Which term corresponds to 'a word's dictionary definition'?

Get ready for the NYSTCE 116 ESOL CST. Learn with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which term corresponds to 'a word's dictionary definition'?

Explanation:
The term you’re looking for is denotation—the literal, dictionary meaning of a word. This is the meaning you can look up and define in a glossary, without the feelings or associations the word might carry. For example, the denotation of a word like “home” is the place where someone lives; its connotations could include warmth or safety, but those are separate from the dictionary definition. In ESOL teaching, focusing on denotation helps learners grasp precise meanings and avoid mixing in emotional or cultural shades of meaning. Other options describe different language ideas. Overextend refers to a child’s tendency to expand a word’s meaning too broadly (like calling all animals “dog”). The early multiword stage is a developmental period when children start combining words. Pull-out programs are a service approach for instruction.

The term you’re looking for is denotation—the literal, dictionary meaning of a word. This is the meaning you can look up and define in a glossary, without the feelings or associations the word might carry. For example, the denotation of a word like “home” is the place where someone lives; its connotations could include warmth or safety, but those are separate from the dictionary definition. In ESOL teaching, focusing on denotation helps learners grasp precise meanings and avoid mixing in emotional or cultural shades of meaning.

Other options describe different language ideas. Overextend refers to a child’s tendency to expand a word’s meaning too broadly (like calling all animals “dog”). The early multiword stage is a developmental period when children start combining words. Pull-out programs are a service approach for instruction.

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