Elmer W. Cavins

“ But pupils must have drill in applying the rules or 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, [100] 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.” ”

“ The ROOT of 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) .
A PREFIX is a significant syllable joined to the beginning of a word; as, autograph, circumvent, amphitheater.
A SUFFIX is a significant syllable joined to the end of a word; as, man ly, fert ile, ment ion. ”

“ A careful study of the five examples given above will reveal that to analyze words a pupil must—
1. Learn some facts—meanings of the component parts of words.
2. Be careful in putting these facts together to make a sensible definition.
3. Use the dictionary to find the ordinary, or current, use of a word.
4. Gather illustrations. This is not easy, but it should not be neglected, for it is the most practical feature of word analysis. Pupils should help each other, and the teacher may contribute when his help is needed. One good illustration for a difficult word might suffice the entire class. ”

“ When nouns or adjectives these words are accented on the first syllable; when verbs, on the second:
[Third Month.]
WORDS.
A WORD is a sign of an idea. It may be either spoken or written.
A PRIMITIVE, OR ROOT, word is one not derived from any other word of the language; as, fix, strike, man.
A DERIVATIVE is a word formed from a primitive by changing it internally, or by adding a prefix or suffix; as, men, suffix, strikers.
A SIMPLE WORD is a single word. It may be either primitive or derivative.
A COMPOUND WORD is a combination of two or more simple words ”

“ In honour and favour u is silent, and therefore a useless letter, so far as sound is concerned. The u signifies 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ A VOWEL sound 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.
A CONSONANT sound is an articulate sound made by the obstructed voice, and which in utterance is usually combined with a vowel sound. ”

“ The prefix non- may be joined to the leading word by means of a hyphen, or, in most cases, the hyphen may be dispensed with.
2. Com, with + pos, power + mentis, of mind. Literally, not with power of mind. Not of sound mind; not capable, mentally, of managing one's own affairs.
4. That which has not been described; difficult to describe; new, novel, odd.
5. Entity means thing or being; hence a nonentity is no thing or nothing. Often applied to a person or thing which counts for little or nothing.
9. Plus means more. Literally, a person is nonplused when he can do no more, or go no further ”

“ An adjective is a word which is added (thrown) to a noun to qualify its meaning.
2. Alternative in the plural means two things of which one or the other may be taken as a choice.
5. The executive of a state or nation is the one whose duty it is to follow out the decrees of the law making bodies; i. e. to see that the laws are obeyed.
6. An expletive is that word which fills out the sentence that contains it; as an expletive adverb.
8. (in, not) An infinitive is that verb which is not limited by person and number. ”

“ It is strongly urged that the pupils (with the aid of the teacher when necessary) try to find an appropriate sentence to illustrate each word and write the same in an orderly way in a note book for the purpose.
In work of this kind a teacher should not underrate the value of reviews. By this means fix facts on the minds of your pupils, especially the meanings of roots and prefixes. Since these meanings are given in a single word, reviews may proceed rapidly. ”

“ An ELEMENTARY SOUND is 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. ”

“ As to where a word shall be divided in making it into syllables depends upon the PURPOSE 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 ”

“ The significance of ana in this word is not clear; the original meaning probably was, the referring of an event to a time back of its correct date.
ge = earth.
1. Geography. A description (writing) of the earth and its inhabitants.
2. Geology. The science which treats of the structure of the earth; of its history as regards rocks, minerals, rivers, valleys, mountains, etc.
3. Geometry. That branch of mathematics which treats of the measurement of solids, surfaces, lines, and angles. ”

“ The last syllable of a word but two.
bi (bis) = two (twice) .
1. The biceps is a muscle which draws up the forearm; so called because it has two heads or origins. [51]
2. The bicuspid teeth have two points.
3. A bicycle has two wheels or circles.
4. Biennial means lasting two years or occurring once in two years.
5. A bigamist is one who has been married twice, and who has two wives or two husbands at the same time.
6. The bimana are animals having two hands; as man.
7. A binomial in algebra is a quantity consisting of two terms.
8. A biped is an animal having but two feet; as man. ”

“ Liberality is the quality of being free or generous.
7. To liberalize is to make free, as to free from narrow views or prejudices.
8. To deliver means to set free from bondage or restraint.
liter = letter.
1. Letter (from L. linere, to besmear) ; so called because smeared on parchment and not cut on wood.
2. Letters usually means literature in general; hence knowledge gained from books; literary culture.
6. Alliteration is a repetition of the same letter or sound at the beginning of two or more words in close succession. Examples: “A whole fleet of bulky bottomed boats.” ”

“ Words 9 to 24 may be defined in a simple and satisfactory manner by using some meaning of the suffix ize in the definition with the first part of the word; thus, agonize means to cause to have agony.
ist = one who.
4. An atheist is one who is without belief in a personal God.
6. A deist is one who believes in God but denies revealed religion.
15. An optimist is one who holds the opinion that all events are ordered for the best. ”

“ All other consonants are semivowels, and are pronounced with a continuous sound. 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. ”

“ An interjection is a word thrown in between other words to express emotion or feeling.
5. An interloper is one who runs in between two parties to get the advantage which one would obtain from the other. One who intercepts and buys a basket of eggs between a farmer's wagon and a grocery store would, from the standpoint of the merchant, be an interloper. ”

