Dicare: to say (dic-, dict-,)

A dictionary is a collection of words that can be said in a language. To predict is to say in advance what is going to happen. These and other words grow on the tree from the root "dicare," to say.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. diction
    the manner in which something is expressed in words
    His style is indeed marked by restraint and simplicity of diction. Foote, G. W. (George William)
    Diction refers to a person's word choice, which can be formal or informal, positive or negative, friendly or businesslike. Diction also refers to the clarity in which a person speaks. A toddler's diction is usually unclear, sometimes understandable only by the toddler's immediate family.
  2. malediction
    the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil
    "You've not heard him heaping maledictions on my defenceless head?" Hocking, Silas K. (Silas Kitto)
    With the prefix "mal-" meaning "bad" ("malnutrition") and the root "dic-" meaning "to say," we can understand how a "malediction" is a curse, as opposed to "benediction," which is a blessing or prayer.
  3. benediction
    a blessing or ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection
    Here the pope paused, his face streaming with tears, and, standing in the starlit piazza, solemnly extended his arms in benediction over his sleeping people. Hare, Augustus J. C.
    Also called an "invokation," a "benediction" is a prayer or blessing, usually given in public by a relgious figure of authority.
  4. dictator
    a person who behaves in a tyrannical manner
    He is no longer moderate, but a brutal dictator attacking his own flesh and blood.”
    A dictator gets to make pronouncements, to dictate his or her orders. On a less bossy note, anyone who says words that another person has to write verbatim may be said to be dictating, but is not necessarily considered a dictator.
  5. edict
    a formal or authoritative proclamation
    But such decisions, once made, do not have to be permanent edicts. Slate (Dec 22, 2011)
    The word "edict" has an authoritarian, dictatorial connotation. Kings and queens issue edicts, pronouncements about how everyone must behave. With the prefix "e-" meaning "out," and the root "dic-" meaning "to say," we can see how this word is put together.
  6. jurisdiction
    the territory within which power can be exercised
    The matter falls under the jurisdiction of regulators in New York and Washington.
    The word "jurisdiction" has wandered away somewhat from its original meaning, but at its roots it refers to saying ("dic-") truth (-juris). When you have authority, you may exercise it only within your own area, your jurisdiction. Outside of that area, you have no say.
  7. dictum
    an authoritative declaration
    My first dictum as coach was to initiate conditioning practices. Slate (Dec 19, 2011)
    Like an "edict," the word "dictum" has an authoritarian, dictatorial air.
  8. vindicate
    show to be right by providing justification or proof
    "I believe in the long term I will be vindicated." New York Times (May 14, 2013)
    Ah, vindication! What feels better than to be proven right after all, to clear your name from an unjust charge. The word is closely related to words about freedom, liberation, and repossession. It means more than just being let off the hook: to be vindicated is to be restored with glory to your rightful place, and having your tormentors being held to account.
  9. indicate
    give evidence of
    Polls also indicated that 6 out of 10 Greeks do not want early elections.
    To "indicate" is to point to, as with your index finger. An "indication" is "saying something," to point it out.
  10. contradict
    be in opposition to
    It also contradicts everything we know about human nature, especially when huge sums of money are at stake, but it's possible. Seattle Times (Jun 14, 2013)
    With the prefix "contra-" meaning "opposite," and "dic-" meaning "to say," you can see how this word is put together. It means the opposite of "to agree with." When a person has a tendency to disagree, we say that they are "contrary" and when two things do not agree, we way that they are "contradictory."
  11. valedictorian
    the student with the best grades
    He was the valedictorian of his class at Curtis High School.
    It is a tradition for the student with the highest grades in the class to give a speech at graduation. This speech is called a "valedictory" address and the person giving it is called the "valedictorian."
Created on Sun Jun 23 19:48:42 EDT 2013 (updated Sun Jun 23 20:13:25 EDT 2013)

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