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Question

Difficulty: HardPrefix and Suffix Analysis

The intelligence analyst provided a perspicacious evaluation of the adversary's logistical vulnerabilities, identifying critical supply bottlenecks that others had overlooked. In this context, what does the word perspicacious most nearly mean?

  1. A
    Persistent
  2. DiscerningAnswer
  3. C
    Unobservant
  4. D
    Suspicious

Answer

Discerning
The word 'perspicacious' is built from the Latin prefix 'per-' (thoroughly), the root 'spic' (to see or look), and the suffix '-acious' (having the quality of). Together, these components define someone who sees through complexities with keen mental perception, making 'discerning' the exact synonym.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the prefix and root components of the target word 'perspicacious'.
The prefix 'per-' means 'thoroughly' or 'through', and the Latin root 'spic' (from 'specere') means 'to look' or 'to see'.
Deconstructing the word into its base affixes reveals the core meaning of seeing through or examining thoroughly.
2
Analyze the derivational suffix of 'perspicacious'.
The adjectival suffix '-acious' means 'inclined to', 'abounding in', or 'characterized by'.
Suffix analysis confirms that the word functions as an adjective describing someone characterized by clear-sightedness and keen observation.
3
Synthesize the morphological elements and match them with the most precise synonym.
'Perspicacious' signifies possessing acute mental vision and insight, which directly matches 'discerning'.
A discerning individual exhibits insightful judgment and perceptive understanding in evaluating complex situations.

Key Concept

Morphological Analysis of Latin Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes for Synonym Identification
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Prefix and Suffix Analysis

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