The word “defenestration” is a bit odd, so one might not know it (or its constituent parts) at first glance. The prefix “de-”, which you likely do know, means down from (among other things). The “fenestration” portion is derived from the Latin for window; therefore, to be “defenestrated” is to be thrown down out of a window. Although there are not many English relatives to this root word, you might know the French “fenêtre” (window), or the related (though somewhat modified) “ventana” in Spanish.

In its strictest sense, “fodder” is the food used for livestock—general dried hay, etc. More broadly, it means something or someone used almost like material for a single job or a single role.

A "polyglot" is someone who knows—and can speak, read, or write in—several languages. The word literally (from its roots) means “many tongues.” You likely know the prefix “poly,” which comes from the Greek root for “many” and is used in English words like “polygamy.”  The second half of our word (“glot”) comes from the Greek for tongue and has many English relatives such as “glossary,” “gloss,” and a number of medical / biological terms like “epiglottis.”

The court ceremony had not merely changed but had grown; therefore, the best fit is “accretions” which are things added in making something grow or increase. The key root for this word is “-cresc-,” which comes from a Latin root that is seen in similar words like “crescendo” (to increase in volume or force), decrease (to lose—“de”—size or force), and even accrue (to increase by having regular additions made to an amount over time, e.g. interest in a bank account).

Here, the key is to note that the annoyance is caused by the fact that the customer does not obey the rules for an orderly line—which is called a “queue” since it has a sequence in which the first person who enters is the first to exit.

Vanessa’s honesty meant that she was clear and “in the open” regarding her opinions; therefore, she could be called “candid” or be said “to have candor,” meaning to be honest in presenting one’s opinions. The word comes form Latin roots for “white”—which could be thought of as being pure.

If one is able to share in the feelings of others, they are able to understand them from within, so to speak. The word “empathy” is derived from the prefix “in,” combined with “pathos;” the latter meaning feeling. To have empathy therefore means to “be within” the feelings of another.

If one is knowledgeable in many subjects, they are called a “polymath”—a word that almost literally translates into that definition. You likely know the prefix “poly,” which comes from the Greek root for many and is used in English words like “polygamy” and “polyglot.” The second half, “math,” comes from a Greek root that does not only mean mathematics but more broadly indicates learning (although “mathematics” is related to the same set of roots).

To wish well to others is to have “benevolence.” Literally, the word means good-willing. The first half (“bene-”) comes from roots meaning good or well and is found in other English words like “beneficent,” “benign,” and “benefit.” The second half (“-volent”) is derived from Latin roots for to wish or to will and has English relatives in words like “volition” or “voluntary.”

A “respite” is a short period of rest after something unpleasant—such as the constant barrage of questions and presentations.