7. ETYMOLOGY
The etymology of a word can help you understand more
about its uses. It is presented in square brackets and contains a lot of
abbreviations. To fully understand this section, you will have to refer
frequently to the Abbreviations page. In the case of the word
“carpenter” the abbreviations can be worked out to tell you that the
word was used in Middle English (ME), about 600 years ago.. Before that, it was
used in Old North French (ONF) as “carpentier”. Research then shows
that the ONF “carpentier” comes from the Latin
“carpentarius” meaning carriage maker which came from
“carpentium” meaning carriage. This Latin word came from the
Celtic(20) and is similar to the Old Irish (OIR) “carpat”
meaning chariot or “carr” meaning vehicle. Finally, you are referred
to the entry word “car” for more information
Exercise 11
1. Find the origin or etymology of these words. Write your
answers in full sentences.
| crisis |
stalemate |
boycott |
| kindergarten |
dude |
potato |
| haberdasher |
February |
zombie |
| mother |
|
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2. What do you think the origins of the above words tells you
about the English language. Be sure to check your answers with your instructor.
9. FIRST RECORDED USE OF THE WORD
Notice the (14c) which follows the etymology. This shows that
the first record of the word carpenter being used in English was in the 14th
century(21).
20.a tribe that inhabited England about 3,000 years
ago
21.the years between 1300 and 1399
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