Vocabulary Spotlight

Darted

Part of Speech: Verb (past tense)

Definition: Moved quickly or suddenly in a particular direction.

“The squirrel darted up the tree to escape the barking dog.”

Pronunciation

[ˈdɑr-təd]

Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words

Synonyms

Dashed
Bolted
Rushed
Hurried
Shot

Antonyms

Strolled
Walked
Loitered
Meandered
Sauntered

Related Words

Leap (verb)
Flash (verb)
Flee (verb)

Word Origin

“Darted” is the past tense of “dart,” a word that traces back to Old French “dard,” meaning a pointed object or weapon, which later evolved to describe quick, sudden movements.

Word Family

Verb: Dart – To move swiftly.

Noun: Dart – A small pointed object or weapon.

Adjective: Darting – Moving quickly and suddenly.

Mnemonics

Think of “Darted” as “Departed quickly” – moving swiftly away from something or towards a destination.

Industry-specific Usage

Wildlife

In wildlife, “darted” describes animals that quickly flee or pursue prey to survive.

Sports

In sports, players often “dart” across the field in fast sprints to gain an advantage.

Literature

In literature, characters often “dart” from place to place, highlighting urgency or stealth.

In Context

In everyday language, “darted” is commonly used to describe any quick, sudden movement, especially one made in response to a perceived threat or opportunity. It evokes a sense of urgency or agility, often seen in animals or people trying to move quickly from one place to another, avoiding detection or securing an advantage.

Vocabulary Challenges

1. Which of the following is an example of “darted”?

The cat strolled leisurely around the garden.
The tree stood tall and still in the forest.
The boy meandered through the field slowly.
The mouse darted into its hole to escape the cat.

“The mouse darted into its hole to escape the cat” is correct, as it describes a quick, sudden movement.

2. Fill in the blank: As soon as he saw the danger, he _______ away from the scene.

darted
strolled
sat
lingered

“Darted” is correct, as it implies a quick escape from the scene.

3. In which situation might someone “dart”?

When slowly looking around a store
When taking a long stroll
When trying to avoid being caught
When falling asleep

“When trying to avoid being caught” is correct, as darting suggests quick movement to escape or hide.