Cunning, originally knowing, clever, skilled in a craft or trade. The Bible speaks of ‘cunning workmen.’
Demure, originally of good manners, now staid, grave.
Disaster, an unkindly star (Gr. astēr, a star); a term from the old astrology.
Fond once meant foolish.
Gazette, a small newspaper, originally a small coin. The newspaper was so named because a gazetta was paid for it.
Gossip (sib, or related, in God), originally a sponsor in baptism. Gossip is the kind of talk that goes on between people who are connected with a family. Compare Fr. commère and commèrage.
Heathen, an unbeliever, originally a dweller on a heath. Compare pagan, a dweller in a pagus, or country canton.
Idiot, from Gr. idiōtēs, a private person. It afterwards meant a person who kept himself aloof from public business and politics; a person despised by the Athenians.
Imp, formerly used in a good sense, meaning scion or offspring. Now a demon of mischief.
Impertinent, not relating or belonging to the matter in hand.