Miscellaneous derivations from the Latin roots.

In the preceding Lectures I have enumerated several Latin verbs and adjectives, which are to be found constituting the roots of words in our composite tongue, and I noticed the several English words derived from such exotics transplanted into the soil of our language. In all those cases I have first given the Latin word, and afterwards proceeded to adduce the derivations therefrom; and in every instance we have seen that from each root many words are to be found springing up.

Abominate is to turn from as from an ill omen. This latter word in its primary meaning signified any thing spoken as a sign, whether for good or evil; but afterwards came to be restricted to what foreboded ill. "Abominable" and " abomination" describe what we turn away from with abhorrence.

Absurd denotes what is said without judgment, or unreasonably, and implies deaf to reason. The derivation is from surdus deaf, with.the preposition ab from. An "absurd" answer is such as might be expected from a deaf man, ignorant of that to which he attempts to reply. Vossius, quoted by Richardson, thinks absurdum means that to which we ought to turn a deaf ear.

Accommodate appears to have been first introduced about the time of Shakspeare. He represents Justice Shallow and Bardolph commenting upon the word as one of modern invention, derived from accommodo, (to adapt to make convenient;) and although this is in a play which represents events of a century and a half previous, it is not improbable that the great dramatist put words and phrases into the mouths of speakers, which were only introduced in his own day.

Address, as a verb means to direct, from ad and dirigo to direct. It is also used to signify making ready, as indicating the directing of the mind to an object. As a substantive it denotes readiness, adroitness, or dexterity.

Alarm means to sound to arms, from ad and arma, coming through the French d I'arme; and hence the word is applied generally in the sense of disturbing and filling with apprehension.

Alas! is an exclamation of weariness or disappointment; and may be traced to the interjection a! and lassus wearied; from which latter word we have " lassitude."

Amuse is to play, or to divert the mind as with singing, from musa a song. To " muse," which conveys an opposite meaning, is to be as contemplative as one that follows the Muses, nine imaginary deities, from whose name we have music.

Annihilation is a bringing to nothing, from an for ad, and nihil or nil, nothing. Hence also we have to " annul."

Augur is a Latin word adopted into English, and signifies to predict. The word owes its origin to the custom of the ancient Romans who pretended to foretell future events by observing the flight of birds, derived from aves birdst and gero, to bear or carry. To "inaugurate" a building means to open it under happy auspices.

Bissextile is a name for leap-year; derived from bis twice, and sex six; because in the Roman reckoning of the year, the sixth of the calends of March, corresponding to our Feb. 28th, was repeated or occurred twice. The Anglo-Saxons called it " Leap-year," because it over-leaps other years, exceeding them by one day.

Calamity is a misfortune, a loss. The word was first derived from calamus, the stalk of corn, and had reference to a blight, when the corn could not get out of the stalk—a great misfortune to the tillers of the land.

Caldron, a vessel fitted to endure heat, and in which to heat any thing, is so called from caldus, a contraction for calidus, hot.

Cannon and Canon are words of very different signification, and yet they come from the same root, canna a reed. A great gun is hollow like a reed; and a law was called a " canon" from a carpenter's rule having been composed of a reed.

Capricious means whimsical, like a goat; the Latin name for which animal is caper. Hence also we have the phrase cutting capers.

Cartridge is the name given to a charge of powder made ready for a musket or pistol; so called from charta, because made up in paper.

Congruity means concurrence, and hence fitness. The derivation of the word is from con - together, and grus a crane; it being observed that these birds never separate, but continue in flocks, whether feeding or flying.

Companion is literally one who eats bread with us, from con and panis, bread.

Consideration means star-gazing, observing the stars (sidera); and hence is applied to any attentive contemplation, such as astronomers give to the heavenly bodies; or rather that of astrologers to the rising and setting of the stars.

Contrive is to find, or invent any thing, to discover a means of accomplishing an object; from con implying earnestness, and the Italian trovare, to find. Hence also we have treasuretrove, meaning treasure found.

Copious, abundant, comes from copia fulness, itself compounded of co and opis, indicating plentifulness.

Damage is hurt or loss, from damnum; whence also come " damn" and " condemn." " Indemnify'' and " indemnity" signify compensation for loss.

Demolish is to destroy, the opposite to edify; derived from de and moles a heap, denoting the casting down of any mass, or pile of building.

