CONTINUED. The Latin verb sequor, to follow, with its partici­ple, secŪtus, followed, supplies the root of several English words in common use

The Latin verb sequor, to follow, with its partici­ple, secŪtus, followed, supplies the root of several English words in common use. Hence we have " sequence" and " sequent," meaning following; the former word Johnson describes " an elegant word but little used," indicating the order of suc­cession.* A book is called a " sequel" to another, when it is intended as a succeeding part or fol­lowing up of a former work. " Sequacious" also signifies following, but is used only in poetry.† " Consequent" comes from the same root, denot­ing following, as the conclusion of an argument,

* " How art thou a king,

But by fair sequence and succession?"— Richard III. Act ii. † " Orpheus could lead the savage race,

And trees uprooted left their place,

Sequacious of the lyre."— Dryden.

LECTURE VI.

or the result of any prescribed course. " Conse­quence" is likewise used in this sense, as also to denote any matter of importance; and hence a person who entertains a high opinion of himself, and carries himself as if a man of great " conse­quence," is designated " consequential." " Con­secutive" means following without interruption. The "ensuing" year is the year following. To " execute" any affair means to follow it out to the end; and the word, with the noun "executioner," is applied to the carrying out, or following up, the sentence of the law, by capital punishment. An " executor" of a will is one appointed to fol­low out the wishes of the testator. When a woman is nominated for this purpose she is called an " executrix." The acting government, follow­ing up and carrying into effect the law of the land, is called the " executive," as distinguished from the legislative which enacts those laws. To "persecute" is to follow through, to "pursue;" and is applied to following a course injurious to the object of such " persecution." Of similar derivation is " prosecute," signifying to follow forth; but a different meaning is attached to the word, which, like the noun " prosecution," denotes a regular legal process, without implying injustice or malice on the part of the " prosecutor," who is therefore looked upon in a different light from a " persecutor." To " pursue" is to follow through or thoroughly; and "pursuit" means such a fol-

LECTURE VI.

lowing, implying flight on the one part and speed on the other. In the Scotch courts of law, the plaintiff is designated the " pursuer." These words, as also " pursuit," are likewise applied in a figurative sense, to denote the course of life or of conduct that is followed, and in "pursuance" of which certain measures are adopted. They have all come to us through the French. " Sub­sequent" means following under, or after. To " sue" as also " suit" and " suitor" are likewise of French derivation, but originally from the Latin; and signify the following up of a cause. We have also " suit," used in the sense of followers or attendants; and applied to things convenient and fitting, as a suit of clothes. That which is fitting and agreeable is said to be " suitable." " Obsequious" means following closely; the prefix ob being used to intensify the action; and hence the word is applied to a servile compliance, and fawning upon a great person. The word " ob-sequy," or rather the plural " obsequies," as also "exequies" are used to denote a funeral proces­sion, where the mourners follow in order; and Shakspeare used " obsequious," and " obsequi­ously" in the sense of funereal.*

* " Whilst I a while obsequiously lament

The untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster."— Rich. III. Act. i. "... Your father lost a father; That father his; and the survivor hound In filial obligation, for some term To do obsequious sorrow."— Hamlet, Act. i. sc. 2.

164 LECTURE VI.

Sero, to connect, or weave,—indicated by the

prefix dis, and sertus, joined or woven, supply

us with a few words, as "series" and "seriatim;" the latter being a Latin adverb Anglicized, denot-

ing a connected succession; as periodical publica-

tions or works coming out in parts are " serials."

A " sermon" is, or ought to be, a well-connected

composition. This word has long been restricted to religious discourses. A " dissertation" means a treatise connected or woven together, in a fitting manner; but on different subjects, or under various aspects. To " assert" is to join to, and means to affirm or maintain any position which is the object of " assertion." To " desert" is to dissever, to abandon; a " deserter" is one who disconnects himself from his companions; and " desertion" implies a loosing of the obligations by which one had been bound. A " desert" is a deserted place. To " insert" means to join into; and " insertion" is the act of joining.

Servio, to serve, gives us " service" and " ser­vant;" as also " servile," " servility," " servitude," and " serf;" all referring originally to a state of slavery; whence some of these terms are still used only in a bad sense; as is oftentimes " subservient," although not so restricted, the word meaning serv­ing u nder, and thus denoting instrumental fitness, as we speak of measures being " subservient" to some end. To "deserve" is to earn by service; but to " disserve," is to do one ill-service or bad

LECTURE VI.

offices, to injure. These latter words, as also " desert," in the sense of merit, have come to us through the French.

