LECTURE I. said to be perfect, that is, fully done

said to be "perfect," that is, fully done. We also have it in the sense of by, as " perhaps" or "perchance," that is, by chance. But this will be found in the case of adverbs only, and is more commonly prefixed, in this sense, to words of Anglo-Saxon origin, or to those which have come to us through the French, as " peradventure."

Post is after, and is often found as a prefix to English words derived from Latin, as "postpone," to place after.

PRÆ, before, is in composition- usually written pre, and is of frequent use, as " precede," to go before. To " prevent" also means to go before, and as this may be done with two different objects in view, namely, to hinder another's pro­gress, or to lead one on, so the word may be found used in the two opposite senses; it is, however, restricted to the sense of obstruction in modern writing and speaking. This is one of many instances in which we may find that words have in process of time changed their application or meaning.

Pro is used in composition in English to signify forth, rather than simply from. It implies a going forward, as in " proceed," "progress." This prefix is also used to describe for, me aning in favour of, as we speak of the "pros and cons" in any case; and it is also employed to denote for, in the sense of a substitute, instead of, as a " proconsul," &c

LECTURE I. 19

Re, as a prefix, signifies again or back, as in " return," to turn again, "recall," to call back.

Retro is backwards; hence we have " retro­grade," to go backwards, and " retrospect," to look back upon; and others.

Se means aside, as in "seclude," to shut up apart, and "secede," to go aside.

Sub signifies under, beneath; and there are many words with this prefix in English verbs and nouns derived from Latin. Thus we have "subject," to throw under. To " subscribe " means literally to write under, and "subscription" is that which is under-written. These words have come to be commonly applied to giving of alms, and to the sums contributed; but the original meaning of a " subscriber " is one who writes his name beneath, and the " subscription" is that which is so underwritten. In the case of chari­table contributions, it means that the persons whose names are given below promise to give the sums for which their names are written beneath. The " Subscribers at Lloyds' " mean the " under­writers" who sign the marine insurance policies.

Subter, of similar signification with sub, is usually applied as a prefix to nouns and adjectives, as " subterfuge," a covert flight, and " subterra­nean," beneath the earth.

Super, meaning over or above, is used to indi­cate " superiority," which word itself illustrates the meaning of this prefix. The " superstructure"

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