Lecture VII.

And farther, it has been calculated, that "one hundred and fifty-four Greek and Latin primi­tives yield nearly 13,000 words," in the present English tongue; being about one-third of the words to be found in English dictionaries. It is manifest, therefore, that we cannot ignore this numerous class of words derived from Exotics, or roots transplanted into the soil of our lan­guage from the dialects of ancient Greece and Rome; and, moreover, that no one can be a good speaker or writer who would exclude such from. his vocabulary.

Having now gone through the principal Latin verbs which form 'exotic roots in our language, I shall in the next Lecture commence the considera­tion of Latin nouns substantive and adjectives that have been similarly introduced into English.

LECTURE VIII.

ENGLISH WORDS DERIVED FROM LATIN NOUNS SUBSTANTIVE AND ADJECTIVES.

Having enumerated nearly two hundred Latin verbs, as roots from which English words have been formed, either by composition with a Latin substantive, or more frequently by a preposition as a prefix, I now proceed to the consideration of Latin nouns and adjectives, which, without the aid of verbs, come into the composition of English words. These are not so numerous as those derived from verbs; but they are, nevertheless, neither few in number, unimportant in significa­tion, nor unfrequent in use.

Æquus, even or just, gives us " equal," " equa­ble," " equally," and " equality;" all of obvious signification; as also " equalize," to make equal, and " equalization." An " equation" is an equal number; and the " equator" is the name given to an imaginary line that is supposed to divide the

LECTURE VIII.

globe into two equal parts. An " equiangular" figure is one containing two or more equal angles; and that whose sides are equal is " equilateral." In like manner, " equidistant" means of equal distance; " equilibrium" of equal weight; and " equipoise'' of equal balance. The " equinox" is the time when the night is equal with the day, and the " equinoctial" gales are those which usually prevail at the period of the equinox. " Equity" and " equitable" imply the administration of equal justice. An "equivalent" means something of equal value. " Equivocal" and " equivocate," came under notice when considering the verb voco, to call; the term implying the use of words of the same or equivalent meaning, in order to deceive. Through the French we have from this root " equivoque." That which is equal to the accomplishment of the end proposed, is said to be " adequate;" if otherwise, it is " inadequate," that is, not equal to it—compounded of in as a negative, ad to, and equus, equal. " Coequal" means equal together with another; and the noun opposed to it is " inequality." The literal meaning of " iniquity" is dissimilarity; and hence it is used in the sense of in-equity, or partiality in judg­ment, and has come to signify any unrighteous­ness, or wickedness generally.

Alter, another, gives us " alter," " alteration," and " alternate;" meaning a change of one thing for another. An " altercation" is- a dispute with

LECTURE VIII.

another person. An " alternative" is a choice of one course instead of another. A " subaltern" is an officer under another. " Adultery" is giving to another, and is applied to a husband or a wife forsaking a lawful spouse for another. " Adul­teration" of food, now much spoken of and exposed, is an adding other ingredients to the material professedly given as "unadulterated."

Anima, the spirit or life, is the root of " animal," applied to any creature that has life; of which " animalcule" is the diminutive. To " animate" is to put life into; of which " anima­tion" is the noun, and its opposite, " inanimate." To " reanimate" is to restore to life; and " exani­mate," a word now obselete, means lifeless, as if the spirit had gone out of the body.

Animus is the mind, and gives us "animadvert" and " animadversion," implying a turning of the mind towards an object.* " Animosity" originally meant no more than spiritedness, but has come to be applied to anger rooted in the mind, where the animus is said to be in an opposite channel.† " Equanimity" describes an evenness of mind or temper; "magnanimity" is greatness of mind; " pusillanimity" means littleness of mind; and "unanimity" oneness of mind, or agreement of sentiment. It is unnecessary to enumerate the corresponding adjectives and adverbs.

• See Lecture VII. p. 205.

† See Trench On the Study of Words, 9th Edit. p. 54.

LECTURE VIII.

