Word: rabid

Associations

The word "rabid" describes a state of extreme enthusiasm or anger, often related to a strong belief or opinion. It can also mean infected with rabies, a serious animal disease.

• Example 1: A rabid sports fan. This could describe a person who is extremely passionate about their team, cheering loudly and showing intense excitement.
• Example 2: Rabid animal. This usually refers to an animal that is sick with rabies, and it can be dangerous.
• Example 3: Rabid criticism. This refers to very harsh and intense criticism that may be in response to a specific action or opinion.

The synonym "fanatical" also represents extreme enthusiasm but often carries a connotation of being unreasonable, while "rabid" can imply a more aggressive or hostile manner, especially when discussing opinions.

Substitution

Other words that can be used in place of "rabid" include:

• "fervent" - meaning very passionate, but usually without the aggressive tone.
• "zealous" - meaning enthusiastic, especially in support of a cause, usually more positive than "rabid."
• "intense" - can describe passion or feeling, but doesn’t carry the same connotations of aggression or extremity.

Deconstruction

The word "rabid" comes from the Latin word "rabidus," which means "mad" or "furious." Its root is "rabere," meaning "to rave" or "to be mad." Understanding this helps clarify why we use it to describe intense feelings, either in enthusiasm or aggression.

Inquiry

• How might you describe a "rabid" supporter in a situation where they are defending their opinion?
• Can you think of a time when someone was "rabid" in their belief? Was it positive or negative?
• In what contexts do you think using "rabid" could be inappropriate? Why?