read-across
C1Formal, Technical
Definition
Meaning
The process of applying information or data from one known situation or substance to another similar one, typically to infer properties or risks when direct data is unavailable.
A method of analogical reasoning used in regulatory science, toxicology, business, and technology to extrapolate findings from a source case to a target case based on similarity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun; often used in hyphenated form; concept implies a deliberate, structured transfer of knowledge, not casual comparison.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term identically in technical contexts. Spelling consistently hyphenated.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both.
Frequency
More frequent in UK/EU regulatory texts due to historical development of the concept in EU chemical legislation (REACH).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Substance A] shows a read-across to [Substance B] based on [similar property/structure].A read-across was performed from the [source] to the [target].The data allows for a read-across between the two cases.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a technical term.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in risk assessment for new products or markets, e.g., 'We performed a read-across from our German launch data to forecast UK sales.'
Academic
Common in toxicology, chemistry, and regulatory science journals.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in chemical safety assessment (REACH), pharmacology (for similar drug compounds), and engineering.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The read-across methodology was peer-reviewed.
- We need a read-across justification for the regulator.
American English
- The read-across approach saved testing costs.
- Their read-across argument was accepted by the EPA.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Scientists used read-across to estimate the safety of the new chemical.
- The report suggests a possible read-across from the tested material to the new one.
- The regulatory submission relied heavily on a read-across from a structurally analogous substance for which full toxicological data existed.
- Justifying a read-across requires a robust scientific rationale establishing the similarity between source and target.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: READ information ACROSS from one column to another in a spreadsheet, transferring the data.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A TRANSFERABLE COMMODITY (you can 'read' it 'across' a gap).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as "прочитать поперёк". The term is best explained conceptually or translated as "экстраполяция данных", "перенос данных по аналогии".
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a phrasal verb (e.g., 'I read-across the report' is wrong).
- Confusing it with 'read through'.
- Omitting the hyphen.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'read-across' most precisely defined and frequently used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily a noun (e.g., 'perform a read-across') and can be used attributively as an adjective (e.g., 'read-across approach'). It is not used as a phrasal verb.
To fill data gaps for a substance (the 'target') by using existing reliable data from a similar substance (the 'source'), thereby reducing the need for new testing.
It is a formal, technical term specific to scientific and regulatory contexts. It is not used in everyday conversation.
An 'analogy' is a general similarity. 'Read-across' is a specific, structured methodology within regulatory science that uses analogy in a documented, justified way to predict properties or hazards.