1. Anarmoryis aplace where armsand other instruments of war are kept.2. Adepositoryis aplace wherethings are or may beput awayfor safe keeping.5. Alaboratoryis, literally, aplaceforlabor; particularly a place for scientific experimentation.6. Amanufactorywas formerly so called because it named aplace wherethings weremadebyhand. The first part of the word is now generally omitted, and appropriately so, because a small part of the work in a factory is done by hand.10.Territoryis extent oflandbelonging to or ruled by the government. Literally it means aplace wherethere island.
1. Anarmoryis aplace where armsand other instruments of war are kept.
2. Adepositoryis aplace wherethings are or may beput awayfor safe keeping.
5. Alaboratoryis, literally, aplaceforlabor; particularly a place for scientific experimentation.
6. Amanufactorywas formerly so called because it named aplace wherethings weremadebyhand. The first part of the word is now generally omitted, and appropriately so, because a small part of the work in a factory is done by hand.
10.Territoryis extent oflandbelonging to or ruled by the government. Literally it means aplace wherethere island.
ous= having, consisting of, full of, pertaining to.
1.Living bothon land and in water. “Seals ofamphibiousnature, are either for the land or water.”2.Pertaining to, or containingwater; as, anaqueousvapor.3. Astate ofill health due to a disordered condition of the liver, the gland which secretesbile.4.Consisting ofloud and repeatedoutcriesor noise; as, aclamorouscrowd.5. The leaves ofdeciduoustreesfallonce a year.8.Consistingof unlike elements or ingredients of different (other)kinds.13.Havingthe mental facultiesprematurelydeveloped; as, aprecociouschild.15. Contrary to nature, reason, or common sense. Originally,preposterousmeanthavingtheafterpartbefore.
1.Living bothon land and in water. “Seals ofamphibiousnature, are either for the land or water.”
2.Pertaining to, or containingwater; as, anaqueousvapor.
3. Astate ofill health due to a disordered condition of the liver, the gland which secretesbile.
4.Consisting ofloud and repeatedoutcriesor noise; as, aclamorouscrowd.
5. The leaves ofdeciduoustreesfallonce a year.
8.Consistingof unlike elements or ingredients of different (other)kinds.
13.Havingthe mental facultiesprematurelydeveloped; as, aprecociouschild.
15. Contrary to nature, reason, or common sense. Originally,preposterousmeanthavingtheafterpartbefore.
ulent= full of.
1. Acorpulentperson is one who has an excess of fat; hence, literally speaking, isfull of body.4.Succulentplants arefull of juice; as, the stalk of the sugar cane.5.Esculentplants are those suitable forfood(literally,full of food).“Every lover of that invaluableesculent(the potato) has reason to remember with gratitude the settlers of Londonderry.”—Whittier.
1. Acorpulentperson is one who has an excess of fat; hence, literally speaking, isfull of body.
4.Succulentplants arefull of juice; as, the stalk of the sugar cane.
5.Esculentplants are those suitable forfood(literally,full of food).
“Every lover of that invaluableesculent(the potato) has reason to remember with gratitude the settlers of Londonderry.”—Whittier.
ure= act or state of, that which.
y= state of being, full of, consisting or made of.
While the above words serve to illustrate the use ofyas a suffix, to analyze them would not be profitable. On account of their simplicity no illustrations are needed to show their use, and no definitions; in fact, there are no words simpler on which to base definitions.The eight words following, which end iny, can, however, be analyzed with profit:
While the above words serve to illustrate the use ofyas a suffix, to analyze them would not be profitable. On account of their simplicity no illustrations are needed to show their use, and no definitions; in fact, there are no words simpler on which to base definitions.
The eight words following, which end iny, can, however, be analyzed with profit:
tort, tors= twist, wring, wrest.
1. Totwist together; to turn awry. “A formcontortedand misshapen from that which nature gave.”2. Totwist aside; to twist out of shape; to wrest from the true meaning. “For gold the hireling judgedistortsthe laws.”3. Towringor wrestout ofor away from; to get by force or by taking unfair advantage. “'Till the injurious Romans didextortthis tribute from us, we were free.”4. To bend,twistor turnback. Aretortis a short and pointed replyturned backon an assailant. Aretorttube is onetwistedor bent back at one end.5. Thetorchis so called because the wick istwistedlike a rope.6.Tormentcomes fromtormentum, a machine (engine) for throwing stones to inflicttorture.7. Thetortoiseis so called because of itstwistedor crooked feet.8.Wringingpain; anguish of body or mind. “In ancient Greece,torturewas never employed except in case of treason”.