Demur is to put off, from de and mora delay.

Detriment is injury, in the sense of diminution of value; derived from tritus the past participle of tereo to rub. Anything is the worse for being much rubbed or worn. " Trite" observations or arguments are such as are worn threadbare.

Disastrous is unfortunate, compounded of dis and astra, the stars; and may be traced to the prevalence of astrology in the middle ages, by which events were prognosticated by the stars " Disaster" implied an adverse or evil star.

Discrepancy means differing from; and had reference primarily to a difference in sound; from dis, and crepo to make a noise.

Dormant means sleeping, and is used to denote what is left to lie by; from dormio to sleep. Hence also we have " dormitory," a sleeping apartment; and " dormir," a name applied to windows of a sleeping room in the roof of old houses. A " dormouse" is a sleeping mouse.

Doubt is from dubito, literally to go in two ways, implying uncertainty.which course to take; from duo two and itare, or itum from eo to go.

Egoism, more usually written, egotism, means a frequent and constant thought about and speaking of self; derived from the Latin pronoun ego I.

Ejaculations describe short prayers, or any sudden sentences; from e and jaculo to dart forth.

Eradicate is to take up from the root, from e and radix a root. The epithet Radical was first applied to those who demanded what they considered " radical" or thorough reform.

Extirpate is of similar signification with the foregoing; derived from ex and stirps, a root.

Extricate means to free from any impediment or difficulty. The derivation is from ex and tricce, snares, from which we also have tricks. The literal meaning of the word is hairs; and the original allusion is to hairs or threads put about the legs of fowl, to hinder them from wandering; and hence applied to any kind of incumbrance.

Farce and " farcical" denote what is stuffed; derived from farcire to cram; originally applied to a mixture of various kinds of viands, like sausages, and hence used to denote a medly filled with a variety of incidents, fitted to amuse.

Fierce means like a wild beast, from the Latin fera a wild beast.

Flagrant signifies flaming or ardent; and the term is applied to any glaring crime. The derivation is homflagro to burn, itself derived from flare to blow, fire being kindled by blowing.

Fragrant means breathing forth an agreeable odour; and appears to be derived from frango to break, it being well known that flowers and sweetsmelling plants emit their perfume most when broken or bruised.

Flatterers are apt to smooth down, with expanded and/at hands, those into whose favour they would desire to insinuate themselves; and hence the -word. flatter may have been formed from flat. Some etymologists, however, trace the word to flatare, a frequentative of the verb flare, to blow, in reference to the soft pleasing whisperings breathed into the ear by flatterers.

Funeral is derived from funis a torch, because formerly performed by torchlight.

Futile means nonsensical, talking over much; and is to be traced to futilis, meaning that may be poured forth, from the obsolete Latin verb futere, to pour forth; and thus applied to a silly pouring forth of empty words.

Glance, as a verb and noun, implies a throwing out of hints or looks; and comes from lancea, a lance, javelin, or dart.

Herculean means possessing great bodily strength, like Hercules.

Hesitation means a sticking fast, and hence denotes doubt and uncertainty whether to proceed; derived from hcero, hcesus, to stick.

Human, " humane," " humanity," and the opposites formed by in, are from homo, a man.

Humour comes from humis, wet or moist, whence " humid." The word in its primary meaning refers to the moisture of the body; and is also applied to the temper and disposition, to indicate whim or caprice.

Identity and " identical" come from idem, the same; as also " identify," compounded with fio, and " identification," with facio to make.

Ignoble means unworthy, base, from ig for in, negatively, and nobilis noble.

Importunate means troublesome; and to " importune" is to disturb, namely, by incessant application. The derivation is from the negative prefix im for in, and portus a part or harbour. Hence it came to signify unquiet, having no resting place; and an " importunate" person is one who does not suffer others to rest, or to get into any place of escape from his " importunity."

Indolence implies freedom from pain or trouble; hence slothful, taking no trouble about anything; compounded of in as a negative, and doleo, to grieve.

Inebriated means drunken, literally in cups; the derivation being from bria a drinking cup, whence also \ve have " ebriety;" and on the other hand " sober," that is, sine brid, without a cup.

Infant means one who cannot speak; from in as a negative, and fans from fari, to speak.

