Session 40

1. Money

a) Penury: Means complete lack of financial resources. Dire, abject poverty. Derives from penuria.

b) Penurious should etymologically mean poverty stricken but actually is used to signify stingy, miserly mannerisms. A parsimonius person is stingy, a penurious one is doubly so.

c) Indigence: Indigent people are not penniless, they ae living in reduced circumstances, forced to undergo the type of hardships that ensue on being somewhat poverty stricken .

d) Destitution: Destitutes dont have even the means for mere survival, as such they are on the verge of starvation. A pretty downright desperate condition it is to be a destitute.

e) Affluence: Affluent people are well off financially, they give the impression that their wealth is forever increasing and hence there is no dearth of material comforts. They have large homes, costly vehicles, are members of elite clubs etc etc.

f) Opulence: Stronger,richer,wealthier than affluent people. Opulent persons have large estates,they drive around in big expensive cars(BMW, Rolls royce etc), have battalions of servants and so on and so forth. The filthy rich ones.

2. Doing and feeling

a) Vicarious: You watch the high adrelanine World Cup and you feel tired yourself although the players have done all the running and stuff. That's vicarious fatigue. You watch Nirupa Roy crying her heart out for her beloved son Vijay in movies and you go through the same agony. That's vicarious torment. You either participate and experience emotions or you can partake of emotions by being vicariously involved in another person's feeling. The perfect example of a vicarious creature that's striking me now is the character Prabaker in Shantaram.

3. Time is relative

Some insects live for a few hours or days, dogs live from seven to ten years and elephants and turtles exist almost forever. One short lived creature is the mayfly, which in greek was called ephemera. So anything short
lived or lasting for a small time is called ephemeral.

Evanescence is the feeling that lasts for a really small peiod of time before disappearing as quickly. You feel something for someone, you are about to recognize what that emotion is and then suddenly before comprehending the feeling is gone. That's evanescence for you my friend.

4. Good things in life need to be explored

a) Euphemism: Eu- good,pheme- voice. An euphemism is a word or an expression that has been substituted for another that is likely to offend.

b) Euphony: Good sound, something lilting. For me, its Mark Knopfler.

c) Eulogy: I think we are familiar with this. Basically a good speech in praise of someone.

d) Euphoria: A sense of good being, mental buoyancy and being physically well.

e) Euthanasia: Mercy killing. Been lots and lots in the news. Method of painless death inflicted on people suffering from incurable diseases.

5. Exploration of modes of expression

a) Badinage: Non malicious, half teasing, light, frivolous banter. Its not intended to wound the butt of the jokes but to rather amuse.

b) Persiflage: A close synonym of badinage. The only difference being its a trifle more derisive and mocking but still totally non malicious and harmless.

c) Cliche: Ye to aap sabko pata hi hai, kya bataun..

d) Bromide: Any dull and probably fallacious remark that is highly lacking in originality and which as a consequence convinces the listener of the total absence of perspicatity on the part of speaker. Someone says "Prepare well for GMAT, practice makes one perfect" and you retort "Make something original my boy, don't fling the old bromide at me". Twice have I read The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand and finally today i come to know what bromide means. Wow.

e) Platitude: Very similar to a cliche or bromide but as if that the remark used wasn't original enough and so oft-repeated ad nauseam, the speaker tries to carry it off as his own creation. That's platitude for you.

f) Anodyne: Waise to medically anodyne is a drug that allays pain without curing an illness, something like morphine for instance. But figuratively it's a statement made to allay the fears and apprehensions confronted by the listener although the speaker doesn't believe in it himself. Intended to be believed by the listener. I hear it all the time "Dont worry, your bad scores are not an indicator of your true potential, dont lose heart, you'll succeed one day" and I'm like "Good one that".

Session 39

Hi all,

This is just an introductory session to the last section

1-)
People forced to pursue an existence devoid of luxuries as radios, TVs, cars, Jacuzzi etc but also lacking on basic necessities such as Food, sheltered home, hot waterr, decent clothing etc.

Such people live in 'penury'

2-)
These people want love, if they dont get it , they often satisfy their emotional needa and get their feelings secondhand by reading love stories, watching soap operas, attending films..

These are 'vicarious' feeelings

3-)
For a short time, Short skirts were in rage, soon thgey vanished fron the sceneAnything that lasts for a short time and leaves no trace is 'ephemeral'

4-)
Words having to do with sex, death, certain portions of the anatomy, excretion etc are avoided by certain poeple These people prefer circumlocutions- words that talk around that idea or that mean or imply something but dont come out and say so directly

e.g
die -> pass away, expire, depart this lifesexual intercourse -> intimate relations, intimacy
toilet -> powder room, little girls' room, facilities, washroom

The words on the irght hand side are 'euphemisms'


5-)
Badinage
Light, playful talk; banter.

E.g. : Ken was determined to put the cares of the world behind him and do what he loved best -- having a few celebrity friends round and enjoying an evening of anecdote and badinage over a bottle or two of vintage bubbly and some tasty cheese straws.

6-)
You all have seen acow chewing cud....Nothing seemd capable of distrubing this animal and the animal seems to want nothing more out of life than to leave a simple, vegetable existence
Some people are like that : calm, patient, placid, phlegmatic, vegetable -like

They are 'Bovine'

7-)
Do you sometimes experience a keen, almost physical longing for associations or places of the past ....
When you pass the neighbourhood where u were born and where you spent your early years , do you have a sharp, strange reaction almost akin ti mild nausea ?

This feeling is called 'nostalgia'

8-)
Blaring, ear-splitting, or spine-tingling sounds are called 'Cacophonous'

9-)
Animals entirely on flesh -> 'Carnivorous'

10-)
They are certain things most of us do in private, like taking a bath.
Some people like to engage in other activities in complete privacy.
The point is that, while these activities may be conducted in privacy, there is never a reason for keeping them secret.

Arrangements, activities or meetings that fall under this category are called: 'clandestine'


C ya around
Gau

Session 38

Hi Gyaanis,

Good news is that, we have reached the end of section II of NL, just in case someone hasn't noticed. So, please open that fat red thing, and take the test in session 38. Do post your scores here. I will populate a tree similar to the one i did for session 18, and post it soon. Since noone gave me their comments the first time, whether the tree was a futile exercise or a helpful one, i am going with my own opinion on the matter, that it isn't futile.