1. Totwist together; to turn awry. “A formcontortedand misshapen from that which nature gave.”
2. Totwist aside; to twist out of shape; to wrest from the true meaning. “For gold the hireling judgedistortsthe laws.”
3. Towringor wrestout ofor away from; to get by force or by taking unfair advantage. “'Till the injurious Romans didextortthis tribute from us, we were free.”
4. To bend,twistor turnback. Aretortis a short and pointed replyturned backon an assailant. Aretorttube is onetwistedor bent back at one end.
5. Thetorchis so called because the wick istwistedlike a rope.
6.Tormentcomes fromtormentum, a machine (engine) for throwing stones to inflicttorture.
7. Thetortoiseis so called because of itstwistedor crooked feet.
8.Wringingpain; anguish of body or mind. “In ancient Greece,torturewas never employed except in case of treason”.
tract= draw.
1. Todraw away; to consider apart. “In truth the object and sensation are the same thing and cannot beabstractedfrom each other.”2. Todraw toor toward. A magnetattractsiron filings.3. Todraw togetheror closer. Heat expands and coldcontracts.4. Todrawawayfrom. To take away a part of something, especially from one's credit. “Should I detract his worth, 'twould argue want of merit in myself.”5. Todraw apartor away. The attention isdistractedwhen it isdrawn apartfrom the thing in hand.6. Todraw out, to withdraw. Honey is sometimesextractedfrom the honeycomb and the comb replaced in the beehive.7. Todrawforward; to extend or prolong; as, “England desired not toprotractthe war.”8. Todraw back; to take back what has been said. When one finds he has said a hasty thing he would do well toretractit.9. Todraw back, as from an enemy. “Come, shepherd, let us make an honorableretreat.”10. Todrawaway; as apart from the whole. Literally todrawaway fromunder, or in an underhanded way, as by stealth. The word is very seldom used literally.11. Atraceis one of the tugs or straps by which a vehicle isdrawn.12. Atractablechild is one which can be easily led ordrawn.13.Trailmeans todrawalong, or what isdrawn.14. Atrainconsists of carsdrawnby a locomotive.
1. Todraw away; to consider apart. “In truth the object and sensation are the same thing and cannot beabstractedfrom each other.”
2. Todraw toor toward. A magnetattractsiron filings.
3. Todraw togetheror closer. Heat expands and coldcontracts.
4. Todrawawayfrom. To take away a part of something, especially from one's credit. “Should I detract his worth, 'twould argue want of merit in myself.”
5. Todraw apartor away. The attention isdistractedwhen it isdrawn apartfrom the thing in hand.
6. Todraw out, to withdraw. Honey is sometimesextractedfrom the honeycomb and the comb replaced in the beehive.
7. Todrawforward; to extend or prolong; as, “England desired not toprotractthe war.”
8. Todraw back; to take back what has been said. When one finds he has said a hasty thing he would do well toretractit.
9. Todraw back, as from an enemy. “Come, shepherd, let us make an honorableretreat.”
10. Todrawaway; as apart from the whole. Literally todrawaway fromunder, or in an underhanded way, as by stealth. The word is very seldom used literally.
11. Atraceis one of the tugs or straps by which a vehicle isdrawn.
12. Atractablechild is one which can be easily led ordrawn.
13.Trailmeans todrawalong, or what isdrawn.
14. Atrainconsists of carsdrawnby a locomotive.
ven, vent= come.
1. Acomingor arrival of any important event or personage. Theadventof summer. AnAdventistis one who makes the second personal coming of Christ a special feature in his doctrine.2. Anadventureis a stirring experience,come upon, as it were, suddenly and unexpectedly.3. That whichcomes toa certain place. Formerly anavenuewas a roadway bordered with trees whichcomes toa residence.4. Tocome together. “The household fowlsconvene.”5. Tocircumventan individual is to gain an advantage over him in a secret and round about (coming around) way.6. Theoutcomeof an occurrence; as, “In thateventall will be right.” “Marriage is the principaleventfor good or evil in all lives.”7. The act ofcoming betweenpersons or objects; especially interference with the acts of others.8. Tocome upon; to find out or discover.9.Revenueis that whichcomes back, as from an investment; income from all forms of one's property.10. To stop or hinder from happening by means of previous measures. Originallypreventmeant tocome before; as in Matt. xvii:25: “When Peter was come into the house, Jesuspreventedhim.”
