Some Latin-based Words

Making a connection between a word's origin and its current meaning can sometimes help you to remember that meaning more easily. How do these words' Latin roots shed light on their current meanings?
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. capital
    of primary importance
  2. oculist
    a person skilled in testing for defects of vision
  3. pedestal
    an architectural support or base
  4. decapitate
    cut the head off of
  5. corpulent
    excessively large
  6. manage
    handle effectively
  7. corpse
    the dead body of a human being
  8. pedal
    a lever that is operated with the foot
  9. manual
    of or relating to the hands
  10. corporeal
    characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
  11. binoculars
    an optical instrument for simultaneous use by both eyes
  12. digit
    one of the elements that form a system of numeration
  13. per capita
    relating to each person individually
  14. prestidigitation
    manual dexterity in the execution of tricks
  15. ocular
    relating to or resembling the eye
  16. digital
    relating to or performed with the fingers
  17. maneuver
    a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity
  18. pedestrian
    a person who travels by foot
Created on Mon Mar 31 13:52:41 EDT 2014 (updated Mon Mar 31 15:18:01 EDT 2014)

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