Actions

Disparage – par – parity, disparity, disparate, compare, peer, pairs
Equivocate – aequus(equ), vox(vocis) – unequivocal, double entendre, equity, inequity, iniquity, (nox, noctis)equinox, nocturnal, nocturne, equanimity, equability, equilibrium, equilibrist, (equus)Equestrian, equestrienne, equine, vociferous
Titillate --
Adulate --
Proscribing – pro, scribo, scriptus – Manuscript, Scriptures, subscribe, inscribe, postscript
Obviate – via - trivial
Militate – militis – militant, military, militia
Maligning – malus, mal – malignant, malediction, maleficent, maladroit, malaise, malicious, malice, malady, maladjusted, malcontent –X- bonus, bene – benign, benignant, benediction, bonus, bonbon, (fides)bona fide, fidelity, infidel, (dictus) dictate, dictaphone, contradict, (facio, factus) malefactor, benefactor, beneficiary, factory, fiction, artificial, (volo) malevolent, benevolent, voluntary, volition
Condone – dono – donor
Placate – plac – implacable, placid, complacent


Various Speech habits

Taciturn – taceo – tacit, reticent
Laconic – laconia - laconism
Inarticulate – in, articulus - articulation
Garrulous – garrio - garrulity
Banal - -
Verbose – verbum – verbal, verbiage
Voluble – volvo – revolve, revolution, involve, evolve
Cogent – cogo -
Vociferous – vox, vocis, fero – (somnus)somniferous, insomnia, (ambula)somnambulist, ambulatory, perambulator, preamble, (sopar) soporific
Loquacious - loquor – soliloquy, colloquial, circumlocution, eloquent, magniloquent, grandiloquent, (magnus) magnanimous, magnate, magnify, magnificent, magnum, (opus)magnum opus, opera, (venter, ventris)ventriloquist, ventricle, auricle, avuncular, (dorsum)dorsal, endorse


Insult your enemies

Martinet –Jean Martinet -
Sycophant – sykon, phanein - diaphanous
Dilettante – dilittare – tyro
Virago – vir -
Chauvinist – Nicolas Chauvin – patriotic, patricide, matricide etc
Monomaniac – monos, mania – dipsomania, kleptomania, pyromania, megalomania, nymphomania, satyromania –X- phobias – claustrophobia, agoraphobia, acrophobia
Iconoclast – eikon, klaein -
Atheist – theos – monotheism, polytheism, pantheism, theology, (gnostos) agnostic, diagnosis, prognosis, prognosticate
Lecher – lechier – libidinous, lascivious, lubricious, licentious, pruritis
Hypochondriac – hypos, chondros – hypodermic, hypotension


Flatter your friends

Convivial – vivo, vita – vivacious, vivid, vivisection, viviparous, oviparous, vital, joie de vivre, ennui, bon vivant, gourmand, gourmet, glutton
Indefatigable –-
Ingenuous - - naïve, gullible, (credo)credulous, incredible, creed, credence, ingenious, disingenuous
Perspicacious – specto, acuo – retrospect, acumen, perspecacious, prospect, introspect, circumspect, specious, (punctus)acupuncture, puctilious, pungent
Magnanimous – animus – unanimous, equanimity, animosity
Versatile --
Stoical – stoa - stoicism
Intrepid – trepido – trepidation,
Scintillating – scintilla -
Urbane – urbs – subarbia, interurban, exurb -X- rurs – rustic, rusticate

Session 37

A quick revision before the test

Pusillanimity – pettiness
n. cowardliness, timidity, fearfulness
n. contemptible fearfulness

Trepidation - fear
n. trembling movement

Spleen / spite
n. a feeling of resentful anger

spite
n. malice, malevolence, ill-will; resentment, animosity, grudge
v. act maliciously toward another, be nasty, vent anger on; annoy, intentionally irritate

Scintilla
n. A very small amount
n. iota, trace, small particle; spark, flicker

Scintillate
v. shine, sparkle, glow; produce sparks, give off sparks
To be witty

Scintillation
n. the quality of glittering or sparkling brightly
n. a rapid change in brightness

Circumspection - Care, cautiousness, Prudence

Exurbs
n. living area beyond the periphery of a city, community beyond the suburbs

Animus- ill will
n. a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
n. animosity; resentment; hostility;

Rustic - Coutrified; crude
adj. awkwardly simple and provincial; "bumpkinly country boys"; "rustic farmers";
adj. characteristic of rural life; "countrified clothes"; "rustic awkwardness

Rusticate
v. live in the country and lead a rustic life
v. suspend temporarily from college or university

Perspicacity
n. keenness of perception; comprehensiveness, being able to understand quickly
n. intelligence manifested by being astute (as in business dealings)

Perspicuity
n. clarity of expression; clearness, transparency

Boorish
adj. loutish, coarse, ill-bred, uncivilized, ill-mannered
adj. coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance; "was boorish and insensitive"

Keep up the pace...!!!

Session 36

1. The great and the small

Animus- mind and anima- life principle, root, spirit are the two roots upon which lots of words like animal, animation, inanimate etc are built.

Magnanimous is animus + magna- great. Magnanimous souls rise above petty issues.

Pusillaminous is animus + pusillous- tiny. In contrast to magnanimous, pusillaminous people are mean and petty and have small minds and souls. Of course not literally but figuratively.

Some more words:

a. Unanimous- of one mind. A unanimous decision is collectively approved by all.

b. Equanimity- equal mind. Show an evenness, calmness of mind, be equanimous and you'll come out of any difficult situation unscathed.

c. Animus- This has come to mean unfriendly mind, quite different to its original meaning. Sort of means ill-will.

d. Animosity- hostility.

2. Turning

The root of versatile is verto,versus- to turn. A versatile man can handle many things simultaneously.. and successfully at that.

3. Zeno -

In the fourth century B.C. there lived this philosopher named Zeno who advised people on how to deal with the question of probably life itself "How to live a happy life". He told his followers to have an equal attitude towards both joy and sorrow. To be unmoved by both.To be tranquil and not feel anything even if unncessary misfortunes or adversities befell them.
Of course nowadays psychologists suggest the exact opposite to people as the key to a happy life. They advise us to let the emotions come as they are, express yourself( plagiarised from Airtel) and to basically to let yourself be as you are. Not to have any pent up emotions. Apparently it appears that Zeno sermoned all his preachings from atop a porch(stoa). And from that emerges the word "Stoic". Stoical people bear their pains without complaint, and meet adversity with fortitude. Is that the way to be? Not according to psychologists but my job now is to move to the next section.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeno_of_Citium

4. Fear and trembling-

Intrepid derived from trepido- to tremble. Intrepid persons are mentally very strong and fearless and when dangers confront them they exhibit great courage. They don't tremble at the prospect of facing dangers.

5. Flash-

Scintilla in latin means a bright flash that lasts for a very small time. In english it more commonly indicates a very small amount of something. "I have not even a scintilla of preparation for the upcoming test".!!!
Of course scintillate means scintillating someone with charm and wit etc etc.

6. This section doesn't have anything new to tell us apart from what we already know. Tells us about words like urban, urbane, rustic, suburs etc. I believe all of us already know it. Better not waste our time here.

I believe that's it.

Session 35

Hello people... I am back

How to Look

Root - specto : to look
We have spectacle, spectator, inspect, retrospect, prospect.
A variant root, spic- is used in conspicuous, perspicacious, perspicuous.

