Back to Assignment
Attempts Attempt1 score is3Attempt 2 was not attempted.-Attempt 3 was not attempted.-
Keep the Highest 3 out of 33 / 3
7 . Single-Sentence Definitions
There are three basic methods for defining a word or term:
Definition by synonym supplies a word or words that means the same thing. For example, "tawdry"
means cheap in appearance. The second type of definition, definition by class, first defines a word or
term by a category or class and then by distinguishing facts or details. For example, "a national park"
(term) is land (category or class) that has been set aside for preservation (distinguishing detail).
Finally, definition by negation says what something is not, then what it is. For example, "For the
Tarahumara people of northern Mexico, running shoes are not fancy thick-soled footwear, but simple
sandals made from old tire treads." Notice that this sentence begins with what running shoes
are not for the Tarahumara before defining what they are.
Directions: Click on each underlined blank space to select the word or phrase that best completes the
following statements.
A definition helps your reader to know exactlyError! Filename not specified.what you mean when
using a word or term. Definitions come in various lengths, including a single sentence, a paragraph, or
an essay. There areError! Filename not specified.three basic types of single-sentence definitions:
definitions by synonym, by class, and by negation. To provide another word that has the same meaning
is to define byError! Filename not specified.synonym . A synonym should usually be fromError!
Filename not specified.the same part of speech as the word being defined. Therefore, the adverb
"swiftly" can be replaced with the synonym "Error! Filename not specified.quickly ." Definition by
class first defines the word by the largerError! Filename not specified.category to which it belongs.
Then the writer provides the distinguishing characteristics or Error! Filename not specified.details
that make this person, place, or thing different from the others in that category. For example, the word
"blueberry" can be defined by theError! Filename not specified.category "fruit" and the Error!
Filename not specified.distinguishing characteristics of "a blue antioxidant-rich berry." Finally, to
state first what something is not, and then what it is, characterizes definition byError! Filename not
specified.negation . For example, in the sentence "A vacation does not consist of racing to as many
tourist spots as possible, but relaxing and enjoying time away from everyday responsibilities," the first
part says what a vacationError! Filename not specified.is not , and the second half provides the
writer's definition of what a vacation is.
Points:
1 / 1
Explanation:
Close Explanation
Therefore, the adverb "swiftly" can be
replaced with the synonym "quickly."
To provide another word that has the same
meaning is to define by synonym.
A synonym should usually be from the
same part of speech as the word being
defined.
Then the writer provides the distinguishing
characteristics or details that make this
person, place, or thing different from the
others in that category.
Definition by class first defines the word by
the larger category to which it belongs.
Sentence
A definition helps your reader to know
exactly what you mean when using a word or
term.
There are three basic types of single-
sentence definitions: definitions by synonym,
by class, and by negation.
Explanation
To define is to explain clearly what a word
or term means. By defining it, your reader
will know what you mean by a word or term
(which might be different from the meaning
that they had for it).
The three types of single-sentence
definitions are by synonym, by class, and by
negation. These three basic types of
definition are used to show your reader
exactly what you mean.
A synonym is a word that means the same
thing as another word. For example, a
synonym of gift is present.
When defining a word by its synonym,
make sure to use the same part of speech.
For example, you could write "I gave a gift"
or "I gave a present," as both "gift" and
"present" are nouns that mean the same
thing.
"Quickly" is an adverb that means the same
thing as the adverb "swiftly." These words
use the same part of speech (adverb) and are
interchangeable.
A definition by class defines a word first by
providing a category (a larger division that a
word falls under) and then provides
distinguishing details.
Details are the second part of a class
definition. After providing a broad category
for a word or term, the writer supplies
distinguishing facts or details to give the
Sentence
Single-Sentence Definition
Talented means gifted.
An electrical engineer is an engineer who is
an expert in integrated circuits, electronics,
or power transmission.
To teach means to instruct.
For example, the word "blueberry" can be
defined by the category "fruit" and
the distinguishing characteristics of "a blue
antioxidant-rich berry."