Servo is to keep or save, and, with its participle servĀtus, preserved, supplies such words as " conserve," " conservative," " conservator;" and a " conservatory," wherein valuable plants are kept safe. Of somewhat similar signification are " preserve" and " preservation," although applied in a more general sense. To " observe" is to keep carefully; and an " observant" person is one who watches occurrences closely. An " observatory" is a place whence the astronomical " observer" watches the motions of the heavenly bodies; the organ of " observation" being properly the eye, as the hand is of experiment. To " reserve" is to keep back; and " reservation" is a keeping back, applied both literally and metaphorically.

From sisto, to make to stand, we have " assist," that is, to make to stand to one, and an " assist­ant" is one who is thus made to stand by another for his help. To " desist" is to stand off from, to give up any pursuit; to "resist" is to stand against any thing; to " consist" is to stand together with; to "persist" is to cause to stand thoroughly and in spite of opposition—that is to say, " persistently;" and to "subsist" is to stand under, hence to remain or live under, or by the aid of another, and thus to have life or being. Amongst the sub-derivatives of the foregoing we

LECTURE VI.

have " assistance," " consistence," " resistance," "persistence" and "subsistence." "Consistent" conduct is such as is agreeable with one's profes­sions. A " consistory" is a place where official persons remain, although not always standing together, which the word literally means.

Solor, to comfort, and solĀtus, comforted, give us a few words of " consolatory" meaning. To " console" is to comfort together with another who needs " consolation." This is giving " solace" or comfort; and if without it, the sufferer is " disconsolate;" and, even with it, may yet be "inconsolable," refusing to be comforted.

Solvo, to loose, free, or melt, and the participle solŪtus, loosed, supply the root of many words. Of these are " solve," " solvable," and " solution," denoting a loosening or disuniting; and hence applied to freeing from difficulty, as a proposition in Euclid may be " solved." " Solvent" means that can loose, and, with its opposite " insolvent," denotes ability to pay a debt, or otherwise. To " absolve" is to free from; and " dissolve," means to disjoin, or to melt, changing from solid to fluid. "Dissolution" is a term by which death is fitly described; and Shakspeare has " dissolve" in the same sense.* " Dissolute" means loose, as loosening

* ".... He is a flatterer,

A parasite, a keeper-back of death,

Who gently would dissolve the bands of life,

Which false hope lingers in extremity."—R ich. IT. Act. ii.

LECTURE VI.

or separating the bonds of life, or unrestrained in morals. " Absolute" means freed from bonds, unconditional; and an "absolute" monarch is one who is unrestricted, not bound by any compact with his subjects, as a limited monarchy implies. To " resolve" is to separate or disjoin; and meta­phorically it signifies to free the mind from doubts, and hence to ascertain or decide; and a determined person is called " resolute," or " re­solved;"* while one who is not free from doubts is " irresolute," and cannot act with " resolution." The negatives of " dissolve," and " dissolvable," or " dissoluble," are formed, in the former case, by the English prefix un, in the latter by the Latin in, used negatively.

Specio, to look (spectus, seen), gives us several English words. Hence comes " species," signify­ing an appearance of a particular kind, a class or order causing the same sensations to our sight. To " specify" is to name particular things; and that which is so particularized is " special." Of similar import are " specification" and " specific." A " specimen" is that which is seen as a pattern. " Specious" means showy; and " speciousness" implies an outward appearance, plausibility; a word not now uncommon; but not to be found

• Shakspeare represents the two murderers in Macbeth, as playing upon the double meaning of the word, when, in reply to the king's direction to " resolve (or separate) themselves apart," they say," We are resolv'd, my lord," that is, determined.— Macbeth. Act iii. sc. 1.

168 LECTURE VI.

in Johnson. A "spectacle" is a show, seen by the " spectator;" and a pair of " spectacles" are used to enable people with weak eyes or failing sight to see more clearly. A " spectre" means an apparition visible to sight; a " spectrum" in optics is a visible image or form; and a " speculum" is a mirror in which objects may be seen reflected. To " speculate" is to take a view of any thing with the mind; whence we have a " speculator." " Speculation" and " speculative" are generally used to imply taking a view according to fancy, rather than being guided by actual realities. Shakspeare has " speculation" in a literal sense, applied to the bodily eyes.* A " spy" is a person who, seeing what others are engaged in, watches their proceedings with a view to inform against them. The word conveys the idea of treachery, different from the evidence of a casual witness. The " aspect" of anything means the view given to us of it; and the word is applied to the coun­tenance as exhibiting the feelings of the mind; the accent having been formerly on the last syllable, which is now placed on the first, as appears in several instances in Shakspeare.† The

* " Thou hast no speculation in those eyes

Which thou dost glare with."— Macbeth, Act. iii. sc. 4. † "... Betwixt that smile we would aspire to, That sweet aspect of princes, and their rain."

Henry VIII. Act. iii. " I am fearful; wherefore frowns he thus? Tis his aspect of terror. All's not well."— Henry VIII. Act 5.

