Analyze the given entries from the Etymology Dictionary. Identify the result of the semantic change of the lexical meaning in the words under consideration.
Brush –“dust-sweeper”, late 14c., from O.Fr. broisse “a brush” (13c.).
Curfew –early 14c., lit. “cover fire”. The medieval practice of ringing a bell at fixed time in the evening as an order to bank the hearths and prepare for sleep. The original purpose was to prevent conflagrations from untended fires. The modern sense of “periodic restriction of movement” had evolved by 1800s.
Garret –1300, from O.Fr. garite “watchtower, place of refuge”. Meaning “room on uppermost floor of a house” is from late 15c.
Mop –late 15c., mappe “bundle of yarn, etc., fastened to the end of a stick for cleaning or spreading pitch on a ship’s decks”.
Neice –1300, from from L. neptis “granddaughter”. Until 1600, it also could mean “a granddaughter” or any remote female descendant.
Nephew –1300, from O.Fr. neveu “grandson, descendant”, and in a general sense “male descendant other than son”. Used in English in all the classical senses until 17c..
Panic – 1600, from Gk. panikon, lit. “pertaining to Pan”, the god of woods and fields who was the source of mysterious sounds that caused contagious, groundless fear in herds and crowds, or in people in lonely spots. As a noun first recorded 1708. Meaning “widespread apprehension about financial matters” is first recorded 1757.
Pencil –late 14c., “an artist’s fine brush of camel hair”, from O.Fr. pincel “artist’s paintbrush” from L. lit. “little tail”. Meaning “graphite writing implement” – late 16c.
Police –1530, at first essentially the same word as “policy”, from L. politia “civil administration”. Still used in English for “civil administration” until mid-19c.; application to “administration of public order” (1716) is from Fr., and originally referred to France or other foreign nations. The first force so-named in English was the Marine Police, set up 1798 to protect merchandise at the Port of London.
Pupil – 1382, originally “orphan child, ward” from O.Fr. pupille (14c.), from L. pupillus (fem. pupilla) “orphan, ward, minor”. Meaning “disciple, student” first recorded 1563.
Spinster –mid-14c., “female spinner of thread”, from M.E. spinnen + -stere, feminine suffix. Spinning commonly done by unmarried women, hence the word came to denote “an unmarried woman” in legal documents from the 1600s to the early 1900s, and by 1719 was being used generically for “woman still unmarried and beyond the usual age for it”.
|
|
|
HOMONYMY
Find out the homonyms in the following sentences. Identify the types of homonyms.
1. A chicken is a fowl. – When chicken meat goes off it is foul.(амофоны)
4. I will pare the skin from that apple. – Two apples would make a pair. – Would you prefer an apple or a pear?(амофоны)
5. I want to lose weight but I don’t think I’ll start my diet yet. – I’ll wait until after Christmas.(амофон)
7. Look at her tiny waist. – If she’s not carefully she’ll waste away.(амофон)
8. I quickly walked down the aisle and took my seat. – He grew up on the isle of Elba.(амофон)
10. She billed the clients for $4,000. – They build houses in Portland, Oregon.(амофон)
11. He bowed before the king. – Ella wore a big bow in her hair. (собственно амоним)
Explain the basis of the following jokes.
1. What kind of party do plumbers go to? – A tap dance.
2. Why did the cat come down from the tree? – Because it saw the tree bark.
3. Waiter, will the pancakes be long? – No, sir, round.
4. What did Tutankhamen say when he got scared? – I want my mummy.
5. What do runners do when they forget something? – They jog their memory.
6. Why are movie stars so cool? – Because they have so many fans.
7. Why did the boy take the pencil to bed? – Because he wanted to draw the curtains.
8. Why did the king draw straight lines? – Because he was the ruler.
9. Did you hear about the snake that could do sums? – It was an adder.
10. Why are postmen unhappy? – Because they are given the sack every morning.
SYNONYMY
Compare the lexical meanings of the words in the following sets of synonyms. Which type of synonyms does each of them belong to?
buoyant – jolly – merry – hilarious (идеографические)
to whip out – to lunge – to swoop (идеографические)
toss – fling (стилистич?идеограф?)
Determine the words in the extract given below which account for the creation of the formal style.
|
|
|
“If you had dusted the mantelpiece, you would have found this just under the clock” said Gandalf, handing Bilbo a note (written, of course, on his own note-paper). This is what he read:
“Thorin and Company to Burglar Bilbo greeting! For your hospitality our sincerest thanks, and for your offer of professional assistance our grateful acceptance. Terms: cash on delivery, up to and not exceeding one fourteenth of total profits (if any); all traveling expenses to be defrayed by us or our representatives, if occasion arises and the matter is not otherwise arranged for.
Thinking it unnecessary to disturb your esteemed repose, we have proceeded in advance to make requisite preparations, and shall await your respectedperson at the Green Dragon Inn, Bywater, at 11 a.m. sharp. Trusting you will be punctual.
We have the honour to remain
Yours deeply
Thorin & Co.”
Дата добавления: 2018-05-09; просмотров: 363; Мы поможем в написании вашей работы! |
Мы поможем в написании ваших работ!