Prefix per- means through, so perspicacious means looking through keenly, intelligently.
Noun- perspicacity
Syn - acumen : Root- acuo, to sharpen. The word, as you all know, means mental keenness, sharpness, keen insight.

Sharpness

acuo- to sharpen
We have acute (acute pain, acute reasoning), acupuncture
Noun- acuteness/acuity

Acupuncture- acuo + punctus, point.
When you punctuate a sentence, you put various points (full stops, commas etc.)
Then lightning punctuates the storm, or silence is punctuated by a loud shriek.

Being punctual means being right on the point of time.
Punctilious means to be exact, scrupulous, very careful to observe the proper points of behaviour, procedure etc.
And we all know what puncturing a flat trye or someone's ego means.

Another root- pungo, to pierce sharply
A pungent smell, taste.
A pungent wit pierces one's sense of humour.


Some more looking

Perspicacious vs Perspicuous

Perspicacious means smart, sharp, able to look through and understand quicly. This adjective applies to persons, their reasoning, minds etc.
Perspicuous means easily understood from one look, i.e clearly expressed, easy to understand.
It applies to writing, style, books and things that we understand.... perspicuous style of writing is easily understood.
Syn- simple, lucid.
Noun- perspicuity or perspicuousness

Back to the tamasha, i.e, spectacle... something to look at
Nad we have spectacles and spectacular.
Spectator jo tamasha dekhta hai
Inspect is looking into something
Retrospect is backward look... My experiences seem more enjoyable in restrospect than in actuality.
Root retro- backward
Retro numbers matlab puraane gaane... bahut baar FM pe suna hoga
Prospect - forward look... I dont need to explain this
Prefix pro- means forward, ahead , before.

If you enjoy looking at yourself. then you like to examine your mental processes and emotional reactions, crudely characterstic of an introvert.
So when you introspect, you look inwards and examine your inner reactions, and analyse yourself, your character, actions etc.
Thodi philosophy jhaad deta hoon, courtesy NL of course.
Too much introspection may lead to unhappiness or to depressing thoughts or feelings of anxiety. Few people have the courage to see themselves as they really are.

Then there are times when you have to look around most carefully, you must be circumspect- watchful, cautious, alert.
You have to be really circumspect while attempting the CAT, it might spring a surprise any time, so be ready...
Noun- circumspection or circumspectness.

If something looks good or sensible, but actually is not, we call it specious.
A specious argument sounds plausible, but in reality is based on an error, a fallacy, or an untruth.
Remember syllogisms?
Noun- speciousness

Record timing- completed in 30 mins flat.

....applause, applause....
After 30 mins,
....silence....
....bowing....
....exit....

Session 34

Session 34

1.)

‘Indefatigable’ is derived as =
in-(Negative prefix) + fatigue + -able (able to be) -> unable to be fatigued

Noun -> 'indefatigability'

2.)

'Ingenuous' -------- is complimentary where as its synonyms such as -> 'naïve', 'gullible', 'credulous' are faintly derogatory

It means-> frank, open, artless
-> not likely to try to put anything over on you
Noun-> ingenuousness

Imp: Not to be confused with ‘Ingenious’ which means -> shrewd, clever, and inventive

Noun for Ingenious -> ingenuity
Ingeniousness


Now we look at the other side of the coin, the negative -:

'dis-'(Negative prefix ..as in 'dissatisfied') + ingenuous-> Disingenuous -> not frank or open
But wait….. theres more to this word than just this….

It means all the above + crafty, cunning, dishonest, artful, insincere, untrustworthy etc….
And all this while making a pretence of being simple, frank and aboveboard

Noun -> Disingenuousness

3.)

Naïve -> to imply that somebody has not learned the ways of the world
-> idealistic and trusting beyond the point of safety

Noun -> ‘Naivety’
‘Naivete’

4.)

Gullible -> Easily tricked, fooled or imposed on
Noun -> gullibility

5.)

Credulous -> Willingness to believe almost anything, no matter how fantastic

Noun -> Credulity

Comes from
‘Credo’ -> Latin -> to believe

Same as in ‘Credit’
e.g.: If people believe in your honesty, they will extend credit to you

- ous -> full of -> as in famous, monstrous

Adding them we get

Credulous -> Full of believing

Other words :
Credible => Credo + -able(can be)
Usage : Something credible can be believed

Noun : Credibility

More usage of the root and examples :
Credulous listeners -> fully believe what they hear

Credible story -> One that can be believed

Incredulous attitude -> Attitude of skepticism

Incredible story -> Unbelievable story

Incredible characters -> So unusual characters that you cant believe that they exist
Noun-> Incredibility


Credo also lends its meaning to the following words

Credo -- -> Personal belief, code of ethics
Creed -- -> A religious belief such as Catholicism, Judaism, Protestantism
Credence -- -> belief as in “I place no credence in his stories”
Credentials -- -> Document proving a person’s right to a title or privilege

Thats it ! !

C ya around
Gau

Session 33

Vivo – to live
Vita – life

Words from vivo

Convivo – live together
Convivium – feast or banquet
Convivial – someone who likes to attend feasts/dinners etc. No, not for the free food, but for the social enjoyment.
Vivacious – Full of life, joyful, merry. N. vivacity, vivaciousness
Vivid – possesing the freshness of life, lively.
I think vivacious is used mostly as a character trait, and vivid is used to describe inanimate things like colors, imagination, emotions etc.
Revive – Bring back to life
Vivisection – vivo _ sect(to cut) – Operating on a live animal for experimental purposes. Pople who oppose it – Antivivisectionists
Viviparious – vivo + pareto(parents) – Producing live babies, like humans and other mammals.
On the other hand are Oviparous ( ovuum(egg) + pareto), who lay eggs from which their young ones are produced.

Words from vita

Vital, revitalize, devitalize, vitamin – I don’t see the need to explain any of these.

French phrases

Joie de vivre [French : joie, joy + de, of + vivre, to live, living.]

The enjoyment of living, free from cares
Example : She will be remembered above all for her kindness and her great joie de vivre.

If you search this phrase in google, you will find a lot of organizations/ groups or even showrooms named joie de vivre. In India, schools or other institutions often pick up French phrases to name their ballets/annual events. So, this might have been the name of one of your annual day events in which you could be playing a rabbit behind a tree.

Bon vivant [French : bon, good + vivant, present participle of vivre, to live.]

[noun] a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink). This is someone who is always lavish in things he does. Won't be used for a poor man who lives happily, but only for a rich man who lives life, kingsize. Unlikely to be used for women.
Synonyms: epicure, gourmet, gastronome, epicurean, foodie

Joie de vivre is probably an attitude, bon vivant a person's way of living.

Hungry kya?

