7/30/2019 VPL3

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vpl3 1/2

GATECounsellor  VPL-3 

*Some words can be remembered by relevant tricks (used by aspirants). We do not claim for the origin of 

any word. We only discuss the best possible way to track their meaning.

Vocabulary Practice Lesson-3

Origin/Funda* Exampledexter (Sinister) in Latin & droit (Gauche)

in French signifies right (left) hand

Dexterous: skilful

Sinister: evil, ominous

 Adroit: skilful

Gaucherie: awkward or tactless act 

misien- to hate

anthropos-related to mankind (human)

 gyne- woman

andros- male

Misanthrope: one who hates peoples

Gynaecology: study and treatment of the

diseases of the female reproductive system

 Andrology: branch of medicine concerned with

male diseases, esp. those affecting the

male reproductive system

 gamos-marriage

monos- one

bi-two

 poly - many

Monogamy: one marriage at one time (legal)

Polygamy: having more than one spouse

at a time

Bicameral: two-chambered

astro- star

nomos- arrangement, order

nautes- sailor {naus-ship}

 Astronomer: one who is interested in

arrangement of stars & other celestial bodies

 Astronaut: sailor among the stars

 Aster: star shaped flower

Disaster: dis(against) + asterBelieved to be happen due to opposition of stars

autos-self 

nomos-arrangement, law, order

 Autonomy: self law/government 

 Autobiography: person's life history written by

that person

EXERCISE 3Now, find the meaning of these words:

1.  Ambidexterous

2.  Misogynist 

3.  Polyandry

4.  Anthropology

5.  Philanthropist 

6.  Bigamy

7.  Astrology

8.  Asterisk 

7/30/2019 VPL3

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/vpl3 2/2

GATECounsellor  VPL-3 

*Some words can be remembered by relevant tricks (used by aspirants). We do not claim for the origin of 

any word. We only discuss the best possible way to track their meaning.

 ANSWERS 2

1. Somnambulism: sleep walking

2. Somniloquy: sleep talking

3. Thanatophobia: fear of death ( phobos, fear)

Agoraphobia: an abnormal fear of being in open or public places (agorā ,

marketplace)

Acrophobia: fear of great heights (akros, at the point, end, or top)

ACID, ACRID (sharp, bitter smell/taste), ACRIMONY (bitter

manner/speech), ACERBIC all are related to sharpness in speech/smell

taste etc. Have a look at their dictionary meanings. 

4. Euphemism: mild expression in place of unpleasant (offensive) one

5. Somnolent: inducing drowsiness {usage: song of her mother had a somnolent 

effect}

6. Extrovert: one whose interest is directed to things outside oneself and to other

persons rather than to oneself or one's experiences

PERVERT: to cause to turn from what is considered right, good, or true;

corrupt (PERVERSE is adjective)

CONVERT: change from one form or use to another

INVERT: to turn upside down