CONCLUDED. The next Latin word to which I shall call your attention is the adjective medius, the middle ; from whence we have the words mediate,

The next Latin word to which I shall call your attention is the adjective medius, the middle; from whence we have the words " mediate," " mediation," " mediator" and " mediatorial;" all having reference to going between two parties, or in the midst, with a view to their mutual reconciliation. " Mediocrity" implies what is mean or indifferent, neither very good nor very bad. A " medium" is a middle course; also any thing intervening. " Immediate" means what can be done at once, that is, without the interven­tion of any thing else. " Intermediate" denotes time or events coming between others. The " mean" is the " middle," both words being derived from this root. The " Mediterranean" is the great inland sea, lying between lands on either side,

LECTURE IX.

and which the ancients imagined to be the centre of the earth; so called from terra the earth, in com­position with this root.

Memor, mindful, gives us " memoir," the name given to a book intended to keep in mind one who has departed from this life. " Memorandum," of which the plural is " memoranda," signifies what is to be kept in mind, or in the " memory." A " memorial" is a name given to a petition intended to bring to mind the claims of the " memorialist." Hence to " memorialize" is a higher privilege than to petition. To " comme­morate" is to bring to mind, in company with others. To " remember" is to bring again to mind; to bring to " remembrance" is to recall to memory. Time " immemorial" means beyond man's memory.

Minister, a servant, gives, us besides "minister" itself adopted as an English word, " ministerial," "ministry" and "ministering;" all having reference to service. " Ministers of religion" are so called, as being appointed to perform the service of the Church; and the " ministers of state" are the ser­vants of the Queen, appointed to carry on the busi­ness of the country. To " administer" is to serve to a particular end; and an " administrator" is one who carries out such " administration" of affairs. " Administrative" powers, or talents, are such as are available in the management of business.

Mirus means wonderful; whence we have the

LECTURE IX.

words "miracle"and "miraculous." To "admire," as also " admirable" and "admiration," are under­stood in a good sense; but I have heard the terms applied by the Irish peasantry to denote what was thought strange, although not to be commended.

Miser, wretched, is the name given to a " miserable" man who takes delight in hoarding up money, loving it for its own sake, and deny­ing himself comforts for the sake of it. To " commiserate" is to feel and to evince pity for the sorrows of others, the prefix com indicating a fellow-feeling, and thus contrasting " commisera­tion" with the selfish feelings of a wretched " miser."

Modus, a measure, manner, or rule, supplies the root of several words in ordinary use. The " mode" of doing any thing is the manner of it; and the " mood" in grammar signifies the manner or rule. The word is also applied generally to describe the temper or manners. A " model" is a copy to be imitated, that whereby an entire work is measured. To " moderate'.' means to fix measured bounds, and hence to restrain from excess; and " moderation" signifies a keeping a due mean between extremes. " Modern" means now living, and, as well as " modernize," may be derived either from modus as referring to the present fashion of things, or rather from modo an adverb meaning now. " Modest" and " modesty,"

LECTURE IX.

with the opposites formed by the negative prefix im, relate to the state of mind that preserves the measure of what is becoming. To " modify" is to bring within measurable bounds, and hence to qualify or limit. " Modish" implies an affectation of the fashion. A small measure of any thing is called a " modicum "* To " modulate" the voice is to sound it to a certain key, or to certain notes. A " modus" is the name given to a payment measured as a " moderate" equivalent for what might be demanded. To " accommodate" is to act to the advantage of another; and " accommo­dation" means a benefit measured or meted out. Of somewhat similar signification is " com­modious," meaning what is with measure; and " commodity" is applied to things suitable, and to all articles that are sold or measured out. To " incommode" is to inconvenience. The oppo­site to most of the above words is formed by the prefix in; but we have " unaccommodated," with the English negative prefix un. To " re-model" is to form or fashion again.

Mors (mortis) death, is the root of " mortal"

and " mortality," and their opposites " immortal"

and " immortality." Hence also come " mortify"

and " mortification," compounded with f io and

facio, and applied literally and figuratively; but

* " What modicums of wit he utters."

Shakspeare. Troilus and Cressida,

LECTURE IX.

more generally in the latter sense, to signify what is hurtful to the mind or feelings. "Mortgage" is a dead pledge, applied to a pledge given for payment of a debt, " because that which is put in pledge is by law, in case of non-payment at the time limited, for ever dead and gone from the mortgager"* (the name of the person giving the pledge) to the mortgageè the person to whom it is given. " Mortmain" is another legal phrase, meaning literally a dead hand; for the reason of which appellation many conjectures have been given by eminent lawyers.† A " mortuary" chapel was one built, as an addition to a Gothic church, as a place of burial for the family of the founder. " Murder" and " murderer" have been thought by some to be derived from this root; but the terms belong rather to words derived from the Saxon.

Mos (mŌris) a manner or custom, gives us " moral," and " morals;" the adjective always applied in a good sense, while the noun, only used in the plural, may indicate good or bad, ac­cording to the adjective qualifying it. "Morality" also indicates good manners, the opposite being

* Blackstone, as quoted by Richardson.

