Unit 12

Question 1

Ultima

Answer 1

Latin ULTIMUS “last”

Ultimate, Penultimate, Ultimatum

Question 2

Ultimate

Answer 2

adj. Surpassing all others; definitive
L. ultimus = having a final quality
The ultimate humiliation came when Robbie’s teacher yelled at him in front of the whole class.

Question 3

Penultimate

Answer 3

adj. Just before the final; next to last
L. paene, “almost,” + ultimus = the next to last
In the penultimate chapter of the book, the author prepares us for the shocking twists of the final chapter.

Question 4

Ultimatum

Answer 4

) n. A demand or threat that is final
L. ultimus (that which is) final
The pirates gave us an ultimatum: either reveal where the prisoners were, or walk the plank.

Question 5

Fin

Answer 5

Latin FINIS “end, border, limit”

Infinite, Definitive, Infinitesimal

Question 6

Infinitive

Answer 6

) adj. Without beginning or end
L. in, “not,” + finis = (having) no end
Although Seth was a man of seemingly infinite patience, he sometimes became frustrated.

Question 7

Definitive

Answer 7

) adj. Defining for all others; standard
L. de, “from,” + finis = (measurable) from its limits
John did not consider the work a definitive authority on the history of tennis.
syn: absolute ant: uncertain[…]”

Question 8

Infinitesimal

Answer 8

adj. Extremely small; incalculably or immeasurably small
L. in, “not,” + finis = (so small as to have) no measure
If any of the contaminant is left in the water supply, it is there only in infinitesimal amounts.
syn: microscopic ant: huge

Question 9

Nov

Answer 9

Latin NOVUS “new”

Novel, Novice, Innovative

Question 10

Novel

Answer 10

) adj. New and different
The company had a novel approach to the problem of engine breakdown.
syn: original ant: stale

Question 11

Novice

Answer 11

n. An inexperienced person; amateur
L. novitia, “one who is new,” from novus
Even I, a chess novice, could appreciate the beauty of the master’s play.
syn: beginner ant: expert

Question 12

Innovative

Answer 12

adj. Showing creativity and originality
L. in, “intensive,” + novus = very new
The innovative design of the new C-267 makes it the easiest vacuum cleaner to use.
syn: inventive ant: conservative

Question 13

Prim

Answer 13

Latin PRIMUS “first”

Primal, Primeval, Primacy

Question 14

Primal

Answer 14

adj. Original; dating from the beginning of existence
Fear is one of our more primal emotions; it helped our ancient ancestors survive.
syn: primitive ant: modern

Question 15

Primeval

Answer 15

) adj. Extremely ancient; of earliest time
L. primus + aevum, “age” = [dating from] the first age
The rough cliffs had a primeval splendor that made us think of the beginning of time.
syn: primordial

Question 16

Primacy

Answer 16

n. Condition of being first in time or importance

No one dared question the primacy of the police captain in the precinct.”