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...