Belay That Order Trivia Quiz

Answer: beware

"Beware" (from "ware", archaic form of "aware") means "use caution" or "pay attention to" - which of course is why this verb is generally followed by words denoting some form of danger. In modern English, it is used only in the imperative form (as in "beware of the dog", or "buyer beware"), or - more rarely - in the infinitive (as in "you should beware of false friends").

The other forms of this verb are considered obsolete.

Answer: bereaved

The verb "bereave" is derived from "reave", a word of Germanic origin meaning "rob", "plunder". Its past participle form, "bereaved", is mainly used in reference to the condition following the loss of a loved one, as in "a bereaved husband/wife/parent". The archaic form of the past participle, "bereft", is mostly used as an adjective, especially in phrases such as "bereft of hope".

Answer: betrayal

"Betrayal" is the noun derived from the verb "betray", which in turn comes from the French "traïr". Its main meaning implies a violation of personal trust (as in the case of Judas and Brutus), while "treason" (which has the same etymology) is used in a legal and political context (as in "high treason").

Answer: bewildered

The past participle of the verb "bewilder", "bewildered" is a synonym of "puzzled", "confused". The root verb, "wilder", is probably a back formation from "wilderness". Therefore, being confused is compared to wandering in the wilderness.

Answer: bequest

"Bequest" is a noun of Middle English origin related to the verb "bequeath" (related in turn to the archaic form "quoth" [said], as in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven"), and meaning "inheritance" or "legacy". In legal language, it denotes a gift of personal property, while the term "devise" refers to real estate; however, nowadays the two words are used interchangeably.

Answer: belated

Indeed, these days you can find "happy belated birthday" greeting cards, both in physical and digital form! "Belated" is the past participle of the archaic, rarely-used verb "belate", derived from the adjective "late" and synonymous with "delay".

Answer: beholder

The saying, of course, is "beauty is (lies) in the eye of the beholder" - an old adage pointing out that the perception of beauty is subjective. Indeed, the phrase "eye of the beholder" refers to an evaluation that depends on individual perception rather than abstract criteria.

The noun "beholder" (synonymous with "observer" or "spectator") comes from the verb "behold", often found in literary or religious texts (such as the KJV Bible or Shakespeare's work) to mean "see" or "look at".

Answer: bespoke

The adjective "bespoke" is derived from "bespeak", meaning "ask for something". In modern English (especially British) it is almost exclusively used to mean "custom-made" when referring to clothes - as in "a bespoke suit". It can also refer to the making or selling of such items - as in "bespoke tailor". Savile Row, in London's exclusive Mayfair neighbourhood, is the mecca of bespoke tailoring for men.

Answer: belittle

Derived from the adjective "little", though used mainly in a moral sense, the verb "belittle" is a synonym for "disparage", "denigrate", and has therefore a strong negative connotation. Unfortunately, many bosses, teachers and other people in positions of responsibility seem to thrive on belittling others!

Answer: becalmed

Derived from "calm", "becalmed" (the past participle of the verb "becalm") means unable to move due to lack of wind. Such a condition - masterfully described in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" - was far from uncommon before the advent of steam-powered ships. The other forms of "becalm" are very rarely used in modern English.