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Latin Origins Trivia Quiz

In my Latin class, we spend a lot of time on what English words come from specific Latin words. I love this. So this is a quiz for all other etymology lovers out there. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by rgdsmile. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
rgdsmile

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
199,619

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
726

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. There are many English words ending in "-fy", such as "simplify", "classify" and "justify". In these words what does the "-fy" come from? Hint

Faveo

Habeo

Haereo

Facio

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Question 2 of 10

2. "Mollify", another "-fy" word, meaning "to calm in temper or feeling, to lessen in intensity, and to reduce the rigidity of", comes from which Latin adjective? Hint

Mola

Malus

Mollis

Molo

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Question 3 of 10

3. An easy one, "quantity". Which Latin word does this come from?

Answer: (Masculine form only)

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. "Cascade" comes from the first principle part of which Latin verb?

Answer: (First principle part only)

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Question 5 of 10

5. Here's a "donum" ("gift"). What Latin noun does the word "graduate" come from? Hint

Gradatio

Gradus

Gradior

Gradivus

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Question 6 of 10

6. The "com-" in "compassion" comes from "cum" meaning "with". What other Latin word does "compassion" come from? Hint

Passus sum

Passim

Passer

Pastio

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Question 7 of 10

7. If you know the meaning of "aviary", it should not be hard to say which Latin word it comes from.

Answer: (One word - four letters)

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which Latin name for an animal does vaccinate come from?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 9 of 10

9. From which Latin animal name does "muscle" come? Hint

Muscus

Musca

Mus

Muscarium

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Question 10 of 10

10. "Pejorative" - a great word! Do you know what it's Latin origin is?

Answer: (Use an I not a J)

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. There are many English words ending in "-fy", such as "simplify", "classify" and "justify". In these words what does the "-fy" come from?

Answer: Facio

"Faveo, favere, favi, faviturus" means "to favour". "Haereo, haerere, haesi, haesurus" means "to stick" and "Habeo, habere, habui, habitum" is "to have". "Facio, facere, feci, factus" means "to make, do". When you simplify something, you make it simpler. Likewise, to classify is to put in groups or classes and to justify is to make just.

Other examples include "modify", "liquefy", "clarify", "purify" and rectify. I've found 31 in all, but there must be many more.

2. "Mollify", another "-fy" word, meaning "to calm in temper or feeling, to lessen in intensity, and to reduce the rigidity of", comes from which Latin adjective?

Answer: Mollis

"Malus -a -um" is an adjective meaning "bad". "Molo, molere, mului, molitum" is "to grind in a mill" and "mola, molae" is a "millstone". "Mollis -is -e" is the adjective "soft". There is also a deponent verb "to make soft" "mollio, mollire, mollitus sum". However, the English word "mollify" comes from the adjective because that is describing how it is made.

3. An easy one, "quantity". Which Latin word does this come from?

Answer: Quantus

"Quantus -a -um" means "how big" or "how much".

4. "Cascade" comes from the first principle part of which Latin verb?

Answer: cado

"Cado, cadere, cecidi, cesurus" means "to fall". A few other English words from this verb are "casual", "occasion" (last principle part) and "decident".

5. Here's a "donum" ("gift"). What Latin noun does the word "graduate" come from?

Answer: Gradus

"Gradatio, gradationis" is a "climax", "gradior, gradi, grassus sum" means "to step" and "Gradivus" is a "surname of mars". "Gradus -us" is a "step". When you graduate, you move a step higher. Grade also comes from it.

6. The "com-" in "compassion" comes from "cum" meaning "with". What other Latin word does "compassion" come from?

Answer: Passus sum

"Passer, passeris" is a "sparrow", "passim" means "here and there", and "pastio, pastionis" is a "pasture". "Patior, pati, passus sum" is a deponent meaning "to endure". If you have compassion for someone you endure things together with them. Patience comes from the first principle part.

7. If you know the meaning of "aviary", it should not be hard to say which Latin word it comes from.

Answer: Avis

"Avis, avis", means "bird". So an aviary is a bird enclosure.

8. Which Latin name for an animal does vaccinate come from?

Answer: vacca

"Vacca" is a "cow". When smallpox was still a major epidemic, milkmaids never got it. Jenner realized that they had been infected with a variant of smallpox, cowpox from the cows. Their immune system had then recognized the disease and provided protection against both the disease and its cousin, smallpox. Now we can get small doses of infections to introduce them to our immune systems.

These are vaccinations.

9. From which Latin animal name does "muscle" come?

Answer: Mus

"Musca, muscae" is a "fly", "muscarium, muscarii" is a "fly trap", and "muscus, musci" is "moss". "Mus, muris" is the word for "mouse". This may seem odd but it does make sense. If you have strong muscles and you flex your arm a little bump comes up that looks like a mouse.

10. "Pejorative" - a great word! Do you know what it's Latin origin is?

Answer: peior

The adjective "peior, peior, peius" means "worse". Ocaasionally, the i is written as a j and when put into English, the i was changed to a j. Likewise, maior meaning bigger has become major.

Source: Author rgdsmile

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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