1. Acomingor arrival of any important event or personage. Theadventof summer. AnAdventistis one who makes the second personal coming of Christ a special feature in his doctrine.
2. Anadventureis a stirring experience,come upon, as it were, suddenly and unexpectedly.
3. That whichcomes toa certain place. Formerly anavenuewas a roadway bordered with trees whichcomes toa residence.
4. Tocome together. “The household fowlsconvene.”
5. Tocircumventan individual is to gain an advantage over him in a secret and round about (coming around) way.
6. Theoutcomeof an occurrence; as, “In thateventall will be right.” “Marriage is the principaleventfor good or evil in all lives.”
7. The act ofcoming betweenpersons or objects; especially interference with the acts of others.
8. Tocome upon; to find out or discover.
9.Revenueis that whichcomes back, as from an investment; income from all forms of one's property.
10. To stop or hinder from happening by means of previous measures. Originallypreventmeant tocome before; as in Matt. xvii:25: “When Peter was come into the house, Jesuspreventedhim.”
vers, vert= turn.
1.Turned against; antagonistic.Adversewinds. “Error isadverseto human happiness.”2.State ofadverse fortune; a condition of calamity, distress, or unhappiness. “Ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of alladversities.”3. Toturnthe mind or attentionto; as, “I will onlyadvertto some leading points in the argument.”—Emerson.4. Toadvertisean article is to cause the public toturnattentiontoit.5. Aturning awayfrom. “Adhesion to vice andaversionto goodness.”6. Toturn awayor aside. “Till ardent prayeravertsthe public woe.”7.Diverseways are different ways—theyturn apart.8. The act ofturning asidefrom a course; as thediversionof the mind from study.9. A judgment or decree dissolving marriage, and thusturninghusband and wifeapartfrom each other.10. Toturn intoanother position; as, upside down, inside out, end for end, etc.11. Aperverseinclination is onethoroughlywrong orturnedfrom the right.12. Toturn back; as toreversean engine.13. Atransversebeam is oneturned acrossothers.14.Capable ofmoving orturningaround; as aversatilespindle; turning with ease from one thing to another; many sided; as, aversatilewriter.15.That whichis translated (orturned) from another language; as, the King Jamesversionof the Bible.16. The highest point, peak, or summit. Literally theturningpoint.17. Aturningor whirling around; dizziness or giddiness.“That oldvertigoin his headWill never leave him till he's dead.”18. Awhirlpool. (Vortexis another form ofvertex.)
1.Turned against; antagonistic.Adversewinds. “Error isadverseto human happiness.”
2.State ofadverse fortune; a condition of calamity, distress, or unhappiness. “Ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of alladversities.”
3. Toturnthe mind or attentionto; as, “I will onlyadvertto some leading points in the argument.”—Emerson.
4. Toadvertisean article is to cause the public toturnattentiontoit.
5. Aturning awayfrom. “Adhesion to vice andaversionto goodness.”
6. Toturn awayor aside. “Till ardent prayeravertsthe public woe.”
7.Diverseways are different ways—theyturn apart.
8. The act ofturning asidefrom a course; as thediversionof the mind from study.
9. A judgment or decree dissolving marriage, and thusturninghusband and wifeapartfrom each other.
10. Toturn intoanother position; as, upside down, inside out, end for end, etc.
11. Aperverseinclination is onethoroughlywrong orturnedfrom the right.
12. Toturn back; as toreversean engine.
13. Atransversebeam is oneturned acrossothers.
14.Capable ofmoving orturningaround; as aversatilespindle; turning with ease from one thing to another; many sided; as, aversatilewriter.
15.That whichis translated (orturned) from another language; as, the King Jamesversionof the Bible.
16. The highest point, peak, or summit. Literally theturningpoint.
17. Aturningor whirling around; dizziness or giddiness.
“That oldvertigoin his headWill never leave him till he's dead.”
“That oldvertigoin his headWill never leave him till he's dead.”
18. Awhirlpool. (Vortexis another form ofvertex.)
EIGHTH MONTH.
ic= pertaining to.
