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Question

Difficulty: MediumPrefix and Suffix Analysis

The editor removed several superfluous details from the briefing to make it more concise. In this sentence, the word superfluous most nearly means which of the following?

  1. A
    essential
  2. B
    superior
  3. excessiveAnswer
  4. D
    fluent

Answer

The word 'excessive' is the correct synonym for 'superfluous'.
The word 'superfluous' is derived from the prefix 'super-' (beyond, over), the root 'flu' (to flow), and the adjective suffix '-ous' (characterized by). Literally meaning 'overflowing,' it describes something that exceeds what is necessary. In the context of removing unneeded content to achieve conciseness, 'excessive' is the exact synonym.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the morphological components of the target word 'superfluous'.
The word consists of the prefix 'super-' (above/over/beyond), the Latin root 'flu' (to flow), and the adjective suffix '-ous' (having the quality of).
Breaking down word structure reveals the literal meaning of 'overflowing' or 'beyond what is required'.
2
Evaluate the context within the sentence.
Removing details to make a briefing concise indicates those details were extra and unneeded.
Contextual clues reinforce the morphological deduction.
3
Match the derived meaning to the appropriate synonym.
'Excessive' directly denotes going beyond normal or necessary limits.
Aligning the morphological and contextual definitions with the provided options.

Key Concept

Deconstructing words using prefixes, roots, and suffixes to deduce meaning and identify precise synonyms.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Prefix and Suffix Analysis

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