Make Your Point > Archived Issues > DEFANG

Send Make Your Point issues straight to your inbox.

"DEFANG" Meaning: Of course, to defang a creature is to remove its fangs and make it less dangerous. Figuratively, to defang something is to make it less powerful (or even harmless). Pronunciation: dee FANG 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, you defang something or someone.) Other forms: defanged, defanging How to use it: Talk about defanging a law or rule or regulation, defanging a quality or aspect of something, defanging a movement or campaign, defanging a message or meaning, defanging an argument or an attack, defanging an order or command, and so on. You can also defang a person or group, such as a politician, a leader, a boss, a fanbase, your opposition, a faction, a corporation, or a country. The adjective "defanged" might help you make your point faster: "a defanged sentiment," "defanged authority." Add "by (something)" if you like: "a sentiment defanged by wishy-washy language," "authority defanged by rampant rule-breaking." In a tough class, when all you care about anymore is just passing, the once-terrifying threat of earning a B or C instead of an A is suddenly defanged. In an argument, you defang your own examples if they're blatantly one-sided. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "defang" means when you can explain it without saying "disarm" or "cripple." Think of a person or group who has a lot of power or influence, and fill in the blanks: "(Person or group) currently (uses its power or influence in a particular way,) but (some other person or group) is/are working to defang (him/her/it/them)." Example: "These few vicious girls currently define what's cool and uncool at their middle school, but the teachers and staff--desperate to create a more welcoming learning environment--are working to defang them." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, we're playing New Word Order! It's a card game that I recently created; it involves figuring out the order in which certain words and phrases entered our language. I'll give you several words and/or phrases, and you'll use your knowledge of history, slang, technology, popular culture, fashion, psychology, etc. to put them into chronological order. I'll post the right answer to each question on the following day. If you like this game, you can download and print it to play with your family and friends. (It's free.) For the last three days of this month, I’m using New Word Order cards to throw some very challenging tasks your way. These types of questions aren’t part of the official game instructions, but you can use your creativity to do whatever you want with the cards… and there are 500 of them, so have fun!  Yesterday's task was to spot the one word that's out of place on the timeline. Where does it belong?   Teleprompter   Miniseries   Nintendo   Klingon   Tardis Answer: "Nintendo" was out of place. It's newer than Star Trek and Doctor Who:   Teleprompter, 1951   Miniseries, 1963   Klingon, 1968   Tardis, 1969   Nintendo, 1987 Today's final task: All of these words originated in a single year. Which one? (Kudos if you get just the decade correct.) App Biodiversity Dumpster-dive Japanimation Rollerblade Special preview of next month's game: In December, we'll be sampling questions from Orijinz, an awesome series of games about the origins of words, phrases, and quotes. Click here or on the logo below if you want to go ahead and check them out! A Point Well Made: Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Every man I meet is in some way my superior; and in that I can learn of him.” 1. The opposite of TO DEFANG is A. TO EYE B. TO KNEE C. TO ARM 2. The original version of the song was _____; this defanged remake will _____. A. plodding and slow .. fill the dance floor B. raw and edgy .. thrill no one C. done a capella .. introduce instruments you've never even heard of  Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.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. C 2. B Exploring the archives: Assuming you process today's word correctly (into the pieces "de" and "fang,") then the word is really easy to understand, and it's both simple and powerful. Other words we've checked out that have similar clarity and power include faceless, ramrod, warpath, and well-knit.