LECTURE VI.

word " auspicious" is derived from the custom of the diviners of ancient Rome pretending to fore­tell the result of contemplated measures by observ­ing the flight of birds; and these soothsayings were called " auspices," a word derived from avis a bird and the verb under consideration. Hence the term, now applied to good prospects, belongs to words compounded of substantives and verbs. " Circumspect" means looking around; and " cir­cumspection" implies a looking about one, with a view to avoid what is injurious. " Conspicuous" is clear, and easy to be seen; the prefix con implying that all can see it together; and hence the term is applied to what is brilliant and famous. On the other hand, " despicable" and " despise," signifying what is looked down upon, imply contempt and worthlessness. " Especially" denotes what is most prominent and manifest to sight. " Inspect" means to look into; and an " inspector" is one who carries on an " inspec­tion." " Perspective," in drawing or painting, is the representation of objects delineated in the same forms and proportions and respective dis­tances, as they would be seen in reality, from the same point of view. The word means seeing through; as does also " perspicuous," metaphori­cally applied to what is clear and easy to be seen through or understood. "Perspecuity" in style indicates a clear and distinct method of convey­ing ideas. A " prospect" is that which is seen

170 LECTURE VI.

spread out before us; and is applied literally to a landscape, and figuratively to the ends set before one as objects of hope. A " prospectus" of a work means a description which sets forth to view what is intended to be done. " Respect" means to look again, to hold in view or in con­sideration; and hence the word is used to signify what is held in honour or esteem; which is thence called " respectable." The opposite to respect is " disrespect." " Respecting" means having " res­pect" to, or regarding, as the negative " irrespec­tive" means not taking into account. A " retro­spect" is a looking bach upon, opposed to "prospect." To "suspect" is to look under; and, with " suspicion" and " suspicious," is used to denote doubt, as also the imagining guilty without proof. " Suspect" as a noun, now obso­lete, is to be found in Shakspeare.* " Respite" comes through the French, and may be traced to this root, as signifying delay, looking again into the matter.

From spĒro, to hope, (sperĀtus, hoped) we have " despair," " desperate" and " desperation," denoting the want of hope; and " prosper," " prosperous" and "prosperity," implying the ful­filment of one's hopes. Some etymologists, however,

* " Thy sales of offices, and towns in France, If they were known, as the suspect is great, Would make thee quickly hop without thy head."

Henry VI. Part 2.

LECTURE VI.

would derive the latter words from the Greek, pros and phoros, signifying a bringing forward, or from the Latin, pro and fero, of the same meaning, and borrowed from the Greek.

SpĪro, to breathe, (spirĀtus, breathed) supplies us with more words in English than are derived from spero. Hence we have " spirit" meaning literally the breath, and applied to the soul or mind. It is also used to signify life and anima­tion; and is opposed to body, and hence is applied to any thing refined and free from the gross pro­perties of matter. The imaginary beings, desig­nated by the Anglo-Saxons fairies* from their supposed brightness and purity, are also called " sprites" or " sprights," from their ethereal nature.† Shakspeare has " spriteful" for full of spirit.‡ We have also in common use " sprightly" and " sprightliness," in the sense of lively or full of life. To " aspire" is to breathe towards, the d of ad being dropt before s; and hence " aspi­ration" means a breathing forth of prayer; and the words are used to signify an anxious desire after an object, generally applied in a good sense. To " aspirate" a letter or syllable is to pronounce

* English Roots. Third Edition, page 152. † ".... Again the Sprite

Besets him morning, noon, and night."— Gray's Fables. ‡ Bast. " The spirit of the time shall teach me speed. K. John. Spoke like a spriteful noble gentleman."

K. John, Act. iv.

172 LECTURE VI.

it with a full breath. To " conspire" means to breathe together, and hence " conspirators" are men who speak or whisper together in secret; and a " conspiracy," always applied in a bad sense, implies the union of two or more persons. To " dispirit" is to deprive one of animal spirits or courage, and to " inspirit" is to enliven or invigorate. To " inspire" means literally to breathe into, and is applied, as well as " inspira­tion," to the miraculous teaching of the Holy Spirit; and in a lower sense to any good influence on the mind or feelings. To "expire" is to breathe out of; and hence is used to signify death, a breathing out of the spirit from the body. The " expiration" of any period denotes the end of the time allowed. To " perspire" means to breathe through; and the word is used to express the passing of sweat through the pores of the skin, which is called " perspiration." To " respire" is to breathe again; to cease from laborious exer­tion. Some philologists derive "respite" from the same root, as denoting a pause or prorogation. " Respiration" means the act of breathing. The word was formerly used to denote relief from toil.* We find " suspiration" used in Shakspeare, in the sense of deep sighing, as from the bottom

• ".... Till the day

Appear of respiration to the just,

And vengeance to the wicked."— Milton.

