“Language grows by taking terms from various fields. Each field has 2.

Using the THESAURUS

a specialized vocabulary that communicates a variety of concepts by
means of technical language. This type of language is commonly The best place to look for synonyms and antonyms is the thesaurus.
used in research writing. For this quarter, you will try your hand at A thesaurus is, in a sense, the opposite of a dictionary. You go to a
developing your own research paper. To be able to write a good one, dictionary when you know the word but need the definition. You go
it is essential to provide clear definitions or explanations for unfamil- to a thesaurus when you know the definition but need the word. For
iar terms. Once you learn how to use dictionaries, thesaurus and example, you might want a word that means fear, the kind of fear
other online sources, defining technical terms will be easy.” that causes more worry than pain. You need the word to complete
the following sentence:
Let Us Review!
Ginny experienced a certain amount of(fear) over the up-
1. Using the DICTIONARY If you are unable to understand the coming exam.
meaning of an unfamiliar word by using context clues, then you
should look up the word in a dictionary. Here are tips for proper The thesaurus comes in two forms: Dictionary Form and Tradi-
dictionary usage. tional Form.
If it is in dictionary form, you simply look up the word fear
 Look at the preface and notes in your dictionary. The preface as you would in a dictionary. If, however, you have a traditional the-
contains explanations about the various symbols and abbrevia- saurus, you need to first look up the word in the alphabetical INDEX
tions. Find out what your dictionary has to offer. at the back of the thesaurus. You might find this entry for fear in the
index.
 Good dictionaries include all known definitions of a word. When
you are looking up a word, do not stop after you have read the FEAR 860 Fearful painful 830 timid 862
first meaning! Keep reading, and look for the meaning that best The numbers after fear are GUIDE NUMBERS, not page
fits the context of your sentence. numbers. If you look up number 860 in the body of the thesaurus,
you will find a long list of synonyms for the word fear: These include
 If the difficult word has a prefix such as un-- or mis-, you may fearfulness, timidity, diffidence, apprehensiveness, solicitude, anxiety,
have to look up the root word. mistrust, suspicion, and qualm.
Other Important Entry Elements
1.1. Guide Words The words listed in a dictionary are listed in al-
phabetical order, letter by letter. Pairs of guide words are usually at
the top of each set of facing pages. Guide words list the first and last
defined word to appear on a page (or facing pages). Using guide
words help you quickly locate the word you seek. If the guide words
on facing pages are symbolic and sympathy, you will have to turn to
the next page to find symphonic.
1.2. Main/Word Entries Main entries are the words that are ex-
plained in a dictionary. These words appear in boldface (dark) type.
Main entries may be single words, compound words, abbreviations,
affixes, or phrases.
So, instead of using the word “fear,” the sentence becomes more
1.3. Parts of Speech The dictionary uses nine abbreviations for the
appropriate by using a synonymous word:
parts of speech. n. noun v.t. transitive verb adj. adjective pron. pro-
noun interj. interjection adv. adverb v.i. intransitive verb conj. con- Ginny experienced a certain amount of anxiety over the
junction prep. preposition upcoming exam.
1.4. Restrictive labels Subject labels tell you that a word has a 3. Using the INTERNET The internet provides many different types
special meaning when used in a particular field ( mus. for music, of information. Besides the dictionary and a thesaurus, definitions of
med. for medicine, zool. for zoology, etc. ) Usage labels tell you how terms may also be searched via the World Wide Web. Moreover,
a word is used (slang, colloq, for colloquial, dial. for dialect, etc.) those who have smartphones may download mobile dictionary apps,
Geographic labels tell you in which region of the country (N.E. for such as Merriam-Webster, and Oxford Dictionary of English
New England, West, South, etc.) the definition applies.
1.5. Spelling Not knowing how to spell a word can make it difficult
to find in the dictionary, but not impossible. You will be surprised at
how quickly you can find most words by following the sounded-out
spelling.
Activity 1: Parts of a Dictionary Entry Direction
Determine the part of a dictionary entry by using the jumbled letters
of the term and the provided meaning. You may also use dictionary
from online sources or mobile applications to accomplish this activity.
1. An TRENY WORD, listed alphabetically, shows how a word is
spelled and how words of more than one syllable is divided.
2. The CIAROPNOITNUN has symbols to show how to say the
words.
3. A TRAP-OF-SCHEEP label gives the function or functions of a
word.
4. LATERED FORMS, such as plurals, or the comparative forms
are often given.
5. ULTIMPLE DEFINITIONS or meanings are numbered.
6. An ILLUSTIVERAT SENTENCE or phrase shows how a word
is used.
7. An EMOTYLOGY, or word history, tells the origin of a word.
8. An ENTACC shows which syllables are said with special force.
9. Sometimes a MYSYNON STUDY shows shades of meaning.
10. A MOGRAPHHO is spelled the same as another word but has a
different origin and meaning.

Activity 2: Using a Thesaurus Direction

Use a thesaurus to help you circle out the correct synonym to com-
plete each sentence. You may also use thesaurus from online
sources or mobile applications to accomplish this activity.
1. Raf looks (orderly, trim) in his new suit. Activity 4: Search the Term Directions
2. Her booth at the hobby show is very (tidy, trim).
3. She swept it out, and it is (trim, shipshape). Replace the italicized words in the following sentences with
4. He arranged the items to appear (orderly, trim). their exact specialized terms. Use a dictionary, the internet, and the
5. He put his stamps in (neat, shipshape) rows. words in the parentheses as your reference. Configuration clues
6. Rolf is (shipshape, orderly) about everything.
7. Her room is always (shipshape, trim) too. (boxed letters) are also given. Ex.: Use a hand to grab the heavy
8. Even his old hat looks (trim, orderly) on him. metal ball by the handle and swing it up until it rests against your
9. I rarely look (shipshape, trim) in my clothes. forearm. (Physical fitness) Answer: Use one hand to grab a kettle bell
10. I wish I were as (shipshape, tidy) as Raf. by the handle and swing it up until it rests against your forearm
11. I could become more (orderly, shipshape) by organizing my
work.

Activity 3: Words Worth Knowing Directions

The thirty words included in the pool of words below come
from specialized areas. Categorize each to complete the table. Deter-
mine how many of these words you know well enough to use in your
writing and speaking. Then, use a dictionary to look up the meanings
of words you do not know (10 words).