Contextually Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
contextually
[kษnหtษkstสuษli ]
Definition
in context
Contextually means in a manner related to the context in which something exists or occurs. It is often used to emphasize that the meaning or significance of something is dependent upon the surrounding circumstances or background.
Synonyms
circumstantially, relatively, situationally.
Examples of usage
- The meaning of a word can change contextually.
- Her argument needs to be evaluated contextually.
- The historical events that unfolded contextually shaped the narrative.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Studies show that people better remember information when they understand the context in which it was presented.
- Context helps in interpreting emotions and behaviors, allowing a deeper understanding of social interactions.
- In cognitive psychology, context is vital for memory; recalling a memory in the same environment where it was formed aids retrieval.
Education
- Effective learning strategies often employ context to make concepts relatable, helping students understand complex ideas easily.
- Contextual learning integrates real-world scenarios, allowing learners to apply what they learn in practical settings.
- Teaching methods that use context have been shown to increase retention rates among students.
Linguistics
- Understanding language contextually involves recognizing how words and phrases change meaning depending on their surrounding text or speech.
- Pragmatics, a branch of linguistics, studies how context influences the interpretation of language.
- Context can alter idiomatic expressions, making them mean something different than they do when taken literally.
Philosophy
- Contextualism, a philosophical approach, posits that the meaning of statements can only be understood within their situational contexts.
- Philosophers argue that ethical decisions often require a contextual analysis to apply moral principles appropriately.
- In debates about truth, context plays a essential role, highlighting how perspectives inform understanding.
Origin of 'contextually'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'contextually' comes from 'context', which is derived from the Latin word 'contextus', meaning 'to weave together'.
- It started being used in English around the 1800s to describe how meanings change based on different situations.
- The prefix 'con-' indicates 'together', emphasizing how things are connected or related to one another.
The word 'contextually' comes from the root word 'context', which is derived from the Latin term 'contextus', meaning 'to weave together'. The Latin 'contextus' is formed from 'con-' meaning 'together' and 'texere', meaning 'to weave'. This reflects the idea that context is the fabric in which various elements are interwoven, influencing the meaning and understanding of a particular situation or statement. The adverbial form 'contextually' pertains to this notion of context and began to emerge in English usage around the late 19th century. It became increasingly prominent in academic and literary discussions as the importance of context in interpreting texts, speeches, and actions was recognized across various fields such as linguistics, sociology, and literary criticism.