The Project Gutenberg eBook of Orthography

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Title: Orthography

Author: Elmer W. Cavins

Author of introduction, etc.: Edwin C. Hewett

Release date: November 7, 2007 [eBook #23395]

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Kevin Handy, John Hagerson, Irma Spehar and
the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
http://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ORTHOGRAPHY ***

ORTHOGRAPHY

AS OUTLINED IN THE

STATE COURSE OF STUDY
FOR ILLINOIS.


SEVENTH AND EIGHTH YEARS.


BY ELMER W. CAVINS,
TEACHER OF ORTHOGRAPHY IN ILLINOIS STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY.

INTRODUCTION BY
DR. EDWIN C. HEWETT.

SECOND EDITION—JANUARY, 1906.

PUBLISHED BY C. M. PARKER,
TAYLORVILLE, ILLINOIS.


Copyright, 1904, by C. M. Parker.


PREFACE.

This book is prepared for teachers and pupils who use the Illinois State Course of Study. The outline in Orthography for the Seventh and Eighth Years is the basis of all that is included herein. Three fifths or more of this work is word analysis which, valuable as it is, teachers as a rule are unable to teach without the aid of a text, never having learned much of it themselves. What, for example, can the average teacher unaided do toward writing a list of words to be analyzed which contain the root ann, meaning year? He might turn in the dictionary to annual, anniversary, and annuity, but he must fall back on his acquired knowledge for such as, biennial, centennial, millennium, perennial, and superannuate. And having the list, very many teachers, as well as pupils, need help in the analysis.

The aim of this book has been to set down in an orderly and convenient form such facts as are needed by those who follow the State Course of Study.

Emphasis has been placed upon word analysis. The author believes that this has more value in education than is generally attributed to it. When Mr. Kennedy named his work on word analysis “What Words Say”, he gave it the best possible title. Composite words have a wealth of meaning; each syllable is significant. And, as a rule, only to those who can read this significance does the word yield its full meaning. Accuracy is the mark of a scholar. Accuracy in speech and in the understanding of speech cannot be attained by those whose knowledge of words is vague and general. Pupils should early learn how to interpret what words say, and to discriminate carefully in the use of words, for these are the tools which they are to use in all the various departments for acquiring knowledge.

Normal, Ill., Aug. 30, 1904.
E. W. Cavins.


INTRODUCTION[4]
BY DR. EDWIN C. HEWETT.

I have long thought that the careful, discriminating study of words is much neglected in our schools. And I am glad to approve, and help to forward, anything that will promote such a study.

Not only will such a study improve a person's language greatly, but it will, at the same time, do much to improve the clearness and precision of his thinking; thought and language have a reciprocal effect.

If a child, while young, can be made to be interested in words themselves,—their origin, their exact meaning, their relations to each other and some of the changes in their meaning which result from their use,—he will be likely to retain that interest through life; it will be more likely to increase than to diminish.

It seems often to be assumed that a student can do nothing profitably with the study of words made up from Greek and Latin roots till he has acquired some mastery of those languages. But I know from experience and much observation that this is not true. Why should it be? Must one master Greek and Latin before he can understand that, in English words, graph means write; ge means earth; phone means sound; cur means run; fin means limit; port means carry, etc.?

And then having learned the meaning of the prefixes and suffixes, is it preposterous to train him to know the[5] etymological significance of a few hundred words by showing him how they are built up?

Of course, we know that many words in common use have shades of meaning quite different from, and in some cases almost opposite to, their literal significance. But will not the student be better able to understand these derived meanings by knowing their literal significance than in any other way? At any rate, I am fully persuaded that such a study of words as this book proposes can be made very profitable to those pupils for whose use it is prepared.

The teacher will find, however, that the teaching of this subject will require much careful labor on his part. The mere learning of the meaning of prefixes and suffixes and of the roots themselves, with the brief remarks on the meaning of some of the words, will need to be supplemented by a careful mastery of it all on his part. And to this must be added much thought of his own, together with careful research in the great dictionaries. But to the earnest and intelligent teacher, such thought and research will yield very rich fruit in his own thinking, and in his use of English speech.

I cheerfully commend the book as a move in the right direction; and as adapted, in my opinion, to do much to supply a serious lack in the present work of the schools.

Normal, Ill., Aug. 18, 1904.
E. C. H.


SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS.[6]

1. From the lists given in this book omit such words as in your opinion are beyond the vocabulary of your pupils.

2. All words given for the first month's work are either defined or illustrated below the lists. This is done to help make clear the method of showing their literal significance. Further along in each year's work only the most difficult words are explained. Insist that pupils in every case where it is possible define or illustrate so as to show the literal meaning, else much of the value of the study is lost.

And, moreover, the ordinary, or current meaning, where it differs from the literal, should be given. Very many of the words have various uses. Thorough work requires that these be illustrated. This necessitates a free use of the dictionary.

It is strongly urged that the pupils (with the aid of the teacher when necessary) try to find an appropriate sentence to illustrate each word and write the same in an orderly way in a note book for the purpose.

In work of this kind a teacher should not underrate the value of reviews. By this means fix facts on the minds of your pupils, especially the meanings of roots and prefixes. Since these meanings are given in a single word, reviews may proceed rapidly.

One convenient method of recitation in this subject is to send pupils to the blackboard without their books, assign them by turns words to be analyzed according to the examples given under “Directions to Pupils”, and then let each pupil read to the class what he has written on the board.


DIRECTIONS TO PUPILS.[7]

Given in the seventh and eighth years' work of the State Course of Study are 45 prefixes, 64 roots, and 33 suffixes,—in all 142 elements or component parts of words. In this book a list of words is furnished to illustrate each element, the average number of words in each list being about eleven, and the total number of different words analyzed, or partially analyzed, is over 1200.

TO ANALYZE A WORD.

1. Name its component parts—root, prefix, and suffix—and give the literal meaning of each.

2. Combine these meanings in a definition, supplying additional words if necessary, to make the sense complete. In exceptional cases, however, the exact literal meanings of the parts cannot be put together in a good definition. One or more of the parts must then be omitted entirely, or represented by words which are not exactly literal.

3. Give an illustration of the use of the word.

(Caution: Carefully distinguish verbs, adjectives and nouns. Do not define adjectives as nouns or verbs, or vice versa. Do not, for illustration, say audible is that which can be heard; but rather say audible means capable of being heard.)

EXAMPLES.

avert:(1) a, away + vert, turn.
 (2) To turn away; to ward off.
 (3) The evils which exist are necessary to avert greater evils.
deify: (1) dei, god + fy, to make.
 (2) To make a god of; to praise and revere as if a deity.
 (3) The people of India deify the Ganges River.
hostile:(1) host, enemy + ile, belonging to.[8]
 (2) Belonging to or having the characteristics of an enemy.
 (3) Yon tower which rears its head so high invites the hostile winds.
portable: (1) port, carry + able, capable of.
 (2) capable of being carried or moved from place to place; not stationary.
 (3) A portable photograph gallery stopped for three days at the cross-roads near my home.
benefactor: (1) bene, good + fact, make, do + or, one who.
 (2) One who does good; especially one who makes a charitable donation.
 (3) “He is a true benefactor and alone worthy of honor who brings comfort where before was wretchedness, who dries the tear of sorrow.”

A careful study of the five examples given above will reveal that to analyze words a pupil must—

1. Learn some facts—meanings of the component parts of words.

2. Be careful in putting these facts together to make a sensible definition.

3. Use the dictionary to find the ordinary, or current, use of a word.

4. Gather illustrations. This is not easy, but it should not be neglected, for it is the most practical feature of word analysis. Pupils should help each other, and the teacher may contribute when his help is needed. One good illustration for a difficult word might suffice the entire class.[9]


PART ONE

Word Analysis.


SEVENTH YEAR.


FIRST MONTH.

a, ab, abs = from, away.

1. a vert, turn  6. ab origin es, beginning
2. ab brevi ate, short  7. ab rupt, break
3. ab duct, lead  8. ab sorb, suck in
4. ab ject, cast  9. ab solve, loosen
5. ab lut ion, wash10. ab use, use.

  2. To shorten, to take from; to make briefer.

  3. To lead away; to carry off by force; to kidnap.

  4. An abject person is one sunk to low condition (as if cast from the society of others).

  5. An ablution is a washing or cleansing; especially a religious rite.

  6. The inhabitants of a country from the beginning. The earliest inhabitants of which anything is known.

  7. Broken or appearing as if broken away or off; as an abrupt cliff.

  8. To suck up; to drink in. A brick will absorb a pint of water.

  9. To loosen or set free, as from some duty or obligation

10. To divert from the proper use; to misuse.

ambi, (amphi) = both, on both sides, around.

1. ambi dextr ous, right hand3. amphi bi ous, life
2. ambi ti on, go4. amphi theatre, view.[10]

1. Having skill with both hands (as if both were right hands).

2. A going around or about, as of a candidate soliciting votes; eager for favors; strongly desirous.

3. Living both on land and in water. Frogs, turtles, crocodiles, seals, otters, and beavers are amphibious.

4. An amphitheatre is a building built circular so that spectators may view a performance from both sides or from all around.

bene = well, good.

1. bene dict ion, speak  6. bene fit, do
2. bene fact ion, do  7. bene vol ent, will
3. bene fact or, one who  8. beni gn, (genus) kind
4. bene fic ent, do  9. beni gn ant, being
5. bene fic ial, pertaining to10. nota bene, note

  1. The act of speaking well to or of; a blessing pronounced at the close of divine service.

  2. The act of doing good; making a charitable donation.

  4. Doing or effecting good; performing acts of kindness.

  5. Pertaining to what does good, is useful or profitable.

  6. A good deed done; an act of kindness.

  7. Willing to do good; well-wishing; charitable.

  8. Good and kind of heart; expressive of gentleness or kindness. Literally, of a good kind.

  9. Being kind and gracious.

10. Note well; observe carefully; take notice. Usually abbreviated to N. B.

circum = around.

1. circum fer ence, carry5. circum scribe, write, draw
2. circum flex, bend6. circum spect, look
3. circum locut ion, speak7. circum sta nce, stand
4. circum navig ate, sail8. circum vent, come.

1. Think the circumference in the process of making;[11] carry the crayon around the circle to produce the circumference.

2. A bending around; a wave or bend of the voice embracing both a rise and a fall on the same syllable.

3. The act of speaking in a round about way; particularly a studied indirectness or evasiveness of speech.

4. The act of sailing around; especially the earth or globe.

5. To draw a bounding line round; hence to mark out the limits of.

6. Looking around on all sides; examining carefully.

7. That which attends or relates to (stands around, as it were,) an event, a person or a thing.

8. To circumvent one in any enterprise is to come around in an unexpected way for the purpose of gaining an advantage.

contra, (contro, counter) = against

1. contra dict, speak4. counter act, do
2. contra vene, come5. counter balance, scales
3. contra st, stand6. contro versy, turn

1. To speak against; to assert the opposite of.

2. To come against; to oppose.

3. To stand against; to set in opposition to, as two or more objects of a like kind with a view to showing their difference.

4. To act against; to do what hinders.

5. To weigh against with equal weight; equal weight, power or influence acting in opposition to.

6. A turning against; debate, contention.

ann = year.

1. annu al, relating to5. cent ennial, hundred
2. anni vers ary, turn6. mille nnium, thousand
3. annu ity, that which7. per ennial, through
4. bi ennial, two8. super annuate, beyond

1. Relating to a year; yearly.[12]

2. That day which returns once a year commemorating some event.

3. A stated sum of money payable yearly.

4. Happening once in two years; lasting two years.

5. Consisting of or lasting a hundred years. Happening every hundred years.

6. A period or interval of a thousand years.

7. Throughout the year; lasting, perpetual.

8. Condition of being beyond the years of active service; impaired or disabled by length of years.

art = skill.

1. art ist, one who3. artist ic, relating to
2. arti fic ial, make4. art less, without

1. One who is skilled or adept in any of the fine arts.

2. Produced or made by art or skill rather than by nature.

3. Relating to skill in any field.

4. Without skill; especially without skill in fraud or deceit.

aster, (astr) = star.

1. aster isk, little3. astr olog er, speak.
2. aster oid, form4. astr onomy, distribute
5. dis aster, apart

1. Literally, a little star; a mark like a star used to refer to a note in the margin.

2. Formed like a star.

3. One who speaks about the stars; one who foretells events by the stars, or interprets the supposed influence of the stars.

4. The science which treats of the distribution, arrangement and size of heavenly bodies (stars).

5. An unfavorable aspect of a star or planet, hence an ill portent, a calamity.[13]

aud = hear.

1. aud ible, capable of3. audit ors, those who
2. audit ory, pertaining to4. in audible, not

1. Capable of being heard.

2. Pertaining to the hearing, or the sense of hearing.

3. Those who hear; people who assemble for the purpose of hearing music or discourse.

4. Not capable of being heard; indistinct.

SECOND MONTH.

dis (dif) = apart, from, away.

1. dis burse, purse  7. dis miss, send
2. dis cord, heart  8. dis pel, drive
3. dis cuss, shake  9. dis pose, put
4. dif fer, bear10. dis rupt, break
5. dif fuse, pour11. dis sect, cut
6. dis loc ate, place12. dis tend, stretch

  1. To disburse money is to pay it out (from one's purse).

  2. (Literally, hearts apart.) Want of harmony; not agreeing in opinion, or in action.

  3. The discussion of a question shakes it apart, for a more thorough examination.

  4. When two minds differ, one bears in one direction, the other in another, and thus they bear apart. They do not agree.

  5. To pour out and cause to spread apart, as a fluid; to circulate; to scatter.

  6. To place apart or out of proper position.

  7. To dismiss a congregation is to send the people (or allow them to go) apart to their homes.

  8. To dispel fear is to drive it away.

  9. To dispose of property is to part with it (put it apart from one).

10. Rocks are disrupted when broken apart.

11. To dissect the eye of an ox is to cut it apart, for the purpose of examination.[14]

12. To distend is to stretch apart or spread in all directions; to dilate, to expand.

extra = beyond.

1. Extra ordin ary, order, rule (ary, relating to). Relating to what is beyond or out of the common rule or order; exceptional, unusual.

2. Extra vag ant, wander (ant, ing). Wandering beyond bounds or out of the regular course; excessive.

inter = between, among, through.

1. inter cede, go  7. inter pose, place
2. inter cept, take  8. inter rogate, ask
3. inter course, run  9. inter sect, cut
4. inter ject ion, throw10. inter val, wall
5. inter lop er, run11. inter vene, come
6. inter mingle, mix12. inter view, see

  1. To go between parties for the purpose of reconciling those who differ; to plead in favor of another.

  2. To seize or take between the starting point and destination; as to intercept a letter or messenger.

  3. Frequent or habitual meeting or contact of one person with another (a running between, to and fro).

  4. An interjection is a word thrown in between other words to express emotion or feeling.

  5. An interloper is one who runs in between two parties to get the advantage which one would obtain from the other. One who intercepts and buys a basket of eggs between a farmer's wagon and a grocery store would, from the standpoint of the merchant, be an interloper.

  6. To mix between or together.

  7. To protect the eyes from a strong light interpose (place between the eyes and light) a shade.

  8. To interrogate is to question. (The questions come between the answers.)[15]

  9. One line intersects another when it cuts through it, or between its parts.

10. An interval is an open space or stretch between things or limits. Formerly it meant a space between walls.

11. To come between persons, things, or events.

12. A mutual exchange of views between two or more people.

non = not, un.

The prefix non- may be joined to the leading word by means of a hyphen, or, in most cases, the hyphen may be dispensed with.

1. noncommittal  7. nonpareil
2. non compos mentis  8. non-payment
3. nonconductor  9. nonplus
4. nondescript10. non-resident
5. nonentity11. nonsense
6. nonessential12. nonsuit

2. Com, with + pos, power + mentis, of mind. Literally, not with power of mind. Not of sound mind; not capable, mentally, of managing one's own affairs.

4. That which has not been described; difficult to describe; new, novel, odd.

5. Entity means thing or being; hence a nonentity is no thing or nothing. Often applied to a person or thing which counts for little or nothing.

9. Plus means more. Literally, a person is nonplused when he can do no more, or go no further; puzzled, confounded, embarrassed.

(It seems unnecessary to append definitions or illustrations to other words of the above list.)

per = through, thoroughly, by.

1. per ambul ate, walk  9. per fume, smoke
2. per ceive, take10. per mit, let go
3. per cent, hundred11. per plex, entangle
4. per col ate, filter12. per secute, follow
5. per enni al, year13. per sist, stand
6. per fect, make14. per vade, go
7. per for ate, bore15. per vert, turn
8. per form, form16. per vi ous, way[16]

  1. To walk through or over. He got out of bed and perambulated the room for some minutes.

  2. To take or obtain knowledge through the senses. To take with a thorough mental grasp; to understand.

  3. By the hundred.

  4. To pass through; as, a filter or strainer.

  5. Lasting through the year, or through many years.

  6. Thoroughly made; finished in every part; without blemish or defect.

  7. To bore through; to make holes in; to pierce.

  8. To form thoroughly; to execute, accomplish, or carry out.

  9. “To perfume means literally to smoke thoroughly. Hence to impregnate or fill with scent or odor.”—Kennedy.

10. By this permit we may go through the factory.

11. To entangle thoroughly. “Love with doubts perplexes still the mind.”

12. To follow with persistence or thoroughness. To follow close after; specifically to afflict or harass on account of adherence to a particular creed. The early Christians suffered persecution.

13. To take a thorough stand; to continue steadily in some state or course of action; especially in spite of opposition.

14. To go through; to spread throughout the whole.

15. To turn in another direction; to turn thoroughly from a former course. “Blessings unused pervert into a waste.”

16. Having a way through. “—— to have their way free and pervious to all places.”

clud, clus = shut.

