About this Study Set
This study set covers Etymology through
12 practice questions.
A challenging examination of the historical development, origins, and etymological shifts of words within the English language. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.
Questions & Answers
Browse all 12 questions from the
Historical Etymology and Lexicography study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
The word 'salary' derives from the Latin 'salarium', which originally referred to a stipend given to Roman soldiers specifically for the purchase of what commodity?
-
A
Grain
-
B
Oil
-
C
Salt
-
D
Leather
2
The English word 'quarantine' originates from the Venetian dialect 'quaranta giorni', a practice first formally imposed during the 14th century in which port city?
-
A
Venice
-
B
Genoa
-
C
Ragusa
-
D
Naples
3
The term 'assassin' is etymologically traced to the Nizari Isma'ili sect, but the derivation is commonly attributed to a corruption of which Arabic word meaning 'users of hashish'?
-
A
Hashishin
-
B
Hassasin
-
C
Asassin
-
D
Al-Hashish
4
The word 'candidate' comes from the Latin 'candidatus', meaning 'clothed in white', referring to the toga worn by Roman office-seekers to symbolize what?
-
A
Wealth
-
B
Purity of intent
-
C
Military service
-
D
High birth
5
Which 17th-century term for a person who drinks excessively, 'dipsomaniac', was coined by J.E. Belville using Greek roots meaning 'thirst' and what other concept?
-
A
Madness
-
B
Excess
-
C
Binding
-
D
Fire
6
The word 'avocado' derives from the Nahuatl word 'āhuacatl', which originally possessed what dual meaning in the Aztec language?
-
A
Green fruit and leaf
-
B
Testicle and fruit
-
C
Soft skin and fat
-
D
Tree and nectar
7
The term 'boycott' is an eponym derived from Captain Charles Boycott, an estate agent who was ostracized by the Irish Land League in which year?
-
A
1870
-
B
1880
-
C
1890
-
D
1900
8
'Petrichor', the term for the scent of rain on dry earth, was coined in 1964 by researchers Bear and Thomas, deriving from the Greek 'petra' (stone) and what element?
-
A
Ichor
-
B
Aether
-
C
Geos
-
D
Hydor
9
The word 'robot' was introduced to the English language via Karel Čapek's 1920 play 'R.U.R.', derived from the Old Church Slavonic 'robota', which signifies what?
-
A
Machine
-
B
Worker
-
C
Servitude
-
D
Automaton
10
The word 'clue' is a spelling variant of 'clew', which originally referred to what specific object?
-
A
A lantern
-
B
A ball of thread
-
C
A navigation chart
-
D
A secret map
11
The term 'bureaucracy' was coined by Vincent de Gournay in the 18th century, combining the French 'bureau' (desk) with which Greek suffix meaning 'to rule'?
-
A
-cracy
-
B
-archy
-
C
-nomy
-
D
-logy
12
The etymology of 'sycophant' is derived from the Greek 'sykophantēs', literally translating to 'one who shows' what?
-
A
A secret sign
-
B
The fig
-
C
The truth
-
D
The path
