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Oedipus Vocabulary Practice 1
Matching words with their Etymologies
Etymology refers to the history of a word, its origins in contemporary or earlier languages. By
becoming familiar with words’ etymologies, you can increase your vocabulary power.
Match each vocabulary word with its etymology by writing the correct vocabulary word on each
line provided. You may want to use a dictionary to help you with this exercise. In a dictionary
the abbreviation or abbreviations preceding a word’s definition reveal its etymology. For
example, L means “Latin.” If you do not understand a particular abbreviation in a dictionary,
look for the abbreviation key (usually at the beginning of end of the book).
Supplication
Disdain
decrepit
primal
venerate
expedient
compunction
_______________________ 1. From the Latin word meaning “to creak, rattle.”
_______________________ 2. From the Latin word meaning “to worship.”
_______________________ 3. From the Latin word meaning “to kneel down.”
_______________________ 4. From the Latin word meaning “to set free, to make ready, to hasten.”
_______________________ 5. From the Latin word meaning “first.”
_______________________ 6. From the Latin word meaning “to prick, sting.”
_______________________ 7. From the Latin word meaning “to treat as the opposite of worthy.”
On the back of the sheet, label the boxes and draw a picture in the box to show what each word means
in the context of the play.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Pyre: pile of wood on which a corpse is burned
Defilement: contaminant; pollutant
Infamy: dishonor; wickedness
Coursers: war horses
Perquisites: privileges; rights
Malediction: curse
Haughtiness: arrogance