Ace the Vocabulary SAT
with Latin Derivatives
Are you taking the vocabulary SAT this year? Are you helping others study vocabulary for an upcoming SAT test?
Boost your knowledge of English by studying Latin roots and derivatives. Our Latin Word of the Week is the perfect way to begin.
Latin Word of the Week (3/19/2008):
pugno, PUGNARE, pugnavi, PUGNATUMto fight PUGNUS, PUGNI fist Create a vocabulary lesson plan with the Latin root pugnare. SAT words are easy to remember if categorized according to the etymological root word.
Vocabulary SAT: Derivatives of Pugnare
Latin can help students expand understanding beyond the simple definitions of words. College bound students will find the study of Latin roots enjoyable, powerful, and productive. pugnacious (adj): full of fight, inclined to fight. The pugnacious boy picked a fight with other students; a pugnacious lawyer can turn the jury against his client, if he is too argumentative. pugnacity (n): this abstract noun means the quality of being hostile or ready to fight. Football players need tenacity, but pugnacity has no honorable place on the field. repugnant (adj): contradictory, inconsistent; offensive, objectionable. A smell can be repugnant if it offends and drives people away. A person can be repugnant if she makes rude remarks or is always ready to criticize and contradict others. repugn (v): to oppose or refute. The prosecuting attorney repugned the statements of the witness. Hawks on both sides are quick
to impugn negotiations.
-NY Timesimpugn (v): to challenge as false; to vilify. The politician felt that the media had impugned his character. pugilism (n): the sport of fighting with fists, i.e. boxing. He took first prize in pugilism. |