Inoculate is literally to in-eye, from in and oculus, the eye; and means to insert an eye or bud in trees and plants. The Turkish " inoculation" for the small-pox was first introduced into this country, under the name of ingrafting.

Insolent means unusual, presuming beyond measure, from in and solens usual; and hence " insolence" is applied in the sense of arrogance.

Intoxication is derived from toxicum, poison, a word probably derived from toxa the yew tree, the berries of which are poisonous.

Intrigue, through the French, is of similar derivation, but of opposite meaning, with extricate, noticed above, and of which the opposite is " intricate," which is foundin Shakspeare " intrinsicate."

Intrinsic means inward, close to the internal parts; and is applied to what is essential to the qualities constituting the nature of the thing.

Investigation denotes a tracing the tracks of any thing; from vestigium, a trace or vestige left by the feet of animals.

Itinerant is going or passing from one place to another; and an " itinerary" is a hand-book of a journey. The derivation is from iter a journey, which may be traced to itum, from ire to go. To the same root may be traced " iterate," to go over any thing again, from iterare, which denotes iter repetere, to repeat the journey. To " reiterate" a command is to repeat it over and over —to go over the same ground again and again.

Jovial means pertaining to Jove, or Jupiter, the king of gods among the pagan Romans. Hence it denotes fortunate or happy—full of mirth, and fond of good cheer, as Jupiter was supposed always to be. The term owes its origin to astro-; logy, and was applied to one who was born under the planet Jupiter in the ascendant.

Language is derived from lingua the tongue, which may be traced to lingo, to lick.

Levity is lightness, from levis light; and is applied to lightness of conduct. Hence also comes " alleviate," to bring lightness to another, to uplift a burden from the mind.

Lunacy is a term relating to the moon, luna; and " lunatics" were so designated, from the prevalent opinion that the malady under which they suffer increased and decreased with the waxing and waning of the moon.

Martial means warlike, courageous; from Mars (Martis) the god of war. Of similar derivation with jovial, from Jupiter (Jovis).

Mercenary means one who takes payment or hire; from merces a reward. The term is applied to troops not fighting for their own country, but hired by another government.

Mercurial owes its origin to astrology, similarly to jovial and martial already noticed. It means humorous and merry, also crafty and swift, such being the characteristics of the imaginary deity Mercury; and those who were born under the planet called after him, were supposed to partake of his characteristics.

Mercy denotes a willingness to spare or to forgive; and hence is used to signify kindness and compassion. It may be traced to misericordia, that is, heartfelt pity; but some etymologists give it a derivation which detracts from the character of unbought pity that we attach to the word. There is much, however, to lead one to adopt Skinner's opinion, who derives the word from vnerx a price; from which comes, through the Norman French, amerce, to impose a fine. As fines were accepted in commutation for life forfeited to the law, or over which power had been obtained in battle or in single combat, to mercy or grant mercy (that is, to grant that mercy or fine should be imposed and received as a ransom for life forfeited) was beneficence to the party to whom the punishment of death was remitted. To cry mercy was to pray that ransom might be accepted instead of life, and to grant mercy was to spare life in consideration of the ransom. or price paid. And as this forbearance was attributed (whether justly or not) wholly to courtesy, hence came the application of " mercy," in the sense of free pardon and compassion.

Necessary and " necessity" are negative terms. The former is used as equivalent to needful, unavoidable, that cannot be done without; " necessaries" being things requisite for particular purposes; and " necessitous" means poor, that is, wanting or not having things needful. There are several kinds of necessity; as logical, moral, physical and metaphysical. The derivation of the word is from ne not, and cesso to cease. That is " necessary" which cannot be deferred or allowed to cease —which cannot be stopped, consistently with the accomplishment of the desired end.

Noise means a sound, applied to outcry and clamour; and may be traced to noxia or noxa, strife, and this from noceo, to hurt. Noy is an obsolete word, but we still have "annoy;" and a " noise" is that which annoys the hearer, implying a noisome or offensive clamour.

Normal means measured by or adapted to rule; from norma a rule for measuring right angles. The word is of very recent introduction. Normal Schools were first established by the National Convention of France, and called by this name (normales) equivalent to model schools. " Abnormal" indicates a departure from rule; and " enormous" means beyond all rule, out of measure.