Gourmand – Someone who enjoys food, has taste for rare delicacies, takes pleasure in enjoying and discovering new dishes. Has a very positive connotation, carries a certain class with it, a complementary term. If you have read Vir Sanghvi’s articles in HT’s Sunday supplement, Brunch, you know the perfect example. His interest and knowledge about foods and drinks is remarkable. A dilittante, should I say?

Gormandize – Stuff oneself like a pig.

Glutton – A derogatory term, used for voracious eaters, people who eat up without purpose, but eat a LOT.

I know who you night be thinking about. It can be said that Duggi’s reputation fell from being known to be a gormandizer to a Glutton.

Session 32

10 adjectives to show wholehearted Approval

1) Convivial - adj. occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company; "a convivial atmosphere at the reunion"; "a woman of convivial nature"; "he was a real good-time Charlie" (also: sociable;

2) Indefatigable – Powerhouse of energy, these folks are able to squeeze in more work in their 24 hours than other mortals. Their high energy levels reault from a healthy body, from psychological balance, lack of conflicts & insecurities.

3) Ingenuous – Pleasingly frank, void of any artificiality, these people are so honest and aboveboard that they can scarcely conceive any trickery, chicanery.

4) Perspicacious – This category of less mortals has what may be termed as ‘razor sharp’ mind [aka ability to reason out complex problems with ease.]

5) Magnanimous – the big-hearted lot; and before your mind strays to prospective diseases for such people, it would be to better to term them as the ‘most generous’. These souls do not harbour resentment, petty grudges or waste energy on retaliation.

6) Versatile – Now this is pretty interesting. Until now I thought a versatile person was one who could fit the bill of ‘Jack of all Trades…’ but I was wrong. A versatile person is one who has proficiency in the various facets of a particular field, be it arts, music, etc. For instance, a versatile musician would be able to play a saxophone, drums, guitar, piano [now, this is asking too much from the poor fellow…J]. Basically, I guess you got the hang of it.

7) Stoical - Superhuman, is it!!! They bear troubles bravely, never ask for sympathy, never knell to sorrow, never wince at pain.

8) Intrepid – Strangers to fear, these brave hearts are audacious, dauntless; often contemptuous of danger and hardship.

9) Scintillating – witty, clever, delightful & naturally brilliant & entertaining conversationalists.

10) Urbane – They are cultivated [as in grown in some place???], poised, tactful, socially so sophisticated and courteous, that they are home in any group, at ease under all social circumstances of social intercourse. You cannot help admiring their smoothness and self-assurance, their tact and congeniality.

Before the end of the session, I would like all of you, Gyaanis to choose one word among these which best describes you as well as the rest of us.

Session 31

1. Show some reverence yaar

The iconoclast has a questioning, condescending view of society's traditions and conventions. He sneers at long accepted beliefs, our revered traditions and thinks of stereotypical thinking as myths. An aggressive believer in his convictions at that. Adolescence is that unsure period of one's life when one feels confused and has that feeling of 'rebel without a cause'. The roots are (eikon: a religious image + klaein: to break).

2. God or no god???

Atheist(a: negative + theos: God). Here NL tells us that we should differentiate between the atheist and the agnostic. Whereas the atheist rejects the possibilty of the existence of God outrightly, The agnostic simply believes that He may or may not exist and that we, mere mortals, can never actually come to a definite conclusion about His existence coz of lack of adequate proof. Agnosticism holds that God is unknowable.

3. Kaise pata karein??

Agnostic(a: negative + gnostos: known). An agnostic claims that all but material phenomena is unknown.
Now to the crux of this sub-topic. Simply put, what's the difference between diagnosis and prognosis?
Diagnosis builds upon gnosis: knowledge and dia: through. Hence it means coming to know through testing, examination etc. Prognosis is the knowing beforehand and hence a prediction. Prognosis is most commonly used for prediction as to the course of a disease. If you are a patient the doctor will take various tests etc to come to a conclusion as to what disease you are ailing of. That is diagnosis. Like suppose If He comes to believe through tests that you are a diabetic, then he has diagnosed that. A prediction like "If you take insulin and watch your diet, you'll be as good as new" is a prognosis.
Also you have a lot of diagnostic tests that help you know where your knowledge stands in a particular field. These tests help the teachers make a decision as to what steps to take just as in the medical field the doctors rely on diagnosis to decide which treatment to prescribe.

4. Closer my Lord to thee, closer to thee..

Some words having prabhu ka naam are(I mean theos: God)-

a. Monotheism( Monos: one + theos)- Belief in One God.
b. Polytheism- Belief in many Gods like inancient Greece or Rome.
c. Pantheism(pan: all + theos)- Belief that God is not in man's image but is a combination of all forces of nature.
d. Theology(logos: science + theos)- Study of God and religion.

5. Of sex and the tongue

Lecher derives from French lechier meaning 'to lick'. Lecherous has many synonyms starting with the letter 'l', rsulting in a sound formed with the tongue, the seat of sensation.

a. Libidinous- from libido, pleasure.
b. lascivious- from lascivia, wantonness.
c. lubricious- from lubricus, the same root found in lubricate. lubricus indicates slippery. d. lewd- from lewed, bole to vile.
e. lust- from a word meaning pleasure, desire.

All these words just mentioned indicate sexual desire and/or activity. Dont need to inform that the implications of using these is more or less derogatory.

6. Of sex and the itch

Prurient derives from Latin prurio, to itch, to long for. Used to indicate someone who is forever filled with great sexual curiosity, desire, longing etc.
Ever had that longing to just scratch and scratch your skin coz you're feeling too itchy that results in a rash? well then you just experienced Pruritis, that's the medical name of the condition.

7. Under and Over

Hypochondria(hypos: under + chondros: the cartilage of the breastbone). Sounds ajeeb sa? Well under the breastbone is the abdomen which the ancient Greeks believed to be the seat of all anxious feelings and a hypochondriac is morbidly, terribly and forever anxious about his
health.
Hypos matlab under. The hypodermic needle penetrates under the skin. Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure. And so on and so forth.
Hyper bole to over. Hypercritical matlab jo bohot fault finding type banda ho. In my unfortunate case, that happens to be someone at IIMA. Hypertension is high blood pressure. Other words using hyper are hyperactive, hypersensitive etc.

Session 30

"Good Morning" gyaaanis...

