1. An objection to a proposition is an opinion thrown against or in opposition to it.

2. Obloquy. A speaking against; language that casts contempt on men and their actions.

6. To take and hold (against the possession of another); as to preëmpt and occupy a homestead.

6. Preposterous originally meant, having that first which ought to be last; hind side before; reversing the natural order. In present day usage, contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; absurd.

  1. A courier is one who runs, or goes hastily with a message.

  2. The opinions of people concur when they agree, or run together.

  3. A concourse is an assemblage of people who have come (or run) together.

  4. A cursory glance is a hasty, and hence, a running glance.

  5. A race course is a place for running.

  7. To incur a debt is to run into it.

10. One who adds to his indorsement of a note or check the words “without recourse”, says in effect, “You can't run back on me for payment”.

1. A dent is an impression like that made by a tooth.

5. Edentate animals, such as the sloth, are without teeth, or at least are without the incisors.

6. The dandelion has yellow compound flowers which resemble the tooth of the lion.

1. A benediction is a blessing (a speech to the effect that it may be well with thee).

3. A dictionary is a book in which we may learn about words, the elements of speech.

4. To dictate is to speak or say what another shall write or do.

7. The verdict of a jury is what they say to be the truth in the case.

1. Docile. Capable of being easily taught.

2. A doctor is one who, by virtue of his master's degree, is qualified to teach.

3. Doctrine is that which is taught; a principle taught as a part of a system of belief.

4. A document is that which teaches by means of the evidence it gives.

  1. One who joins a church on probation is given a trial to prove his worthiness before being fully admitted.

  2. A hollow organ attached to the head or mouth (the forward portion) of the animal with which he feeds.

  3. To put forward till tomorrow, or to put off from time to time. “Procrastination is the thief of time.”

  6. A profuse speaker pours forth ideas freely.

12. One's promise is his word, spoken or written, sent forth as evidence of something more substantial to follow.

16. When a young man proposes he puts the question before his lady.

19. A good provider sees necessities beforehand and prepares to meet them.

20. To provoke laughter is to call it forth.

3. Secure. Free (aside) from care, as to danger or risk; as, secure from attack, or secure against loss by fire.

4. Seduce. To lead or draw aside; especially from a path of rectitude. To lead into evil.

5. Segregate. To place or group (flock) aside from others or the rest. In science, to put into a new or separate class.

  1. Subdue. To lead or bring under authority; to conquer.

  2. Subjugate. To bring under the yoke of power or dominion.

  3. Sublunar. Situated underneath the moon; hence earthly.

  6. Subpoena. A writ commanding attendance under penalty.

  7. Subscribe. To bind one's self to, by writing one's name underneath; as to subscribe to the terms of a contract.

  8. Subside. To sit (or settle) under (down).

10. Substance. That which underlies (stands under) all outward manifestation.

11. Subterranean. Situated or occurring under the surface of the earth.

12. The subtrahend is placed under the minuend to be drawn from it.

13. Suburb. A town or village so near to a city that it may be used for residence by those doing business in the city.

15. One who goes or follows after; as, a successor in office.

16. Succumb. To lie under discouragement, rather than to surmount it.

19. Certain fumes or vapors under the mouth (or throat), will suffocate one.

20. Support. To carry on; keep up; as to support a conversation; to support a war. To bear the weight of, especially by holding up from beneath (under).

The literal meanings of the twenty words given above are so apparent as to need no explanation. Illustrate each with a sentence.

