Word: eminent (adjective)

Associations

"Eminent" means famous, respected, and important, especially in a particular profession or area.

• Example 1: "She is an eminent scientist known for her research." Here, "eminent" shows she is well-known and respected in science.
• Example 2: "The eminent author will speak at the conference." This means the author is famous and important.
• Example 3: "An eminent judge made the final decision." This shows the judge is highly respected. A similar word is "famous," but "eminent" often implies respect and importance, not just popularity. So, "eminent" is more formal and positive than just "famous."

Substitution

You can replace "eminent" with:

• "distinguished" (shows respect and achievement)
• "renowned" (well-known and admired)
• "notable" (worthy of attention) Each word changes the tone a bit. For example, "distinguished" focuses more on achievements, while "renowned" focuses on being well-known.

Deconstruction

The word "eminent" comes from Latin "eminere," meaning "to stand out" or "to project."

• Prefix: "e-" means "out"
• Root: "minere" means "to project or stand" So, "eminent" literally means "standing out," which fits its meaning of being important or famous.

Inquiry

• Can you think of someone in your life or history who is eminent? Why?
• How would you describe an eminent person differently from just a famous person?
• In what situations would it be better to use "eminent" instead of "famous"?