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| Malaprop Man! (Source: Frank and Ernest by Tom Thaves) |
MALAPROPS
Words containing the same stem but indisputably distinguished by a suffix or prefix
A malaprop is a word used in the belief that it has the meaning that really belongs to another word that has a similar sound.
Words containing the same stem are often confused, but some may be distinguished by a suffix or prefix.
'She writes comprehensively enough when she writes to M. de Bassompierre: he who runs may read.' In fact, Ginevra's epistles to her wealthy kinsman were commonly business documents, unequivocal applications for cash.—C. Brontë.
The context proves that comprehensibly is meant.
The working of the staff at the agent's disposal was to a great extent voluntary, and, therefore, required all the influence of judicial management in order to avoid inevitable difficulties.—Times. (judicious)
A not uncommon blunder.
By all means let us have bright, hearty, and very reverend services.—Daily Telegraph. (reverent)
Not uncommon.
He chuckled at his own perspicuity.—Corelli.
If the writer had a little more perspicuity he would have known that the Church Congress would do nothing of the kind.—Daily Telegraph.
Perspicuity is clearness or transparency: insight is perspicacity, -uity of style, -acity of mind. Very common.
Selected in the beginning, I know, for your great ability and trustfulness.—Dickens. (trustworthiness)
Wise, firm, faithless; secret, crafty, passionless; watchful and inscrutable; acute and insensate—withal perfectly decorous—what more could be desired?—C. Brontë.
Apparently for insensible in the meaning hardhearted. Though modern usage fluctuates, it seems to tend towards the meaning, stupidly unmoved by prudence or by facts; at any rate acute and insensate are incompatible.
In the meantime the colossal advertisement in the German Press of German aims, of German interests, and of German policy incontinently proceeds.—Times.
The idiomatic sense of incontinently is immediately; it seems here to be used for continually.
I was awaiting with real curiosity to hear the way in which M. Loubet would today acquit himself.—Times. (waiting)
Awaiting is always transitive.
But they too will feel the pain just where you feel it now, and they will bethink themselves the only unhappy on the earth.—Crockett.
There is no sort of authority for bethink—like think—with object and complement. To bethink oneself is to remember, or to hit upon an idea.
And Pizarro . .. established the city of Arequipa, since arisen to such commercial celebrity.—Prescott.
Arethusa arose; a difficulty arises; but to greatness we can only rise—unless, indeed, we wake to find ourselves famous; then we do arise to greatness.
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