1. close  7. exclus ion, act of
2. clos et, little  8. in clude, within
3. con clude, together  9. pre clude, before
4. dis close, un10. re cluse, back
5. en close, in11. se clude, aside
6. ex elude, out12. se clus ion, state of being

  1. To shut.[17]

  2. A small side room in which, clothing and other articles are kept shut away from view.

  3. To bring to an end. Literally to shut in or together (obsolete); as, “The body of Christ was concluded in the grave.”

  4. To un-shut; to open or uncover; to make known.

  9. To put an obstacle before, or in the way of, in order to shut out; to prevent or hinder.

10. One who is shut up (or has shut himself back) from the world or public view.

11. To shut off or keep apart or aside, as from company or society.

cor, cord = heart.

1. core5. dis cord, apart
2. cordial, relating to6. discord ant, being
3. con cord, with7. re cord, again
4. cord ate, shaped8. cour age, having

1. The heart or innermost part of a thing; as the core of an apple.

2. Relating to the heart; hearty, sincere.

3. Heart with heart; hence unity of sentiment or harmony. “Love quarrels oft in concord end.”

4. Heart shaped; as a cordate leaf.

5. Heart apart from heart; hence disagreement or want of harmony.

6. State of being out of harmony.

7. Record; through the Latin recordari, to remember (or know again). To get by heart; hence to register; to write or inscribe an authentic account of.

8. Having heart; hence bravery, calmness, firmness. (The heart is accounted the seat of bravery; hence the derivative sense of courage.)

corpus, corpor = body.

1. corpse5. incorpor ate, make
2. corps (pronounce core)6. corpus cle, small
3. corpor al, relating to7. corset
4. corpu lent, full of8. habeas corpus. You may have[18]

1. The body only; hence a dead body.

2. A body of soldiers.

3. Relating to the body; as corporal punishment.

4. A corpulent person is fleshy; literally full of body.

5. To make into a body in the legal sense, so that a number of individuals may transact business legally as one person.

6. A small body; a minute particle.

7. In the middle ages, a close-fitting body garment, having sleeves and skirt.

8. Literally, you may have the body. A writ requiring the body of a person restrained of liberty to be brought into court that the lawfulness of the restraint may be investigated.

cura, curo = care.

1. cure5. mani cure, hand
2. curable, capable of6. ac cur ate, to
3. curate, one who7. pro cure, for
4. curi ous, full of8. se cure, aside

1. To take care of; to restore to health.

2. Capable of being cured or restored by care.

3. One who has the care of souls; a parish priest.

4. Formerly, curious meant full of care, or careful, nice, precise; as, “Men were not curious what syllables or particles they used.” Eager to learn; inquisitive.

5. To care for the hands and nails.

6. A thing is made accurate by giving care to it.

7. Literally, to care for; to look after; as, “I procured that rumor to be spread.” To obtain; to get.

8. Aside, or free, from care, anxiety, or fear; safe.

THIRD MONTH.

pre = before.

  1. pre amble, walk11. pre fer, bring
  2. pre cede, go12. pre fix, fasten
  3. pre ced ent, that which13. pre judice, judgment
  4. pre cip ice, head14. pre limin ary, threshold
  5. pre clude, shut15. pre mature, ripe
  6. pre coc ious, cook, ripe16. pre monit ion, warning
  7. pre curs or, run17. pre pare, make ready
  8. pre destinate, to determine18. pre posit ion, place
  9. pre dict, speak19. pre poster ous, after
[19]10. pre face, say20. pre scribe, write

  1. The introductory part of a discourse. Formerly preamble meant, to walk over beforehand; as, “I will take a thorough view of those who have preambled this by path.”

  3. That which has gone before. A previous example or usage which has, in some measure at least, become established; as, a custom, habit, or rule.

  4. A headlong fall; an abrupt descent. Literally, head foremost.

  5. See second month, page 16.

  6. Ripe in understanding at an early age or before due time; as, a precocious child.

  7. A precursor is a forerunner. That which precedes an event and indicates its approach.

  8. To determine beforehand by an unchangeable purpose or decree. “Whom He did foreknow He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son.”

11. To prefer one thing to another is to bring or set it before the other in estimation. To hold in greater liking or esteem.

13. A prejudgment formed without due examination. “Prejudice is the child of ignorance.”

14. Literally, before the threshold. Preceding or leading up to something more important; as preliminary arrangements.

18. A preposition is so called because usually placed before the word with which it is phrased.

19. Anything is preposterous when it is contrary to nature, reason, or common sense. Literally, having that last which ought to be first; as, the “cart before the horse”.

20. To lay down beforehand in writing as a rule of action. “Prescribe not us our duties.[20]

re = back, again.

  1. re bound, leap16. re juven ate, young
  2. re cede, go17. re lapse, slip
  3. re claim, call18. re late, carry
  4. re cluse, shut19. re lease, loose
  5. re cogn ize, know20. re mit, send
  6. re con struct, build21. re morse, bite
  7. re course, run22. re nov ate, new
  8. re create, make23. re pel, drive
  9. re cruit, grow24. re plen ish, full
10. re cur, run25. re pulse, drive
11. re flect, bend26. re sult, leap
12. re fresh, new27. re sume, take (up)
13. re hash, chop28. re surrect ion, rise
14. re im burse, purse29. re tain, hold
15. re ject, throw30. re tract, draw

Use each of the above words in a sentence and illustrate its meaning, thus: A ball thrown against a brick wall will rebound (leap back).

semi = half.

1. semicircle4. semilunar
2. semicolon5. semivowel
3. semidiameter6. semiweekly

super = over, above, beyond.

1. super annu ate, year  6. super numer ary, number
2. super cili ous, pride  7. super pose, put
3. super fic ial, face  8. super script ion, write
4. super flu ous, flow  9. super struct ure, build.
5. super natur al, nature10. super vise, see

  1. A superannuate is one who has become impaired or disabled by length of years. Specifically, one living beyond the years of active service and allowed to retire on a pension.

  2. Lofty with pride; overbearing. “A supercilious nabob of the east, haughty and purse-proud.”

  3. Literally, not extending below (i. e. in depth beyond)[21] the surface; shallow. “She despised superficiality, and looked deeper than the color of things.”

  4. Overflowing; more than is needed; as, a composition abounding with superfluous words.

  5. Being beyond or exceeding the powers of nature. Miracles were performed by supernatural power.

  6. Beyond a stated or required number; as, a supernumerary officer in a regiment.

  7. To put over or upon; as to superpose one rock upon another.

  8. A superscription is a writing over or upon; especially an address on a letter.

  9. A superstructure is something built over something else; particularly an edifice in relation to its foundation.

10. To oversee; as, to supervise the erection of a house.

tri = three.

1. tri angle, angle  9. tri nomi al, term
2. tri cuspid, point10. trio
3. tri cycle, circle11. tri pod, foot
4. tri dent, tooth12. tri sect, cut
5. tri enni al, year13. tri syllable, syllable
6. tri gam ist, marriage.14. trium vir, man
7. tri gon ometry, measure15. tri une, one
8. tri later al, side16. tri via l, way

  2. A tricuspid tooth has three points.

  4. A three-toothed or three-pronged spear. Specifically, a fishing spear.

“His nature is too noble for the world;
 He would not flatter Neptune for his trident,
 Or Jove for his power to thunder.”

  6. A trigamist is one who has been three times married; especially one who has three wives or three husbands at the same time.

  7. Trigonometry literally means three angle measure.[22] That branch of mathematics which treats of the relations of sides and angles of triangles, and applies them to other figures.

  9. A trinomial in algebra is a quantity consisting of three terms.

10. A trio is a musical composition in three parts.

11. A tripod has three feet or legs; as a three-legged table or stool, a three-footed kettle or vase.

14. A triumvir is one of three men united in office; specifically in ancient Rome.

15. The triune is three in one; the three-fold personality of one divine being,—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

16. Trivial formerly meant, pertaining to three ways; where three ways or roads cross; of the cross roads; hence, common, commonplace, such as may be picked up anywhere; ordinary; trifling; of little worth.

due = lead, draw.

1. ab duct, away  8. e duc ate, out
2 ad duce, to  9. in duce, into
3. aque duct, water10. in duce ment, that which
4. con duct, with11. intro duce, into
5. de duct, from12. pro duce, forth
6. duct ile, capable of13. se duce, aside
7. duke, a leader14. re duce, back

  1. To lead or carry away wrongfully and usually by force; to kidnap; as, to abduct a child.

  2. To lead or bring to; to bring forward or offer as an argument in a case. “I too prize facts and shall adduce nothing else.”

  3. An aqueduct is a leadway or artificial channel for conveying water.

  4. A guide conducts a traveler when he goes with him and, in a sense, leads him along a safe route.

  5. To deduct is to take from; to draw away.

  6. A ductile metal is one capable of being drawn into wire; as, copper, platinum, steel, etc.[23]

  8. To develop mentally and morally by instruction. Educate literally means to lead forth, to draw out.

11. An introduction is the initial step which leads people into one another's acquaintance.

14. (1) To lead or bring back to a former state; as,

“It were but right
And equal to reduce me to my dust.”

(2) To bring to any specific state or form.

fac, fact = do, make.
(fec, fic, fy, fea, fash are variations.)

1. fact  9. arti ficial, skill
2. fact ory, place where10. bene ficial, good
3. facil ity, quality of11. sacri fice, sacred
4. bene fact or, good12. paci fic, peace
5. manu fact ure, hand13. feat
6. ef fect, (ex.) out14. de feat, un
7. per fect, thoroughly15. feas ible, capable of
8. im perfect, not16. fashion.

  1. A fact is something done or brought to pass.

  3. Quality of being easily done.

  5. Manufacture formerly meant to make by hand.

  6. An effect is something worked out, or done.

  7. A thing is perfect when thoroughly made, or finished.

11. Sacrifice literally means to make sacred; to set apart as sacred.

12. Pacific means pertaining to peace; suited to make or restore peace.

13. A feat is an act, a deed, an exploit; something done.

14. To defeat means to overcome or vanquish. Literally to un do.

16. The fashion of a thing is, in a sense, the make of it.

Note.fy, meaning to make, is found as a suffix in derivatives too numerous to mention; as, purify (to make pure), rarefy (to make rare), classify (to make or put into a class), etc.[24]

fer, ferr = carry, bear, bring.

1. circum fer ence, around  6. pro (f)fer, forth
2. con fer, together  7. re fer, back
3. dif fer, apart  8. re fer ee, one who
4. fert ile, capable of  9. suf fer, (sub) under
5. of fer, (ob) near.10. trans fer, across

1. See first month, page 10.

2. When two or more persons confer they bring together opinions and facts on some special subject.

3. See second month, page 13.

5. To bring near to; to present for acceptance; as, to offer one's services.

6. To bring or put forward; to hold forth so that a person may take; as, to proffer a gift.

7. To direct for information. Literally, to carry back; as, “Mahomet referred his new laws to the angel Gabriel, by whose direction he gave out they were made.”

9. To suffer is to bear under; to undergo.

Note.Ferr is an irregular Latin verb the principal parts of which are: fero, ferre, tuli, latus. The last form is found in a number of English words; as, dilate, elate, legislate, relate, superlative, translate. The meaning of the root in these words, as in the ten given above, is bear, carry, or bring.

fest = feast.

1. fest al. Pertaining to a feast, a holiday or celebration.

2. fest ive. Pertaining to or becoming a feast; festal, joyous, gay.

3. festival. A time of feasting or celebration.

4. festivity. Joyousness, gayety, such as becomes a feast.

5. festoon. Originally an ornament for decoration at a feast.

6. fête. Modern French, equivalent of feast.[25]

FOURTH MONTH.

uni = one.

1. unit, one  8. unanim ity, state of being
2. un ity, ness  9. uni corn, horn
3. un ion, state of being10. uni form, form
4. unite11. uni son, sound
5. dis unite, not12. uni verse, turn
6. re unite, again13. unique
7. un anim ous, mind14. onion

  9. The unicorn is a fabulous one-horned animal.

12. The universe consists of all things considered as one whole.

13. A thing is unique when it is the only one of its kind.

14. Onion comes from the Latin unio, which means oneness; also a single pearl of large size resembling the onion.

anti = against, opposed to.

1. anti climax, ladder5. anti pod es, foot
2. anti christ, Christ6. anti thesis, place
3. anti dote, give7. anti slave ry, slave
4. anti path y, feel8. anti soci al, companion

1. An anti climax is opposed to or in contrast with a climax. In rhetoric it is a figure or fault of style consisting of an abrupt descent (down the ladder) from stronger to weaker expressions.

3. An antidote is something given to counteract (act against) poison or disease.

5. Those who live at opposite points on the globe so that their feet are directly toward each other are antipodes. Figuratively, things opposed to each other.

6. In rhetoric an antithesis is a figure of speech which consists of one idea placed against another; a contrast.

8. A person is antisocial when he is averse or opposed to society, social intercourse or companionship.[26]

dia = across, through, between.

1. diagon al, angle4. dia log, speech
2. dia gram, writing5. dia meter, measure
3. dia lect, speech6. dia pason, all
7. dia phragm, fence

1. A diagonal is a line across from angle to angle.

2. A diagram is that which is marked out by lines drawn or written across; as, a figure, a plan.

3. Dialect is speech or language by means of which ideas are communicated (across) from one to another.

6. The diapason is one of certain stops in the organ, so called because it extends through all notes of the scale.

7. The diaphragm is a membranous partition or fence between the thorax and abdomen.

en = on.

1. en dorse, back3. en throne, throne
2. en grave, carve4. en list, list

1. To endorse a check is to write one's name on the back of it.

Note.en in most words is the equivalent of the Latin in, meaning in, into, within; as in encage, encase, encircle, enclose, encourage, enrage, enroll, entangle, entice, entomb, entrap, entwine, envelop, enwrap.

foli = leaf.

1. foliage. A cluster of leaves.
2. folio. A leaf-sheet folded once.
3. foil. A thin leaf of metal.
4. trefoil. A plant with three leaves; as, clover.
5. port-folio. A case for carrying loose leaves of paper.

fort, forc = strong.

1. fort  6. force
2. forti fy, make  7. forc ible, capable of
3. fortr ess  8. en force, on
4. ef fort, (ex.) out  9. com fort, with
5. forti tude, quality of10. piano forte, soft[27]

  1. A fort is a stronghold.

  2. To make strong; to strengthen or secure by means of forts, batteries, or other military works.

  3. Ess is a feminine ending. A “maiden fortress” is a fortification which has never been taken. A fortress is a very strong fort.

  4. An effort is a putting out of one's strength for the accomplishment of some end.

  5. Fortitude is strength or firmness of mind in meeting danger, pain, or adversity.

  6. Force is strength in general, physical, mental, moral.

  9. To comfort is to strengthen with hope and cheer; to give consolation to.

10. The piano forte is an instrument having both soft and loud (strong) tones. The name is generally shortened to piano.

fract, frang = break.

1. frail5. fract ious, quality of
2. frail ty, quality6. frag ile, capable of
3. fract ure, that which7. frag ment, that which
4. fract ion, that which8. in fringe, in

1. A thing is frail when it is easily broken.

2. Frailty is a quality of things easily broken.

3. A fracture is a break; as of a bone.

4. A fraction is a part, as if broken off.

5. A fractious person is one apt to break out into a passion.

6. “The stalk of ivy is tough and not fragile” (capable of being broken).—Bacon.

7. A fragment is that which is broken off.

8. To infringe is to break in upon; to trespass on another's rights.

frater, fratr = brother.

1. fratern al, pertaining to4. frater
2. fratern ity, that which5. friar
3. fratern ize, make6. friary[28]

1. Fraternal means brotherly; like brothers.

2. An organization in which the members hold one another in brotherly relations.

3. To fraternize means to make a brother of; to receive into a fraternity.

4. Frater. A brother; especially a monk.

5. Friar. A brother of any religious order, but especially one of certain monastic orders of the Roman Catholic church.

6. Friary. A home for friars (brothers); a monastery.

FIFTH MONTH.

mono = one, single, alone, solitary.

1. mon arch, rule  6. mo nomi al, term
2. mono gam ist, marriage  7. mono poly, sell
3. mono gram, write  8. mono syllable, syllable
4. mono logue, speak  9. mono the ism, God
5. mono mania, mind10. mono tone, tone, sound

  1. A monarch is a sole or supreme ruler.

  2. A monogamist is one who believes in marriage with one person only.

  3. A monogram is a single character formed of two or more letters interwoven (as if done at one writing).

  4. A speaking by one person.

  5. Monomania is a derangement of mind in regard to a single subject only.

  6. A monomial in algebra is a quantity which consists of a single term.

  7. A monopoly is the sole (or single) right to sell a certain article, or to sell it at a given place.

  9. Monotheism is the doctrine of belief that there is but one God.

10. A monotone is a single tone without harmony or variation in pitch.[29]

para = aside, beside, similar

1. para ble (ballo), throw4. para phrase, speak
2. para graph, write5. para site, feed
3. par allel, one another6. par en thesis, put

1. A parable is a short fictitious narrative placed (thrown) beside something which it is intended to illustrate.

2. A paragraph was originally a mark or note of comment written beside the line or place where a division should be made; now a distinct part of a discourse or writing.

3. Parallel lines extend beside one another.

4. Paraphrasing is telling (speaking) the same thing in other words.

5. A parasite is an animal or plant which lives beside or in another organism on which it feeds.

6. Marks of parenthesis are often used for a word, phrase, clause, or sentence put in by way of explanation to what it stands beside.

peri = around.

