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6
votes
9answers
21k views
What is the adjective form for the word “integrity?”
I'm looking for the adjective form of "integrity."
Instead of "Be a person of integrity," I'd like to say something like "Be [one word I'm looking for]"
I did a Google search for this, but I also ...
0
votes
0answers
109 views
Latin derivatives [closed]
My work is all about the structure and meaning of derivative adjectives. And it was quite easy with flower-flowered pairs. But what about such words as "final" or "annual"? Their stems "ann" and "fin" ...
1
vote
3answers
175 views
What’s the etymology of “beholden”?
I know the word behold means to look upon. So why does beholden mean obligated, indebted?
Can someone tell me how this phrase came about?
2
votes
2answers
173 views
Can we determine a proper verb form of “exegesis” for Biblical scholars to use?
This is related to a conversation here in EL&U SE.
Apparently the noun exegete is being used as verb in religious circles.
For Biblical Scholars, the word exegesis carries with it a connotation ...
19
votes
2answers
5k views
What’s the rule for adding “-er” vs. “-or” when nouning a verb?
What’s the rule to decide whether you add -er or whether you add -or when creating a noun from a verb?
Sometimes it’s -er:
read > reader
hate > hater
hit > hitter
But other times it’s -or:
...
0
votes
3answers
115 views
Is it right or wrong to use forms of words that aren't in any dictionaries?
I want to use the word ataractically in a formal piece of writing. A derived form of ataraxia, I'd like to use it in a sentence like this:
This is the most ataractically candid thing I've ever ...
1
vote
1answer
158 views
Derivations of operation, operable vs. reparation, reparable
After a little thought I decided irreparable derives from repairable, but a few seconds later, decided it stems from reparation, "like operable from operation". Looking the words up, I found I was ...
