I Spy Something Beginning with AL Quiz

Answer: Alliterate

The use of 'literate' or its reverse, 'illiterate', to mean being able, or not, to read and write is relatively new, dating only from the late nineteenth century. Before that, it just meant to be well-educated, as in familiar with literature.

Alliterate refers to the, usually, poetic device of starting several successive words with the same letter for dramatic effect. Samuel Taylor Coleridge used this in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' - 'For the sky and the sea, and the sea and the sky'.

Answer: Altruism

A truism refers to an overworked expression, which has lost its effectiveness by being repeated so frequently. Examples could be 'only time will tell' or 'plenty of fish in the sea'. Politicians seem to be particularly fond of them.

Altruism, on the other hand, is possibly rarer in politics, although I may be doing a disservice to some. It describes the trait of putting the welfare of others before your own, even, in extreme circumstances, sacrificing your life so another person can survive.

Answer: Allaying

Hens produce eggs by laying them, but the word can also be used to describe lying down or making something ready, e.g. 'I am laying the table ready for dinner'.

Allaying means alleviating concerns, which could be fear of danger or doubts about someone's honesty.

Answer: Alcove

A cove is a smaller version of a bay, where the natural indent in the coastline provides a sheltered beach. It can also apply to inlets in other bodies of water.

An alcove is a recessed space often, but not always, indoors, such as a recess in a wall for ornaments or bookshelves.

Answer: Almighty

Someone who is mighty is stronger or more powerful than is expected for a normal person. Alexander the Great is described as a 'mighty warrior', and the term can also be applied to other objects, such as 'a mighty oak tree'.

Almighty puts you at the top of the heap, reigning supreme over everyone. To be almighty, you have greater powers than anyone else, so this is often used as shorthand for God - 'the Almighty'.

Answer: Allocation

A location is any identifiable place - 'the treasure can be found at this location'. In film terms, being on 'location' refers to scenes shot away from the studio.

An allocation refers to a share, or allotment, of a whole. It could refer to a bonus received for work well done, which might be divided according to seniority - 'my allocation was 10% of the profits', for example.

Answer: Alpine

A pine tree is a coniferous evergreen, i.e. one that doesn't shed its needles. Pine can also, as a verb, be used to describe a longing or yearning for something unobtainable, or missing someone who has gone away.

Alpine can refer to any high mountain, or plants that grow at high altitude, usually above the treeline. With a capital letter, Alpine specifically refers to the mountain range in Europe called the Alps.

Answer: Alchemist

In the UK, chemist is used to describe the person who dispenses medicines in a chemist's shop. It can, of course, also refer to a scientist who specialises in chemistry.

An alchemist was a 'scientist' from the Middle Ages, particularly one who tried, in vain, to turn base metals into gold.

Answer: Almost

Most refers to the greatest amount or number of any item - the most money, the most friends, the most talent or the most jewellery.

Almost describes something which just falls short of fulfilment. 'We are almost home', meaning that we are close, but not quite there, or 'I almost made the first team'.

Answer: Alarum

The arum lily is also called 'cuckoo-pint', 'jack in the pulpit' and 'lords and ladies', all of which are based on its distinctive appearance. It isn't a member of the lily family in reality, but the name is commonplace.

Although not used in everyday speech, the use of the word 'alarum' will be familiar to those of us who have read or watched Shakespeare, voluntarily or otherwise. It has been replaced by the modern version which is, of course, alarm.