- abase: to lower
- bas: low
- cogn: know
- condescend: lower oneself
- de: down
- dict: say
- epigram: witty comment
- gram: writing
- inanimate: lifeless
- interstice: small space
- muta: change
- mutatis mutandis: with necessary changes
- nihil: nothing
- nihilism: belief in nothing
- obit: death
- obiter dictum: passing remark
- obsequious: servilely following
- pathetic fallacy: ascribing feelings to things
- ratiocination: methodical thinking
- re: again
- retort: swift reply
- sedate: calm
- super: over
- supersede: replace
- terr: land
- terra incognita: unknown land