Annus, a year, supplies the root of words of obvious meaning; as " annual" or yearly, " bien­nial" relating to two, " triennial" to three years; also " septennial" applicable to seven years, and " perennial" to continued years. " Annals" are the records of the events of years, and an "annalist" is the compiler of such a history. An "annuity" is a yearly payment, and an " annuitant" is the person to whom it is payable; these terms are limited to payment for the life­time either of the party paying or receiving it. The "millennium" is a period of one-thousand years. To " superannuate" is to give one who has served in any office a " superannuation" allow­ance on retiring: the word means above or beyond the year or time of service.

AntĪquus, ancient, gives us " antiquary" and " antiquarian," a lover or student of " antiquities." The word " antique" comes through the French. " Ancient" is old, and " antiquated" means old fashioned. Tricks and manners that are antique, and odd, are called "anticks;" a word that has come to us through the French. As a substan­tive, " ancient"* was formerly used to describe a

" Pist. Save you, Sir John! Fals. Welcome, ancient Pistol."

Henry IV. Part 2, Act ii. sc. 4. " This is Othello's ancient, as I take it,— The same indeed, a very valiant fellow."

Othello. Act v. sc. 1.

LECTURE VIII.

standard-bearer (now called an ensign); as in Shakspeare, Falstaff calls Pistol his " ancient."

Arma is arms, of which there is no singular. Hence come " arm," " arms," and " army;" like­wise, through the French, " armour," " armory" and " armorial." The Spanish " armada" was an " armament" intended for the invasion of England. An " armistice" means a temporary cessation of warfare, compounded with the verb sto to stand

Ars, (artis)* an art, or skill, gives us " art," " artist" and " artisan;" likewise, " artifice," "artificer," and "artificial;" each compounded with the verb facio to make. "Artful" and "artless" are applied metaphorically, to signify, respectively, cunning and openness— -full of art, and without artifice.

Bellum, war, is the root of such " bellicose" words as " rebel," " rebellious," and "rebellion," applied to civil war. " Belligerent" means carrying on a war, compounded with the verb gero to bear or carry.

Bonus, good, supplies " boon," meaning a good gift. " Bonus" is used as a noun of similar signification, although differently applied. Hence also we have " bounty," " bounteous," and "bountiful," abounding in goodness, and implying

• Whenever two words are given, the first is the nominative, and the second the genitive case: and in such instances the words given are derived from the genitive.

LECTURE VIII.

gifts as a practical proof of it. In the introduc­tory Lecture I noticed words derived from the adverb benè, signifying well.* From the compa­rative of bonus, melior, we have " ameliorate" to make better.

BrĔvis, short, gives "brevity" and "brief;" the latter term being applied as a noun to an ab­stract of the facts brought to the notice of counsel, not always very short. To "abbreviate" is to shorten by cutting off a part, indicated by the prefix ab; and an " abbreviation" is a writing so cut short. " Abridge" and " abridgment," of similar meaning, may be from the same root.

Calculus is a small stone or pebble; and as the ancient Romans reckoned by these, like the balls used in our Infant schools, the terms " calculate" and " calculation" were applied to a reckoning up of a sum. This verb is now used as an Americanism, like " I guess;" and ought to be carefully avoided. " Incalculable" is a good word in common use, to describe any thing that is of inestimable value. To " miscalculate" is to calculate wrongly—to be out in one's reckoning, the prefix being Saxon.

Campus is an open field or plain; and hence we have a " camp" and " encampment," being in the open fields. To " decamp" is to run away, as a routed army from the field. A " campaigne,"

* See Lecture I. page 20.

