acquiesce, ad-, ac-, af-, ag-, al-, ap-, as-, at-, ad lib, ad hoc, ad nauseum, ad infinitum, ad lib

Meanwhile, back to the a's...

acquiesce [French acquiescer Latin acquiesere, quiescere to be quiet]  to submit or accept passively

   Interesting in that it has a French derivation.  The same root as for the word ‘quiet.’

 

ad- or ac- or af- or ag- ­or al- or ap- or as- or at- 

     all prefixes that mean “at”   

     I love the humor in this series of prefixes. 

 

ad lib [Latin ad to, libitum pleasure]  as you wish, without restraint

     It is interesting that ad lib has the same etymology as libido (Latin libitum pleasure).  Just go ahead and ad lib; fulfill your libido.  Ad lib was originally a musical notation for someone to improvise in classical music.  I think Thelonious Monk took this libitum to heart as all his songs are filled with creative ad lib-ing.  Note that it can be a noun or a verb.  Also thanks to Sigmund Freud (German freude joy) for his creation of the concept of the subconscious libido. 

     A composite of all the “ad” phrases:

            Ad hoc

            Ad hominem

            Ad nauseam

            Ad infinitum

            Ad lib 

ad hoc [Latin for this] for a particular end or case as opposed to a something general; a committee formed for a specific purpose.

     An ad hoc committee has a specific function and purpose, i.e. preparation for the prom dance, picking a political nominee, etc.

ad hominem [Latin to the person]  an attack on a person’s character rather than on their intellect; appealing to prejudices and feelings rather than intellect

     Now to me this sums up politics in general and the 2016 race for the president in particular. The divisive tweets, filled with accusations and rancor seem to come ad infinitum, ad nauseam…and ad hominem.  They are aimed at other politicians who are too lethargic, too crooked, to nasty, too little, too unattractive. 

      I am currently reading Macbeth and the premise is that Macbeth, having been granted a higher position (thane of Cawdor) by Duncan, the King of Scotland, after Macbeth has vanquished Cawdor in battle, now has higher goals of becoming King of Scotland.   How will he do this?  By killing Duncan.  Lady Macbeth is thrilled that he might become king, but she is concerned that he is too gentle of a spirit to do this deed.  She says that “Yet I do fear thy nature; it is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness.”  (1.5.16).  What a poignant phrase, so characteristic of Shakespeare.  I often read painfully along, almost writhing at the portrayals of these base emotions, only to find an exquisite phrase that touches my soul.