Words On Words

Alternative and Other: Just heard CNN's Arwa Damon reporting on the US air strike in Mosul.

Here is part what she effectively said: "There are other alternatives [to airstrikes] being explored"

The usage panel of The American Heritage Dictionary prefers that "other is not used in conjunction with Alternative"

Here is the definition of alternative as a noun:

1- a choice limited to one of two or more possibilities, as of things, propositions, or courses of action, the selection of which precludes any other possibility:
You have the alternative of using roll-film photography or digital photography
2- one of the things, propositions, or courses of action that can be chosen: The alternative to roll-film photography is digital photography
3- a possible or remaining course or choice: There was no alternative but to use digital photography.

The root of the word alternative is alter which has a Latin origin meaning other.

It becomes--therefore--redundant to put these two words together.

Other choices for the word alternative: choice, option, selection, preference, pick, substitute.

With the death of North Korean president's estranged half brother Kim Jong Nam. It is likely that he was killed by a North Korean operatives. The killing of something, someone or one's own is preceded by the prefix "cide"

Cide is a word borrowed from Latin meaning "killer" It is used in the formation of compound words; Insecticide - the killing of insects, Pesticide - a chemical preparation for the killing of pests like insects and rodents, Homicide - the killing of one human being by another.
Here is a longer list of compound words using “cide”:

Cause and Reason: I Just heard a CNN anchor; Cyril Vanier ushering the news of the passing of the British actor John Hurt.

At the end of the news piece he said: "No specific reason was given for his death". The word "cause" would be more appropriate here.

Here are the definitions of both words:

Reason: 1- The basis or motive for an action, decision or conviction. 2- a declaration made to justify an action, decision or conviction.

Cause: 1- a. Something that produces an effect, result or consequences. b. The person, event, or condition responsible for an action or result.

A cause must exist for an effect logically to occur.

A reason refers to what explains the occurrence or nature of an effect and suggests an effort of human thought.

Lens and Lentil: The word lens has its roots in Latin. Lentil in Latin is the leguminous plant; like peas beans, clover and alfalfa. Lens borrowed the word from Old French lentille in a clear reference to its double convex shape. In Arabic the two words Lens and lentil have a corresponding parallel to the plant which is called "Adas" عدس and to the double convex surface glass which is called "Adasah" عدسة