Lesson 9 Making Changes

 Flexible  Flex + ible (able)  Literal definition – able to bend  Dictionary definition – (adj) capable of bending easily without breaking  The new garden hose is very flexible.

 Genuflect  Genu (knee) + flect  Literal definition – bent knee  Dictionary definition – (v) to lower one’s body briefly by bending one knee to the ground, typically in worship or as a sign of respect  When the queen walked by, her subjects genuflected.

 Reflect  Re (back, again) + flect  Literal definition – bend back, bend again  Dictionary definition – (v) to bend back heat, light, or sound without absorbing it; to show an image with mirrors; to think deeply or carefully about  Wolfgang reflected on his actions after getting thrown out of the Golden Corral for wasting food.

 Fraction  Fract + ion (act of)  Literal definition – act of breaking  Dictionary definition – (n) numerical quantity that is not a whole number; a small or tiny part, amount, or portion  The two cars came within a fraction of an inch of colliding with one another.

 Fragile  Frag + ile (pertaining to)  Literal definition – pertaining to breaking  Dictionary definition – (adj) easily broken or damaged  The glass vase was extremely fragile, and great caution had to be taken when moving it.

 Infraction  In (in, into) + fract + ion (act of)  Literal definition – act of breaking into  Dictionary definition – (n) a violation or infringement of a law, agreement, or set of rules  Because of his multiple infractions on Friday, Wolfgang will be in ISS all next week.

 Autograph  Auto (self) + graph  Literal definition – self write  Dictionary definition – (n) a writing by an individual’s own self; a signature, especially that of a celebrity written as a memento for an admirer; (v) to write one’s name  When Sponge Bob visited Endeavor, he gave me his autograph!

 Graphic  Graph + ic (related to)  Literal definition – related to recording  Dictionary definition – (adj) vivid, as if drawn or written; of or relating to visual art, especially involving drawing, engraving, or lettering; giving a vivid picture with explicit details  When I grow up, I want to study graphic design at NC State.

 Monogram  Mono (one) + gram  Literal definition – one writing  Dictionary definition – (n) one writing or design; two or more letters, usually a person’s initials, combined in a decorative design and used as a logo or to identify personal possessions; (v) to decorate with a design  Lebinda had all of her luggage monogrammed before leaving on her trip.

 Disrupt  Dis (apart) + rupt  Literal definition – break apart  Dictionary definition – (v) to interrupt an event, activity, or process by causing a disturbance or problem  Please don’t disrupt the class by getting out of your seat without permission.

 Erupt  E (out) + rupt  Literal definition – break out  Dictionary definition – (v) to eject lava, ash, and gases from a volcano; to give vent to enthusiasm, amusement, anger, or other feelings in a sudden and noisy way  If you touch my pizza one more time, I think I am going to erupt!

 Rupture  Rupt + ure (act of)  Literal definition – act of breaking, act of bursting  Dictionary definition – (v) to break or burst suddenly; (n) an instance of breaking or bursting suddenly and completely  When the pipes froze, the water line ruptured and caused a massive amount of water to leak into the house.

 Adversary  Ad (toward) + vers + ary (one connected with)  Literal definition – one connected with turning toward something  Dictionary definition – (n) literally turned toward something; one’s opponent in a conflict, contest, or dispute  Wolfgang’s greatest adversary, Lebinda, knew how to counter all of his kicks and punches.

 Controversy  Contra (against) + vers + y (result of)  Literal definition – result of turning against  Dictionary definition – (n) a disagreement, typically prolonged, public, and heated  The Wake County Schools’ new assignment plan has had its share of controversy the last couple of years.

 Diversity  Di (away) + vers + ity (quality of)  Dictionary definition – (n) literally, turning away from the same; variety; a range of different things  The diversity of the people living in and around this area is amazing.

 Revert  Re (back) + vert  Literal definition – turn back  Dictionary definition – to return to a previous state, condition, practice, etc.  I see that you’ve reverted to acting like a first grader again. How disappointing!