teaser-question

TEASER QUESTIONS FOR THE AMATEUR ETYMOLOGIST

greek: syn– (together or with)

latin

• con- (together or with)

• ad- (to, towards)

Note: syn- becomes sym- before b, m and p

• synagogue: temple or place of worship where all Jews are “led together”.

• symbiosis: a process by which dissimilar organisms live together in close association, each in some way helping, and getting help form the other.

  • symbiotic (Adj)

• symphony: etymologically refers to a musical composition in which the sounds of all the instruments are in harmony together.

  • symphonic (Adj)

• symmetry: similarity of shape on both side

  • symmetric or symmetrical (Adj)

• syndrome: a group of symptoms that occur together in a certain disease.

  root: [ dromes (a running) ]

• hippodrome: a place in ancient Greece in which horse and chariot races were run.

• hippopotamus: (a pachyderm)

  root: Hippos  +  Potamos
        (horse)    (river)

Helping Words

• painstaking(ly) [Adj]: done with or employing great care and thoroughness

• eluded (v): escape from or avoid ( a danger, enemy, or pursuer), typically in a skillful or cunning way.

• piccalilli: a pickle of chopped vegetables, mustard and hot spices

  ( pickle + chilli )