LECTURE VIII.

taking the field, and a " champion," like most military terms, have come to us through the French; as also " champagne" the name of a wine made from vines growing in an open country and extensive plain. "Champaign" means a flat open country.* To " scamper" away is to fly from the field, compounded of ex and campo. From caput (capĪtis) the head, we have many well-known English words. Hence come "cap," " chaplet," and " cape," intended for the head and shoulders; " cap-a-pie" is French, meaning armed from head to foot. The word " capital" is variously applied, but always with the same signification as referring to the head or chief and uppermost part. Thus the " capital" is the chief city of any country; in architecture, the topmost part of a pillar is the "capital;" whatever is considered as done in the first and best manner is vulgarly called " capital," and is said to be " capitally" executed. "Capital" punishment literally referred to taking off the head, or " decapitation;" but the phrase is now applied to the penalty of death, by whatever means effected. The " chapters" of a book are the divisions of it into its several heads; and the word is also applied to designate the heads or chiefs of the clergy, under the title of the Dean and " Chapter," and the acts of such a

• " Fromhis side two rivers flow'd,

Th' one winding, th' other straight, and left between Fair "champaign, with loss trees interven'd."— Milton.

LECTURE VIII.

body are called " capitular." To " capitulate" is to enter into an engagement under several heads first agreed upon. A " captain" is an officer at the head of his ship or company. To " recapi­tulate" is to recount, or tell over again the heads of any agreement or argument. "Precipitate" means going head foremost; and a " precipice"is a place down which one would fall headlong.

Causa is a cause or reason, giving us " cause," " causeless," and " causality." To " accuse" is to bring a cause or charge to or against a person; as, on the other hand, to " excuse" is to get a person out of blame. A "recusant" is one who denies or takes away the cause, and refuses to admit any knowledge of it. "Because," anciently " bycause," means by reason of; because of his sickness means his sickness being the cause.

Centrum, the centre, or middle point, gives us " centre," and " central," meaning in the middle. A " centrifugal" force is that which drives or flies out from the centre, compounded with fugio to fly; while on the other hand " centripetal" means seeking or tending to the centre, from peto to seek. To " concentrate" is to bring together to one centre; and " eccentric" means out of the centre, and is generally applied meta­phorically to strange and outlandish behaviour.

From the adjective certus, certain or sure, we get " certain," " certainly" and " certainty." To

LECTURE VIII.

" certify" is to assure or make sure, and a " certi­ficate" is a document intended to prove the cer­tainty of the fact. To " ascertain" is to find out that which is " ascertainable;" and " incertitude" is " uncertainty."

Cīvis, a citizen, gives us " civil," " civility," " civilize," and " civilization;" all implying that a residence in a city is calculated to give refine­ment. Of similar meaning are polite and polished, as applied to manners, derived from polis the Greek for a city. " Civil" war, the most " un­civilized" of all wars, means a war between fellow-citizens, or inhabitants of the same country. " Civic" honours are those connected with a city corporation; and a " civilian" is a man who possesses a knowledge of the old Roman law, and of general equity. The opposite to " civil" is formed by the negative prefix un, but that of " civility" by the prefix in, of the same import.

From cor (cordis), the heart, we have several words. Hence comes " core," the heart of an apple; and the word is applied figuratively, to describe coming to the very heart or middle of a subject. " Cordial" is hearty, and " cordiality" heartiness. " Accord" and " accordant" signify giving the heart to any thing. " According" to means in " accordance" or agreement with " Concord" implies unison of heart, agreeing together. A book which points out in what places in Scripture, or in any work, the same

230 LECTURE VIII.

word occurs is called a " concordance." In grammar, "concord" means the relation of one word to another, distinct from regimen. " Dis­cord" is a division of heart or sentiment; and is applied to sounds not in harmony, and designated " discordant." To record any thing is to call it to the heart; as to remind is to bring it back to the mind or understanding. " Courage" and " courageous" imply heartiness, strength of heart and soul; and to "encourage" is to put heart into another, which is giving " encouragement." Corpus (corpŎris) is the body. Hence comes "corpse" a dead body; and "corps" a body of men. This latter, as well as " corporal," the name of a non-commissioned officer placed over a body of men, comes through the French. Municipal office-bearers are called a " corporate" body, as being a " corporation" or body of men " incorporated" by charter. " Corpulence" means grossness of body. " Corporal," as an adjective and " corporeal" are of somewhat similar meaning, namely, material, not spiritual. Dr. Johnson, however, makes a distinction, which he shews by quotations from Shakspeare and Milton is not ancient.* He observes, "In the present language,

*".... Whither are they vanish'd? Into the air, and what seem'd corporal Melted, as breath, into the winds."— Macbeth. Act i. sc. 3. " And from these corporal nutriments, perhaps, Your bodies may at last turn all to spirit."— Paradise Lost.

