Using Definition and Synonym clue




I've talked how to use general sense clue, now i'm going to the next type. Synonym and Definition Clue, It is one of context clues types. It usually appear become the most simple types or the easiest types of context clues. here i write the example of synonym and definition, the hint, mark and description.


Using Definition and Synonym clue

a. description

Sometimes a writer will restate the meaning or give the synonym of a difficult word within a sentence, defining it for us. Sometimes when the author uses an unusual word, the writer provides a definition for that word in the text and after some unusual words; authors sometimes use a more common synonym for that word.

Sometimes the writer will save us the trouble of looking up a word by defining it for us. Underline the words in the following sentences that signal us that some sort of a definition is going to follow. Often this kind of definition will not sound much like a dictionary definition.

b. Definitions and Synonym are often signaled by:

or, which is, that is, also called, also known as, in other words.

c. Hint

When the unusual word is followed by a comma, the definition may be right after that comma and if the unusual word is followed by a comma and the word “or,” then the words that follow are likely synonyms. The restatement or explanation may be in a different sentence. Read the sentences before and after the unusual word.

d. Example of sentence

I can be quite irascible; that is, it doesn’t take much to make me angry.

1) Identify the unfamiliar word.

(we are not sure what the word irascible means.)

2) Read to see if there is a signal word.

(we see the phrase that is. What follows may include a restatement or definition.)

3) Find the restated information.


(The word that is point to the clause it does not take much to make me angry.)

4) Use this information to figure out what the unfamiliar word means.
(Because the words that is point to a clause about getting angry easily, we can guess the meaning that irascible must mean “easily angered.”)

  irascible: prone to outbursts of temper, easily angered
 
 e. Other Synonym and Definition example

1) Deceptive advertising is defined as any ad that contains a misrepresentation, omission, or other practice that can mislead a significant number of reasonable consumers to their detriment.

[The term is in bold print; the definition follows the phrase is defined as.]

2) An important aspect of tort law involves product liability—businesses’ legal responsibility for any negligence in the design, production, sale, and consumption of products.

(The term is in bold print; the definition follows a dash.]

3) Virtually every business transaction is carried out by means of a contract, a mutual agreement between two or more parties that can be enforced in a court if one party chooses not to comply with the terms of the contract.

[The term is in bold print; the definition follows a comma.]

4) As late as the early 19th century in England, the death penalty (or capital punishment) was available for about 200 offenses, most of them property crimes.