Synonyms: Roots from Latin - ISEE Upper Level: Verbal Reasoning

In the word “accelerate,” the “celer” portion means quick, coming from the Latin "celeriter," meaning quickly. The word “celerity,” therefore means quickness. It would be used in sentence like, “I am often surprised by the celerity of the deadly tree squirrel, which can kill its prey more quickly than many other animals.”

The word “onerous” comes from the Latin for burden, so something that is “onerous” is something that is burdensome. Often it means something requiring much effort. It would be used in a sentence like, “The sixteen-hour work days in the mines were so onerous for the poor miners that they were continuously exhausted from the difficult work.” The word is related to “exonerate,” meaning to set free from blame, or, more literally, to lift the burden of blame from someone.

Someone who is "diligent" pays attention to the details of something. For instance, a diligent student is one who studies much and does his or her work in a thorough manner. The word comes from the Latin for to love or take delight in, which is found in the word “predilection,” meaning a preference for something. If someone is "diligent," that person probably has a love for the activity on which he or she is focusing. A "meticulous" person is very careful regarding details, so this is the best option for this word.

The word “perennial,” literally means “through the year.” Often, it is used to name flowers that last multiple seasons—they live from season to season (even if not in flower). The “-ennial” portion of the word is related to “annual” as found in (for instance) “biennial,” meaning “taking place once every two years.” The best option among the proposed answers is “enduring,” for the word “perennial” is regularly used in this wide sense as opposed to “passing” or “fleeting.”

The word deluge comes from the Latin for “to wash away.” The “-luge” portion means “wash” and is found in words like “dilute” and “ablution” (the washing of oneself). Often, one finds the word used in literary sources referring to “the Deluge,” referring to the Biblical story of Noah’s ark and the flood. At times, the word “antediluvian” is used to insult something by implying that something is “older than Noah’s flood.” Note that the word “deluge” can be used to indicate not only a flood of water but also any great amount happening at one time.

The word “docile” comes from a number of Latin words related to the notion of teaching. In English, we can find words like “docent” (a guide or lower level university teacher), “doctor,” and “doctrine.” If someone is “docile,” he or she is “able to be taught.” Such a person is likely submissive to one instructing him or her. This is the most general usage of the word. Consider a sentence like: “It is always a joy to have a room full of docile students who gladly receive your instruction instead of fighting you every step of the way.”

The word “diffidence” literally means “not having faith” in oneself. The “-fidence” portion of the word is related to other English words pertaining to faith, such as “fidelity” and “confidence.” When someone does not have faith or trust in himself or herself, that person is often bashful or shy due to that lack of confidence. A related word, “diffident” is the adjective form of the word.

The word “fidelity” is derived from the Latin roots for “faith” and is found in other words like “confident” and “infidel.” When someone shows fidelity, that person is faithful to someone or something. For instance, to say, “Raul showed fidelity to his wife all throughout their marriage, never once breaking the trust of their marriage vows.”

The word “genre” is related to the Latin “genus,” a term that we still use in logic to mean “general kind.” For instance, when someone says “man is a rational animal,” the general class “animal” is the genus into which “man” is placed (so to speak). When we speak of “genres of music,” what we really mean are “classes” or “general types” of music. For instance, one might say, “The most popular genres of music are baroque organ and renaissance polyphony, not rock and ska.”

The word “gregarious” might have a number of “positive” connotations for you. Above all, it is means “friendly” and, even more, “liking being around others.” It comes from Latin for “flock” (as in “flock of sheep”). It is likewise related to words for “gathering together” like “aggregate,” “congregate,” and “segregate.” Among the options given for this question, “sociable” best expresses the sense of liking the company of others.

The word “gusto” is perhaps a bit informal; however, it is regularly used in speech and even somewhat formal writing. Often, you will see it expressed in some form similar to, “Since he greatly loved his work, John performed it with gusto, always ready to take on a new task.” In such contexts, the word means “enthusiasm,” “readiness,” or even “enjoyment.” It is related to the Latin for “taste,” which can be found in “gustatory” as well as “digest.” If someone “has a taste” for something, he or she likely has a great love for it and does it with much enthusiasm.

The word “marine” means “related to the sea.” It is derived from the Latin for “sea” and is found in words like “maritime” and “submarine.” A “mariner” is another word for a sailor—a person who does his work “on the sea.”

When something “mollifies,” it makes something softer. An “emollient” is a substance (e.g. a cream) that helps to make the skin softer. Although the word “mollify” can be used in this general sense of “softening,” it is often used to describe the specific case of “softening” emotions, that is to make someone less anxious. For this reason, “placate” is the best option among those given.

The word “verbose” comes from the Latin for “word.” It is related to words like “verbal” and “verb.” It means using too many words to communicate something. Although the word “wordy” is a bit informal, it means just this—that someone uses too many words.

Do not be tricked by the relationship between the words “nebula” and “nebulous.” The word “nebula” comes form the Latin for “mist.” These astronomical bodies appear like “mist” in the heavens because they are diffuse matter. When something is “nebulous” it is like mist in the sense that it is hazy or indistinct. When related to someone making an argument, it means that the argument is vague and not direct.

Do not be tempted by the “odor” words that are presented as options for “odious.” The base word for “odious” is really “hateful,” not “smelly” (or something of the like). The best option is “repugnant,” for while that word might be used to describe something that is physically disgusting, it can likewise mean merely “very distasteful.” The word “repugnant” comes from Latin roots related to the notion of fighting or “boxing.” A “pugilist” is a boxer. Something “repugnant” is something “resisting” one’s sensibilities (like a boxer—metaphorically speaking, of course).

The word “veridical” is related to “verify,” which means “to confirm the truth of something.” The “ver-” root is taken from the Latin for “truth.” The second half of the word “veridical” comes from the word for “to say or speak.” It can be found in English words like “dictate” and “diction.” To be “veridical” is to speak the truth or to be truthful.

The word “amble” comes from the Latin for “to walk,” which is found in English words like “ambulatory” and “ambulate.” It means “to walk in a relaxed manner.” Among the options, “saunter” best describes such walking. One might say, “She ambled about the county paths, not wishing to hurry past any of the beauties of the autumn scenery.”

When something is “restrained,” it is kept within limits or “held tight.” The word is taken from the Latin root meaning “to squeeze or hold.” It is related to English words such as “constrict” or “constrain.” A “restraint” is something that keeps things within boundaries; hence, it can be called a “restriction” (a word that is similarly derived from the same Latin roots).