LECTURE VI.

of the heart, its depth indicated by the prefix sub.* To " transpire" is to breathe across. Hence when intelligence before kept secret is passed from one to another, it is said to " tran­spire." The proper meaning of the word was to emit in vapour; and Dr. Johnson, in allusion to the now common use of the term, gives the secondary definition, " to escape from secrecy to notice," describing this as " a sense lately inno­vated from France, without necessity."

From spondeo, to promise, sponsus, promised, we have " sponsor," one who makes promises on behalf of the child at baptism. The Saxon name was gossip, as well as god-father and god-mother.† A " spouse" is a promiser of love, honour, and obedience, to the man who on his part " espouses," that is, makes promises to the bride; the term is applied both to man and wife. The origin of the word, and of the Latin verb from which it is derived, may be traced to the pouring out of libations, with the Greeks, on making vows or solemn promises, and so called from a Greek word signifying to pour out or forth. Of similar deri-

* " 'Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother,

Nor customary suits of solemn black,

Nor windy suspiration of forc'd breath,

No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,
Nor the dejected haviour of the visage,

Together with all forms, modes, shows of grief,

That can denote me truly."— Hamlet, Act. i. sc. 2. † English Boots. Third Edition, page 29.

174 LECUTRE VI.

vation is " spontaneous," meaning a free-will offer­ing. To " correspond" is to " respond" or answer, to promise again, with another person; and where there is a mutual likeness answering each to each there is said to be a " correspondence," a term also applied to epistolary interchange of thoughts. In both these words cor is put for con, with. " Despond" and " despondence," denoting despair, imply an abandonment of hope, and an end of all promise of success. To " respond " is to answer again; " responsive " means answering again; "responsible" is liable to answer; and "responsi­bility" implies a promise to adopt a certain line of conduct; the opposite to which is "irresponsi­bility."

Sterno, to spread, or throw down; and the participle stratus, spread, give "stratum" and " strata," as also " substratum," and " superstra­tum," being Latin words Anglicized, indicating a layer or layers of anything. These terms and " stratify," to lie in layers, are used chiefly in geology. " Streets" take their name from this root, being laid down with stones or gravel. " Prostrate" also comes from this verb, signifying lying or laid along; and " consternation," imply­ing that one is laid low, or knocked down as with a heavy blow; and hence applied to that dejection, or throwing down, of the mind, that " prostration" and helplessness which is caused by fear; and so it is used to denote surprise or wonder.

LECTURE VI. 175

Stinguo, to mark, (stinctus marked) supplies the root of " distinguish," which means to separate by marks or notes of difference; and hence " dis­tinction" signifies a noted separation from others, and a mark of pre-eminence. By such marks the difference becomes " distinguishable," and the marks of difference themselves are " distinct," and " distinctive;" the opposite to which is " indis­tinct." On the other hand, to " extinguish" is to blot out, to erase with a point, similar to ex­punge; and that which is so blotted out is " extinct." To " instigate" is to urge forward, as with a goad or spur. " Instinct" is that which incites or stimulates; and the word is applied to that natural impulse which urges the inferior animals to actions, which they perform without the deliberation that reason implies, and frequently without knowing what they do, urged on by an internal feeling, (indicated by the prefix in,) implanted in them by the Creator. The word is sometimes applied to human beings, to describe desire or aversion acting on the mind, without the intervention of reason or deliberation; as Shakspeare describes Sir John Falstaff as a coward by " instinct."* That which is done without the

• " Thou knowest I am as valiant as Hercules; but beware instinct; the lion will not touch the true prince. Instinct is a great matter; I was a coward on instinct. I shall think the better of myself and thee during my life; I for a valiant lion, and thou for a true prince." Henry IV. Part 1, Act ii.

LECTURE VI.

application of reason, by the call of nature, is said to be done " instinctively."*

Sto, to stand, and its participle, status, stood, supply the root of many English words. A " stable" is a place where horses are kept standing; and a " stable" mind means one that is steady or stedfast. A " stand" is the place where carriages for hire are allowed to " stand," the word being obviously from the Latin. Of similar derivation are " stamen" and " stamina," the singular and plural of Latin words Anglicized, and meaning the first principles of life, having for their origin the thread supposed by the ancient Romans to be spun by the Fates, whence the term the thread of life. The " stamina" in botany are the fine threads on which the apices stand at the end, as in a tulip. " Stanch" or " staunch" means stayed or made to stand or stop; and the word is applied to the stopping of blood running from a wound. The term is also applied to any thing fixed and firm. A " stanch" friend is one who will stand by you in time of need. A " standard " is applied to the colours standing on a pole, and good soldiers will stand to their colours. The term is also used to describe a tree that grows upon a tall trunk, as distinguished from dwarf plants; and likewise to a fixed or stated measure, by which

* ".............................. The very rats

Instinctively had quit it.

ad quit it."

