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Etymology List #1. Aloof. ADJ. ( uh LOOF) distant, reserved in manner; uninvolved Origin: 1530, Middle English/Dutch. The aloof cat sat on the shelf while the rest of the family watched television. Askew. ADJ. ( uh SKEW )
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Aloof • ADJ. (uh LOOF) • distant, reserved in manner; uninvolved • Origin: 1530, Middle English/Dutch
The aloof cat sat on the shelf while the rest of the family watched television.
Askew • ADJ. (uh SKEW) • to one side; crooked; awry; a sidelong look of contempt • Origin: 1570’s; Old Norse
When I googled "askew" the results page showed up crooked. It’s kind of cool that the web designer at Google took the time to do this.
Asunder • ADV. (uh SUN dur) • in separate parts; apart from each other in position • Origin: mid-12 c.; Old English
Austere • ADJ. (aw STEER) • Noun: austerity • stern in manner; without excess, unadorned, severely simple and plain • Origin: early 14c.; French, Latin, Greek
The Amish are known for their austere way of life. They abide by a strict set of rules, and moral standards and live mostly aloof from the rest of the world. Most people couldn’t handle such austerity.
Benevolent • ADJ. (buh-nev-uh-luhnt]) • Noun: benevolence • Feelings/acts of kindness, generosity, or charity • Origin: mid 1400’s; late Middle English, Latin
The first image is a funny take on the word benevolence, while the second one shows a man being benevolent in a more traditional sense as he puts his coat over a puddle so a woman won’t get her feet wet and dirty.
Beleaguer • VERB (be LEE gur) • to besiege; beset, surround, harass • Origin: 1580’s; Dutch/Low German
The recent forced resignation of the head of the Ohio EPA shows the negative effects of politics infiltrating entities meant to protect the public.
Bludgeon • NOUN/VERB (BLUD jun) • a short heavy, thick club that has one end larger than the other; to hit with heavy impact • Origin:1730; unknown origin
While we may think of a bludgeon as it related to “cavemen,” a more serious depiction was recently in the news.
Bulwark • NOUN (BULL wurk) • a defensive wall; something serving as a principle defense • Origin: mid 15 c.; Early Dutch or Middle High German
Like a Great Wall rimming the coast, cypress forests are Louisiana's best natural bulwark against hurricanes. The trees’ impressive height and extensive root system serve as an anchor against high winds and storm surges.
Cacophony • NOUN (kuh KAFH uh nee) • Adj.: cacophonic/ cacophonous • Harsh or loud sounds • Origin: 1650; Greek
The cacophony of the Wall Street trading floor is an atmosphere not meant for everyone; the shouts, bells, and cumulative decibel level is incredibly loud.
Cerebral • ADJ. (suhReebrul) • of or relating to the brain; an intellectual person • Origin: 1816; French
Albert Einstein has become a symbol of intelligence because of how cerebral he was. However, many people today don’t even know what he did to earn that reputation.
Chattel • NOUN (chat -l) • an item of personal, movable property; slave • Origin: early 13 c. (as applied to slaves, 1640)
Connoisseur • NOUN (kahn uh SUR) • an expert, particularly in matters of art and taste (wine, cheese, etc.) • Origin: 1714; French
Empathy • NOUN (em-puh-thee) • Adj.: empathetic • intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of someone else • Origin: 1900; Greek
Essayist Barbara Ascher argues that people learn to be empathetic, and thus compassionate toward others, if they have suffered adversity themselves. However, parents often seek to help their children understand the idea of empathy early by asking them to put themselves in others’ situations.
Ephemeral • ADJ. (ih-fem-er-uhl) • Lasting a very short time; short-lived • Origin: 1570; Greek
Pope Francis, in one of his earliest speeches upon being elected Pope, told people that they should not seek the ephemeral pleasure of materialism so many of them want.
Expunge • VERB (ex PUNGE) • Adj.: expunged • to remove; to delete; to erase • Origin:1600; Latin
If you get caught plagiarizing, it will not get expunged from your record; in fact, you will likely fail the assignment, and in college you will fail the course and may be expelled.
Forbear • VERB (for BAYR) • Noun: Forbearance; past tense = forbore • to refrain from; to abstain; to be patient and tolerant • Origin: Pre-900; Middle English
Impede • VERB (im PEED) • Noun: impediment • to obstruct or interfere with; to delay • Origin: 1600; Latin
Some people believe technology is becoming an impediment to learning. However, many others believe its is enriching the educational experience. Does it impede your learning?
Incite • VERB (en SIGHT) • To stir, encourage, or urge on; prompt to action • Origin: mid-15 c.; Middle French, Latin
Incongruous • ADJ. (in KAHN grew us) • not appropriate, unsuited to the surroundings; not fitting in • Origin: 1610; Latin
It would be incongruous to refer to yourself as a computer connoisseur. Rather, it would be more fitting to say that you are highly skilled with computers, or a computer expert.
Lament • VERB (la MĔNT) • Noun: lamentation • to express sorrow or regret; to mourn • Origin: 1590’s; Middle French
The Syrian revolution has caused many deaths resulting in families lamenting the loss of loved ones at the hands of the Syrian government.
Migratory • ADJ. (Mie gratory) • Alternate Adj : migrant • roving, wandering, nomadic • Origin: 1753; Latin
Most people think of birds when they think of migratory animals. However, many other animals are migrant,such as whales, salmon, and Monarch butterflies which migrate up to 2000 miles.
Pretentious • ADJ. (pri-tĕn-shuhs) • Noun: pretentiousness • Self-important, especially exaggerated or undeserved view of oneself • Origin:1845; French
We’ve all met people who are guilty of pretentiousness – that is, trying to act as though they are more important than they really are. No one likes people who behave in such a pretentious way.
Quixotic • ADJ. (kwik SAHT ik) • idealistic and/or totally impractical; extravagant chivalry • Origin: 1791, from Cervantes’ satirical novel Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605)
Resilient • ADJ. (ri-zil-yuhnt) • Noun: resilience, resiliency • Springing back; recovering quickly from illness, depression, adversity, etc. • Origin: 1635; Latin
Resilience refers to businesses’ ability to rebound after tough times as well as personal qualities people possess or develop when they face struggles they need to cope with. Both people and businesses that are resilient tend to weather difficult times more easily.
Trenchant • ADJ. (TREN chĕnt) • Keen or incisive; cutting; articulate • Origin: early 14 c.; Old French