In this article we learn how we can improve our vocabulary easily by developing tricks. We make use of a technique known as ETYMOLOGY.
WHAT IS ETYMOLOGY?
- Etymology deals with the origin or derivation of words.
- When you know the meaning of a root (for example, Latin ego, I or self), you can better understand, and more easily remember, all the words built on this root.
- Learn one root and you have the key that will unlock the meaning of up to ten or twenty words in which the root appears.
Review of Etymology:
Prefix, Root, Suffix
|
Meaning
|
|---|---|
Ego
|
Self,I
|
Alter
|
Other
|
Intro-
|
Inside
|
Extro-
|
Outside
|
Verto
|
Turn
|
Ambi-
|
both
|
Misein
|
Hate
|
Anthropos
|
Mankind
|
Gyne
|
Woman
|
Gamos
|
Marriage
|
Asketes
|
Monk
|
Centrum
|
Centre
|
Mania
|
Madness
|
Dexter
|
Right hand
|
Sinister
|
Left hand
|
Gauche
|
Left hand
|
Droit
|
Right hand
|
Monos
|
One
|
Bi-
|
Two
|
Polys
|
Many
|
Andros
|
Male
|
-ist
|
Person who
|
-y
|
Practice, custom, etc
|
-ous
|
Adjective suffix
|
-ity
|
Quality, condition, etc.
|
Note:
- ends with y = noun suffix
- Ends with ist = noun suffix
- Ends with ous = adjective suffix
- Ends with ity = noun suffix
- Usage of words:
Meaning
|
Word
|
|---|---|
Philosophy of living austerely
|
Asceticism
|
Hatred of women
|
misogyny
|
Hatred of marriage
|
Misogamy
|
Hatred of mankind
|
Misanthropy
|
Skilful
|
Dexterous
|
Awkward
|
Gauche
|
Evil, threatening
|
Sinister
|
Describing hatred of women
|
Misogynous or misogynistic
|
Skill
|
Adroitness
|
Pertaining to hatred of marriage
|
misogamous or misogynistic
|
Pertaining to hatred of mankind
|
Misanthropic
|
Social custom of plural marriage
|
Polygamy
|
Unlawful state of having more than one spouse
|
Bigamy
|
Doctor specializing in female
disorders
|
Gynaecologist
|
Custom of one marriage at a time
|
Monogamy
|
One who hates the human race
|
Misanthropist or misanthrope
|
Able to use both hands with equal skill
|
Ambidextrous
|
Study of mankind
|
Anthropology
|
One who loves mankind
|
Philanthropist
|
Skill in the use of both hands
|
ambidexterity
|
