Word Power Made Easy - Norman Lewis 2014
16 How то talk about a variety of personal characteristics (Session? 45-46)
Part three Finishing with a feeling of complete success
Teaser preview
What word, ending in -ous, describes someone who is:
✵ fawning, servilely attentive, transparently self-ingratiating?
✵ nagging, dissatisfied, complaining?
✵ snobbish, haughtily contemptuous, arrogant?
✵ noisily troublesome, unmanageable?
✵ habitually short of cash?
✵ attentive and courteous to women?
✵ harmless?
✵ fond of liquor?
✵ pale, gaunt, haggard?
✵ melancholy, sorrowful?
Session 45
There are thousands of English words that end in the letters -ous —a Latin suffix meaning full of.
The central theme about which the words in this chapter revolve is the idea of “fullness”—and as you will shortly see, you can be full of compliance and servility; full of complaints; full of snobbery; full of noise; full of no money; full of horsemanship; full of harmlessness; full of liquor; full of deathly pallor; and full of sorrows.
For each of these ideas English has a word—and the person with a rich vocabularly knows the exact word to describe what someone is full of.
Ideas
1. compliance
The Latin root sequor means io follow—and those who follow rather than lead are usually in a menial, subordinate, or inferior position. People who engage in certain fields of endeavor— waiters, clerks, and servants, for example—are forced, often contrary to their natural temperaments, to act excessively courteous, pleasant, obliging, even subservient and humble. They must follow the lead of their customers or employers, bending their own wills according to the desires of those they serve. They are, etymologically, full of following after, or—
obsequious
Related words:
1. obsequies—In a funeral cortege, the mourners follow after the corpse. Hence, obsequies are the burial ceremonies, the funeral rites.
2. subsequent—A subsequent letter, paragraph, time, etc. is one that follows another.
3. sequel—A. sequel may be a literary work, such as a novel, that follows another, continuing the same subject, dealing with the same people or village, etc. or it may be an occurrence that grows out of or follows another, as in, “Just wait until you hear the sequel to the story!”
4. sequence—In order, one item following another, as in, “The sequence of events of the next few days left him breathless.”
Any other word containing the root sequ- is likely to have some relationship to the idea of following.
2. complaints
The Latin root queror means to complain—and anyone full of complaints, constantly nagging; harping, fretful, petulant, whining, never satisfied, may accordingly be called—
querulous
3. snobbery
The Latin root cilium means eyelid; super means above; and above the eyelid, as anyone can plainly see, is the eyebrow. Now there are certain obnoxious people who go around raising their eyebrows in contempt, disdain, and sneering arrogance at ordinary mortals like you and me. Such contemptuous, sneering, overbearingly conceited people are called—
supercilious
4. noise
The Latin root strepo means to make a noise. Anyone who is unruly, boisterous, resistant to authority, unmanageable—and in a noisy, troublesome manner—is
obstreperous
5. moneyless
The Latin root pecus means cattle—and at one time in human history a person’s wealth was measured not by stocks and bonds but by stocks of domestic animals, which was a lot more logical, since you get milk and leather and meat from cattle—true wealth —and all you get from the stock market is a headache.
Someone who had lots of pecus, then, was rich—someone without pecus was indigent, destitute, “broke.” And so today we call someone who is habitually without funds, who seems generally to be full of a complete lack of money—
impecunious
This word is not a synonym of indigent, destitute, or poverty- stricken; it does not necessarily imply living in reduced circumstances or want, but quite simply being short of cash—habitually.
RELATED word:
1. pecuniary—pertaining to money, as in, a pecuniary consideration, pecuniary affairs, etc.
6. horses
The French word cheval means horse; and in medieval times only gentlemen and knights rode on horses—common people walked. Traditionally (but not, I understand, actually) knights were courteous to women, attentive to female desires, and selfsacrificing when their own interests came in conflict with those of the fair sex. Hence, we call a modem man who has a knightly attitude to women—
chivalrous
RELATED words:
(Cheval, horse, comes from Latin caballus, an inferior horse. Callabus is found in English words in the spelling caval-.)
1. cavalcade—A procession of persons on horseback, as in a parade.
2. cavalier—As a noun, a cavalier was once a mounted soldier.
As an adjective, cavalier describes actions and attitudes that are haughty, unmindful of others’ feelings, too offhand, such attributes often being associated with people in power (the military being one of the powers-that-be). Thus, “He answered in a cavalier manner” would signify that he was arrogant in his answer, as if the questioner were taking a little too much privilege with him. Or, “After the cavalier treatment I received, I never wished to return,” signifying that I was pretty much made to feel unimportant and inferior. Or, “After her cavalier refusal, I’ll never invite her to another party,” signifying that the refusal was, perhaps, curt, offhand, without any attempt at apology or courtesy.