1. peri anth, flower3. peri meter, measure
2. peri cardium, heart4. peri tone um, stretch
5. peri oste um

1. The perianth is the floral envelope around the flower.

2. The pericardium is the membrane which surrounds the heart.

3. The perimeter of a figure is the outer boundary or measure around it.

4. The peritoneum is the membrane which is stretched around the abdomen.

5. The periosteum is the membrane around the bones.

syn (syl, sym) = with, together.

1. syl lable, take4. syn chron ous, time
2. sym pathy, feel5. syn onym, name
3. sym phony, sound6. syn ops is, view
7. syn thesis, put, place[30]

1. Literally, a syllable is two or more sounds taken together, or uttered by one impulse of the voice. Many syllables, however, comprise but one sound.

2. Sympathy is feeling with another, especially his sorrows and misfortunes.

3. A symphony is a sounding together; a harmony of sounds.

4. Synchronous. Happening or existing at the same time.

5. Synonym. Literally, a word having the same name. But it is applied to words of like or kindred meaning.

6. A synopsis is a view of the whole together. A summary giving a general view of some subject.

7. The putting of two or more things together. Synthesis is the opposite of analysis.

tele = far (distance).

1. tele gram, write4. tele meter, measure
2. tele graph, write5. tele phone, sound
3. tele pathy, feel6. tele scope, view

1. A telegram is a message transmitted (written) from afar.

3. Telepathy is the sympathetic communication at a distance of one mind with another; not by the ordinary methods, but through feeling.

4. Telemeter. An instrument for measuring distances in surveying.

liber = free.

1. liber al, relating to  6. liber ty, state of being
2. il liberal, not  7. liberal ize, make
3. liberal ity, quality of  8. de liver, from
4. liber ate, act of  9. deliver er, one who
5. liberat or, one who10. deliver y, act of

1. Liberal. Relating to or possessing a free and generous heart.[31]

3. Liberality is the quality of being free or generous.

7. To liberalize is to make free, as to free from narrow views or prejudices.

8. To deliver means to set free from bondage or restraint.

liter = letter.

1. letter5. il literate, not
2. letters6. al literation, (ad) to
3. liter ary, pert. to7. liter al, relating to
4. liter ate, condition of8. ob literate, against

1. Letter (from L. linere, to besmear); so called because smeared on parchment and not cut on wood.

2. Letters usually means literature in general; hence knowledge gained from books; literary culture.

6. Alliteration is a repetition of the same letter or sound at the beginning of two or more words in close succession. Examples: “A whole fleet of bulky bottomed boats.” “What a tale of terror now their turbulency tells.” Literally, letter to letter.

8. In obliterate, ob means against or the reverse. The reverse of besmear is to rub off; hence to obliterate means to rub out, to erase.

Note.—Other words from the same root are, literally, illiteracy, literati, literature, literalize, literalist.

man (manus) = hand.

1. bi mana, two5. man (n) er, relating to
2. e man cip ate, take6. manu al, pert. to
3. man acle, cuff7. manu fact ory, make
4. man euver, work8. manu script, write

1. Bimana is a term applied to man as a special order of mammalia. Animals having two hands.

2. To emancipate a slave is to take him out of the hands of his master.

3. The word manacle comes from manicula, which means handcuff.[32]

4. Literally, maneuver means a working with the hands. To make adroit and artful moves; as, of an army.

5. Manner relates to the way of handling or doing things.

6. Manual. Performed, made, or used by the hands; as manual labor, manual arts.

mater = mother.

1. alma mater, foster5. metro polis, city
2. matern al, pert. to6. metropolit an, relating to
3. matern ity, state of being7. matron
4. matri cide, kill8. matron ly, like

1. Literally, alma mater means foster mother. It is applied by students to the university or college in which they have been trained.

5. Metropolis means mother city; the chief city of a state or country. Chicago is the metropolis of Illinois.

6. Metropolitan. Relating to the metropolis; as, a metropolitan newspaper.

7. A matron is a woman with motherly duties; as the matron of a school or hospital.

SIXTH MONTH.

able = capable of, fit to be.

1. ar able, plow  6. laud able, praise
2. cap able, take, hold  7. port able, carry
3. dur able, last, hard  8. soci able, companion
4. lia ble, bind  9. ten able, hold
5. mut able, change10. us able, use.

1. Arable land is capable of being plowed.

2. A capable mind can take and hold ideas (understand and remember).

4. One is liable for a debt when legally bound to pay it.

7. A portable library is one fitted for being carried from place to place.

9. Tenable ground for argument is ground which is capable of being held or maintained.[33]

acy = state of being, office of.

1. celib acy, unmarried5. obstin acy, firmly set
2. delic acy, pleasing6. pap acy, pope
3. magistr acy, master7. intim acy, inmost
4. obdur acy, hard8. intric acy, entangle

1. Celibacy is the state of being unmarried; especially that of a bachelor or of one bound by vows not to marry.

3. Magistracy. The office of master; of one clothed with power, as a civil officer.

4. Obduracy is the state of being hardened, especially against moral influences; hard-hearted; stubbornly wicked.

6. The papacy is the office of the pope.

7. Intimacy is the state of being inmost or near in relationship.

an = pertaining to.

This suffix is seldom used except with names of countries and states. It means, pertaining to what is of that country or state; as, American history, American products, American people.

1. African10. Hawaiian
2. Alaskan11. Indian
3. Armenian12. Mexican
4. Australian13. Ohioan
5. Bolivian14. Persian
6. Bulgarian15. Russian
7. Corsican16. amphibian
8. European17. republican
9. Georgian18. metropolitan

16. Amphibian: amphi, both (two); bi, life; an, pertaining to: pertaining to two kinds of life; i. e. life on the land and in the water. Frogs, turtles, crocodiles, seals, walruses, otters, beavers, etc., are amphibians, because they can live in water (for a time at least) and on land.

18. Metropolitan. Pertaining to the mother city. (See fifth month's work, page 32.)[34]

ary = one who, that which.

1. ad vers ary, turn5. miss ion ary, send
2. anni vers ary, year6. e miss ary, out
3. antiqu ary, ancient7. not ary, note
4. drom ed ary, run8. sal ary, salt
9. secret ary, secret

1. Literally, an adversary is one who turns toward another (to oppose him); hence, one who turns against another.

2. That day which returns each year commemorating some event is an anniversary.

3. An antiquary is one who collects and examines old (ancient) things; as, coins, medals, weapons.

4. A dromedary is a thorough-bred Arabian camel of more than ordinary speed and bottom; hence well adapted for running.

5. A missionary is one who is sent on a mission; especially one sent to propagate religion.

6. An emissary is one who is sent out; especially one sent on secret business, as a spy. “I am charged with being an emissary to France.”—Robert Emmet.

7. A notary was formerly one whose vocation was to make notes or memoranda of acts of others. Now, a public officer usually spoken of as notary public.

8. A salary was formerly an allowance (that which was) given to soldiers with which to buy salt.

9. A secretary was formerly one who was intrusted with the private or secret matters of his chief. One employed to do clerical work.

Ary is also a suffix of adjectives, meaning relating to; as in, arbitrary, contrary, culinary, exemplary, antiquary, hereditary, military, primary, revolutionary, solitary, secondary, visionary.

Ary also means place where; as in, granary, infirmary, library, seminary, sanctuary.[35]

ate = having.

1. corpor ate, body  9. dent ate, tooth
2. de sper ate, hope10. glomer ate, ball
3. ef femin ate, woman11. labi ate, lip
4. fortun ate, luck12. lun ate, moon
5. in anim ate, breath13. pin (n) ate, feather
6. cord ate, heart14. serr ate, saw
7. cruci ate, cross15. sagitt ate, arrow
8. cuspid ate, point16. stell ate, star

1. Corporate means having a body. (See incorporate, second month, page 18.)

2. Having no hope; as, “Continued misfortune had rendered him desperate.”

3. Effeminate. Having the qualities of a woman; soft, delicate, to an unmanly degree. Applied to men.

5. Inanimate. Not having breath; without life.

6. Cordate. Having the shape of a heart; as a cordate leaf.

pel, puls = drive.

1. com pel, together  7. im pulse, on
2. compuls ion, act of  8. pulse
3. dis pel, apart  9. pro pel, forward
4. ex pel, out10. re pel, back
5. expuls ion, act of11. re pulse, back
6. im pel, on12. repuls ive, quality

  1. To compel, literally means to drive together; as a herd (a Latinism and rare). To drive or urge with force.

  8. The pulse is caused by driving the blood through the arteries.

12. A person is repulsive when he has qualities which tend to drive others back or away.

pend, pens = hang.

1. ap pend, to  8. im pend, over
2. append age, that which  9. pend ant, that which
3. de pend, from10. pendulum
4. depend ent, one who11. per pendicular, through
5. depend ence, state or quality of12. sus pend, under
6. in dependence, not13. suspend ers, that which
7. independent, one who14. suspens ion, state of[36]

  1. Append. To hang or attach to.

  2. An appendage is that which hangs to something as a part of it. “This little pensive appendage or tender (the moon) to our fuming engine of an earth.”—De Quincey.

  3. Depend. To hang from; to be fastened or attached to something above; to rely upon.

  4. A dependent is one who hangs (figuratively), or relies on another for support.

  8. Impend. To hang over, be ready to fall; threaten. “We seriously consider the dreadful judgments that now impend the nation.”—Penn.

  9. A pendant is that which hangs from something else; as, an earring or a tassel.

10. The pendulum of a clock hangs and swings to and fro.

11. A plumb line is a line perpendicular to the horizon, hanging (through the air).

12. Suspend. To hang under or from beneath.

13. Suspenders are that from which trousers are hung.

ped (pod) = foot.

1. anti podes, against  9. peddl er, one who
2. bi ped, two10. pede stal, stand
3. centi ped, hundred11. pedestr ian, one who
4. ex pedite, out12. pedun cle, little
5. expedi ent, that which13. quadru ped, four
6. im pede, in14. tri pod, three
7. impedi ment, that which15. octo pus, eight
8. ped al, pertaining to16. pedi gree, crane

  1. See fourth month, page 25.

  2. Biped. A two-footed animal, as man.

  3. Centiped. An animal so called from having a great many feet (indefinitely a hundred).

  4. Expedite. Literally, to take the feet out of entanglement; hence, to hasten.

  6. Impede. Literally, to entangle the feet. To obstruct the progress, motion, or effect of.[37]

  8. The pedal is something made to be moved by the feet.

  9. A peddler, literally, is a trader who travels on foot.

10. Pedestal. That which forms the base (standing place for the feet) of a statue, column, vase, etc.

12. A peduncle is a (little) footstalk of a flower or leaf.

15. An octopus is an eight-footed or armed cuttlefish.

16. Pedigree means, literally, crane's foot. Why so called is uncertain, but supposed to be on account of a fancied resemblance of the lines of a pedigree, as drawn out on paper, to a crane's foot. (Compare crow's foot, applied to the lines of age about the eyes.)

pon, pos = place, put.

  1. ap position, to11. ex pose, out
  2. com pose, together12. im pose, upon
  3. compos ite, being13. inter pose, between
  4. composit ion, act of14. im post, upon
  5. compon ent, that which15. im post or, one who
  6. com pound, together16. op pose, (ob.) against
  7. de pose, down17. oppos ite, being
  8. de posit, down (away)18. posit ion, state of being
  9. deposit ory, place where19. pro pose, before
10. dis pose, apart20. trans pose, across

  1. One word is in apposition to another when it is placed near to it, by way of explanation.

  3. Being made by putting together separate parts or elements; as, a composite flower.

  5. One of the several parts or elements which, when placed together, form the whole, is a component part.

  6. To compound is to put or mix together two or more elements or ingredients.

  8. To put away for safe keeping; as, to deposit money in a bank.

10. To dispose of anything is to put it apart from one; to get rid of it.[38]

11. To place out where all may see; to uncover; as, to expose fraud.

15. An impostor is one who puts burdens on others; commonly applied to one who assumes a character for the purpose of deceiving others.

18. Position. The manner in which a thing is placed; the state of being placed.

20. To transpose a quantity from one side of an equation to another is to place it across.

SEVENTH MONTH.

ic = pertaining to.

1. arct ic, bear  8. domest ic, house
2. aromat ic, spice  9. empir ic, experience
3. civ ic, citizen10. metr ic, measure
4. class ic, first class11. numer ic, number
5. com ic, revelry12. phon ic, sound
6. democrat ic, rule of the people13. prosa ic, prose
7. despot ic, master14. plast ic, form
15. graph ic, write

  1. Arctic literally means pertaining to the Bear; i. e. the northern constellations called the Great and Little Bears; hence, pertaining to the northern polar regions.

  2. Aromatic. Pertaining to an agreeable or spicy odor; fragrant.

  3. One's civic duties are those pertaining to him as a citizen, in distinction from those as a soldier.

  4. Classic pertains to what is first class in literature or art, especially that of the Greeks and Romans.

  5. Comic pertains to revelry; to what provokes mirth; as a comic song.

  9. Empiric pertains to experience, or what is founded on experience; relying on or guided by practical experience rather than scientific knowledge.[39]

13. Prosaic means pertaining to prose; especially to that which lacks animation or interest.

14. Plastic means pertaining to the process of forming or modeling; capable of being moulded into a desired form.

15. Graphic means pertaining to the art of writing or drawing. A graphic illustration is generally in the form of a drawing.

id = (ness) quality, condition.

1. ac id, sour  8. morb id, disease
2. flor id, flower  9. pal(l) id, pale
3. flu id, flow10. splend id, shine
4. frig id, cold11. tep id, warm
5. in sip id, taste12. torr id, parch
6. in trep id, tremble13. torp id, numb
7. luc id, light14. viv id, life

  1. The distinguishing quality of acid is its sourness.

  2. Having the quality or appearance of flowers; specifically, flushed with red; as a florid countenance.

  5. That which is insipid has not those qualities which affect the taste; tasteless.

  6. An intrepid person is brave and daring; he does not tremble with fear.

13. Torpid. Benumbed; insensible; inactive; as an animal in hibernation, when it passes its time in sleep.

ity = state or quality of being.

1. alacr ity, lively  7. sanct ity, holy
2. brev ity, short  8. seren ity, calm
3. enm ity, enemy  9. tranquil (l)ity, quiet
4. fidel ity, faith10. un ity, one
5. mortal ity, death11. util ity, use
6. rotund ity, wheel12. veloc ity, swift

5. Mortality. State of being subject to death; frequency of death; hence the death-rate.[40]

ive = one who, that which.

1. ad ject ive, throw  7. fugit ive, flee
2. alter native, other  8. in finit ive, limit
3. capt ive, take  9. locomotive, move
4. con nect ive, bind10. nat ive, born
5. ex ecut ive, follow11. negat ive, deny
6. ex plet ive, fill12. posit ive, place

  1. (ad, to) An adjective is a word which is added (thrown) to a noun to qualify its meaning.

  2. Alternative in the plural means two things of which one or the other may be taken as a choice.

  5. The executive of a state or nation is the one whose duty it is to follow out the decrees of the law making bodies; i. e. to see that the laws are obeyed.

  6. An expletive is that word which fills out the sentence that contains it; as an expletive adverb.

  8. (in, not) An infinitive is that verb which is not limited by person and number.

  9. (loco, place) A locomotive is that which can move cars from place to place.

12. The positive is that which has a real standing place. Not admitting of doubt; definitely laid down; clearly stated.

ment = act of, that which.

1. com ple ment, fill  6. inducement, lead
2. fila ment, thread  7. liga ment, bind
3. fragment, break  8. monu ment, remind
4. garment, protect  9. orna ment, deck
5. impedi ment, foot10. refresh ment, new

  1. That which fills or completes.

  2. A filament is that which is threadlike; as, the filament of silk, or flax.

  5. Literally, an impediment is that which entangles the feet; hence, that which hinders or interferes.

10. Refreshments consist of that which makes one fresh or new again.[41]

tang, tact, tig = touch.

1. con tact, together  9. integr al, relating to
2. contagion, act of  10. integr ity, state of being
3. contag ious, quality of11. tact
4. contamin ate, to make12. in tact, not
5. contigu ity, state of being13. tact ile, relating to
6. contiguous, quality of14. tangent, that which
7. en tire, not15. tang ible, capable of
8. in teger, not16. in tangible, not

  1. The coming together of two bodies; touching.

  2. The act of communicating disease by the touch.

  3. Having the quality of being imparted by touch; catching; as, contagious diseases.

  4. To contaminate is to make impure by mixture (touching together).

  5. Contiguity is the state of being within touching distance.

  7. Entire. Whole or complete; not touched.

  8. An integer is a complete or not touched whole; a whole number.

10. State of being untouched or unimpaired; freedom from corruption or impurity; as, integrity of character.

11. Tact is skill in touching; nice perception or discernment in dealing with others.

12. Intact. Not touched, especially by anything that misplaces, harms, or defiles.

13. Tactile. Relating to the sense of touch.

14. A tangent is a line which touches a curve.

15. Anything is tangible when it is capable of being touched, or perceived by senses.

tempor = time.

1. contempor ary, one who5. tempor ary, that which
2. contemporaneous, quality of6. temporari ly, state of being
3. ex tempore, out7. tempor ize, do
4. tempor al, relating to8. tense
9. tempus fugit, flies[42]

1. (con, together) One who lives at the same time together with another is his contemporary; occurring or existing at the same time.

3. Extempore means, literally, out of the moment. On the spur of the moment; without previous study or preparation.

4. Relating to time as opposed to eternity; earthly, transient; as, our temporal affairs.

5. That which lasts for a brief time only; not permanent; as, a temporary scaffolding.

7. To temporize is to comply with the time or occasion; to yield to the current of opinion or circumstances; to “do as the times do”.

8. The modification of verbs to indicate time, is called tense.

9. Tempus fugit is a Latin phrase frequently met with in English. It means, literally, time flies.

ten, tent, tain = hold.

