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A tocsin is an alarm bell: figuratively, a signal that something is very wrong.
And a kn___ is a funeral bell: figuratively, a signal that something has died.
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"TOCSIN"
A tocsin is an alarm bell, or a sign that something is very worrisome and that people need to pay attention and act.
Pronunciation:
TOCK sun (the same as "toxin")
Part of speech:
Countable noun.
(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 tocsin or multiple tocsins.)
Other forms:
None, but you can loosely use it like an adjective: "tocsin sound," "tocsin shout," "tocsin note," etc.
How to use it:
When we use "tocsin" figuratively, we often stick closely to the literal meaning by referring to the tocsin as a bell: a tocsin rings out for civil liberties, the tocsin rang throughout the country, a tocsin was pealing loudly, the sound was like the strokes of a tocsin, they sounded the tocsin, the tocsin sounded to begin the resistance, they'll ring the tocsin.
Sometimes we'll talk about a tocsin of something: a tocsin of strife, the tocsin of danger, the tocsin of inequality; a tocsin of democracy, this tocsin of freedom, that tocsin of liberty, a tocsin of reform; the tocsin of rebellion or insurrection.
We can sound a tocsin against someone or something: he sounded a tocsin against refugees, they sounded the tocsin against vaccines, let's sound the tocsin against authoritarianism.
You can also say that an action, event, or statement is (or was, or will be) a tocsin: the failure was the tocsin he needed to reassess his method. Notice how something can be a tocsin to someone or for someone or something: her hospitalization was a tocsin to her, so she began taking her condition seriously; the new report was a tocsin for environmentalists; the pamphlet would become the tocsin for rebellion.
Rarely, we'll specify a type of tocsin: a spiritual tocsin, a frightening tocsin, a calamitous tocsin, a compelling tocsin.
examples:
After meteorologists in Kissimmee rang the tocsin too often and too loudly with a series of warnings about storms that never happened, the beleaguered residents stopped paying attention. That's why they were unprepared for the devastating tornado.
In these tumultuous weeks, we can't afford to sound the tocsin against every offense. We have to be selective and focused.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "tocsin" means when you can explain it without saying "dire warning" or "rallying cry."
try it out:
Fill in the blanks: "(Person) sounded a tocsin against (a dangerous thing)."
Example: "George Washington sounded a tocsin against the divisiveness of political parties."
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.
Our game this month is called One-Word Titles! Rely on your cultural knowledge, your vocabulary, or both as we consider the power and simplicity of one-word titles. We'll recall movies, songs, books, television shows, and musicals with brief, meaningful, well-chosen titles of only one word each. Let's play!
From yesterday: The title of this television series, which debuted in 1981 in the US and was created by Richard and Esther Shapiro, usually means "a line of rulers all in the same family." But its oldest meaning is "power, sovereignty," and its newest meaning is "a series of athletic successes." The title is _______.
Answer: Dynasty.
Try this today: The title of this television series, which debuted in 1959 and was created by David Dortort, means "a source of great wealth," like a discovery of silver or gold. Though we took it directly from Spanish, it ultimately comes from the Latin for "good," which shows up in words like benevolent. The show's title is also the title of its theme song--guaranteed to get stuck in your head. That title is _______.
review today's word:
1. The closest opposite of TOCSIN is
A. THE YIELD SIGN
B. THE ALL-CLEAR SIGNAL
C. THE SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO
2. Failing test scores in both English and math were the tocsin that _____ her parents, who immediately intervened.
A. awoke
B. defied
C. evaded
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 review questions:
1. B
2. A
A tocsin is an alarm bell: figuratively, a signal that something is very wrong.
"TOCSIN" A tocsin is an alarm bell, or a sign that something is very worrisome and that people need to pay attention and act. Part of speech:
After meteorologists in Kissimmee rang the tocsin too often and too loudly with a series of warnings about storms that never happened, the beleaguered residents stopped paying attention. That's why they were unprepared for the devastating tornado.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "tocsin" means when you can explain it without saying "dire warning" or "rallying cry."
Fill in the blanks: "(Person) sounded a tocsin against (a dangerous thing)."
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 closest opposite of TOCSIN is
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com
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