Word: maverick (noun)

Associations

• A "maverick" is a person who thinks or acts independently, often refusing to follow the usual rules or ideas.
• It is often used to describe someone who is original, rebellious, or unconventional.
• Examples:
  • "She is a maverick in the tech industry, always coming up with new ideas." Here, it means a creative and independent thinker.
  • "The politician was seen as a maverick because he did not follow his party's opinions." This shows someone who disagrees with the group.
  • "The maverick cowboy refused to brand his cattle like the others." This example comes from the original meaning related to cattle.
• Synonym: "nonconformist" is similar but focuses more on refusing to conform to social norms, while "maverick" often has a sense of leadership or innovation.

Substitution

• You can use words like "individualist," "rebel," "nonconformist," or "independent thinker" instead of "maverick."
• Using "rebel" might suggest more conflict, while "individualist" focuses on being different without conflict.
• "Nonconformist" is more about social or cultural rules, and "maverick" can apply to many fields like business, politics, or art.

Deconstruction

• The word "maverick" comes from Samuel Maverick, a 19th-century Texas rancher who did not brand his cattle.
• Because of this, unbranded cattle were called "mavericks," and later the word came to mean a person who does not follow the crowd.
• There is no prefix or suffix here; it is a proper noun turned into a common noun.

Inquiry

• Can you think of someone you know or have heard about who is a "maverick"? What makes them different?
• How might being a maverick be good or bad in school or work?
• Can you imagine a situation where being a maverick could help solve a problem?