Reading Theme:
Damage Definition: Physical Harm and Legal Compensation (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：physical harm (damage)
damage
/ˈdæmɪdʒ/
n.
Harm or injury that makes something less valuable or useful.
physical harm
➕
/ˈfɪzɪkəl hɑːrm/
n.
Physical harm or injury that reduces the value, function, or appearance of an object or substance.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'damnum' (loss, harm) + suffix '-age' denoting action or result.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine 'dam' breaks and water 'ages' your property—that's damage.
📖 Example
After the heavy storm, we found some damage to the roof, and water was leaking in.
After the heavy storm, we found some damage to the roof, and water was leaking in.
🔗 Collocations
cause damage – to inflict harm or injury on something
repair the damage – to fix the harm done
extensive damage – widespread or severe harm
🔄 Synonyms
harm (n.) – physical injury or damage
injury (n.) – harm done to a person or thing
destruction (n.) – severe damage that ruins something completely
🚫 Antonyms
repair (n.) – the act of restoring something damaged
benefit (n.) – an advantage or improvement
improvement (n.) – a change that makes something better
🌱 Derivatives
damageable (adj.) – capable of being damaged
damaging (adj.) – causing damage
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'damnum' through Old French 'damage'. In common law, 'damages' (plural) specifically refers to monetary compensation for harm, a term used since the 14th century.
Meaning 2：monetary compensation (damage)
damage
/ˈdæmɪdʒ/
n.
Money paid to someone because they suffered harm or loss.
monetary compensation
➕
/ˈmʌnɪtəri ˌkɒmpənˈseɪʃən/
n.
A sum of money awarded by a court to a person who has suffered loss or injury due to someone else's action.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The company was ordered to pay damages of one million dollars for the data breach.
The company was ordered to pay damages of one million dollars for the data breach.
🔗 Collocations
award damages – to grant monetary compensation by a court
seek damages – to pursue legal action to get compensation
punitive damages – additional compensation to punish the wrongdoer
🔄 Synonyms
compensation (n.) – payment for loss or injury
restitution (n.) – restoration of something taken or lost
indemnity (n.) – security against loss or damage
🚫 Antonyms
forfeiture (n.) – loss of something as a penalty
penalty (n.) – a punishment imposed for breaking a law
🌱 Derivatives
damages (n. pl.) – money awarded for loss or injury
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser