Jack asked if there’s any rhyme or reason connecting words
that begin with KN-. A quick perusal of the Oxford English Dictionary and The American Heritage Dictionary of
Indo-European Roots reveals some patterns.
The Greek word γνύξ (gnux) binds together knee, kneecap,
kneel, kneeler, and the like.
Knave and knight originally referred to a young lad.
A number of words refer to cognition or perception. They
include know, knew, known, knowledge, knowledgeable, and similar forms. They
are indebted to the Greek root γνω- (gno-), which meant to perceive and to
recognize.
The Indo-European root [g(e)n- inspired many Germanic words beginning in kn- that found their way into Old English. The basic
meanings involve compressed materials, bumps, projections, and sharp blows.
That ties the following words together:
- knap: a small knoll
- knead: to work moistened flour into a lump of dough
- knell: the sound made by a bell when struck
- knife: a cutting instrument
- knit: to tie or fasten with a knot
- knob: a small rounded lump or mass
- knock: a stroke or thump
- knoll: rounded top of a hill
- knot: a secure, tight tie in a rope, string, etc.
- knout: a whip or scourge
- knuckle: the rounded protuberance in a bent bone joint
And you might want to put knackwurst in your knapsack. Both
have at their core the meaning to strike, snap, or bite off a piece. It turns
out that a knapsack is a snack pack.
Available from McFarland & Co.: Word Parts
Dictionary, 2nd edition
Listen to Mike’s
program in real time every Tuesday morning, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. EST, by going to
wtcmradio.com and clicking on Listen Now.
There is a collection of
podcasts. Go to wtcmradio.com and click on Podcasts. Scroll down The Ron Jolly Show to find the Words to the Wise audio
button.
No comments:
Post a Comment