=landholder.= This method of forming compound words from two original
English words should be studied. Compare the following words
which have "land" for one of their parts: _landlord_,
_landowner_, _landlady_, _landslip_, _landfall_. When the second
word is not very closely attached to the first word, a hyphen is
put between, thus _land-grabber_, _land-shark_.
=extinct.= From the Latin "stinguere," to quench. Compare _distinct_,
_instinct_, _extinguish_, _distinguish_.
=cheque.= This word is the same as "check,"--only in this case the
original French form has been kept. The verb to "check" came into
English originally from the game of chess. In Eastern lands when
the chess king was in danger the word "Shah!" was called out, and
when the chess king could not move, "Shah mata!" These were
corrupted into "Check!" and "Checkmate!"
=bankrupt.= This word is a curious mixture of the old French "banque"
(compare _bench_, _banquet_) and the Latin "rumpere," to break
(compare _corrupt_, _disrupt_). It is thus a hybrid word in modern
English.
=filigree.= From two Latin words, "filum," a thread, and "granum," a
grain.
=otto-of-roses.= A corruption of attar. The word is originally Arabic
and Persian.
=turban.= This word has now taken its place in most of the European
languages. It has come to Europe from the Turkish "tulbend" and
the Persian "dulband."
=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 _ASec.raga-vera_ and the Hindustani _zunjubil_.
=fantastic.= From the Greek "phainA," to manifest. Compare _emphasis_,
_emphatic_, _fantasy_, _fancy_, _phenomenon_.