Make Your Point > Archived Issues > MAIM

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"MAIM" Pronunciation: MAME 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 maim something or someone.) Meaning: To maim things or people is to damage them so badly that they're injured permanently or made useless. Other forms: maimedness (not recommended, as it sounds awkward,) maimed, maiming How to use it: For the literal meaning, talk about something or someone maiming people or things: "The car accident maimed the poor dog." "The forest was utterly maimed by the fire." Figuratively, describe something as maimed (often by something) when it's been so damaged that it doesn't even function anymore: a proposal maimed by terrible revisions, a relationship maimed by an affair, an investment plan maimed by sharp downturns in the market, and so on. In fiction, a maimed body often represents a character deficit. You might remember the story of Johnny Tremain? His hand got maimed early on in the book, and the author draws parallels between the useless hand and Johnny's off-putting and boastful attitude. My mom taught me to be careful with people's feelings, which can be easily maimed by thoughtlessly critical words. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You'll know you understand what "maim" means when you can explain it without saying "injure" or "disfigure." Think of a thing or place that has been badly ruined by something, and fill in the blanks: "It's such a shame how _____ was/is/gets maimed by _____." Example: "It's such a shame how a child's interest in reading for fun gets maimed by dull required reading at school." 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 reviewing recently featured words with some activities created with my favorite vocabulary software: Vocabulary Worksheet Factory, made by Schoolhouse Technologies. It's a simple, flexible program that lets you input word lists and definitions, then create customized, fun worksheets for review. We're starting off with very easy activities, then working our way toward harder reviews throughout the month. From yesterday: View Answer: View Try this one today. It should seem moderately difficult: View A Point Well Made: James Baldwin: "You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was Dostoevsky and Dickens who taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who ever had been alive." 1. The opposite of MAIM is A. HEAL B. TREAT C. ASSESS 2. Her confidence was maimed by _____. A. reports of her middling approval ratings B. consistent support from more and more interest groups C. an incisive and truthful report that lay bare all of her flaws 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. A 2. C