Blog
Agriology
Agriology: the study of wild, primitive tribes. From Greek άγριος (wild, living in the field). Άγριος derives from ἀγρός (field). The suffix of the word agriology derives from Greek λογός (word, the study of).
ab irato
Ab irato: From anger. Ab irato is a legal phrase. It describes decisions made in anger. Such decisions (based on hatred, or anger) are frequently detrimental. Fortunately, heirs have recourse. They can file a suit against rash action. The suit is an “ab irato”...
Agronomy
Agronomy: the study of crops and the soil they love; the science of soil management. From Greek ἀγρός (field) and νόμος (law). Agronomy is literally, “the law of the field”.
Ab initio
Ab initio: from the beginning; from the start. In law, ab initio may refer to the time a legal document becomes, well, legal. In science, ab initio points to first principles, or basic laws. Ab initio is a Latin phrase, meaning (you guessed it), from the beginning....
Acre
Acre: a plot of land equal to 4,840 square yards. In Old English, an æcer was simply a “tilled field”. Later, the word described the amount of land plowed by oxen in a single day. This is an old word. Variations show up in many ancient European languages. In Latin,...
Aversion
Aversion: an intense dislike; opposition of mind; disinclination; reluctance; hatred. Derived from Latin ab (away) and vertere (to turn), the literal meaning of this word is: to turn away. Example: She had a deep aversion to broccoli.
Have I bewildered you as well?
I received this email recently: I'm totally confused. During the last school year I purchased Latin 1 and my son started to slowly work through it. (He just finished lesson 10.) At that point I didn't have a teacher's guide, tests, or vocabulary lists. All I had was...
Considering College? Consider this.
College, for me, was a waste of time. I naively did what I was told. I did what every high school graduate was supposed to do. I went to college. It was a four year delay of game. There is more information out there now. It is getting harder to keep the truth...
Abstraction
Abstraction: Dealing with ideas rather than events. Abstraction is also a state of mind occupied by abstract ideas. When we consider the branch of a tree by itself, or the color of leaves, as separate from their size or shape, the act is abstraction. When we...
When should I start Lingua Latina?
I received this question today: I am currently lesson planning Visual Latin I for my HS sophomore. Your VL/Lingua Latina schedule does not begin combining the two until lesson 17 or so, but your sample Week 12 lesson already has the student doing chapter 2 of Lingua...
Meteor
Meteor: a shooting star; a space rock passing into Earth’s atmosphere, appearing as a bright light in the sky. From Greek μετέωρον (the thing high up). Mετέωρον further derives from μετα (among, between, over) and ἀείρω (to lift, to rise...
Don’t try this…
Abstain: to withhold oneself; to refrain from voluntarily; to refrain from indulgence. I attempted to abstain from chocolate and coffee once. Ah... to be young and foolish again. Abstain comes from Latin ab (away) and tenere (to hold).
Aorta
Aorta: The great artery, or trunk of the arterial system. It proceeds from the left ventricle of the heart, giving origin to all the arteries, except the pulmonary arteries. It first rises, when it is called the ascending aorta; then makes a great curve, when it gives...
Absent
Absent: gone, not there, not present physically, or not present mentally. Absent derives from Latin absunt, which means, they are not here. Absunt itself derives from Latin ab (away) and the infinitve esse (to be). With the condition of American schools these days,...
Am I ready for Lingua Latina?
Recently, I received this question: I have a 17 year old daughter who has done Visual Latin through lesson 45, but hasn’t read Lingua Latina. She is planning on finishing through lesson 50. I noticed your on line classes use the book along with the DVD. I was...
Aegis
Aegis: a shield, or protective armor; protective influence or power. Aegis comes from the Greek word Αιγίς. The Aegis was the shield of Zeus in Greek mythology. Though made of goatskin, it was extremely strong. These days, if you are under the aegis of someone, you...
Abrasion
Abrasion: A scrape. Fall off of a bicycle and you may end up with an abrasion. Abrasion can also be the act of wearing or rubbing off. For example: The constant abrasion of chairs left scratches on the hardwood floors. Abrasion come from the Latin word abradere,...
Liber, Liberi, or Libero?
Online students... one of you asked today about liberi, libero, and liber. Here is the answer: http://youtu.be/KTTzZE1PoSI
Liber, Libero, and Liberi?
Online students... one of you asked today about liberi, libero, and liber. Here is the answer: http://youtu.be/KTTzZE1PoSI
Anesthetic
Anesthetic: a drug that numbs feeling; and agent causing loss of feeling, or sensation. From the Greek αν (not; without) and αἰσθητικός (sensitive, feeling). Whenever people pine for the good old days, I remind them of one word... dentistry.
Measure twice, cut once.
Abnormal: not typical, something out of the ordinary. Don’t get this word confused with its positive equivalent, exceptional. If you are abnormal, you are exceptional... in a worrisome sort of way. Abnormal has an interesting derivation. Ab, of course, means away,...
I hate this post…
Abhor: to regard with disgust; to hate extremely, or with contempt; to loathe, detest, or abominate. From Latin ab (away) and horreo (to dread, shudder at, or bristle). Example: She abhorred the weekly staff meeting.
Aberrant
Aberrant: Wandering, straying from the right way. From Latin ab (away) and erro (I wander). The noun form of the word, aberration is an unwelcome (usually) departure from what is normal, or expected. Example: Years later, she abandoned her aberrant ways.