Session 30

At the outset,
Some roots :

1.)
a.) frater : brother
b.) uxor : wife
c.) soror : sister
d.) mariter :husband

Usage :

a.)
Fraternize : to have a brotherly relationship
Maybe used to imply 'social intercourse between people inclusive of sex '
May also imply 'social relationship with subordinate in an organization'
Noun : fraternity -> brotherhood or guild
e.g medical fraternity
financial fraternity

Fraternal : brotherly, also refers to non identical twins

b.)
Sorority : women’s organization

c.)
uxorious : describes a man who excessively, even absurdly caters to, worships and submits to the most outrageous demand of his wife because of his own fear or weakness

uxorial : pertaining to,characteristico of, befitting a wife
e.g uxorial duties,privileges, attitude

d.)
marital : referring to a husband
includes marriage relationship of both the husband and wife
e.g extramarital affair : outside the marriage relationship
premarital sex :

2.)
rex, Regis -> Latin-> king
e.g. Tyrannosaurus Rex -> king of dinosaurs

Derived words
Regal : royal
e.g. regal mansion
regal reception
Noun -> regality

Regalia : Plural noun -> Literally and in olden days, referred to emblems or insignia or dress of a king
Now, it refers to any impressively formal clothes
or Decoration, insignia or uniform of a rank, position or an office
e.g. The 5 Star general appeared in full regalia

3.)

Madness

a.) Monomaniac ( 'monos' (single) + maniac) -> obsession to any single particular thing

Noun for the 'obsession' -> Monomania
Adjective -> monomaniacal

b.) Dipsomania -> morbid compulsion to absorb alcoholic beverages

'Dipsa' means thirst
Reason for the "mania" : May not be caused by anxiety or frustrations but by a metabolic or physiological disorder

Adjective : dipsomaniacal

c.) Kleptomania : morbid compulsion to steal, not from any economic motive, but simply because urge to take another’s possessions is irresistible

d.) pyros : fire
incendo/incensus : to set fire
ardo/arsus : to burn

Playing around, we get
pyromania : compulsion to start fires
incendiarism : malicious and deliberate burning of another’s property
arson : burning for money

Pyromaniac : sets fire to property for the thrill
Incendiary : burns for revenge
Arsonist : burns for money

e.) Megalomania ->Megas (great) + mania -> morbid compulsion of grandeur, power, importance godliness
e.g. : Hitler, Alexander the great have been called megalomaniacs

f.) Nymphomania : morbid, incessant uncontrollable and intense desire on the part of female for sexual intercourse
e.g. -> ?

g.) Satyromania : Male nymphomaniac ..so to say
e.g. -> ?

Derived from
Satyr : greek god, notorious for lechery



PHOBIAS

Morbid repulsions to certain conditions, things

i.)
Claustrophobia -> Dread of being physically hemmed in, of enclosed spaces

Derived from :
claustrum : Enclosed spaces

Claustrophobic : Adjective
Claustrophobe : Person

ii.)
Agarophobic : Dread of open spaces
These people prefer to stay shut up in their homes

Derived from :
agora : Market place

iii.)
Acrophobic : High places

Derived from
akros : highest



C ya around
Gau

Session 29

1. Martinet

A rigid military disciplinarian.
One who demands absolute adherence to forms and rules.

Jean Martinet (d. 1672) was a French lieutenant-colonel and Inspector General, and one of the first great drill masters of modern times. Martinet served during the reign of Louis XIV and made way to French conquest in the Holy Roman Empire. He was a severe drillmaster, which made him unpopular among his troops. Martinet revolutionized the early modern army by instituting a standardized system capable of turning raw recruits into a disciplined fighting force, thereby eliminating the mercenaries and soldiers-of-fortune who had been the mainstays of earlier armies. He also introduced the bayonet into the French army and the depot system, which put a stop to the army feeding off the enemy land, making war more humane. The English word martinet derives from the general's last name. History records that Martinet was eventually killed by friendly fire while leading an infantry assault at the siege of Duisberg. Whether or not this was entirely accidental is, of course, a matter of conjecture.

Btw, A bayonet (from French "baïonnette") is a knife or dagger-shaped weapon designed to fit on or over the muzzle of a rifle or similar weapon. It is a close combat or last-resort weapon.

2. Sycophant, in ancient Greece was the counterpart of the Roman delator, a public informer.
According to ancient authorities, the word (derived by them from suko, "fig", and fanēs, "to show") meant one who informed against another for exporting figs (which was forbidden by law) or for stealing the fruit of the sacred fig-trees, whether in time of famine or on any other occasion. The Oxford English Dictionary, however, states that this explanation, though common, "cannot be substantiated", and suggests that it may refer instead to the insulting gesture of "making a fig" or to an obscene alternate meaning for "fig".

Another old explanation was that fines and taxes were at one time paid in figs, wine and oil, and those who collected such payments in kind were called sycophants because they publicly handed them in.

Thus the term has come to mean one who seeks to please people in positions of authority or influence in order to gain power themselves, usually at the cost of pride, principles, and peer respect.
A popular synonym for the term is "toady" or "toadying", derived from the term "toad eater".

Etymology – sykon(fig) + phanein(to show)

Diaphanous – dia(through) + phanein – I think its used for translucent stuff. Something which you can see through, but shouldn’t see through, I am not the perfect person to ask for the examples, I’m sure the rest of you can do better.


3. Dillitante, is someone who does certain task just for amusement. It NOT that he is very passionate about painting/music/writing or any such thing, he just does it sometimes, maybe just a timepass. He might make money from it if he wants to, might do very well if he takes it seriously, but who wants to? It is just that he feels delightful doing it sometimes, not all the times. Dilettante comes from the present participle of Italian delittare, "to delight," from Latin delectare, "to delight," frequentative of delicere, "to allure," from de- + lacere, "to entice."

NL contrasts it to Tyro, which we know is a beginner, who wants to do a lot, is passionate about doing it, but is only beginning to learn how to do it.

i is common in musical circles as suffix
Virtuoso, plural-virtuosos, tashni form – virtuosi
Dilittante, plural-dilittantes, tashni form – dillitanti
Librettoo, plural-libretti/librettos
Concerto, plural- concerti/concertos
tashni form is sophisticated form, bas impression maarne ke liye, now this is my word, not NL’s


4. Virago

A virago was a strong, brave, or warlike woman (from Latin "vir", "a man" – nothing to do with punjabi vir ji, but if you want you can remember the root by associating it as such); the term was later used to mean a loud, violent, or ill-tempered woman. The two meanings have led to the word's use as names for:

Virago Press, a British press publishing women's literature.
Yamaha Virago is a series of motorcyles.
"Virago" is also the name of a spaceship in the Star Wars series of films.

Synonyms – Termagant, harridan


5. Heard of MCP’s?

Here’s another word that derives from the name of a man - Nicolas Chauvin. But while there are no words derived from Martinet, ie no adjectives etc, there are other forms of Chauvinism.

Nicolas Chauvin was a semi-mythical soldier and patriot who served in the First Army of the French Republic and subsequently in La Grande Armee of Napoleon Bonaparte. His name is the origin of the term chauvinism.

