LECTURE II. An incursion is an inroad or invasion

An "incursion" is an inroad or invasion. "In­tercourse" means a running between, and is applied to describe a " course¹' or passage between one and another—interchange, as applied to commerce or conversation. " Occur" means to run against; ob changed to oc. An "occurrence" is an incident, being that which happens to one or runs in the way, expressed by oc for 06. A " precursor" is a fore-runner, and is applied to persons or events coming before. To " recur" means to run back; and events or expedients are said to "recur" or return quickly to the mind. "Recourse" is a running back again, and is used to describe a person re­treating as to a place of refuge. Thus a dishonest person often has recourse to miserable shifts and devices, while a good man may have recourse to a safe refuge in time of danger. The " recur­rence" of an event is a return or repetition of it. To " succour" is to run under (the prefix suc being put for sub), as a prop is placed under to render support to that which is in a tottering con­dition. Hence the word is used in the sense of assistance under difficulties.

Dico, to speak, (dictus spoken) is often found in the composition of English words. Thus the style of writing or speaking is called "diction;" a " dictionary" is a word-book, a vocabulary; and the " index" of a book is that which points out the contents. The " index" finger is that used to pointto any things. To " indicate" is to point out

LECTURE II. 53

by telling, from indico, derived from this root; whence also comes the term " indicative" mood. To " dictate" is to speak with confidence; and a " dictatorial" person is one that is confident, dog­matical, who lays down his dictum, or positive saying, and expects every one to submit to his ipse dixit, that is, his mere assertion. The word " dictatorial" had reference originally to the Dic-tator, a magistrate of Rome who was invested with absolute authority. When a teacher gives a lesson in " dictation," it is that the pupil shall write out what he speaks or reads. A " benedic-tion" is giving a blessing, and a " malediction" is a curse. To " indite," formerly " endict," or draw up an " endictment," is to speak or write what the law " dictates" or directs, and to bring a charge in the " dictated" or prescribed form of words. An "indictable" offence is one that is liable to an " indictment." An " interdict" is a prohibition, a command interposed. "Jurisdic-tion" means legal authority, but the word belongs to those compounded with nouns and verbs. To " contradict," is to speak against that which another has affirmed; to speak contrary to him. To " predicate" is to speak before, to proclaim, or to affirm confidently. In logic, the " predicate" is that which is affirmed or denied; and that of which it is affirmed or denied is called the subject. Chaucer has " predication" for a preaching, and the verb to " preach" is from this root, through

LECTURE II.

the French, meaning to proclaim the word of God. To " predict" is to foretel; and the "verdict¹' means the true saying, or the sentence, of the jury who have sworn to give a true verdict. It is compounded of an adjective and a noun, and may be applied to any true saying, as when we read of crimes being condemned by the general " verdict" of humanity.

DivǏdo, to divide, and the participle, divǏsus, divided, furnish us with the words " divide" and " division," di or dis implying division, from a Greek preposition meaning twice. A" dividend" is a share, or the part allotted to one in a division. In arithmetic the " dividend" means the number given to be divided; the " divisor" is the number given by which it is to be divided; and " division" itself is the separation or dividing of a given number into the parts assigned. An "individual" signi­fies one separate from others of the same species, and that cannot be subdivided further—" undi-vided" in its component parts, and united into one body, person, or thing. Thus, for example, dogs may be divided into mastiffs, greyhounds, spaniels, &c., but the particular dog Tray cannot be divided further; he is an " individual."

From do, to give, and its participle datus, given, we have " date." This may not appear plain at first sight, but the origin of this well known word is similar to that of the physician's recipe; being derived from the first word of what

LECTURE II. 55

we now call the " date" of a letter. Every certifi­cate or other document was formerly signed in full, as given under the writer's hand, at such a place on such a day. It was also usual to put this in Latin, and the first word being datum {given), the heading or subscription of the document was called the date of it. " Datum" and its plural " data" have been adopted into English, to signify any fact or propositions given or granted, in an argument. The "dative" case in grammar is that which signifies the person to whom any thing is given. A " donor" is one who gives, and a " donation" is that which is given. To " add " (ad do) is to give to; and " addition" in arith­metic is the adding of one number to another. The " addendum" is the " addition" to a book, usually called the appendix because it is appended to it. To " superadd" is to add above and beyond. An " edition" of a book is the giving out of a publication, and the " editor" is he who " edits" it, that is, superintends its publication and gives it out to the public. This word is distinguished from author; the latter being the originator of the work, the former one who only superintends or conducts the publication of another's writings. The remarks of such a conductor of the press are called " editorial." To " render" is to give back, from re for retro, and do; hence it is used in the sense of restoring, or delivering up; it also sig­nifies to transfer, and to translate from one lan-guage into another.

LECTURE II.

Doceo is to teach, of which the past participle is doctus, taught. From this root we have ^€i docile" and " docility," meaning teachable and teachable­ness; also " doctor," or teacher; " doctrine," that which is taught; and " doctrinal," relating to doctrine. A " document" is a writing produced in evidence to teach what is maintained or set forth; and the testimony thus provided is called " documentary" evidence.

From doleo, to be in pain, to grieve, we have some " dolorous" or " doleful," that is, melancholy and painful words. To " condole" is to mourn with another. " Condolement" is used by Shakspeare* to signify grief, though it be only in one's own heart. "Dole" as a noun means pain or grief. It is nearly obsolete, and usually found only in poetry.† This word is to be distinguished from dole, which means to divide, or a share, from the Anglo-Saxon, dælan, to deal out, or divide.‡

The Latin verb duco, to lead, and its participle ductus, led, supply many English words derived

Quot;..... But to persevere In obstinate condolement, is a course Of impious stubbornness."—Hamlet, Act i. sc. 2. † " Yonder they lie; the poor old man, their father, making such pitiful dole over them, that all beholders take his part with weeping." —Shakspeare: As you like it.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-19