LECTURE VIII. 231

when body is used philosophically in opposition to spirit, the word corporeal is used, as a corporeal being; but otherwise corporal. Corporeal is having a body; corporal, relating to the body." "Incorporeal" means immaterial, unbodied.

From crimen (crimĬnis) a crime, we have the nouns " crime" and " criminality;" and the noun and adjective "criminal." To "criminate," a word not found in Johnson's Dictionary, is to charge with crime; and "crimination" is the act of accusing. To " discriminate" is to separate from charge of crime; and hence " discrimination" means discernment of the truth. To " recrimi­nate" is to accuse again, to retort or throw back a charge upon another.

Culpa, a fault, forms the root of "culpable," and " culpability:" implying chargeable with blame; also of "inculpate," to charge with a fault. On the other hand, to " exculpate" is to clear oneself or another from all blame.

From cura, cure, and also care, we have

several words, besides the obvious ones " care"

and " cure," which words were formerly used

indiscriminately: also " careless" and "cureless."

A " curate" is one who has the " cure" of souls in

a parish committed to his " care." Hence the

appellation properly belongs to the principal

clergyman or incumbent of a parish; and is so

applied on the Continent, where the parish priest

is the Curè. In this sense it is that the word is

LECTURE VIII.

introduced into the common prayer book, where prayer is made "for bishops and curates, and all congregations committed to their charge." The correct title for what is now understood by a curate is an assistant curate, that is, an assistant to the clergyman who has the cure of souls. The same remarks apply to a " curacy," which pro­perly signified a benefice. The care-taker of a museum is called a " curator." " Curative" means relating to the cure of diseases. " Curious" is used by old writers as equivalent to " careful," full of care and of nicety, and thus it came to mean exact and highly finished;* implying also an anxiety to know or understand, peering into things;† and hence " inquisitive," having " curiosity" about matters. " Accurate," and " accuracy" imply a careful looking to, perform­ing an object with care; of which the opposites are " inaccurate," and " inaccuracy;" and " incurious" means wanting " curiousness." " Secure" and " security" are supposed by some to be com­pounded of se apart, and cura care, as implying a separate concern about a matter; but the most probable derivation seems to be sine curd, without care. Of these the opposites are " insecure" and

• " And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass."— Exod. xxxv. 32.

† "Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men."— Acts, xix. 19.

LECTURE VIII.

" insecurity," as requiring care and watchfulness. To " procure" is to take care for, to take care that a thing is done, and hence to obtain the object in view. " Procuracy'' and " procurator" have been contracted into proxy and proctor. In each case the word implies a taking care for another. A " sinecure" is an office to which no care or duty is attached.

The Latin adjective dignus, worthy, is the root of " dignity," " dignitary," and " dignify." " Dig­nified " means made great, compounded with fio. To " deign" is to think or esteem worthy, namely, of notice; and hence it is used in the sense of condescending. " Disdain" and " disdainful," on the other hand, imply a feeling against another as being unworthy of regard. These words have come to us through the French; and in the first example, the French form eig is retained, though not in the latter case. " Condign" likewise comes through the French, and means esteemed worthy or deserving, whether of reward or punishment; restricted by common use to the latter. Chaucer has " indign," for unworthy; and Shakspeare also has it as an adjective;* and "indignant," still in use, means being sensible of unworthy or unde­served treatment; and hence feeling a disdainful anger or resentment against the offender.

• " And all indign and base adversities

Make head against my reputation."— Othello. Act i. sc. 3.

234 LECTURE VIII.

DomĬnus, a lord, gives "domain," "domination,"
and " dominion;" the former word is also spelt " de-
main," and "demesne," and is derived through the
French. Custom leads to the adoption of domain
when dominion is intended; restricting the latter
word to a private demense of the lord of the soil.
To " domineer" is to rule with insolence—playing
the lord, or lording it over one, always used in abad sense; and " don" is applied contemptuously.
" Dominant" means prevailing over others; and" predominant" is of similar signification, but a
stronger word, as implying rule above and before

all. A. D. is put for anno domini, in the year of

our Lord.

