teaser-question

TEASER QUESTIONS FOR THE AMATEUR ETYMOLOGIST

1. thanatopsis : view of death

2. thanatology : study or science of death or dying

3. proph*

   • prophesy

   • prophecy

   • prophet

4. pred*

   • predict

   • prediction

5. nostopathy: disease such as tension, insecurities, conflicts or returning home after leaving the service.

6. *cide

   • vulpicide : the killing of foxes

   • lupicide : the killing of wolves

   • felicide: the killing of lions, tigers, and other cats

   • ursicide: the killing of bears

7. *vorous

   • piscivorous: fish- eating

   • insectivorous: insect- eating

8. canaries: pretty songbirds living on canary island

9. potentiate: to make more effective or powerful; to augment the effect of another drug

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Helping words

• prowess:

  • Skill or expertise in a particular activity or field

  • bravery in battle

• assortment (n): a miscellaneous collection of things or people

• ludicrous: so foolish; unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing

• semblance: the outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different. (resemblance, similarity)

• rescind(ed) [v]: revoke, cancel or repeal (a law, order, or agreement)

• orthography: the study of spelling and how letters combine to represent sounds and form words

• apocryphal: (of story or statement) of doubtful authenticity although widely circulated as being true

• playwright: a person who writes plays

• unwieldy:

  • (Object) Difficult to move because of its size, shape or weight

  • (System) too large or disorganized to function efficiently

• misbegotten:

  • Badly conceived or planned

    Eg: someone’s misbegotten idea of an English country house

  • Contemptible (used as a term of abuse)

    Eg: you misbegotten hound

  • (of a child) illegitimate

• cumbrous: Literary term for cumbersome

• impervious:

  • Not allowing fluid to pass through

  • Unable to be affected by

• forevermore: forever (used for rhetorical effect)

• befuddled (Adj, v): (Adj) Unable to think clearly; confused or perplexed

• prize boobs

• bolster:

  • A long, thick [pillow that is placed under other pillow for support

  • Support or strengthen

  • A heavy chisel used for cutting bricks

• cumbersome:

  • Large and heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use; unwieldy

  • Slow or complicated and therefore inefficient

• virile: having strength or energy and a strong sex drive (typically used for a man)

• tender: showing gentleness, kindness and affection

• bereavement: The action or condition of being bereaved. Deprived of a close relation or friend through their death.

• avenue(s) [n]: a broad road in a town or city, typically having trees at regular intervals along its sides

• feign(ing) [v]: pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury)

• rapt (Adj): completely fascinated or absorbed by what one is seeing or hearing

• scrimp (v): be thrifty or parsimonious ; economize

• morose(ly) [Adj]: sullen and ill-tempered

• well(ing) [v]: rise up to the surface and spill or be about to spill

• vituperation: Bitter and abusive language

• bushed (Adj): Tired out; exhausted

• vigil: a period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray

• ministration(s) [v]: the provision of assistance or care

• whiling ([v] while): passing time in leisurely manner (Relaxed)

• bush (n): A shrub or clump of shrubs with stems of moderate length

• waver (n): move in a quivering way; flicker

• stagnate (v): become inactive or dull