Make Your Point > Archived Issues > CATEGORICAL

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explore the archives: Something categorical is clear-cut, absolute, unconditional, unqualified--usually in a harsh, judgmental way. Categorical, and category, come from Greek roots: kata, meaning "down, against, or completely," and agoreuein, meaning "to denounce." Now that we know this, the question in our minds is probably no longer "what does categorical have to do with categories?" but rather "what do categories have to do with denunciations or verbal attacks?"  Etymonline.com can answer that question for us! The Greek kategorein started out meaning "to speak against," but then it weakened into "to say something, to name something." That explains why names or classes of things are called categories. Let's think about that Greek kata again. Can you think of a word we got from kata that literally means "to completely loosen" but today means "anything that speeds something up or makes something happen sooner"? It's cata____. make your point with... "CATEGORICAL" Of course, something categorical can be related to categories. More commonly, something categorical is clear, direct, and absolute, with no exceptions and no conditions. Pronunciation: cat uh GORE ick ull Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late." They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in "a categorical thing" or "a categorical person." 2. After a linking verb, as in "It was categorical" or "He was categorical.") Other forms: categorically How to use it: This word usually has a harsh, negative tone. For example, we talk about categorical failures and defeats more often than we talk about categorical successes and victories. We also have categorical attitudes, beliefs, and positions; categorical rules, bans, and exclusions; and categorical attacks, demands, denials, dismissals, and rejections. You can also talk about categorical statements, answers, and responses; or say that things are stated or written in categorical words or terms. A person can be categorical about or on something ("he's categorical about blaming them for the problem," "I'm categorical on this point"), or categorical that something is true ("she was categorical that nothing could be done to solve the problem"), or categorical in their belief or reaction ("they are categorical in their refusal to participate"). examples: Because their offer was so low--insultingly low--we were tempted to respond with a categorical rejection. By demanding that they remain silent, he hoped to keep their dissent under wraps--and he categorically failed. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "categorical" means when you can explain it without saying "flat-out" or "absolute." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "A categorical (ban on, rejection of, refusal to, or elimination of) _____ won't (accomplish a certain thing)." Example: "A categorical refusal to listen to your constituents won't make them go away." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Our game this month is "What's the Difference?" I’ll give you two terms. Without using Google or a dictionary, explain how they’re different. Go beyond saying, "well, I know the difference, but I can’t explain it," or "show me an example and I'll tell you which it is." In your explanations, try to focus on features, not comparisons. For example, what's the difference between climate and weather? A good explanation focuses on features: "climate is what’s going on in the atmosphere over long periods of time, and weather is what’s going on in the atmosphere at a particular place and time." A weaker explanation focuses on comparisons: "climate is more concerning than weather." The game will get harder as the month goes on: we’ll start with objects—natural first, then man-made—then switch to concepts. Let’s do this! From yesterday: What's the difference between a bush and a tree? (Remember, give features, not comparisons: "a tree is taller" won't work.) Answer: According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a bush has "close branches arising from or near the ground," while a tree has "branches at some distance from the ground." Try this today: What's the difference between timber and lumber? review today's word: 1. The opposite of CATEGORICAL is A. SIMPLE B. QUALIFIED C. ALL-PURPOSE 2. She's _____ categorically _____ her group members. A. pinned the blame .. on B. reserved a study room .. for C. distributed the tasks .. among Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. B 2. A