2.Arcticmeans, literally,pertaining tothe northern constellations called the Great and LittleBears; hence pertaining to the north polar regions.8.Erraticmeanswanderingfrom the proper or usual course in opinion or conduct.9.Homericmeansrelating to Homer, the great epic poet of ancient Greece, or to the poetry which he wrote.10. Alunaticis one who is periodically insane, with intervals of sanity (as if affected by themoon).11.Lyricpoetry is that which is adapted to thelyreor harp; fit to be sung to an accompaniment.16.Panicmeans sudden or groundless fright, such as was said to have been caused byPan, the god of pastures and forests.
2.Arcticmeans, literally,pertaining tothe northern constellations called the Great and LittleBears; hence pertaining to the north polar regions.
8.Erraticmeanswanderingfrom the proper or usual course in opinion or conduct.
9.Homericmeansrelating to Homer, the great epic poet of ancient Greece, or to the poetry which he wrote.
10. Alunaticis one who is periodically insane, with intervals of sanity (as if affected by themoon).
11.Lyricpoetry is that which is adapted to thelyreor harp; fit to be sung to an accompaniment.
16.Panicmeans sudden or groundless fright, such as was said to have been caused byPan, the god of pastures and forests.
ise, (ize)= make, do, cause.
1. A merchant when headvertisesgoods hopes thereby tocausepeople toturntheir attentiontothem.2. Tocriticiseis to (make) passjudgmentupon.3. Tofamiliarizemeans, literally, tomakeas one of thefamily, to become intimate with.4. Ground isfertilizedwhen it iscausedtoproducemore abundantly.5. Any conduct islegalizedwhen it ismade lawful.6. Werecognizea person when weknowhimagain; as, one whom we have known before.7. Tosympathizeis tofeel withanother.8.Tantalizeis derived from Tantalus, a Phyrgian king who, according to Greek mythology, was punished in the lower world by being placed in a lake of pure water up to his chin, while there hung over him luscious fruit, the fruit and the water receding whenever he sought to satisfy his hunger orthirst. Hence tantalize means to tease or torment by presenting something desirable to the view and frustrating expectation by keeping it out of reach.Words 9 to 24 may be defined in a simple and satisfactory manner by using some meaning of the suffixizein the definition with the first part of the word; thus,agonizemeans tocauseto haveagony.
1. A merchant when headvertisesgoods hopes thereby tocausepeople toturntheir attentiontothem.
2. Tocriticiseis to (make) passjudgmentupon.
3. Tofamiliarizemeans, literally, tomakeas one of thefamily, to become intimate with.
4. Ground isfertilizedwhen it iscausedtoproducemore abundantly.
5. Any conduct islegalizedwhen it ismade lawful.
6. Werecognizea person when weknowhimagain; as, one whom we have known before.
7. Tosympathizeis tofeel withanother.
8.Tantalizeis derived from Tantalus, a Phyrgian king who, according to Greek mythology, was punished in the lower world by being placed in a lake of pure water up to his chin, while there hung over him luscious fruit, the fruit and the water receding whenever he sought to satisfy his hunger orthirst. Hence tantalize means to tease or torment by presenting something desirable to the view and frustrating expectation by keeping it out of reach.
Words 9 to 24 may be defined in a simple and satisfactory manner by using some meaning of the suffixizein the definition with the first part of the word; thus,agonizemeans tocauseto haveagony.
ist= one who.
4. Anatheistisone whoiswithoutbelief in a personalGod.6. Adeistisone whobelieves inGodbut denies revealed religion.15. Anoptimistisone whoholds the opinion that all events are ordered for thebest.16. Apessimistisone whohas a disposition to take the least hopeful (worst) view of things; one who believes that the ultimate tendency of the world is toward evil and not good.
4. Anatheistisone whoiswithoutbelief in a personalGod.
6. Adeistisone whobelieves inGodbut denies revealed religion.
15. Anoptimistisone whoholds the opinion that all events are ordered for thebest.
16. Apessimistisone whohas a disposition to take the least hopeful (worst) view of things; one who believes that the ultimate tendency of the world is toward evil and not good.
oid= having the form of, shaped like.
meter, metr= measure.