Shakspeare. Act 1, sc. 2. Tempest.

LECTURE VI.

others are to be tried. A " stanza" is a staff or stave; a set number of lines, at the end of which the versification stays or stops. This word comes through the French or Italian. " State" and "status," the latter a Latin word Anglicized, denote the condition or standing. " Stateliness" implies a standing stiff and upright. " State­ment," a word not to be found in Johnson's or in Bailey's Dictionary, is a fact laid down upon which one makes a stand. " Statistics," a still more modern word, is a term by which is desig­nated that part of political science which treats of the standing condition and resources of a nation. " Statics" is a scientific term, derived from the Greek, signifying that which treats of the weight of bodies. A " station" is a standing place; and is a term used in railway nomenclature; it is also applied to one's rank, condition, or " standing" in society. " Stationary" means fixed in one station or place; and a " stationer" is one who sells " stationery," so called from the fixed stalls or book-stands at which such dealers formerly sold their wares. Asa" state" is put for a nation, so a " statesman" means one who is skilled in the art of governing a nation, which is hence called " statesmanship." A " statue" is a standing figureof a man; and a " statuary" is a maker of 6tatues. The standing laws of the land are called " statutes." To " stay" is to stand or remain in oneplace; and a pair of "stays" is meant to

LECTURE VI.

uphold the figure. The word is also applied to the rigging of a ship, but this, like other nautical terms, is rather from the Saxon. A " stayed " or " staid" behaviour means that which is steady. Some trace stead and instead, steady and stead­fast, to this root; but they belong rather to the Anglo-Saxon.* " Circumstances" are those events by which we are surrounded, which stand about us. " Circumstantial" evidence is that which depends upon circumstances connected with the" affair, as distinguished from facts testified to by eye-witnesses. " Constant" means standing toge­ther, and " inconstant" that which cannot " con­tinue in one stay." To " constitute" is to make to stand together, that is, to establish. The " con­stitution" is the state of being; the term is also applied to the frame of government under which we live; and that which is legal and according to the established form of government is " constitu­tional," if otherwise, it is " unconstitutional." The " constituents" are the persons who by their votes "constitute" a member of parliament as a repre­sentative of the " constituency." To " contrast" is to set up one against another. " Destitute" im­plies weakness; from de and sto, taking away the standing. " Instant" means present, that which is now standing or existing; and so is applied to the date of the current month. The word is used,

* See English Roots: page 73, 3rd Edition.

LECTURE VI.

figuratively, to describe constant readiness, as also urgent importunity.* " Instance" means example, that which stands before us; hence the phrase " for instance;" we also speak of giving an " instance" of any thing; and the word is con­stantly used by Shakspeare, in the sense of an example.† To " institute" is to set up on its foundation; and that so set up is an " institution." An " interstice" is space or time standing between, or intervening.‡ " Obstinacy" means a deter­mined standing out against; and an "obstacle" stands in the way. To " rest" is to stay still; but in this sense it appears to be a word of Saxon origin; while the " rest" or residue of anything— that which remains standing over or re-standing, is of Latin derivation. " Restive," or " restiff," means resting or stopping, as an obstinate horse refusing to go on. " Restitution" is a giving bach, putting back in its place; " substance" means that which standsunder or " subsists;" and the word is applied to any thing bearing certain qualities of matter, bulk, solidity, or power to sustain. It will

* " Be instant in season, out of season."—2 Tim. iv. 2.

" Continuing instant in prayer."— Rom. xii. 2. † " Tell him, his fears are shallow, wanting instance."

Richard III. Act iii. " Full of wise saws (sayings) and modern instances.''''

As You Like It. Act ii. sc. 7.

‡ Dr. Johnson introduces the word into his curious definition of net-work; which he describes as, " any thing reticulated or decussated, at equal distances, with interstices between the intersections."

180 LECTURE VI.

be observed that there is great similarity between words derived from sto and sisto, to cause to stand, which convey a similar meaning.

Stringo to bind, or hold fast, (strictus, bound) supplies the root of some words of obvious mean­ing. A " strained " rope is one that is held fast, and a "string" is used for binding or tying together. A " strict" rule is one that is firmly bound upon the subject of it. " Stringent" is of similar signi­fication; and very close critical remarks on a literary work are called " strictures" upon it, implying an examination carried on with great " strictness." That which is binding is called " astringent;" and that which has the power to con­tract is '' distringent." Alarge serpent distinguished for its habit and power of compressing its victim in firm bonds, and coiling around its prey, is desig­nated the " constrictor" or strainer. To " con­strain" is to bind together, and hence to compel; and " constraint" is compulsion.* To "restrain" is to hold back, and " restraint" means a holding back by force. To "restrict" is to bind again with " restrictions;" and if there be no such restraints the course allowed is "unrestricted." A " district" is a particular part of the country in which one is compelled to dwell. A " strait" is a narrowly bound passage; and the word was for-

• " Not by constraint, but willingly."—1 Pet. v. 2.

