Aegis

by | Aug 20, 2014 | Education, English, Greek

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

by | Aug 20, 2014 | Education, English, Latin, Vocabulary

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,...

Anesthetic

by | Aug 19, 2014 | Education, English, Greek, Vocabulary

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.

by | Aug 19, 2014 | Education, English, Latin, Vocabulary

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...

I hate this post…

by | Aug 16, 2014 | Education, English, Latin, Vocabulary

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

by | Aug 15, 2014 | Education, English, Latin, Vocabulary

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...

Metaphor

by | Aug 15, 2014 | Education, English, Greek, Vocabulary

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...

Aerosol

by | Aug 14, 2014 | Greek, Latin, Vocabulary

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

by | Aug 14, 2014 | English, Latin, Vocabulary

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,...

Hestia and the Toaster

by | Aug 12, 2014 | Latin in Literature, Vocabulary

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...

Abducent

by | Aug 12, 2014 | Education, English, Vocabulary

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

by | Aug 12, 2014 | Education, English, Vocabulary

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

by | Aug 9, 2014 | Education, 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 learn Spanish.

by | Aug 7, 2014 | Education, Latin, Motivation, 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...

English power boost!

by | Aug 6, 2014 | Education, English, Greek, Latin, Vocabulary

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:...

Time to get a passport…

by | Aug 6, 2014 | Education, Motivation, The Future

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...