Pelts
/pɛlts/
nounverbB2plural (for noun), third person singular present (for verb)
Definition
As a noun, pelts are the skins of animals that still have their fur or hair on them, usually taken after the animal is hunted or trapped. People use pelts to make warm clothes or decorations. As a verb, "pelts" means to throw many objects quickly and with force, like stones or rain hitting strongly.
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See It in Action
Animal skins with fur (noun)
- •The trader sold fox pelts to make coats.
- •Early settlers used animal pelts for warmth.
- •The pelts were soft and thick, perfect for winter clothes.
To throw things quickly and forcefully (verb)
- •The children pelts stones at the old barn.
- •Rain pelts the window during the storm.
- •Protesters pelts the building with eggs.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "pelts" like "skins," but with fur still on them, like a soft coat from an animal.
- ✓Picture a thick, furry animal skin stretched out flat, soft but strong.
- ✓It's like the feeling of a warm, soft blanket made from animal fur.
- ✓Sounds like "pelts" → imagine pellets (small balls) being thrown fast and hard.
- ✓In stories, hunters collect pelts after catching animals for warmth and trade.
- ✓NOT like "hide" (which is a skin without fur), pelts keep the fur on.
- ✓NOT like "throw" (general action), "pelts" means throwing many things quickly and hard.
- ✓As a noun, pelts are natural; as a verb, pelting is an action done by a person or nature (like rain pelting a window).
Try Other Words
- •Skins: animal skins, usually without fur (Use when fur is removed or not important)
- •Throws: to send something through the air by hand (Use when the action is less forceful or less continuous)
- •Bombards: to attack with many things quickly (Use in more formal or intense situations)
- •Hits: to strike or touch something (Use when focus is on contact, not throwing)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "pelt" + "s" (plural for noun, third person singular present tense for verb)
- •Etymology: From Old English "pelt," meaning animal skin or hide
- •Historical development: Used for animal skins since early English; as a verb meaning to throw forcefully from the 1500s
- •Modern usage: Still used for animal fur skins and to describe forceful throwing or hitting (by rain, stones, etc.)
Reflect & Connect
•How does the meaning of pelts as animal skins connect to its meaning as throwing things forcefully?
•In what situations might you hear "pelts" used more often—as skins or as throwing? Why?
Fill in the blanks
1.The hunter carefully removed the ___ from the animal to keep the fur intact.
2.During the storm, rain ___ the roof with strong, loud hits.
3.She ___ the ball back to her friend with great speed.
4.Traders often exchanged ___ for money or food in old times.
5.When the crowd got angry, they ___ stones at the windows until they broke.
6.The soft ___ were used to make warm winter hats and gloves.
7.You could hear the sound of hail ___ against the car windshield all night.