Domus, a house, gives us " dome," " domestic,"

and " domesticate;" also " domicile," and " domi-

ciliary," all relating to a house or dwelling place. The Latin noun dominus may itself have been derived from domus, to describe the master of the house.

Durus is hard; and as what is hard is more lasting than a soft substance, we derive from this root "durable," "duration," and "durability." To "indure" literally means to make hard, and hence it signifies lasting; and "endurance" also denotes forbearance, or long-suffering.* These words are spelt with e or i; but to " indurate" or harden always with i. " Obdurate" and " obdu-

* " God.... endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath."—Rom ix. 22.

LECTURE VIII. 235

racy" imply extraordinary hardness, or obstinacy and impenitency, where no impression can be made; the force of ob as a prefix being to intensify or augment the action indicated. Shakspeare has "perdurable" for lasting, intensified by the prefix per, signifying through or thorough.*

Exemplum, a copy or pattern, gives us " exam­ple;" an "exemplar" that sets a pattern; and "exemplary," that ought to be copied; likewise " sampler" and " sample," which are contractions of " exemplar" and " example;" also " unex­ampled," without precedent. The Latin exem­plum is itself derived from ex and amplus full, indicating a specimen taken from the whole. From amplus we have " ample" and " amplify."

Externus, outside, foreign, supplies the root of " exterior," " extern," and " external;" as also of "extreme" and "extremity," often applied metaphorically to describe the highest pitch of danger or of misery. " Extrinsic" is foreign, as is also " exotic." " Exoteric" is a term applied to external profession of doctrine, as esoteric denotes what is secret; both terms may be traced to the Greek, and were originally applied to the Pytha­gorean philosophers, and others, who had one doctrine for the vulgar, and another for the initiated. " Strange" is foreign, and to " estrange" is to make strange.

• " Iprofess me thy friend; and I confess to knit to thy deserving withcables of perdurable toughness."— Othello. Act i. sc. 3.

LECTURE VIII.

FabŪla means something much spoken of; usually applied to what is untrue. Hence comes a " fable;" also " fabulous" and a " fabulist." In a bad sense we have " fib" and " fibber," mild terms by which to describe falsehood. To " con­fabulate" is to speak together. Hence also we have " affable" and " affability," implying a kind speaking to another; and " ineffable" means unspeakable.

Facies is the make or outward appearance, being itself derived from facio. Hence the English words " face" and " facing;" also through the French, " faqade," the front of a building. " Fashion" and " fashionable," applying to the outward form, are also derived from this root; likewise " feature," " barefaced," " outface," and "shamefaced," all of obvious meaning. To "efface" is to do away with, or take from, the appearance. The " superficies," literally, upon the face, is the outward " surface," a word of similar derivation and meaning; and "superficial," of like origin, means only outward show. To "fascinate" may come from this root, the allusion being to the supposed power of persons and some animals, to bewitch with the eye, or the aspect of the counte­nance.

The adjective facĬlis, easy, gives us " facile," " facility," and " facilitate;" also " faculty," com­municating the power of easily accomplishing an object. " Difficult" and " difficulty" denote a loss

LECTURE VIII.

of facility in doing any thing; dis as a prefix signifying separation and loss. " Fickle" may mean easily turned about.

Fama, fame or repute, gives " fame" and "famous," also "infamy" and "infamous;" all implying renown, or the contrary. " Defame" and " defamation" denote a taking away a good repute from another.

Felix, (felicitis), happy, gives us " felicity," " felicitous," and " felicitate," all indicative of happiness.