1. abs tain, from  7. sus tain, (sub) under
2. con tain, together  8. ten ant, one who
3. de tain, from  9. tenet
4. detent ion, act of10. ten able, capable of
5. main tain, hand11. tenacious, quality of
6. re tain, back12. tenure, that which

  1. To abstain from drink is to hold from it, to refrain voluntarily.

  2. A vessel contains a liquid when it holds its particles together.

  3. To detain the wages of a laborer is to hold them from him after they are due.

  5. Maintain literally means to hold by the hand; to preserve from falling. To hold fast; to keep in possession; as, to maintain one's ground in battle.[43]

  7. Sustain. To hold up from beneath; to uphold; to support; to endure.

  8. A tenant is one who holds land under another.

  9. A tenet is an opinion or doctrine held as true.

10. Tenable. Capable of being held; as ground taken for argument.

11. Tenacious. Having the quality of holding fast.

12. One's tenure of office is that time during which he holds office.

terr = earth.

1. in ter, in  7. terr ier, that which
2. inter ment, act of  8. territ ory, relating to
3. sub terranean, under  9. Medi terranean, middle
4. terr ace, that which10. Terra del Fuego, fire
5. terra cotta, baked11. Terre Haute, high
6. terrestri al, relating to12. terra firma, firm

  1. To bury in the earth; as a dead body.

  3. Situated or occurring under the surface of the earth; as subterranean forests—buried forests.

  4. A terrace is a long mound or raised portion of earth.

  5. Terra cotta is literally baked earth. A species of hard pottery used in building; ornamentation.

  6. Terrestrial. Relating to the earth, earthly.

  7. A terrier is one of a small breed of dogs, named from their propensity to scratch the ground or earth in pursuit of prey.

  8. Territory. Relating to the earth; a large extent or tract of land.

  9. The Mediterranean Sea is so called because situated in the middle of the land. In the middle of the ancient known world.

10. Terra del Fuego means literally the land of fire (del, of).

11. Terre Haute means high land. A city in Indiana situated on high land.

12. Terra firma is a Latin phrase, frequently met in English. It means firm land.[44]

EIGHTH MONTH.

ac = pertaining to.

1. cardi ac, heart3. mani ac, mad
2. demoni ac, demon4. zodi ac, animal

1. Cardiac. Pertaining to or resembling the heart; exciting action in the heart.

2. Demoniac. Pertaining to demons; one possessed of an evil spirit; a lunatic.

3. Maniac. Raving with madness; crazy; insane.

4. Zodiac. Pertaining to the imaginary animals figured in the twelve constellations forming a circle around the sun.

ics = science of.

1. civ ics, citizen5. opt ics, see
2. eth ics, character6. phys ics, nature
3. econom ics, (see below)7. phon ics, sound
4. mechan ics, machine8. polit ics, city

1. Civics. The Science which treats of citizenship.

2. Ethics. The science of right conduct—of character-building.

3. Economics literally means, the science of managing the household; the science of the production and distribution of wealth, or the means of living well.

4. Mechanics. The science of machinery, or the theory of machines.

5. Optics. The science which treats of light and vision, and all that is connected with the phenomena of sight.

6. Physics. The science which treats of the forces of nature; as, gravitation, light, heat, electricity.

7. Phonics. The science of sound; especially of sounds produced by the human voice.

8. Politics. The science which treats of the government of states and cities.[45]

ism = state of being, theory of.

1. altru ism, other5. hero ism, hero
2. barbar ism, foreign6. hypnot ism, sleep
3. ego tism, self, I7. organ ism, organ
4. commun ism, common8. sensual ism, sense

1. Altruism. The theory that devotion to the interests of others is the highest good.

2. Barbarism. The state of being foreign; rude in point of manners, arts and literature.

3. Egotism. The state of being self-centered, self-conceited, and unduly self-confident; selfish as opposed to altruistic.

4. Communism. A theory of government and social order according to which property is held in common, and the profits of all labor devoted to the general good.

5. The state of being a hero or having heroic qualities; as, lofty aim, fearlessness, fortitude.

6. Hypnotism. An artificially induced state of sleep, in which the mind becomes passive, but acts readily upon suggestion or direction.

7. Organism. The state of being composed of different organs or parts, working together and each necessary to the whole.

8. Sensualism. The state which regards the gratification of the senses as the highest good.

y = state of being.

1. a path y, feel  6. melan chol y, bile
2. anti pathy, against  7. mis anthrop y, mankind
3. an arch y, rule  8. phil anthrop y, love
4. bi gam y, marriage  9. mono poly, sell
5. eu phon y, sound10. poly gam y, many
11. sym path y, with

  1. Apathy (a = without). State of being without feeling; lack of interest; mental indifference; sluggishness.

  2. Antipathy. A state of feeling against or antagonistic to a person or thing; as, antipathy to spiders.[46]

  3. Anarchy (an = without). State of being without rule; social and political disorder.

  4. Bigamy (bi = two). State of being married twice; having two wives or two husbands at the same time.

  5. Euphony (eu = well). State of being agreeable in sound; well-sounding.

  6. Melancholy (melan = black). State of having black bile; gloomy state of mind arising from grief or natural indisposition.

  7. Misanthropy (mis = hatred). State of having hatred for mankind; ill will for people in general.

  9. Monopoly (mono = one). State of having the exclusive (sole) privilege or power to sell an article at a certain place and time.

11. Sympathy. State of feeling with another (as he feels) on account of his sufferings, misfortune, or joy.

Note.—The suffix y has the same meaning in the following words. They are, however, too simple to need defining; in fact, there are no simpler words on which to base definitions: airy, balky, bony, briny, chunky, downy, dusty, healthy, hearty, miry, musty, rusty, scaly, showy, sinewy, wealthy, worthy.

chron = time.

1. chron ic, pertaining to4. chrono meter, measure
2. chronicl er, one who5. syn chron ous, together
3. chron ology, science of6. ana chron ism, state of

1. Pertaining to time; continuing a long time, as a chronic disease; hence mild as to intensity and slow as to progress.

2. Chronicler. One who records events in the order of their occurrence in time.

3. Chronology. The science of ascertaining the true historic order (in time) of past events and their exact dates.

4. Chronometer. Any instrument for measuring time; as, clock, watch, dial. Specifically, an instrument of great accuracy used on vessels for determining longitude.[47]

5. Synchronous. Occurring together in time; happening or existing at the same time.

6. Anachronism (ana = back). Any error in respect to dates. Literally, state of being placed at a wrong time. The significance of ana in this word is not clear; the original meaning probably was, the referring of an event to a time back of its correct date.

ge = earth.

1. geo graph y, write3. geo metr y, measure
2. geo logy, science of4. George, (erg) work

1. Geography. A description (writing) of the earth and its inhabitants.

2. Geology. The science which treats of the structure of the earth; of its history as regards rocks, minerals, rivers, valleys, mountains, etc.

3. Geometry. That branch of mathematics which treats of the measurement of solids, surfaces, lines, and angles. So called because one of its earliest and most important applications was to the measurement of the earth's surface.

4. George. A tiller (worker) of the earth; a farmer.

Note 1.—Other words, kindred to the above, containing this root-form are: geometric, geometrical, geometrician, geographic, geologize, geologist.

Note 2.—O is no part of the root. It is the “wedding ring” that ties roots of families together.

graph = write.

1. auto graph, self  8. mono graph, single
2. bio graphy, life9. ortho graphy, right
3. chiro graphy, hand10. para graph, beside
4. tri graph, three11. phono graph, sound
5. graphic, pertaining to12. photo graphy, light
6. graphite13. steno graphy, narrow
7. litho graph, stone14. topo graphy, place

  6. Graphite is a mineral used in lead pencils for writing.[48]

  7. Lithograph. A writing on stone [Rare]. Made by printing (writing) from stone; as a picture.

  8. Monograph. A written account or description of a single thing, or class of things.

  9. Orthography. The art of writing words correctly (right), or according to standard usage.

10. Paragraph. (See fifth month, page 29.)

12. A photograph is produced by the action of light (writing, as it were,) upon chemically prepared paper.

13. Stenography is short (in a somewhat vague sense narrow) hand writing.

14. Topography. A written description of a particular place, town, or tract of land; especially the description of the physical features of a locality.

log, logy = speech, reason, science of.

1. logic10. geo logy, earth
2. logic ian, one who11. mono logue, single
3. apo logy, from12. myth ology, fable
4. chrono logy, time13. ornith ology, bird
5. deca logue, ten14. psych ology, soul
6. dia logue, between15. pro logue, before
7. epilogue, upon16. theo logy, God
8. eu logy, well17. dox ology, praise
9. eulog ize, act of18. zoo logy, animal

  1. Logic. The science of reason.

  3. An apology is a speech in defense of what appears to others wrong, the speaker thereby seeking relief from blame.

  5. Decalogue. The ten commandments (speeches) given to Moses on Mount Sinai.

  7. Epilogue. A speech or poem at the end of an argument or address; a speech upon (on top of, or in addition to) what has been said.

14. Psychology. The science which treats of the human soul (mind and spirit included) and its operations.[49]

EIGHTH YEAR.


FIRST MONTH.

ad = to, toward.

(ac, af, ag, al, an, ap, ar, as, at, denote the same as ad. The consonant is changed for the sake of euphony.)

  1. ad dress, direct11. ad vent, come
  2. ad equate, equal12. ad vert ise, turn
  3. ad here, stick13. ag greg ate, flock
  4. adher ent, one who14. al lure, entice
  5. a dieu, God15. an nex, bind
  6. ad ject ive, throw16. ap pend, hang
  7. ad journ, day17. af fix, fasten
  8. ad mon ish, warning18. ar rive, bank
  9. ad apt, fit19. as sail, leap
10. ad opt, choose20. at tach, fasten

  1. To address a letter is to direct it to its destination.

  2. One is adequate to a duty or occasion when equal to it.

  3. To adhere is to stick to; as, a stamp to an envelope.

  4. “Every great man has his adherents” (those who stick to him).

  5. Adieu. A farewell; a commendation to the care of God.

  6. An adjective is a word added (in a sense thrown) to a noun to modify its meaning.

  7. Adjourn. To put off to another day, or indefinitely.

  8. To admonish is to give a friendly warning to; to give advice.

  9. To adapt is to fit to a certain purpose.

10. To adopt is to choose (to one's self); as to adopt a child.

11. Advent. The second coming of Christ (to the earth).[50]

12. To advertise goods is to cause the public to turn their attention to them.

13. To aggregate is to collect into a flock; to collect into a mass or sum.

14. To allure is to attempt to entice or draw (to) by the offer of some good, real or apparent.

15. To annex is to bind, join or add to, as a smaller thing to a greater.

16. Append means to hang or attach to, as by a string.

17. Affix. To fasten to; to add at the close or end.

18. Arrive literally means to come to the bank or shore (from out on the water). In present usage it means to reach any object or result.

19. Assail. To leap toward; to attack with violence.

20. Attach. To fasten to; to affix or connect.

ante = before.

1. ante ced ent, go3. ante meridi an, midday
2. ante di luv ian, wash4. ante pen ult, last

1. Antecedent. That which goes before in time.

2. Antediluvian (di = away) (ian = one who). One who lived before the flood (wash away).

3. Antemeridian. Before the middle of the day. Generally abbreviated to A. M.

4. Antepenult (pen = almost). Before almost the last. The last syllable of a word but two.

bi (bis) = two (twice).

1. bi ceps, head  7. bi nomial, name or term
2. bi cuspid, point  8. bi ped, foot
3. bi cycle, circle.  9. bis cuit, cook
4. bi ennial, year10. bi sect, cut
5. bi gamy, marriage11. bi valve, door
6. bi mana, hand12. ba lance, plate

  1. The biceps is a muscle which draws up the forearm; so called because it has two heads or origins.[51]

  2. The bicuspid teeth have two points.

  3. A bicycle has two wheels or circles.

  4. Biennial means lasting two years or occurring once in two years.

  5. A bigamist is one who has been married twice, and who has two wives or two husbands at the same time.

  6. The bimana are animals having two hands; as man.

  7. A binomial in algebra is a quantity consisting of two terms.

  8. A biped is an animal having but two feet; as man.

  9. Biscuit were so called because formerly baked or cooked twice.

10. To bisect a line is to cut it into two equal parts.

11. Bivalve. Having two doors; as the clam. (Each side or shell is comparable to a door, opening and shutting on a hinge.)

12. Balances are so called because they consist of two plates or pans suspended from the balance beam.

con (col com cor) = with, together.

1. col lapse, slip, fall10. com position, put
2. col lect, choose, gather11. com peer (par), equal
3. col lide, strike12. con cur, run
4. col loquy, talk13. con fide, faith
5. com mingle, mix14. con cord, heart
6. com miserate, pity15. con flict, strike
7. com motion, move16. con gregate, flock
8. com mute, change17. con tact, touch
9. com pany, bread18. cor robor ate, strength

  1. A building collapses when its sides fall together; when it tumbles down.

  2. To collect botanical specimens is to gather them together.

  3. Two objects collide when they strike together.

  4. A colloquy is a talking together of two or more people.

  5. Commingle means to mix together; as people in society.[52]

  6. Commiserate. To feel sorrow, pain or pity (with another).

  7. A commotion is a moving together; a tumult.

  8. Commute. To change one thing (with) for another; to exchange. To substitute a less thing for a greater.

  9. Company formerly meant an assembly of people eating bread together.

10. Composition. The act of putting parts together to produce a harmonious whole.

11. One's compeer is the equal with himself in rank, age, prowess, etc.

12. Two people concur in regard to a matter when their minds run together; when they agree.

13. To confide in one is to have faith in him; to intrust secrets with him.

14. Concord means literally heart with heart; agreement; harmony.

15. Conflict. A striking together; hostile contest.

16. To congregate means to flock or assemble together.

17. Contact. A touching together; a close union of bodies.

18. Corroborate. To strengthen; to make more certain; to confirm. Two statements corroborate when one agrees with the other; each thus strengthens the other.

de = down, from.

1. de capi tate, head  6. de pose, place put
2. de cid uous, fall  7. de preci ate, price
3. de fine, end, limit  8. de scend, climb
4. de grade, step, degree  9. de spic able, look
5. de ject ed, cast10. de tract, draw

  1. Decapitate. To take the head from the body; to behead.

  2. The leaves of deciduous trees fall (down) once a year.

  3. Define. To put down, or mark out the bounds or limit; to fence from; to determine the precise meaning; to describe accurately.[53]

  4. Degrade. To reduce from a higher (down) to a lower rank or degree.

  5. Dejected. Cast down in spirit; discouraged.

  6. Depose. To put down; especially to remove from a throne or high station.

  7. Depreciate. To put down the price; to reduce the value of.

  8. Descend. To climb down.

  9. Despicable. Deserving to be looked down upon; low, mean, contemptible.

10. Detract. To draw from; to take away; as, to take credit or reputation from.

capt (caput) = head.

1. bi ceps, two5. de capitate, from
2. capit al, pertaining to6. cab(b) age, that which
3. capt ain, one who7. per capita, by
4. capit ul ate, act of8. cap.
9. cape

1. Biceps. A large muscle of the upper arm, so called because it has two heads or origins.

2. Pertaining to the head; chief; principal; as the capital city.

3. One who is at the head; a leader; as the captain of a vessel, or a company of soldiers.

4. Capitulate. To surrender on stipulated terms or conditions; to draw up items under heads or chapters.

5. Decapitate. To take the head from the body.

6. Cabbage. A vegetable which has a head.

7. By the head; as a per capita tax.

8. A cap is a covering for the head.

9. A cape is a head of land.

cede, ced, cess = go, yield.

1. accede, to10. access
2. antecedent, before11. an (te) cestor
3. exceed, out, beyond12. excess
4. intercede, between13. intercessor
5. precede, before14. predecessor
6. proceed, forward15. process
7. recede, back16. recess
[54]8. secede, aside17. secession
9. succeed, (sub) after, under18. successor

1. Accede. To yield to; to agree; consent, concur; go to.

2. The antecedent of a pronoun is the noun which goes before it, and for which the pronoun stands.

3. Exceed. To go beyond what is needed or expected.

4. To go between two persons as a mediator; especially to plead with the person who has some advantage over the other.

5. Precede. To go before in order of time.

6. To go on or forward; as proceed with your work.

7. Recede. To go back from a given position.

8. To go aside; to separate; as to secede from the church.

9. To go or follow after in order of time; as, one shock succeeded another with great rapidity.

Note 1.—The principal parts of the Latin verb are cedo, cedere, cessi, cessum. From this it appears that words 10-18 above are kindred in meaning and correspond to words 1-9.

Note 2.—Observe that in three of these words the root is spelled ceed, in the others cede.

cent—hundred.

1. cent enni al, year3. centi meter, measure
2. centi grade, step, degree4. centi ped, foot
5. per cent, by

1. Happening once in a hundred years. The Centennial Exposition was held in Philadelphia in 1876, one hundred years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

2. Divided into one hundred degrees. On the centigrade thermometer there are one hundred degrees between the freezing point and the boiling point.

3. Centimeter. The hundredth part of a meter (standard of measure).

4. Centiped. A segmented invertebrate animal of the[55] class nyrapod (Greek for many feet), so called because it has a great many (indefinitely one hundred) feet.

5. By the hundred; as, six per cent; that is, six cents on the dollar.

civ = citizen.

1. civic, pertaining to3. civil ize, to make
2. civ il, quality of4. civil ian, one who

1. Civic. Pertaining to a citizen, or the affairs of a city.

2. Civil. Fit to live in a state or society with citizens.

3. Civilize. To make civil. To instruct in the arts and customs of citizenship.

4. A civilian is one whose pursuits are those of a citizen and not of a soldier.

SECOND MONTH.

ex = out, beyond, from.

