English Words from Latin and Greek Elements

by Ayers, Donald

• ISBN13: 9780816508990
• ISBN10: 0816508992
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1986-05-01
• Publisher: UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA PRESS

Summary

Since 1965,Donald Ayers'English Words from Latin and Greek Elementshas helped thousands of students to a broader vocabulary by showing them how to recognize classical roots in modern English words. Its second edition, published in 1986, has confirmed that vocabulary is best taught by root, not rote. The importance of learning classical word roots is already acknowledged by vocabulary texts that devote chapters to them. Why a whole book based on this approach? Ayers' text exposes students to a wider range of roots, introduces new English words in context sentences, and reinforces vocabulary through exercises. It promotes more practice with roots so that students learn to use them as tools in their everyday encounters with new words.English Wordsis written from the standpoint of English; it neither attempts to teach students Latin or Greek nor expects a knowledge of classical languages on the part of instructors. Its success has been demonstrated at both the secondary and college levels, and it can be used effectively with students in remedial or accelerated programs. An Instructor's Manual (gratis with adoption) and a Workbook are also available.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition	xi	(3)
From the Preface to the First Edition	xiv	(3)
Acknowledgments	xvii	(1)
Books on the Study of Words	xviii	(4)
Proto-Indo-European Language Chart	xxii
Introduction: The Indo-European Family of Languages	1	(5)
The Development of the English Vocabulary	6	(10)
PART I: WORD ELEMENTS FROM LATIN	16	(127)
Lesson I: The Dictionary	16	(10)
Lesson II: Definition	26	(9)
Latin Bases	27	(8)
Lesson III: Assimilation of Prefixes	35	(5)
Prefixes	37	(3)
Lesson IV: Abbreviations and Acronyms	40	(6)
Prefixes	42	(4)
Lesson V: Back Formations, Apheresis, and Aphesis	46	(6)
Prefixes	48	(4)
Lesson VI: Combinations of Bases	52	(5)
Numerals	54	(3)
Lesson VII: Hybrids	57	(3)
Lesson VIII: Suffixes	60	(5)
Adjective-forming Suffixes	61	(4)
Lesson IX: Word Analysis: Etymological Definition	65	(5)
Adjective-forming Suffixes	67	(3)
Lesson X: Dissimilation and Other Sound Changes	70	(5)
Adjective-forming Suffixes	72	(3)
Lesson XI: Semantic Change	75	(7)
Adjective-forming Suffixes	79	(3)
Lesson XII: Specialization and Generalization of Meaning	82	(4)
Adjective-forming Suffixes	84	(2)
Lesson XIII: Functional Change	86	(4)
Adjective-forming Suffixes	87	(3)
Lesson XIV: Degeneration and Elevation of Meaning	90	(4)
Noun-forming Suffixes	91	(3)
Lesson XV: Change from Abstract to Concrete, and Vice Versa	94	(4)
Noun-forming Suffixes	95	(3)
Lesson XVI: Weakening and Hyperbole	98	(3)
Noun-forming Suffixes	99	(2)
Lesson XVII: Change of Meaning Due to Changing Concepts	101	(5)
Diminutive Suffixes	103	(3)
Lesson XVIII: Euphemism, Taboo Deformation, and Circumlocution	106	(6)
Noun-forming Suffixes	110	(2)
Lesson XIX: Folk Etymology	112	(4)
Noun-forming Suffixes	113	(3)
Lesson XX: Clipped Words	116	(4)
Verb-forming Suffix	117	(3)
Lesson XXI: Blends	120	(4)
Verb-forming Suffix	122	(2)
Lesson XXII: Doublets	124	(4)
Lesson XXIII: Latinisms in Shakespeare	128	(4)
Lesson XXIV: Metathesis	132	(4)
Uncommon Meanings	133	(3)
Lesson XXV: Latin Words and Phrases in English	136	(7)
Index of Words Appearing in Context (Latin)	143	(6)
List of Prefixes	149	(1)
List of Suffixes	149	(1)
List of Bases	150	(8)
PART TWO: WORD ELEMENTS FROM GREEK	158	(123)
Introduction	158	(2)
Lesson I: Words from Greek Mythology	160	(10)
Lesson II: Words from Greek History and Philosophy	170	(8)
Lesson III: Greek Bases	178	(5)
Lesson IV: Combinations of Bases	183	(4)
Prefixes	184	(3)
Lesson V: Homonyms	187	(5)
Prefixes	188	(4)
Lesson VI: Reduplication and Onomatopoeia	192	(4)
Prefixes	193	(3)
Lesson VII: Loan Words	196	(5)
Suffixes	198	(3)
Lesson VIII: Word Analysis	201	(3)
Adjective-forming Suffixes	202	(2)
Lesson IX: Place Names	204	(7)
Noun-forming Suffixes	208	(3)
Lesson X: Expressions	211	(4)
Noun-forming Suffixes	213	(2)
Lesson XI: Words from Religion: Christian Sources	215	(5)
Noun-forming Suffixes	217	(3)
Lesson XII: Words from Religion: Non-Christian Sources	220	(7)
Combining Forms	222	(5)
Lesson XIII: Sea Terms	227	(4)
Combining Forms	228	(3)
Lesson XIV: Words from Sports and Games	231	(5)
Combining Forms	233	(3)
Lesson XV: Military Terms	236	(4)
Verb-forming Suffix	238	(2)
Lesson XVI: The Arts	240	(5)
Numerals	242	(3)
Lesson XVII: The Law	245	(3)
Lesson XVIII: Literary Terms	248	(5)
Lesson XIX: Terms from Various Occupations	253	(4)
Lesson XX: Scientific Language	257	(5)
Suffixes Used in Medical Terms	258	(4)
Lesson XXI: Combining Forms Used in Medical Terms	262	(3)
Lesson XXII: Combining Forms Used in Medical Terms	265	(4)
Lesson XXIII: Combining Forms	269	(3)
Lesson XXIV: Suffixes Used in Scientific Terminology	272	(4)
Lesson XXV: Diminutive Suffixes	276	(5)
Index of Words Appearing in Context (Greek)	281	(4)
List of Prefixes	285	(1)
List of Suffixes and Combining Forms	285	(1)
List of Bases	286