PART I._English Synonyms and Antonyms With Notes on the Correct Use of Prepositions

SYNONYMS, ANTONYMS AND PREPOSITIONS.

* * * * *

ABANDON.

Synonyms:

abdicate, desert, leave, resign,

abjure, discontinue, quit, retire from,

cast off, forego, recant, retract,

cease, forsake, relinquish, surrender,

cede, forswear, renounce, vacate,

depart from, give up, repudiate, withdraw from.

_Abandon_ is a word of wide signification, applying to persons or things

of any kind; _abdicate_ and _resign_ apply to office, authority, or

power; _cede_ to territorial possessions; _surrender_ especially to

military force, and more generally to any demand, claim, passion, etc.

_Quit_ carries an idea of suddenness or abruptness not necessarily

implied in _abandon_, and may not have the same suggestion of finality.

The king _abdicates_ his throne, _cedes_ his territory, _deserts_ his

followers, _renounces_ his religion, _relinquishes_ his titles,

_abandons_ his designs. A cowardly officer _deserts_ his ship; the

helpless passengers _abandon_ it. We _quit_ business, _give up_

property, _resign_ office, _abandon_ a habit or a trust. _Relinquish_

commonly implies reluctance; the fainting hand _relinquishes_ its grasp;

the creditor _relinquishes_ his claim. _Abandon_ implies previous

association with responsibility for or control of; _forsake_ implies

previous association with inclination or attachment, real or assumed; a

man may _abandon_ or _forsake_ house or friends; he _abandons_ an

enterprise; _forsakes_ God. _Abandon_ is applied to both good and evil

action; a thief _abandons_ his designs, a man his principles. _Forsake_,

like _abandon_, may be used either in the favorable or unfavorable

sense; _desert_ is always unfavorable, involving a breach of duty,

except when used of mere localities; as, "the Deserted Village." While a

monarch _abdicates_, a president or other elected or appointed officer

_resigns_. It was held that James II. _abdicated_ his throne by

_deserting_ it.

Antonyms:

adopt, defend, occupy, seek,

advocate, favor, prosecute, support,

assert, haunt, protect, undertake,

cherish, hold, pursue, uphold,

claim, keep, retain, vindicate.

court, maintain,

* * * * *

ABASE.

Synonyms:

bring low, depress, dishonor, lower,

cast down, discredit, humble, reduce,

debase, disgrace, humiliate, sink.

degrade,

_Abase_ refers only to outward conditions. "Exalt him that is low, and

_abase_ him that is high." _Ezek._ xxi, 26. _Debase_ applies to quality

or character. The coinage is _debased_ by excess of alloy, the man by

vice. _Humble_ in present use refers chiefly to feeling of heart;

_humiliate_ to outward conditions; even when one is said to _humble_

himself, he either has or affects to have humility of heart. To

_disgrace_ may be to bring or inflict odium upon others, but the word is

chiefly and increasingly applied to such moral odium as one by his own

acts brings upon himself; the noun _disgrace_ retains more of the

passive sense than the verb; he _disgraced_ himself by his conduct; he

brought _disgrace_ upon his family. To _dishonor_ a person is to deprive

him of honor that should or might be given. To _discredit_ one is to

injure his reputation, as for veracity or solvency. A sense of

unworthiness _humbles_; a shameful insult _humiliates_; imprisonment for

crime _disgraces_. _Degrade_ may refer to either station or character.

An officer is _degraded_ by being _reduced_ to the ranks, _disgraced_ by

cowardice; vile practises _degrade_; drunkenness is a _degrading_ vice.

Misfortune or injustice may _abase_ the good; nothing but their own

ill-doing can _debase_ or _disgrace_ them.

Antonyms:

advance, elevate, honor, raise,

aggrandize, exalt, promote, uplift.

dignify,

* * * * *

ABASH.

Synonyms:

bewilder, daunt, embarrass, mortify,

chagrin, discompose, humble, overawe,

confound, disconcert, humiliate, shame.

confuse, dishearten,

Any sense of inferiority _abashes_, with or without the sense of wrong.

The poor are _abashed_ at the splendor of wealth, the ignorant at the

learning of the wise. "I might have been _abashed_ by their authority."

GLADSTONE _Homeric Synchron._, p. 72. [H. '76.] To _confuse_ is to bring

into a state of mental bewilderment; to _confound_ is to overwhelm the

mental faculties; to _daunt_ is to subject to a certain degree of fear.

_Embarrass_ is a strong word, signifying primarily hamper, hinder,

impede. A solitary thinker may be _confused_ by some difficulty in a

subject, or some mental defect; one is _embarrassed_ in the presence of

others, and because of their presence. Confusion is of the intellect,

embarrassment of the feelings. A witness may be _embarrassed_ by

annoying personalities, so as to become _confused_ in statements. To

_mortify_ a person is to bring upon him a painful sense of humiliation,

whether because of his own or another's fault or failure. A pupil is

_confused_ by a perplexing question, a general _confounded_ by

overwhelming defeat. A hostess is _discomposed_ by the tardiness of

guests, a speaker _disconcerted_ by a failure of memory. The criminal

who is not _abashed_ at detection may be _daunted_ by the officer's

weapon. Sudden joy may _bewilder_, but will not _abash_. The true

worshiper is _humbled_ rather than _abashed_ before God. The parent is

_mortified_ by the child's rudeness, the child _abashed_ at the parent's

reproof. The _embarrassed_ speaker finds it difficult to proceed. The

mob is _overawed_ by the military, the hypocrite _shamed_ by exposure.

