學習詞根---Unit1.1

韋氏三寶之一的綠皮書，被廣大英語學習者親切稱呼為「小綠」。近日偶然在書櫃中發現了這本被我買來就棄置不理長達四年的寶書，決定好好學習一番。

本書一共30個單元，為了記得牢固，打算一周一個單元，一天兩個詞根十六個單詞。簡單的部分直接翻譯了，為了保證原汁原味的理解，哲理性的語句和小故事都直接原文展示。

Unit 1

詞根：BENE 源自拉丁「well". A benefit is a good result or effect. Something beneficial produces good results or effects. 你常常可在其他語言中聽到拉丁詞根："Good"或者"Fine"在西班牙語中是"Bueno"；在法語中是"Bon"；在義大利語中是"Bene"

benediction. A prayer that asks for Gods blessing, especially a prayer that concludes a worship services.

例句：The moment the bishop had finished his benediction, she squeezed quickly out of her row and darted out the cathedrals side entrance.

在benediction這個單詞中，bene詞根源自另一個拉丁詞根dictio(意為speaking)，所以這個單詞的意思有點像"well-wishing". 可能最出名的benediction是《聖經》中Aaronic Benediction，即那句「May the Lord bless you and keep you".

An important section of the Catholic Mass was traditionally known as the Benedictus, after its first word (meaning "blessed"). It was St. Benedict who organized the first Christian monasteries; many Christians have been baptized Benedict in his honor, and 16 popes have taken it as their papal name.

benefactor. Someone who helps another person or group, especially by giving money.

例句：An anonymous benefactor had given $15 million to establish an ecological institute at the university.

benefactor是一個很好理解的詞，對應中文中的好心人（特指資助）.如：資助貧困學生上學；資助貧困地區建設圖書館；捐贈遺體給醫院以供醫學研究。原文舉了John D. Rockefeller為例，感興趣的可以自查其光輝事迹。個人覺得 叢飛 很符合這個詞所表達的意思。

beneficiary. A person or organization that benefits or is expected to benefit from something, especially one that receives money or property when someone dies.

例句：Living in a trailer in near-poverty, she received word in the mail that her father had died, naming her as the sole beneficiary of his life-insurance policy.

Beneficiary常被用在人生保險方面，在其他語境中還有如下的意思。

1. A college may be the beneficiary of a private donation.
2. Your uncles will may make a church his sole beneficiary, in which case all his money and property will go to it when he dies.
3. A third-party beneficiary. 即 第三方受益人

benevolence. Kindness, generosity.

例句：In those financially desperate years, the young couple was saved only by the benevolence of her elderly great-uncle.

部分benevolence源自拉丁詞根意為"wish". Charles Dickens的小說中常常有一個在關鍵點救了主角的慷慨的人物。像是《霧都孤兒》里的Mr.Brownlow，《大衛科波菲爾》里的Abel Magwitch等。

To be benevolent, it helps to have money, but its not necessary; kind assistance of a non-financial sort may turn out to be lifesaving benevolence as well.

詞根：AM 源自拉丁語amare, 意味"to love". 羅馬愛神有兩個眾所周知的名字，丘比特(Cupid)和Amor. Amiable意為"friendly or good-natured"。amigo在西班牙語中是」friend「的意思。

amicable. Friendly, peaceful.

例句：Their relations with their in-laws were generally amicable, despite some bickering during the holidays.

Amicable常常用來描述兩個group之間的關係，尤其是兩個nation之間。例如，美國和加拿大以有著世界上最大的不設防接壤邊境而自豪。So we often speak of an amicable meeting or an amicable settlement.

When amicable describes more personal relations, it may indicate a rather formal friendliness. But its always nice when two friends whove been quarreling manage to have an amicable conversation and to say amicable good-byes at the end.

enamored. Charmed or fascinated; inflamed with love.

例句：Rebecca quickly became enamored of the towns rustic surroundings, its slow pace, and its eccentric characters.

可以通過以下句子體會這個單詞的含義：

1. Computer hackers are always enamored of their new programs and games.
2. Millions of readers have found themselves enamored with Jane Austens novels.
3. Romeo and Juliet were, of course, utterly enamored of each other.

有時也用在消極的語境中：

1. A friend at work may complain that shes not enamored of the new boss, and when you start talking about how youre not enamored with neighbors it may be time to move.

amorous. Having or showing strong feelings of attraction or love.

例句：It turned out that the amorous Congressman had gotten his girlfriend a good job and was paying for her apartment.

在公園長椅上親吻的情侶、總是擁抱親吻的年輕夫婦都可以用amorous形容。

But the word is often used a bit sarcastically, as when a tabloid(通俗小報) newspaper gets hold of some scandalous photos and calls the participants "the amorous pair". In such case, we may be encouraged to think the attraction is more physical than emotional.

paramour. A lover, often secret, not allowed by law or custom.

例句：He had been coming the house for two years before her brothers realized that he was actually the paramour of their shy and withdrawn sister.

Paramour源自法語，現代法語已經棄用該詞。Since par amour meant "through love", it implies a relationship based solely on love, often physical love, rather than on social custom or ceremony. So today it tends to refer to the lover of a married man or a woman, but may be used for any lover who isnt obeying the social rules.

Quizzes:

Choose the closest synonym:

1. beneficiary a. benefit b. prayer c. recipient d. contributor
2. amorous a.friendly b.sympathetic c.loving d.kind
3. benediction a.blessing b.gift c.saint d.favor
4. amicable a.difficult b.friendly c.curious d.lazy
5. enamored a.strengthened b.engaged c.fond d.free
6. benefactor a.supporter b.priest c.donation d.kindness
7. paramour a.lover b.husband c.heaven d.affection
8. benevolence a.value b.kindness c.luck d.approval

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