Etymology List #8

affinity (uh FIN uh tee) (noun) A natural attraction; kinship; similarity Link: FIN TEA

This kitten and puppy seem to have an affinity for one another, which goes against the notion that cats and dogs dont get along well.

aftermath (AF tur math) (noun) Events following some occurrence; a consequence of Link: AFTER MATH

The aftermath of devastation from Hurricane Sandy has shattered peoples homes, lives, and belongings.

ajar (uh JARR) (adjective) Partially open Link: JAR

If youre a fan of puns, you might find the cartoon above amusing. Even if you dont, it definitely shows the meaning of the word ajar, which means partially open. Oh, and heres a fun joke: When is a door not a door? When its ajar!! Ha Ha. I crack myself up!

alleviate (uh LEE vee ayt) (verb) (alleviation – noun) To make less severe; to relieve, to lessen Link: LEAVES ATE

The Red Cross seeks to alleviate peoples suffering after disasters by providing much- needed food, supplies, medical assistance, and even blood to injured people.

anterior (an TIR ee ur) (adjective) Situated in front Link: ANTLERS

You probably havent thought of a fish in terms of its anterior and posterior, but you should if you like to fish, because its easier to catch a fish from the anterior position rather than its tail.

bizarre (bih ZAR) (adjective) Extremely unconventional or far-fetched Link: BAZAAR

In the show Bizarre Foods, Andrew Zimmern tastes bizarre dishes such as brains and foie gras in Los Angeles restaurant called Animal. bizarre

bleak (bleak) (adjective) Depressing, discouraging, harsh, cold, barren, raw Link: LEAK

While Seattle is an interesting city with unique sights to visit, many people wouldnt want to live there because of its bleak weather; the city is said to have only 60 sunny days a year.

candor (CAN dur) (noun) (candid – adj.) Truthfulness, sincere honesty Link: CONDOR

Barbara Walters (left) and Nancy Grace (right) are American journalists, and while both are known for their candor with their interview subjects, many find Nancy Graces interview style to be abrasive and at times even abusive.

catharsis (kuh THAR sis) (noun) (cathartic – adj.) An emotional or psychological cleansing that brings relief or renewal Link: CATS AND HORSES

Some people say that having a good cry can be a form of catharsis just as powerful as dancing, singing, or writing, but this isnt the case for all people, as an article in Directions in Psychological Science indicates.

circa (SUR ka) (preposition) About; at an estimated historical time period Link: CIRCUS

Staurikosaurus Herrerasaurus The two dinosaurs shown here are said to have lived circa 230 million years ago, a time so long ago it is hard to even fathom.

demagogue (DEM uh gawg) (noun) (demagoguery – noun- the practice of rule by appealing to emotion/prejudice) A leader who obtains power by appealing to emotions / prejudices Link: THEM DOGS

Hitler and Mussolini are well-known demagogues. When they were leaders, many Italians and Germans fell prey to the prejudices they perpetuated, especially those that related to purity of their own race at the expense of others. Today, some accuse Syrian presidnet Bashar al-Assad of demagoguery because he is responsible for the deaths of many Syrians who oppose him. Hitler Mussolini Assad

demur (dih MUR) (verb) To object, to make exception Link: PURE

Most young women demur when a guy they dont know wants to kiss them. Thats just kind of gross.

domain (DOUGH mane) (noun) A territory over which one rules, has influence or powers Link: PLAIN

The use of eminent domain to seize property is controversial because when people buy their homes they dont expect to be ousted from them so roads or bridges can be built, but especially not so others can make money from them.

Euphonious (you PHONE ee us) (adjective) (euphony – noun) pleasing to the ear Link: YOU PHONE US

Most music connoisseurs agree that Beethovens Für Elise is euphonious, especially in comparison to more contemporary music such as dubstep or rap.euphonious

Fawn (fawn) (verb) exhibit affection; seek favor through flattery; to suck up to someone Link: FAWN

Dispatch sports writer Bob Hunter says that fans who fawn over OSU players share the blame for the Bucks problems because they idolize players and make them feel as though they deserve special treatment.

Gazebo (guh ZEE boe) (noun) an outdoor structure with a roof and open sides Link: ZEBRA

This is a pretty fancy shmancy gazebo. Most arent nearly this elaborate, but they all serve the same purpose: to give people a little shelter as they enjoy being outside.

herbicide (HERB uh side) (noun) A substance used to destroy plants, especially weeds Link: SUICIDE

Herb Tarlek Herb Tarlek was such an obnoxious character in the series WKRP in Cincinnati that some might have liked to use a herbicide on him, but the picture on the right represents a herbicide you might use to get rid of weeds in your yard.

intervene (in tur VEEN) (verb) (intervention – noun) To come between; to mediate, to occur between times Link: BETWEEN

The show Intervention chronicles the lives of drug and alcohol addicts who have hit rock bottom to the point that their families seek professional help to intervene because the families dont know how to help them.

inveigle (in VAY gul) (verb) To tempt or persuade by using deception or flattery Link: BAGEL

Unfortunately, too many alumni seek to inveigle college athletes in order to gain special favors for themselves.

lax (lax) (adj.) Careless, negligence; not tense, slack Link: TAX

The debate about how to best raise children rages on as the era of helicopter parents constant control vs. lax parents seemingly negligent style continues.

melancholy (MEL un kahl ee) (noun, adjective) Depression of spirits, gloomy, weary Link: MELON

This photograph, entitled Autumns Melancholy, visually depicts the melancholy feeling that some people have when weather turns cold and gray. Certain music may also evoke these feelings of gloominess.

Mores (MAWR āyz) (noun) customary cultural standards; moral attitudes, manners, habits Link: MORE As

Societal mores have changed, extending rights those who didnt have them, including 14 th Amendment rights of equal protection, womens right to vote, racial integration of the armed services, Civil Rights laws, and rights allowing gay people to openly serve in the military. In each instance, people thought these rights would have negative effects that have not materialized.

Orthodox (OR thuh dahks) (adjective) (orthodoxyj – noun) conventional, doing it by the book, sticking to established principles Link: THROW ROCKS

Many faiths have specific criteria to remain orthodox, including those related to dress, employment, food, and celebrating the Sabbath.

pied (pyed) (adjective) multi-colored, especially of more than one color in patches Link: PIED PIPER

The pied colors of this puppys fur and Josephs coat in the famous musical are great examples of how the word pied could be used.

stupefy (STOO puh fie) (verb) To make numb with amazement; to stun into helplessness Link: SUPER FLY

This card in the Harry Potter game puts a spell on people that stupefies them and then renders them unconscious. Meanwhile, in its real usage, the writer of this article says that some politicians wish to stupefy kids by mixing the teaching of evolution and intelligent design.