Page:Stories from Tagore (IA storiesfromtagor00tago).pdf/234

220 tobacco. This word came originally from Central America. It was brought to Europe by the Spaniards, who pronounced it “ tabaco.” It has now travelled all round the world, and has gained a place in all the Indian vernaculars as well as in the Further East.

boon. The Old English word “ ben ” meant a prayer, and this was the original meaning of “ boon.” But a new word appeared in English, viz. the adjective “ boon ” from the French “bon,” meaning “good.” (Compare boon companion). This influenced the earlier word, which thus gained its present meaning of a “ blessing” or “ gift.”

smoulder. “ Smolder ” is an Old English word meaning “ smoke.” Cognate words in English are smother and small, which come from the same root.

gingerly. The origin of this word is very doubtful. Some connect it with “ ging or “ gang,” meaning “ to go.” Others with “ gent-” meaning “ gentle ” or “ graceful.” The word has no relation to “ ginger ” which is an Eastern word coming originally from the Sanskrit çraga-vera and the Hindustani zunjubil.

fantastic. From the Greek “ phainō,” to manifest. Compare emphasis, emphatic, fantasy, fancy, phenomenon.