by Dwane | Jan 20, 2015 | Education, English, Greek, Vocabulary
Nostalgia: a longing for home; a longing for better days. From Greek νοσταλγία (nostalgia), which further derives from νόστος (a return home), and ἄλγος (pain, suffering).
by Dwane | Jan 20, 2015 | Education, English, Vocabulary
Adult: a person who has stopped growing at both ends and is now growing in the middle. From Latin adultus (mature, ripe, fully grown).
by Dwane | Dec 16, 2014 | Education, English, Greek, Latin, Vocabulary
Influenza: an epidemic catarrh. Naturally, you know what a catarrh is. Neither did I. A catarrh is an inflammation of the nose and throat. It is from the Greek κατάρροος, which is basically a “head cold”. Kατάρροος means, “I flow down.” Just use your imagination....
by Dwane | Dec 12, 2014 | English, Greek, Vocabulary
Amphoric sound – a sound made by blowing across the mouth of a bottle or jug. In medical terminology, amphoric sound is an abnormal, resonant, hollow, blowing sound heard with a stethoscope over the thorax. It indicates a cavity opening into a bronchus or a...
by Dwane | Dec 12, 2014 | English, Latin, Vocabulary
Adage – a wise saying. For example: Eagles soar, but weasels do not get sucked into jet engines. From Latin ad (to, toward) and agere (to do, to drive). Here are a few more of my favorite adages: Experience is a comb which nature gives us when we are bald....
