Guessing the Meaning of a Word
From Affixation
From Context
1). Definition clues
2). Example clues
3). Contrast clues
4). Inference clues
Guessing the Meaning of a Word
---from affixation
The stem, or root, is the central part of a word, bearing the basic meaning of the word.
Affixes attached to the beginning of stems are called prefixes; while suffixes are those attached to the end of the stems.
Generally, prefix changes the meaning of a word, while suffix usually changes the part of speech of a word.
root meaning example dict/dic tell, say predict; dictation graph write telegraph mit/miss send transmit; dismiss phone sound, voice telephone port carry transport scrib/script write describe; inscription vert/vers turn invert
Guessing the Meaning of New Words
---from affixation
prefix meaning example un- not unhappy mis- wrong mislead anti- against antiwar inter- between international pre- before preview re- back, again repay; repeat micro- small microscope
Guessing the Meaning of New Words
---from affixation
suffix part of speech example -ation v. --- n. exploration -er v. --- n. worker -ness a. --- n. happiness -ity a. --- n. acceptability -ify a. --- v. simplify -ize n. --- v. hospitalize -y n. --- a. sandy
Guessing the Meaning of New Words
---from affixation
Guessing the Meaning of New Words ---from context
1). Definition Clues
e.g. Alphabetism, for those as yet unaware of such a
disadvantage, refers to discrimination against those
whose surnames begin with a letter in the lower half of
the alphabet.
signal words: be, means, is called, refer to, be
defined as, be known as, be thought of as, be seen as,
be regarded as, be described as
Guessing the Meaning of New Words ---from context
2). Example Clues
e.g. Orthopterans, such as crickets, grasshoppers,
and cockroaches, thrive in damp conditions.
signal words: such as, including, for example, for
instance, to illustrate
Guessing the Meaning of New Words ---from context
3). Contrast Clues
e.g. During the concert the audience was quiet, but
afterward the crowd became boisterous.
signal words: unlike, dislike, be different from, differ
from, but, while, whereas, however, nevertheless,
although, even though, despite, on the other hand;
like, similarly, similar to
Guessing the Meaning of New Words ---from context
4). Inference Clues
e.g. My father is a versatile man; he is a successful
businessman, sportsman, author, and sports car
mechanic.
Guessing the Meaning of New Words
Limitations to Context Clues Approach
1. The meaning we get from context clues
is usually vague and very general.
2. Context clues do not always work.