A.W.A.D. - Words Used By Lincoln & Darwin

by Anu Garg
Next week is a big anniversary day. Feb 12 this year marks the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. On the same day, across the pond, Charles Darwin was born. And that's not all.

The day also marks the sesquicentennial of the publication of his book, The Origin of Species. You'd think 150 years is ample time for people to understand evolution, but some still claim it's only a "theory". Perhaps they still believe that the earth is flat and the sun goes around the earth.
We'll celebrate the three anniversaries by selecting words from Lincoln's and Darwin's writing and speeches.

propinquity
PRONUNCIATION: (pro-PING-kwi-tee)
MEANING: noun: Nearness in space, time or relationship
ETYMOLOGY:From Latin propinquitas (nearness), from prope (near)

conduce
PRONUNCIATION: (kuhn-DOOS, -DYOOS)
MEANING: verb intr.: To lead to or contribute to a particular result

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin conducere (to lead, bring together), from com- (together) + ducere (to lead). Ultimately from the Indo-European root deuk- (to lead) that led to other words such as duke, conduct, educate, duct, wanton, and tug.

interdict
PRONUNCIATION: (noun: IN-tuhr-dikt, verb: in-tuhr-DIKT)
MEANING: noun: A prohibition, especially a formal one, as by a court, church, etc.verb tr.: To prohibit or stop

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin interdictum (prohibition), from interdicere (to prohibit), from dicere (to speak). Ultimately from the Indo-European root deik- (to show, to pronounce solemnly) that is also the source of other words such as judge, verdict, vendetta, revenge, indicate, dictate, and paradigm.

sanguine
PRONUNCIATION: (SANG-gwin)
MEANING: adjective:
1. Cheerfully optimistic or confident
2. Having a healthy reddish color
3. Blood-red

ETYMOLOGY: From Old French sanguin, from Latin sanguineus (bloody), from sanguis (blood)

irascible
PRONUNCIATION: (i-RAS-uh-buhl)
MEANING: adjective:
1. Quick-tempered
2. Showing anger or resulting from anger

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin irascibilis (quick to anger), from irasci (to grow angry), from ira (anger). Ultimately from the Indo-European root eis- (passion), which is also the source of irate, ire, hierarchy, hieroglyphic, and estrogen.

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