disparage

Arising in the 14^th Century from the Old French desparagier, this verb means to speak badly of, to be contemptuous of another.

The meaning can extend to damaging another’s reputation.

Be aware of the differences between 'deprecate', 'derogatory' and 'disparage'.

derogatory

While this word, as an adjective, is a close relation to deprecate (the verb), when one is derogatory, one is intending to be actively offensive to the person, event or activity.

deprecate

This word is a perfect example of how words change their meaning over time.

Originally, deprecare in Latin meant to pray (precare) in order to ward off something undesirable. 

Gradually, the word’s meaning shifted to one of disapproval. From that point it changed to its current meaning which is to belittle, to reduce, to diminish. This can apply to an activity, a person and/or their character.

When one deprecates an event, action or person, one is expressing disapproval and belittling the value of the event, action or person. 

guerilla

Arising in the 19^th Century from the Spanish ‘guerra’ meaning ‘war’, a guerilla is a member of a band of armed fighting men who attack a regular army via stealth, sabotage and harassment.

Guerilla warfare thus is a war that is fought by small bands of people using surprise tactics, sabotage and harassment to unseat a regular army or political force.

bizarre

When I explored this word, I was intrigued by its history.

Originally taken into English from the French after it had been absorbed from the Spanish bizarro (meaning brave), where it had, in turn, been adopted from the Basque bizar which translates as ‘beard’.

What a journey!

It is used as an adjective in English to describe a person or object that is unconventional, even far-fetched, in style or appearance.

It is a word that provides living proof that language constantly changes!

adamant

This word describes a person or action as being unyielding in opinion or substance, fiercely determined to fulfil their purpose.

It has an interesting history arising from Indo-European roots, then travelling through Greek, Latin into its Middle English source where it meant a hard, precious stone.

It now chiefly serves us as an adjective where its original quality has become a metaphor for a particular attitude.