3. cavalry—The mounted, or “horsed” part of an army.
4. chivalry—Noun form of chivalrous. Can you write the alternate noun form ending in -ness? ...
5. chivalric—Less commonly used adjective form, identical in meaning to chivalrous.
Another Latin root for horse, as you know, is equus, found in words we have already discussed:
1. equestrian—A horseman.
2. equestrienne—A horsewoman.
3. equine—Horselike.
7. no harm done
The latin root noceo means to injure; someone who need cause you no fear, so harmless is that person, so unable to interfere, so unlikely to get you into trouble, is called—
innocuous
Related words:
1. innocent—Not guilty of crime or injury.
2. noxious—Harmful, poisonous; unwholesome.
8. alcoholic
The Latin root bibo means to drink; and one who is generally found with one foot up on the brass rail, who likes to tipple beyond the point of sobriety—who, in short, has an overfondness for drinks with a pronounced alcoholic content, is called, usually humorously— bibulous
Related words:
1. imbibe—To drink in, soak up, absorb. If we use this verb without specifying what is drunk, as in, “He likes to imbibe,” the implication, of course, is always liquor; but imbibe may also be used in patterns like "imbibe learning” or “In early infancy she imbibed a respect for her parents.”
2. bib—Upper part of an apron, or an apronlike napkin tied around a child’s neck. In either case, the bib prevents what is drunk (or eaten) from spilling over, or dribbling down, on the wearer’s clothing.
9. like death itself
The Latin root cado means to fall—one’s final fall is of course always in death, and so someone who looks like a corpse (figuratively speaking), who is pale, gaunt, thin, haggard, eyes deep-sunk, limbs wasted, in other words the extreme opposite of the picture of glowing health, is called—
cadaverous
Related words:
1. cadaver—A corpse, literally, especially one used for surgical dissection.
2. decadent—Etymologically, “falling down” (de- is a prefix one meaning of which is down, as in descend, climb down; decline, turn down; etc.). If something is in a decadent state, it is deteriorating, becoming corrupt or demoralized. Decadence is a state of decay. Generally decadent and decadence are used figuratively —they refer not to actual physical decay (as of a dead body), but to moral or spiritual decay.
10. pain and misery
The Latin root doleo means to suffer or grieve—one who is mournful and sad, whose melancholy comes from physical pain or mental distress, who seems to be suffering or grieving, is called—
dolorous
RELATED words:
1. dolor—A poetic synonym of grief.
2. doleful—A. word referring somewhat humorously to exaggerated dismalness, sadness, or dreariness.
3. condole—Etymologically, to suffer or grieve with (Latin con-, with, together). Condole is a somewhat less commonly used synonym of commiserate, a verb we discussed in Chapter 15. The noun condolence is much more frequently heard than the verb, as in, “Let me offer you my condolences," usually said to someone mourning the death of a friend or relative. You have heard of condolence cards, and no doubt have sent your share of them. When you condole with somebody who has sustained a loss, usually by death, you are saying, in effect, “I am suffering or grieving with you.”
Review of etymology
Using the words
A. The basic words
Can you pronounce the words?
Can you work with the words? (I)
1. obsequious
2. querulous
3. supercilious
4. obstreperous
5. impecunious
6. chivalrous
7. innocuous
8. bibulous
9. cadaverous
10. dolorous
a. snobbish
b. harmless
c. gaunt
d. short of funds
e. fawning; excessively, ingratiatingly, polite
f. sorrowful
g. addicted to drink
h. courteous to women
i complaining
j. unmanageable
Key: 1-e, 2-i, 3-a, 4-j, 5-d, 6-h, 7-b, 8-g, 9-c, 10-f
Can you work with the words? (I))
Match each word in the first column with one from the second column that is opposite in meaning.
1. obsequious
2. querulous
3. supercilious
4. obstreperous
5. impecunious
6. chivalrous
7. innocuous
8. bibulous
9. cadaverous
10. dolorous
a. content; uncomplaining; satisfied
b. affluent
c. healthy
d. rude
e. sober
f. dangerous
g. humble
h. misogynous
i. happy; cheerful
j. quiet
Key: 1-d, 2-a, 3-g, 4-j, 5-b, 6-h, 7-f, 8-e, 9-c, 10-i
Do you understand the words?