Oblivion is forgetfulness, from obliviscor to forget; and this verb is from oblivi the preterperfect tense of oblivo, to blot out, because those things which are forgotten are obliterated from the mind or memory.

Onerous heavy, is from onus (oneris) a load.

Opportune is convenient, seasonable; implying a harbour at hand, from op for ob and portus a harbour. The derivation is similar to that of " importune," and conveys an opposite meaning, distinguished by the prefix, meaning before one's face.

Opulent means wealthy, from the Latin opulens, which is itself derived from opes wealth,— opibus abundans, abounding in riches.

Oval means like an egg (ovum) in shape.

Ovation denotes a triumph, or the ascribing of praise to a performer or public character. The origin of the term is to be traced to the manner in which a lesser triumph among the Romans was celebrated, when only a sheep was sacrificed to the gods; ovis being the Latin for a sheep.

Perilous, dangerous, comes from perio to perish. The word was anciently written parlous and per'lous; as it occurs in Shakspeare, applied to the young prince, who is thus described, in the sense of smart or witty. Some think the word means talkative, from the French parler, to speak; but it always appears to signify alarming or dangerous.

Poltroon is a name of contempt applied to a mean cowardly fellow. The derivation is from the thumb cut off (pollice truncato); it having been the practice of cowards to cut off their thumbs, that they might not be compelled to serve in the wars.t Such is the derivation adopted by Home Tooke; and it is well known' that soldiers have at all times used means of maiming themselves, as in Egypt they sometimes extirpate the right eye or cut off the fore-finger, at this day. From the same root proceeds the term " policy of insurance," which would be more properly spelt pollicy, as it refers to the old practice of giving the thumb by way of a promise.

Plumage is derived from pluma a feather; which having been used as an ornament to the helmet, the verb to "plume" oneself came to be used in the sense of pride or ambition.

Prevarication means a quibble. The literal meaning is a departure from the straight course, derived from prai for prceter, besides or beyond, and varicare from varus crooked; the original signification is having crooked or bandy legs. Hence also comes " divaricate," meaning to separate or divide.

Redeem means to buy back again; from re and emo to purchase. " Redeemer" and " redemption" are from the same root.

Refrain is to hold back as with a bridle; hence to forbear, to abstain from any act. The derivation is from retro back, and frcenum a bridle.

Remuneration means recompense, and is applied to reward given for services done. The root, as noticed in a former Lecture, is munua (muneris) a gift. Although this is now a well known word, it appears to have been first introduced about the time of Shakspeare; who represents a clown, in one of his comedies, as making a ludicrous conjecture as to the meaning of the word, with evident reference to it as one newly borrowed from the Latin. The speaker who uses it is described as " a refined traveller of Spain;... that hath a mint of phrases in his brain;.... a man of fire-new (that is, brand-new) words."

Romance was a name at first given to any piece of poetry; but as the old Romances were remarkable for the extravagance of their fictions, the word, as well as its subderivative ".romantic," became applicable to any wild, extravagant story. The Latin language ceased to be spoken in France, about the ninth century, and was succeeded by what was called the Romance tongue, a mixture of the language of the Franks with bad Latin. The songs of chivalry having been in that language, they were called Romants, or Romance.

Ruminate means passing and repassing the food to and from the stomach, to repass it for chewing again. Hence, in Anglo-Saxon terms, to chew the cheuid or cud; and metaphorically the word is used to signify revolving, deliberating, or musing again upon any subject. The derivation is from rumen or ruma the gullet.

Salary is a word in common use. It means payment for services done at stated periods, and the origin of the term was the salarium, or salt, which was made part of the pay of the Roman soldiers. From the same root we have " salt" and " saline."

Saturnine means sad or grave; because persons born under the planet Saturn were said by astrologers to be distinguished by a solemn and gloomy disposition. The derivation is similar to those already noticed of jovial, martial, and mercurial. The Saturnalian feasts were in honour of Saturn, when unbounded license was extended to all classes; hence the term came to be applied in the sense of insubordinate and licentious.

Saunter, meaning to loiter or stroll about idly, comes through the French; and may be derived either from sancta terra, the Holy Land, to which at one time so many people wandered; or more probably from sine terra (French sans terre) that is, without land; applicable to wanderers without a home.

