Advanced English 10: Vocabulary Unit 6
Word Origins and Etymology
Vocabulary Word
Language of Origin
L
Accede
Old French
Brandish
L
Comprise
Original Root(s)
Ad – to
Cedere – go/move
Brant – blade of a sword,
prow of a ship
Com – with/completely
Prehendere – to catch
hold of, seize
Original/Changed Meaning
Gedaefte
De – away
Statuere – put place
Ex – out
Plicare – to fold
Ex – out
Stirps – a root, stock of a
tree
In – not
Ob- to, toward
Portus – harbor
Mild, Gentle
Old English
Deft
L
Destitute
L
Explicit
L
Extirpate
L
Inopportune
Greek
Eiron – dissembler
Ironic
Unknown
Musty
L
Officious
Variant of “moist”
Officium – service, duty,
function, business
L
Ominous
Omen – forboding
Written at the end of medieval
books: “The book is unrolled”
Referred to pretended or
exaggerated ignorance
L
Pinna – peak, point
Pinnacle
L
Premeditated
Pre – before
Meditari – to think over,
consider
Old French
Rampant
L
Ramper – to creep, climb
Solari – console, smooth
Solace
L
Stately
L
Supple
L
Suppress
L
Status – manner of
standing, position,
condition
Sub – under
Placare – appease
Sub – down
Premere – push against
Venum – for sale
Bending, kneeling down
Venal
Synonym and Antonym Studies: Your book has a number of synonyms and antonyms listed for each (or most) of your vocabulary
words. For each word, look at the word and its synonyms and group them according to connotation (positive, negative, or neutral). If
there is a word that your book lists as a synonym but you feel it does not truly fit the meaning of the word, explain why you feel this is
the case. Three of your words are missing antonyms or both synonyms and antonyms. For these three words, come up with at least
one example in each category and explain why you feel it is an appropriate choice.
1.
Accede– Consent (+); Concur (n); Comply (n); Assent (+)
2. Brandish – Swing (n); Shake (-)
3. Comprise – Compose (n); Constitute (n); Encompass (+)
4. Deft – Dexterous (+); Adroit (+); Proficient (n);
Clever (+); Masterful (+)
12. Ominous – Unpropitious (-); Inauspicious (n);
Protentous (-)
5. Destitute – Wanting (-); Devoid (n); Penniless (-)
13. Pinnacle – Apex (+); Acme (n); Summit (n); Apogee (n)
6. Explicit –Distinct (n); Forthright (+); Unambiguous (n);
Clear (+)
14. Premeditated – Preplanned (n); Rehearsed (n);
Prearranged (n)
7. Extirpate – Uproot (-); Eradicate (-); Wipe Out (-);
Excise (n)
15. Rampant – Widespread (n); Unrestrained (-);
Extravagant (-); Prevalent (n)
8. Inopportune – Ill-timed(-); Inconvenient (-);
Inappropriate (-); Unsuitable (n)
16. Solace – Soothe (+); Reassure (n); Cheer up (+)
9. Ironic – Incongruous (n); Satiric (-); Sardonic (-);
17. Stately – Grand (+); Magnificent (+); Imposing (-)
Wry (n)
10. Musty – Hackneyed (-); Antiquated (-)
18. Supple – Flexible (n); Limber (+); Pliable (n); Pliant (n)
11. Officious – Meddlesome (-); Prying (-); Impertinent (-);
Obtrusive (-)
19. Suppress – Subdue (n); Crush (-); Stifle (-); Squelch (-);
Quash (-); Silence (-)
20. Venal – Dishonest (-); Bribable (-); Corruptible (-);
Mercenary (-)