"A man whom no denial, no scorn could _abash_." FIELDING _Amelia_ bk.

iii, ch. 9, p. 300. [B. & S. '71.] Compare CHAGRIN; HINDER.

Antonyms:

animate, cheer, encourage, rally,

buoy, embolden, inspirit, uphold.

* * * * *

ABATE.

Synonyms:

decline, ebb, mitigate, reduce,

decrease, lessen, moderate, subside.

diminish, lower,

The storm, the fever, the pain _abates_. Interest _declines_.

Misfortunes may be _mitigated_, desires _moderated_, intense anger

_abated_, population _decreased_, taxes _reduced_. We _abate_ a

nuisance, _terminate_ a controversy, _suppress_ a rebellion. See

ALLEVIATE.

Antonyms:

aggravate, enhance, foment, rage,

amplify, enlarge, increase, raise,

continue, extend, magnify, revive.

develop,

Prepositions:

Abate _in_ fury; abated _by_ law.

* * * * *

ABBREVIATION.

Synonyms:

abridgment, contraction.

An _abbreviation_ is a shortening by any method; a _contraction_ is a

reduction of size by the drawing together of the parts. A _contraction_

of a word is made by omitting certain letters or syllables and bringing

together the first and last letters or elements; an _abbreviation_ may

be made either by omitting certain portions from the interior or by

cutting off a part; a _contraction_ is an _abbreviation_, but an

_abbreviation_ is not necessarily a _contraction_; _rec't_ for receipt,

_mdse._ for merchandise, and _Dr._ for debtor are _contractions_; they

are also _abbreviations_; _Am._ for American is an _abbreviation_, but

not a _contraction_. _Abbreviation_ and _contraction_ are used of words

and phrases, _abridgment_ of books, paragraphs, sentences, etc. Compare

ABRIDGMENT.

* * * * *

ABET.

Synonyms:

advocate, countenance, incite, sanction,

aid, embolden, instigate, support,

assist, encourage, promote, uphold.

_Abet_ and _instigate_ are now used almost without exception in a bad

sense; one may _incite_ either to good or evil. One _incites_ or

_instigates_ to the doing of something not yet done, or to increased

activity or further advance in the doing of it; one _abets_ by giving

sympathy, countenance, or substantial aid to the doing of that which is

already projected or in process of commission. _Abet_ and _instigate_

apply either to persons or actions, _incite_ to persons only; one

_incites_ a person _to_ an action. A clergyman will _advocate_ the

claims of justice, _aid_ the poor, _encourage_ the despondent,

_support_ the weak, _uphold_ the constituted authorities; but he will

not _incite_ to a quarrel, _instigate_ a riot, or _abet_ a crime. The

originator of a crime often _instigates_ or _incites_ others to _abet_

him in it, or one may _instigate_ or _incite_ others to a crime in the

commission of which he himself takes no active part. Compare HELP.

Antonyms:

baffle, deter, dissuade, hinder,

confound, disapprove, expose, impede,

counteract, disconcert, frustrate, obstruct.

denounce, discourage,

* * * * *

ABHOR.

Synonyms:

abominate, dislike, loathe, scorn,

despise, hate, nauseate, shun.

detest,

_Abhor_ is stronger than _despise_, implying a shuddering recoil,

especially a moral recoil. "How many _shun_ evil as inconvenient who do

not _abhor_ it as hateful." TRENCH _Serm. in Westm. Abbey_ xxvi, 297.

[M.] _Detest_ expresses indignation, with something of contempt.

_Loathe_ implies disgust, physical or moral. We _abhor_ a traitor,

_despise_ a coward, _detest_ a liar. We _dislike_ an uncivil person. We

_abhor_ cruelty, _hate_ tyranny. We _loathe_ a reptile or a flatterer.

We _abhor_ Milton's heroic Satan, but we can not _despise_ him.

Antonyms:

admire, crave, esteem, love,

approve, desire, like, relish.

covet, enjoy,

* * * * *

ABIDE.

Synonyms:

anticipate, dwell, remain, stop,

await, endure, reside, tarry,

bear, expect, rest, tolerate,

bide, inhabit, sojourn, wait,

confront, live, stay, watch.

continue, lodge,

To _abide_ is to remain continuously without limit of time unless

expressed by the context: "to-day I must _abide_ at thy house," _Luke_

xix, 5; "a settled place for thee to _abide_ in forever," _1 Kings_

viii, 13; "_Abide_ with me! fast falls the eventide," LYTE _Hymn_.

_Lodge_, _sojourn_, _stay_, _tarry_, and _wait_ always imply a limited

time; _lodge_, to pass the night; _sojourn_, to _remain_ temporarily;

_live_, _dwell_, _reside_, to have a permanent home. _Stop_, in the

sense of _stay_ or _sojourn_, is colloquial, and not in approved use.

