Caesar’s English II

1. Caesar’s English II Lesson XX

2. epithetn. (EP-ih-thet): a characterizing term Spanish: epíteto The English noun epithet comes from the Latin epitheton, which the Romans derived from the Greek epithetos. An epithet is a word or phrase that we add to someone’s name to characterize him; it can also be an abusive word. The most famous epithets are from Homer, as when he referred to gray-eyed Athena in The Odyssey.

3. abject adj. (AB-ject): miserableSpanish: abyecto The English adjective abject comes from the Latin abjectus, a form of the verb abicere, to cast off. Abject means miserable, thrown-down emotionally. In James M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, we see “Hook in their midst as abject as if he heard the crocodile.”

4. eccentricadj. (eck-SENT-rick): unconventionalSpanish: excéntrico The English adjective eccentric means unconventional, deviating from society’s established patterns. The Romans got their Latin word eccentricus from the Greek ekkentros, out of the center. In To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee wrote that “we came to know Dill as a pocket Merlin whose head teemed with eccentric plans.”

5. imperiousadj. (im-PEER-ee-us): overbearingSpanish: imperioso The English adjective imperiouscomes from the Latin imperiosus, and refers to behavior that is commanding, domineering, overbearing—as though the imperious person is acting like an emperor. In Black Beauty Anna Sewell wrote that “in an imperious voice she said, ‘York, you must put those horses’ heads higher, they are not fit to be seen.’” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsUCRcK7QYc

6. solicituden. (so-LISS-ih-tood): concernSpanish: solicitud The English noun solicitudemeans concern; it suggests the desire to protect. Its adjective form, solicitous, comes from the Latin sollicitus. In Profiles of Courage John Kennedy describes a politician who pretends “extraordinary solicitude for the people.”

7. Caesar’s English XX • epithet: a characterizing term • abject: miserable • eccentric: unconventional • imperious: overbearing • solicitude: concern

8. Caesar’s Classic Words Challenge • From George Orwell’s 1984 Thought-criminals made _____________ confessions of their crimes. • abject • eccentric • imperious • solicitous

9. Caesar’s Classic Words Challenge • From George Orwell’s 1984 Thought-criminals made _____________ confessions of their crimes. • abject • eccentric • imperious • solicitous

10. 2. From Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men She commanded me in an ___________ whisper. • abject • eccentric • solicitous • imperious

11. 2. From Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men She commanded me in an ___________ whisper. • abject • eccentric • solicitous • imperious

12. 3. From Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native She glanced at him with furtive ____________. • abjection • eccentricity • solicitude • epithet

13. 3. From Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native She glanced at him with furtive ____________. • abjection • eccentricity • solicitude • epithet

14. The Grammar of Vocabulary: abject, an adjective. Some barbarians lived in abject submission to Rome.