1. Theanemometeris an instrument formeasuringthe force and velocity of thewind.2. Thebarometer measurestheweightof the atmosphere, and thus aids in determining the indications of the weather.3. Achronometeris an instrument formeasuring time. Specifically, it is a large and very accurate watch for use in astronomical observations.6.Geometryliterally meansearth measure. It treats of the measurement of surfaces, and is therefore applied in themeasurementofland.7. Thehexameterin poetry is ameasurehavingsixpoetic feet to the line.8. Thehydrometeris used formeasuringthe specific gravity ofwaterand other liquids.9. Thelactometeris used formeasuringthe purity and richness ofmilk.10. Themetricsystem of weights and measures is one in which the meter is the unit ofmeasure.12. Theperimeteris themeasure arounda body or figure.14.Trigonometrytreats ofmeasurementsbased on the triangle (three angles).
1. Theanemometeris an instrument formeasuringthe force and velocity of thewind.
2. Thebarometer measurestheweightof the atmosphere, and thus aids in determining the indications of the weather.
3. Achronometeris an instrument formeasuring time. Specifically, it is a large and very accurate watch for use in astronomical observations.
6.Geometryliterally meansearth measure. It treats of the measurement of surfaces, and is therefore applied in themeasurementofland.
7. Thehexameterin poetry is ameasurehavingsixpoetic feet to the line.
8. Thehydrometeris used formeasuringthe specific gravity ofwaterand other liquids.
9. Thelactometeris used formeasuringthe purity and richness ofmilk.
10. Themetricsystem of weights and measures is one in which the meter is the unit ofmeasure.
12. Theperimeteris themeasure arounda body or figure.
14.Trigonometrytreats ofmeasurementsbased on the triangle (three angles).
phon= sound.
polis= city.
1. Theacropoliswas theupperpart of a Greciancity. It commanded a view of the surrounding country.2. Named for QueenAnn.3. A contraction of Constantinopolis. Named forConstantine.4.Indianameans, literally, thelandof theIndians.IndianapolismeanscityofIndiana.5. Themetropolisis the chief, ormother city, of the state or country.6. ThecityofMinne(haha).7. Apoliceforce is a body of civil officers in acityorganized for its protection.8.Politicsis the science of government in state orcity.
1. Theacropoliswas theupperpart of a Greciancity. It commanded a view of the surrounding country.
2. Named for QueenAnn.
3. A contraction of Constantinopolis. Named forConstantine.
4.Indianameans, literally, thelandof theIndians.IndianapolismeanscityofIndiana.
5. Themetropolisis the chief, ormother city, of the state or country.
6. ThecityofMinne(haha).
7. Apoliceforce is a body of civil officers in acityorganized for its protection.
8.Politicsis the science of government in state orcity.
scop= view.
1. Thehoroscopeis an instrument forviewingthe heavens at thehourof one's birth, by which the astrologers professed to foretell the events of a person's life.2. Thekaleidoscopeis an optical instrument in which an endless variety ofbeautifulpatterns orformsmay beviewedby changing its position.4. Thestereoscopeis an instrument, with two eye glasses, for giving to pictures the appearance ofsolidforms as seen in nature.
1. Thehoroscopeis an instrument forviewingthe heavens at thehourof one's birth, by which the astrologers professed to foretell the events of a person's life.
2. Thekaleidoscopeis an optical instrument in which an endless variety ofbeautifulpatterns orformsmay beviewedby changing its position.
4. Thestereoscopeis an instrument, with two eye glasses, for giving to pictures the appearance ofsolidforms as seen in nature.
(First Month.)TERMS TO BE DEFINED.
AnELEMENTARY SOUNDis the simplest sound of spoken language.
There are forty-four elementary sounds in the English language. As there are only twenty-six letters in the alphabet some letters represent more than one sound. Certain marks or distinguishing characters used with the letters to indicate the various sounds are calledDIACRITICAL MARKS.
Phonotypyis a method of representing each of the elementary sounds by a distinct printed character or letter.
TheVOCALSorTONICSare those elementary sounds made by an unmodified or uninterrupted tone of the voice; as ā, ĕ.
TheSUBVOCALSorSUBTONICSare those elementary sounds made by the tone of the voice modified by the organs of speech, making an undertone; as b, d, g, r.
TheASPIRATESorATONICSare those elementary sounds made by merely breathing modified by the organs of speech; sometimes called breath sounds; as p, t, s.
TABLE OF ELEMENTARY SOUNDS.[From Swett's Normal Word Book.]
Note.—The foregoing forty-four sounds are those mostemployed in the English language. Some of these sounds are represented by other letters, as shown in the following:
Cognatesounds are such as are produced by the same organs of speech in a similar position. The cognates are in pairs, as follows:Vowels: ā ĕ, ē ĭ, â ă, ä ȧ, a̤ ŏ, û ŭ, ōō o͝o;consonants: g´ k, b p, d t, j ch, th th, v f, z s.