Compare ENDURE; REST.

Antonyms:

abandon, forfeit, migrate, reject,

avoid, forfend, move, resist,

depart, journey, proceed, shun.

Prepositions:

Abide _in_ a place, _for_ a time, _with_ a person, _by_ a statement.

* * * * *

ABOLISH.

Synonyms:

abate, eradicate, prohibit, stamp out,

abrogate, exterminate, remove, subvert,

annihilate, extirpate, repeal, supplant,

annul, nullify, reverse, suppress,

destroy, obliterate, revoke, terminate.

end, overthrow, set aside,

_Abolish_, to do away with, bring absolutely to an end, especially as

something hostile, hindering, or harmful, was formerly used of persons

and material objects, a usage now obsolete except in poetry or highly

figurative speech. _Abolish_ is now used of institutions, customs, and

conditions, especially those wide-spread and long existing; as, to

_abolish_ slavery, ignorance, intemperance, poverty. A building that is

burned to the ground is said to be _destroyed_ by fire. _Annihilate_, as

a philosophical term, signifies to put absolutely out of existence. As

far as our knowledge goes, matter is never _annihilated_, but only

changes its form. Some believe that the wicked will be _annihilated_.

_Abolish_ is not said of laws. There we use _repeal_, _abrogate_,

_nullify_, etc.: _repeal_ by the enacting body, _nullify_ by

revolutionary proceedings; a later statute _abrogates_, without formally

_repealing_, any earlier law with which it conflicts. An appellate court

may _reverse_ or _set aside_ the decision of an inferior court.

_Overthrow_ may be used in either a good or a bad sense; _suppress_ is

commonly in a good, _subvert_ always in a bad sense; as, to _subvert_

our liberties; to _suppress_ a rebellion. The law _prohibits_ what may

never have existed; it _abolishes_ an existing evil. We _abate_ a

nuisance, _terminate_ a controversy. Compare CANCEL; DEMOLISH;

EXTERMINATE.

Antonyms:

authorize, establish, reinstate, revive,

cherish, institute, renew, set up,

confirm, introduce, repair, support,

continue, legalize, restore, sustain.

enact, promote,

* * * * *

ABOMINATION.

Synonyms:

abhorrence, curse, hatred, plague,

abuse, detestation, horror, shame,

annoyance, disgust, iniquity, villainy,

aversion, evil, nuisance, wickedness.

crime, execration, offense,

_Abomination_ (from the L. _ab omen_, a thing of ill omen) was

originally applied to anything held in religious or ceremonial

_aversion_ or _abhorrence_; as, "The things which are highly esteemed

among men are _abomination_ in the sight of God." _Luke_ xvi, 15. The

word is oftener applied to the object of such _aversion_ or _abhorrence_

than to the state of mind that so regards it; in common use

_abomination_ signifies something very much disliked or loathed, or that

deserves to be. Choice food may be an object of _aversion_ and _disgust_

to a sick person; vile food would be an _abomination_. A toad is to many

an object of _disgust_; a foul sewer is an _abomination_. As applied to

crimes, _abomination_ is used of such as are especially brutal,

shameful, or revolting; theft is an _offense_; infanticide is an

_abomination_.

Antonyms:

affection, blessing, enjoyment, joy,

appreciation, delight, esteem, satisfaction,

approval, desire, gratification, treat.

benefit,

* * * * *

ABRIDGMENT.

Synonyms:

abbreviation, compend, epitome, summary,

abstract, compendium, outline, synopsis.

analysis, digest,

An _abridgment_ gives the most important portions of a work

substantially as they stand. An _outline_ or _synopsis_ is a kind of

sketch closely following the plan. An _abstract_ or _digest_ is an

independent statement of what the book contains. An _analysis_ draws out

the chief thoughts or arguments, whether expressed or implied. A

_summary_ is the most condensed statement of results or conclusions. An

_epitome_, _compend_, or _compendium_ is a condensed view of a subject,

whether derived from a previous publication or not. We may have an

_abridgment_ of a dictionary, but not an _analysis_, _abstract_,

_digest_, or _summary_. We may have an _epitome_ of religion, a

_compendium_ of English literature, but not an _abridgment_. Compare

ABBREVIATION.

* * * * *

ABSOLUTE.

Synonyms:

arbitrary, compulsory, haughty, peremptory,

arrogant, controlling, imperative, positive,

authoritative, despotic, imperious, supreme,

autocratic, dictatorial, irresponsible, tyrannical,

coercive, dogmatic, lordly, unconditional,

commanding, domineering, overbearing, unequivocal.

compulsive, exacting,

In the strict sense, _absolute_, free from all limitation or control,

and _supreme_, superior to all, can not properly be said of any being

except the divine. Both words are used, however, in a modified sense, of

human authorities; _absolute_ then signifying free from limitation by

other authority, and _supreme_ exalted over all other; as, an _absolute_

monarch, the _supreme_ court. _Absolute_, in this use, does not

necessarily carry any unfavorable sense, but as _absolute_ power in

human hands is always abused, the unfavorable meaning predominates.

