HFCC Learning Lab
Dictionary Skills K1.2
USING THE DICTIONARY
Using only one method for determining what a word means is seldom adequate.
Although using context clues may provide a conceptual or general meaning of a word,
context clues alone may not provide specific meanings that enable you to use the work
skillfully. Therefore, you need to be able to use and interpret dictionary definitions and
determine how the word applies to a specific context.
Characteristics of Strong Definitions
In order to be able to use the dictionary to its fullest extent, you must understand that
some definitions will be clearer and stronger than others. A strong definition has the
following five characteristics:
1.
The definition does not use another form of the same word in the definition.
2.
The definition uses precise language that has a high degree of explaining
power. Vague language often fails to represent the word.
3.
The definition is written so that readers are not likely to substitute an
incorrect synonym for the target word.
4.
Definitions provide several pieces of information and offer some guidance
about the way these pieces of information should be integrated.
5.
Definitions include examples so readers can see proper usage of the word.
Cautions of Dictionary Use
Be aware of the strength of the definition you use. If the definition is strong, you
should come away with a fairly good idea of what the word means. There are three cautions:
K1.2
1.
Always use the dictionary definition in conjunction with the context.
2.
Use the dictionary that is current.
3.
Use a dictionary that presents definitions you understand.
1
The Dictionary Entry
Entries, word and their definitions, in the dictionary include several types of
information. Although dictionaries differ somewhat in this regard, most have certain
standard parts. Now examine the organization of the dictionary definition.
Re-call (rl-kol) tr.v-called, calling,- calls. 1. To ask or order to
return recalled all workers who had been laid off. 2. To summon
back to awareness of or concern with the subject or situation at
hand. 3. To remember; recollect. 4. To cancel, take back, or revoke.
5. To bring back; restore n. (also (ri-kol) 1. The act of recalling of
summon back esp. an official order return. 2. A signal, as a bugle call,
used to summon service men back to their posts. 3. The ability to remember
information or experience. 4. The act of revoking. 5 .a. The procedure
by which a public official mat be removed from office by popular
vote. b. The right to employ this procedure. 6. A request by the
manufactuer of a product specified as defective for its return to the
dealer for necessary repairs or adjustments—re’call’a-ble adj.
A.
The word is written out to show divisions, through the use of dots, between the
syllables
B.
Pronunciation immediately follows the word. This tells you which syllable is
accented and how the letters, especially the vowels sound. If special pronunciation symbols
are used, explanations and examples of the symbols are usually listed in the user’s guide or in
the front or back of the dictionary or at the bottom of each page.
C.
The part of speech comes next along with its conjugated or inflected forms. In this
case, tr.v. means that the most common way recall is used is as a transitive verb.
D.
Next comes the list of definitions. Most dictionaries list the most frequently used
definition first. Read all the definitions in order to find the one that best matches the context.
E.
The word or form of that word is used in an example sentence or phrase. In the case
of recall, the first definition reads: ―To ask or order to return: recalled all workers who had
been laid off.‖ Examples such as this one are helpful because they provide a context for the
word.
F.
The word may function as more than one part of speech; for example, the n. in the
middle of this entry indicates that recall can be used not only as transitive verb but also as a
noun, although this usage occurs less frequently. Note that the numbering of the definition
begins at 1. again and that the pronunciation of the word differs slightly when it is used as a
noun.
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G.
The final piece of information that is provided, when appropriate, is the different
forms the word can take when ending-suffixes—are added. These different forms are called
run-on entries. In this case, the noun recall becomes the adjective recallable when the suffixable is added.
A piece of information usually found in definitions, although not present in the recall
example, is some information on the word’s etymology. A word’s etymology explains where
the word came from: the country from which the word originated its root word, or both. In
the case of the word ―imagery‖ in the following definition, the portion of the entry marked H
Shows where you generally find this information. Imagery comes from the Old ― OFr‖ word
imagerie.
.
Im-age-ry (im-ij-re) n,,pl.-ries 1. Mental pictures or images. 2.a. The use of
Figures of speech or vivid descriptions in writing or speaking to produce mental
Images. B. A metaphoric representation, as in music art, or motion pictures.
3.a. Representative images, particularly statues or icons. B. The art of making
Such images. [ME imagerie <OFr.<
Dictionary entries may also include:
1.
Sentences or phrases that show how a particular definition of the word
used in context.
2.
Specialized definitions from particular fields with fields identified.
3. Synonyms and antonyms for the word.
The word hardware may be used in a selection on computers. For example,
…computer hardware, the physical parts of a computer system, varies
widely in performance…
Even though you are looking for the definition of the term as used by the author, you can
gain knowledge about the term by also looking at the other definitions. For example, read
the definitions for hardware in the following entry:
Hard-ware (hard-war) n. 1. Metal goods and utensils such as locks, tools, and cutlery.
2. Technology. A. A computer and the associated physical equipment directly involved
In the performance of communications or date-processing functions. B. Broadly,
Machines and other physical equipment directly involved in performing an industrial,
Technological or military function. 3. Informal. Weapons; especially, military weapons.
4. Informal & Regional. A pistol or pistols: a six-gun.
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You can see that definition 2.a. is the one used in the selection excerpt. At the same time, by
looking at the other definitions, you can see that hardware is used in many contexts. What
seems to be similar across contexts is that ―hardware‖ is a tool of some kind and that it is
made of metal or some other durable substance. Seeing these similarities may help you
understand and remember that hardware refers to the tools of the computer that are durable or
hard.
PRACTICE EXERCISES.
The following excerpt uses the word ―decay‖. Read the dictionary entry that follows,
select the definition that best fits the use of the word in this context, and answer the questions
about it.
―With the passage of time the normal metabolic processes of the brain cause a
fading or decay of the memory, so that traces of materials once learned gradually
disintegrate and eventually disappear altogether.‖ From Introduction to Psychology.
Hilgard, et al.
De-cay (di-ka) v. –cayed, cay-ing, -cays-intr. 1. Boil. To decompose; rot. 2. Physics.
To disintegrate or diminish be radioactive decay. 3. Aerospace. To decrease in
orbit, as an artificial satellite. 4. To fall into ruin. 5. Pathol. To decline in health
or vigor; waste away. 6. To decline from a state of normality, excellence, or
prosperity.-tr. To cause to decay.-n 7. The destruction or decomposition of organic
matter as a result of bacterial or fungal action; rot. 8. Radioactive decay. 9. The
decrease in orbital attitude of an artificial satellite due to conditions such as
atmospheric drag. 10. A gradual deterioration to an infereior state as of health or
mental capability. [ ME decayen <AN decair < decadere: Lat. De-down + Lat.cadere, to fall.]
1.
Which of the dictionary definitions best defines decay as used in this example?
___________________________________________________________________________________
2.
What parts of speech can decay be used?
______________________________________________________________________________________
3.
Would you consider this dictionary definition of decay adequate?
______________________________________________________________________________________
Why or why not?
____________________________________________________________________________________
4.
According to the dictionary entry, which use of decay would appear to be most common?
__________________________________________________________________________________
5.
Based on the context and the dictionary definition, write your own version of an adequate
definition of decay.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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ANSWER SHEET
1.
Definition # 10.
2.
Verb, Noun
3.
Yes
4.
# 1 (Verb) As a general rule, most dictionaries list the most frequently used
definition first.
5.
Answers will vary.
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