Finally, to state first what something is not,
and then what it is, characterizes definition
by negation.
For example, in the sentence "A vacation does
not consist of racing to as many tourist spots
as possible, but relaxing and enjoying time
away from everyday responsibilities," the first
part says what a vacation is not, and the
second half provides the writer's definition of
what a vacation is.
Explanation
reader the most accurate and specific
meaning of the word or term.
The word "blueberry" belongs to the broad
category of "fruit." There are many types of
fruit, but only a few can be described as "a
blue antioxidant-rich berry." Therefore, the
reader has a good sense of what defines a
blueberry from other fruits.
To negate means to say no to something. To
define by negation means to say first what
something is not (usually a preconceived
idea about a word) and then to say what it is.
This is an example of definition by
negation. Notice that this sentence begins by
saying what a vacation is not, then what a
vacation is. The writer begins with the
preconceived idea about a vacation being a
trip from one tourist spot to another, and
then presents an alternative definition of the
term.
Definition Definition Definition
by Synonymby Classby Negation
Directions: For each sentence in the left-hand column, select what kind of definition is used.
Single-Sentence Definition
Talented means gifted.
An electrical engineer is an
engineer who is an expert in
integrated circuits, electronics,
Single-Sentence Definition
An executive assistant does not get coffee
for the boss but plays a key role in
managing business communication.
An FBI agent does not just have to be
physically fit but must have specialized
knowledge of foreign languages,
information technology, or intelligence
analysis.
A Supreme Court Justice is a judge who is
appointed by the President to the highest
judicial body in the United States.
The Peace Corps is a government
organization dedicated to providing
services to people living in developing
nations.
Definition
by Synonym
Definition
by Class
Definition
by Negation
Explanation
Gifted is a synonym (a word that means the same thing)
of talented. Notice that both the word being defined and its
synonym are the same part of speech: adjective.
An electrical engineer is defined first by a broader
category or class: an engineer. Notice that the writer is
careful not to place the term in too broad of a category,
Points:
1 / 1
Explanation:
Close Explanation
To teach means to instruct.
Single-Sentence Definition
or power transmission.
An FBI agent does not just
have to be physically fit but
must have specialized
knowledge of foreign
languages, information
technology, or intelligence
analysis.
A Supreme Court Justice is a
judge who is appointed by the
President to the highest judicial
body in the United States.
The Peace Corps is a
government organization
dedicated to providing services
to people living in developing
nations.
An executive assistant does not
get coffee for the boss but plays
a key role in managing business
communication.
Explanation
such as worker or professional. Then the writer provides
distinguishing characteristics of an electrical engineer as
"an expert in integrated circuits, electronics, or power
transmission." Therefore, this is a definition by class.
To instruct is a synonym (a word that means the same
thing) of to teach. Notice that both to teach and to
instruct are the same part of speech: verb (in the
infinitive).
In this single-sentence definition by negation, the writer
starts with a possible preconceived idea about what an
executive assistant is: a person who fetches coffee for
superiors. The second part of the sentence tells the reader
that, in fact, an executive assistant is something else
entirely.
In this single-sentence definition by negation, the writer
starts with a possible preconceived idea about the most
important characteristic of an FBI agent (he or she is
physically fit). Then the writer provides a more accurate
definition of an FBI agent as also mentally fit in that he or
she must have specialized knowledge in areas such as
foreign languages or information technology.
A Supreme Court Justice is first defined by the broad
category or class of a judge. Notice that the writer is
careful not to place the term in too broad of a category,
such as an official or a powerful person. Second, the writer
provides distinguishing characteristics of a Supreme Court
Justice: "a judge who is appointed by the President . . ."
The reader should now have a clearer sense of what a
Supreme Court Justice is.
The Peace Corps is first defined by its broad category or
class to which it belongs: a government organization.
Notice that the writer is careful not to place the term in too
broad of a category, such as a program or an institution.
Second, the writer provides distinguishing characteristics
Single-Sentence Definition Explanation
that make this government organization unique: it is
"dedicated to providing services to people living in
developing nations."
