Clues to a word's connotative meanings can usually be found in all of the following except?

The connotative meanings of a word refer to the emotions, associations, or implications that accompany a word beyond its literal definition. Such meanings are often shaped by the context in which the word is used, its historic usage, and its etymology, which provides insights into the word's origins and the evolution of its meanings over time.

Context is critical because the way a word is used in different situations can significantly influence its connotations. For instance, a word perceived as positive in one context might carry negative implications in another. Historic usage provides insight into how cultural shifts and societal changes have altered a word’s connotations through time.

Etymology adds another layer by tracing the origins of a word and how its meanings have shifted, thus providing clues about any underlying connotations.

On the other hand, the presence of blends—combinations of two words to create a new meaning—does not typically provide clues to a word's connotative meanings. Blends focus more on the phonetic and visual aspects of language rather than the deeper emotional or associative meanings, which connotation entails. Thus, understanding blends is less about the nuances of meaning that one might find in the historical, contextual, or etymological exploration of a word.