WordsWatcher

Language Lover. Speech Pathologist. Also tweeting as @SpeechDudes and @WordsWatcher

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

RABBLE (RAB-uhl): Disorderly crowd, low class people (1553). From Middle English "rabeln"=pack of animals (c.1300).

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

MOB (mahb): (a) Disorderly crowd (1688); (b) criminal gang (1917). Shortened form of Latin "mobile vulgus"=vulgar, common people.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

HORDE (hord): Crowd or throng of people. Originally nomadic tribes (1555). From Turkic "orda"=residence of the Khan.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

SYCOPHANT (SICK-uh-fuhnt): Someone who flatters another in order to get ahead; a bootlicker. Latin "sycophanta" < Greek "sukophantes"=an informer; literaly "fig sucker" from the Fig" gesture of a thumb between to fingers.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

EPIGONE (EP-uh-gohn): A less distinguished follower or imitator of someone, especially an artist or philosopher. French "épigones" < Latin "epigoni" < Greek "epigonos"=born after < "epi-"=after + "gonos"= born.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

DISCIPLE (duh-SIGH-puhl): Believer/follower of a great teacher/leader. From Old English "discipul" < Latin "discipulus"=pupil < "dis"=apart + "capere"=take.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

APOSTLE (uh-POSS-uhl): (a) Someone sent on a mission, or (b) a supporter of an idea or person. Latin "apostolus " < Greek "apostolos"=messenger < "apo-"=away + "stellein"=to send.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

ACOLYTE (AK-uh-light): Someone who follows or assists, typically in a religious sense. Latin "acoluthus" < Greek "akolouthos" < "a-"=together with + "keleuthose"=a way.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

BOMB (bahm): An explosive device fused to detonate under specified condition. From Latin "bombus"=booming, humming < Greek "bombos"=deep, hollow sound. Possibly onomatopoeia for "boom"?

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

BULLET (BUUL-luht): Metal projectile in the shape of a pointed cylinder or ball that is fired from a gun. From Latin "bulla"=round object.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

AEGIS (EE-juhss): Zeus' Shield. Protection, oft used in the phrase "under the aegis of" meaning "protected by." From Greek "aigis"=the shield of Zeus.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

FLORILEGIUM (flor-uh-LEE-jee-uhm): A collection of literary extracts - the "flowers of literature." Latin "florilegus"=flower-gathering < "flor(i)/flos"=flower + "legere"=to gather < translation of the Greek "anthologion"=anthology.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

ANTHOLOGY (an-THAH-luh-jee): A collection of poems, essays, or stories, often from one author or a specific genre. Greek "anthologia" < "anthos"=flower' + "logia"=collection < "legein"=to gather.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

ATLAS (AT-luhss): A book of maps or charts. Latin "Atlas" < Greek "Atlas," on of the Titans of mythology who supported the heavens, and whose image often appeared in ealry atlases.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

ALMANAC (AL-muh-nack): Book published annually with info on a particular subject and/or important dates/times. Spanish Arabic "al-manak"=the calender.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

ENCYCLOPEDIA (en-sigh-kluh-PEE-dee-uh): A book or set of books with information on many subjects or aspects of a specific topic, typically arranged alphabetically. Greek "enkuklios paideia "=all-round education.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

THESAURUS (thuh-SOR-uhss): Collection of words according to similarities of meaning. From Greek "thesauros"=treasure-house or treasury.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

DICTIONARY (DICK-shuh-nair-ee): Collection of words with definitions, sometimes with etymologies. From Latin "dictionarius"=related to words < "dictio"=word.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

CHRESTOMATHY (kress-TO-muh-thee): Collection of choice passages from an author or authors. From Greek "chrestos"=useful + "manthanein"=to learn.

[WordsWatcher @etyman]

HUMBLE (HUM-buhl): Modest. Showing a consciousness of one's defects or shortcomings. From Latin "humilis"=lowly or slight < "humus"=earth.