_Autocratic_ power knows no limits outside the ruler's self; _arbitrary_

power, none outside the ruler's will or judgment, _arbitrary_ carrying

the implication of wilfulness and capriciousness. _Despotic_ is commonly

applied to a masterful or severe use of power, which is expressed more

decidedly by _tyrannical_. _Arbitrary_ may be used in a good sense; as,

the pronunciation of proper names is _arbitrary_; but the bad sense is

the prevailing one; as, an _arbitrary_ proceeding. _Irresponsible_ power

is not necessarily bad, but eminently dangerous; an executor or trustee

should not be _irresponsible_; an _irresponsible_ ruler is likely to be

_tyrannical_. A perfect ruler might be _irresponsible_ and not

_tyrannical_. _Authoritative_ is used always in a good sense, implying

the right to claim authority; _imperative_, _peremptory_, and _positive_

are used ordinarily in the good sense; as, an _authoritative_

definition; an _imperative_ demand; a _peremptory_ command; _positive_

instructions; _imperious_ signifies assuming and determined to command,

rigorously requiring obedience. An _imperious_ demand or requirement may

have in it nothing offensive; it is simply one that resolutely insists

upon compliance, and will not brook refusal; an _arrogant_ demand is

offensive by its tone of superiority, an _arbitrary_ demand by its

unreasonableness; an _imperious_ disposition is liable to become

_arbitrary_ and _arrogant_. A person of an independent spirit is

inclined to resent an _imperious_ manner in any one, especially in one

whose superiority is not clearly recognized. _Commanding_ is always used

in a good sense; as, a _commanding_ appearance; a _commanding_

eminence. Compare DOGMATIC; INFINITE; PERFECT.

Antonyms:

accountable, constitutional, gentle, lowly, responsible,

complaisant, contingent, humble, meek, submissive,

compliant, docile, lenient, mild, yielding.

conditional, ductile, limited,

* * * * *

ABSOLVE.

Synonyms:

acquit, exculpate, forgive, pardon,

clear, exempt, free, release,

discharge, exonerate, liberate, set free.

To _absolve_, in the strict sense, is to _set free_ from any bond. One

may be _absolved_ from a promise by a breach of faith on the part of one

to whom the promise was made. To _absolve_ from sins is formally to

remit their condemnation and penalty, regarded as a bond upon the soul.

"Almighty God ... _pardoneth_ and _absolveth_ all those who truly

repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel." _Book of Common

Prayer, Declar. of Absol._ To _acquit_ of sin or crime is to _free_ from

the accusation of it, pronouncing one guiltless; the innocent are

rightfully _acquitted_; the guilty may be mercifully _absolved_. Compare

PARDON.

Antonyms:

accuse, charge, condemn, impeach, obligate,

bind, compel, convict, inculpate, oblige.

Preposition:

One is absolved _from_ (rarely _of_) a promise, a sin, etc.

* * * * *

ABSORB.

Synonyms:

consume, engross, suck up, take in,

drink in, exhaust, swallow, take up.

drink up, imbibe, swallow up,

A fluid that is _absorbed_ is _taken up_ into the mass of the

_absorbing_ body, with which it may or may not permanently combine. Wood

expands when it _absorbs_ moisture, iron when it _absorbs_ heat, the

substance remaining perhaps otherwise substantially unchanged;

quicklime, when it _absorbs_ water, becomes a new substance with

different qualities, hydrated or slaked lime. A substance is _consumed_

which is destructively appropriated by some other substance, being, or

agency, so that it ceases to exist or to be recognized as existing in

its original condition; fuel is _consumed_ in the fire, food in the

body; _consume_ is also applied to whatever is removed from the market

for individual use; as, silk and woolen goods are _consumed_. A great

talker _engrosses_ the conversation. A credulous person _swallows_ the

most preposterous statement. A busy student _imbibes_ or _drinks in_

knowledge; he is _absorbed_ in a subject that takes his whole attention.

"I only postponed it because I happened to get _absorbed_ in a book."

KANE _Grinnell Exped._ ch. 43, page 403. [H. '54.]

Antonyms:

cast out, dissipate, emit, put forth, shoot forth,

disgorge, distract, exude, radiate, throw off,

disperse, eject, give up, send out, vomit.

Prepositions:

Plants absorb moisture _from_ the air; the student is absorbed _in_

thought; nutriment may be absorbed _into_ the system _through_ the skin.

* * * * *

ABSTINENCE.

Synonyms:

abstemiousness, frugality, self-denial, sobriety,

continence, moderation, self-restraint, temperance.

fasting, self-control,

_Abstinence_ from food commonly signifies going without;

_abstemiousness_, partaking moderately; _abstinence_ may be for a single

occasion, _abstemiousness_ is habitual _moderation_. _Self-denial_ is

giving up what one wishes; _abstinence_ may be refraining from what one

does not desire. _Fasting_ is _abstinence_ from food for a limited time,

and generally for religious reasons. _Sobriety_ and _temperance_ signify

maintaining a quiet, even temper by moderate indulgence in some things,

complete _abstinence_ from others. We speak of _temperance_ in eating,

but of _abstinence_ from vice. _Total abstinence_ has come to signify

the entire abstaining from intoxicating liquors.