1. Final. Pertaining to the end; the last.

2. Finale. The end of a musical composition.

3. Finish. To make an end of.

4. Fine. Well finished. Also, a penalty assessed at the end of the case.

5. Refine. Finished over (or again).

6. Finite. Having a limit in power or knowledge.

7. Infinite. Having no limit in power or knowledge.

8. Confine. To keep within limits or bounds.

9. Superfine. Over or extra finish.

1. Infirm. Not strong, but weak and defective.

2. Infirmity. That with which one is afflicted or infirm.

4. The testimony of one witness is made stronger when that of another witness agrees with or confirms it.

5. A farm is a substantial possession, steadfast and immovable.

4. That which bends; as, the biceps muscle is the flector which bends the arm.

5. A circumflex is a bending around of the voice,—a rise and a fall on the same syllable.

7. Reflection. A turning of the thoughts back to things of the past.

8. Sensations arrested at the nerve centers and turned back without their reaching the brain results in reflex action.

1. A fluent speaker uses smooth and flowing language.

2. People of affluence have wealth flowing to them.

3. The confluence of two streams is their flowing together.

4. Influence literally means flowing in. The bringing about a result by a gradual process; gradual because flowing.

5. Influenza. A disease, somewhat allied to a cold, formerly attributed to the influence of the stars.

8. A fluid is so called because it is capable of flowing.

9. Flush. To flow swiftly.

3. Viceroy. A ruler acting with kingly authority instead of the king.

4. Vicar. In general, one who is authorized to perform functions, especially religious ones, instead of another.

5. Vice versa. Turned, one instead of the other, interchanged.

  4. Agnosticism. The doctrine or theory that man has not any real or absolute knowledge of anything, but can know only “impressions”.

  5. Anarchy. A state of society in which there is no authority or ruling power.

  6. Anecdote [ec (ex) = out]. Originally a personal or biographical incident not given out for publication.

  7. That which causes a loss of sensation; hence, one who has taken an anesthetic is without the feeling of pain.

10. Asylum. Originally a place of refuge where criminals or debtors were free from (without) the right of seizure.

11. Atheist. One who is without belief in the existence of a God.

12. Atom. The smallest particle of matter; hence a particle which cannot be further cut or divided.

1. Autocrat. An absolute sovereign, one who has the ruling power all in himself.

3. Autobiography. A writing of one's life by himself.

4. Automaton. A self acting (striving) machine; one having its motive power within itself.

6. Autopsy. Seeing by one's self; personal observation or examination.

1. Epicycle. A circle whose center moves around upon, or in, the circumference of another circle; as the orbit of the moon in its motion with the earth around the sun.

4. Epigram. Literally, to write upon. A short, pointed poem, or a bright thought concisely and sharply expressed.

5. Episode. Something which happens upon the way, or comes in incidentally to the main enterprise.

7. Epithet. An adjective or term placed upon a person or thing and expressing some quality especially appropriate to that person or thing.

8. Epizoötic. A disease upon many animals in a community.

  4. To become ingratiated with another is to get into his favor. “The pigmy had contrived to ingratiate himself into every man's affection.”—Stanley.

  5. An ingrate is not thankful for benefits received.

  7. One in disgrace is out of (away from) favor with others.

  9. An agreement is entered into according to the pleasure of both parties.

10. Gratis. Out of, or because of, favor; without recompense.

11. Grace. Literally, pleasing; beloved.

3. Gregarious. Quality or characteristic of animals which tend to gather in flocks; as, sheep, geese, deer.

4. Segregate. To separate (aside) from others and form into an isolated group (flock).

6. A private law, a peculiar benefit, right, or favor not enjoyed by others or by all, is a privilege.

  1. Pertaining to the head, as, capital punishment, which involves the forfeiture of the head.

10. A frugal person is economical with his means, hence fruitful in saving.

16. Pertaining to the name only, not real; as, a nominal Christian.

17. Pertaining to the standard or rule; as, the normal color of the crow is black.

  1. State of holding from something which tempts and entices; as, abstinence from strong drink.

  2. (See third month, page 63.)

  3. State of being actively desirous (wishing) for the well-being of others. “The laws of social benevolence require that every man should try to assist others by his experience.”

  4. Condolence. State of being in grief or sympathy with others on account of their afflictions.

  5. Confidence. State of being confident (of having faith in others or in one's self).

  6. Dependence. State of being dependent (of hanging [relying] on others for support).

  7. Impotence. State of being impotent (of having no power; weak; feeble).

  8. Omnipotence. State of being all powerful.

  9. Reticence. State or quality of being silent; refraining from speech.

10. Sequence. State of being sequent (following); order of following.

  1. Concordance. State of being heart with heart; harmony; agreement.

  2. Consonance. State of agreement of sound with sound; tones in unison.

  8. Repugnance. Literally, the state of being disposed to fight (strike) back (with the fist) [obsolete]. Opposition; aversion; dislike.

