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Chapter 8Comparison and Contrast Metaphors

• Many of our prefixes and suffixes occur in antithetical pairs.– Evaluation: Eu-Mal, Bene-Mis– Attitude: Pro-Con, – Size: Maxi-Mini– Position: Hyper-Hypo, Super-Sub, In-Trans– Time: Pre-Post

• Prefixes often assimilate to become more like the word they are attached to: Inelegant, Indecent, Impossible, Irreligious, Illegal, etc.

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Vocabulary Plus: A Source-Based Approachwww.ablongman.com/nilsen

By Don L. F. Nilsen

And Alleen Pace Nilsen

19 3

Antithetical PrefixesPro- | Con- | Anti- | Contra-

Pro- forward

Prognosis

Program

Progress

Project

Promotion

Propose

Propel

Prospects

Protest

Protrude

Provoke

Con-with

Confederates

Congress

Conjur

Conspire

Contractions

Contractor

Anti-against

Antibiotics

Antigen

Antioxidant

Antipathy

Antiseptic

Antithetical

Antitoxin

Anti-war protestor

Contra-against

Counter- offensive

Contraband

Contradiction

Contra- indicated

Contrary

Contras

Contrast

Contravene

Controversy(Nilsen & Nilsen 180-181)

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Visual Antithesis René Magritte

19 5

Visual Antithesis AgainRené Magritte

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Visual Antithesis AgainRené Magritte

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Good and BadEu- | Bene- | Ortho- | Mal- | Mis-

Eucharist

Eugene

Eugenics

Eulogy

Euphemism

Euphonious

Euphoria

Benediction

Benedict

Arnold

Benedictine Order

Benefactor

Beneficial

Benefits

Benevolent

Benign

Orthodontist

Orthodox

Orthography

Orthopedic

Orthoscopic microscope

Orthotics

Maladjusted

Malaise

Malapropism

Malcontent

Malice

Malicious

Malignant

Malodorous

Malpractice

Malnourished

Mrs. Malaprop

Misaligned

Miscarriage (of justice)

Mishap

Misdiagnosed

Misgivings(Nilsen & Nilsen 183-185)

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Com: with/together | Dis: apart/distant

Combatant

Combination

Comfort

Committee

Companion

Complete

-----

Cooperate

Coordinate

Co-editor

-----

Configure

Confide

Conduct

Disagreement

Disband

Disburse

Disconcerted

Discolored

Discord

Discourage

Disclose

Discover

DisheartenedDissing someone Disrespect

Distribute

Distrust(Nilsen & Nilsen 186)

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De-: down/away from | Trans: across

De-emphasize

Deceive

Decentralized

Decline

Decriminalize

Deductive

Deface

Denigrate

Deny

Descend

Despise

Destroy

Trans World Airlines (TWA)

Transaction

Transatlantic

Transcription

Transcend

Transcontinental

Transfer

Translation

Transmission

Transpiring

(Nilsen & Nilsen 187)

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In- | Inter- | Intra-

In loco parentis

Income

Incumbent

Indigenous

Induction

Infusion

Inoculation

Inside

Inspiration (breathing in)

Interactive video

Interception

Interchange

Interface

Interlibrary loan

Intermarry

International

Interstate highway

Intramural sports

Intramuscular injection

Intrapersonal

Intraspecies

Intravascular injection

Intravenous feeding(Nilsen & Nilsen 189)

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In: Toward | Ex: Away from

Entrance-Exit

Inhalation-Exhalation

Import-Export

Imposition-Exposition

Inclusive-Exclusive

Inspiration-Expiration

Intake-Exhaust

Internal-External

Incision-Excision (tumor)

Ex cathedra

Ex-officio

Exodus

Exonerate

The Exorcist

Expatriot

Expedition

Explode

Expurgate

Extort

Extradite

Extraordinary

Extremities(Nilsen & Nilsen 190-191)

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Negative in-In-/Iŋ | Il- | Im- | Ir-

Inactive

Inanimate

Incognito [Iŋ]

Incompatible

Incomparable

Inconsiderate

Incredible

Indecency

Inexplicable

Indifferent

Inelegant

Insecure

Insubordination

Illegible

Illegitimate

Illicit

Illiterate

Illogical

Illusory

Immaterial

Immoderate

Immortal

Impassable

Imperfection

Impersonal

Improbable

Impropriety

Imprudent

Impure

Irradicable (non-erasable)

Irreconcilable

Irrational

Irregular

Irreproducible

Irrespective

Irretrievable(Nilsen & Nilsen 192-194)

