Chapter 8
Comparison and Contrast Metaphors
• Many of our prefixes and suffixes occur in
antithetical pairs.
–
–
–
–
–
Evaluation: Eu-Mal, Bene-Mis
Attitude: Pro-Con,
Size: Maxi-Mini
Position: Hyper-Hypo, Super-Sub, In-Trans
Time: Pre-Post
• Prefixes often assimilate to become more
like the word they are attached to: Inelegant,
Indecent, Impossible, Irreligious, Illegal, etc.
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Vocabulary Plus:
A Source-Based Approach
www.ablongman.com/nilsen
By Don L. F. Nilsen
And Alleen Pace Nilsen
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Antithetical Prefixes
Pro- | Con- | Anti- | ContraPro- forward
Prognosis
Program
Progress
Project
Promotion
Propose
Propel
Prospects
Protest
Protrude
Provoke
Con-with
Confederates
Congress
Conjur
Conspire
Contractions
Contractor
Anti-against
Antibiotics
Antigen
Antioxidant
Antipathy
Antiseptic
Antithetical
Antitoxin
Anti-war
protestor
Contra-against
Counteroffensive
Contraband
Contradiction
Contraindicated
Contrary
Contras
Contrast
Contravene
Controversy
(Nilsen & Nilsen 180-181)
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Visual Antithesis
René Magritte
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Visual Antithesis Again
René Magritte
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Visual Antithesis Again
René Magritte
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Good and Bad
Eu- | Bene- | Ortho- | Mal- | MisEucharist
Eugene
Eugenics
Eulogy
Euphemism
Euphonious
Euphoria
Benediction
Benedict
Arnold
Benedictine
Order
Benefactor
Beneficial
Benefits
Benevolent
Benign
Orthodontist
Orthodox
Orthography
Orthopedic
Orthoscopic
microscope
Orthotics
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Maladjusted
Malaise
Malapropism
Malcontent
Malice
Malicious
Malignant
Malodorous
Malpractice
Malnourished
Mrs.
Malaprop
Misaligned
Miscarriage (of
justice)
Mishap
Misdiagnosed
Misgivings
(Nilsen & Nilsen 183-185)
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Com: with/together | Dis: apart/distant
Combatant
Combination
Comfort
Committee
Companion
Complete
----Cooperate
Coordinate
Co-editor
----Configure
Confide
Conduct
Disagreement
Disband
Disburse
Disconcerted
Discolored
Discord
Discourage
Disclose
Discover
Disheartened
Dissing someone Disrespect
Distribute
Distrust
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(Nilsen & Nilsen 186)
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De-: down/away from | Trans: across
De-emphasize
Deceive
Decentralized
Decline
Decriminalize
Deductive
Deface
Denigrate
Deny
Descend
Despise
Destroy
Trans World Airlines (TWA)
Transaction
Transatlantic
Transcription
Transcend
Transcontinental
Transfer
Translation
Transmission
Transpiring
(Nilsen & Nilsen 187)
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In- | Inter- | IntraIn loco parentis
Income
Incumbent
Indigenous
Induction
Infusion
Inoculation
Inside
Inspiration
(breathing in)
Interactive video
Interception
Interchange
Interface
Interlibrary loan
Intermarry
International
Interstate highway
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Intramural sports
Intramuscular
injection
Intrapersonal
Intraspecies
Intravascular
injection
Intravenous feeding
(Nilsen & Nilsen 189)
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In: Toward | Ex: Away from
Ex cathedra
Ex-officio
Exodus
Exonerate
The Exorcist
Expatriot
Expedition
Explode
Expurgate
Extort
Extradite
Extraordinary
Extremities
Entrance-Exit
Inhalation-Exhalation
Import-Export
Imposition-Exposition
Inclusive-Exclusive
Inspiration-Expiration
Intake-Exhaust
Internal-External
Incision-Excision (tumor)
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(Nilsen & Nilsen 190-191)
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Negative inIn-/Iŋ | Il- | Im- | IrInactive
Inanimate
Incognito [Iŋ]
Incompatible
Incomparable
Inconsiderate
Incredible
Indecency
Inexplicable
Indifferent
Inelegant
Insecure
Insubordination
Illegible
Illegitimate
Illicit
Illiterate
Illogical
Illusory
Immaterial
Immoderate
Immortal
Impassable
Imperfection
Impersonal
Improbable
Impropriety
Imprudent
Impure
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Irradicable
(non-erasable)
Irreconcilable
Irrational
Irregular
Irreproducible
Irrespective
Irretrievable
(Nilsen & Nilsen 192-194)
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Negative Non- Un- and ANon-aligned
