Lesson 5 Vocabulary from Classical Roots - Book D

LITTERA

<L. letter

SCRIBO, SCRIBERE, SCRIPSI, SCRIPTUM

<L. to write

ONOMA

<G. name

NOMEN

<L. name

alliteration

the occurrence of the same initial sound in several words in succession

literal

1. In accordance with the explicit or primary meaning of a word or phrase, not its metaphorical meaning.

2. Word for word; verbatim

3. Concerned mainly with facts; unimaginative

literate

1. able to read and write

2. knowledgeable; educated

obliterate

to do away with completely; to wipe out; erase

ascribe

to attribute to a particular cause, source, or origin (use with to)

circumscribe

1. to draw a line around; to encircle

2. to confine; to limit

conscription

a military draft

proscribe

1. to denounce or condemn

2. to prohibit; to forbid

subscribe

1. to pledge to pay for something or to contribute to something; to place an order by signing

2. to express consent or agreement; to assent

transcribe

1. to make a copy of; to write out fully

2. to make a sound recording for later reproduction

3. to arrange music for an instrument different from the one first composed for

acronym

a word composed of the first letters or parts of a name or series of words.

onomatopoeia

A word that sounds like the thing it names

pseudonym

a fictitious name

ignominious

shameful; disgraceful

nomenclature

a system of naming, especially in the arts or sciences.