Hey Friends!
Today, we are going to discuss about
Root
words. As already
discussed in the previous chapter 'HOW TO BUILD
VOCAB' that these words are
derived from words that are generally taken from Latin/Greek
language.
The biggest advantage to spend time on
studying Root words is the outcome of the efforts you put in. Once
you understand the Root word you come up with a magnificent word
bank of 5-10 new words and sometimes even more.
So lets discuss a Root word today that will
help you guys to have a better idea about this
stuff.
- EGO
EGO is a Latin word that means
'I'. In English language,
Ego means "One's concept of oneself".
Now lets discuss some words
derived from Ego.- EGOIST: 'I' is the greatest concern of an
egoist. The selfishness or greed on an individual that wants
him/her to think "me first' in every case though this message is
not conveyed directly to others.
- EGOTIST: An egoist who likes to talk about him/herself. You would have seen many people in your peer or work groups having an endless list of their achievements that never ends.
- EGOCENTRIC: The extreme form of egoist is this. When an individual starts believing that he/she is the center of the universe.
- EGOMANIAC: The extreme form of egocentric is egomaniac. When One's ego reaches the level of mania ( obsession), one becomes egomaniac. And the person carrying this personality is called EGOMANIACAL.
- ALTER
- ALTER EGO: Alter + Ego makes a new word Alter ego. OTHER + I => OTHER + SELF. Your other self. Somebody with whom your nature , thinking , needs and desires are close enough to make sure that both of you does similar things.
- ALTERNATE: Means "catching one and leaving one".Ex. Alternate days, Monday, Wednesday, Friday..... are alternate days.
- ALTERNATIVE: Means "available choices". Ex.
You get 4 alternatives to select the right choice from, in CAT
test.
- ALTERATION: Means " a course of change". Ex.
These plans need some alteration. (some changes are needed in the
plan)
- ALTERCATION: Means " a verbal fight caused by
difference in opinions".
- ALTRUISM: A methodology followed by ALTRUISTS. Altruism is the practice of doing things for others benefits and person who does things for others benefits is know as Altruist.
This way the meaning of all the such words
are based on one Root word and once you get familiar with the use
of that Root word you can actually add multiple words in your vocab
bank, with much less effort that you would have done
otherwise.
Hey Friends!
We discussed about
Root words in the previous section, section
#1, and tried to
understand the meaning and usage of two Latin words ' ego and
alter'.
Today we will try to
throw some light on some other words from Latin and French
languages and will discuss the context in which those words are
used in English.
Latin verb ' Verto ' means 'to-turn'.
If your thoughts are turned inwards (in), you are an introvert.
Introvert person is
one who likes to remain in oneself and doesn't share one's feelings
with the world.
If your thoughts are turned outwards(exit), you are an extrovert.
Extrovert person is
one who likes to open to the world and shares one's feelings to the
world (peers and other in close group).
If you are a mixture
of Introvert and extrovert, have mixed thoughts or the thoughts
move both (ambi) sides, and will be called
ambivert.
Ambivert persons are
selective in nature and do keep a balance between what can be
shared with others and what's personal.
You can find same root 'Ambi' in the word 'ambidextrous' as well.
Ambidextrous
is one who is able to use both hands with equal skills. The word is
based upon a simple word
'dexter'.
So
dexterous means 'skillful' which
is basically derived from the noun - Dexterity
that means 'skill'.
Coming back to the main lesson:
Dexter
is a Latin word for 'Right hand' and generally
right hand is more skillful than left hand, so the meaning of
ambidextrous is self explanatory " one having both
hands as right hands or one who can use both hands with equal
skills"
The Latin word for
'Left hand' is 'sinister'. In ancient days, left
handed people are treated as abnormal and cursed. So in English
'sinister' is used for "threatening or dangerous or evil sort of
things"
Don't you feel it's
enough of Latin? So do I. Let's discuss some French
now.
'Droit'
is a French word that means same as the Latin word
'Dexter'.Droit give birth to an English word 'a-droit' which means 'skillful'
So you can say:
Adroit is synonym of Dexterous,and
Sinister is antonym for Adroit and Dexterous.
source: Word Power Made Easy - Norman Lewis
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