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Emit shares a root with admit, commit, mission, missile, and oodles of others. That root is the Latin mittere, meaning "to send" or "to let go."
You see this same root in un__mit____ (meaning "continuing without stopping") and _mis_____ (meaning "safe to leave out because it's not necessary").
It's a connection worth considering. Knowing a root like this one helps you clump words together meaningfully, making them easier to recall later. Plus, if you see a new word with "mit" or "mis" in it, you'll know it probably involves some kind of literal or figurative sending or letting go.
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"EMIT"
To emit something is to squirt it out or send it out. (Things that get emitted are most often liquids, gases, smells, sounds, and light.)
Pronunciation:
im IT
Part of speech:
Transitive verb.
(Like "eat," "try," and "want," all transitive verbs do something to an object.
You eat a banana, try a game, and want a new phone.
Likewise, one thing emits another thing.)
Other forms:
emitted, emitting, emission(s)
How to use it:
As I mentioned above, literal emissions (things that get emitted) usually are liquids and gases, smells, sounds, and light. Talk about a tree that emits sap, a car that emits smoke and flames, a bubbling pot on the stove that emits a strange odor, chalk that emits a hideous scraping sound when used, a bird that emits a characteristic chirp, a crowd that emits loud cheers, a bulb that emits just the right amount of light, etc.
Figurative usage is less common, but you might talk about a person who emits pleas or promises, a poem that emits a sentiment, a statue that emits dignity and solemnity, a place or event that emits a certain tone or quality, etc.
examples:
Even on a late foggy night, when seen from the mountain road above, Hilo emits a welcoming stretch of lights.
I emitted an undignified girly yelp when I saw the millipede.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "emit" means when you can explain it without saying "to send out" or "radiate."
try it out:
Think of a smell that reminds you of a memory. Fill in the blanks: "(Thing) emits a (fragrance/odor/smell) that takes me back to _____."
Example: "The Great Illustrated Classics books emit a gluey smell that takes me back to long, peaceful childhood afternoons."
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 anagrams: rearrangements of the letters in a word to form new words. (For example, “care” has two anagrams: “acre” and “race.”) Looking for these makes you a stronger player in other word games. But more importantly, it helps you practice thinking flexibly and methodically. Plus you get to giggle at potential non-words and discover new real words. We’ll work our way from shorter to longer anagrams. And at any point if you wonder why I left out a word you wanted to list, or why I included a word you think isn’t a real one, hold your fire: our authority for this game is ScrabbleWordFinder.org, which draws from a highly inclusive dictionary. Let’s play!
From yesterday: What are the 2 anagrams for WATERED?
Answer: DEWATER and TARWEED. You’re right if you guessed that tarweed is a plant.
Try this one today: What are the 2 anagrams for CHAPTER?
review today's word:
1. The opposite of EMIT is
A. CONTAIN
B. EXPRESS
C. DISTILL
2. The coqui frog emits _____.
A. a decline due to a harmful fungus
B. a distinctive mating call at night
C. the tadpole stage within the egg
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, 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. A
2. B
Emit shares a root with admit, commit, mission, missile, and oodles of others. That root is the Latin mittere, meaning "to send" or "to let go."
"EMIT" To emit something is to squirt it out or send it out. (Things that get emitted are most often liquids, gases, smells, sounds, and light.) Pronunciation: Part of speech:
Even on a late foggy night, when seen from the mountain road above, Hilo emits a welcoming stretch of lights.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "emit" means when you can explain it without saying "to send out" or "radiate."
Think of a smell that reminds you of a memory. Fill in the blanks: "(Thing) emits a (fragrance/odor/smell) that takes me back to _____."
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.
1. The opposite of EMIT is
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
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