Definition: a fit of rage or hysterics
Context: My friend recently told me that one of our friends broke her boyfriend's television and it "looked like he was going to have a conniption".
History: It appears that there is no agreed-upon origin of the word conniption, however, it was first used in the 1830s and is believed to be related to the word 'corruption'. Corruption previously referred to anger, or the informal English word 'canapshus' which literally means 'ill-tempered'.
Word 2: palliate
Definition: to make (an offense or crime) seem less serious; to make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or intense
Context: In my psychology homework, reading about stereotypes and prejudice, I came across the statement that "individual acts can palliate, but cannot end, [prejudice]".
History: The word palliate originated in the 15th century, coming from the middle English/Latin word 'palliatus' or 'palliare' which means to cloak or conceal. Palliative care refers to an area of health care that focuses on relieving and preventing the symptoms and suffering of patients.
Word 3: invalid
Definition: one who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or disability
Context: I was always aware of the word invalid (referring to the definition 'not legally or factually valid'), but the first time I saw invalid in a different context was in our linguistics homework [Ch. 2, Exercise 2.6] as in, "The insurance was invalid for the invalid".
History: The definition of invalid that I speak of comes from the Latin word 'invalidus' meaning 'not strong, infirm, weak, feeble', or from in- (not) + validus (strong). The word was first used in the 1630s-1640s specifically meaning 'infirm from sickness, disease, or injury'.
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