Chauvin enlisted at age 18, and served honorably and well. He is known to have been wounded 17 times in his nation's service, resulting in his severe disfigurement and maiming. For his loyalty and dedication, Napoleon himself presented the soldier with the Saber of Honor and a pension of 200 francs.
Chauvin's distinguished record of service and his love and devotion for Napoleon, which endured despite the price he willingly paid for them, earned him only ridicule and derision in post-Napoleonic France. The nation had lost its earlier idealism, and passionate nationalism was less in vogue. He was made a mockery of in several plays which were produced for the original Vaudeville, including La Cocarde Tricolore (1831).

Through the plays in which Chauvin was made a character, the term "chauvinism" was coined as a term for excessive nationalistic fervor. Today it is used for obnoxiously patriotic people, holds a negative connotation. Jabardasti aur fizool ka deshprem.

Now, what I am wondering about is, how did the term MCP, ie, Male Chauvinist Pig(noone’s coming here to hit me!! I dint coin it) come to mean egoist men who are gender biased, rigid in values, imposing etc.

Now, as if all this wasn’t enough, NL picks up another root here and starts describing words derived from it.

Pater/Patris means father and following words are derived from it :
Patriotic - Love for father land
Patrimony (pater+money) - Inheritance from one’s father.
Patronymic(pater+onyma(name)) – A name formed on the father’s name. Example: Birju ke bete Sarju aur Garju. This ain’t funny, this is Patronymic.

Ab inhein ek aur root mil gayi beechmein, to uski bhi aisi ki taisi hogi, aur meri neend ki bhi – Onyma, ie name

+anti(against) -> Antonym
+homos(same) -> Homonym

Back to Pater
Paternity – fatherhood Paternalism, paternalistic
Patriarch (pater + archein(to rule)) – Old man in a ruling, father like position
Patricide(pater + cide(killing)) – Killing one’s father –adj. patricida


6. Maa – Mater, matris – mother

Matriarch – mother ruler. Adj. matriarchy. Ex. England under the reign od Queen Victoria
Matron – an older woman, yes, we have mostly heard as a caretaker of patients in hospitals. Remember Lalita Pawar in Aanand?
Alma mater is formed from soul mother, one’s intellectual mother, educational institution.
Matrimony – Somehow it is not inheritance from one’s mother, but pertains to marriage. The mony here indicates state(as in sanctimony, parsimony), so this implies the nature of marriages, which ultimately lead to the state of being a mother. Basically, getting down to basics.
Matricide – Killing of one’s mother


7. Khatam kar diya

Ab jaate jaate ye kisi ko nahi bakshenge… words to describe the act of killing :

Oneself – suicide
Brother – fratricide
Sister – sorrorocide
A human being – Homicide (intentional killing, planned). For unintentional, accidental killing, manslaughter is the word.
A king – Regicide *** Remember what happened with the Nepalese king and family?
One’s wife – Uxoricide *** Remember Naina Sahni?
One’s husband – Mariticide
A newborn child – Infanticide *** Most shameful, yet very widely prevalent practice in our country, contributing to a highly skewed sex ratio. I think killing an unborn baby is called foeticide.
A whole race or nation – Genocide *** What better example than Holocaust? In fact, it is the place for which it was coined by a UN official in 1944.
Either or both parents - Parricide

Session 28

Care to associate yourself with the following personality types:

1) Martinet – demands strict conformity to rules; intolerant to slightest deviation from orders; someone like the army drill sergeant…
n. someone who demands exact conformity to rules and forms

2) Sycophant – Bootlicker is the most common word describing a sycophant. These are hypocrites who cultivate people of power so that they can curry favour at the opportune moment.
n. a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage

3) Dilettante – A person with independent income, engaging superficially in the pursuit of fine arts – painting, writing, etc. These artistic efforts are simply a means of passing time pleasantly.
n. an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge
adj. showing frivolous or superficial interest; amateurish; "his dilettantish efforts at painting"

4) Virago – Now this word can be [mis]-applied to women alone [for the reasons of respecting gender bias in English language…]. A virago is a loud-mouthed, shrewish [], turbulent woman who is aggressive & quarrelsome at the same time. On the positive side, a virago is strong-minded, unyielding & sharp-tongued.
n. a noisy or scolding or domineering woman

5) Chauvinist – Such people have a feeling that anything that they own or belongs to them is better than the rest simply because it belongs to them.
n. an extreme bellicose nationalist
n. a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind

6) Fanatic – Such people have such an excessive, all inclusive zeal for one thing that your obsession is almost absurd.
n. a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause)
adj. marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea; "rabid isolationist"

7) Iconoclast – Champion of protests against established beliefs, revered traditions & cherished customs.
n. someone who tries to destroy traditional ideas or institutions

8) Atheist – Non- believer of the theory of existence of God.

9) Lecher – As a male, U are lascivious, libidinous, lustful, lewd, wanton, immoral… blah blah.
n. man with strong sexual desires

10) Hypochondriac – You suffer from maladies, which according to you are most real, non-existent as they may be in fact.
hypochondria n. chronic and abnormal anxiety about imaginary symptoms and ailments

Session 27

1. Front and Back

Ventriloquist has been covered in a previous session. So I'm ignoring
it here.
Venter,ventris means belly. Ventralside is the front, belly side. Ventricle builds upon venter. It refers to a hollow cavity within a heart. I don't believe we would benefit by going into the biology of it all, so am just providing the link for interested folks.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ventricle

Auricle is named so coz it is ear-shaped(auris: ear). Auricles provide
the blood to the ventricles.

2. Uncles

Avunculus is latin for uncle leading to avuncular. Uncles carry with them the tag of being protective, indulgent, kind and many other positive traits. So anyone displaying such characteristics is avuncular.

Dorsal is the opposite of ventral side. The dorsal side is the back side, deriving from 'dorsum' which further leads to endorse.To endorse is to back something i.e. you approve of the idea and are ready to endorse an idea, plan whatever.

3. Thunderous noises

Vociferous(vox,vocis: voice + fero: to bear, carry). The Indian cricket team has a lot of vociferous supporters no matter where it plays. They are loud, vehement, shouting.

4. Sleep baby sleep

Somnus - sleep.

Somniferous(somnus + fero): bringing sleep. I, for one, attended a lot of somniferous lectures in college.

Combine the negative connotation carrying 'in' with somnus and we get Insomnia, the infamous disease(?) wherein a person is incapable of sleeping when sleep is required or necessary. Last heard, Harshal Mehra has become an insomniac.

Somnabulism(somnus + ambulo: to walk) - To walk in one's sleep, sleep-walking.

Sopar is another latin word for sleep. A soporific speaker is bound to put his audience to sleep by his dull, uninteresting style of delivery.

5. A Walkway

Ambulatory patients are fit enough to walk around in hospital, home etc.

A perambulator is a baby carriage for walking an infant around in streets. Famously called pram.

To amble is to roam around without an objective in mind, aimlessly.

To perambulate is to stroll around, like in a garden or so.

Interesting: Ambulance was so named coz it initially composed of two stretcher bearers who walked off the war zone with the wounded soldier.

