Word: peel

Associations

"Peel" refers to the action of removing the outer skin or layer of something, usually a fruit or vegetable. It can also refer to the skin itself. This word is commonly used in cooking or when preparing food.

• Example 1: "Please peel the apple before you eat it." Here, it means to remove the skin of the apple.
• Example 2: "I need to peel the carrots for the salad." In this case, it means to take off the outer layer of the carrots.
• Example 3: "Use a knife to peel the orange." Here it suggests using a tool to remove the orange's skin.

The synonym "strip" can also mean to remove a layer, but it is often used in a broader sense, such as stripping paint from a surface, while "peel" specifically refers to removing skins from food items.

Substitution

Other phrases that can be used in place of "peel" include:

• "Remove the skin" - This is more descriptive and clear if "peel" is not well understood.
• "Skin" - Used when referring to the outer layer itself, as in "Remove the skin of the banana."
• "Pare" - This is similar but usually refers to removing a thin layer, like the skin of an apple with a knife.

Deconstruction

The word "peel" comes from the Old English word "pilian," which means to strip off the outer layer.

• Root: "peel" is the base form of the word.
• No prefix or suffix is applied.

This word reflects a simple action that has been used across many cultures wherever food preparation is needed.

Inquiry

• How do you usually peel fruits or vegetables?
• Can you think of other things that can be peeled besides food?
• Have you ever had trouble peeling something? What happened? These questions can help you think about your experiences with peeling and reinforce the meaning of the word.