agriculture

agrology the science of soils

agr…. field, soil, farm

The evenings brought an agrestic calm to the small hamlet.

agrestic…rural

agrestic

The workers toiled for an agrarian harvest fit for a king.

agrarian…of the soil and farming

agrarian

Agronomy experts forecast a huge bumper crop in corn next year.

agronomy…the science of soil productivity

agronomy

A ten percent increase in production is forecast by agrology experts.

agrology…the science of soils

agrology

alternative a different choice

alter ego a second personality

altercation a quarrel between two factions

alternator electronic generator producing alternating voltage

alter…. other

Wind farms offer an alternative energy solution.

alternative...a different choice

alternative

Jamie's alter ego always took over in stressful situations.

alter ego…another or second personality, intimate friend

Alter ego

The altercation became bloody.

altercation…a disagreement, a fight

altercation

He had to replace the alternator on his truck.

alternator…a generator that produces alternating current.

alternator

ambivalence opposing attitudes

ambidexterous using both hands

ambiguous having more than one interpretation, doubtful

ambiversion having the personalities of both an introvert and an extrovert

ambi…. both

Her ambivalent attitudes about men made it difficult for her to marry.

ambivalent…having opposing attitudes and feelings, indecisive

ambivalent

Being ambidextrous made his pitching difficult to deal with.

ambidextrous…able to use both hands equally

ambidextrous

The ambiguous street sign didn’t help anyone.

ambiguous…having more than one meaning

ambiguous

His ambiversion made it impossible to discern which personality would show up for work.

ambiversion…having the personalities of both and introvert and extrovert

ambiversion

ambulance vehicle used to transport the injured

perambulate to walk through

ambulatory capable of walking

amble to walk slowly and leisurely

ambu…. walk

The ambulance arrived in time to pick up the injured hiker.

ambulance…a motorized vehicle used to transport the injured

ambulance

Her intent was to perambulate the neighborhood.

perambulate…to walk through

perambulate

His hopes on becoming ambulatory faded with time.

ambulatory… capable of walking

ambulatory

He would amble along the beach for hours.

amble…to walk leisurely

amble

paramour an illicit lover

amorous attracted to love, full of love

amour a love affair

amoretto a cupid

amor…. love

She met her paramour on the beach at sunset.

paramour…an illicit lover

paramour

His amorous intent was never in doubt.

Amorous…full of love

amorous

Their amour was as stormy as the weather.

amour…a love affair, especially an illicit one

amour

He painted the amoretto with delicacy and care. amoretto…a cupid

amoretto

antialiasing in computer graphics, removing the “jaggies” from images

antipathy revulsion, the opposite

antigen a substance that when introduced into the body creates an antibody

antiphony responsive singing or chanting

anti, ant…. opposite,against

He selected the antialiasing tool in Paint Shop Pro.

antialiasing…in computer graphics, removing the “jaggies” from images

antialiasing

His antipathy for horseradish was readily apparent.

antipathy…strong feelings of revulsion, the opposite

antipathy

The antigen was successful and produced the desired results.

antigen… a substance that when introduced into the body creates an antibody

antigen

The choir was masterful in their responsive antiphony.

antiphony…responsive singing or chanting

antiphony