Context Clues to Identify the Meaning of a Word

Definition of Context Clues:
Context clues are hints or information provided within a text that help readers understand the meaning of unfamiliar words. By using context clues, readers can make educated guesses about the meaning of a word based on the surrounding text.

Types of Context Clues:
There are four main types of context clues that can be used to identify the meaning of an underlined word in a sentence:

1. Inference:
Inferences are conclusions made by using evidence and reasoning. In this type of context clue, readers need to analyze the sentence and make a logical guess about the meaning of the underlined word based on the information provided in the text. Inferences require readers to think critically and consider the context to determine the meaning.

2. Antonym:
An antonym is a word that has the opposite meaning of another word. In this type of context clue, the underlined word may be contrasted with another word in the sentence, which helps readers understand the meaning by identifying the opposite relationship between the two words.

3. Synonym:
A synonym is a word that has a similar meaning to another word. In this type of context clue, the underlined word may be followed or preceded by a word that has a well-known meaning. By recognizing the meaning of the known word, readers can infer the meaning of the underlined word.

4. Definition:
Sometimes, the meaning of the underlined word is explicitly provided in the sentence itself. The author may define the word directly or indirectly through the use of appositive phrases, explanatory phrases, or examples. This type of context clue allows readers to easily identify the meaning of the underlined word.

Application to the Given Sentence:
In the given sentence, the underlined word is "coronavirus" which is a newly discovered virus causing COVID-19. To identify the meaning of this word, we can use the following context clues:

- Definition: The sentence itself provides a definition of the underlined word. It states that COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Therefore, we can directly infer the meaning of "coronavirus" as a type of virus.

Hence, in this specific sentence, the context clue used to identify the meaning of the underlined word is definition.