LECTURE VI.

merly used as an adjective meaning strict,* also narrow;† and as a verb, used in the passive, to signify being bound or pressed as with a heavy burden.‡ To "distrain" means to seize for debt, to put in bonds the person, or to hold fast the goods of the debtor.

Struo, to build, and structus, built, give us " structure," " construct," and " constructive," all of obvious meaning as relating to building; and are metaphorically applied, as we speak of the " construction" of sentences. " Destroyer," " de­struction," and " destructible," refer to the undo­ing, or pulling down of a building; and " destruc­tive" means having the power and inclination to " destroy." On the other hand, that which can­not be destroyed is " indestructible." To " in-truct" is to build upon or into; and an " intruc-tor" is one who imparts " instruction"—that which tends to edify, or, in plain English, to build up. To " construe" is to build together, and is applied to disposing together words in a sentence; but usually restricted to putting the words of one language into the order required by the usages of another; and so to translate or interpret a

* " Yet notwithstanding such a strait edict."

Henry VI. Part 2, Act. iii.

"After the most straitest sect of our religion."— Acts xxvi. 5. † " Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way."— Malt. vii. 14. ‡ " How am I straitened till it be accomplished."

Luke xii. 50; and see 2 Cor. vi. 12.

LECTURE VI.

language. An " instrument" is that by which any thing is provided or executed. To "obstruct" is to build up like a wall against or in the way of; and an " obstruction" is that which thus opposes one's progress. The foundation of a building is the " substructure," that is the building under; as the " superstructure" is that which is built upon it.

Sumo, to take, and its participle sumptus, taken, supply several words in English. To " assume" is to take to oneself;* and "assumption" is the taking to or upon oneself, generally used in a sense similar to " presumption," meaning arro­gance, and forwardness, taking more than one is justly entitled to. To " consume" is to take alto­gether, so as to leave nothing behind, as fire consumes wood; and " consumption" implies total annihilation. This term is applied to a disease which is characterized by a wasting away of the " consumptive" patient. To " resume" is to take back; and " resumption" is the act of taking back what you once possessed. " Unassuming" manners, which are as agreeable as their opposite is objec­tionable, imply absence of false pretence and affectation of superiority. " Sumptuary" relates to expenditure; and a "sumptuous" entertainment is one that is costly, and has taken away much money from the host.

• " Assume a virtue, if you have it not."— Hamlet. Act iii.

LECTURE VI.

Surgo, to raise, (surrectus, raised up) gives us " surge," applied to waves of the sea; as also " insurgent" and " insurrection," meaning rising against authority; and "resurrection," signifying the rising up again of what had fallen. " Source," being that from which any thing springs or rises, and " resource," the spring of abundance, also come from this root.

From taceo, to be silent, we have " tacid," "taciturn," " taciturnity," and " reticence;" which describe what the Latin verb is in our language, and of which therefore we must be nearly silent.

Tango, to touch, and tactus, touched, give us " tangible," that may be touched; applied meta­phorically to arguments or facts that may be taken hold of by the mind. The " tangent" of an arc is a line touching the circle, so as not to cut it. " Tact" is a term of somewhat modern introduction, used to express skill in adapting one­self to circumstances, being of the same derivation as " tactics," applied to the disposing of an army, handling of men, manoeuvring the position of a fleet or army, which, like other military terms, has come to us through the French. To " attain" is to reach to, and so, as it were, to touch the object of pursuit.* " Attainments" signify what have been attained, and the word implies effort. To come in " contact" is to touch together; and

* " It is high, I cannot attain unto it." — Psalm cxxxix. 6.

184 LECTURE VI.

" contagion" is a term used to express close con­tact, such as produces disease, when the latter is said to be " contagious" or communicable by the touch. "Contiguous" and " contiguity" are of similar derivation; "but applied in a general sense to denote nearness of approach. A " contingent" and " contingency" signify touching upon, or meeting together; and are applied in the sense of casual, incidental, or falling to one's lot. The " integer," in arithmetic, is a whole number, that from which nothing has been taken; and " integ­rity" is that which is entire, and left " intact" or untouched, " untainted."* Of the same deriv-tion and meaning is " entire."

Tego, to cover, with its participle, tectus, covered, gives us " tegument" and " integument," meaning a covering; and the " tiles" with which formerly the roofs of houses were covered. To " protect" is to put forth a covering, to provide a place of safety, whereby " protection" is afforded, such as is aptly expressed in the authorized ver­sion of the Psalms—" Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle" (Ps. cxl. 7). To " detect" is to discover, that is, to take off the cover.

