The Witty Wordsmith – Week 6
Resources
Please check your work and spelling before submitting your answers online, and do not submit your work more
than once. You MAY use dictionaries or other language resources (AFTER you’ve used your own brain) to ensure
that you’re using real words. Here are two resources that I use regularly:
•
•
Online Dictionary (one of many): http://dictionary.reference.com/
Online Etymological Dictionary: http://www.etymonline.com/
Activity 1 – Word Construction
Solve the following word puzzles using the prefixes and word roots from
your word lists. Make sure ALL your answers are REAL English words. You
should learn your roots first, then use your knowledge to find the words.
You can use the resources above if you get stuck.
Clue
1.
abnormal "fear" of being by one's "self"
2.
able to "burn" living tissue
3.
the "origin" of the "ordered word/universe"
4.
a mineral whose name means "cold stone"
if "nox" means "night", what do we call a day when the night is "equal" in length
to the day
5.
6.
one who does "not" have the "faith"
7.
abnormal "fear" of being too "cool" (cold)
if "dox" means "belief", what word do we use to describe "other" or "different
belief"
words that have the "same written" form, but mean different things, like "bear"
meaning the animal and "bear" meaning to carry
8.
9.
10. having the "same measure through"
11. a substance whose name means "water stone"
12. a description of something that allows "light" to pass "through"
13. a vessel that travels "under the sea"
14. a word meaning "before death"
15. an early period of history whose name means "new stone"
1
© The Lukeion Project 2014
www. lukeion.org
Regan L. Barr, Instructor
Clue
16. to make "new again", as when restoring an old building
17. if "necr" means "dead", what is the abnormal "fear" of "dead" bodies
18.
if "nym" means "name", what is a "false name" that an author uses to conceal his
real identity
19. abnormal fear of fire
20. a building at an airport that is the "end" of each flight
21. the "study" of things related to "gods"
22. having "low" body "heat"
23. a person who uses their "voice", as when singing before an audience
Activity 2 – Word De-construction
Give the meanings of all the ROOTS and PREFIXES in these words that
we’ve learned so far. Be precise, according to the definitions in your word
list. Try to do it from memory, but check yourself if you need help. (In
exercise 3 you’ll be defining the words with the asterisks by them and then
using them in a sentence.)
Example: If the word is submit, you’d tell me the roots mean “send down”
Word
Meanings
autobiography
1.
photocautery
2.
cosmology
3.
cryobiology
4.
equivocate *
5.
confidence
6.
frigid
7.
heterothermal
8.
homograph *
9.
isobiogenetic
10.
monolithic *
11.
bioluminescence
12.
transmarine
13.
mortuary
14.
neogenesis
15.
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Word
Meanings
novice *
16.
zoophobia
17.
pseudomorph
18.
pyrometer
19.
interminable *
20.
pantheon
21.
thermotensile
22.
evocative
23.
Activity 3 – Word Understanding
Look up the following words in a dictionary and write out a common definition of the
word (don’t look for the obscure, weird, or seldom-used meanings). Then use the word
correctly in a sentence. PLEASE try to write fun or humorous sentences. The best will be
shared in class!
1. equivocate (definition):
equivocate:
2. homograph (definition):
homograph:
3. monolithic (definition):
monolithic:
4. novice (definition):
novice:
5. interminable (definition):
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interminable:
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