Key: 1-no, 2-no, 3-no, 4-no, 5-yes, 6-no, 7-no, 8-no, 9-no, 10-yes
Can you recall the words?
1. sorrowful
2. servilely attentive; overly polite
3. haggard; gaunt; pale
4. complaining; whining
5. addicted to alcohol; likely to drink past the point of sobriety
6. arrogant; haughty
7. harmless
8. noisily unmanageable
9. attentive and courteous to women
10. short of money; without funds
1. D ...
2. O ...
3. C ...
4. Q ...
5. B ...
6. S ...
7. I ...
8. O ...
9. C ...
10. I ...
Key: 1-dolorous, 2-obsequious, 3-cadaverous, 4—querulous, 5-bibulous, 6-supercilious, 7-innocuous, 8-obstreperous, 9-chivalrous, 10-impecunious
(End of Session 45)
Session 46 В. Related Words
Can you pronounce the words? (I)
Can you pronounce the words? (II)
Can you work with the words?
1. obsequies
2. subsequent
3. sequel
4. sequence
5. pecuniary
6. noxious
7. imbibe
8. dolor
9. doleful
10. cavalcade
11. cavalier (adj.)
12. cavalry
13. equestrian
14. equestrienne
15. equine
16. cadaver
17. decadent
18. decadence
19. chivalry
20. condolence
a. proper order
b. drink; absorb; take in
c. harmful, poisonous
d. pain, sorrow (poetic)
e. coming later or afterward
f. procession of mounted riders
g. offhand, haughty
h. a following event or literary work
i. horsewoman
j. pertaining to money
k. mounted military division; soldiers on horseback
l. funeral rites
m. exaggeratedly sorrowful
n. horselike
o. horseman
p. spiritual decline
q. morally decaying
r. corpse
s. expression of sympathy
t. gallant courtesy to women
Key: 1-1, 2-e, 3-h, 4-a, 5-j, 6-c, 7-b, 8-d, 9-m, 10-f, 11-g, 12-k, 13-o, 14-i 15-n, 16-r, 17-q, 18-p, 19-t, 20-s
Do you understand the words? (I)
Key: 1-yes, 2-no, 3-yes, 4—yes, 5-yes, 6-yes, 7-no, 8-no, 9- yes, 10-no
Do you understand the words? (II)
Key: 1—yes, 2-yes, 3-no, 4-no, 5-no, 6-yes, 7-no, 8-yes, or no, depending on your point of view, 9-yes, 10-no (unless you’re misogatnous)
Do you understand the words? (Ill)
Key: 1-S, 2-O, 3-S, 4-S, 5-S, 6-S, 7-O, 8-O, 9-O, 10-S, 11-O, 12-S, 13-O
Can you recall the words?
1. harmful
2. a literary work or an event that follows another
3. drink in
4. poetic word for sorrow
5. burial ceremonies
6. horseman
7. horsewoman
8. horselike
9. following (adj.)
10. relating to money (adj.)
11. exaggeratedly sad
12. proper order
13. parade of mounted riders
14. offhand; unmindful of another’s feelings
15. mounted soldiers
16. a corpse
17. morally deteriorating (adj.)
18. spiritual decay
19. expression of sympathy
20. gallantry to women
1. N ...
2. S ...
3. I ...
4. D ...
5. О ...
6. E ...
7. E ...
8. E ...
9. S ...
10. P ...
11. D ...
12. S ...
13. C ...
14. C ...
15. C ...
16. C ...
17. D ...
18. D ...
19. C …
20. C ...
Key: 1-noxious, 2-sequel, 3-imbibe, 4-dolor, 5-obsequies, 6-equestrian, 7-equestrienne, 8-equine, 9-subsequent, 10-pecuniary, 11-doleful, 12-sequence, 13-cavalcade, 14-cavalier, 15-cavalry, 16-cadaver, 17-decadent, 18- decadence, 19-condolence, 20-chivalry or chivalrousness
Chapter review
A. Do you recognize the words?
1. Excessively polite and fawning:
(a) querulous, (b) obsequious, (c) supercilious
2. Noisily troublesome:
(a) querulous, (b) impecunious, (c) obstreperous
3. Courteous and attentive to women:
(a) querulous, (b) chivalrous, (c) supercilious
4. Complaining, nagging:
(a) querulous, (b) supercilious, (c) innocuous
5. Haughtily disdainful:
(a) supercilious, (b) bibulous, (c) dolorous
6. Gaunt, corpselike:
(a) noxious, (b) cadaverous, (c) doleful
7. Highhanded:
(a) supercilious, (b) cavalier, (c) decadent
8. Moral decay:
(a) decadence, (b) obsequies, (c) sequence
9. Expression of sympathy:
(a) bibulousness, (b) dolefulness, (c) condolence
10. Courtesy to women:
(a) dolor, (b) chivalry, (c) decadence
Key: 1-b, 2—c, 3-b, 4-a, 5-a, 6-b, 7-b, 8-a, 9-c, 10-b
В. Can you recognize roots?
