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Words of the Week
Brain Teasers

Words of the Week

Herman Melville once wrote, "a fool thinks that by mouthing hard words he understands hard things." Never were there truer words - especially when it comes to preparing for the SAT. Real mastery of vocabulary comes not from just mouthing words, but from understanding them, using them - and knowing when not to use them.

Each day, devote yourself to learning a new word - one you normally wouldn't use in conversation. Here are some suggestions:

August 30, 2010

Root
MATRI, MATER(N) – mother, source

The past two weeks, we have dealt with words derived from the Latin root for “father,” pater. This week, we’ll look at the Latin root for “mother,” mater. Just as with pater and “father,” mater is from the same ultimate source as our word mother and similar words in many other languages (madre in Spanish, Mutter in German, moeder in Dutch, etc.).

Interestingly, there are fewer common English words that come from mater than from pater. That says something about our culture’s male dominance, doesn’t it? Mater may be the source of a couple very common words, though: material and matter. Both these words have the sense of “substance of which something is made.” Since mothers are known for how they “make” new things (i.e., babies), this etymology would make some sense. A few other words, such as matrix, also use this sense of mother meaning “source.”
One common phrase comes directly from the Latin: alma mater, which in English means “school from which one graduated,” literally means “nourishing mother.” The metaphorical sense here comes from the analogy of education to nourishment of the mind.

• maternal (adj.) [matern, “mother” + -al] – related to motherhood or mothers; kind and protective in a motherly way; related to a mother’s side of the family
  When she found the stray kitten in the parking lot, Maria’s maternal instincts took over; she took it home and cared for it as if it were a baby.
  Noun form: maternity – the condition of being a mother or being pregnant
• matriarch (n.) [matri, “mother” + arch, “to rule”] – a woman who is the head of a family or other group; a highly respected woman in a group
  Grandma Helen, as she is known to even her own children, is the matriarch of the Bishop family, renowned for her wisdom and common sense.
  Adjective form: matriarchal – controlled or dominated by women; related to strong, assured women
  Alternate noun form: matriarchy – a social order in which women have the most power
• matricide (n.) [matri, “mother” + -cide, “to kill”] – the act of killing one’s mother
  In a recent survey, the crime of matricide was rated the most morally repugnant.
  Verb form: matricide
  Adjective form: matricidal
  Alternate noun form: matricide – one who kills his or her mother
• matrilineal (adj.) [matri, “mother” + line, “line” + -al] – related to the line of genealogical relationship that follows the female side of a family
  A study of my matrilineal ancestry revealed a history of creative talents, including music and art.
  Noun form: matrilineage
• matrimony (n.) [matri, “mother” + mony, “possessions”] – the state or condition of being married; the act of getting married
  Ricardo, who was used to spending many late nights out on the town, was not well adapted to the more home-centered life required by matrimony.
  Adjective form: matrimonial
• matron (n.) [matr, “mother” + -on] – an older (usually married) woman known for her maturity and sensibility; a woman who is the head nurse at a hospital or asylum
  Though she was given respect and considered a matron in her community, Sally wished to become more—a truly powerful person such as a mayor or congresswoman.
  Adjective form: matronly – dignified and calm; mature and plump; related to a matron

Check out previous Words of the Week »

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Brain Teasers

Grids of 100: (source: Erich’s Puzzle Palace)

Look at the grid of numbers below. Add digits to the numbers in the boxes so that each row and each column adds up to 100. You can add digits before or after the numbers that are in the boxes. Hint: you’ll need to add 6 digits in all.

Check out previous Brainteasers »

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