(4.) What is the meaning of "credulous" in the pa.s.sage,
"So glistened the dire snake, and into fraud Led Eve, our _credulous_ mother"?--MILTON.
What noun corresponding to the adjective "credulous" will express the quality of believing too easily?--What is the negative of "credulous"?--What is the distinction between "incredible" and "incredulous"?--Which applies to persons? which to things?
(5.) To what two parts of speech does "discredit" belong?--Write a sentence containing this word as a _noun_; another as a _verb_.
13. CUR"RERE: cur"ro, cur"sum, _to run_.
Radicals used: CURR- and CURS-.
1. CUR"RENT, a.: curr + ent = running: hence, (1) pa.s.sing from person to person, as a "_current_ report"; (2) now in progress, as the "_current_ month."
2. CUR"RENCY: curr + ency = the state of pa.s.sing from person to person, as "the report obtained _currency_": hence circulation.
OBS.--As applied to money, it means that it is in circulation or pa.s.sing from hand to hand, as a representative of value.
3. CUR"SORY: curs + ory = runn_ing_ or pa.s.s_ing_: hence, hasty.
4. EXCUR"SION: ex + curs + ion = the act of running out: hence, an expedition or jaunt.
5. INCUR"SION: in + curs + ion = the act of running in: hence, an invasion.
6. PRECUR"SOR: pre + curs + or = one who runs before: hence a forerunner.
EXERCISE.
(1.) What other part of speech than an adjective is "current"?--What is now the _current_ year?
(2.) Why are there two r"s in "currency"? _Ans_. Because there are two in the root _currere_.--Give a synonym of this word in the sense of "money."
_Ans._ The "circulating medium."--What was the "currency" of the Indians in early times?--Compose a sentence using this word.
(3.) When a speaker says that he will cast a "_cursory_ glance" at a subject, what does he mean?--Combine and define cursory + ly.
(4.) Is "excursion" usually employed to denote an expedition in a friendly or a hostile sense?
(5.) Is "incursion" usually employed to denote an expedition in a friendly or a hostile sense?--Give a synonym. _Ans. Invasion._--Which implies a hasty expedition?--Compose a sentence containing the word _incursion_.
MODEL: "The Parthians were long famed for their rapid _incursions_ into the territory of their enemies."
(6.) What is meant by saying that John the Baptist was the _precursor_ of Christ?--What is meant by saying that black clouds are the _precursor_ of a storm?
14. DIG"NUS, _worthy_.
Radical: DIGN-.
1. DIG"NIFY: dign + (_i_)fy = to make of worth: hence, to advance to honor.
2. DIG"NITY: dign + ity = the state of being of worth: hence, behavior fitted to inspire respect.
3. INDIG"NITY: in + dign + ity = the act of treating a person in an unworthy (_indignus_) manner: hence, insult, contumely.
4. CONDIGN": con + dign = very worthy: hence, merited, deserved.
OBS.--The prefix _con_ is here merely intensive.
EXERCISE.
(1.) What participial adjective is formed from the verb "dignify"? _Ans.
Dignified._--Give a stronger word. _Ans. Majestic._--Give a word which denotes the same thing carried to excess and becoming ridiculous. _Ans.
Pompous._
(2.) Can you mention a character in American history remarkable for the dignity of his behavior?--Compose a sentence containing this word.
(3.) Give the plural of "indignity."--What is meant by saying that "indignities were heaped on" a person?
(4.) How is the word "condign" now most frequently employed? _Ans._ In connection with punishment: thus we speak of "_condign_ punishment,"
meaning richly deserved punishment.
15. DOCE"RE: do"ceo, doc"tum, _to teach_.
Radicals: DOC- and DOCT-.
1. DOC"ILE: doc + ile = that may be taught: hence, teachable.
2. DOC"TOR: doct + or = one who teaches: hence, one who has taken the highest degree in a university authorizing him to practice and teach.
4. DOC"TRINE: through Lat. n. _doctrina_, something taught; hence, a principle taught as part of a system of belief.
EXERCISE.
(1.) Combine and define docile + ity.--Give the opposite of "docile." _Ans.
Indocile._--Mention an animal that is very docile.--Mention one remarkable for its want of docility.
(2.) What is meant by "_Doctor_ of Medicine"?--Give the abbreviation.--What does LL.D. mean? _Ans._ It stands for the words _legum doctor_, doctor of laws: the double L marks the plural of the Latin noun.
(3.) Give two synonyms of "doctrine." _Ans. Precept, tenet._--What does "tenet" literally mean? _Ans._ Something _held_--from Lat. v. _tenere_, to hold.--Combine and define doctrine + al.
16. DOM"INUS, _a master or lord_.
Radical: DOMIN-.