(e, ec, and ef, are euphonic variations of ex.)

1. ex ceed, go  8. ex pand, spread
2. ex cept, take  9. ex pect, look
3. ex clude, shut10. ex ped ite, foot
4. ex cursion, run11. ex pel, drive
5. ex cuse, charge12. ex pire, breathe
6. ex hale, breathe13. ex port, carry
7. ex it, go14. ex tent, stretch
15. ex tract, draw

  5. To excuse is to relieve (take out) from the charge of blame.

10. To expedite is to hurry forward; especially by removing hinderances (as from the feet).[56]

in (il, im, ir) = in, into, on, not.

  1. il leg al, law21. in cred ible, believe
  2. il liter ate, letter22. in cur, run
  3. im bibe, drink23. in dorse, back
  4. im mature, ripe24. in duce, lead
  5. im mense, measure25. in del ible, rub out
  6. im merse, plunge26. in dent, tooth
  7. im mort al, death27. in evit able, avoid
  8. im mut able, change28. in fidel, faithful
  9. im pel, drive29. in fant, speak
10. im per vi ous, way30. in grate, thankful
11. im pious, reverent31. in hale, breathe
12. im port, carry32. in ject, throw
13. im pose, put33. in nate, born
14. im pulse, drive34. in nov ate, new
15. im pun ity, punish35. in sect, cut
16. in carn ate, flesh30. in spect, look
17. in clem ent, mild37. in toxic ate, poison
18. in cognito, known38. in trude, thrust
19. in clude, shut39. in vade, go
20. in crease, grow40. in vert, turn

Note.—In defining the words in this list choose that meaning of the prefix from the four given above (in, into, on, not) which is most suitable; thus: imbibe means to drink in; immature, not ripe; immerse, to plunge into; indorse, to write on the back of.

  2. An illiterate person is one not familiar with letters; one who has little or no learning.

  5. Literally, anything is immense when it can not be measured; of vast extent.

  7. Immortal. Not liable to death.

10. Having no way through (per = through); as, cloth which is impervious to water; waterproof.

14. An impulse is a sudden mental motive or feeling which tends to drive one on to say or do something.[57]

15. Not liable to punishment; freedom from the bad consequences which usually result from an act; as, the magician could eat fire with impunity.

16. In the flesh; as Christ was the incarnate Son of God.

17. Not mild, but harsh and severe; as inclement weather.

18. Not known; under an assumed name; disguised; as a nobleman traveling incognito.

21. A story is incredible when it is not capable of being believed; unworthy of belief.

26. Indent. To cut into points like a row of teeth.

29. Infant. A young babe (not yet able to speak).

35. Insect. A small animal apparently cut into segments.

40. Invert. To turn the outside in; to place in a contrary way.

ob = against, in the way of.

(oc, of, op, are euphonic variations of ob.)

1. ob ject, throw5. ob trude, thrust
2. ob loqu y, speak6. oc cupy, hold
3. ob sta cle, stand7. of fend, strike
4. ob struct, build8. op pon ent, place

1. An objection to a proposition is an opinion thrown against or in opposition to it.

2. Obloquy. A speaking against; language that casts contempt on men and their actions.

6. To take and hold (against the possession of another); as to preëmpt and occupy a homestead.

post = after, behind.

1. post date, date4. post meridian, midday
2. post pone, place5. post mortem, death
3. post script, write6. pre poster ous, before

6. Preposterous originally meant, having that first which ought to be last; hind side before; reversing the natural order. In present day usage, contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; absurd.[58]

curr, curs = run.

1. couri er, one who  6. ex curs ion, out
2. con cur, together  7. in cur, into
3. con course, together  8. inter course, between
4. curs ory, ing  9. pre curs or, before
5. course10. re course, back

  1. A courier is one who runs, or goes hastily with a message.

  2. The opinions of people concur when they agree, or run together.

  3. A concourse is an assemblage of people who have come (or run) together.

  4. A cursory glance is a hasty, and hence, a running glance.

  5. A race course is a place for running.

  7. To incur a debt is to run into it.

10. One who adds to his indorsement of a note or check the words “without recourse”, says in effect, “You can't run back on me for payment”.

dent = tooth.

1. dent4. dent ist, one who
2. dent al, pertaining to5. e dent ate, without
3. dent ate, shaped like6. dan de lion, of lion

1. A dent is an impression like that made by a tooth.

5. Edentate animals, such as the sloth, are without teeth, or at least are without the incisors.

6. The dandelion has yellow compound flowers which resemble the tooth of the lion.

dict = speak, say, tell.

1. bene dict ion, well5. e dict, out
2. contra dict, against6. pre dict, before
3. diction ary, that which7. ver dict, truth
4. dict ate, act of8. male dict ion, bad

1. A benediction is a blessing (a speech to the effect that it may be well with thee).[59]

3. A dictionary is a book in which we may learn about words, the elements of speech.

4. To dictate is to speak or say what another shall write or do.

7. The verdict of a jury is what they say to be the truth in the case.

doc, doct = teach.

1. doc ile, capable of3. doct rine, that which
2. doct or, one who4. docu ment, that which

1. Docile. Capable of being easily taught.

2. A doctor is one who, by virtue of his master's degree, is qualified to teach.

3. Doctrine is that which is taught; a principle taught as a part of a system of belief.

4. A document is that which teaches by means of the evidence it gives.

THIRD MONTH.

pro = for, forth, forward, before.

  1. pro bat ion, try, prove11. pro logue, speech
  2. pro bosc is, feed12. pro mise, send
  3. pro crastin ate, tomorrow13. pro mote, move
  4. pro duce, lead14. pro noun, noun
  5. pro (f) fer, bear, bring15. pro pel, drive
  6. pro fuse, pour16. pro pose, put
  7. pro gnostic ate, know17. pro spect, look
  8. pro gram, write18. pro trude, thrust
  9. pro gress, step19. pro vide, see
10. pro ject, cast20. pro voke, call

  1. One who joins a church on probation is given a trial to prove his worthiness before being fully admitted.

  2. A hollow organ attached to the head or mouth (the forward portion) of the animal with which he feeds.

  3. To put forward till tomorrow, or to put off from time to time. “Procrastination is the thief of time.[60]

  6. A profuse speaker pours forth ideas freely.

12. One's promise is his word, spoken or written, sent forth as evidence of something more substantial to follow.

16. When a young man proposes he puts the question before his lady.

19. A good provider sees necessities beforehand and prepares to meet them.

20. To provoke laughter is to call it forth.

retro = backward.

1. retro grade, step 2. retro spect, look

se (sed) = aside.

1. se cede, go4. se duce, lead
2. se clude, shut5. se greg ate, flock
3. se cure, care6. se lect, gather

3. Secure. Free (aside) from care, as to danger or risk; as, secure from attack, or secure against loss by fire.

4. Seduce. To lead or draw aside; especially from a path of rectitude. To lead into evil.

5. Segregate. To place or group (flock) aside from others or the rest. In science, to put into a new or separate class.

sub = under, after, near.

(suc, suf, sug, sup, sur, are euphonic variations of sub.)

  1. sub due lead11. sub terr anean, earth
  2. sub jug ate, yoke12. sub trahe nd, draw
  3. sub lunar, moon13. sub urbs, city
  4. sub merge, plunge14. sub way, way
  5. sub ordin ate, rank15. suc cess or, go
  6. sub poena, penalty16. suc cumb, lie
  7. sub scribe, write17. suf fer, bear
  8. sub side, sit18. suf fix, fasten
  9. sub soil, ground19. suf focate, throat
10. sub stance, stand20. sup port, carry

  1. Subdue. To lead or bring under authority; to conquer.[61]

  2. Subjugate. To bring under the yoke of power or dominion.

  3. Sublunar. Situated underneath the moon; hence earthly.

  6. Subpoena. A writ commanding attendance under penalty.

  7. Subscribe. To bind one's self to, by writing one's name underneath; as to subscribe to the terms of a contract.

  8. Subside. To sit (or settle) under (down).

10. Substance. That which underlies (stands under) all outward manifestation.

11. Subterranean. Situated or occurring under the surface of the earth.

12. The subtrahend is placed under the minuend to be drawn from it.

13. Suburb. A town or village so near to a city that it may be used for residence by those doing business in the city.

15. One who goes or follows after; as, a successor in office.

16. Succumb. To lie under discouragement, rather than to surmount it.

19. Certain fumes or vapors under the mouth (or throat), will suffocate one.

20. Support. To carry on; keep up; as to support a conversation; to support a war. To bear the weight of, especially by holding up from beneath (under).

trans = across, over, through.

  1. trans act, drive11. trans late, carry
  2. trans alpine, Alps12. trans lucent, shining
  3. trans atlantic, Atlantic13. trans marine, sea
  4. tran scend, climb14. trans migration, moving
  5. tran scribe, write15. trans mit, send
  6. trans fer, carry16. trans mute, change
  7. trans form, shape17. trans parent, appear
  8. trans fuse, pour18. trans port, carry
  9. trans gress, step19. trans pose, put
10. trans it, go20. trans verse, turn[62]

The literal meanings of the twenty words given above are so apparent as to need no explanation. Illustrate each with a sentence.

fin = end, limit.

1. Final. Pertaining to the end; the last.

2. Finale. The end of a musical composition.

3. Finish. To make an end of.

4. Fine. Well finished. Also, a penalty assessed at the end of the case.

5. Refine. Finished over (or again).

6. Finite. Having a limit in power or knowledge.

7. Infinite. Having no limit in power or knowledge.

8. Confine. To keep within limits or bounds.

9. Superfine. Over or extra finish.

firm = strong, steadfast.

1. infirm, not3. infirm ary, place where
2. infirm ity, that which4. con firm, with
5. farm

1. Infirm. Not strong, but weak and defective.

2. Infirmity. That with which one is afflicted or infirm.

4. The testimony of one witness is made stronger when that of another witness agrees with or confirms it.

5. A farm is a substantial possession, steadfast and immovable.

flex, flect = bend, turn.

1. flex ible, capable of5. circum flex, around
2. in flexible, not6. de flect, from
3. flexibil ity, quality7. re flection, back
4. flect or, that which8. re flex, back

4. That which bends; as, the biceps muscle is the flector which bends the arm.

5. A circumflex is a bending around of the voice,—a rise and a fall on the same syllable.

7. Reflection. A turning of the thoughts back to things of the past.[63]

8. Sensations arrested at the nerve centers and turned back without their reaching the brain results in reflex action.

flu = flow.

1. flu ent, characteristic of5. influenz a
2. af fluence, (ad) to6. in flux, in
3. con fluence, together7. super fluous, over
4. in fluence, in8. fluid
9. flush

1. A fluent speaker uses smooth and flowing language.

2. People of affluence have wealth flowing to them.

3. The confluence of two streams is their flowing together.

4. Influence literally means flowing in. The bringing about a result by a gradual process; gradual because flowing.

5. Influenza. A disease, somewhat allied to a cold, formerly attributed to the influence of the stars.

8. A fluid is so called because it is capable of flowing.

9. Flush. To flow swiftly.

FOURTH MONTH.

vice = instead of.

1. vice president3. vice roy, king
2. vice admiral4. vic ar, one who
5. vice versa, turn

3. Viceroy. A ruler acting with kingly authority instead of the king.

4. Vicar. In general, one who is authorized to perform functions, especially religious ones, instead of another.

5. Vice versa. Turned, one instead of the other, interchanged.

a (an) = without, not.

1. a byss, bottom  7. an esthetic, feeling
2. a cephal ous, head  8. an onym ous, name
3. a chrom atic, color  9. a pathy, suffer, feel
4. a gnostic ism, knowledge10. a sylum, right of seizure
5. an archy, rule11. a the ist, God
6. an ecdote, given out12. a tom, cut[64]

  4. Agnosticism. The doctrine or theory that man has not any real or absolute knowledge of anything, but can know only “impressions”.

  5. Anarchy. A state of society in which there is no authority or ruling power.

  6. Anecdote [ec (ex) = out]. Originally a personal or biographical incident not given out for publication.

  7. That which causes a loss of sensation; hence, one who has taken an anesthetic is without the feeling of pain.

10. Asylum. Originally a place of refuge where criminals or debtors were free from (without) the right of seizure.

11. Atheist. One who is without belief in the existence of a God.

12. Atom. The smallest particle of matter; hence a particle which cannot be further cut or divided.

auto = self.

1. auto crat, rule4. auto maton, strive
2. auto graph, write5. auto mobile, move
3. auto bio graphy, life6. aut ops y, see

1. Autocrat. An absolute sovereign, one who has the ruling power all in himself.

3. Autobiography. A writing of one's life by himself.

4. Automaton. A self acting (striving) machine; one having its motive power within itself.

6. Autopsy. Seeing by one's self; personal observation or examination.

epi = upon.

1. epi cycle, circle5. epi sode, way
2. epi demic, people6. epi taph, tomb
3. epi dermis, skin7. epi thet, place
4. epi gram, write8. epi zoötic, animal

1. Epicycle. A circle whose center moves around upon, or in, the circumference of another circle; as the orbit of the moon in its motion with the earth around the sun.[65]

4. Epigram. Literally, to write upon. A short, pointed poem, or a bright thought concisely and sharply expressed.

5. Episode. Something which happens upon the way, or comes in incidentally to the main enterprise.

7. Epithet. An adjective or term placed upon a person or thing and expressing some quality especially appropriate to that person or thing.

8. Epizoötic. A disease upon many animals in a community.

micro = little.

micro be, life; micro cosm, world; micro scope, see, view.

grat (grac) = pleasing, favor, thankful.

1. grati tude, ness  6. un grateful, not
2. grate ful, full of  7. dis grace, from
3. grati fy, make  8. grac ious, having
4. in grati ate, into  9. a gree, (ad) according to
5. in grate, not10. gratis
11. grace

  4. To become ingratiated with another is to get into his favor. “The pigmy had contrived to ingratiate himself into every man's affection.”—Stanley.

  5. An ingrate is not thankful for benefits received.

  7. One in disgrace is out of (away from) favor with others.

  9. An agreement is entered into according to the pleasure of both parties.

10. Gratis. Out of, or because of, favor; without recompense.

11. Grace. Literally, pleasing; beloved.

greg = flock, herd.

1. ag gregate, (ad) to3. gregari ous, quality
2. con gregate, together4. se gregate, aside

3. Gregarious. Quality or characteristic of animals which tend to gather in flocks; as, sheep, geese, deer.

4. Segregate. To separate (aside) from others and form into an isolated group (flock).[66]

ject = cast, throw.

1. ab ject, away6. pro ject, forth
2. de jected, down7. re ject, back
3. e ject, out8. ad jective, to
4. in ject, in9. inter jection, between
5. ob ject, against10. sub ject, under

leg = law.

1. leg al, pertaining to4. legal ize, make
2. il legal, not5. legis late, bring forth
3. legal ity, state of6. privi lege, private

6. A private law, a peculiar benefit, right, or favor not enjoyed by others or by all, is a privilege.

FIFTH MONTH.

aceous = having the quality of.

[In defining words of this ending, combine the meaning of the suffix with the meaning of the root; thus, cretaceous means having the quality of chalk.]

1. creta ceous, chalk4. farin aceous, grain
2. crust aceous, shell5. herb aceous, herb
3. carbon aceous, coal6. sapon aceous, soap

al = pertaining to.

  1. capit al, head13. miner al, mine
  2. corpor al, body14. nas al, nose
  3. cymb al, cup15. nat al, born
  4. dent al, tooth16. nomin al, name
  5. di al, day17. norm al, rule
  6. fest al, feast18. pen al, punishment
  7. fili al, son, daughter19. plur al, more
  8. fin al, end20. reg al, king
  9. flor al, flower21. roy al, king
10. frug al, fruit22. rur al, country
11. jovi al, merry23. vit al, life
12. leg al, law24. voc al, voice[67]

  1. Pertaining to the head, as, capital punishment, which involves the forfeiture of the head.

10. A frugal person is economical with his means, hence fruitful in saving.

16. Pertaining to the name only, not real; as, a nominal Christian.

17. Pertaining to the standard or rule; as, the normal color of the crow is black.

ence, as a suffix to nouns like the following, means state of being.

1. abs tin ence, hold  6. de pend ence, hang
2. af flu ence, flow  7. im pot ence, power
3. bene vol ence, wish  8. omni pot ence, all
4. con dol ence, grief  9. re tic ence, silent
5. con fid ence, faith10. sequ ence, follow

  1. State of holding from something which tempts and entices; as, abstinence from strong drink.

  2. (See third month, page 63.)

  3. State of being actively desirous (wishing) for the well-being of others. “The laws of social benevolence require that every man should try to assist others by his experience.”

  4. Condolence. State of being in grief or sympathy with others on account of their afflictions.

  5. Confidence. State of being confident (of having faith in others or in one's self).

  6. Dependence. State of being dependent (of hanging [relying] on others for support).

  7. Impotence. State of being impotent (of having no power; weak; feeble).

  8. Omnipotence. State of being all powerful.

  9. Reticence. State or quality of being silent; refraining from speech.

10. Sequence. State of being sequent (following); order of following.[68]

ance, as a suffix to nouns like the following, means state of being.

1. con cord ance, heart  6. ex pect ance, look
2. con son ance, sound  7. fragr ance, scent
3. dis cord ance, heart  8. re pugn ance, fist
4. dis son ance, sound  9. sembl ance, similar
5. domin ance, master10. temper ance, time

  1. Concordance. State of being heart with heart; harmony; agreement.

  2. Consonance. State of agreement of sound with sound; tones in unison.

  8. Repugnance. Literally, the state of being disposed to fight (strike) back (with the fist) [obsolete]. Opposition; aversion; dislike.