10. Temperance. State of being well timed (regular in habits) in eating, drinking, sleeping, exercising, etc.

Note.—The meanings of the above prefixes have frequently been given. Combine the meaning of suffix, root, and prefix, adding other words when necessary, to make definitions. The only word in the list which can give any difficulty is number four, which is explained in the work of seventh year, sixth month, page 35.

1. One's mental powers are the powers of his mind, including intellect, feeling, and will.

2. One's comments on a topic generally reveal to some degree the state of his mind in regard to it.

3. The mention of a thing calls it to mind.

4. A memento is a reminder.

5. A demented person has the powers of his mind impaired.

1. A ticket will admit you (let you go) to the entertainment.

2. To place in custody; to entrust with; as to commit a fund to the care of trustees; to commit (send) a prisoner to jail.

3. To send or give out; as, the fountain emits water.

4. To let go by; to neglect; to overlook; as, to omit a fact.

5. A permit will let you go through the factory.

6. To remit is to send (back) value for value received.

7. To give up or let one's self go under the government of another; to yield, or surrender. “Do not submit yourself to insult.”

8. To send (across) from one to another; as, to transmit a message.

1. Pertaining to the usual rule or type; as, his pulse is normal.

2. Deviating from the natural condition, course, or rule; as, an abnormal appetite.

3. Out of the ordinary; not conforming to the usual rule; as the death rate was enormous.

4. The state or quality of being enormous; especially the quality of being extremely bad; as, the enormity of his crime.

1. Pertaining to a father; fatherly; as, paternal love.

2. Patriarch. One of the fathers and rulers of a tribe or race; particularly applied to the early tribes of mankind.

3. Patronize. To act like a patron, or one who protects, fosters, or supports some enterprise, as a father looks after those under his care.

4. Patricide. The killing of a father.

5. Patriot. One who loves and supports the institutions of his country somewhat as a father cares for the interests of his family.

6. Patrimony. An inheritance from an ancestor; especially from one's father.

2. A ductile substance is one which is capable of being drawn into wire.

9. A versatile person is capable of turning readily from one thing to another; manysided.

1. An aquiline nose is one hooked like the beak which belongs to an eagle.

3. The canine teeth are so called because they correspond to those best developed in the dog.

  1. An ablution is the act of washing away, or cleansing.

15. A station is a standing place for the train.

1. A Canaanite is one who dwelt in the land of Canaan.

2. A Dowieite is one who is a follower of Dowie.

3. A favorite is one who receives special favor.

4. A hypocrite is one who pretends to be what he is not.

5. An Israelite is one who is a descendant of Israel, or Jacob.

6. A Levite is one who is a descendant of Levi.

1. Capable of being carried or moved without difficulty; as, a portable engine.

2. Portfolio. A case or folder in which leaves of loose paper or other stationery may be carried.

3. Porter. Literally, one who carries burdens.

7. Support. To carry or uphold from beneath (under).

9. Port. The manner in which one carries himself.

2. At Florence, it is said, a trader or money changer who failed in business had his banca, or money bench, broken; hence, one who is unable to pay his debts is bankrupt.

6. A rupture is a breaking apart; as the rupture of a blood vessel.

7. To break the ranks of, and throw into confusion; as to rout an enemy.

8. Route originally meant a road broken through a new and untraveled section of country. After thus broken it became a way or route for travel.

1. Circumscribe. To draw (write) a bounding line around; hence, to lay down the limits or restrict the action of.

9. A scribe, in Jewish history, was a custodian and writer of the official records of the nation.

10. To scribble is to do hasty or careless writing.

11. Script consists of characters written by hand.

12. Scripture. The sacred writings of any people.

  1. The appearance of a thing as viewed (looked toward or at) by the eye or mind; as, a stern aspect; the southern aspect of a house.

  2. Looking around in all directions, as against danger or error. “Of all these circumstances, the slow, circumspect eye of the master took cognizance one by one.”

  5. Perspective. That which is seen through an opening or vista. The effect of distance upon the appearance of objects.

  9. Suspect. To underlook; to imagine or infer that appearances misrepresent; hence one who suspects is inclined to look beneath the surface.

10. Spectacle. Something exhibited to be looked at, especially if it be held worthy of unusual notice.