Melanie Spiller wonders why some words have one meaning, while others have yet another, for sets of very similar words. She gives definitions, but I’m going to bring out the derivations from the OED:

Adapt v. Adopt:

Adapt is from the latin ad + aptare, to fit for yourself. Adopt comes from latin ad optare, to choose for yourself. The common prefix is now understandable, and the difference is in the “apt” or “opt,” both of which now stand on their own.

Accede v. Exceed:

Accede is from the latin ad + cedere, to move on. Exceed is from the latin ex + cedere, to move [go] out. This time, the words differ by prefix rather than suffix, one bringing something in, the other moving out.

Infamous v. Notorious:

Infamous is from the latin word famosus, for fame. Notorious is from classical latin, notoria–a written notice informing a crime. Thus, the two are basically indistinguishable, though have come to have slightly different connotations in modern form.

6 Responses to “Some words mean one thing, others mean yet another!”

1. Tan says:

   9/19/2006 at 1:45 pm

   Please provide a list of words that only have one meaning ?

   Reply
2. Rossco says:

   9/4/2007 at 7:23 am

   What about these beauties …

   Inflammable and Flammable?

   Commonly mistaken to mean the opposite of each other, but infact meaning the same thing.

   I just love the english language, don’t you?

   Reply
3. jasmine says:

   6/9/2008 at 4:47 am

   i wonder what are words that describe clothes?

   Reply
4. jasmine says:

   6/9/2008 at 4:47 am

   please reply

   Reply
5. jasmine says:

   6/9/2008 at 4:48 am

   what i mean is like poor looking clothes or whatever

   Reply
6. jasmine says:

   6/9/2008 at 4:48 am

   plsplsplsplsplspslpslpslsplsplsplspslpslpls REPLY

   Reply