Extract:
Select the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence.
The capsule remains intact even when placed in water.
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A
Viable
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B
Operational
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C
Tinted
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D
Whole
When a capsule remains intact, it is whole.
This means it maintains structural completeness without breach, fracture, or dissolution, preserving its original unified form.
A) Viable
Viability denotes capacity for survival or function, biological potential rather than structural state. A capsule may remain intact yet contain nonviable medication (expired), or lose integrity while contents remain viable. Structural completeness and functional capacity represent orthogonal properties.
B) Operational
Operational status describes functional readiness, system capability to perform intended tasks. Capsules aren't "operational"; they're passive containers. This anthropomorphizes inanimate objects by applying machine-state terminology inappropriately.
C) Tinted
Tint denotes coloration, optical property unrelated to structural integrity. A capsule may be tinted yet fragmented, or clear yet intact. Color and completeness represent independent physical dimensions with no causal relationship.
D) Whole
Whole precisely captures intact's essence: undivided completeness preserving original structural unity. Both terms reject fragmentation, intact emphasizing absence of damage, whole emphasizing unified completeness. In pharmaceutical contexts, "intact capsule" and "whole capsule" function interchangeably to denote unbreached containment.
Conclusion
Intact denotes structural completeness without breach or fragmentation, distinct from viability (functional capacity), operational status (readiness), or tint (coloration). Whole alone captures intact's essential character: preservation of unified form that maintains containment integrity, whether describing capsules, ecosystems, or conceptual frameworks.
Topic Flashcards
Click to FlipWhat is a synonym for unbroken?
Intact, whole, or undamaged. It describes something that remains in its original, complete state.
What does pristine mean?
In its original, unspoiled condition; perfectly clean, fresh, or neat as if new.
What is the meaning of fractured?
Broken or cracked, especially with a clean break. (It is an antonym of intact).
What does compromised mean in the context of structural integrity or security?
Weakened, damaged, or made vulnerable. (e.g., a compromised immune system or a compromised capsule).
What is a synonym for flawless?
Perfect, without defects or blemishes. While similar to intact, flawless often implies no imperfections from the start, whereas intact means remaining undamaged.