[Second Month.]LETTERS.
ALETTERis a mark or character used to represent a sound,—usually an elementary sound.
AnALPHABETis an orderly arrangement of all the letters of a language.
TheNUMBER OF LETTERSin the different alphabets vary, as follows: English 26, Arabic 28, French 25, German 26, Greek 24, Hebrew 22, Italian 21, Russian 33, Spanish 27, Sanskrit 49. The Chinese have no alphabet, but about 20,000 syllabic characters.
ThePOWER OF A LETTERis the elementary sound for which it stands.
Letters as to formare either script or print.
There are many differentSTYLES OF LETTERS; as, Roman, Italic, Old English, and Script.
As toSIZEletters are both capital and lower case.
[Third Month.]VOWELS.
AVOWELsound is a free and uninterrupted sound of the voice. The vowel sounds are formed by the voice modified, but not interrupted, by the various positions of the tongue and lips.
ACONSONANTsound is an articulate sound made by the obstructed voice, and which in utterance is usually combined with a vowel sound.
There is no absolute division between vowels and consonants. Certain vowels are so open as to be only vowels, certain consonants are so close as to be only consonants; but there are yet others which have the value now of vowels and now of consonants; as,i,u,w, andy.
“Yas a vowel is a substitute fori, andiis a consonant as a substitute fory.Wandyare vowels: (1) When they end words or syllables, (2) when they are not followed by a vowel in the same syllable, (3) when they are followed by a silent vowel in the same syllable.Wandyare consonants when they begin words or syllables and are immediately followed by a vowel.Iis a consonant when it represents the consonanty, as inalien.Uis a consonant when it represents the consonantw, as inquick,language.”—Irish's Orthography.
ADIPHTHONGis produced by running together two vowel sounds in the same syllable.
A diphthong isPROPERif both the vowels are sounded; asoandiinboil.
AnIMPROPER DIPHTHONGorDIGRAPHis merely a collectionof two vowels in the same syllable, of which only one is sounded; as inrain,teach.
The diphthongs in the following words are all that are in common use, viz.: toil, toy, sound, cow, peal,oil,audible,awning, say, seine, people, feud, obey, eschew, believe, loan, hoe, hue, juice. Of theseoi,oy,ou, andoware the onlyproperdiphthongs.
ATRIPHTHONGis produced by running together three vowel sounds in the same syllable.
A triphthong isPROPERif all three of the vowels are sounded. (But there are no proper triphthongs that I know of.)
A triphthong isIMPROPERor is called aTRIGRAPHif one or two of the three vowels is silent; as in adieu, beauty.
[Fourth Month.]CONSONANTS.
Consonantsare divided on three different bases; as follows:
I.MutesandSEMIVOWELS.
The mutes represent an explosive sound, and are so called because the mouth organs are closed just before the sound is uttered and the voice is momentarilymute.
The four subvocalsb,d,j,g, and their cognates,p,t,ch, andk, are generally classed as mutes. Pronounce them and see if they do not representexplosivesounds.
All other consonants aresemivowels, and are pronounced with acontinuoussound. The sound may be continued so long as the breath lasts; but in the case of mutes the sound must stop with the explosive utterance.
II. TheSUBVOCALSandASPIRATESare shown in the vertical columns of the table below. The subvocals are sometimes calledvoiceconsonants and the aspiratesbreathconsonants. These are fit terms, for they indicate the basis of classification.
III.Labials,LINGUA-DENTALS, andPALATALSconstitute a classification of the consonants with respect to the placeof formation. Bead the table from left to right. Thelipshave most to do with making the labial sounds; the lingua-dentals are formed at the point of thetonguein contact with theteeth, the palatals between the tongue and hard and softpalate.
[First Month.]SYLLABLES.
Syllableliterally meanstaken together.
ASPOKEN SYLLABLEis an elementary sound, or a combination of elementary sounds, utteredtogether, or with a single impulse of the voice. It constitutes a word or a part of a word.
AWRITTENor printed syllable is a part of a word separatedfrom the rest, and capable of pronunciation by a single impulse of the voice.
