Easily Confused Words (Unit 1)

Question 1

etymology: L. (sanguin) = blood

back then: medical term relating to someone healthy having the right amount of blood

today: optimistic

Answer 1

sanguine

Question 2

etymology: L. (sanguin) = blood

covered with blood; cruel; bloodthirsty

Answer 2

sanguinary

Question 3

etymology: L. (siccus)

dry out

Answer 3

desiccate

Question 4

etymology: L. (dis) = apart and L. (sect) = cut

Answer 4

dissect

Question 5

opposite word of interested

not influenced by selfish motives

Answer 5

disinterested

Question 6

opposite word of interested

not interested; indifferent; not paying attention

Answer 6

uninterested

Question 7

We could never understand Larry’s enthusiasm for showing us the bodies of animals he had ___________

Answer 7

dissected

Question 8

the scrap b/w the 2 boys appeared to be more __________ that it actually proved to be when we wiped away the gore

Answer 8

sanguinary

Question 9

after our eight hours on the trail, the _________ food we had brought tasted like something from the finest restaurant

Answer 9

descicated

Question 10

if you were so ________ in football, why did you have to buy me these expensive seats?

Answer 10

uninterested

Question 11

can you assure me that you will be completely ________ in this case?

Answer 11

disinterested

Question 12

walt was so ________ about the possibilities of fair weather that he didn’t even take waterproof clothes

Answer 12

sanguine