Understanding Dictionary Order

Arranging words according to dictionary order means listing them alphabetically, based on their letters from left to right. We compare the words letter by letter until we find a difference, which determines the order.

Analyzing the Given Words for Dictionary Order

We are given five words to arrange in dictionary order:

1. Aquarium
2. Aquatic
3. Aquarial
4. Aquatint
5. Aquavit

All these words start with the letters "Aqua". To arrange them in dictionary order, we need to look at the letters that follow "Aqua" in each word.

Step-by-Step Arrangement in Dictionary Order

Let's list the letters immediately following "Aqua" for each word:

• Aquarium: r i u m
• Aquatic: t i c
• Aquarial: r i a l
• Aquatint: t i n t
• Aquavit: v i t

Now, let's compare the first letter after "Aqua": r, t, r, t, v.

In alphabetical order, 'r' comes before 't', and 't' comes before 'v'. So, the words starting with "Aquar" will come first, followed by words starting with "Aquat", and finally the word starting with "Aquav".

Ordering Words Starting with "Aquar"

We have two words starting with "Aquar":

• Aquarium (Aquar + i u m)
• Aquarial (Aquar + i a l)

Both continue with 'i'. Let's compare the next letter:

• Aquarium (Aquari + u m)
• Aquarial (Aquari + a l)

Comparing 'u' and 'a', 'a' comes before 'u'. Therefore, "Aquarial" comes before "Aquarium".

Ordering Words Starting with "Aquat"

We have two words starting with "Aquat":

• Aquatic (Aquat + i c)
• Aquatint (Aquat + i n t)

Both continue with 'i'. Let's compare the next letter:

• Aquatic (Aquati + c)
• Aquatint (Aquati + n t)

Comparing 'c' and 'n', 'c' comes before 'n'. Therefore, "Aquatic" comes before "Aquatint".

Ordering the "Aquav" Word

We have one word starting with "Aquav":

• Aquavit (Aquav + i t)

This group comes last among the given words because 'v' comes after 'r' and 't'.

Final Dictionary Order Arrangement

Combining the ordered groups, the words arranged in dictionary order are:

1. Aquarial
2. Aquarium
3. Aquatic
4. Aquatint
5. Aquavit

Identifying the Third Word

Based on the dictionary order list, the word at the 'Third' position is "Aquatic".

Revision Table: Key Dictionary Order Concepts

Additional Information: Expanding Vocabulary related to 'Aqua'

The prefix "Aqua-" comes from Latin and means "water". This explains the meanings of the words we sorted:

• Aquarium: A tank or container in which living aquatic animals and plants are kept.
• Aquatic: Relating to water; living in or near water.
• Aquarial: Relating to or designed for an aquarium.
• Aquatint: A method of etching on copper or steel that imitates the effect of a watercolor wash. (Uses acid and often involves water).
• Aquavit: A Scandinavian alcoholic spirit distilled from potato or grain and flavored with caraway and other spices. (Traditionally, distilled from water).

Understanding prefixes like "Aqua-" can help you guess the meaning of new words and also aid in remembering their spellings and order when sorting alphabetically.