Classical Roots Vocabulary Lessons 9 & 10: Earth & Air

Apogee

n. 1. The point in its orbit when a planet or satellite (usually the moon) is farthest from the earth

2. The highest point; culmination; apex



ANTONYM: perigee

Geocentric

adj. 1. Referring to the center of the earth in measurement or observation

2. Considering the earth as the center of a planetary system

Perigee

n. The point in its orbit when a planet or satellite ( usually the moon) is nearest the earth

ANTONYM: apogee

Inter

tr. v. To bury; to place in a grave


n. interment
adj. interred

ANTONYM: disinter

Terra Cotta

n. Ceramic clay used in pottery, statuary, and construction.

*Also used as an adjective



adj. Referring to the color of clay, a reddish brown that may vary from gray or orange to dark brown

Terrestrial

adj. 1. Pertaining to the earth and its inhabitants


2. Referring to land as distinct from water or air

Exhume

tr. v. 1 To dig out of the ground or from the grave; to disinter

2.To bring to light; to uncover

n. exhumation

adj. exhumed

ANTONYMS:
Inhume; inter

Humus

n. Rich, dark organic material formed by decay of vegetable matter, essential to soil's fertility

Mountebank

n. A swindler; a charlatan; a trickster

Paramount

adj. Of chief importance; primary; foremost

Promontory

n. A high ridge of land jutting into a body of water; a headland

Pastoral

adj. 1. Pertaining to a Christian minister or the duties accompanying the office

2. Referring to life in open country or to fields for farming or grazing

3. Pertaining to an idealized rural life

n.Pastoral

Repast

n. A meal; food served at a meal

Rustic

adj. Typical of country life and people; simple; rough

n. A rural person


n.rusticity

Rusticate

intr. v. To go to the country

tr. v. To cause to become rustic

Animus

n. 1 . A powerful feeling of hostility or antagonism; hatred

2. An animating spirit

Equanimity

n. Composure and calm in stressful conditions; equilibrium

adj. equanimous

Pusillanimous

adj. Cowardly; fearful

n.pusillanimity

Ether

n. 1. The regions of space beyond the earth's atmosphere; the heavens

2. A highly flammable liquid anesthetic

v. etherize

Ethereal

adj. 1. Spiritlike in lightness and delicacy


2. Heavenly; celestial

v.etherealize

Diaphanous

adj. Allowing light to show through; translucent delicate

Epiphany

n. 1. A revelatory manifestation of a divine being

2. A revelation; a flash of understanding of the true nature of something

3.(capitalized) A Christian festival, January 6, celebrating the visit of the Wise Men to the Christ Child

Phantasm

n. A phantom; an apparition; something unreal, as in a dream or a vision


adj. phantasmic

Sycophant

n. A flatterer seeking favors or grain; a servile self- seeker

n. sycophancy

adj.sycophantic

Aspiration

n. 1 . Strong desire for achievement, ambition toward a long- range goal

2. Expulsion of breath in speaking

n.aspirant
v. aspirate
v. aspire

Dispirited

adj. Dejected; discouraged; gloomy

v. dispirit

Hyperbole

n. An exaggeration; a figure expressing excess

adj. hyperbolic

n. hyperbolism

v. hyperbolize

Hyperborean

adj. 1. Far north; Arctic

2. Very cold; frigid

Hyperventilation

n. The condition of taking abnormally fast, deep breaths

Vent

n. An outlet; an opening for passage of liquids, fumes, or sometimes air

tr. v. To utter; to express, especially in relieving strong feelings