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A LIST OF ALL THE SECRET WORDS GIVEN TO DATE
Secret Word Guidelines.
When students present their words, they will
follow this procedure:
1. Look up the word in a good English dictionary (with etymology).
2. Find out what Latin words underlie the English words.
3. Look up the Latin words in a Latin lexicon. For nouns, give the nominative
and genitive forms; for adjectives and pronouns, give the masculine, feminine
and neuter nominative forms; for verbs give the principal parts.
4. Write down these Latin words and their meanings, and show your work
to the Magister at least one week before your presentation.
5. Be sure that you understand and can explain how the Latin words contribute
to the English words’ meaning.
In class on the assigned day, students will:
1. Write the Latin word(s) on the board, (including the forms required
above in #3);
2. After asking the class to determine the meanings of the Latin words,
the presenter will write on the board the English translations of the Latin
words.
3. After the class attempts to establish the English word (“the
secret word”) derived from the Latin words , the presenter will write
the English word on the board, and define it.
4. Presentations will between two and three minutes in length.
Students will put their words on the board immediately before class,
so that when class begins, we can proceed expeditiously.
The Magister will grade the presentations on clarity, accuracy,
and efficient use of time; he will include “secret words” on quizzes
and examinations, and ask students to identify their etymologies.
NOTE 1: The secret words are confidential. Students are not to reveal
their words to others.
NOTE 2: Students are advised to look up all their secret words early
in the semester, and to consult with the professor if they have questions
about derivation, or if they have problems of any kind in finding the information
they need for their presentations. Such consultations with the professor
must occur before the day the word is presented.
An Example of a Latin “Secret Word” Presentation
Student receives the word “maneuver.”
1. Student looks in a good English dictionary, which says “maneuver”
derives ultimately from the Latin noun manu (ablative of manus,
manus) and the Latin verb operor, operari, operatus sum.
2. Student looks up the verb operor and the noun manus
in a Latin lexicon and notes the meanings of these words (hand; to work),
and their forms.
3. On board, student writes:
manus, manus, (feminine noun)
operor, operari, operatus sum (verb)
4. Student pronounces the Latin words on the board, and asks class to
repeat them aloud.
5. Student asks class to translate the Latin words. Class may use lexicons.
6. Student writes “hand” and “to work” next to the
appropriate words on the board.
7. Student asks class to identify the English “secret word”.
The class comes up with ‘maneuver’ (with hints from the presenter, when
appropriate).
8. Student writes “MANEUVER” on the board, and says that it
means basically ‘to work with the hands.’ Student writes definition on the
board.
9. Student blushes, and bows to acknowledge the class’ spontaneous applause
and effusive expressions of approbation.
10. Student sits down in triumph.
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