Another name for an etymon is a root word, or the provenance from which a certain word (or group of words) originates. 

There are lots of words about talking, which makes sense in the study of any language.

Conversation is the essence of our communication with each other.  We speak, shout, whisper, gossip, plead, scold, praise, declare, argue, orate and opine – to name a few.

The etymological beginning of our talking prefix and suffix comes from the Latin word loqor, which means “to speak”.  The Latin variation loquax is defined as “inclination to speak”.  From there come our words loquacity : “a flow of talk” , and loquacious : “extremely talkative”.  In addition to English, the languages of French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian all use this Latin etymon for their own similar “talkative” words. 

The English root word derived from Latin is “loquy”.  It means “a significant amount of talking”.  With loquacity and loquacious , the etymon is used as a prefix.  In many of our “talking” words, though, “loquy” is often a suffix.  Whenever you see it in a word, you will automatically understand that somehow there is talking – often pointed or plentiful – within the word.

Here are a few:

Ventriloquy:  The act of speaking in a way to disguise the voice so that it seems another is speaking.  A person who uses ventriloquy is called a ventriloquist:  The ventriloquist was so expert in his act that we couldn’t see his lips move at all.

Colloquy:  A conference where there is much discussion among scholars or experts in a certain field:  The annual Geological Colloquy meets next week at the college.  (The adjective “colloquial” is often used to describe a spoken language or vernacular – such as colloquial Spanish – the living, idiomatic language spoken by a populace rather than what is taught in textbooks).

Soliloquy:  The act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud to oneself.  It is a favorite among plays such as Shakespeare’s, where actors often speak their thoughts aloud in lengthy prose:  Hamlet’s “To Be or Not To Be” speech is probably Shakespeare’s most famous soliloquy.

Obloquy:  Widespread, strongly worded criticism or verbal abuse, often on a public scale for a certain person or group of people:  The senator had to resign after the obloquy that resulted from his scandal.

Somniloquy: The act of talking in one’s sleep:  My roommate finally agreed to see a doctor about her nightly somniloquies.

There are more, but you get the idea.

The anatomy and evolution of language are rather amazing.

Pass it on!