Etymology Trivia Questions
Total Questions: 36
What term, derived from the Latin for 'betrothal,' refers to a marriage partner, either husband or wife?
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spouse
What insect's name might come from the old belief that witches in its shape flew around stealing butter?
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butterfly
What word, meaning a mineral used for seasoning, is the origin of the term 'salad' in Latin due to Roman dressing habits?
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salt
Vinyl and vintage are both derived from 'vinum', the Latin word for what fruit?
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grape
What fruit did the Romans refer to as an 'apple with seeds', which later influenced the term 'grenade'?
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pomegranate
What word, derived from two Greek words meaning 'stone of magnesia,' means 'attractive'?
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magnet
From which ancient language do scholars estimate that half of the words in English are derived?
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latin
What Latin name originally referred to the Morning Star and means 'light bringer'?
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lucifer
What element does the Latin phrase 'per fumum' in the etymology of the word 'perfume' translate as 'through'?
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smoke
What term, originating from Hebrew, describes a little angel often shown as a rosy-cheeked child?
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cherub
What word, meaning an ignorant person, originated from the name of John Duns Scotus?
Medium
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dunce
From which percussion instrument does the word 'chime' originate?
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cymbal
What term for the poisonous secretion of a snake originates from the Latin word for 'poison'?
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venom
Which term, derived from the Greek words nostos meaning 'a return home' and algos meaning 'pain', describes the pain felt when remembering the past?
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nostalgia
What is a coverlet made of two layers of fabric with a layer of cotton between, originating from the Latin word 'culcita' meaning 'mattress'?
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quilt
What term, originating from the Greek word for 'witness,' refers to someone who dies for their faith, such as a Christian thrown to the lions?
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martyr
The word 'blanket' is derived in part from Old French for what color?
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white
What 2-bladed snipping tool gets its name from the Latin word 'caedere' which means 'to cut'?
Medium
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scissors
What word, originating from the Latin term for 'worm', is defined as 'animals obnoxious to man'?
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vermin
What is the name of the almond paste confection that derives its name from a Medieval Italian coin?
Hard
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marzipan
Which mammal's name originates from a corrupted French phrase that meant 'phony pig'?
Hard
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porcupine
Which term for a danger may originate from the Arabic word 'az-zahr', which means a gaming die?
Hard
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hazard
What 7-letter word, meaning a new member of a team, is the source of the term 'rookie'?
Hard
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recruit
What term, derived from the name of Plato's school, refers to an institution that offers specialized education?
Hard
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academy
From which language does the word 'meshugga' originate?
Hard
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yiddish
What is the unit of length that is equal to 1,760 yards and comes from the Latin word for 'thousand'?
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mile
What period, originating from the Latin word for 'hunger', describes a time when food is extremely scarce?
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famine
What is the type of Asian temple whose name originates from the Sanskrit word 'bhagavat'?
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pagoda
What bed pad has a name derived from the Arabic word 'taraha,' meaning 'to throw'?
Hard
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mattress
What term, originating from a Middle English word for a small horse, is used to describe a favorite pastime?
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hobby
What emotion, related to mourning at a grave, appears to share its root with the word 'grave'?
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grief
What legal defense term is derived from the Latin word meaning 'elsewhere'?
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alibi
What word was originally used to describe a boisterous, rude lad but is now used to refer to a young girl who behaves like a boy?
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tomboy
What does the Greek word from which the name 'angel' is derived mean, describing an angel's role?
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messenger
What is the term for a magical little sprite, derived from the name given to the goddesses of fate, Fata?
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fairy
Which preservation technique's name is derived from the Greek words meaning 'arrangement' and 'skin'?
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taxidermy
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