Non-binding
Non-conformist
Non-existent
Non-recurring
Non-scheduled
Non-threatening
Non-Western
Unaffiliated
Unambitious
Unattractive
Unbuttoned
Uncertain
Unconscious
Unfashionable
Unreal
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Amoral
Anonymous
Apolitical
Atrophy
Atypical
(Nilsen & Nilsen 192-194)
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Below vs. Above
Sub- | Super- | Hypo- | HyperSubdivide
Subjects
Subjugate
Sublease
Sublimate
Submarine
Submerge
Submit
Subscribe
Subservience
Subtitles
Subzero
“Super”
(Superintendent)
Super Bowl
Supercillious
Superlative
Superman
Supersonic
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Hypocenter
(under nuclear
blast)
Hypodermic
needle
Hypogastric
pains (in
abdomen)
Hypoglycemia
Hypotension
(low blood
pressure)
Hypothesis
Hyperbole
Hypercritical
Hyperglycemia
Hyperirritable
Hypertension
Hyperventilate
(Nilsen & Nilsen 195-197)
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New Again Between Yearly
Neo- | Re- | Inter- | AnnNeoconservative
Neolithic
Neologism
Neon
Neo-Nazi
Neonatal
Neophyte
Neosporin ®
Reconcile
Reconsider
Record
Recreation
Recurrence
Recursive
Refinancing
Reflection
Remit
Renewal
Repeat
Intercede
Intercourse
(social)
Interlude
Interminable
Intermission
Intersession
Anno Domini
Anniversary
Annual
Annuity
Biennial
Centennial
Millenial
(Nilsen & Nilsen 198-201)
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Before vs. After
Ante- | Pre- | Fore- | PostAnte Meridian
Ante Up!
(poker)
Antebellum
Antecedent
Antediluvian
Antepasto
Raising the
ante
Pre-Columbian
Predestination
Preemt
Prefabricated
Preface
Prefix
Preflight
Premature
(premies)
Premonition
Preparation
Preposition
Prequel
Prescience
Before
Forearm
Foreboding
Forecasting
Foreclosure
Forehead
Forerunner
Foreshadow
Foretell
Foreword
Post hoc
Post Meridian
Postcolonial
Postgraduate
Postlude
Postmortem
Postpartum
depression
Postpone
P.S., P.P.S.
(postscript)
(Nilsen & Nilsen 198-201)
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Action Receiver Suffixes
-or | -ee
Actor
Counselor
Conveyor belt
Dictator
Donor
Singer
Teacher
Tractor
Transformer
Absentee
Addressee
Amputee
Appointee
Attendee
Detainee
Devotee
Employee
Grantee
Trainee
Trustee
(Nilsen & Nilsen 202-203)
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Verbs vs. Nouns
-ate/-y | -ion
Elongate
Exterminate
Illuminate
Irrigate
Situate
-------------------------Beautify
Clarify
Liquify
Mortify
Multipy
Purify
Elongation
Extermination
Illumination
Irrigation
Situation
---------------------Beautification
Clarification
Liquification
Mortification
Multiplication
Purification
(Nilsen & Nilsen 203)
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!Interesting notes:
• Premonition is related to mnemonic and
amnesia.
• Interminable is related to terminate.
• Supercilious is raised eyebrows (L: cilium)
• Anno Domini, Ante Meridian, Post Meridian,
and Post Script are related to A.D., A.M., P.M.,
and P.S.
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!Augmentative Prefixes
Maxi- | Mega- | Poly- | ArchMacrocosm
Macroeconomics
--------Maxed out
Maxi
Maxim
Maximum
Maxwell Smart
Megabyte
Megadeal
Megadeaths
Megalith
Megalomania
Megaphone
Megaplex
Megastar
Polyester
Polygamy
Polyglot
Polygon
Polygraph
test
Polytheism
Archangel
Archbishop
Archconservative
Archetype
Archie
Archrival
Archvillain
(Nilsen & Nilsen 208-209)
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!Augmentative Suffix
-ious (full of)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Capricious
Expeditious
Fortuitous
Fractious
Loquacious
Mendacious
Meritorious
Obsequious
Pugnacious
Specious
Supercalifragulisticexpealidocious
(Nilsen & Nilsen 206)
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!!Diminutives
Mini- | MicroMinny Mouse
Miniseries
Minimal
Minimalist
Miniscule
Miniskirt
Minivan
Minor
Minority
Minus
Mickey Mouse
Microbe
Microbus
Microchip
Microcosm
Microfilm
Micrometer
Micronesia
Microorganism
Microphone
Microsoft ®
(Nilsen & Nilsen 207)
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!!!Visual Antithesis:
Inside Don Quixote’s Head
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Reference
Nilsen, Alleen Pace, and Don L. F. Nilsen.
Vocabulary Plus High School and Up: A
Source Based Approach. Boston, MA:
Pearson/Allyn & Bacon, 2004.
www.ablongman.com/nilsen
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