Word: pelts (noun, plural; also verb, third person singular of "pelt")

Associations

The word "pelts" has two main uses:

1. As a noun, "pelts" means the skins or hides of animals, usually with the fur still on them. People use pelts to make clothing, rugs, or decorations.

   • Example: "The hunter collected the pelts of the foxes he caught."
   • Example: "The fur coat was made from several animal pelts."
   • Example: "In the past, pelts were valuable trade items."

2. As a verb, "pelts" means to throw things at someone or something quickly and repeatedly.

   • Example: "The children pelts the snowballs at each other."
   • Example: "The protesters pelts the building with paint."
   • Example: "The rain pelts the windows during the storm."

Synonym for noun: "skins" — usually "skins" means just the outer covering without fur, while "pelts" usually include fur. Synonym for verb: "throws" — "pelts" suggests many fast or hard throws, often in a repeated way.

Substitution

• For pelts (noun): skins, hides, furs
• For pelts (verb): throws, hurls, flings, bombards Changing the word might change the meaning slightly:
• Using "skins" instead of "pelts" focuses more on the skin without fur.
• Using "throws" instead of "pelts" is more general and less intense.

Deconstruction

• Pelt (noun): comes from Old French "pel" meaning skin or hide.
• Pelt (verb): originally meant to strip the skin off an animal, later also meant to throw things fast.
• The plural "pelts" just means more than one pelt.

Inquiry

• Can you think of animals whose pelts are commonly used in clothing?
• Have you ever seen someone pelt something (throw many things quickly)? What was happening?
• How does the meaning change when you hear "pelts" as a noun versus a verb? Can you make sentences with both?