Latin #1

In another life, I taught an etymology class that focused on Latin and Greek roots, prefixes and suffixes. It’s a great way to improve your vocabulary by focusing on word parts that can ultimately be used to build any number of words. I thought I would add a category of posts that will feature some of these roots, prefixes and suffixes.  Note: These are not hoity-toity vocabulary lessons.  Rather, they are meant to be practical for the masses, and, on a good day, mildly entertaining.

So here’s the first Island Mom root, inspired by my more verbal half.

Latin root #1: LOQU, LOCAT

Meaning: speak, talk

Words:

1. Loquacious (adj) (-ous = full of): full of speaking, talkative

My husband is so loquacious I have to set aside time out of my day just to listen to him. I’m being serious here.

2. Eloquence (n) (e- = very, from): speaking with force, fluency, even persuasion

Fortunately for me, he often manages to speak with eloquence about topics I might otherwise find dull.

3. Magniloquent (adj) (magn = great, large): boastful, lofty speaking, pompous

At times, I might sound magniloquent when speaking about my children. At other times, not so much.

4. Circumloquacious (adj) (circum = around): using many words to speak around something and avoid the topic at hand

My husband loves to get all circumloquacious during an argument. It’s nails-on-chalkboard annoying, unless he’s doing it to someone else – then it’s more my-kid-just-tripped-face-first-in-the-sand entertaining.