Sedate means quiet and composed; and " sedative" denotes what is of a quieting or soothing nature. The derivation is from sedare, to cause anything to settle or become still.

Serious is of similar signification with sedate. It indicates an aversion to merriment; and may be derived from sine risu, without laughter; serius being in classical authors found opposed to jocosus, merry or jocose.

Sew may be traced to sus a sow; because formerly the bristles of swine were used for sewing, instead of needles, as they are still used by shoemakers.

Sincere means free from impurity; and is used to signify what is pure, candid, and ingenuous. The Latin sincerus is derived from sine cerd, without wax, the reference being to honey freed or cleansed from the mixture of wax.

Sinister is the left, opposed to dexter the right hand; and the term is applied to what is evil or treacherous, opposed to good fortune, unlucky. The •word is compounded of sine and astrum a star, in allusion to astrology, indicating want of a good star. " Sinister" the left hand has been also derived from sino, I leave.

Stipulation is a contractor's bargain; derived from stipula a straw; because in contracts respecting land the parties held a straw in their hands, which represented the whole of the land or crop conveyed; and to this day a tenant is often put in possession of land, by giving him a handful of earth or even a few blades of grass.

Stupendous is a term applied to anything calculated to excite wonder, especially of astonishing magnitude or elevation: as we speak of a stupendous mountain. The derivation is from stupeo, to astonish or stupify; conveying the idea of being struck dumb with astonishment. The derivation of the word is thus similar to that of tremendous, from tremo to tremble, already noticed and having reference to that which astonishes by its force or violence, as a tremendous storm. Of like origin is the word consternation, noticed in a former Lecture, implying amazement that confounds the faculties.

Style, now applied to the character or manner of writing, is derived from stylus, a long iron instrument formerly used as a pen; and was originally applicable to the mechanical part of writing. The use of the word is now extended to other subjects, as to the mode of fashions, to titles, and to the manner of doing or performing any thing, as well as to the " style" of writing.

Supercilious means haughty; and is derived from super and cilice the eye-brows, or eye-lids. Disdain and haughtiness are manifested by lifting up the eyelids and eye-brows, contemptuously.

Superstition implies excess of scruple, or of ceremonial observances, in religion; derived from super above or beyond measure, and sto to stand; and describing superfluity of worship, exceeding what is fitting or enjoined.t

Talents were pieces of money measured by weight. The term has come to signify mental endowments to be put to use, for which the possessors are responsible to the Giver; from talents having been so applied in one of our Saviour's parables. Webster in his American English Dictionary has talented, for endowed with talents; and the word is getting into use with us.

Tantalize is a word in common use, but the derivation not so generally known. It means to offer unattainable objects to view, to tease bypresenting gratifications beyond our reach. The reference is to Tantalus, who, according to ancient fable, was punished with everlasting thirst, being placed up to the chin in water, which receded from him whenever he stooped to drink.

Tribulation has been derived from the Latin tribulum, which was a thrashing instrument used by the Roman husbandman to separate the corn from the husks or chaff. Hence afflictions were so called, as tending to purify the heart.

Urbane and " urbanity," derived from urbs a city, denote civility and politeness, also courteousness (like the manners of a Court). The reference is the same as in the instances of civil and polite, implying the more refined manners of citizens, as compared with rustics.

Vigils mean night watches; and " vigilant" is wakeful; from vigere to be strong, or alert.

Villain is supposed to come from vilis vile or worthless; but a more likely derivation is from villa, the manor of the lords of the soil, whose servants were hence called villains, not originally conveying the idea of anything opprobrious.

I have now arrived at the conclusion of my subject. I am aware that I have not enumerated all the Exotic roots from whence words have been introduced into our language; nor have I adduced all the English words derived from the roots which have been noticed in this course of Lectures. To have done so, would have occupied much more of your time than I should have felt it expedient to do. I have therefore confined myself to those roots, and to the words derived from them, which are found most in general use; nor do I think that I have omitted many that you are likely to meet in the course of ordinary reading, correspondence, or conversation, except some of the most obvious, which have for that reason been omitted.

If my efforts in this line shall prove in any way conducive to these ends, it will amply repay the labour which I have bestowed upon the compilation of these Lectures, and which, according to the etymology of the term, cannot be considered very onerous to one having any claim to the title of a Philologist — a lover of words.

THE END.