Question

practice
complete the following items.

1. write definitions of gruesome and loathsome that demonstrate how the suffix -some contributes to their meanings.
2. using a print or digital dictionary, identify and then write the parts of speech, word origins, and meanings of these words featuring the suffix -some: burdensome, cumbersome, meddlesome, noisome.

Explanation:

1. The suffix "-some" often means "characterized by" or "tending to". "Gruesome" means causing repulsion or horror, as in being characterized by horror. "Loathsome" means causing loathing or disgust, so it is characterized by disgust.

2.

• "Burdensome": Part of speech - adjective. Word origin - from "burden" + "-some". Meaning - causing difficulty or discomfort, characterized by being a burden.
• "Cumbersome": Part of speech - adjective. Word origin - from "cumber" (hindrance) + "-some". Meaning - large and heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use; characterized by being a hindrance.
• "Meddlesome": Part of speech - adjective. Word origin - from "meddle" + "-some". Meaning - inclined to interfere in other people's affairs; characterized by meddling.
• "Noisome": Part of speech - adjective. Word origin - from "noise" (in the older sense of a harmful exhalation) + "-some". Meaning - having an extremely unpleasant smell; characterized by being offensive - smelling.

Answer:

1. "Gruesome" means causing horror or repulsion, with the suffix "-some" indicating that it is characterized by horror. "Loathsome" means causing disgust, with "-some" showing it is characterized by disgust.

2.

• Burdensome: Adjective, from "burden" + "-some", causing difficulty as it is characterized by being a burden.
• Cumbersome: Adjective, from "cumber" + "-some", difficult to carry or use as it is characterized by being a hindrance.
• Meddlesome: Adjective, from "meddle" + "-some", inclined to interfere as it is characterized by meddling.
• Noisome: Adjective, from "noise" (old - sense) + "-some", having an unpleasant smell as it is characterized by being offensive - smelling.