What does "in this context" mean?

Question

I dont know why but i always battle with this, so any help would be much appreciated!.

I have a sentence that reads:

Explain the difference between using touch, gesticulation or pantomime by giving an example of each - in this context.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Hello, Jaybug-- and welcome to English Forums.

You haven't given us any context, so I cannot be more specific, but in this context means in the situation or under the conditions given or presented.

Jaybug · Answer

Hi there,

Thanks for your reply!!

Unfortunately that is the entire question!

It comes from "The Story of my Life" by Hellen Keller.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Then the context is the story of her life.

Anonymous · Answer

"Context" is the words or ideas that surround the statement in question. For example, "John" would probably be used in one context in the Bible and in a completely different context in an article about Elton John.

In your book, the author probably talks about something - theatre, psychology, whatever - something which has to do with using touch, gesticulation and pantomime. The author is then asks you to give an example of those, but not a general example, but an example specifically in the context of the book.

For example, if the book is about nonverbal communication between humans, which includes touch, gesticulation and even pantomime, giving an example of your pet dog touching your hand would not be in the context of the book.

Anonymous · Answer

Since this reply is a couple years after the question, it can obviously be used for future reference. Here's a convenient way to approach questions like this one online. Bookmark or add OneLook.com to your Favorites. I have OneLook in the Toolbar as a button at the top of my browser, so I take the pointer with the computer mouse and click-on the OneLook button, which produces a pop-up dialogue box in front of the site I'm 're visiting . If you're using a word processing program, just switch to your browser and go to OneLook.

If you can't create a button on your screen you can Google - OneLook or type OneLook.com in the URL address box at the top of your browser. Then simply type in the word, which in this case is "context" and hit Enter or Return.
The following is a copy of what you get:

Quick definitions (context)
? noun: discourse that surrounds a language unit and helps to determine its interpretation
? noun: the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation or event ("The historical context")

In this case, you know the context revolves around Helen Keller's means of non-verbal communication.

Besides the "Quick definitions" the left side of your screen will have a list of various other online dictionary links you can click-on if your want more information.

I use OneLook.com virtually everytime I get on the computer, which is generally every day. If you can create a button of OneLook on your browser you can copy & paste an unfamiliar word from any site into the pop-up dialogue box and have a general idea of what the word means in a matter of seconds. It's a great tool for anyone that has to work with words or is just curious about the true meaning of a word.

Anonymous · Answer

Hello, everyone!

The problem, it seems to me, is that the expression has been over (and wrongly) used. 'Thus', or no expression at all, in most cases where I have seen in this context, would perfectly do.

Happy New Year!

Anonymous · Answer

What does it mean to define a word through context? The word is articulate

Avangi · Answer

to define a word through context

Your question could be taken two ways.
(1) to use contextual examples to explain the meaning(s) of a word
(2) to let the context make the meaning clear

"Articulate" is commonly used as an adjective and as a verb. Without actually saying so, when you offer the sentence "He is a very articulate person," anyone with the most rudimentary knowledge of grammar would understand that "articulate" is being used as an adjective.
That gives us the grammatical part of the definition. To flesh out the lexical definition, of course we'd need more.
"Context" is the "story" in which the word appears.

In addition to speaking with perfect diction, his choice of words conveys his meaning perfectly. He expresses himself well on paper, and also when speaking improptu to a gathering of people.

The dictionary defines words by using synonyms and explaining the meaning. Sometimes they offer examples in sentence form. Sometimes they don't.
When they DON'T, that would be the exact opposite of defining the word through context.

Anonymous · Answer

is it correct for me to say 'in the context of our job' loitering means wasting too much time on one transaction.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Anonymousis it correct for me to say 'in the context of our job'

It is verbose and unnecessary; the word 'loiter' usually has negative connotations in any context. Be simple, clear and direct always:

'Loitering' means wasting too much time on one transaction.

What does "in this context" mean?

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