Question

Choose the correctly spelled word

• A. perspicacity
• B. pugnocity
• C. sensetivity
• D. authonticity

Hint:

Pay close attention to vowel changes when converting adjectives to nouns.
For example, 'pugnacious' becomes 'pugnacity', not 'pugnocity'.
Regular reading of high-level vocabulary lists helps in remembering these subtle changes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question belongs to the topic of English Vocabulary and Orthography.
The objective is to identify which word among the given options is spelled correctly according to standard English dictionaries.
Correct spelling of complex nouns often depends on understanding their corresponding adjective roots.

Step 2: Key Approach:
To identify the correctly spelled word, we must break down each word into its prefix, root, and suffix.
We will analyze the standard English dictionary spelling for each of the given choices.
This helps eliminate options containing common phonetic errors or typos.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

• Option A (perspicacity): This word is spelled correctly.
The term 'perspicacity' is a noun that refers to the quality of having a ready insight into things or possessing keen mental perception.
It is derived from the Latin word 'perspicax' meaning sharp-sighted.
The spelling p-e-r-s-p-i-c-a-c-i-t-y is fully accurate.

• Option B (pugnocity): This spelling is incorrect.
The correct spelling is 'pugnacity'.
It is derived from the adjective 'pugnacious', meaning eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.
The noun-forming suffix is '-acity', not '-ocity'.

• Option C (sensetivity): This spelling is incorrect.
The correct spelling is 'sensitivity'.
It is derived from the adjective 'sensitive' by adding the suffix '-ity'.
The vowel 'e' after the second 's' must be replaced with 'i'.

• Option D (authonticity): This spelling is incorrect.
The correct spelling is 'authenticity'.
It is derived from the root word 'authentic', which means genuine or undisputed.
The letter 'o' in the second syllable must be replaced with 'e'.


Step 4: Final Answer:
Based on the orthographic analysis of each option, the only correctly spelled word is 'perspicacity'.