Contextualize

/kənˈtɛkstʃuəlaɪz/ verb

Definition

To place something in its proper setting or circumstances so that its meaning becomes clearer.

Etymology

From context + -ualize (to make into). Context comes from Latin contextus (woven together), from con- + texere (to weave). The -ualize suffix emerged in the 20th century.

Kelly Says

This is a modern word that solves a modern problem—we need to constantly remind each other that everything makes sense only in context, so this verb became essential in academic and scientific writing where a single fact without context is actually meaningless.

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