Reading Theme:
Relation: Definition, Usage & Key Differences (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：connection (relation)
relation
/rɪˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
n.
how two or more things are connected to each other or affect one another.
connection
➕
/kəˈnekʃ(ə)n/
n.
Refers to how two or more things are linked or affect each other.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'relatio', meaning 'a bringing back' or 'report', derived from 'referre' (to bring back).
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 're-late' to family or 're-link' to connections.
📖 Example
He is researching the relation between coffee consumption and alertness in his class.
He is studying how coffee drinking and alertness are connected in his class.
🔗 Collocations
in relation to – concerning or regarding something
have a relation with – be connected or associated with
close relation – strong connection
🔄 Synonyms
connection (n.) – a relationship in which something is linked or associated with another
association (n.) – a connection or cooperative link between people or organizations
correlation (n.) – a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things
🚫 Antonyms
disconnection (n.) – the state of being detached or unrelated
independence (n.) – the fact or state of being independent or not connected
🌱 Derivatives
relational (adj.) – concerning the way in which things are connected or related
📖 Cultural Story
Originating from Latin 'relatio', used in logic for connections between propositions. In modern culture, it's key in database theory, where relational databases organize data into tables with defined relations, a concept introduced by Edgar F. Codd.
Meaning 2：family member (relation)
relation
/rɪˈleɪʃ(ə)n/
n.
a person who belongs to the same family as you, either by blood or marriage.
family member
➕
/ˈfæməli ˈmembər/
n.
Refers to a person who belongs to the same family, either by blood or marriage.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
We invited all our close relations to the big family reunion dinner.
We asked all our close family members to come to the large family gathering meal.
🔗 Collocations
close relations – immediate family members or near relatives
distant relation – a family member who is not closely related
blood relation – a relative by birth, not marriage
🔄 Synonyms
relative (n.) – a person connected by blood or marriage
kin (n.) – one's family and relations
family member (n.) – a person belonging to a family
🚫 Antonyms
stranger (n.) – a person whom one does not know or with whom one is not familiar
non-relative (n.) – a person who is not related by blood or marriage
Wordbook
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