Question

We have seen that the meaning of compounds is often not revealed by the meaning of their composite words. Crossword puzzles and riddles often make use of this by providing the meaning of two parts of a compound and asking for the resulting word. For example, infielder = diminutive/cease. Read this as asking for a word that means “infielder” by combining a word that means “diminutive” with a word which means “cease.” The answer is shortstop. See if you can figure out the following:

a. sci-fi TV series = headliner/journey

b. campaign = farm building/tempest

c. at-home wear = tub of water/court attire

d. kind of pen = formal dance/sharp end

e. conservative = correct/part of an airplane

Answer 1

Here are the answers to the given compound word clues:

a. **sci-fi TV series**: Stargate (star + gate)

b. **campaign**: barnstorm (barn + storm)

c. **at-home wear**: bathrobe (bath + robe)

d. **kind of pen**: ballpoint (ball + point)

e. **conservative**: right-wing (right + wing)