TempĔro, to mix, to moderate, gives us " temper," which as a verb is used to signify to

* The motto of the city of Waterford is, " Urbs intacta manet Waterfordia;" given by king Henry VII. in reference to the untainted loyalty of the inhabitants, during the attempted usurpation of Perkin Warbeck, a. d. 1497.

LECTURE VI

mix; and " untempered" mortar is such as has not been well mixed together. The word is used as a noun, to mean moderation, the due mixture of qualities, the order and disposition of the mind or body; and it is applied to metals, as "tempered" steel means such as has been brought to a proper degree of hardness. The " temperature," as of the weather, means the constitution of nature. Shakspeare has " distemperature" for bad and stormy weather—a disturbance of the elements.* Applied to the mind it is " temperament;" and to " attemper" is to moderate. " Distemper" signi­fies disease, that is, want of ease caused by a dis­ordered state of the constitution. This word is applied by Shakspeare, to the mind, as is also " distemperature."† Painters use the same word. to describe the substitution of one or more ingre­dients, whereby the simple temperature, or admix­ture of colours with oil or water has been altered, which is implied by the prefix dis, indicating difference. All these words, as also " temper-

*".... At your birth,

Our grandam earth, having this distemperature,

In passion shook."— Henry IV. Part 1, Act. ii. " How bloodily the sun begins to peer,

Above yon busky (woody) hill! The day looks pale,

At his distemperature." — Ibid. Act. iv. † " Young son, it argues a distemper'd head,

So soon to bid good-morrow to thy bed.

Thou art up-rous'd by some distemp'rature."

Romeo and Juliet. Act. ii sc. 3.

186 LECTURE VI.

ance," and its opposite "intemperance," appear to have reference to the Latin noun tempus, time, signifying what is seasonable, that is, regu­lated and moderated as time or season requires.

We have many English words derived from tendo, to stretch or strive, and its participle, tentus, or tensus, stretched out. Whatever seems to strive after an object it said to " tend," or have a " tendency" towards it. The word " tender" is used to signify an offer; implying a stretching out of the hand. The adjective " tender" means attenuated and weak, as any thing much stretched out becomes; and the word is used metaphorically, and in a good sense, to the mind, to denote kindliness and susceptibility, as distinguished from over-strict or bound up in self.* A boat in " attendance" on a large vessel is called a "tender"—to "attend"meaning literally to stretch towards. When the mind is thus on the stretch it is " attentive," and paying " atten­tion" to what is before it. The " tendrils" are the slight and " tender," or attenuated parts of plants, by which they climb or support them­selves. A " tent" is stretched out for a cover-ing.† " Tense," " tenseness" and " tension,"

• Shakspeare thus plays upon the word in its two senses, as a verb and an adjective; the latter with the English prefix un as a negative:— " Why tender'st thou that paper to me, with

A look untender? "— Cymbeline. Act. iii. sc. 4. † " There is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains."— Jer. x. 20.

LECTURE VI.

opposed to slackness, denote that which is drawn out until it is tight and stiff. To " contend" is to strive together with another, which is " conten­tion," and one addicted thereto is " contentious." To " distend" is to draw out in different direc­tions; to " extend" is to stretch out from, and to a particular " extent;" and to " intend" is to strive towards; which when done with earnestness is " intense," and one is said to be " intent" upon the object aimed at. To " obtend" is to stretch out against; and " ostensible" means that which exhibits itself, stretching out in our way, and thus meeting the view. This may refer either to what is real or pretended; but the terms " osten­tation" and " ostentatious" denote what is merely a vain show, intended to make a display, offen­sively stretching out to view. A " pretence" is of similar origin and meaning. To " portend" is to stretch or hold forth; and is also used to sig­nify foretelling what is future; but generally that which is evil; and " portent" meant an omen of ill,* as does also the adjective " portentous."† To " subtend" is to stretch or run under, a term

* ".... O, what portents are these? Some heavy business hath my lord in hand, And I must know it."— Henry IV. Act ii. sc. 3. † ".... This portentous figure

Comes armed through the watch, so like the king."— Hamlet. " 0 how portentous is prosperity! How, comet-like, it threatens, while it shines!"

Young's Night Thoughts.

