New Word-Analysis Part 13

3. CON'GREGATE: con + greg + ate = to perform the act of flocking together: hence, to a.s.semble.

EXERCISE.

(1.) What other part of speech than a verb is "aggregate"?--Why is this word spelled with a double _g_?

(2.) Combine and define egregious + ly.--What does an "_egregious_ blunder"

mean?--Compose a sentence containing the word "egregious."

(3.) Why is it incorrect to speak of congregating _together_?--Combine and define congregate + ion.

20. I'RE: e'o, i'tum, _to go_.

Radical: IT-.

1. AMBI'TION: amb (around) + it + ion = the act of going around.

DEFINITION: an eager desire for superiority or power.

OBS.--This meaning arose from the habit of candidates for office in Rome _going around_ to solicit votes: hence, aspiration for office, and finally, aspiration in general.

2. INI'TIAL, _a._: in + it + (i)al = pertaining to the _in_going: hence, marking the commencement.

3. INI'TIATE: in + it + (i)ate = to cause one to go in: hence, to introduce, to commence.

4. SEDI'TION: sed (_aside_) + it + ion = the act of going _aside_; that is, going to a separate and insurrectionary party.

5. TRANS'IT: trans + it = a pa.s.sing across: hence, (1) the act of pa.s.sing; (2) the line of pa.s.sage; (3) a term in astronomy.

6. TRAN'SITORY: trans + it + ory = pa.s.s_ing_ over: hence, brief, fleeting.

EXERCISE.

(1.) Compose a sentence containing the word "ambition." MODEL: "Napoleon's _ambition_ was his own greatness; Washington's, the greatness of his country."--What is meant by "military ambition"? "political ambition"?

"literary ambition"?--What adjective means _possessing ambition_?--Combine and define un + ambitious.

(2.) What is the opposite of "initial"? _Ans. Final, closing._--What part of speech is "initial" besides an adjective?--What is meant by "initials"?

(3.) What is meant by saying that "the campaign of 1775 was _initiated_ by an attack on the British in Boston"?--Give the opposite of "initiate" in the sense of "commence."

(4.) Give a synonym of "sedition." _Ans. Insurrection._--Give another.--Compose a sentence containing this word.

(5.) Explain what is meant by goods "in _transit_."--Explain what is meant by the "Nicaragua _transit_."--When you speak of the _transit_ of Venus,"

you are using a term in what science?

(6.) Give a synonym of "transitory."--Give its opposite. _Ans. Permanent, abiding._

21. LA'PIS, lap'idis, _a stone_.

Radical: LAPID-.

1. LAP'IDARY: lapid + ary = one who works in stone: hence, one who cuts, polishes, and engraves precious stones.

2. DILAP'IDATED: di + lapid + ate + ed = put into the condition of a building in which the stones are falling apart: hence, fallen into ruin, decayed.

3. DILAPIDA'TION: di + lapid + ate + ion = the state (of a building) in which the stones are falling apart: hence, demolition, decay.

EXERCISE.

Use the word "lapidary" in a sentence. MODEL: "When Queen Victoria wanted the Koh-i-noor to be recut, she sent it to a famous _lapidary_ in Holland."

(2.) Write a sentence containing the word "dilapidated." MODEL: "At Newport, Rhode Island, there stands a _dilapidated_ mill, which some writers have foolishly believed to be a tower built by Nors.e.m.e.n in the twelfth century."--If we should speak of a "_dilapidated_ fortune," would the word be used in its literal meaning or in a figurative sense?

(3.) Give two synonyms of "dilapidation." _Ans. Ruin, decay._

22. LEX, le'gis, _a law or rule_.

Radical: LEG-.

1. LE'GAL: leg + al = relating to the law; lawful.

2. ILLE'GAL: il (for _in_, not) + leg + al = not legal: hence, unlawful.

3. LEG'ISLATE: from _legis_ + _latum_ (from Lat. v. _fer're, latum_, to bring), to bring forward: hence, to make or pa.s.s laws.

4. LEGIT'IMATE: through Lat. adj. _legitimus_, lawful; legitim (us) + ate = made lawful: hence, in accordance with established law.

5. PRIV'ILEGE: Lat. adj. _privus_, private; literally, a law pa.s.sed for the benefit of a private individual: hence, a franchise, prerogative, or right.

EXERCISE.

(1.) Point out the different senses of "legal" in the two expressions, "the _legal_ profession" and "a _legal_ right."--Combine and define legal + ize.

(2.) Give an Anglo-Saxon synonym of "illegal." _Ans. Unlawful._--Show that they are synonyms. _Ans_. il (_in_) = un; _leg_ = law; and al = ful.--Compose a sentence containing the word "illegal."--Combine and define illegal + ity.

(3.) What noun derived from "legislate" means the law-making power?--Combine and define legislate + ion; legislate + ive.

(4.) Give the negative of "legitimate."

(5.) What is the plural of "privilege"?--Define the meaning of this word in the pa.s.sage,--

"He claims his _privilege_, and says 't is fit Nothing should be the judge of wit, but wit."