Make Your Point > Archived Issues > DETRACT

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explore the archives: Today's detract is one of those highly functional words that most of us already know, but it's worth taking a look at it to make sure we're putting it to good use, to keep it from getting mixed up with a similar-sounding word, and to connect it firmly to related words we know. To detract from something is to make it worse by taking something important away from it, and if you break detract in half, you see that it literally means "to pull (tract) down (de)." We see that root tract, meaning "pull," in lots of familiar words, like attract, subtract, and tractor. It's pretty clear. De- is a sneaky little prefix, though. It doesn't always mean "down." It also means:    "aside/away/off," like in defend and deport;    "completely," like in denote;    and "not/undo," like in declassify. Consider decamp, decerebrate, and defang. For each, could you identify what the prefix de- means? make your point with... "DETRACT" To detract from something is to take something away from it, making it less valuable or less respectable. Pronunciation: dih TRACT Part of speech: Intransitive verb. You don't say "someone or something detracts something;" instead, you say "someone or something detracts from something." Other common forms: detracted, detracting, detraction, detractor How to use it: Talk about one thing detracting from another thing: a sad feeling or aspect that detracts from a special event, an embarrassing or hurtful incident that detracts from a memory or a period of time, an ugly part that detracts from the beauty of something, a shameful action that detracts from someone's reputation, a change that detracts from the style or glamour or uniqueness of something, and so on. Sometimes we accidentally use "detract" when we mean "distract." That is, sometimes when we say that one thing detracts from another, we really mean that the first thing is pulling attention away from the second thing--and in that case, it's more precise to say "distract" instead. For example, the writer who reported that some action would "detract from [the nominee's] main message" probably meant to write that the action would "distract" from that message. examples: The industrial metal roof of the repair shop, blackened with rust and peeling off in patches, detracts from the backyard view--but if you tilt your head just so, all you see is lush green grass and the avocado tree. Rather than a detraction from beauty, freckles strike most of us as an addition, right? They're cute. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "detract" means when you can explain it without saying "drag down the quality" or "take away from the value." try it out: Think of a very happy time or event. Fill in the blanks: "Nothing could detract from the (joy, happiness, or beauty) of that (particular time) when _____." Example: "Nothing could detract from the joy of that afternoon when we first held our newborn daughter." 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. This month, we're playing with the original and literal meanings of familiar words. I'll give you three words and their original or literal definitions, and you'll match them up. Easy! But then the following day, see if you can recall those old meanings. Hard! :) Our game has two purposes. One, we'll visit the interesting, thought-provoking old meanings of words. And two, we'll remind ourselves of a powerful learning strategy: delayed recalling. Let's play! First, try to recall from yesterday the original meaning of "heyday" and the literal meanings of "insect" and "elbow." Answers appear at the bottom of this issue. Next, match these words to their original or literal definitions in the answer bank below: 1. "Happy" originally meant _____ 2. "Complain" literally means _____ 3. "Weird" originally meant _____ Answer bank: A. "to beat the breast." B. "destiny." C. "having good fortune." review today's word: 1. The opposite of DETRACT is A. CHARGE B. DIMINISH C. ENHANCE 2.  More than a detraction ___ its value, _____. A. to .. the patina gives it a new layer of beauty B. against .. the scratches on the wood appear rustic  C. from .. the "Made in China" imprint renders it completely inauthentic 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 game questions: 1. "Heyday" originally meant "wow!" 2. "Insect" literally means "a divided body." 3. "Elbow" literally means "bend of the forearm." Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. C