The Vocabulary of Vocabulary

1
The Vocabulary of Vocabulary

• Vocabulary Workshop
• Levels B C

2
definition

• A statement of a words meaning an authoritative
  statement of meaning found in a dictionary

3
literal

• The simplest, most obvious meaning of a word, not
  used in any symbolic or figurative manner the
  meaning that is actually meant when using a
  particular word.
• I suggest you wear a sweater because it is
  rather cool inside the theater.
• The literal meaning of cool in this context is
  related to temperature its dictionary
  definition.

4
figurative

• Creative uses of language that is symbolic and
  deals with imagery, not to be taken literally
  language based on figures of speech
• Wow, that vintage Corvette is so cool!
• In this context, cool has nothing to do with the
  cars temperature. Here the meaning of cool goes
  beyond the dictionary definition, instead taking
  its meaning from popular culture. The use of
  cool here is figurative.

5
denotation

• The actual dictionary definition of a word, with
  no feeling or emotion attached to it the literal
  meaning of the word. Consider
• home
• house
• residence
• dwelling
• By definition, each word names a place where a
  person or a family might live. Technically, all
  share the same denotation. But.

6
connotation

• The emotional meaning or feelings associated with
  a word, not listed as a part of it dictionary
  definition. Consider feelings associated with
• home warmth, security, stability
• house a structure a generic sort of building
  easily pictured in ones mind
• residence - an anonymous place where someone
  resides
• dwelling a primitive shelter
• These are feelings associated with the words,
  meanings attached to them beyond their dictionary
  definitions.

7
context

• The words that surround a particular word or
  passage that gives clues to its meaning
• I suggest you wear a sweater because it is
  rather cool inside the theater.
• The words wear a sweater are clues to the words
  meaning in this context. The need to wear a
  sweater points to cool being used to describe
  temperature.

8
etymology

• The study of
• the history
• and origin
• of words

9
root

• A word part that carries the basic, core meaning
  some cannot stand alone without an affix
• mort- comes from the Latin word for dead, death,
  deadly. Consider the meanings of the words
• mortal
• immortal
• mortuary
• mortify
• How is your understand of the root mort- key to
  your understanding of the meanings of these words?

10
Lets talk about FIX!

• When a person speaks of needing to FIX something,
  what is your first thought as to their meaning of
  the word FIX?
• Most people think of FIX as meaning to repair.
• But what is the origin of the word FIX?

11
The ETYMOLOGY of FIX

• FIX began as fixus, a past participle of figere,
  meaning to fasten
• FIX began as a word that meant to attach.
  Consider the name of a popular denture product
• What does this product DO? Make a connection!

12
affix

• Attachments such as prefixes and suffixes that
  carry meaning and build upon the meaning of the
  base/root word. Consider the word immortal
• im- (Latin prefix meaning not)
• -mort- (Latin root related to death)
• -al (Latin suffix meaning that which)
• immortal - that which cannot die

13
prefix

• An affix attached to the front of a base/root.
  Some common prefixes
• un-
• re-
• trans-
• in-
• de-
• sub- and of course,
• pre-

14
suffix

• An affix that is attached to the end of a
  base/root. Some common suffixes
• -ous
• -ion
• -ment
• -ful
• -ish
• -able, -ible

15
synonym

• A word that has the same or similar meaning as
  another word
• tired/weary
• short/petite
• jealous/envious
• merry/jovial
• But keep in mind, there really is no such thing
  as a perfect pair of synonyms. Why not?

16
antonym

• A word that has the opposite meaning as another
  word
• hot/cold
• sweet/sour
• easy/difficult
• friendly/aloof
• peaceful/agitated

17
homophone

• Words that have the same pronunciation but
  different meanings and spellings
• peace/piece
• witch/which
• him/hymn
• hair/hare
• there/their/theyre
• Ill/isle/aisle

18
pronunciation

• The actual sound utterance of a word the sounds
  the letters of a word produce this varies with
  region and dialect

19
dialect

• A regional variety of speech this can vary in
  pronunciation, word choice, and word meaning.
  Consider
• soda
• pop
• tonic
• All are the same product, but it will depend upon
  where in the United States you live as to which
  label you use.

20
Consider the Hail Mary

• Hail Mary, full of grace,
• The Lord is with you.
• Blessed are you among women,
• And blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
• Holy Mary, Mother of God,
• Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our
  death. Amen.
• Which pair of words are homophones? That
  depends on the dialect you speak.

21
euphemism

• A softer, gentler, less-offensive term for one
  considered harsh
• Aunt Louise passed away.
• Aunt Louise received her great reward.
• Aunt Louise passed through the Pearly Gates.
• Aunt Louise is pushing up daisies.
• Anything but the straight-up Aunt Louise died.
  

22
jargon

• Specialized language that has meaning to a
  particular group in a specific context. Are you
  a volleyball player? If so, then these words
  have a specific meaning to you
• spike, dig, joust, camel toe
• These words are part of the jargon of volleyball

23
Whats My Line?

• half-pipe, grinds, ollie, varial
• Im into skateboarding!
• table top, banana, deadman, herkie
• Im a cheerleader!
• Life preservers, bossy in a bowl, looseners,
  shingle with a shimmy
• Im a waitress in a diner!

24
diction

• A level of speech, described in terms of high,
  middle, and low it is adjusted according to
  audience and purpose of speech or writing.
  Consider
• warrior/soldier/grunt
• surgeon/doctor/sawbones
• cuisine/food/grub

25
analogy

• A comparison between pairs of words that have
  similar relationships
• Puppy (A) is to dog (B) as kitten (A) is to cat
  (B).
• An A is a baby B. The relationship between the
  As and Bs is the same.
• Happiness (A) is to misery (B) as confidence (A)
  is to doubt (B).
• A and B are antonyms.
• Suffering (A) is to pain (B) as uncertainty (A)
  is to anxiety (B).
• Experiencing A causes a person to feel B.