10. Temperance. State of being well timed (regular in habits) in eating, drinking, sleeping, exercising, etc.

ent = one who, that which.

1. ad her ent, stick  6. in solv ent, loosen
2. ante ced ent, go  7. pre ced ent, go
3. belliger ent, wage war  8. op pon ent, place
4. de pend ent, hang  9. re pell ent, drive
5. equi val ent, power10. tang ent, touch

Note.—The meanings of the above prefixes have frequently been given. Combine the meaning of suffix, root, and prefix, adding other words when necessary, to make definitions. The only word in the list which can give any difficulty is number four, which is explained in the work of seventh year, sixth month, page 35.

ment = mind.

1. mental3. mention
2. comments4. memento
5. demented

1. One's mental powers are the powers of his mind, including intellect, feeling, and will.

2. One's comments on a topic generally reveal to some degree the state of his mind in regard to it.[69]

3. The mention of a thing calls it to mind.

4. A memento is a reminder.

5. A demented person has the powers of his mind impaired.

mit, mitt = send, let go.

1. ad mit, to5. per mit, through
2. com mit, with6. re mit, back
3. e mit, out7. sub mit, under
4. o mit, (ob) by8. trans mit, across

1. A ticket will admit you (let you go) to the entertainment.

2. To place in custody; to entrust with; as to commit a fund to the care of trustees; to commit (send) a prisoner to jail.

3. To send or give out; as, the fountain emits water.

4. To let go by; to neglect; to overlook; as, to omit a fact.

5. A permit will let you go through the factory.

6. To remit is to send (back) value for value received.

7. To give up or let one's self go under the government of another; to yield, or surrender. “Do not submit yourself to insult.”

8. To send (across) from one to another; as, to transmit a message.

norm = rule.

1. norm al, pertaining to3. e normous, out
2. ab normal, from4. enorm ity, state of

1. Pertaining to the usual rule or type; as, his pulse is normal.

2. Deviating from the natural condition, course, or rule; as, an abnormal appetite.

3. Out of the ordinary; not conforming to the usual rule; as the death rate was enormous.

4. The state or quality of being enormous; especially the quality of being extremely bad; as, the enormity of his crime.

pater = father.

1. patern al, pertaining to4. patri cide, kill
2. patri arch, rule5. patri ot, one who
3. patron ize, act of6. patrimony[70]

1. Pertaining to a father; fatherly; as, paternal love.

2. Patriarch. One of the fathers and rulers of a tribe or race; particularly applied to the early tribes of mankind.

3. Patronize. To act like a patron, or one who protects, fosters, or supports some enterprise, as a father looks after those under his care.

4. Patricide. The killing of a father.

5. Patriot. One who loves and supports the institutions of his country somewhat as a father cares for the interests of his family.

6. Patrimony. An inheritance from an ancestor; especially from one's father.

SIXTH MONTH.

fy = to make.

  1. ampli fy, large11. lique fy, liquid
  2. certi fy, certain12. magni fy, large
  3. clari fy, clear13. puri fy, pure
  4. dei fy, god14. rare fy, rare
  5. exempli fy, example15. recti fy, right
  6. falsi fy, false16. terri fy, frighten
  7. forti fy, strong17. testi fy, witness
  8. horri fy, horror18. typi fy, type
  9. identi fy, the same19. veri fy, true
10. justi fy, right20. vivi fy, life

ile = pertaining to, belonging to, capable of, like.

1. ag ile, act  6. juven ile, young
2. duct ile, draw  7. puer ile, child
3. frag ile, break  8. serv ile, serve
4. fert ile, bear  9. vers atile, turn
5. host ile, enemy10. vir ile, man

2. A ductile substance is one which is capable of being drawn into wire.[71]

9. A versatile person is capable of turning readily from one thing to another; manysided.

ine = belonging to, like.

1. aquil ine, eagle  6. fel ine, cat
2. bov ine, cow  7. femin ine, woman
3. can ine, dog  8. mar ine, sea
4. dent ine, tooth  9. mascul ine, male
5. div ine, deity10. sal ine, salt

1. An aquiline nose is one hooked like the beak which belongs to an eagle.

3. The canine teeth are so called because they correspond to those best developed in the dog.

ion = the act of, ing. (In many words ion means that which.)

1. ablut ion, washing away  9. commot ion, move
2. bisect ion, cutting in two10. frict ion, rub
3. expans ion, spreading out11. junct ion, join
4. expuls ion, driving out12. opt ion, choose
5. inspect ion, looking into13. resurrect ion, rising again
6. intercess ion, going between14. secess ion, going aside
7. collect ion, gathering together15. stat ion, stand
8. combust ion, burn16. tens ion, stretch

  1. An ablution is the act of washing away, or cleansing.

15. A station is a standing place for the train.

ite = one who.

1. A Canaanite is one who dwelt in the land of Canaan.

2. A Dowieite is one who is a follower of Dowie.

3. A favorite is one who receives special favor.

4. A hypocrite is one who pretends to be what he is not.

5. An Israelite is one who is a descendant of Israel, or Jacob.

6. A Levite is one who is a descendant of Levi. [72]

port = carry.

1. port able, capable of5. im port, into
2. port folio, leaf6. re port, back
3. port er, one who7. sup port, under
4. ex port, out8. trans port, across
9. port

1. Capable of being carried or moved without difficulty; as, a portable engine.

2. Portfolio. A case or folder in which leaves of loose paper or other stationery may be carried.

3. Porter. Literally, one who carries burdens.

7. Support. To carry or uphold from beneath (under).

9. Port. The manner in which one carries himself.

rupt = break.

1. ab rupt, away5. inter rupt, between
2. bank rupt, bench6. rupt ure, ing
3. dis rupt, apart7. rout
4. e ruption, out8. route

2. At Florence, it is said, a trader or money changer who failed in business had his banca, or money bench, broken; hence, one who is unable to pay his debts is bankrupt.

6. A rupture is a breaking apart; as the rupture of a blood vessel.

7. To break the ranks of, and throw into confusion; as to rout an enemy.

8. Route originally meant a road broken through a new and untraveled section of country. After thus broken it became a way or route for travel.

scribe, script = write.

1. circum scribe, around7. post script, after
2. de scribe, down8. in scription, upon
3. in scribe, in, upon9. scribe
4. pre scribe, before10. scribble
5. sub scribe, under11. script
6. tran scribe, across12. scripture [73]

1. Circumscribe. To draw (write) a bounding line around; hence, to lay down the limits or restrict the action of.

9. A scribe, in Jewish history, was a custodian and writer of the official records of the nation.

10. To scribble is to do hasty or careless writing.

11. Script consists of characters written by hand.

12. Scripture. The sacred writings of any people.

spec, spect = look, see, view.

1. a spect, (ad) toward  6. pro spect, before
2. circum spect, around  7. retro spect, backward
3. ex pect, out  8. spectat or, one who
4. in spect, into  9. sus pect, under
5. per spective, through10. spectacle
11. spectacles

  1. The appearance of a thing as viewed (looked toward or at) by the eye or mind; as, a stern aspect; the southern aspect of a house.

  2. Looking around in all directions, as against danger or error. “Of all these circumstances, the slow, circumspect eye of the master took cognizance one by one.”

  5. Perspective. That which is seen through an opening or vista. The effect of distance upon the appearance of objects.

  9. Suspect. To underlook; to imagine or infer that appearances misrepresent; hence one who suspects is inclined to look beneath the surface.

10. Spectacle. Something exhibited to be looked at, especially if it be held worthy of unusual notice.

SEVENTH MONTH.

ory = place where.

1. arm ory, arms  6. manufact ory, hand made
2. deposit ory, put away  7. observ atory, observe
3. dorm itory, sleep  8. prepar atory, to make ready
4. fact ory, make  9. reform atory, form again
5. laborat ory, work10. terr itory, land [74]

  1. An armory is a place where arms and other instruments of war are kept.

  2. A depository is a place where things are or may be put away for safe keeping.

  5. A laboratory is, literally, a place for labor; particularly a place for scientific experimentation.

  6. A manufactory was formerly so called because it named a place where things were made by hand. The first part of the word is now generally omitted, and appropriately so, because a small part of the work in a factory is done by hand.

10. Territory is extent of land belonging to or ruled by the government. Literally it means a place where there is land.

ous = having, consisting of, full of, pertaining to.

1. amphi bi ous, double + life  9. homo gene ous, like + kind
2. aque ous, water10. im per vi ous, no + through + way
3. bili ous, bile11. numer ous, number
4. clamor ous, to cry out12. preci ous, price, value
5. decidu ous, fall13. pre coci ous, early + ripe
6. furi ous, rage14. ponder ous, weigh
7. greg arious, flock15. pre poster ous, before + after
8. hetero gene ous, other + kind16. viv acious, life

  1. Living both on land and in water. “Seals of amphibious nature, are either for the land or water.”

  2. Pertaining to, or containing water; as, an aqueous vapor.

  3. A state of ill health due to a disordered condition of the liver, the gland which secretes bile.

  4. Consisting of loud and repeated outcries or noise; as, a clamorous crowd.

  5. The leaves of deciduous trees fall once a year.

  8. Consisting of unlike elements or ingredients of different (other) kinds.

13. Having the mental faculties prematurely developed; as, a precocious child.[75]

15. Contrary to nature, reason, or common sense. Originally, preposterous meant having the after part before.

ulent = full of.

1. corp ulent, body4. succ ulent, juice
2. fraud ulent, fraud5. esc ulent, food
3. op ulent, wealth6. vir ulent, poison

1. A corpulent person is one who has an excess of fat; hence, literally speaking, is full of body.

4. Succulent plants are full of juice; as, the stalk of the sugar cane.

5. Esculent plants are those suitable for food (literally, full of food).

“Every lover of that invaluable esculent (the potato) has reason to remember with gratitude the settlers of Londonderry.”—Whittier.

ure = act or state of, that which.

  1. capt ure, take11. pict ure, paint
  2. depart ure, from + part12. pleas ure, please
  3. en clos ure, within + shut13 post ure, place
  4. fixt ure, fasten14. pro ced ure, forward + go
  5. fract ure, break15. rapt ure, carry away
  6. gest ure, act, do16. script ure, write
  7. junct ure, join17. signat ure, mark or sign
  8. manu fact ure, hand + make18. sut ure, sew
  9. overt ure, open19. text ure, weave
10. past ure, feed20. verd ure, green

y = state of being, full of, consisting or made of.

1. bloody7. fleshy13. guilty19. rosy
2. dewy8. frosty14. hardy20. sandy
3. dressy9. fussy15. hoary21. shady
4. curly10. gaudy16. lofty22. spunky
5. faulty11. gloomy17. marshy23. thirsty
6. filthy12. grassy18. rainy24. wealthy [76]

While the above words serve to illustrate the use of y as a suffix, to analyze them would not be profitable. On account of their simplicity no illustrations are needed to show their use, and no definitions; in fact, there are no words simpler on which to base definitions.

The eight words following, which end in y, can, however, be analyzed with profit:

1. an arch y, without + rule5. ob loqu y, against + speak
2. a path y, without + feel6. poly gam y, many + marriage
3. aut ops y, self + see7. sym path y, together + feel
4. col loqu y, together + speak8. sym phon y, together + sound

tort, tors = twist, wring, wrest.

1. con tort, together5. torch
2. dis tort, aside6. tor ment, that which
3. ex tort, out7. tortoise
4. re tort, back8. tort ure, that which

1. To twist together; to turn awry. “A form contorted and misshapen from that which nature gave.”

2. To twist aside; to twist out of shape; to wrest from the true meaning. “For gold the hireling judge distorts the laws.”

3. To wring or wrest out of or away from; to get by force or by taking unfair advantage. “'Till the injurious Romans did extort this tribute from us, we were free.”

4. To bend, twist or turn back. A retort is a short and pointed reply turned back on an assailant. A retort tube is one twisted or bent back at one end.

5. The torch is so called because the wick is twisted like a rope.

6. Torment comes from tormentum, a machine (engine) for throwing stones to inflict torture.

7. The tortoise is so called because of its twisted or crooked feet.

8. Wringing pain; anguish of body or mind. “In ancient Greece, torture was never employed except in case of treason”.[77]

tract = draw.

1. abs tract, away  8. re tract, back
2. at tract, to  9. re treat, back
3. con tract, together10. sub tract, under
4. de tract, from11. trace
5. dis tract, apart12. tract able, capable of
6. ex tract, out13. trail
7. pro tract, forward14. train

  1. To draw away; to consider apart. “In truth the object and sensation are the same thing and cannot be abstracted from each other.”

  2. To draw to or toward. A magnet attracts iron filings.

  3. To draw together or closer. Heat expands and cold contracts.

  4. To draw away from. To take away a part of something, especially from one's credit. “Should I detract his worth, 'twould argue want of merit in myself.”

  5. To draw apart or away. The attention is distracted when it is drawn apart from the thing in hand.

  6. To draw out, to withdraw. Honey is sometimes extracted from the honeycomb and the comb replaced in the beehive.

  7. To draw forward; to extend or prolong; as, “England desired not to protract the war.”

  8. To draw back; to take back what has been said. When one finds he has said a hasty thing he would do well to retract it.

  9. To draw back, as from an enemy. “Come, shepherd, let us make an honorable retreat.”

10. To draw away; as apart from the whole. Literally to draw away from under, or in an underhanded way, as by stealth. The word is very seldom used literally.

11. A trace is one of the tugs or straps by which a vehicle is drawn.[78]

12. A tractable child is one which can be easily led or drawn.

13. Trail means to draw along, or what is drawn.

14. A train consists of cars drawn by a locomotive.

ven, vent = come.

1. ad vent, to  6. e vent, out
2. ad vent ure, upon  7. inter vention, between
3. a venue, to  8. in vent, upon
4. con vene, together  9. re venue, back
5. circum vent, around10. pre vent, before

  1. A coming or arrival of any important event or personage. The advent of summer. An Adventist is one who makes the second personal coming of Christ a special feature in his doctrine.

  2. An adventure is a stirring experience, come upon, as it were, suddenly and unexpectedly.

  3. That which comes to a certain place. Formerly an avenue was a roadway bordered with trees which comes to a residence.

  4. To come together. “The household fowls convene.”

  5. To circumvent an individual is to gain an advantage over him in a secret and round about (coming around) way.

  6. The outcome of an occurrence; as, “In that event all will be right.” “Marriage is the principal event for good or evil in all lives.”

  7. The act of coming between persons or objects; especially interference with the acts of others.

  8. To come upon; to find out or discover.

  9. Revenue is that which comes back, as from an investment; income from all forms of one's property.

10. To stop or hinder from happening by means of previous measures. Originally prevent meant to come before; as in Matt. xvii:25: “When Peter was come into the house, Jesus prevented him.[79]

vers, vert = turn.

1. ad verse, to (against)10. in vert, into
2. ad vers ity, state of11. per verse, thoroughly
3. ad vert, to12. re verse, back
4. ad vert ise, act of13. trans verse, across
5. a vers ion, away14. versat ile, capable of
6. a vert, away15. vers ion, that which
7. di verse, apart16. vertex
8. di version, aside17. vertigo
9. di vorce, apart18. vortex

  1. Turned against; antagonistic. Adverse winds. “Error is adverse to human happiness.”

  2. State of adverse fortune; a condition of calamity, distress, or unhappiness. “Ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all adversities.”

  3. To turn the mind or attention to; as, “I will only advert to some leading points in the argument.”—Emerson.

  4. To advertise an article is to cause the public to turn attention to it.

  5. A turning away from. “Adhesion to vice and aversion to goodness.”

  6. To turn away or aside. “Till ardent prayer averts the public woe.”

  7. Diverse ways are different ways—they turn apart.

  8. The act of turning aside from a course; as the diversion of the mind from study.

  9. A judgment or decree dissolving marriage, and thus turning husband and wife apart from each other.

10. To turn into another position; as, upside down, inside out, end for end, etc.

11. A perverse inclination is one thoroughly wrong or turned from the right.

12. To turn back; as to reverse an engine.

13. A transverse beam is one turned across others.[80]

14. Capable of moving or turning around; as a versatile spindle; turning with ease from one thing to another; many sided; as, a versatile writer.

15. That which is translated (or turned) from another language; as, the King James version of the Bible.

16. The highest point, peak, or summit. Literally the turning point.

17. A turning or whirling around; dizziness or giddiness.

“That old vertigo in his head
Will never leave him till he's dead.”

18. A whirlpool. (Vortex is another form of vertex.)

EIGHTH MONTH.

ic = pertaining to.

  1. aqua tic, water11. lyr ic, lyre, harp
  2. arc tic, bear12. metal lic, metal
  3. barbar ic, foreign; uncivilized13. metr ic, measure
  4. chron ic, time14. numer ic, number
  5. civ ic, citizen15. op tic, eye
  6. dom estic, house16. pan ic, Pan
  7. epi dem ic, upon + people17. phon ic, sound
  8. erra tic, wander18. publ ic, people
  9. Homer ic, Homer19. rust ic, country
10. luna tic, moon20. techn ic, art, trade

  2. Arctic means, literally, pertaining to the northern constellations called the Great and Little Bears; hence pertaining to the north polar regions.

  8. Erratic means wandering from the proper or usual course in opinion or conduct.

  9. Homeric means relating to Homer, the great epic poet of ancient Greece, or to the poetry which he wrote.

10. A lunatic is one who is periodically insane, with intervals of sanity (as if affected by the moon).[81]

11. Lyric poetry is that which is adapted to the lyre or harp; fit to be sung to an accompaniment.

16. Panic means sudden or groundless fright, such as was said to have been caused by Pan, the god of pastures and forests.

ise, (ize) = make, do, cause.