As to where a word shall be divided in making it into syllables depends upon thePURPOSE OF SYLLABICATION. When the purpose is to show the derivation the division is made with reference to the component parts (roots, prefixes, and suffixes); but if the purpose is to indicate correct pronunciation, the result may be very different. For illustration, the following words are divided, first, to show derivation: abs-tract, bene-vol-ent, pre-de-cess-or, e-duc-ate, phon-o-typ-y, pro-gress, e-lig-ible; and, second, to indicate correct pronunciation: ab-stract, be-nev-o-lent, pred-e-ces-sor, ed-u-cate, pho-not-y-py, prog-ress, el-i-gi-ble.
While in the illustrations here given the syllables formed for one purpose are very different from those formed for the other, yet in the majority of words the resulting syllables are the same whether divided for one purpose or for the other.
In the United States the prevailing purpose of syllabication is to indicate pronunciation.
TheULTIMATEsyllable of a word is the last (ultimus= last); thePENULTIMATEis next to the last (pen= almost); theANTEPENULTIMATEis the third from the last (literally,before almostthelast); thePREANTEPENULTIMATEis the fourth from the last (literally,beforethe one that isbeforethe onealmost last).
[Second Month.]ACCENT.
Accentis stress of voice on a particular syllable in pronouncing a word.
In long words two, and sometimes three, syllables are accented. But one syllable is always accented more strongly than the others are. The stronger accent is called thePRIMARYaccent, the weaker is called theSECONDARY. Thus, inam´ mu ni´ tionthe primary accent falls on the third syllable and the secondary on the first.
The “PRINCIPLES” which govern the placing of accent are complicated. The International Dictionary says there are no principles by which to determine the accent in English. Another high authority says: “All attempts to assign rules for the place of the accent in English only serve to render the subject hopelessly intricate and confounded.”
There are, however, certaintendencieswhich mature pupils might profitably consider, but the limited scope of this book will not permit me to attempt to set them forth.
In the words of the following list the accent changes with a change of meaning. When nouns or adjectives these words are accented on the first syllable; when verbs, on the second:
[Third Month.]WORDS.
AWORDis a sign of an idea. It may be either spoken or written.
APRIMITIVE,OR ROOT, word is one not derived from any other word of the language; as,fix,strike,man.
ADERIVATIVEis a word formed from a primitive by changing it internally, or by adding a prefix or suffix; as,men,suffix,strikers.
ASIMPLE WORDis a single word. It may be either primitive or derivative.
ACOMPOUND WORDis a combination of two or more simple words; as, buck-saw, well-behaved, school-room.
A word of one syllable is amonosyllable(mono = one); of two syllables, adissyllable(dis = two); of three syllables, atrisyllable(tri = three); of three or more syllables, apolysyllable(poly = many).
TheROOTof a word is its fundamental or elementary part which carries the primitive notion or significance with it, without prefix or suffix; as,ge(earth),graph(write),vol(wish).
APREFIXis a significant syllable joined to the beginning of a word; as,autograph,circumvent,amphitheater.
ASUFFIXis a significant syllable joined to the end of a word; as, manly, fertile, mention.
AFFIXis a general term for prefixes and suffixes; it may be applied to either or to both together.
[Fifth Month.]SILENT LETTERS.
Silent letters have at least four uses:
1. To modify sounds of other letters in the same syllable.
Drop final silentefrom such words as the following and note the effect on the sound of the other vowel in the same syllable:bare,pure,ripe,lame.
2. To indicate pronunciation.
In the four words last given, for illustration, the pronunciation changes when the final silenteis dropped.
Another class of words ending inceandgeretain the final silenteon adding a suffix beginning withaoroto preserve the soft sound ofcandg, and with it the correct pronunciation of the word; as,serviceable,noticeable,changeable,courageous.
3. To show the meaning of words.
Illustrations:clime,climb,plumb,belle,butt,dyeing,singeing,guilt,damn.
4. To show the derivation of words.
Numerous illustrations are found in words derived fromthe Greek. Inchronic, andchronology, thehis silent, but serves to indicate that the root of those words is identical with the Greek rootchron, which meanstime. Similarly thegingnostic, theeineulogy,pinpneumonia, thehinchromatic.
Inhonourandfavouruis silent, and therefore a useless letter, so far as sound is concerned. Theusignifies that the word came to us through the French, instead of directly from the Latin. The question is, whether we shall go to the trouble of writing the extra letter in a large class of such words for the sake of the historical association. Perhaps one in a thousand would choose to do so, but others of us are more intent on saving time and ink. When the spelling reform idea becomes operative with English speaking people, a great many silent letters will go the way of theuinlabour,favour, and the like.
