Word Power Made Easy
Sessions 28-31: How to Insult Your Enemies
Let's explore the words for dislikable traits and behaviors.
The 10 "Enemies"
In these sessions, we will learn 10 powerful words for people who get under our skin.
- Martinet
- Sycophant
- Dilettante
- Virago
- Chauvinist
- Monomaniac
- Iconoclast
- Atheist
- Lecher
- Hypochondriac
A strict disciplinarian who demands unwavering obedience.
(Named after Jean Martinet, a 17th-century French drill sergeant).
A toady; one who flatters the powerful for personal gain.
(From Greek `sykon` "fig" + `phanein` "to show").
The Root: SYKON + PHANEIN
(fig)
(to show)
Lit. "one who shows the fig," an ancient Greek gesture of accusation. It came to mean a false accuser, and later, a flatterer.
A superficial dabbler in the arts or sciences.
(From Italian `diletto`, "to delight").
A loud, quarrelsome, aggressive woman.
(From Latin `vir`, "man" - a woman with "man-like" qualities).
The Root: VIR
(Latin: "man")
A "man-like" woman (used negatively).
From `vir`.
Having the strength, energy, and spirit of a man.
From `vir`.
The noun form; "manliness."
An excessive, prejudiced patriot; one who believes their own group is superior.
(Named after Nicolas Chauvin, a fanatical soldier for Napoleon).
(father)
Love for one's "fatherland."
Chauvinism is patriotism to an extreme, blind, and bigoted degree.
The Root: PATER
(Latin: "father")
This root gives us words related to fatherhood and the fatherland.
An aristocrat; one of the "founding fathers" of Rome.
(father)
(name)
A name formed from the father's name (e.g., Johnson means "son of John").
A person fixated on a single idea or subject.
(From `monos` "one" + `mania` "madness").
The Root: MANIA
(Greek: "madness")
This root describes different kinds of "madness" or compulsion.
(thirst)
(madness)
A "madness for thirst"; an uncontrollable craving for alcohol.
(to steal)
(madness)
A "madness for stealing"; a compulsive urge to steal, even without need.
(fire)
(madness)
A "madness for fire"; a compulsive urge to set fires.
(great)
(madness)
"Madness of grandeur"; delusions of power, wealth, or importance.
One who attacks and "breaks" established beliefs or "icons."
(From `eikon` "icon" + `klastein` "to break").
The Roots: EIKON + KLASTEIN
(religious image, icon)
(to break)
An "image breaker"; one who challenges tradition.
One who believes there is no God.
(From `a-` "without" + `theos` "god").
The Root: THEOS
(Greek: "god")
This root is the basis for all words related to God and religion.
(god)
(study of)
The study of God and religious belief.
(one)
(god)
The belief in one god.
(many)
(god)
The belief in many gods.
(all)
(god)
The belief that God is all things (i.e., in nature, the universe, etc.).
(without)
(knowledge)
One who believes the existence of God is "unknown" or unknowable.
A man with immoral or excessive sexual desires.
(From `lechier`, "to lick").
The adjective form; lustful.
Having an excessive sex drive; driven by the *libido*.
A synonym for lecherous and libidinous; given to lust.
Lecherous or wanton; also slippery.
Someone preoccupied with imaginary illnesses.
The Root: HYPO + CHONDROS
(under)
(cartilage)
The ancient Greeks believed the "hypochondria" (the area "under the cartilage" of the ribs) was the source of melancholy and imaginary illness.
Bonus Section: Family & Murder
Sessions 28-31 also explore the roots for family and the words for killing them. Let's dive in.
(mother)
(to rule)
A powerful "mother" figure who rules the family.
From `FRATER` (brother).
A "brotherhood" or social club.
From `SOROR` (sister).
A "sisterhood" or social club.
From `UXOR` (wife).
Foolishly or excessively fond of one's wife.
The Suffix: -CIDE
(Latin: "to kill")
This suffix combines with other roots to specify *who* or *what* is being killed.
`HOMO` (person) + `CIDE` (to kill)
The killing of a person.
`REX/REGIS` (king) + `CIDE` (to kill)
The killing of a king.
`MATER` (mother) + `CIDE` (to kill)
The killing of one's mother.
`PATER` (father) + `CIDE` (to kill)
The killing of one's father.
`FRATER` (brother) + `CIDE` (to kill)
The killing of one's brother.
`SOROR` (sister) + `CIDE` (to kill)
The killing of one's sister.
`UXOR` (wife) + `CIDE` (to kill)
The killing of one's wife.
`MARITUS` (husband) + `CIDE` (to kill)
The killing of one's husband.
`SUI` (self) + `CIDE` (to kill)
The killing of oneself.
`GENOS` (race, kind) + `CIDE` (to kill)
The killing of an entire race or people.
Sessions 28-31 Review
You've learned 10 "dislikable" types and over 30 related words and roots, including:
- Martinet & Sycophant
- Chauvinist (from `pater` - father)
- Monomaniac (from `mania` - madness)
- Iconoclast (from `klastein` - to break)
- Atheist (from `theos` - god)
- Lecher, Libidinous, Lascivious
- Hypochondriac (from `hypo` - under)
- All the "family" roots (`mater`, `frater`, etc.)
- The "killing" suffix (`-cide`)
Quiz Time: True or False
Let's test your understanding with questions from the book.
Based on what you've learned, are these statements True or False?
Quiz: True or False (1-10)
1. A 'Sycophant' is a person who flatters the powerful for personal gain.
2. The term 'Martinet' originates from a liberal and lenient approach to discipline.
3. 'Hypochondriac' refers to someone who is preoccupied with *real* health issues.
4. A 'Dilettante' is a superficial dabbler.
5. 'Virago' is a complimentary term for a gentle, feminine woman.
6. 'Patriotism' and 'Chauvinism' both come from the root `PATER` (father).
7. 'Dipsomania' is a compulsion to set fires.
8. An 'Iconoclast' attacks established beliefs.
9. 'Atheism' and 'Agnosticism' mean the same thing.
10. 'Theology' is the study of God and religion.
Quiz: True or False (11-15)
11. 'Uxoricide' is the killing of one's wife.
12. 'Fratricide' is the killing of one's brother.
13. 'Sororicide' is the killing of one's father.
14. 'Libidinous' and 'Lascivious' are synonyms for 'Lecherous'.
15. 'Patronymic' means a name derived from one's mother.
Quiz: Crossword
Let's test your new vocabulary with a crossword puzzle.
Fill in the grid based on the clues provided.
Sessions 28-31 Crossword
ACROSS
- 1. Strict disciplinarian (8)
- 4. "One" (root) (5)
- 5. "To break" (root) (7)
- 6. "Wife" (root) (4)
- 7. "To kill" (suffix) (4)
- 10. "God" (root) (5)
- 12. "Brother" (root) (6)
- 13. "King" (root) (3)
DOWN
- 1. "Madness" (root) (5)
- 2. "Father" (root) (5)
- 3. "Under" (prefix) (4)
- 4. "Fig" (root) (5)
- 6. "Man" (root) (3)
- 8. "Icon" (root) (5)
- 9. "Delight" (root) (7)
Congratulations!
You have completed the presentation for Sessions 28-31.
Next Up: Sessions 32-37
How to Flatter Your Friends