Etymologically, Preamble means something that 'walks before'.. So a preamble has come to mean a sort of prologue to a speech, a preamble to a speech.. Or maybe I could say that the national anthems of the nations being played before a football game are a preamble to the game
itself.

6. Noun Suffixes

Inarticulate derives from negative 'in' and 'articulus': latin for joint. An articulate speaker can speak fluently without stammering i.e. he has no problems at all connecting or joining words. On the other end of the spectrum are inarticulate people who have trouble joining words
coherently.

NL informs us that the suffix -ness can be added to any adjective to form the noun form.

Also, -ity is another noun suffix added to adjectives. Say for example humid ka noun form is humidity.

-ness and -ity are noun suffixes added to adjectives whereas -ion is a noun suffix attached to verbs( benediction, articulation etc).

That's all.

Session 26

Hello Gyaanis
Shit... the dreaded day has arrived yet again. I better get down to business unless I end up making a hodgepodge.

This session starts on a very interesting note.
When Philip of Macedonia was storming the gates of Sparta (aka Laconia), he sent a message to the beseiged king saying, "If we capture your city we will burn it to the ground." A one-word answer came back: "If."
Ha ha ha... I think people would recollect this, does it bring back any memories?

It is from the name Laconia that we derive the word laconic - concise.
Exactly the opposite of verbose. Is the gentleman in charge of Monday listening?

Here is another reply you can use when you go to a fast-food restaurant and the guy asks you, "Will you have it here or take it with with you?".... "Both"
Ha ha ha...

Cogent - from Latin cogo (to drive together, compel, force)
A cogent argument is well put, convincing - it compels acceptance because of its logic.
Cogency shows a keen mind, an ability to think clearly and logically.


Let's Talk
Remember loquor?
We have more words such as,

Eloquent : e-, ex- (out) + loquor (speak) - speaks out; vicidly expressive, fluent, forceful or persuasive in language.
Eg. The speaker's eloquence held the audience in charm.

Magniloquent : magnus (large) + loquor
Grandiloquent : grandis (grand ) + loquor
These imply the use of grandiose and pompous language.
What we are doing day and night (commonly known as gas, or bakwaaaaas), what we aspire to do in a manager's capacity.
An example, a doctor is a member of the medical fraternity.

Verbose : from Latin verbum (word) - full of words
Voluble : from Latin volvo (to roll) - words effortlessly roll off Sharmaji's tongue.
Garrulous : from Latin garrio (to chatter) - chatters away like a monkey.
Add -ity and we have the nouns- verbosity, volubility, garrulity.

One thing here... whenever you encounter a question in a test that asks you to choose the most apt sentence... choose the one that is least verbose... If the same idea is being conveyed in fewer words, choose that one.

And you might want to read this... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo


At large

More words with magnus (great):
magnanimous : magnus + animus (mind) - big-hearted, generous... Modesty prevents me from going on...
magnate - a person of great power or influence. Eg. a business magnate.
magnify : magnus + -fy, from facio (to make) - to make large.
magnificent : magnus + fic, from facio.
magnitude : magnus + -tude (noun suffix)
magnum (as of champagne or wine) - a large bottle, generally twice the size of a standard bottle.
magnum opus : magnus + Latin opus (work) - big work. Acually, the greatest work or masterpiece.

Other words from opus:
Plural of opus, opera - a musical drama containing many musical works.
The verb opero (to work) occurs in operate, co-operate, operator etc.


Words
It's only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away...

verbum - word
verbatim - word-for-word. A verbatim report.
verbiage - has 2 meanings, a) an excess of words - such 'verbiage'!
b) a style or manner of using words - medical verbiage, military verbiage, software verbiage.


Keep Rollin'
volvo - to roll
revolve - roll again
involve : in- + volvo - roll in, i.e., get invlolved.
evolve : e- + volvo - roll out, i.e., gradually develop.

I'm too lazy to write a review of etymology. Well, I guess we have stopped the practice.
Kindly refer to NL.
Phew!

Good Luck!
MV

Session 25

SESSION 25

A root to begin with…

Taceo -> latin(verb) -> to be silent

From this, we derive

Tacit -> better left unsaid
E.g.
A man is dying of cancer. Everybody knows about it but nobody mentions the dreaded word …It is tacitly understood by all.

Usage->

A tacit agreement
A tacit arrangement

Noun -> ‘Tacitness’

Changing the ‘a’ to ‘i’ and adding the prefix ‘re’ + adjective suffix -> reticent

Reticent -> person who prefers to be keep silent whether out of shyness, embarrassment or fear of revealing what should not be revealed.

Noun -> reticence

Talkkkkkkkkkkkk…….

The root….
‘loquor’ -> latin

Derive…
Loquacious -> people who love to talk
Noun-> loquacity or loquaciousness

Other words derived from 'loquor'

1.) Soliloquoy -> ‘loquor’ + (‘solus’-> alone)-> speech when alone -> talk to oneself.

Another Meaning:
Utterances made in a play by characters who are speaking their thoughts aloud so the audience wont have to guess.
Explanation: A soliloquist may be alone; or other members of the cast may be present on the stage but they don’t hear what is being said, because they are not supposed to.....

Verb -> Soliloquize

2.) Venter, Ventris -> belly + ‘Loquor ‘,
We get......
Ventriloquism -> Speaking from the belly
Ventriloquist -> one who can throw his voice.

Meaning -> The listener thinks the sound is coming from some source other than the person speaking

3.) Colloquial -> Prefix ‘con’ (together)(Imp : ‘con’ is spelled ‘col’ before a root starting with ’l’… FYI.. it is used as ‘com’ before a root starting with m,p or b) + 'loquor'

Explanation of origin and meaning : When people speak together,they engage in conversation, their language is usually more informal and less rigidly grammatical than what you expect in writing or in public addresses.
Colloquial patterns are perfectly correct – they are simply informal, and suitable to everyday conversation

‘Colloquialism’ therefore, is a conversational-style expression
Colloquial English is the English you and I speak on everyday occasions- it is not vulgar, slangy or illiterate.

4.) Circumlocution (‘Circum’-> around + 'loquor' ) -> talking around
Meaning:
Any idea that is roundabout or indirect is circumlocutory

Thats it.......

One important summary:
Now we know –ory is used in adjectives.

C ya around
Gau

Session 24

Finally!! some nice, new words. I like this session, though again, we know half of them already, but this time the glass is at least half empty(or hazy), lets start filling it...

Taciturn - These people simply don't like to talk, and whats more, don't like to listen either. Least interested in any kind of conversations, they give you an impression of distance and seriousness. Do you think former PM of India, Narsimha Rao, was such a person? I'm not sure, may be he was listening intently all the time. They are NOT shy, just habitually silent.

