The Witty Wordsmith – Week 9
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.
if "arthr" means "joint", what is "joint inflammation"?
2.
a "swelling" of the "flesh"
3.
a "diseased condition" where the tissue is "dead' or "corpse-like"
4.
the "cutting" of a "bone"
5.
"pain" in the "foot"
6.
a "disease" of the "heart"
7.
any mollusk which has a "foot" attached to its "head"
8.
a general reference to the largest part of "brain"
9.
a surgery where part of the "skull" is "cut out" to allow access to the brain
10. "between" the "teeth"
11. "inflammation" of the "skin"
12. "stomach pain"
13. a "tumor/swelling" of "muscle"
14. a "tumor/swelling" filled with "blood"
a "condition" experienced by pilots because lack of "air" at high altitudes affects
15. their "nerves"
16. a device for "two eyes" that lets you see things that are far away
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© The Lukeion Project 2014
www. lukeion.org
Regan L. Barr, Instructor
Clue
17. a medical profession that involves "measuring" the "eye"
18. "eye pain"
19. "inflammation" of the "bone"
20. to "feel together" with someone else
21. any creature that walks on "two feet"
22. a device with "three feet" on which you might mount a camera to keep it steady
23. a "diseased condition" of the "mind"
24. a "flow" of "blood"
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 looking up definitions for 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
periostitis
1.
neuroma
2.
necrosis *
3.
diatom
4.
pantalgia
5.
megalocardia
6.
encephalosis
7.
cerebral
8.
craniograph
9.
odontectomy
10.
dermatophyte
11.
gastropathy
12.
hemophagia *
13.
myocardium
14.
kinesioneurosis
15.
oculopathy
16.
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Page 2
Word
Meanings
autopsy *
17.
ophthalmitis
18.
ostectomy
19.
apathy *
20.
pedometer
21.
octopod
22.
biopsychic
23.
logorrhea *
24.
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. necrosis (definition):
necrosis:
2. hemophagia (definition):
hemophagia:
3. autopsy (definition):
autopsy:
4. apathy (definition):
apathy:
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Page 3
5. logorrhea (definition):
logorrhea:
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www.lukeion.org
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