Definitions to Know

Question 0

vowel gradation

Answer 0

a change in the internal vowel of a base, often when the base is prefixed

re- + CAPT- + -ion > reCEPTion
in- + HAB- + -it(e) + -ion > inHIBition

Question 1

acronym

Answer 1

an abbreviation that spells a word or pronounceable unit
zip (code): Zone Improvement Plan
yuppie: Young Urban Professional
scuba: Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus
nimby: Not In My BackYard
snafu: Situation Normal All Fouled Up
posh: Port Out, Starboard

Question 2

assimliation

Answer 2

the process by which adjacent sounds (usually consonants) acquire similar or identical characteristics,’’
in- + literate > iliterate
ob- + press > oppress

Question 3

affix

Answer 3

a collective term for prefixes, suffixes and infixes’’ e.g. intangible

Question 4

prefix

Answer 4

one or more letters or syllables placed at the beginning of a work to modify its meaning’’; e.g. prefix

Question 5

back formation

Answer 5

the creation of simpler forms from more complex forms, usually by the removal of an affix

• reune < reunion
• surveil < surveillance
• lase/lasing <laser

Question 6

apheresis

Answer 6

the elimination of teh 1st letter of syllable of a word

e.g. paper the house

Question 7

hybrid

Answer 7

a word composed of elements drawn from different languages

• off color
• superman

Question 8

suffix

Answer 8

one or more letters added to the end of a word to modify its meaning, and also often change its part of speech

Question 9

substantive

Answer 9

an adjective which functions as a noun, without changing the form of the word

• the good, the bad and the ugly
• The Aggies, Big Blue
• a stiff, a moderate

Question 10

dissimilation

Answer 10

the process by which 2 similar or identical sounds diverge or become unlike, usually in order to facilitate pronunciation
- meridiem <medi-diem

Question 11

participle

Answer 11

an adjective formed from a verb in English usually by adding -ing (present) or -ed(past) to a verb base

Question 12

metaphor

Answer 12

an implied comparison between two things

-arm of a chair, butt of a rifle

Question 13

specialization

Answer 13

the process by which the meaning of a word moves from a more general to a more specific sense

-liquor, rape, radish

Question 14

generalization

Answer 14

the process by which the meaning of a word moves from a more specific to a more general sense

-triumph, tremendous

Question 15

functional change

Answer 15

the process by which a word takes on a new usage as a different part of speech without a change in form or the addition of a suffix

• to while away the time
• pros and cons

Question 16

degeneration

Answer 16

the process by which a word comes to mean something more objectionable or contemptible than it did before

-intercourse

Question 17

elevation

Answer 17

the process by which a word comes to mean something more pleasant or lofty than it did before

-utopia

Question 18

concrete to abstract

Answer 18

the process by which a word which is concrete in meaning comes to have an abstract sense, without the addition of a suffix

-tragedy, farce

Question 19

abstract to concrete

Answer 19

the process by which a word which is abstract in meaning comes to have a concrete sense without the addition of a suffix

-allowance, generation, vice

Question 20

hyperbole

Answer 20

exaggeration

-she had the emotional range of a poached egg

Question 21

weakening

Answer 21

the process by which a word with a stronger sense acquires a weaker one

-mortify, unique, atom