Antonyms:

drunkenness, greed, reveling, sensuality,

excess, intemperance, revelry, wantonness.

gluttony, intoxication, self-indulgence,

Preposition:

The negative side of virtue is abstinence _from_ vice.

* * * * *

ABSTRACT, _v._

Synonyms:

appropriate, distract, purloin, steal,

detach, divert, remove, take away,

discriminate, eliminate, separate, withdraw.

distinguish,

The central idea of _withdrawing_ makes _abstract_ in common speech a

euphemism for _appropriate_ (unlawfully), _purloin_, _steal_. In mental

processes we _discriminate_ between objects by _distinguishing_ their

differences; we _separate_ some one element from all that does not

necessarily belong to it, _abstract_ it, and view it alone. We may

_separate_ two ideas, and hold both in mind in comparison or contrast;

but when we _abstract_ one of them, we drop the other out of thought.

The mind is _abstracted_ when it is _withdrawn_ from all other subjects

and concentrated upon one, _diverted_ when it is drawn away from what it

would or should attend to by some other interest, _distracted_ when the

attention is divided among different subjects, so that it can not be

given properly to any. The trouble with the _distracted_ person is that

he is not _abstracted_. Compare DISCERN.

Antonyms:

add, complete, fill up, restore, unite.

combine, conjoin, increase, strengthen,

Prepositions:

The purse may be abstracted _from_ the pocket; the substance _from_ the

accidents; a book _into_ a compend.

* * * * *

ABSTRACTED.

Synonyms:

absent, heedless, listless, preoccupied,

absent-minded, inattentive, negligent, thoughtless.

absorbed, indifferent, oblivious,

As regards mental action, _absorbed_, _abstracted_, and _preoccupied_

refer to the cause, _absent_ or _absent-minded_ to the effect. The man

_absorbed_ in one thing will appear _absent_ in others. A _preoccupied_

person may seem _listless_ and _thoughtless_, but the really _listless_

and _thoughtless_ have not mental energy to be _preoccupied_. The

_absent-minded_ man is _oblivious_ of ordinary matters, because his

thoughts are elsewhere. One who is _preoccupied_ is intensely busy in

thought; one may be _absent-minded_ either through intense concentration

or simply through inattention, with fitful and aimless wandering of

thought. Compare ABSTRACT.

Antonyms:

alert, on hand, ready, wide-awake.

attentive, prompt, thoughtful,

* * * * *

ABSURD.

Synonyms:

anomalous, ill-considered, ludicrous, ridiculous,

chimerical, ill-judged, mistaken, senseless,

erroneous, inconclusive, monstrous, stupid,

false, incorrect, nonsensical, unreasonable,

foolish, infatuated, paradoxical, wild.

ill-advised, irrational, preposterous,

That is _absurd_ which is contrary to the first principles of reasoning;

as, that a part should be greater than the whole is _absurd_. A

_paradoxical_ statement appears at first thought contradictory or

_absurd_, while it may be really true. Anything is _irrational_ when

clearly contrary to sound reason, _foolish_ when contrary to practical

good sense, _silly_ when petty and contemptible in its folly,

_erroneous_ when containing error that vitiates the result,

_unreasonable_ when there seems a perverse bias or an intent to go

wrong. _Monstrous_ and _preposterous_ refer to what is overwhelmingly

_absurd_; as, "_O monstrous!_ eleven buckram men grown out of two,"

SHAKESPEARE _1 King Henry IV_, act ii, sc. 4. The _ridiculous_ or the

_nonsensical_ is worthy only to be laughed at. The lunatic's claim to be

a king is _ridiculous_; the Mother Goose rimes are _nonsensical_.

Compare INCONGRUOUS.

Antonyms:

certain, incontrovertible, rational, substantial,

consistent, indisputable, reasonable, true,

demonstrable, indubitable, sagacious, undeniable,

demonstrated, infallible, sensible, unquestionable,

established, logical, sound, wise.

incontestable,

* * * * *

ABUSE.

Synonyms:

aggrieve, impose on _or_ oppress, ruin,

damage, upon, persecute, slander,

defame, injure, pervert, victimize,

defile, malign, prostitute, vilify,

disparage, maltreat, rail at, violate,

harm, misemploy, ravish, vituperate,

ill-treat, misuse, reproach, wrong.

ill-use, molest, revile,

_Abuse_ covers all unreasonable or improper use or treatment by word or

act. A tenant does not _abuse_ rented property by "reasonable wear,"

though that may _damage_ the property and _injure_ its sale; he may

_abuse_ it by needless defacement or neglect. It is possible to _abuse_

a man without _harming_ him, as when the criminal _vituperates_ the

judge; or to _harm_ a man without _abusing_ him, as when the witness

tells the truth about the criminal. _Defame_, _malign_, _rail at_,

_revile_, _slander_, _vilify_, and _vituperate_ are used always in a bad

sense. One may be justly _reproached_. To _impose on_ or to _victimize_

one is to _injure_ him by _abusing_ his confidence. To _persecute_ one

is to _ill-treat_ him for opinion's sake, commonly for religious belief;

to _oppress_ is generally for political or pecuniary motives. "Thou

shalt not _oppress_ an hired servant that is poor and needy," _Deut._

xxiv, 14. _Misemploy_, _misuse_, and _pervert_ are commonly applied to

objects rather than to persons. A dissolute youth _misemploys_ his time,

_misuses_ his money and opportunities, _harms_ his associates,

_perverts_ his talents, _wrongs_ his parents, _ruins_ himself, _abuses_

every good gift of God.

