Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardGreek Roots

The astrophysicist gained widespread attention after proposing a heterodox model of galaxy formation. What does the word heterodox most nearly mean?

  1. A
    Conforming strictly to traditional standards
  2. B
    Exhibiting identical characteristics throughout
  3. Holding unconventional or differing opinionsAnswer
  4. D
    Originating from ancient inherited customs

Answer

Holding unconventional or differing opinions
The word 'heterodox' derives from the Greek roots 'heteros' (meaning 'other' or 'different') and 'doxa' (meaning 'opinion' or 'belief'). Therefore, a heterodox idea or model is one that deviates from accepted or established doctrines, signifying unconventional or differing beliefs.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Isolate the initial Greek morpheme 'hetero-'.
Identified 'hetero-' meaning 'other', 'different', or 'divergent'.
Deconstructing compound scientific and academic terms into Greek roots helps deduce unfamiliar vocabulary.
2
Isolate the base Greek root 'dox' (from doxa).
Identified 'dox' meaning 'opinion', 'belief', or 'praise'.
Understanding the base morpheme determines the primary conceptual domain of the word.
3
Synthesize the combined morphological meaning with the sentence context.
A model holding 'different/other opinions' corresponds to an unconventional, unorthodox perspective.
Integrating root meanings provides the accurate definition matching the contextual usage.

Key Concept

Morphological analysis of Greek roots 'hetero-' (different, other) and 'dox' (opinion, belief)
Estimated Time:45s
Rate this question

Topics

Greek Roots

More questions from this topic