Quiz 1 Terms

Question 1

The origin and analysis of a word as shown by breaking it down into its constituent historical elements.

Answer 1

etymology

Question 2

The explanation or description of what a thing is; or what a word or phrase means or has meant.

Answer 2

definition

Question 3

The central element of a word which is left after the removal of all affixes.

Answer 3

root / base

Question 4

A collective term for prefixes, suffixes, and infixes.

Answer 4

affix

Question 5

One or more letters or syllables placed at the beginning of a word to modify its meaning.

Answer 5

prefix

Question 6

The process by which adjacent sounds (usually consonants) acquire similar or identical characteristics.

Answer 6

assimilation

Question 7

The tendency toward greater ease of pronunciation resulting in combinative changes, largely due to speed and economy of utterance.

Answer 7

euphony

Question 8

A change in the internal vowel of a base, often when the base is prefixed.

Answer 8

vowel gradation

Question 9

An abbreviation that spells a word or pronounceable unit.

Answer 9

acronym

Question 10

Two or more words in different languages which have the same root.

Answer 10

cognate(s)

Question 11

Two words of the same language which are derived from the same original word.

Answer 11

doublet(s)

Question 12

A word borrowed from another word or root, usually belonging to another language.

Answer 12

derivative

Question 13

Define:

etymology

Answer 13

The origin and analysis of a word as shown by breaking it down into its constituent historical elements.

Question 14

Define:

definition

Answer 14

The explanation or description of what a thing is; or what a word or phrase means or has meant.

Question 15

Define:

root / base

Answer 15

The central element of a word which is left after the removal of all affixes.

Question 16

Define:

affix

Answer 16

A collective term for prefixes, suffixes, and infixes.

Question 17

Define:

prefix

Answer 17

One or more letters or syllables placed at the beginning of a word to modify its meaning.

Question 18

Define:

assimilation

Answer 18

The process by which adjacent sounds (usually consonants) acquire similar or identical characteristics.

Question 19

Define:

euphony

Answer 19

The tendency toward greater ease of pronunciation resulting in combinative changes, largely due to speed and economy of utterance.

Question 20

Define:

vowel gradation

Answer 20

A change in the internal vowel of a base, often when the base is prefixed.

Question 21

Define:

acronym

Answer 21

An abbreviation that spells a word or pronounceable unit.

Question 22

Define:

cognate(s)

Answer 22

Two or more words in different languages which have the same root.

Question 23

Define:

doublet(s)

Answer 23

Two words of the same language which are derived from the same original word.

Question 24

Define:

derivative

Answer 24

A word borrowed from another word or root, usually belonging to another language.