Key: 1-to follow, 2-to complain, 3-eyelid, 4-above, 5-to make a noise, 6-cattle, 7-horse, 8-(inferior) horse, 9-horse, 10-to fall
Teaser questions for the amateur etymologist
1. In logic, a conclusion not based on the evidence is called a non sequiiur; by extension, the term is applied to any statement that appears to have no connection or relevance to what was said before. Knowing the root sequor, how would you define this term etymologically? ...
2. Sequor, like many other Latin verbs, has another form somewhat differently spelled. (Remember verto, versus and loquor, locutus?) The other form of sequor is secutus. Can you define the following words in terms of the root?
(a) second: ...
(b) consecutive: ...
(c) persecute: ...
(d) prosecute: ...
3. Latin super, above or over, is used as a prefix in hundreds of English words. Can you figure out the word starting with super- that fits each etymological definition?
(a) above others (in quality, position, etc.) ...
(b) above the surface; not in depth (adj.) ...
(c) (flowing) above what is necessary; more than needed (adj.)' …
(d) above (or beyond) the natural (adj.) ...
(e) to oversee; be in charge of (v.) ...
4. Cado, to fall, is found in the following English words (sometimes the root is spelled -cid). Can you define each word in terms of its etymological parts?
(a) cadence: ...
(b) occidental: ...
(c) deciduous: ...
(d) incident: ...
(e) accident: ...
(f) coincidence: ...
5. The negative prefix in- plus doleo, to suffer, forms an adjective that etymologically means not suffering (pain), but actually means idle; lazy; disliking effort or ■work. Can you figure out the English word? ...
Can you write the noun form? ...
6. What does the feminine name Dolores mean etymologically? ...
(End oj Session 46)
Brief Intermission Ten
Another check on your spelling
In each line you will find four words—one of them purposely, subtly, and perhaps unexpectedly misspelled. It’s up to you to check the single error. If you can come out on top at least fifteen times out of twenty, you’re probably a better speller than you realize.
1. (a) alright, (b) coolly, (c) supersede, (d) disappear
2. (a) inoculate, (b) definately, (c) irresistible, (d) recommend
3. (a) incidentally, (b) dissipate, (c) seperate, (d) balloon
4. (a) argument, (b) ecstasy, (c) occurrence, (d) analyze
5. (a) sacrilegious, (b) weird, (c) pronunciation, (d) repitition
6. (a) drunkeness, (b) embarrassment, (c) weird, (d) irritable
7. (a) noticeable, (b) superintendant, (c) absence, (d) development
8. (a) vicious, (b) conscience, (c) panicy, (d) amount
9. (a) accessible, (b) pursue, (c) exhilarate, (d) insistant
10. (a) naivete, (b) necessary, (c) category, (d) professor
11. (a) rhythmical, (b) sergeant, (c) vaccuum, (d) assassin
12. (a) benefitted, (b) allotted, (c) corroborate, (d) despair
13. (a) diphtheria, (b) grandeur, (c) rediculous, (d) license
14. (a) tranquillity, (b) symmetry, (c) occassionally, (d) privilege
15. (a) tarriff, (b) tyranny, (c) battalion, (d) archipelago
16. (a) bicycle, (b) geneology, (c) liquefy, (d) bettor
17. (a) defense, (b) batchelor, (c) stupefy, (d) parallel
18. (a) whisky, (b) likable, (c) bookkeeper, (d) accomodate
19. (a) comparitive, (b) mayonnaise, (c) indispensable, (d) dexterous
20. (a) dictionary, (b) cantaloupe, (c) existence, (d) ukulele
Key: 1-a (all right), 2-b (definitely), 3-c (separate), 4-c (occurrence), 5-d (repetition), 6-a (drunkenness), 7-b (superintendent), 8-c (panicky), 9-d (insistent), 10-c (category), 11-c (vacuum), 12-a (benefited), 13-c (ridiculous), 14-c (occasionally), 15-a (tariff), 16-b (genealogy), 17-b (bachelor), 18-d (accommodate), 19-a (comparative), 20-c (existence)