Lesson 2: DICT
The Root
DICT comes from Latin and means "to say" or "to speak."
When you see DICT in a word, think about speaking, saying, or declaring something.
Word List
| Word | Parts | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| dictate | — | to say something aloud for someone to write down; to give orders |
| predict | E- (out) + DICT (say) | to say what will happen before it occurs |
| contradict | — | to say the opposite of what someone else said |
| verdict | — | a decision announced in court; the final word |
| dictionary | DICT (say) + -ION (act of) + -ARY (place/collection) | a book that tells you what words mean |
| dictator | DICT (say) + -ATOR (one who does) | a ruler who tells everyone what to do |
| edict | BENE (good) / MALE (bad) + DICT (say) | an official order or announcement |
| indicate | IN- (toward) + DIC (say/point) + -ATE (to do) | to point out or show something |
| dedicate | DE- (completely) + DIC (say/assign) + -ATE (to do) | to set something apart for a special purpose |
| benediction | BENE (good) / MALE (bad) + DICT (say) | a blessing; saying something good |
| malediction | BENE (good) / MALE (bad) + DICT (say) | a curse; saying something bad |
| addict | AD- (toward) + DICT (say/assign) | someone who can't stop doing something |
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
Choose the word that best completes each sentence.
- The weather report will __________ rain for tomorrow.
a) predict
b) indicate
c) contradict
d) dedicate
- The jury returned a __________ of not guilty.
a) edict
b) verdict
c) dictionary
d) benediction
- Don't __________ me—I know what I saw!
a) predict
b) dictate
c) contradict
d) indicate
- The __________ seized power and banned all elections.
a) edict
b) addict
c) verdict
d) dictator
- She __________ her first novel to her grandmother.
a) indicated
b) contradicted
c) predicted
d) dedicated
- The red light on the dashboard might __________ an engine problem.
a) dedicate
b) contradict
c) indicate
d) predict
- The pastor ended the service with a __________.
a) verdict
b) benediction
c) malediction
d) edict
- I'm totally __________ to this TV show—I can't stop watching!
a) addicted
b) indicated
c) predicted
d) dedicated
- The king's __________ banned all travel outside the city walls.
a) edict
b) dictionary
c) benediction
d) verdict
- In fairy tales, witches often place a __________ on their enemies.
a) verdict
b) benediction
c) malediction
d) edict
- I had to look up the word in a __________ because I didn't know what it meant.
a) benediction
b) dictator
c) dictionary
d) verdict
- My boss likes to __________ exactly how things should be done—she doesn't ask for opinions.
a) dictate
b) contradict
c) predict
d) indicate
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
Use each word from the word bank exactly once.
Word Bank: dictate, predict, contradict, verdict, dictionary, edict, indicate, dedicate, benediction, malediction, dictator, addict
I looked up the word in the __________ to check the spelling.
Scientists use data to __________ what might happen next.
The king issued an __________ that banned all public gatherings.
Please don't __________ what I should wear—I can pick my own clothes.
The arrows on the wall __________ the direction to the exit.
Her story seems to __________ everything he just said.
After hours of waiting, the jury finally announced their __________.
The wizard placed a terrible __________ on the kingdom.
He's such a coffee __________—he drinks five cups a day!
I want to __________ this song to my best friend.
The priest gave a __________ to bless the new building.
The __________ ruled the country with an iron fist.
Practice 3: Reading Passage
The Trial
The courtroom was silent as the jury prepared to announce their verdict. For weeks, witnesses had given testimony that seemed to contradict each other. One said the defendant was at the crime scene; another said he was miles away. The defense lawyer argued that the evidence didn't indicate guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
When the jury foreman finally spoke, she dictated the decision slowly and clearly: "Not guilty." The room erupted. Some cried with relief. Others shook their heads, refusing to accept the outcome.
Outside, reporters tried to predict what would happen next. Would the prosecution appeal? Legal experts couldn't agree. One thing was certain—this case would end up in every law dictionary as a famous example of reasonable doubt.
Reading PassageQuestions
- In this passage, what does "verdict" mean?
a) A type of lawyer
b) A final decision in court
c) A piece of evidence
d) A legal dictionary
- The witnesses' stories "contradict" each other. This means:
a) They agree completely
b) They say opposite things
c) They are both lying
d) They predict the outcome
- What does it mean that the jury foreman "dictated" the decision?
a) She wrote it down
b) She said it aloud, slowly and clearly
c) She asked for opinions
d) She predicted it
- The defense lawyer argued the evidence didn't "indicate" guilt. This means:
a) The evidence proved guilt
b) The evidence didn't point to guilt
c) The evidence was missing
d) The evidence contradicted itself
- Why might this case end up in a law dictionary?
a) Because it was boring
b) Because it was a famous example of a legal concept
c) Because the jury couldn't decide
d) Because the lawyers predicted the outcome
Answer Key
Practice 1: Multiple Choice
- a
- b
- c
- d
- d
- c
- b
- a
- a
- c
- c
- a
Practice 2: Fill in the Blank
- dictionary
- predict
- edict
- dictate
- indicate
- contradict
- verdict
- malediction
- addict
- dedicate
- benediction
- dictator
Reading Passage Questions
- b
- b
- b
- b
- b