The following are some of the numerous classes of silent letters together with the principle found to be operative through them.
[Sixth Month.]
“Efinal is silent when preceded by another vowel in the same syllable.”
[Seventh Month.]
“Bis usually silent beforetor aftermin the same syllable.”
[Eighth Month.]
“Cis silent beforekin the same syllable.Cis silent in czar, victuals, muscle, corpuscle, indict, and Connecticut.”
[First Month.]
“Dis silent beforegin the same syllable.”
[Second Month.]
“Gis silent beforemornin the same syllable.”
[Third Month.]
“His silent when it followsgorrin the same syllable.”
[Fourth Month.]
“Kis silent beforenin the same syllable.”
[Fifth Month.]
“Nfinal afterlormis silent.”
[Sixth Month.]
“Tis silent beforechin the same syllable.”
[Seventh Month.]
“Wis silent beforerin the same syllable.”
[Eighth Month.]
“Ghis always silent afteriand, when not a substitute forfork, is also silent afterauandou.”
[Sixth Month.]
“Aconstituting or ending an unaccented syllable is short Italiana.”
[Seventh Month.]
“Econstituting or ending a syllable is long.”
[Eighth Month.]
“Oconstituting or ending a syllable is long.”
[Fourth Month.]
“Iconstituting or ending an unaccented syllable, not initial, is always short, and is usually short even in initial syllables, if unaccented.”
In theinitialsyllablesi,bi,chi,cli,cri,pri,tri, however,iis generallylong.
[Fifth Month.]
Ebefore terminalnshould always be silent in participles, and also in most other words.
also
But in the following wordseshould be sounded:
Eshould also be sounded in any word (not a participle) in which terminalenis immediately preceded byl,m,n, orr.
[Sixth Month.]
“Ebefore terminallshould usually be sounded.”
But in the following words and in their derivativesebefore terminallshould not be sounded:
[Seventh Month.]
“In most wordsibefore terminallornshould be sounded.”
In the following wordsishould not be sounded:
[Eighth Month.]
“Iaccented in most words from the French has the sound of longe.”
Many people think that rules of spelling are of no value, because they are hard to remember and because of numerous exceptions. This is certainly true of a great many such rules (and there are a great many); but three or four of these rules apply to so many words difficult to spell, and they have such a small number of exceptions that they are well worth while. Several hundred words are spelled according to the first rule given below. The rule itself is short, and all of the exceptions could be learned “for keeps” by a pupil in an hour. Butpupils must have drill in applying the rulesor they may be able to repeat the rules perfectly and glibly and not be able to spell the words coming under them.
Since the rule given for the work of the first month, seventh year, and that given for the second month, are counterparts,each of the other, I prefer to take them together. Knowing that “silent final e is dropped when a suffix beginning with a vowel is added”, we naturally infer its counterpart, viz.: “Silent final e is retained when a suffix beginning with a consonant is added.”
To bring about the necessary drill and insure attention to the application of the rule, I suggest that a class of pupils, reciting by turns, spell at least twenty-five words according to the following model. [The words are on the board in this form: love + able, care + less.]
“The suffixablebegins with the vowela; therefore when it is added to the wordlovethe final silenteis dropped, and the word is spelledlovable.” Or,
“The suffixlessbegins with the consonantl; therefore, when it is added to the wordcarethe final silenteis not dropped, and the word is spelledcareless.”
Words to be spelled according to this model should be mixed,—those in which the suffix to be added begins with a vowel mixed with those in which the suffix begins with a consonant. Exceptions ought to be thrown into the mixture, and when a pupil comes to an exception, he can proceed according to the model, concluding with, “but this word is an exception to the rule”.
Fifty words are here given to illustrate this rule, but pupils who want to do thorough work should spell several such fifties.
[First Month.]
EXCEPTIONS.
Words ending inceandgeretain theewhen a suffix beginning withaorois added.
OTHER EXCEPTIONS.
Five other exceptions, to be remembered together: argument, judgment, lodgment, abridgment, acknowledgment.
The exceptions here given, which are practically all of the exceptions to this rule, should be reviewed until they cannot be forgotten. The value of the rule depends much on a thorough committal of the exceptions.
[Third Month.]
Rule II: “When a suffix is added to a word ending iny, preceded by a consonant, theyis changed toi, unless the suffix begins withi.”