Fides, faith, supplies the root of " fidelity," and its opposite "infidelity;¹' as also "infidel," one without faith. To " confide" is to hold faith with, to put trust or " confidence" in another. " Confi­dential " means keeping faith with, and is applied to secret communications which are not to be divulged. " Diffident" and " diffidence" imply the absence of faith or trust in oneself. " Per­fidy" is a modern word, both in French and English, and means breach of trust obtained and given per fidem, through faith, that is, upon a pledge of fidelity on the part of the person trusted. A " perfidious" person is one who treacherously breaks through his promised faith, or fidelity. " Affiance" means a bringing faith to or putting trust in another. " Defy" and " defiance" signify a rejection of affiance, and so have come to mean a denial and challenge.

FigŪra, a shape, gives us "figure" and " figu-

LECTURE VIII.

rative;" also " effigy," a likeness or image. To " disfigure" is to spoil or take from the proper shape or figure; to " prefigure" is to give a repre­sentation of any person or thing beforehand; and to " transfigure" is to change the form or repre­sentation.* " Configuration" is the form of the. various parts of any thing, as they are adapted to, or unite with each other.

Finis, the end, or boundary, enters into the composition of several words in English. To " finish" is to complete any thing, bringing it on to the very end; and that which is well-finished is called " fine;" as a superlative it is " superfine"; and in a low sense it is "finery." That which is limited in duration, power, or space, is "finite;" otherwise it is "infinite." The "final" blow or act means the last; and in architecture the ornament that terminates or finishes a gable is the " finial." To " confine" is to keep within bounds; to " define" is set out the limits; and hence is used in the sense of describing any thing; and such a description is called a " defini­tion." That which cannot be brought within limits is "indefinite." To "refine" is to finish again; and hence " refinement" denotes, what is highly finished. " Finical" and " finesse" are words used contemptuously to denote over-fine. " Finance" is a term applied to money, because a

* " And he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun."— Matt, xvil 2.

LECTURE VIII.

payment of a debt puts an end to litigation, pro­viding for a final settlement. A penalty in like manner is called a " fine"; as putting an end to the prosecution or suit at law.* This was a penalty of Norman introduction, and by them so called from the Latin, which prevails in legal forms. Shakspeare has " fineless," for endless or without limit,† — boundless riches, to use a true English word.

Firmus, firm or strong, gives " firm" and " firmness," applicable both to material things and to the mind. The " firmament" is the name given to the heavens, implying solidity and firm­ness of nature. A " firm" is the name or title under which any two or more persons carry on business, because of the firma or signature of the persons who " confirm" or give validity to docu­ments signed by them. To " affirm" is to assert a fact in such a way as to make it sure to the party addressed. An " affirmation" is the act of affirming; and the "affirmative," opposed to the negative, is an assurance of the truth. To " confirm" is to unite one's testimony with that of another, in " confirmation" of the assertion; and such evidence is said to be " confirmatory" of the

• " Forasmuch as fines levied in our court ought and do make an end of al sutes, and thereof are called fines, chiefly when after waging of battel, or the great assize in their cases, the holde the last and finallplace for ever."— Restall, quoted by R ichardson.

† Othello, Act iii. sc. 3.

LECTURE VIII.

facts. " Infirm" means not strong; and an " infirmary" is a place for the safe keeping and care of persons suffering any " infirmity."

Flos (flŎris), a flower or blossom, gives us "florid," in the sense of bright, like a "flower"; and the term is applied, as well as " flowery," to a style of speaking or writing overburdened with ornament. A " florist" is a cultivator of flowers. The verb to " flourish" comes from this root; as does also the " flour" of wheat. This latter word means the finest part of the grain; and therefore, properly speaking, fine flour is a tautology, and coarse flour a contradiction in terms.

Forma, the form or shape, supplies the root of many English words in common use. Hence come " form" and " formation," also " formal" and " formality," the latter usually applied to manners. A " formula" is a particular form set before one; and a " formulary" denotes a set form of prayers. To " conform" is to agree with others' " forms," and he who does so is a " conformist," otherwise a " non-conformist." " Conformable" means like to another; agreeing with, either in exterior or moral character. Shakspeare has it in the sense of compliant or obsequious.* " Conformation" is

* " I've been to you a true and humble wife, At all times to your will conformable."

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