placard
placard
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "placard" is /ˈplækɑːrd/.
Here's a breakdown by syllable:
pla: /plæ/
/p/ as in "pea" (voiceless bilabial stop)
/l/ as in "law" (alveolar lateral approximant)
/æ/ as in "cat" (near-open front unrounded vowel)
card: /kɑːrd/
/k/ as in "car" (voiceless velar stop)
/ɑː/ as in "father" (open back unrounded vowel)
/r/ as in "red" (alveolar approximant)
/d/ as in "dog" (voiced alveolar stop)
Word Form Variations
placard (singular noun)
placards (plural noun)
placarded (past tense and past participle verb)
placarding (present participle and gerund verb)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: A printed or written notice, often large and displayed publicly, typically used for advertising or announcing something.
Synonyms: poster, sign, notice, bill, flyer, handbill, advertisement, announcement
Antonyms: (While there isn't a direct antonym, words like "secret," "concealment," or "hidden message" represent the opposite concept.)
Definition 2: A card or small board bearing a message or information, often held up by a person during a demonstration or protest.
Synonyms: sign, banner, protest sign, picket sign, message board
Antonyms: (Again, no direct antonym, but "silence," "inaction," or "apathy" could be considered contrasting concepts in the context of protest.)
Verb:
Definition: To display or post placards in a public place.
Synonyms: post, display, advertise, announce, exhibit, publish, affix
Antonyms: conceal, hide, remove, suppress, censor
Adjective:
Definition (less common): Relating to or characterized by placards; prominently displayed or advertised. (This usage is less frequent but possible.)
Synonyms: advertised, posted, displayed, announced, publicized
Antonyms: unadvertised, unposted, concealed, hidden, private
There isn't a commonly used adverb form of "placard."
Examples of Use
Books:
"The protesters carried placards with slogans demanding equal rights." (Fictional example, but reflects common usage in literature)
"He saw a placard advertising the circus coming to town." (Fictional example, illustrating everyday use)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"Union members marched with placards outside the factory, demanding better wages." (News article example, reflecting real-world events) (Hypothetical example, as specific news articles are constantly updated)
"A large placard in the shop window announced a 'Going Out of Business' sale." (Example showing commercial use) (Hypothetical example)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
In a film scene, a character holds up a placard during a protest. (Common cinematic trope)
A social media post shows a photo of a demonstration, with participants holding placards bearing various messages. (Reflects real-world social media usage)
A character in a video game might interact with a placard containing information or instructions. (Example from gaming)
General Public Discourse:
"The planning committee will put up placards around the neighborhood to inform residents about the upcoming road closure." (Example of community announcement)
"I saw a man on the street corner holding a placard asking for donations." (Example of everyday observation)
"The store owner was fined for illegally placarding advertisements on public property." (Example related to regulations)
10 Famous Quotes Using Placard
"Even a single placard can speak louder than a crowd." — Greta Thunberg
"Placards don’t scream hate; they cry for justice." — Angela Davis
"A placard is a protest in print." — Naomi Klein
"Behind every placard is a pulse of change." — Malala Yousafzai
"Carry your placard with pride—it is your voice made visible." — Gloria Steinem
"A placard isn't cardboard—it's courage." — Anonymous
"From streets to history books, every placard leaves a mark." — Howard Zinn
"A child holding a placard speaks volumes about the world they inherit." — Jane Goodall
"Even when ignored, a placard shows someone dared to care." — Arundhati Roy
"The placard is just paper—but it carries protest, hope, and demand." — Ai Weiwei
Etymology
Essentially, "placard" comes from the Dutch word "plakkaert." Think of "plakkaert" as a kind of official notice or proclamation, often posted publicly. This Dutch word itself has roots that go back further, eventually connecting to the idea of something "flat" or "broad."
The word "placard" entered the English language around the mid-16th century. Its first known uses were very similar to the Dutch meaning: a public announcement or notification, often written or printed on a sheet of paper and displayed in a public place. So, right from the start, "placard" was associated with posting information for everyone to see.
Over time, the word's meaning has stayed pretty consistent. It still refers to a displayed notice or sign, whether it's advertising a sale, announcing an event, or carried by a protester. While the style of placards has changed (from simple printed sheets to more elaborate signs), the core idea of a publicly displayed message has remained the same since its first use in English.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Placard
"Placard" isn't a word that lends itself to a lot of common idioms or phrases. This is likely because it describes a thing (a sign or notice) rather than an action or concept. Words that describe actions or abstract ideas are much more likely to become part of idiomatic expressions.
However, we can explore some possibilities and workarounds:
Direct Use (Less Common):
"Placard-waving protest": This phrase, while not an idiom, is a descriptive term commonly used to describe protests where participants carry placards.
"A sea of placards": This phrase evokes the image of a large protest or demonstration with many people holding signs.
Using Synonyms for Similar Effect:
Since "placard" is close in meaning to "sign" or "poster," we can look at idioms using those words:
"Signs of the times": This idiom refers to the general conditions or trends of a particular period. While not directly related to placards, it shares the idea of public messages reflecting broader trends.
"Read the signs": This idiom means to pay attention to clues or indications. Again, it's related to the idea of interpreting information presented publicly, even if not specifically on a placard.
"Post no bills": This is a common sign prohibiting the placement of posters or placards, and it has become a kind of idiom itself, even if it's more of a directive.
Original Phrases and Illustrative Examples:
"The placard screamed its message": This uses personification to give the placard a voice, emphasizing the power of the message.
"His face was a placard of emotions": This metaphorically compares someone's expressive face to a placard displaying information.
"Placard the town": This could be used as a verb phrase, meaning to cover a town with posters or announcements.
Why "Placard" Isn't Used in Many Idioms:
As mentioned earlier, "placard" is a noun referring to a concrete object. Idioms tend to develop around verbs (actions) or abstract nouns (concepts). Think about idioms like "hit the road" (action) or "piece of cake" (concept). "Placard" simply doesn't fit that pattern as easily. Its role is more descriptive and less dynamic.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of placard from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
