拉丁词根(二十一):携、贡、选与愿
一、lat:携
拉丁词根 lat-(携)来自动词 ferre(携带)的完成词干 lātus(被携带的)。在英语里多为 lat-。本义「携带、传递」,与 translate、relate 同族。
lat- “carry, bring”
- translate /trænsˈleɪt/ trans-( across)+ lat- + -e,携到对面 → 翻译。例: Can you translate this letter into English?
- relate /rɪˈleɪt/ re-(回)+ lat- + -e,携回(建立联系)→ 叙述、使相关。例: The report relates to the events of last year.
- relation /rɪˈleɪʃn/ relate + -ion,被联系起来的(状态)→ 关系、亲属。例: There is a close relation between diet and health.
- relay /ˈriːleɪ/ re-(再)+ lay(lat- 变体),再次传递 → 转播、接力。例: The message was relayed to the headquarters.
- collate /kəˈleɪt/ col-(一起)+ lat- + -e,携到一起(比对)→ 核对、整理。例: Please collate the documents before binding.
二、trib:贡、给
拉丁词根 trib-(贡、给)来自动词 tribuere(分配、给予)。在英语里多为 trib-。本义「分配、贡赋」,引申为「贡献、归属」等。
trib- “give, assign”
- contribute /kənˈtrɪbjuːt/ con-(一起)+ trib- + -ute,一起给予 → 贡献、捐献。例: Everyone contributed to the success of the project.
- tribute /ˈtrɪbjuːt/ trib- + -ute,给予(的贡品或敬意)→ 贡品、颂词。例: The concert was a tribute to the late composer.
- distribute /dɪˈstrɪbjuːt/ dis-(分开)+ trib- + -ute,分开给予 → 分配、分发。例: Aid was distributed to the flood victims.
- attribute /əˈtrɪbjuːt/ at-(ad- 向)+ trib- + -ute,给予(归因于)→ 把……归因于;属性。例: She attributes her success to hard work.
- tribunal /traɪˈbjuːnl/ trib- + -unal,分配(裁决)的机构 → 法庭、裁判所。例: The case was heard by an international tribunal.
三、leg / lect:选(读、择)
拉丁词根 leg- / lect-(选、读)来自动词 legere(挑选、阅读)。与第十七章「法」义的 leg/lex(lēx)不同源:本章为「选、读」义。在英语里多为 lect-。
leg- / lect- “choose, read”
- elect /ɪˈlekt/ e-(出)+ lect,选出来 → 选举、选择。例: He was elected president last year.
- select /sɪˈlekt/ se-( apart)+ lect,分开选出 → 挑选。例: Please select a password for your account.
- collect /kəˈlekt/ col-(一起)+ lect,选到一起 → 收集。例: She collects stamps from around the world.
- neglect /nɪˈɡlekt/ neg-(不)+ lect,不选(不顾)→ 忽视、疏忽。例: Don’t neglect your health.
- lecture /ˈlektʃə/ lect- + -ure,读/讲(给人听)→ 讲座、讲课。例: He gave a lecture on ancient history.
四、opt:选、愿
拉丁词根 opt-(选、愿)来自动词 optāre(选择、希望)。在英语里多为 opt-。本义「选择、愿望」,与 option、adopt 相关。
opt- “choose, wish”
- option /ˈɒpʃn/ opt- + -ion,选择(项)→ 选项、选择权。例: We have no option but to wait.
- adopt /əˈdɒpt/ ad-(向)+ opt,向……选择(认取)→ 采纳、收养。例: They decided to adopt a child.
- optional /ˈɒpʃənl/ option + -al,可选的 → 可选的、非强制的。例: Attendance at the meeting is optional.
- optimum /ˈɒptɪməm/ opt- + -imum,最符合愿望的 → 最佳、最优。例: The plants grow best at an optimum temperature of 20°C.
五、elig:选(选出的)
elig- 来自拉丁 ēligere(ē- 出 + legere 选),即「选出」。在英语里多为 elig- 或 eleg-。与 leg/lect 同源,侧重「被选出的、合资格的」。
elig- “choose out” (e- + leg)
- eligible /ˈelɪdʒəbl/ elig- + -ible,可被选出的 → 有资格的、符合条件的。例: You are eligible for a refund if you apply within 30 days.
- elegant /ˈelɪɡənt/ e- + leg- + -ant,选出来的(出众)→ 优雅的、精美的。例: She wore an elegant dress to the party.
leg/lect:选·读 vs 法
拉丁有两个不同的 leg:一是 legere(选、读)→ elect、select、collect、lecture、eligible、elegant(本章);二是 lēx(法律)→ legal、legislate、privilege(第十七章)。遇到 leg/lect 时看语境:与「选举、选择、收集、讲座」相关多为「选/读」义;与「合法、立法」相关多为「法」义。
六、小结与下一步
本章介绍了五组词根:lat(携)→ translate、relate、relation、relay、collate;trib(贡、给)→ contribute、tribute、distribute、attribute、tribunal;leg/lect(选、读)→ elect、select、collect、neglect、lecture;opt(选、愿)→ option、adopt、optional、optimum;elig(选出)→ eligible、elegant。下一章我们会学习「游、荡与强弱势」:err、vag、fort、val、debil、grav。