by Dwane | 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...
by Dwane | 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...
by Dwane | Aug 15, 2014 | Education, English, Latin, ScreenCasts
by Dwane | 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).
by Dwane | 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...