  1. ad vert ise, to + turn13. equalize
  2. critic ise, judge14. generalize
  3. familiar ize, family15. harmonize
  4. fertil ize, bear, produce16. humanize
  5. leg alize, law17. idolize
  6. re cogn ize, again + know18. magnetize
  7. sym path ize, with + feel19. modernize
  8. tan tal ize, Tantalus20. naturalize
  9. agonize21. organize
10. brutalize22. realize
11. civilize23. systematize
12. crystallize24. tyrannize

1. A merchant when he advertises goods hopes thereby to cause people to turn their attention to them.

2. To criticise is to (make) pass judgment upon.

3. To familiarize means, literally, to make as one of the family, to become intimate with.

4. Ground is fertilized when it is caused to produce more abundantly.

5. Any conduct is legalized when it is made lawful.

6. We recognize a person when we know him again; as, one whom we have known before.

7. To sympathize is to feel with another.

8. Tantalize is derived from Tantalus, a Phyrgian king who, according to Greek mythology, was punished in the lower world by being placed in a lake of pure water up to his chin, while there hung over him luscious fruit, the fruit and the water receding whenever he sought to satisfy his hunger or[82] thirst. Hence tantalize means to tease or torment by presenting something desirable to the view and frustrating expectation by keeping it out of reach.

Words 9 to 24 may be defined in a simple and satisfactory manner by using some meaning of the suffix ize in the definition with the first part of the word; thus, agonize means to cause to have agony.

ist = one who.

  1. agri cultur ist, field + culture11. journ alist, day
  2. an arch ist, without + rule12. jur ist, right
  3. art ist, art13. loy alist, law
  4. a the ist, without + god14. oc ulist, eye
  5. botan ist, plant15. optim ist, best
  6. de ist, god16. pessim ist, worst
  7. dent ist, tooth17. re viv alist, again + life
  8. flor ist, flower18. roy alist, king
  9. ge olog ist, earth + science19. sci entist, knowledge
10. hypno tist, sleep20. somn ambul ist, sleep + walk

  4. An atheist is one who is without belief in a personal God.

  6. A deist is one who believes in God but denies revealed religion.

15. An optimist is one who holds the opinion that all events are ordered for the best.

16. A pessimist is one who has a disposition to take the least hopeful (worst) view of things; one who believes that the ultimate tendency of the world is toward evil and not good.

oid = having the form of, shaped like.

1. aster oid, star4. spher oid, sphere
2. dent oid, tooth5. typh oid, cloud, stupor
3. ethm oid, sieve6. variol oid, various [83]

meter, metr = measure.

1. anemo meter, wind  8. hydro meter, water
2. baro meter, weight  9. lacto meter, milk
3. chrono meter, time10. metr ic, pertaining to
4. dia meter, across11. penta meter, five
5. gas ometer, gas12. peri meter, around
6. ge ometer, earth13. thermo meter, heat
7. hexa meter, six14. tri gon ometry, three + angle

  1. The anemometer is an instrument for measuring the force and velocity of the wind.

  2. The barometer measures the weight of the atmosphere, and thus aids in determining the indications of the weather.

  3. A chronometer is an instrument for measuring time. Specifically, it is a large and very accurate watch for use in astronomical observations.

  6. Geometry literally means earth measure. It treats of the measurement of surfaces, and is therefore applied in the measurement of land.

  7. The hexameter in poetry is a measure having six poetic feet to the line.

  8. The hydrometer is used for measuring the specific gravity of water and other liquids.

  9. The lactometer is used for measuring the purity and richness of milk.

10. The metric system of weights and measures is one in which the meter is the unit of measure.

12. The perimeter is the measure around a body or figure.

14. Trigonometry treats of measurements based on the triangle (three angles).

phon = sound.

1. eu phony, well4. phono graph, write
2. phon etic, pertaining to5. sym phony, with
3. phon ic, pertaining to6. tele phone, far [84]

polis = city.

1. acro polis, high, upper5. metro polis, mother
2. Anna polis, Ann6. Minne apolis, Minne
3. Constantin ople, Constanine7. police
4. Indiana polis, Indiana8. politics

1. The acropolis was the upper part of a Grecian city. It commanded a view of the surrounding country.

2. Named for Queen Ann.

3. A contraction of Constantinopolis. Named for Constantine.

4. Indiana means, literally, the land of the Indians. Indianapolis means city of Indiana.

5. The metropolis is the chief, or mother city, of the state or country.

6. The city of Minne (haha).

7. A police force is a body of civil officers in a city organized for its protection.

8. Politics is the science of government in state or city.

scop = view.

1. horo scope, hour3. micro scope, small
2. kaleido scope, beautiful + form4. stereo scope, solid
5. tele scope, far

1. The horoscope is an instrument for viewing the heavens at the hour of one's birth, by which the astrologers professed to foretell the events of a person's life.

2. The kaleidoscope is an optical instrument in which an endless variety of beautiful patterns or forms may be viewed by changing its position.

4. The stereoscope is an instrument, with two eye glasses, for giving to pictures the appearance of solid forms as seen in nature.[85]


PART TWO

Letters, Sounds, Syllables, Words, Principles
of Pronunciation, and Rules of Spelling.


SEVENTH YEAR.

(First Month.)

TERMS TO BE DEFINED.

An ELEMENTARY SOUND is the simplest sound of spoken language.

There are forty-four elementary sounds in the English language. As there are only twenty-six letters in the alphabet some letters represent more than one sound. Certain marks or distinguishing characters used with the letters to indicate the various sounds are called DIACRITICAL MARKS.

Phonotypy is a method of representing each of the elementary sounds by a distinct printed character or letter.

The VOCALS or TONICS are those elementary sounds made by an unmodified or uninterrupted tone of the voice; as ā, ĕ.

The SUBVOCALS or SUBTONICS are those elementary sounds made by the tone of the voice modified by the organs of speech, making an undertone; as b, d, g, r.

The ASPIRATES or ATONICS are those elementary sounds made by merely breathing modified by the organs of speech; sometimes called breath sounds; as p, t, s.[86]

TABLE OF ELEMENTARY SOUNDS.
[From Swett's Normal Word Book.]

I. Vocals.

a ā-le, āi-m
ä ä-lms, ä-rt
a̤-ll, b-a̤-ll
ă ă-n, m-ă-n
â c̵-â-re, â-ir
ȧ ȧ-sk, f-ȧ-st
ē ē-ve, b-ē
ě ě-nd, m-ě-n
h-ẽ-r, ẽ-rr
ī, ȳ ī-ce, b-ȳ
ĭ, y̆ ĭ-t, h-y̆-mn
ō ō-ld, n-ō
ǒ ǒ-n, n-ǒ-t
o̤, o͞o m-o̤-ve, m-o͞o-n
ū ū-se, m-ū-şe
ǔ ǔ-p, b-ǔ-t
û û-rge, b-û-rn
ụ, o͝o f-ụ-ll, w-o͝o-l
oi, oy oi-l, b-oy
ou, ow ou-t, ow-l

II. Subvocals.

b b-i-b, b-a-be
d d-i-d, d-ea-d
ḡ-i-ḡ, ḡ-a-ḡ
j j-ar, j-et
l l-u-ll, te-ll
m m-ai-m, c̵a-me
n n-u-n, n-o-ne
ng, ṉ ri-ng, i-ṉ-k
r r-oa-r, r-ea-r
th th-ese, wi-th
v val-ue, v-ain
w w-ell, w-eb
y y-es, y-et
z z-one, z-est
zh, z a-z´-ure, sei-z´-ure

III. Aspirates.

ff-i-fe, o-ff
hh-at, h-ome
kk-ite, k-ill
pp-i-pe, to-p
ss-un, s-ame
tt-en-t, t-ar-t
chch-ur-ch, ch-ild
shsh-all, wi-sh
thth-in, th-ree
whwh-ere, wh-y

Note.—The foregoing forty-four sounds are those most[87] employed in the English language. Some of these sounds are represented by other letters, as shown in the following:

IV.—Table of Equivalents.
[Dictionary Work—Metcalf & DeGarmo.]

CHAR.EQUIV.CHAR. EQUIV.CHAR. EQUIV.
ē = īĭ = y̆ī = ȳ
ẽ = ĩ = ûŭ = ȯoi = oy
ā = ̱e ou = ow
â = ê ū = ew
ô = ̤a (broad a)ŏ = ạ 
o̤ = o͞o = ṳọ = o͝o = ụ 
 
CHAR. EQUIV.CHAR.EQUIV.CHAR. EQUIV.
j = ġ (soft)k = c̵ = ̵chṉ = ng
g = ḡ (hard)f = phx = ks
z = ṣ̱s = ç (cedilla c)x̄ = gz
 sh = çh 

Cognate sounds are such as are produced by the same organs of speech in a similar position. The cognates are in pairs, as follows: Vowels: ā ĕ, ē ĭ, â ă, ä ȧ, a̤ ŏ, û ŭ, ōō o͝o; consonants: g´ k, b p, d t, j ch, th th, v f, z s.

[Second Month.]
LETTERS.

A LETTER is a mark or character used to represent a sound,—usually an elementary sound.

An ALPHABET is an orderly arrangement of all the letters of a language.

The NUMBER OF LETTERS in the different alphabets vary, as follows: English 26, Arabic 28, French 25, German 26, Greek 24, Hebrew 22, Italian 21, Russian 33, Spanish 27, Sanskrit 49. The Chinese have no alphabet, but about 20,000 syllabic characters.

The POWER OF A LETTER is the elementary sound for which it stands.[88]

Letters as to form are either script or print.

There are many different STYLES OF LETTERS; as, Roman, Italic, Old English, and Script.

As to SIZE letters are both capital and lower case.

[Third Month.]
VOWELS.

A VOWEL sound is a free and uninterrupted sound of the voice. The vowel sounds are formed by the voice modified, but not interrupted, by the various positions of the tongue and lips.

A CONSONANT sound is an articulate sound made by the obstructed voice, and which in utterance is usually combined with a vowel sound.

There is no absolute division between vowels and consonants. Certain vowels are so open as to be only vowels, certain consonants are so close as to be only consonants; but there are yet others which have the value now of vowels and now of consonants; as, i, u, w, and y.

Y as a vowel is a substitute for i, and i is a consonant as a substitute for y. W and y are vowels: (1) When they end words or syllables, (2) when they are not followed by a vowel in the same syllable, (3) when they are followed by a silent vowel in the same syllable. W and y are consonants when they begin words or syllables and are immediately followed by a vowel. I is a consonant when it represents the consonant y, as in alien. U is a consonant when it represents the consonant w, as in quick, language.”—Irish's Orthography.

A DIPHTHONG is produced by running together two vowel sounds in the same syllable.

A diphthong is PROPER if both the vowels are sounded; as o and i in boil.

An IMPROPER DIPHTHONG or DIGRAPH is merely a collection[89] of two vowels in the same syllable, of which only one is sounded; as in rain, teach.

The diphthongs in the following words are all that are in common use, viz.: toil, toy, sound, cow, peal, oil, audible, awning, say, seine, people, feud, obey, eschew, believe, loan, hoe, hue, juice. Of these oi, oy, ou, and ow are the only proper diphthongs.

A TRIPHTHONG is produced by running together three vowel sounds in the same syllable.

A triphthong is PROPER if all three of the vowels are sounded. (But there are no proper triphthongs that I know of.)

A triphthong is IMPROPER or is called a TRIGRAPH if one or two of the three vowels is silent; as in adieu, beauty.

[Fourth Month.]
CONSONANTS.

Consonants are divided on three different bases; as follows:

I. Mutes and SEMIVOWELS.

The mutes represent an explosive sound, and are so called because the mouth organs are closed just before the sound is uttered and the voice is momentarily mute.

The four subvocals b, d, j, g, and their cognates, p, t, ch, and k, are generally classed as mutes. Pronounce them and see if they do not represent explosive sounds.

All other consonants are semivowels, and are pronounced with a continuous sound. The sound may be continued so long as the breath lasts; but in the case of mutes the sound must stop with the explosive utterance.

II. The SUBVOCALS and ASPIRATES are shown in the vertical columns of the table below. The subvocals are sometimes called voice consonants and the aspirates breath consonants. These are fit terms, for they indicate the basis of classification.

III. Labials, LINGUA-DENTALS, and PALATALS constitute a classification of the consonants with respect to the place[90] of formation. Bead the table from left to right. The lips have most to do with making the labial sounds; the lingua-dentals are formed at the point of the tongue in contact with the teeth, the palatals between the tongue and hard and soft palate.

Consonant Table.

 Subvocals.
(Voice.)
 Aspirates.
(Breath.)
Labials.
(Lips.)
{b.....................  p
v.....................  f
w.....................wh
m 
 
Lingua-
Dentals.
(Point of
tongue.)
{d.....................  t
z.....................  s
th(sonant)......(non-sonant) th
l 
n 
r 
 
Palatals.
(Between
tongue
and
palate.)
{zh.....................sh
j.....................ch
g.....................  k
y 
h 
ng 

EIGHTH YEAR.

[First Month.]
SYLLABLES.

Syllable literally means taken together.

A SPOKEN SYLLABLE is an elementary sound, or a combination of elementary sounds, uttered together, or with a single impulse of the voice. It constitutes a word or a part of a word.

A WRITTEN or printed syllable is a part of a word separated[91] from the rest, and capable of pronunciation by a single impulse of the voice.

As to where a word shall be divided in making it into syllables depends upon the PURPOSE OF SYLLABICATION. When the purpose is to show the derivation the division is made with reference to the component parts (roots, prefixes, and suffixes); but if the purpose is to indicate correct pronunciation, the result may be very different. For illustration, the following words are divided, first, to show derivation: abs-tract, bene-vol-ent, pre-de-cess-or, e-duc-ate, phon-o-typ-y, pro-gress, e-lig-ible; and, second, to indicate correct pronunciation: ab-stract, be-nev-o-lent, pred-e-ces-sor, ed-u-cate, pho-not-y-py, prog-ress, el-i-gi-ble.

While in the illustrations here given the syllables formed for one purpose are very different from those formed for the other, yet in the majority of words the resulting syllables are the same whether divided for one purpose or for the other.

In the United States the prevailing purpose of syllabication is to indicate pronunciation.

The ULTIMATE syllable of a word is the last (ultimus = last); the PENULTIMATE is next to the last (pen = almost); the ANTEPENULTIMATE is the third from the last (literally, before almost the last); the PREANTEPENULTIMATE is the fourth from the last (literally, before the one that is before the one almost last).

[Second Month.]
ACCENT.

Accent is stress of voice on a particular syllable in pronouncing a word.

In long words two, and sometimes three, syllables are accented. But one syllable is always accented more strongly than the others are. The stronger accent is called the PRIMARY accent, the weaker is called the SECONDARY. Thus, in am´ mu ni´ tion the primary accent falls on the third syllable and the secondary on the first.[92]

The “PRINCIPLES” which govern the placing of accent are complicated. The International Dictionary says there are no principles by which to determine the accent in English. Another high authority says: “All attempts to assign rules for the place of the accent in English only serve to render the subject hopelessly intricate and confounded.”

There are, however, certain tendencies which mature pupils might profitably consider, but the limited scope of this book will not permit me to attempt to set them forth.

In the words of the following list the accent changes with a change of meaning. When nouns or adjectives these words are accented on the first syllable; when verbs, on the second:

abstractcontrastfermentprefix
accentconverseforecastpresent
compoundconvictfrequentproduce
conflictdesertincenseproject
concertescortinsultrecord
contractexportpermitsurvey

[Third Month.]
WORDS.

A WORD is a sign of an idea. It may be either spoken or written.

A PRIMITIVE, OR ROOT, word is one not derived from any other word of the language; as, fix, strike, man.

A DERIVATIVE is a word formed from a primitive by changing it internally, or by adding a prefix or suffix; as, men, suffix, strikers.

A SIMPLE WORD is a single word. It may be either primitive or derivative.

A COMPOUND WORD is a combination of two or more simple words; as, buck-saw, well-behaved, school-room.

A word of one syllable is a monosyllable (mono = one); of two syllables, a dissyllable (dis = two); of three syllables, a[93] trisyllable (tri = three); of three or more syllables, a polysyllable (poly = many).

The ROOT of a word is its fundamental or elementary part which carries the primitive notion or significance with it, without prefix or suffix; as, ge (earth), graph (write), vol (wish).

A PREFIX is a significant syllable joined to the beginning of a word; as, autograph, circumvent, amphitheater.

A SUFFIX is a significant syllable joined to the end of a word; as, man ly, fert ile, ment ion.

AFFIX is a general term for prefixes and suffixes; it may be applied to either or to both together.

SEVENTH YEAR.

[Fifth Month.]
SILENT LETTERS.

Silent letters have at least four uses:

1. To modify sounds of other letters in the same syllable.

Drop final silent e from such words as the following and note the effect on the sound of the other vowel in the same syllable: bare, pure, ripe, lame.

2. To indicate pronunciation.

In the four words last given, for illustration, the pronunciation changes when the final silent e is dropped.

Another class of words ending in ce and ge retain the final silent e on adding a suffix beginning with a or o to preserve the soft sound of c and g, and with it the correct pronunciation of the word; as, serviceable, noticeable, changeable, courageous.

3. To show the meaning of words.

Illustrations: clime, climb, plumb, belle, butt, dyeing, singeing, guilt, damn.

4. To show the derivation of words.

Numerous illustrations are found in words derived from[94] the Greek. In chronic, and chronology, the h is silent, but serves to indicate that the root of those words is identical with the Greek root chron, which means time. Similarly the g in gnostic, the e in eulogy, p in pneumonia, the h in chromatic.