LECTURE VI.

used in mathematics. A " superintendent" is one who " superintends," that is, looks over upon the persons placed under his "superintendence"— indicated by the two propositions super and in. From teneo, to hold, tentus, held, we have " tenable," " tenacious" and "tenacity," imply­ing a firm hold. A " tenant" is one who holds land under the proprietor; and as a body such are called the " tenantry" of the estate; while the lands, and more commonly the houses, so held are described as " tenements;" and the nature of the holding is the " tenure." A " tenet" is the opinion held by him who maintains it; and the " tenor" of a man's way means the course of life that he holds. To " abstain" is to hold from, and "abstinence" is a withholding from. To " appertain" is to belong to; and the " appur­tenances" are the belongings, or the things held to or with any thing. To " contain" is to hold with; and the " contents," as of a book, are the matters contained in any thing. " Contentment" expresses the acquiescence of the mind in what we possess. " Continent" and " continency" denote a restraining or holding in of the passions. In geography a large tract of land containing many countries is called a " Continent." " In­continent" is to be found in Shakspeare, for immediately.* To " continue" is to hold on one's

* " Come, mourn with me for what I do lament,

And put on sullen black incontinent" — Richard II. Act v. sc. 6.

course; and the act of " continuance" is a " con­tinuous" holding on one's way. " Continual" is applied to any thing that is abiding, or capable of " continuity." The human " countenance" is so called, as describing " the contents of the face; the whole features taken together."* To " detain" and " detention" denote a holding back from. To "entertain" and "entertainment," formerly having an i for the first letter, refer to the holding between, or together, by two or more persons. The original meaning appears to have had reference to receiving at one's table;† hence inns are called houses of "entertainment;" then it came to sig­nify amusements, as a hospitable host would wish to please or divert his guests. The verb is also applied metaphorically to the mind, as one is said to " entertain" an opinion of a person; and it implies reserve, that which is held within one's mind. " Impertinent" means not pertaining to the subject; and an "impertinence" is that which does not hold well, or consist with what is in hand. These words have come to be applied to what is offensive, as being saucy and unbecoming, —unsuitable, that is, not fitting or "pertinent" to the person or subject. To " maintain" any thing is to hold it firmly, with might and main; this latter word probably referring to manus the

* Sullivan's Dictionary.— Introduction, p. lxxix. † " Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."— Hub. xiii. 2.

LECTURE VI.

hand. When a man gets what he had set before him he is said to " obtain" it; the prefix being used augmentatively; and that which he keeps back, and withholds, he is said to " retain." A " re­tinue" means the attendants retained in their master's service. To " sustain" is to hold under, in the sense of supporting; and " sustenance" is that by which one's strength is sustained or up­held, or underheld, which is the same thing, as a support is placed under, in order to uphold any thing in danger of falling. To " pertain" is to hold thoroughly; but " pertinacious" means maintaining with obstinancy.

Tingo, to stain, tinctus, tinged, supply the words "tinge," "tint," "tincture" and "taint", To " attaint" is to fix a blot upon, or attach a stain to the character of the object of an " attainder." These terms were especially applied to charges of felony, and more particularly of treason.

Traho, to draw (tractus, drawn), supplies the root of several words in common use. To " trace" any thing on paper is to draw it out; and the " tracks" of animals are the marks left behind of their feet, as drawn in snow or on the earth. Those parts of the harness by which a vehicle is drawn are the " traces." A " tract" of ground is that which may be traced out; and a small treatise is called a " tract," as being drawn out. An animal or a child that can easily be led, is

LECTURE VI.

called " tractable." A railway " train" denotes a succession of carriages drawn along; and the term is applied to any persons going in order; and to a "train" of ideas passing through the mind. To " abstract" is to draw away from; and to " attract" is to draw towards. To "betray" means to draw away; and is used in the sense of beguiling and giving up treacher­ously any person or thing left in trust. To " contract" is to draw together, as people come together to make a " treaty." " Contraction" is used literally to signify a drawing close together. To " detract" is to draw or take away from; and "detraction" is applied to taking away from one's character. To " distract" and " distraction" imply a drawing off in different directions; some­times applied to madness, when the brain is as it were scattered.* An "extract" is any thing drawn out from, as from a book. To " entreat" is to beseech, and conveys the idea of earnestness, drawing towards. To " portray" is to draw out, in the sense of making plain to sight; and a "portrait," from the French, is a picture in which is drawn out a likeness of the person represented. To "protract" is to draw forth, or out at length, and" protracted" sufferings are such as are drawn outfor a lengthened period. To " retract" is to

• " My hair be fixed on end, as one distract."

Henry VI. Part 2, Act iii.

LECTURE VI.

draw back; and to " subtract" is to draw from under; hence the name of the practice in arith­metic, in which one sum is taken from under the other. The " subtracter" and " subtrahend" are terms used in arithmetic. " Untractable" is a hybrid word, compounded of the English negative prefix un, and tractable from the Latin verb which we have been considering. The term implies unwillingness or unfitness to be regulated or managed—representing a stubborn disposition, that will be neither led nor driven.

LECTURE VII.

WORDS FORMED FROM LATIN VERBS.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-19