Make Your Point > Archived Issues > GRAVITY

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explore the archives: Today we're taking a look at the figurative use of gravity, the noun. Could you recall the meaning of gravitate, the verb? (What does it mean if you gravitate toward the dessert table?) make your point with... "GRAVITY" Aside from being that force that pulls, gravity is also a feeling or manner of heaviness, seriousness, or solemn importance. Pronunciation: GRAV ih tee Part of speech: Uncountable noun. (Like "milk," "rice," and "education," uncountable nouns are words for stuff that can’t be broken into exact units. You talk about "some milk," "the rice," and "a lot of education," but you don’t say "a milk," "three rices," or "many educations." Likewise, talk about "the gravity," "such gravity," "a lot of gravity," "no gravity," and so on, but don’t say "gravities.") Other forms: The adjective is "grave;" the adverb, "gravely." "Gravitas" ("GRAV ih toss") also means "gravity" and is an even more serious, formal word. How to use it: Talk about doing something with gravity or saying something with gravity, or talk about his gravity, her gravity, the gravity of their tone, the gravity of our mood, etc. You can also talk about the gravity of a poem, a speech, an article, a novel, a film, etc. Or, the gravity of an event or a situation: the gravity of a defeat, the gravity of a loss, the gravity of a sin or a crime. examples: He's starting in just a few weeks and still doesn't understand the gravity of the job. You can feel the earnestness and gravity as Leon Russell sings "Gone to Shiloh," a beautiful but heavy song about a father heading to war. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "gravity" means when you can explain it without saying "solemn dignity" or "heavy seriousness." try it out: What's a situation or event that people should treat seriously--or less seriously? Fill in the blanks: "(Some aspect) lends gravity to (a situation or event)." Or, "(Some aspect) eases the gravity of (a situation or event)." Example: "A joke or two eases the gravity of commencement speeches."  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 "grocer" and the literal meanings of "describe" and "fajita." Answers appear at the bottom of this issue. Next, match these words to their original or literal definitions in the answer bank below: 1. "Enthusiasm" originally meant _____ 2. "East" originally meant _____ 3. "Maintain" literally means _____ Answer bank: A. "to hold in the hand." B. "possession by a god." C. "to find your position." review today's word: 1. The exact opposite of GRAVITY is LEVITY. But another opposite of GRAVITY is A. MIRTH B. GAIN C. LIFT 2. He spoke with gravity, laying out our options for _____. A. treating the illness B. preparing appetizers C. improving the landscaping 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. "Grocer" originally meant "a dealer in gross (large quantities)." 2. "Describe" literally means "to write down." 3. "Fajita" literally means "small strip or belt." Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. A