In honour and favour u is silent, and therefore a useless letter, so far as sound is concerned. The u signifies that the word came to us through the French, instead of directly from the Latin. The question is, whether we shall go to the trouble of writing the extra letter in a large class of such words for the sake of the historical association. Perhaps one in a thousand would choose to do so, but others of us are more intent on saving time and ink. When the spelling reform idea becomes operative with English speaking people, a great many silent letters will go the way of the u in labour, favour, and the like.

The following are some of the numerous classes of silent letters together with the principle found to be operative through them.

[Sixth Month.]

E final is silent when preceded by another vowel in the same syllable.”

changesenseadverseChinesecondense
bracequitebadeopposedeceive
forcescribeburlesqueembracemachine
creasemeasurecanineemergeendorse
ceaseabsolvecapriceexamineadvise

[Seventh Month.]

B is usually silent before t or after m in the same syllable.”

lambtombnumbdebtbomb
combthumbdumbdoubtcrumb
limb climbplumbredoubtjamb [95]

[Eighth Month.]

C is silent before k in the same syllable. C is silent in czar, victuals, muscle, corpuscle, indict, and Connecticut.”

backdecklackstackPatrick
buckduckhackstickreckon
burdockchicklucksuckthicken
clockclicklickbeckonCossack

EIGHTH YEAR.

[First Month.]

D is silent before g in the same syllable.”

edgehedgeridgelodgemisjudge
wedgebudgebridgesledgejudgment
pledgedrudgefudgebegrudgelodgment

[Second Month.]

G is silent before m or n in the same syllable.”

phlegmmaligngnawcampaigngnash
arraignparadigmfeignforeigngnu
benigndiaphragmreigndesignseignior
resigngnatassigngnarlconsign

[Third Month.]

H is silent when it follows g or r in the same syllable.”

ghostmyrrhrheumatismrhapsodyrhinoceros
aghasthemorrhagerhymerhythmRhine
gherkinrhubarbrhombusrhomboidcatarrh

[Fourth Month.]

K is silent before n in the same syllable.”

knackkneelknotknap sackknob
knaveknifeknockknowledgeknucks
kneadknightknollknuckleknarl
kneeknitknowknellknout [96]

[Fifth Month.]

N final after l or m is silent.”

hymncontemnsolemnlimndamn
kilncondemncolumnautumn 

[Sixth Month.]

T is silent before ch in the same syllable.”

hitchpitchmatchnotchcatch
kitchenbotchhatchscratchpatch
latchDutchwatchMitchellsatchel
thatchditchwitchbatchScotch

[Seventh Month.]

W is silent before r in the same syllable.”

wrestlewrenwristwritingwreak
wrongwrotewreckwrestwrit
wringwraithawrywritewrought
wrathwretchwreathwrinklewrangle

[Eighth Month.]

Gh is always silent after i and, when not a substitute for f or k, is also silent after au and ou.”

sightplightweighfraughtthrough
lightwrightweightcaughtalthough
fightheightfreightthoughtslaughter
mightwightaughtdaughterlaughter

SEVENTH YEAR.
PRINCIPLES OF PRONUNCIATION WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.

[Sixth Month.]

A constituting or ending an unaccented syllable is short Italian a.”

againAmericabananafatalitypapa
alasamusecaninefatigueparasol
algebraapparatusChinalapelpica
alkaliareadatamassacresacrament
amassarenadramaornamentvalise [97]

[Seventh Month.]

E constituting or ending a syllable is long.”

depotmementoobediencereallysociety
eventmuseumpenalrecesssuperior
felinenauseaprecedenceresourcetheater
frequentnegroprecisesacrilegioustheology
mechanicnotorietypretensesecretaryveto

[Eighth Month.]

O constituting or ending a syllable is long.”

brokenexplosivemelodeonpoemspoken
chosengondolamelodypolicetobacco
compositionlicoriceopenpotatotrophy
coquetlocationopponentpromotionzodiac
cupolalocustpantomimeprovisozoölogy

EIGHTH YEAR.

[Fourth Month.]

I constituting or ending an unaccented syllable, not initial, is always short, and is usually short even in initial syllables, if unaccented.”

dividetiradesentinelfidelityresidence
directintimatecontinentdigestlevity
financeindivisibledefensiblehilariousreticent
imitateequidistantpredicatemaritimereticule
piazzanobilityfinanceinvitationdirection

In the initial syllables i, bi, chi, cli, cri, pri, tri, however, i is generally long.

ideabiologyclimaticprimevaltripod
idleChinesecriteriontriangulartriune
isothermalchirographybiennialbinomialpriority [98]

[Fifth Month.]

E before terminal n should always be silent in participles, and also in most other words.

givenstolenriddenbiddenforsaken
takenprovenshakenwovengotten
brokendrivenwrittenshavenrisen
spokenfrozenarisenchiddensmitten
fallenhiddenbeateneatenstricken

also

heavenoakenhappenburdenleaven
oftenleadensevengardenbrazen
widengoldenevenelevenchristen

But in the following words e should be sounded:

hyphenchickenmartenlichensudden
lindenlinenglutenmittenaspen

E should also be sounded in any word (not a participle) in which terminal en is immediately preceded by l, m, n, or r.

womenEllenHelenomenpollen
barrenlinenwoolenAllenWarren

[Sixth Month.]

E before terminal l should usually be sounded.”

Abelmodelmorselcancelmarvel
leveltravelrebelgravelbarrel
nickelappareltowelchannelkennel
chapelcitaderevelMabellibel
camellaurelbevelfunnelparcel

But in the following words and in their derivatives e before terminal l should not be sounded:

easelweaselravelmantelshekel
navelchattelshriveldrivelsnivel
shovelgrovelmusselhazelteasel [99]

[Seventh Month.]

“In most words i before terminal l or n should be sounded.”

Latinvigilanvilgoblincoffin
cavilcabincouncilrosinorigin
javelinpencilaxilassassintranquil
resin bobbinviolinperilmoccasin
retailsatinutensilpistildaffodil

In the following words i should not be sounded:

devilbasinevilcousinweevilraisin

[Eighth Month.]

I accented in most words from the French has the sound of long e.”

piquequarantinepolicecritiqueunique
machineroutineravineregimeintrigue
capricesuitevaliseBastile magazine
guillotinefatigueantique  

SEVENTH YEAR.
RULES OF SPELLING.

Many people think that rules of spelling are of no value, because they are hard to remember and because of numerous exceptions. This is certainly true of a great many such rules (and there are a great many); but three or four of these rules apply to so many words difficult to spell, and they have such a small number of exceptions that they are well worth while. Several hundred words are spelled according to the first rule given below. The rule itself is short, and all of the exceptions could be learned “for keeps” by a pupil in an hour. But pupils must have drill in applying the rules or they may be able to repeat the rules perfectly and glibly and not be able to spell the words coming under them.

Since the rule given for the work of the first month, seventh year, and that given for the second month, are counterparts,[100] each of the other, I prefer to take them together. Knowing that “silent final e is dropped when a suffix beginning with a vowel is added”, we naturally infer its counterpart, viz.: “Silent final e is retained when a suffix beginning with a consonant is added.

To bring about the necessary drill and insure attention to the application of the rule, I suggest that a class of pupils, reciting by turns, spell at least twenty-five words according to the following model. [The words are on the board in this form: love + able, care + less.]

“The suffix able begins with the vowel a; therefore when it is added to the word love the final silent e is dropped, and the word is spelled lovable.” Or,

“The suffix less begins with the consonant l; therefore, when it is added to the word care the final silent e is not dropped, and the word is spelled careless.”

Words to be spelled according to this model should be mixed,—those in which the suffix to be added begins with a vowel mixed with those in which the suffix begins with a consonant. Exceptions ought to be thrown into the mixture, and when a pupil comes to an exception, he can proceed according to the model, concluding with, “but this word is an exception to the rule”.

Fifty words are here given to illustrate this rule, but pupils who want to do thorough work should spell several such fifties.

[First Month.]

love–ableadventure–ousdecide–ing
care–lesschange–ingice–berg
blame–ableextreme–lyhouse–keeper
achieve–mentfickle–nessidle–ness
brake–manfdore–castexcite–ment
cure–ablecompare–ableconsole–able
discourage–mentcontinue–allyendure–ance
[101]prove–ablecontrive–anceamaze–ment
move–ableguide–ancefierce–ness
acquire–ingforgive–nesspeace–ful
else–wherehate–fuldeface–ment
enlarge–mentbelieve–ingdisgrace–ful
admire–ableconverse–edblue–ish
abide–inghedge–hoglodge–ing
advertise–mentachieve–ingamuse–ment
eye–browhoarse–nessdine–ing
pursue–ingargue–ingrevenge–ful

EXCEPTIONS.

Words ending in ce and ge retain the e when a suffix beginning with a or o is added.

changeablechallengeablepronounceable
exchangeable peaceableadvantageous
chargeableserviceableoutrageous
manageabletraceablecourageous
marriageablenoticeablevengeance

OTHER EXCEPTIONS.

hoeingsingeingseernurslingtruly
shoeingtingeingseeingloathsomeduty
toeingfreeingagreeableawfulwisdom
dyeingfleeingmileagedulywholly

Five other exceptions, to be remembered together: argument, judgment, lodgment, abridgment, acknowledgment.

The exceptions here given, which are practically all of the exceptions to this rule, should be reviewed until they cannot be forgotten. The value of the rule depends much on a thorough committal of the exceptions.

[Third Month.]

Rule II: “When a suffix is added to a word ending in y, preceded by a consonant, the y is changed to i, unless the suffix begins with i.”

Model for drill on this rule (supply + ed, display + ed are written on the board):[102]

“The y in supply is preceded by a consonant, therefore, when the suffix ed is added the y is changed to i and the word is spelled, supplied.” Or,

“The y in display is preceded by a vowel, therefore when the suffix ed is added the y is not changed, and the word is spelled, displayed.”

carry + edstudy + es espy + edjuicy + est
hurry + esdestroy + ed deny + inghomely + est
marry + ingpity + ingsurvey + edpity + ful
decay + edpity + lessemploy + ingrally + es
annoy + sjoy + lessnoisy + estpretty + est
copy + edcity + esmighty + erpity + able

EXCEPTIONS.

y does not change before 's; as in

la´dy's en´e my'sba´by'scoun´try's

Other exceptions to the rule, or to what is inferred from it:

staid (or stayed)slaindry´lyla´dy like
paiddai´lydry nessla dy bug
laidsly ly(but, dri´er,la dy ship
saidsly nessdri´est)ba by hood
saithshy lyshy nessba by house

[Fourth and Fifth Months.]

Rule III: “Monosyllables or words accented on the last syllable, ending in a single consonant, preceded by a single vowel, double the final consonant on receiving a suffix beginning with a vowel.” This rule carries with it the inference that the final consonant is not doubled unless these conditions are all complied with.

Model for drill on this rule:

Refer is not a monosyllable, but it is accented on the last syllable; it ends in a single consonant r, preceded by a single vowel e; therefore, on adding the suffix ed, beginning with the vowel e, the final consonant r is doubled, and the word is spelled, referred.[103]

refer + edgallop + edsuspend + edsuffer + ing
omit + edabhor + encekidnap + edtravel + ed
cheat + edjoin + ingadmit + ingrebel + ious
flatter + edbenefit + eddiffer + encefertil + izer
prefer + ingpermit + edenamel + edquarrel + ing
remit + ancemap + ingdrug + istbrag + art
heap + ingconnect + ingemit + edunfit + ed
confer + ingoffer + edconceal + edparallel + ed
acquit + ed*commit + eeshelter + edstir + ing
root + edsqueal + ingintermit + entequal + ed
depend + entbegin + ercheer + edvigor + ous
occur + edshovel + edforgot + enregret + ed
submit + edtransmit + eddrum + erspin + ing

* After q, u is a consonant.

EXCEPTIONS.

The final consonant is not doubled when, in the derivative, the accent is thrown from the last syllable of the primitive; as, re fer´, ref´er ence.

ref´er encedef´er enceref er ee´
pref er encein fer enceref´er a ble or
con fer encepref er a blere fer´ri ble

OTHER EXCEPTIONS.

gas es(but gassy)tranquillity
gas eoushumbug gingtrans fer able
crystallize humbug gedex cellence
chagrined  

Note.—There is a large class of words ending in l, and accented on some other syllable than the last, in whose derivatives the l is doubled by many writers; but it accords more with the analogy of the language not to double the l. Such words are the following: apparel, cancel, channel, cudgel, dishevel, drivel, duel, enamel, equal, gambol, grovel, jewel, libel, marshal, marvel, metal, model, panel,[104] peril, quarrel.

REFERENCE TABLE OF SUFFIXES.[105]

 

INDEX TO ROOTS.[106]

This index is to be used as a cross-reference by means of which, words in different parts of the book having a common root may be associated.

 Page. Page. Page.
act11, 61*fort26nov20, 56
ambl15, 18, 82*fract, frang27numer38, 74
anim25, 35*frater27opo, opt29, 44, 64, 76, 80
*ann11fresh20, 40*pater69
aqua74, 80fuse13, 59, 61path25, 29, 30, 45, 63, 76, 81
arch28, 45, 82fy70*ped, pod36
*art12gam21, 28, 45*pel, puls35
*aster12*ge47*pend, pens35
*aud13gnost59, 63*phon83
bi, be9, 64, 65, 74gon26, 83ple, plen20, 40
brev9, 39grad, gress52, 54, 59, 60, 61*polis84
burse13, 20*graph47*pon, pos37
*capt, caput53*grat, grac65*port72
*ced, cess53*greg65preci52, 74
*cent54hale55, 56roy63, 66, 82
cept14, 55hypnot45, 82*rupt72
*chron46itio, it9, 55, 61sal34, 71
cep, cip18, 50*ject66scend52, 61
*civ55journ49, 82*scop84
clam, claim20, 74junct71, 75*scrib, scrip72
clud, clus16juven20, 70secu15, 40
cogn20, 56, 81laps20, 51sect13, 14, 21, 50, 56, 71
*cord, card17lect51, 60, 71soci25, 32
*corpus, corpor17*leg66solv9, 68
*cura, curo18*liber30son25, 68
*curr58*liter31*spec73
cuspid21, 35, 50loc13, 40sta, sist11, 15, 57, 60, 71
cycl21, 50, 64*log, logy48struct20, 57
*dent58loqu51, 57, 59, 76surrect20, 71
*dict58luc39, 61*tang, tact41
*doc, doct59luna60, 80*tempor41
dors26, 56lut, luv9, 50*ten, tain42
dote25, 63*manu31*terr43
*duc22mar61, 71thesis25, 29, 64
dur32, 33*mater32*tors, tort76
*fac, fec, fic23matur19, 56*tract77
femin35, 71*ment68trude56, 57, 59
*fer, lat24meridi50, 57une21, 39
*fest24*meter83use, uti9, 32, 39
fid39, 51, 56, 67mingle14, 51vade15, 56
*fin62*mit69*ven78
*firm62moni19, 49*vers, vert79
fix19, 49, 60mort39, 56, 57via, vi15, 21, 56, 74
*flex, flect62mot40, 51, 59, 71vir21, 70
flor39, 66, 82mut32, 51, 56, 61viv39, 70, 74, 82
*flu63nat40, 56, 66vol10, 67
*foli26nomi21, 28, 50, 66zoo48, 64
form15, 25, 61, 73*norm69
 

* Given in the Illinois State Course of Study.

INDEX TO PREFIXES.[107]

 Page. Page. Page. Page.
a (an)63contra11non15se60
a, ab, abs9de52mono28semi20
ad (ac, etc.)49dia26ob (op)57sub (suc, etc.)60
ambi, amphi9dis13para29super20
ante50en (on)26per15syn (sym)29
anti25epi64peri29tele30
auto64ex (e, ec)55post57trans61
bene10extra14pre18tri21
bi50in (im)56pro59uni25
circum10inter14re20vice63
con (col, etc.)51micro65retro60

INDEX TO SUFFIXES.

 Page. Page. Page. Page.
ac44ence67ion71oid82
aceous66ent68ise81ory73
acy33fy70vist82ous74
al66ic38, 80ism45ulent75
an33ics44ite71ure75
ance68id39ity39y45, 75
ary34ile70ive40

CONTENTS.[108]

Seventh Year.
 
First Month.Page.
Word Analysis9-13
Elementary Sounds85
Rule of Spelling100
Second Month.
Word Analysis13-18
Letters, Alphabet, etc.87
Rule of Spelling100
Third Month.
Word Analysis18-24
Vowels88
Rule of Spelling101
Fourth Month.
Word Analysis25-28
Consonants89
Rule of Spelling102
Fifth Month.
Word Analysis28-32
Silent Letters—Principle93
Rule of Spelling102
Sixth Month.
Word Analysis32-38
Silent Letters—Principle94
Principle of Pronunciation96
Seventh Month.
Word Analysis38-43
Silent Letters—Principle94
Principle of Pronunciation97
Eighth Month.
Word Analysis44-48
Silent Letters—Principle95
Principle of Pronunciation97
 
Eighth Year.
 
First Month.
Word Analysis49-55
Syllables90
Silent Letters—Principle95
Second Month.
Word Analysis55-59
Accent91
Silent Letters—Principle95
Third Month.
Word Analysis59-63
Words92
Silent Letters—Principle95
Fourth Month.
Word Analysis63-66
Silent Letters—Principle95
Principle of Pronunciation97
Fifth Month.
Word Analysis66-70
Silent Letters—Principle96
Principle of Pronunciation98
Sixth Month.
Word Analysis70-73
Silent Letters—Principle96
Principle of Pronunciation98
Seventh Month.
Word Analysis73-80
Silent Letters—Principle96
Principle of Pronunciation99
Eighth Month.
Word Analysis80-84
Silent Letters—Principle96
Principle of Pronunciation99
Reference Table of Suffixes105
Index to Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes106-107