Antonyms:

applaud, conserve, favor, protect, sustain,

benefit, consider, laud, regard, tend,

care for, eulogize, panegyrize, respect, uphold,

cherish, extol, praise, shield, vindicate.

* * * * *

ACCESSORY.

Synonyms:

abetter _or_ abettor, associate, companion, henchman,

accomplice, attendant, confederate, participator,

ally, coadjutor, follower, partner,

assistant, colleague, helper, retainer.

_Colleague_ is used always in a good sense, _associate_ and _coadjutor_

generally so; _ally_, _assistant_, _associate_, _attendant_,

_companion_, _helper_, either in a good or a bad sense; _abetter_,

_accessory_, _accomplice_, _confederate_, almost always in a bad sense.

_Ally_ is oftenest used of national and military matters, or of some

other connection regarded as great and important; as, _allies_ of

despotism. _Colleague_ is applied to civil and ecclesiastical

connections; members of Congress from the same State are _colleagues_,

even though they may be bitter opponents politically and personally. An

_Associate_ Justice of the Supreme Court is near in _rank_ to the Chief

Justice. A surgeon's _assistant_ is a physician or medical student who

shares in the treatment and care of patients; a surgeon's _attendant_ is

one who rolls bandages and the like. _Follower_, _henchman_, _retainer_

are persons especially devoted to a chief, and generally bound to him by

necessity, fee, or reward. _Partner_ has come to denote almost

exclusively a business connection. In law, an _abettor_ (the general

legal spelling) is always present, either actively or constructively, at

the commission of the crime; an _accessory_ never. An _accomplice_ is

usually a principal; an _accessory_ never. If present, though only to

stand outside and keep watch against surprise, one is an _abettor_, and

not an _accessory_. At common law, an _accessory_ implies a principal,

and can not be convicted until after the conviction of the principal;

the _accomplice_ or _abettor_ can be convicted as a principal.

_Accomplice_ and _abettor_ have nearly the same meaning, but the former

is the popular, the latter more distinctively the legal term. Compare

APPENDAGE; AUXILIARY.

Antonyms:

adversary, chief, foe, leader, principal,

antagonist, commander, hinderer, opponent, rival.

betrayer, enemy, instigator, opposer,

Prepositions:

An accessory _to_ the crime; _before_ or _after_ the fact; the

accessories _of_ a figure _in_ a painting.

* * * * *

ACCIDENT.

Synonyms:

adventure, contingency, happening, misfortune,

calamity, disaster, hazard, mishap,

casualty, fortuity, incident, possibility.

chance, hap, misadventure,

An _accident_ is that which happens without any one's direct intention;

a _chance_ that which happens without any known cause. If the direct

cause of a railroad _accident_ is known, we can not call it a _chance_.

To the theist there is, in strictness, no _chance_, all things being by

divine causation and control; but _chance_ is spoken of where no special

cause is manifest: "By _chance_ there came down a certain priest that

way," _Luke_ x, 31. We can speak of a game of _chance_, but not of a

game of _accident_. An _incident_ is viewed as occurring in the regular

course of things, but subordinate to the main purpose, or aside from the

main design. _Fortune_ is the result of inscrutable controlling forces.

_Fortune_ and _chance_ are nearly equivalent, but _chance_ can be used

of human effort and endeavor as _fortune_ can not be; we say "he has a

_chance_ of success," or "there is one _chance_ in a thousand," where we

could not substitute _fortune_; as personified, _Fortune_ is regarded as

having a fitful purpose, _Chance_ as purposeless; we speak of fickle

_Fortune_, blind _Chance_; "_Fortune_ favors the brave." The slaughter

of men is an _incident_ of battle; unexpected defeat, the _fortune_ of

war. Since the unintended is often the undesirable, _accident_ tends to

signify some _calamity_ or _disaster_, unless the contrary is expressed,

as when we say a fortunate or happy _accident_. An _adventure_ is that

which may turn out ill, a _misadventure_ that which does turn out ill. A

slight disturbing _accident_ is a _mishap_. Compare EVENT; HAZARD.

Antonyms:

appointment, decree, intention, ordainment, preparation,

calculation, fate, law, ordinance, provision,

certainty, foreordination, necessity, plan, purpose.

Prepositions:

The accident _of_ birth; an accident _to_ the machinery.

* * * * *

ACQUAINTANCE.

Synonyms:

association, experience, fellowship, intimacy,

companionship, familiarity, friendship, knowledge.

