List Meaning
List Definition & Usage
A series of items or names arranged in a sequence, usually in order of importance, alphabetical, or by category.
Examples
- "I made a list of things I need to buy at the grocery store."
- "The teacher gave us a list of recommended readings for the semester."
- "He checked the list to ensure all items were delivered."
- "She added her name to the guest list for the party."
- "The job applicant's list of qualifications impressed the hiring manager."
To make a list of items, names, or tasks.
Examples
- "I need to list the books I want to read next."
- "She listed all the ingredients for the recipe."
- "Can you list the steps to complete this project?"
- "They are listing all their assets for the audit."
- "Before the meeting, I will list all the discussion points."
To tilt or lean to one side, typically referring to a boat or ship.
Examples
- "The ship listed to the left after it hit the rock."
- "The boat began to list dangerously as the storm worsened."
- "After the collision, the vessel listed at a 30-degree angle."
- "The crew worked quickly to stabilize the ship as it started to list."
- "He noticed the yacht listing slightly as it came into port."
Cultural Context
The word 'list' has its origins in Old English and has evolved over time to cover a broad array of meanings. In its earliest form, it was associated with the idea of listening or tilting. Over time, it came to represent a written series of items. Lists are integral to everyday life and have cultural significance in areas like education, organization, and even technology (e.g., to-do lists, shopping lists). In a more formal setting, lists can also serve as a way to prioritize, document, or record items systematically.
The List That Changed Everything
Story
The List That Changed Everything
In a small town by the sea, there lived a young woman named Clara who had an obsession with making lists. Whether it was for groceries, books to read, or things to do, Clara felt secure when her life was organized in neat, orderly rows. She had a list for everything. One evening, as she sat by the window watching the sun set, Clara's father, who worked as a sailor, came home looking distressed. The ship he had been on had encountered a fierce storm, and he had noticed something troubling: the vessel was listing dangerously to one side. As Clara listened to her father's story, she couldn't help but think of the many lists she had made over the years. But this was a different kind of list—a life-or-death list, written not in ink but in the very fabric of the sea. She asked her father what had caused the ship to list. It turned out that it was an imbalance in the cargo that had shifted during the storm. It was a reminder that life, much like a ship, needed balance. The next day, Clara was out at the docks when she noticed something peculiar—another list, not a shopping list, but a list of passengers for a new cruise. She was struck by how many lists had crossed her path in the past 24 hours. She reflected on how these lists had all been connected, each serving a purpose, whether it was for organizing daily life, ensuring safety, or making plans for the future. As Clara sat down to make her own list, she realized that there was something liberating in having control over her choices. A list could not only help with organization but also serve as a guide through life’s challenges. It wasn’t just about ticking off tasks; it was about understanding where she was and where she was going, just as the ship's crew had to understand how to stabilize their vessel. As Clara finished her list for the day, she felt a sense of clarity. Life, much like a ship, required the right balance of priorities to keep it on course.
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