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General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: neilep on 21/12/2004 18:24:25

Title: Origins of the word ' Penultimate'
Post by: neilep on 21/12/2004 18:24:25

Hello Everybody,

Silly question no 785.

I just used the word 'penultimate' in a paragraph...it's a great word and it just got me thinking...who on earth thought " hmm..you know what we need ?...we need a word that means next to last "....I suppose I just want to know, why does this word exist ?...what set of events led to it being invented ?...and are there equivelant words for , third  to last ? fourth to last ? etc etc.....

I hope a passing lexicographer or an expert on the word 'penultimate' passes by and answers this non scientific question.

Thanks

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

Title: Re: Origins of the word ' Penultimate'
Post by: Corbeille on 21/12/2004 21:32:23

Its from two latin words, paene (almost) and ultima (last). Similarly - penumbra (a word our astronomy friends are familiar with), has similar roots. paene and umbra (almost shadow).
Peninsula (almost an island)  and so on......

if your a bit stuck as to what a big word means, break it down into two or three bits and then think of words you have heard similar to the smaller bits. Chances are you will be able to work out the full meaning.
e.g Dendrochronologist.

answers to question 786?



 Nah pop no style, a strictly roots!

Title: Re: Origins of the word ' Penultimate'
Post by: neilep on 21/12/2004 21:39:19

Thanks Mucka !!.....I am humbly eductaed now !!

Enjoying married life ?  (silly question 786 ???)

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

Title: Re: Origins of the word ' Penultimate'
Post by: Corbeille on 21/12/2004 22:47:03

very much so!



 Nah pop no style, a strictly roots!

Title: Re: Origins of the word ' Penultimate'
Post by: pandaboy on 24/12/2004 17:37:46

Can we just say penultimate as "second last"? Used to hear a lot of people using that...