_Acquaintance_ between persons supposes that each knows the other; we

may know a public man by his writings or speeches, and by sight, but can

not claim _acquaintance_ unless he personally knows us. There may be

pleasant _acquaintance_ with little _companionship_; and conversely,

much _companionship_ with little _acquaintance_, as between busy clerks

at adjoining desks. So there may be _association_ in business without

_intimacy_ or _friendship_. _Acquaintance_ admits of many degrees, from

a slight or passing to a familiar or intimate _acquaintance_; but

_acquaintance_ unmodified commonly signifies less than _familiarity_ or

_intimacy_. As regards persons, _familiarity_ is becoming restricted to

the undesirable sense, as in the proverb, "_Familiarity_ breeds

contempt;" hence, in personal relations, the word _intimacy_, which

refers to mutual knowledge of thought and feeling, is now uniformly

preferred. _Friendship_ includes _acquaintance_ with some degree of

_intimacy_, and ordinarily _companionship_, though in a wider sense

_friendship_ may exist between those who have never met, but know each

other only by word and deed. _Acquaintance_ does not involve

_friendship_, for one may be well acquainted with an enemy. _Fellowship_

involves not merely _acquaintance_ and _companionship_, but sympathy as

well. There may be much _friendship_ without much _fellowship_, as

between those whose homes or pursuits are far apart. There may be

pleasant _fellowship_ which does not reach the fulness of _friendship_.

Compare ATTACHMENT; FRIENDSHIP; LOVE. As regards studies, pursuits,

etc., _acquaintance_ is less than _familiarity_, which supposes minute

_knowledge_ of particulars, arising often from long _experience_ or

_association_.

Antonyms:

ignorance, ignoring, inexperience, unfamiliarity.

Prepositions:

Acquaintance _with_ a subject; _of_ one person _with_ another; _between_

persons.

* * * * *

ACRIMONY.

Synonyms:

acerbity, harshness, severity, tartness,

asperity, malignity, sharpness, unkindness,

bitterness, moroseness, sourness, virulence.

causticity,

_Acerbity_ is a _sharpness_, with a touch of _bitterness_, which may

arise from momentary annoyance or habitual impatience; _asperity_ is

keener and more pronounced, denoting distinct irritation or vexation; in

speech _asperity_ is often manifested by the tone of voice rather than

by the words that are spoken. _Acrimony_ in speech or temper is like a

corrosive acid; it springs from settled character or deeply rooted

feeling of aversion or unkindness. One might speak with momentary

_asperity_ to his child, but not with _acrimony_, unless estrangement

had begun. _Malignity_ is the extreme of settled ill intent; _virulence_

is an envenomed hostility. _Virulence_ of speech is a quality in

language that makes the language seem as if exuding poison. _Virulence_

is outspoken; _malignity_ may be covered with smooth and courteous

phrase. We say intense _virulence_, deep _malignity_. _Severity_ is

always painful, and may be terrible, but carries ordinarily the

implication, true or false, of justice. Compare ANGER; BITTER; ENMITY.

Antonyms:

amiability, gentleness, kindness, smoothness,

courtesy, good nature, mildness, sweetness.

* * * * *

ACT, _n._

Synonyms:

accomplishment, execution, movement,

achievement, exercise, operation,

action, exertion, performance,

consummation, exploit, proceeding,

deed, feat, transaction,

doing, motion, work.

effect,

An _act_ is strictly and originally something accomplished by an

exercise of power, in which sense it is synonymous with _deed_ or

_effect_. _Action_ is a _doing_. _Act_ is therefore single, individual,

momentary; _action_ a complex of _acts_, or a process, state, or habit

of exerting power. We say a virtuous _act_, but rather a virtuous course

of _action_. We speak of the _action_ of an acid upon a metal, not of

its _act_. _Act_ is used, also, for the simple _exertion_ of power; as,

an _act_ of will. In this sense an _act_ does not necessarily imply an

external _effect_, while an _action_ does. Morally, the _act_ of murder

is in the determination to kill; legally, the _act_ is not complete

without the striking of the fatal blow. _Act_ and _deed_ are both used

for the thing done, but _act_ refers to the power put forth, _deed_ to

the result accomplished; as, a voluntary _act_, a bad _deed_. In

connection with other words _act_ is more usually qualified by the use

of another noun, _action_ by an adjective preceding; we may say a kind

_act_, though oftener an _act_ of kindness, but only a kind _action_,

not an _action_ of kindness. As between _act_ and _deed_, _deed_ is

commonly used of great, notable, and impressive _acts_, as are

_achievement_, _exploit_, and _feat_.

_Festus_: We live in _deeds_, not years; in thoughts, not breaths.

BAILEY _Festus, A Country Town_, sc. 7.

A _feat_ exhibits strength, skill, personal power, whether mental or

physical, especially the latter; as, a _feat_ of arms, a _feat_ of

memory. An _exploit_ is a conspicuous or glorious _deed_, involving

valor or heroism, usually combined with strength, skill, loftiness of

thought, and readiness of resource; an _achievement_ is the doing of

something great and noteworthy; an _exploit_ is brilliant, but its

effect may be transient; an _achievement_ is solid, and its effect

enduring. _Act_ and _action_ are both in contrast to all that is merely

passive and receptive. The intensest _action_ is easier than passive

endurance.

Antonyms:

cessation, immobility, inertia, quiet, suffering,

deliberation, inaction, passion,[A] repose, suspension.

endurance, inactivity, quiescence, rest,

[A] In philosophic sense.

* * * * *

ACTIVE.