Laconic - Easy one, these people are very brief and to the point. The anecdote given in NL is a nice one. Laconic people usually give a response so curt as to be almost rude. Succinct/concise.

Inarticulate - They want to say a lot, are overflowing with some emotion, but end up spluttering words and thus sounding dumb, faltering, blurred and incomprehensible. I think this is not something which is a characterstic of any person, but it is a situational occurance.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/inarticulate

Garrulous - They talk excessively, tirelessly(but often tiresomely for the listener). You can call up our dear Komal at 1 am and 'experience' the meaning of this word. Harshal, don't mind, we love her too :)
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/garrulous

Banal - YaWn$$$ Do i need to explain this? Cliche/unoriginal/humourless souls.

Verbose - Wordy people, exact opposites of laconic people. Repetitious, will say everything in a long-winded manner, close to bombastic and rhetorical. Ever had the opportunity of visiting our TPO Mr. Basu's room?

Voluble - Rapid, fluent talkers, they can twist and turn converstaions with such ease that you just listen with amazement. Undoubtedly a word that describes the king of sense and nonsense alike, Shaleen.

Cogent - They talk persuasively, give logical, potent arguments and have the power to influence. Ultimately convincing you to believe or do what they want. The most desirable quality of an Insurance agent.

Vociferous - Offensively loud, noisy, clamorous, vehement people. Oppositions by a vociferous mob can make kings bow to the demands or governments rethink their strategies(unless of course, the government is Indian, and the ruling party is the divine INC).

Loquacious - They too talk a lot, and the speciality of their speech lies in the quantity and continuity. They can be voluble, vociferous, garrulous and verbose but NOT inarticulate, taciturn or laconic. Always keen to blab and disclose secrets.


It's interesting how easily NL provides us distinct meanings of these words. If you see their meanings online, most of them will be given as just synonyms of each other.

Session 23

Hey Fellows !!! Here's the session... [the formatting errors were courtesy Mozilla FireFox.]

1) malus – bad [malediction, malefactor, malevolent …]
2) bene – adverbial form of bonus – good [benediction, benefactor, benevolent …]

"The adjective bonus means extra payment theoretically – but not necessarily for some good act. The French connection to this root is ‘bonbon’ meaning good good. "

3) fides – faith or trust [fidelity, bona fide …]
a. bona fide
i. adj. not counterfeit or copied; "an authentic signature"; "a bona fide manuscript";
"an unquestionable antique";
ii. adj. undertaken in good faith; "a bona fide offer"
b. fidelity
i. n. (fidelity vs. infidelity) the quality of being faithful
ii. n. accuracy with which an electronic system reproduces the sound or image of its input signal

4) dico, dictus – to say or tell [dictate, dictation, dictator, predict, dictaphone, contradict]
a. dictaphone
i. n. a tape recorder that records and reproduces dictation

5) facio, factus – to do or make [malefactor, benefactor, factory(-ory, a place where)]

“Fact n Fiction”
-Fact is something done i.e. something that occurs, or exists, or is therefore true.
-Fiction is something made up or invented.

6) manus – to make, by hand [manufacture, manuscript, manual]

7) -fy verbs – clarify, magnify, ‘simplifly’ (tagline for which airlines ??)

8) volo – to wish, to be willing, willingness [malevolent, benevolent, voluntary, volunteer]
a. volition – the act or power of willing or wishing.

9) plac – derived from two related verbs meaning, to please & to sooth, appease.
a. placate (turn from hostile to friendly)
i. v. cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of; "She managed to mollify her angry boss"
ii. synonyms - calm; tranquilize; tranquillize; tranquillize; still; lull; calm down; quiet
b. placatory (mood), placation, implacable, placid, complacent(com-, with, together)]

10) Im- is a respelling of in-, not, before the letter p.

11) dono – to give. [donate, condone (to forgive, pardon or overlook an offence)]

Have a nice day...:-)

Session 22

Hello gyaanis. I'm extremely extremely sorry for posting the session this late.


1. How to Tickle

Lewis informs us that titillate comes from a latin word meaning 'to tickle'. You can literally
titillate by touching in strategic places resulting in a pleasant physical sensation and
figuratively titillate people's minds, whims, palates by your wit, charm etc.


2. Flattery

Compliment is a courteous form of praise. Flattery is stronger and most often insencere.
Adulation is when you do it too much to an excessive, ridiculous degree. Adulate derives from a
latin verb meaning to 'fawn upon'.


3. Ways of writing

Proscribe (pro: before + scribo: to write). Proscribe basically means to forbi. A doctor
proscribes against eating unhealthy food, the law proscribes against illegal malpractices and so
on and so forth.

Scribo,scriptus is the building block for many words such as

a. Describe- scribe when used along with de(down) etymologically refers to 'writing down'.
b. Manuscript- Scriptus + manus(hands) means handwritten.
c. Scriptures- Holy writings.
d. Subscribe- To write one's name under a contract or order(like for a magazine, reminds me,
goddam it when will i subscribe to Frontline!!). Also the lesser common meaning is subscribing to a philosophy or a principle.
e. Inscribe- To write in a book or somewhere.
f. Postscript- Some notes added after the main part is over.


4. Aint it pretty obvious?

Via means by way of. It derives from the latin word for 'road'.
When you are doing something, what's obvious is there for you to see and needs to be done. But
while attempting the job at hand, if there is some hindrance, you dispose of the obstacle
forthwith and continue. What we are doing here is obviating. So if i prepare regularly for CAT, i
automatically obviate the need of last minute mugging of formulas.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/obviate

Trivial(tri-3 + via): This is pretty interesting. Now where there are 3 roads meeting at a
trisection, there are lots of people and hence i wont talk of private, confidential matters but
will instead veer my conversation with someone to trivialities or trivia. I remember reading in a
pagalguy.com post this year that an IIM interview panel member asked a candidate the origin of the word trivia. Now i know. YESSSS!!


5. War

Militate is from militis (latin for soldier or fighting man). Something militating against you
means it is fighting against you. e.g. my laziness militates against my better sense. NL takes
care to make us remeber that militate is ALWAYS followed by against.

Militant too derives from militis. Not wasting time here. Still people interested may access the
links
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/militant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militant


6. Bad News

Malign derives from malus(bad,evil). Means to bring to defame, to bring to slander by evil talks. Also refers to adjective as in the use of "malign influence of his unconscious will to fail".

Let's play now..

Add the root dico(to tell) to malus. And what do we have here.. Malediction- a curse, an evil
saying.

Add volo(to wish, to will) and we get malevolent meaning 'wishing harm or evil'. Malevolent
glances,attitude et al.

Add facio(to do or make) and we arrive at maleficient meaning doing harm or evil. Maleficient
behaviour, deeds.

Some other words having malus as the root are maladroit, malicious, malice, malady etc.


I guess that covers session 22. Do find time to read the book too, nothing replaces the real
McCoy!

Piyush