"A" Spaced Out Quiz To A Muse

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A verb meaning to aid or assist becomes a wager when a space is added after the "a". What is the verb?

Answer: Abet

"Abet" originated from a Latin word meaning to bait through an Old French word meaning to entice. Originally then, the person "abetting" was not the assistant but the instigator. It is interesting that the initiative passed to the person being "abetted" when the word passed into English.

Although some dictionaries designate "abet" in the sense of "entice" as the origin of "bet", others consider the origin unknown.

2. This word beginning in "a" is the past tense of a verb meaning to get up. Put a space after the "a" and you have a fragrant flower. What is the verb?

Answer: Arose

Dictionary.com points out that both "rose" and "julep" have a connection to the Armenian root "vard". (They report that a series of sound changes was required.) As a result, Dictionary.com suggests, "It is etymologically correct to drink a julep while watching the Run for the Roses." Those of you with an interest in writing an "impossible" quiz might want to consider as a question, "Why is it etymologically correct to drink a julep while watching the Run for the Roses?"

3. This adverb means swiftly but transforms to a phrase that designates a step taken in walking when a space is placed after the "a". What is the adverb?

Answer: Apace

"Pace" derives ultimately from the Latin "passus" meaning to stretch out or spread out and came to designate a step taken in walking. "Apace" is also used in the sense of keeping pace with.

4. A verb meaning astonish becomes a labyrinth when a space is placed after the "a". What is the verb?

Answer: Amaze

"Amaze" originally derives from an Old English word meaning to be bewildered, and to be bewildered or confused is an obsolete meaning for "amaze". For instance, Shakespeare used "amaze" to denote confusion. (Shakespeare also coined the word "amazement".) In modern usage the "amaze" usually denotes astonishment and wonder with no connotation of confusion.

5. When a space is placed after the "a" at the beginning, a verb meaning to stand against or support becomes a phrase denoting a particular conjunction. What is the verb?

Answer: Abut

"Abuter" is an Old French word meaning to border or to end at. "Abuter" is the predecessor for both "butt" and "abut". The conjunction "but" came from the Old English "butan". Interestingly, "butan" was not used as a conjunction in Old English, but rather as a preposition meaning without, unless or outside. An ongoing grammatical wrangle over whether one should say "none but I" or "none but me" hinges on whether but is being used as a preposition or a conjunction in that context. (Grammarians definitely understand the pursuit of the trivial, in this quiz author's opinion.)

6. An old Latin word meaning to stare stupidly, evolved into verb that means entertain or evoke a humorous response. If a space is added after the "a" that begins this word, we have a phrase which denotes a source of inspiration (or one of nine particular daughters of Zeus). What is this verb?

Answer: Amuse

It is my hope that archaeological research will one day reveal a tenth muse, Nannutia, who is muse to both those in quest of arcane knowledge and to those who wish to bring such "stupefying" knowledge to mortals. It amuses me that "muse", a word that once meant to stare stupidly, evolved into a word that can signify thoughtful meditation.

7. A verb that can mean to settle down upon becomes a phrase that provides illumination when a space is placed after the "a" that begins the verb. What is the verb?

Answer: Alight

"Alight" in the sense of burning and "alight" in the sense of coming to rest on derive from different root words. In old English "alihtan" meant to illuminate, whereas the Old English "lightan" meant to lift a burden.

8. Without a space, these six letters beginning in "a" can mean floating freely without anchor. Put a space after the "a", and you might have a collection of snow. What is the six letter word?

Answer: Adrift

"Drift" comes from an Indo-European root meaning to drive in the sense of driving cattle. When the wind drives enough snowflakes together... Well, you get my drift.

9. An adverb meaning to be alongside becomes a mammary gland when a space is put after the "a" at the beginning. What is the adverb?

Answer: Abreast

"Breast" may have derived from a Germanic root meaning to swell. In Shakespeare's time, the breast was the seat of emotions.

10. Keep these five letters starting with "a" together, and it could imply that events are in motion. With a space after the "a", you have something that belongs in a shoe. What is the five-letter word?

Answer: Afoot

The first known example of "afoot" being used to denote plans being carried out is in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Anthony has so inflamed the mob against Caesar's murderers that the mob has set off to burn the houses of Caesar's killers. Standing alone, after the mob has been dispatched, Anthony observes, "Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot!"

Source: Author uglybird

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Adding a space to a word starting in "a" often creates a phrase with a new meaning (e.g. amuse transforms to a muse). See if you can guess the original word from the meanings of both.

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>