Word: constrict (verb)

Associations

The word "constrict" means to make something tighter, smaller, or narrower by squeezing or pressing. It is often used when talking about things like muscles, blood vessels, or anything that can be tightened or made narrower.

• The snake can constrict its prey by squeezing it tightly. This means the snake squeezes to stop the prey from moving.
• Cold weather can constrict blood vessels, making them narrower. This happens because the body tries to keep warm.
• Stress can constrict your breathing, making it feel harder to breathe. This means your chest muscles tighten.

A similar word is "contract," which also means to become smaller or tighter. The difference is "contract" is often used for muscles or agreements, while "constrict" is more about squeezing or narrowing physically.

Substitution

You can replace "constrict" with words like:

• tighten (focuses on making something tighter)
• squeeze (focuses on pressing something firmly)
• narrow (focuses on making something less wide)

Changing the word can slightly change the meaning. For example, "tighten" is more general, while "constrict" often implies pressure from all sides.

Deconstruction

"Constrict" comes from Latin:

• Prefix "con-" means "together" or "with"
• Root "strict" comes from Latin "stringere," meaning "to bind" or "to draw tight"

So, "constrict" literally means "to draw together tightly."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation where something in your body constricts?
• How does the idea of constricting help you understand what happens when you feel nervous or stressed?
• Have you seen or heard about animals that constrict? What do they do exactly?