Word Power: Building Vocabulary Skills
Lesson 1
Lesson Quiz
Lesson Words
Etymology: [etymon (Greek) "true meaning" + lógos (Greek) "word"]
the study of the origins of words, especially by analyzing their use in other languages; a branch of linguistics devoted to the study of word origins
Sam spent six years compiling an etymology of American slang words.
Synonyms: foundation, basis, beginning, origin
Spanish: etimología
Etymology: [syn (Greek) "together, same" + onyma (Greek) "name"]
a word or expression that states the same or almost the same meaning as another word or expression
The word phony is a synonym for the word fake.
A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the word you first thought of.
Synonyms: the same as, equivalent
Etymology: [anti (Greek) "opposite, instead of" + onyma (Greek) "name"]
words that are opposite in meaning
The words hot and cold are antonyms. So are the words up and down.
Synonyms: opposite, different, contradictory
Etymology: [chagrin (French), "grief"]
a feeling of disappointment
Much to the chagrin of his father, who is against the war, James is planning to enlist in the army.
Synonyms: mortification, vexation, disappointment, annoyance
Antonyms: delight, pleasure, jubilation
Spanish: disgusto, desilusión - (to my chagrin - para mi disgusto)
Etymology: [merces (Latin), "wages," "reward"]
influenced by, or acting only for, profit or reward
Since many Roman citizens living in Constantinople did not want to fight, the rulers of the Byzantine empire were forced to hire mercenary soldiers to fight their wars.
A person with mercenary motives seldom goes into the teaching profession.
Synonyms: greedy, selfish, venal
Antonyms: altruistic, unselfish
Spanish: mercenario
NOTE: As a noun, mercenary refers to a soldier who is hired and paid by a foreign government.
Etymology: [vicisitudo (Latin), "a change"]
the quality or state of being subject to change
The price of gold is affected by the vicissitudes of the stock market. When stock market soars, the price of gold drops and vice versa.
Synonyms: mutation, alternation, ups and downs
Spanish: vicisitud
Etymology: [pro (Latin), "forward" + trahere, tractus, "draw"]
to lengthen in time or draw out
The court case was an expensive and protracted process.
Synonyms: prolong, extend
Spanish: prolongar
Etymology: [incipere (Latin), "to begin"; from in, "upon" + capere, "to take, seize"]
beginning
The inception of the illness is indicated by a high fever.
Synonyms: initiation, commencement, beginning, introduction
Antonyms: close, conclusion
Spanish: inicio, comienzo, principio
Etymology: [mercans, mercantis (Latin), "trading"; from merx, "wares"]
pertaining to trade or traders
In ancient times, Phoenicia was a great mercantile nation.
Synonyms: commercial
Spanish: mercantil
Etymology: [alleggen (Middle English), "to produce as evidence"; related to ex (Latin), "out" + litigare, "to dispute"]
to assert positively but without proof
Some scientists allege that time travel is possible.
John's statement was merely an allegation, not positive proof.
Synonyms: assert, affirm, declare, utter
Antonyms: gainsay, deny, refute, rebut
Spanish: alegar - (to declare), pretender, sostener - (to assert)
NOTE: The following words are related to allegation:
allude (not to be confused with illusion, "a visual deception") — to refer to indirectly; to hint
The candidate alluded to scandals involving his opponent.
aver — to declare positively to be true
The man averred that he had witnessed the crime.
asseverate — to declare solemnly and firmly
avouch — to state or assert that something is true
avow (noun form: avowal) — to confess or declare openly
He avowed his mistake.
