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Add today's first fruits to sow, reap, harvest, and cull in your memory--all are farm-related terms for discussing the abstract. So is g____, a verb originally applied to the gathering of leftover corn from the field that reapers failed to harvest. But today we use it to mean "to gather things up, bit by bit." Could you recall it?
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"FIRST FRUITS"
Literal first fruits are the first crops that get harvested in a particular growing season. Historically, these played a role in festivals and offerings to the gods, and "first fruits" were also the traditional first year's wages handed over to whoever gave you the job or the land.
Figurative first fruits are the first good results you get from a specific thing you're working on.
Pronunciation:
first FRUITS
Part of speech:
Countable noun, usually plural.
(Countable nouns, like "bottle," "piece," and "decision," are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about "a bottle," "three pieces," and "many decisions."
Likewise, talk about one first fruit or multiple first fruits.)
Other forms:
The adjective is "first-fruit" and most often shows up in the phrase "first-fruit offering."
How to use it:
Talk about the first fruits of your studies, the first fruits of your art, the first fruits of a strategy or plan, the first fruits of a new attitude or a new skill, the first fruits of a particular movement in history or the arts, etc.
Though we usually use the plural, you might talk about a singular first fruit: "This album is the duo's first fruit."
To call something the first fruits is often to hint that there's an abundant harvest to be had later on: "the first fruits of their long-term investment plan."
examples:
The first fruits of my graduate studies in education included a firm framework for thinking about achievement motivation.
The redevelopment plan's first fruit was much-needed shade along sidewalks crowded with pedestrians.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "first fruits" means when you can explain it without saying "benefits that you get first" or "the first ways you profit."
try it out:
Think of a time you benefited by changing your method, your attitude, your point of view, or your way of thinking. Fill in the blanks: "I'm savoring the first fruits of my (new thing): (a specific benefit)."
Example: "I'm savoring the first fruits of my 'new toy in, old toy out' policy: a sense that the clutter can be controlled."
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 is the 1 anagram for GIST?
Answer: GITS. The British have plenty of slang words for stupid people: "gits" is another. (We recently encountered "prat.")
Try this one today: What are the 2 anagrams for SPIT?
review today's word:
1. The opposite of FIRST FRUITS is
A. JUST DESERTS
B. FINAL SACRIFICE
C. LAST GLEANINGS
2. The Scouts are now _____ the first fruits of their hard work: the gratitude of the senior citizens who benefit from it.
A. sowing
B. watering
C. reaping
Answers are below.
a final word:
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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. C
2. C
Add today's first fruits to sow, reap, harvest, and cull in your memory--all are farm-related terms for discussing the abstract. So is g____, a verb originally applied to the gathering of leftover corn from the field that reapers failed to harvest. But today we use it to mean "to gather things up, bit by bit." Could you recall it?
"FIRST FRUITS" Literal first fruits are the first crops that get harvested in a particular growing season. Historically, these played a role in festivals and offerings to the gods, and "first fruits" were also the traditional first year's wages handed over to whoever gave you the job or the land. Pronunciation: Part of speech:
The first fruits of my graduate studies in education included a firm framework for thinking about achievement motivation.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "first fruits" means when you can explain it without saying "benefits that you get first" or "the first ways you profit."
Think of a time you benefited by changing your method, your attitude, your point of view, or your way of thinking. Fill in the blanks: "I'm savoring the first fruits of my (new thing): (a specific benefit)."
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 FIRST FRUITS 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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