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Meaning "narrow-minded and limited in scope," today's "parochial" is slightly critical. A parochial perspective is a local one, held by someone who can't see past the borders of the parish or neighborhood.
For someone with an even narrower point of view, use the synonym hi_____nd. This describes people who are so profoundly rigid and narrow in their thinking that it's like they can't see past their own skin.
make your point with...
"PAROCHIAL"
"Parochial" is one opposite of "global." A parish is a small district, so something literally parochial involves only that small area of land or its small population.
More generally, something parochial concerns only a small, limited area. Or, it's limited and narrow-minded.
Pronunciation:
puh ROKE ee ull
Part of speech:
Adjective.
(Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late."
They can be used in two ways:
1. Right before a noun, as in "a parochial attitude."
2. After a linking verb, as in "Their attitude was parochial.")
Other forms:
There are lots, but you'll probably only need "parochially" and "parochialism"/"parochiality."
Note:
A parochial school isn't a narrow-minded one! It's a school associated with a specific church.
How to use it:
This word has a negative tone.
Talk about parochial attitudes and values, a parochial outlook or point of view, parochial thinking or a parochial mindset, a parochial vision, or a person with only a parochial scope or a thing with only parochial applicability. You can point out how certain issues, conflicts, concerns, or problems are merely parochial, or complain about a person's parochial interests.
examples:
Carl Hiaasen's books convey a distinct Floridian flavor without being parochial.
I have this little disclaimer at the bottom of every issue that fesses up to my parochial presentation of American English. Luckily, my British and Australian readers always respond to let me know when something is different in their versions of the language.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "parochial" means when you can explain it without saying "provincial" or "limited."
try it out:
Think of an issue that affects pretty much everybody, not just people in a certain place, and fill in the blanks: "The issue of _____ is hardly parochial."
Example: "The issue of climate change is hardly parochial; we don't call it local warming!"
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.
Well-Named Creatures:
Some names for animals and other creatures define themselves instantly or after a brief moment’s thought: anteater, grasshopper, hummingbird, seahorse, octopus (eight-foot). But other names deserve some exploration; they hold hidden clues about what the animals look like or what they do. And sometimes the names reveal how baffled people were when they first caught a glimpse of the creatures and tried to name them. This month, I’ll give you the literal meaning of a creature's name, and you come up with what it is. Answers will appear in alphabetical order this month. (Oh, and the answers might be animals, birds, insects, or even extinct creatures.) Enjoy!
From yesterday: A "little gnat" or "little fly" is a m______.
Answer: It's a mosquito! The name comes from Latin, through Spanish.
Try this one today: A "corpse whale" is a n______.
review today's word:
1. One opposite of PAROCHIAL is
A. UNCHANGING
B. ANIMATED
C. UNIVERSAL
2. Largely considered parochial, their interests _____ national ones in the major news outlets.
A. overshadow
B. stand in contrast with
C. draw less attention than
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, 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. C
2. C
Meaning "narrow-minded and limited in scope," today's "parochial" is slightly critical. A parochial perspective is a local one, held by someone who can't see past the borders of the parish or neighborhood.
"PAROCHIAL" "Parochial" is one opposite of "global." A parish is a small district, so something literally parochial involves only that small area of land or its small population. Pronunciation: Part of speech: How to use it:
Carl Hiaasen's books convey a distinct Floridian flavor without being parochial.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "parochial" means when you can explain it without saying "provincial" or "limited."
Think of an issue that affects pretty much everybody, not just people in a certain place, and fill in the blanks: "The issue of _____ is hardly parochial."
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. One opposite of PAROCHIAL 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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