Vocabulary Strategy: Etymology
alchemy: Arabic al-kīmiyā’ < al the + kīmiyā’ branch of medieval science whose goal was the transmutation of baser metals into gold; algebra: Arabic al-jabr < al the + jabr restoration (of anything which is missing, lost, out of place, or lacking); geometry: ancient Greek γεωμετρία science of measuring; hexagon: Greek ἑξάγωνον, neuter singular of ἑξάγωνος six-cornered; isoceles: Greek ἰσοσκελής equal-legged; nadir: Arabic naẓīr opposite to, over against; trigonometry: Greek τρίγωνον triangle + -μετρία -metry; zenith: Arabic samt , in samt ar-rās lit. way or path over the head
The meaning of the root word connects to the current meaning in a direct way, though it has become more specific over time. For example: zenith, which comes from the Arabic for ‘path overhead’ and currently means the spot directly overhead. It has moved from the general path above, to the specific location. Other terms do the same.
Knowing the etymology of words makes the meaning more complex, giving it layers of intention. If you know that a term originates in a specific language and culture, you can make connections from its past meaning to its current. The etymology of words helps direct understanding. I was surprised by the composition of algebra, or Arabic for al+jabr, which means restoration. Currently it means only the science of algebra, but it was interesting to find out its general use in Arabic.
Critical Vocabulary
the brain has many different parts which must all function simultaneously to create the desired outcome.
The technology was developing and expensive so people did not have access to them.
It. Is an estimate based on only the information currently known, which could change.
it is mathematic and requires specific steps.