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fandom_grammarToday we’re going to take a look at three words that, because of similar spellings, may often be confusing to differentiate. Let’s jump right in and talk about indignation, ignition, and indigestion, with a little help from our friends in the original series of Star Trek.
Indignation
The noun indignation (and its adjective form indignant) derive from the French term indignacion, which ultimately comes from the Latin indignus, meaning “unworthy.” The roots of this word are in, meaning “not, or opposite of” and dignus, “worthy;” it’s worth it to note that the word dignity also comes from dignus. From indignus arises the verb indignari, “regard as unworthy, be angry or displeased at.” That definition has followed indignation down through the years and is still the meaning today. If one feels indignation, one is feeling a strong displeasure or righteous anger at something considered offensive, unfair, wrong, or unworthy; it could even be considered an affront to one’s dignity.
Perhaps it’s lucky that Mister Spock is a Vulcan; otherwise, he’d be dealing with affronts to his dignity all the time:
Ignition
Ignition, another noun, has definitions mostly related to making something start burning. The ignition system in the car starts the fuel burning so that the engine works. If one ignites a pile of leaves, one sets them on fire. Any time something is heated to the point of combustion, it has reached ignition.
Ignition and the verb ignite also come from the Latin, like indignation above. The Latin ignire, meaning “set on fire,” gives us the French word ignition.
It doesn’t matter if you’re driving something with an internal combustion engine running on fossil fuels or a warp core with dilithium crystals; it needs an on-switch:
Indigestion
Most of us have suffered with indigestion at one point or another—that unpleasant burning sensation in the stomach or chest, sometimes accompanied by nausea, bloating, and belching or flatulence. Indigestion is a difficulty in digesting food (or something other than food).
Perhaps unsurprisingly, indigestion also has French and Latin roots. The French indigestion derives from the Latin indigestionem; again, in means “not, or opposite of” and digestionem, “assimilate food in the bowels.” So when one has indigestion, one is not assimilating the food in the bowels, which could definitely lead to pain and bloating.
One would hope indigestion would be cured in the 23rd century:
These three words might not be so easily confused if you remember their roots. Indignation is anger at an affront to your dignity. Ignition could be more easily remembered if you think of ignite, which rhymes with “light [my fire].” Indigestion may be best remembered as gastric distress (and needing a dose of Pepto).
Sources:
Merriam-Webster online here, here, and here
Dictionary.com here, here, and here
The Free Dictionary here, here, and here
Etymology Online here, here, and here
Indignation
The noun indignation (and its adjective form indignant) derive from the French term indignacion, which ultimately comes from the Latin indignus, meaning “unworthy.” The roots of this word are in, meaning “not, or opposite of” and dignus, “worthy;” it’s worth it to note that the word dignity also comes from dignus. From indignus arises the verb indignari, “regard as unworthy, be angry or displeased at.” That definition has followed indignation down through the years and is still the meaning today. If one feels indignation, one is feeling a strong displeasure or righteous anger at something considered offensive, unfair, wrong, or unworthy; it could even be considered an affront to one’s dignity.
Perhaps it’s lucky that Mister Spock is a Vulcan; otherwise, he’d be dealing with affronts to his dignity all the time:
“Doctor McCoy,” Spock began, using that tone that Jim knew set McCoy’s teeth on edge. “I must protest your insistence in using emotional terms to—”
McCoy merely grinned, though. “Oh, I’ll just bet all this talk of emotion has got you quivering in indignation.”
Spock raised both eyebrows. “Vulcans do not quiver, Doctor.”
Ignition
Ignition, another noun, has definitions mostly related to making something start burning. The ignition system in the car starts the fuel burning so that the engine works. If one ignites a pile of leaves, one sets them on fire. Any time something is heated to the point of combustion, it has reached ignition.
Ignition and the verb ignite also come from the Latin, like indignation above. The Latin ignire, meaning “set on fire,” gives us the French word ignition.
It doesn’t matter if you’re driving something with an internal combustion engine running on fossil fuels or a warp core with dilithium crystals; it needs an on-switch:
“I have no power to the helm,” Mister Sulu called, hands dancing over his console.
Kirk toggled the intercom. “Captain to Engineering. Mister Scott, did you forget the keys to the ignition again?”
Indigestion
Most of us have suffered with indigestion at one point or another—that unpleasant burning sensation in the stomach or chest, sometimes accompanied by nausea, bloating, and belching or flatulence. Indigestion is a difficulty in digesting food (or something other than food).
Perhaps unsurprisingly, indigestion also has French and Latin roots. The French indigestion derives from the Latin indigestionem; again, in means “not, or opposite of” and digestionem, “assimilate food in the bowels.” So when one has indigestion, one is not assimilating the food in the bowels, which could definitely lead to pain and bloating.
One would hope indigestion would be cured in the 23rd century:
McCoy regarded the natives’ feast with a jaundiced eye and scanned various platters with his tri-corder. “Mushrooms in every dish,” he muttered. “They always give me indigestion and that makes me cranky.”
“By that rule, Doctor,” Spock said from behind him, “you have indigestion approximately 95.9% of the time.”
These three words might not be so easily confused if you remember their roots. Indignation is anger at an affront to your dignity. Ignition could be more easily remembered if you think of ignite, which rhymes with “light [my fire].” Indigestion may be best remembered as gastric distress (and needing a dose of Pepto).
Sources:
Merriam-Webster online here, here, and here
Dictionary.com here, here, and here
The Free Dictionary here, here, and here
Etymology Online here, here, and here