Metaphor
Metaphor: a short similitude; a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object. For example: The soldier was a lion in combat. From Greek μεταφερω (to transfer), which further derives from μετα (over) and φερω (carry). Mixed metaphors are fun. It’s...
How to talk about time in Latin…
http://youtu.be/vDOH5jysMjg
Who did it?
This short video explains the Ablative of Agent in Latin. http://youtu.be/PqCf5OrcHSg
Aerosol
Aerosol: a pressurized substance, released as a fine spray, by means of a propellant. Aerosol contains small particles, liquid, or solid. These tiny particles are suspended in a gas. The word may also mean the container itself. Aerosol, first used in 1919, comes...
Abduce
Abduce: to draw from; to withdraw; to move a limb away from the body. This word, like abducent, is used mostly in anatomy. Example: While lifting weights in the gym, we might abduce our arms. Well... some of us might. Abduce derives from Latin ab, away from, and...
How to get something done in Latin… with a tool.
http://youtu.be/qS8GYSgiXZI
Hestia and the Toaster
J. K. Rowling makes me laugh. At the prodding of my kids, I have picked up the Harry Potter series once again. I read novels only at night as I am falling asleep. Too much work the rest of the day. Don't grow up, kids. Anyway... I was recently reading in the Order...
Abducent
Abducent: drawing away from, pulling back. This word usually describes those muscles which pull back certain parts of the body. The abducent muscles separate, open, or bend body parts. Abducent derives from Latin ab (away) and duco (I lead).
Aeronautics
Aeronautics: the science, or art, of sailing in the air. This is a word you would not expect to find in Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary, but, there it is. In his dictionary, however, you will find an additional phrase: by means of a ballon. Aeronautical science has...
Questions about Henle Latin
I received this question about Henle Latin some time ago: I am in a co op with just three, possibly four students. They all had a very poor year last year in Henle 1. Where would you recommend I begin? Do you recommend going back in Henle 1 for review, or just...
How to get to Jerusalem… in Latin.
http://youtu.be/ERPaHyJv4u8
How to learn Spanish.
A student emailed me a question: Hi Mr. Thomas, I plan on a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish. Should I wait to start Spanish in college or start now? My Mom has not found a good Spanish teacher in our area yet. Do you know of a good online...
Warning: Henle Latin could ruin your school year….
Since Classical Conversations adopted Henle Latin as their preferred Latin textbook, we have received requests from students asking for an online Henle Latin Class. Well... here it is! This fall I will take students through the first year Henle course! That’s right,...
Nun
Nun - a chickmonk. From Late Latin nonna (a tutor).
English power boost!
English vocabulary is made up of 60% Latin words and 10% Greek words. This means, that, by learning those old Greek and Latin roots, you will possess the key to 70% of the language that your fellow students do not possess. - Rita McNamera, in 14 Basic Roots: the Key...
Time to get a passport…
John Whitehead, attorney, author, and founder of The Rutherford Institute sends a warning: We’re All Criminals and Outlaws in the Eyes of the American Police State By John W. Whitehead August 04, 2014 “Never in the civilised world have so many been locked up for so...
How to call a friend in Latin…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCec3h5b-SM
Lucius Malfoy
Lucius Malfoy, in the Harry Potter series, is the father of Draco Malfoy. In the last post about J.K. Rowling's famous series, we looked into the meaning of Draco's name. In case you weren't paying attention, Draco is Latin for dragon, or snake. Malfoy is a...
How to empower your children.
"If you raise your children to feel that they can accomplish any goal or task they decide upon, you will have succeeded as a parent and you will have given your children the greatest of all blessings." - Brian Tracy
Get comfortable with failure.
As a teacher, there are certain things I am should not say. Here is a big one: "I hate tests and quizzes." I should not say stuff like that. I am a teacher. Still, it's true. I hate them. I hate them for one massive reason. Tests and quizzes instill fear in my...
Draco Malfoy
Rowling plays with language throughout the Harry Potter series. Consider this: One of the main characters in J.K. Rowling's series is Draco Malfoy. This is no accidental name. Draco, in Latin, means dragon, or even, snake. Draco Malfoy is in Slytherin House. No...
Happy New Month!
August: respected, impressive; the eighth month. For the record, I like the Old English name better. Weodmonað means weed month. Let's bring this name back. Who's with me? To honor the emperor Caesar Augustus, the Romans renamed the month sextilis. Sextilis, now...
The Great Seal of Hogwarts
Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus. This is the motto underneath the seal of Hogwarts. But, what does it mean? "Sleeping Dragons Should Not Be TIckled." Good advice. It may remind you of Tolkein's warning, "Never laugh at live dragons." The similarities are no...
Be a part of it…
I need some help. We are often reminded that kids today don't read as much as they once did. I don't know if that is true or not. I do know they have more distractions today than they once did. I am working on a short, attention grabbing, engaging introduction to...
Happy Birthday, Harry!
Happy Birthday, Harry! In honor of Harry Potter's birthday, I am starting a new category: Latin in Literature. J. K. Rowling plays with Latin, Greek, French, and German throughout her famous series. For example, Caput Draconis is a password from the first book. It...
Take a tour of Ancient Rome
If you have ever wondered what ancient Rome looked like... you no longer need to wonder. Thanks to the Khan Academy, you can take a virtual tour of the city:...
The Accusative + the Infinitive
This concept is bewildering to many of my students. Latin does something here that English does not. Hence the confusion. This video should clear things up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFnYRYrRV1s&list=UUbK6ZQ869b-rtmMTSA5uLrg