† Blackstone, as quoted by Dr. Richardson in his Dictionary, describes as the most probable, " that these purchases being usually made by ecclesiastical bodies, the members of which (being professed) were reckoned dead persons in law, land holden by them might, with great propriety, be said to be held in mortuâ manu."

LECTURE IX.

formed by the prefix im for in. To " moralize" is to treat or deliberate "morally," or upon morals or moral subjects. The science of " morals," or moral philosophy, is that which teaches men their duty and the reasons of it. Moral is also dis­tinguished from physical or mathematical; thus we speak of moral certainty, as distinct from that arising from the evidence of the senses, or from mathematical demonstration. To " demor­alize" is to corrupt the manners, or to take from good morals. " Morose," signifying froward and adhering to one's own way, may perhaps be traced to this root.

Multus is many; from which we have " multitude"; also " multifarious," having many variations; and " multiform," of many forms or figures. " Multiply," " multiplication," and " multiplier," are compounded with multus and plico to fold, as is also " multiplicity." Manifold is a good English word corresponding with multiplied.

Munus (munĔris) is a gift or office. Hence we have " municipal" and " municipality," refer­ring to those who hold offices in a corporation. " Munificent" is compounded with facio, and signifies making gifts, bountiful. " Common" means an office or gift enjoyed with others. It is in this sense that we use the word Common Prayer, and speak of our " common supplica­tions." Land open and free to all is called

LECTURE IX.

" commons"; a name also given to the branch of the Legislature elected by the " commonalty'¹ of the realm. The " commonwealth" means the general weal, a Saxon word compounded with the Latin cum and munus. To " commune" is to make common our thoughts, that is, to discourse or hold " communication" together;* and one who is ready to do this is " communicative." The terms " communicate" and " communicant" are applied to a common participation of the Holy Sacrament, hence called " The Communion." To "excommunicate" is to put out of " commu­nion" or fellowship. "Immunity" means freedom or exemption, as from privilege or duty. To " remunerate" and " remuneration" denote a giving of something in return. The opposite to " commmunicable" is formed by the Latin prefix in, but that of " communicative" by the English prefix un, each applied negatively.

Nomen (nomĬnis) a name, is the root of " nomenclature" meaning calling by name, compounded with calando for vocando. To " nominate" is to name; and a " nomination" is a giving the name of a person for any office. In grammar, a " noun" is the name of any thing; a " pronoun" is used instead of a noun; and the " nominative" case is that which primarily desig-

* "They commune of laying snares privily."— Ps. lxiv. 5. " I commune with mine own heart."— Ps. lxxvii. 6.

LECTURE IX.

nates the name of any thing. A " nominee" is one whose name is given by another, usually as a substitute. " Name" and " nameless," as also " nominal" meaning only in name and applied to what is unreal, come from this root; likewise " de­nominate," denominator" and " denomination." " Ignominy" is literally without a name, ig being put for in as a negative; " ignominious" means without a good name, of no repute. On the other hand, "renown" anciently written renomme, indicates being of a famous name.

Novus, new, supplies the roots of " new" " news," and " newness," of obvious meaning. " Novel" means new, and as a noun it is applied to designate a new book, and by usage a work of fiction. Any thing new is a " novelty." A " novice" is a person new in his profession or calling. To " innovate" is to bring in new things, which is an " innovation," and he that does it is an "innovator." To "renew" is to make new again, or to restore; which is a " renewal." When the term of a lease may be renewed it is said to be " renewable." To " re-novate" is also to make new, and the correspond­ing noun is " renovation."

NumĔrus, a number, gives us " numerate," and " enumerate"; also "numeration," "numera­tor," and " numerical"; all relating to numbers; likewise " numerous," meaning many in number, and " innumerable," that cannot be numbered.

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A " supernumerary" means one above the number. To " number" is to reckon or count; and the phrase a number of people indicates a large " number." In the plural we have " numbers," applied in poetry and music, to the number of metrical feet, and of musical sounds; and hence generally to versification.

Omnis, all, is the root of " omnipotent," in composition with potens, meaning all-powerful; " omnipresent," with presens, that is, all or every where present; and "omniscient," compounded with scio, knowing all things. These titles are applicable only to the Almighty, the proper English word for Omnipotent. Each of the fore­going adjectives has its corresponding substantive. " Omniverous" means devouring all kinds of food. A vehicle that carries many passengers, and is accessible to all, is called an " omnibus," which is the Latin for to or with all.

Opus (opĔris) a work, gives us " operative," a worker; and "operation," that which has been worked out by the " operator;" which latter terms are usually applied in a surgical sense. " Co­operation" is a working together, which is to " co­operate" with others. " Inoperative" denotes what will not be productive of any result. The " opera" is a drama set to music; the word is the plural of opus, indicating performances, that is, works, as a tragedy or comedy has its acts. An " opinion" implies a work of the mind.

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