“ This book is prepared for teachers and pupils who use the Illinois State Course of Study. The outline in Orthography for the Seventh and Eighth Years is the basis of all that is included herein. Three fifths or more of this work is word analysis which, valuable as it is, teachers as a rule are unable to teach without the aid of a text, never having learned much of it themselves. What, for example, can the average teacher unaided do toward writing a list of words to be analyzed which contain the root ann, meaning year? ”

“ A benediction is a blessing (a speech to the effect that it may be well with thee) . [59]
3. A dictionary is a book in which we may learn about words, the elements of speech.
4. To dictate is to speak or say what another shall write or do.
7. The verdict of a jury is what they say to be the truth in the case.
doc, doct = teach.
1. Docile. Capable of being easily taught.
2. A doctor is one who, by virtue of his master's degree, is qualified to teach.
3. Doctrine is that which is taught; a principle taught as a part of a system of belief. ”

“ Extempore means, literally, out of the moment. On the spur of the moment; without previous study or preparation.
4. Relating to time as opposed to eternity; earthly, transient; as, our temporal affairs.
5. That which lasts for a brief time only; not permanent; as, a temporary scaffolding.
7. To temporize is to comply with the time or occasion; to yield to the current of opinion or circumstances; to “do as the times do”.
8. The modification of verbs to indicate time, is called tense.
9. Tempus fugit is a Latin phrase frequently met with in English. It means, literally, time flies. ”

“ The pericardium is the membrane which surrounds the heart.
3. The perimeter of a figure is the outer boundary or measure around it.
4. The peritoneum is the membrane which is stretched around the abdomen.
5. The periosteum is the membrane around the bones.
syn (syl, sym) = with, together.
1. Literally, a syllable is two or more sounds taken together, or uttered by one impulse of the voice. Many syllables, however, comprise but one sound.
2. Sympathy is feeling with another, especially his sorrows and misfortunes.
3. A symphony is a sounding together; a harmony of sounds. ”

“ One word is in apposition to another when it is placed near to it, by way of explanation.
3. Being made by putting together separate parts or elements; as, a composite flower.
5. One of the several parts or elements which, when placed together, form the whole, is a component part.
6. To compound is to put or mix together two or more elements or ingredients.
8. To put away for safe keeping; as, to deposit money in a bank.
10. To dispose of anything is to put it apart from one; to get rid of it. ”

“ A preposition is so called because usually placed before the word with which it is phrased.
19. Anything is preposterous when it is contrary to nature, reason, or common sense. Literally, having that last which ought to be first; as, the “cart before the horse”.
20. To lay down beforehand in writing as a rule of action. “Prescribe not us our duties. ”

“ Note.—Other words from the same root are, literally, illiteracy, literati, literature, literalize, literalist.
man (manus) = hand.
1. Bimana is a term applied to man as a special order of mammalia. Animals having two hands.
2. To emancipate a slave is to take him out of the hands of his master.
3. The word manacle comes from manicula, which means handcuff. [32]
4. Literally, maneuver means a working with the hands. To make adroit and artful moves ”

“ Quality of being easily done.
5. Manufacture formerly meant to make by hand.
6. An effect is something worked out, or done.
7. A thing is perfect when thoroughly made, or finished.
11. Sacrifice literally means to make sacred; to set apart as sacred.
12. Pacific means pertaining to peace; suited to make or restore peace.
13. A feat is an act, a deed, an exploit; something done.
14. To defeat means to overcome or vanquish. Literally to un do.
16. The fashion of a thing is, in a sense, the make of it.
Note.—fy, meaning to make, is found as a suffix in derivatives too numerous to mention ”

“ Monomania is a derangement of mind in regard to a single subject only.
6. A monomial in algebra is a quantity which consists of a single term.
7. A monopoly is the sole (or single) right to sell a certain article, or to sell it at a given place.
9. Monotheism is the doctrine of belief that there is but one God.
10. A monotone is a single tone without harmony or variation in pitch. [29]
para = aside, beside, similar
1. ”

“ Note.—In defining the words in this list choose that meaning of the prefix from the four given above (in, into, on, not) which is most suitable; thus: imbibe means to drink in; immature, not ripe; immerse, to plunge into; indorse, to write on the back of.
2. An illiterate person is one not familiar with letters; one who has little or no learning. ”

“ Ary is also a suffix of adjectives, meaning relating to; as in, arbitrary, contrary, culinary, exemplary, antiquary, hereditary, military, primary, revolutionary, solitary, secondary, visionary.
Ary also means place where; as in, granary, infirmary, library, seminary, sanctuary. [35]
ate = having.
1. Corporate means having a body. (See incorporate, second month, page 18.)
2. Having no hope; as, “Continued misfortune had rendered him desperate.”
3. Effeminate. Having the qualities of a woman; soft, delicate, to an unmanly degree. Applied to men.
5. Inanimate. Not having breath; without life. ”

“ Combine the meaning of suffix, root, and prefix, adding other words when necessary, to make definitions. The only word in the list which can give any difficulty is number four, which is explained in the work of seventh year, sixth month, page 35.
ment = mind.
1. One's mental powers are the powers of his mind, including intellect, feeling, and will. ”

“ A farm is a substantial possession, steadfast and immovable.
flex, flect = bend, turn.
4. That which bends; as, the biceps muscle is the flector which bends the arm.
5. A circumflex is a bending around of the voice,—a rise and a fall on the same syllable. ”