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Negative Non- Un- and A-

Non-aligned

Non-binding

Non-conformist

Non-existent

Non-recurring

Non-scheduled

Non-threatening

Non-Western

Unaffiliated

Unambitious

Unattractive

Unbuttoned

Uncertain

Unconscious

Unfashionable

Unreal

Amoral

Anonymous

Apolitical

Atrophy

Atypical(Nilsen & Nilsen 192-194)

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Below vs. AboveSub- | Super- | Hypo- | Hyper-

Subdivide

Subjects

Subjugate

Sublease

Sublimate

Submarine

Submerge

Submit

Subscribe

Subservience

Subtitles

Subzero

“Super”

(Superintendent)

Super Bowl

Supercillious

Superlative

Superman

Supersonic

Hypocenter (under nuclear blast)

Hypodermic needle

Hypogastric pains (in abdomen)

Hypoglycemia

Hypotension

(low blood pressure)

Hypothesis

Hyperbole

Hypercritical

Hyperglycemia

Hyperirritable

Hypertension

Hyperventilate(Nilsen & Nilsen 195-197)

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New Again Between YearlyNeo- | Re- | Inter- | Ann-

Neo-conservative

Neolithic

Neologism

Neon

Neo-Nazi

Neonatal

Neophyte

Neosporin ®

Reconcile

Reconsider

Record

Recreation

Recurrence

Recursive

Refinancing

Reflection

Remit

Renewal

Repeat

Intercede

Intercourse (social)

Interlude

Interminable

Intermission

Intersession

Anno Domini

Anniversary

Annual

Annuity

Biennial

Centennial

Millenial (Nilsen & Nilsen 198-201)

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Before vs. AfterAnte- | Pre- | Fore- | Post-

Ante Meridian

Ante Up! (poker)

Antebellum

Antecedent

Antediluvian

Antepasto

Raising the ante

Pre-Columbian

Predestination

Preemt

Prefabricated

Preface

Prefix

Preflight

Premature (premies)

Premonition

Preparation

Preposition

Prequel

Prescience

Before

Forearm

Foreboding

Forecasting

Foreclosure

Forehead

Forerunner

Foreshadow

Foretell

Foreword

Post hoc

Post Meridian

Postcolonial

Postgraduate

Postlude

Postmortem

Postpartum depression

Postpone

P.S., P.P.S. (postscript)(Nilsen & Nilsen 198-201)

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Action Receiver Suffixes-or | -ee

Actor

Counselor

Conveyor belt

Dictator

Donor

Singer

Teacher

Tractor

Transformer

Absentee

Addressee

Amputee

Appointee

Attendee

Detainee

Devotee

Employee

Grantee

Trainee

Trustee (Nilsen & Nilsen 202-203)

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Verbs vs. Nouns-ate/-y | -ion

Elongate

Exterminate

Illuminate

Irrigate

Situate

--------------------------

Beautify

Clarify

Liquify

Mortify

Multipy

Purify

Elongation

Extermination

Illumination

Irrigation

Situation

----------------------

Beautification

Clarification

Liquification

Mortification

Multiplication

Purification (Nilsen & Nilsen 203)

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!Interesting notes:

• Premonition is related to mnemonic and amnesia.

• Interminable is related to terminate.

• Supercilious is raised eyebrows (L: cilium)

• Anno Domini, Ante Meridian, Post Meridian, and Post Script are related to A.D., A.M., P.M., and P.S.

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!Augmentative Prefixes Maxi- | Mega- | Poly- | Arch-

Macrocosm

Macro-economics

---------

Maxed out

Maxi

Maxim

Maximum

Maxwell Smart

Megabyte

Megadeal

Megadeaths

Megalith

Megalomania

Megaphone

Megaplex

Megastar

Polyester

Polygamy

Polyglot

Polygon

Polygraph

test

Polytheism

Archangel

Archbishop

Arch-conservative

Archetype

Archie

Archrival

Archvillain(Nilsen & Nilsen 208-209)

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!Augmentative Suffix-ious (full of)

• Capricious• Expeditious• Fortuitous• Fractious• Loquacious• Mendacious• Meritorious• Obsequious• Pugnacious• Specious• Supercalifragulisticexpealidocious

(Nilsen & Nilsen 206)

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!!DiminutivesMini- | Micro-

Minny Mouse

Miniseries

Minimal

Minimalist

Miniscule

Miniskirt

Minivan

Minor

Minority

Minus

Mickey Mouse

Microbe

Microbus

Microchip

Microcosm

Microfilm

Micrometer

Micronesia

Microorganism

Microphone

Microsoft ®

(Nilsen & Nilsen 207)

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!!!Visual Antithesis:Inside Don Quixote’s Head

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Reference

Nilsen, Alleen Pace, and Don L. F. Nilsen. Vocabulary Plus High School and Up: A Source Based Approach. Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon, 2004.

www.ablongman.com/nilsen