Page:Stories from Tagore (IA storiesfromtagor00tago).pdf/212

198 the French word “morale” with accent on the last syllable is now becoming a common English word. In time it will probably be accented on the first syllable like ordinary English words and will drop its final “ e.”

gap. This is another Old Norwegian word meaning a wide opening. Compare gape. These Norwegian words came into English somewhat plentifully at the time of the Danish Conquest.

sympathy. From the Greek “syn” with, and "pathos" suffering. It should be noted that the word "compassion" from the Latin "cum" with, and "passio" suffering, has the same root meaning, viz. “suffering with another.”

law-suit. The English word “suit” comes from the Latin "sequi," to follow, which in French becomes “suivre.” We have two English forms, one form directly from the Latin, the other from the French. From the Latin prosecute, persecute, consecutive, execute. From the French pursue, ensue, sue. A “suit” in a game of cards means the cards that follow one another in a sequence. A “ suit ” of clothes means the trousers, coat, waistcoat, following the same pattern. Compare also the French word suite which has now been taken into English, e.g. a suite of rooms, a suite of furniture (pronounced like “ sweet ”).

'incoherence. From the Latin “ haerere,” to stick. Compare adhere, cohere, inherent, coherence.

foreign. From the Old French “forain,” out of doors. The letter “g” has become wrongly inserted in this word as also in “ sovereign.”

bargain. From the late Latin “barca,” a boat, because trade was carried on by boats along the rivers. Compare barque, barge, bark.

husky. From the noun husk, — as dry as a husk.

shawl. From the Persian word "shāl." A considerable