Section 1
The Latin Foot: PES, PEDIS
Let's step right into our first group of words, all derived from the Latin root for 'foot,' PES or PEDIS. These words deal with movement, progress, and lineage.
Key Words
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| expedient (adj./n.) | Appropriate to a purpose or useful in achieving a goal; A means to an end |
| expedite (v.) | To help or hurry the progress of something; To perform business quickly |
| impede (v.) | To hinder; to block the way of |
| pedigree (n.) | A line or list of ancestors, especially of a distinguished kind; A recorded line of descent showing pure breeding of animals |
| pedometer (n.) | A device that calculates distance traveled by counting the number of steps taken |
📝Example Usage
- While it wasn't the most ethical choice, the company found it expedient to settle the lawsuit out of court to avoid further negative publicity.
- You can pay an additional fee to expedite the processing of your passport application if you are scheduled to travel within the week.
- Lack of funding and poor regional infrastructure continue to impede the progress of the new housing development project.
- The champion racehorse has an impressive pedigree, with both of its parents being former Triple Crown winners.
- To ensure he reached his daily fitness goal, he checked his pedometer frequently throughout the afternoon.
🧠Memory Trick
- To expedite the delivery, the messenger decided it was expedient to use a pedometer to track his route, but the fallen trees continued to impede his progress, making him wish he had the strong pedigree of a champion runner.