Synonyms:

agile, energetic, officious, sprightly,

alert, expeditious, prompt, spry,

brisk, industrious, quick, supple,

bustling, lively, ready, vigorous,

busy, mobile, restless, wide awake.

diligent, nimble,

_Active_ refers to both quickness and constancy of action; in the former

sense it is allied with _agile_, _alert_, _brisk_, etc.; in the latter,

with _busy_, _diligent_, _industrious_. The _active_ love employment,

the _busy_ are actually employed, the _diligent_ and the _industrious_

are habitually _busy_. The _restless_ are _active_ from inability to

keep quiet; their activity may be without purpose, or out of all

proportion to the purpose contemplated. The _officious_ are undesirably

_active_ in the affairs of others. Compare ALERT; ALIVE; MEDDLESOME.

Antonyms:

dull, inactive, lazy, slow,

heavy, indolent, quiescent, sluggish,

idle, inert, quiet, stupid.

Prepositions:

Active _in_ work, _in_ a cause; _for_ an object, as _for_ justice;

_with_ persons or instrumentalities; _about_ something, as _about_ other

people's business.

* * * * *

ACUMEN.

Synonyms:

acuteness, insight, perspicacity, sharpness,

cleverness, keenness, sagacity, shrewdness.

discernment, penetration,

_Sharpness_, _acuteness_, and _insight_, however keen, and

_penetration_, however deep, fall short of the meaning of _acumen_,

which implies also ability to use these qualities to advantage. There

are persons of keen _insight_ and great _penetration_ to whom these

powers are practically useless. _Acumen_ is _sharpness_ to some purpose,

and belongs to a mind that is comprehensive as well as keen.

_Cleverness_ is a practical aptitude for study or learning. _Insight_

and _discernment_ are applied oftenest to the judgment of character;

_penetration_ and _perspicacity_ to other subjects of knowledge.

_Sagacity_ is an uncultured skill in using quick perceptions for a

desired end, generally in practical affairs; _acumen_ may increase with

study, and applies to the most erudite matters. _Shrewdness_ is

_keenness_ or _sagacity_, often with a somewhat evil bias, as ready to

take advantage of duller intellects. _Perspicacity_ is the power to see

clearly through that which is difficult or involved. We speak of the

_acuteness_ of an observer or a reasoner, the _insight_ and

_discernment_ of a student, a clergyman, or a merchant, the _sagacity_

of a hound, the _keenness_ of a debater, the _shrewdness_ of a usurer,

the _penetration_, _perspicacity_, and _acumen_ of a philosopher.

Antonyms:

bluntness, dulness, obtuseness, stupidity.

* * * * *

ADD.

Synonyms:

adjoin, annex, augment, extend, make up,

affix, append, cast up, increase, subjoin,

amplify, attach, enlarge, join on, sum up.

To _add_ is to _increase_ by _adjoining_ or _uniting_: in distinction

from multiply, which is to _increase_ by repeating. To _augment_ a thing

is to _increase_ it by any means, but this word is seldom used directly

of material objects; we do not _augment_ a house, a farm, a nation, etc.

We may _enlarge_ a house, a farm, or an empire, _extend_ influence or

dominion, _augment_ riches, power or influence, _attach_ or _annex_ a

building to one that it _adjoins_ or papers to the document they refer

to, _annex_ a clause or a codicil, _affix_ a seal or a signature,

_annex_ a territory, _attach_ a condition to a promise. A speaker may

_amplify_ a discourse by a fuller treatment throughout than was

originally planned, or he may _append_ or _subjoin_ certain remarks

without change of what has gone before. We _cast up_ or _sum up_ an

account, though _add up_ and _make up_ are now more usual expressions.

Antonyms:

abstract, diminish, lessen, remove, withdraw.

deduct, dissever, reduce, subtract,

Preposition:

Other items are to be added _to_ the account.

* * * * *

ADDICTED.

Synonyms:

abandoned, devoted, given over, inclined,

accustomed, disposed, given up, prone,

attached, given, habituated, wedded.

One is _addicted_ to that which he has allowed to gain a strong,

habitual, and enduring hold upon action, inclination, or involuntary

tendency, as to a habit or indulgence. A man may be _accustomed_ to

labor, _attached_ to his profession, _devoted_ to his religion, _given_

to study or to gluttony (in the bad sense, _given over_, or _given up_,

is a stronger and more hopeless expression, as is _abandoned_). One

_inclined_ to luxury may become _habituated_ to poverty. One is _wedded_

to that which has become a second nature; as, one is _wedded_ to science

or to art. _Prone_ is used only in a bad sense, and generally of natural

tendencies; as, our hearts are _prone_ to evil. _Abandoned_ tells of the

acquired viciousness of one who has given himself up to wickedness.

_Addicted_ may be used in a good, but more frequently a bad sense; as,

_addicted_ to study; _addicted_ to drink. _Devoted_ is used chiefly in

the good sense; as, a mother's _devoted_ affection.

Antonyms:

averse, disinclined, indisposed, unaccustomed.

Preposition:

Addicted _to_ vice.

* * * * *

ADDRESS, _v._

Synonyms:

cost, approach, hail, speak to,

apostrophize, court, salute, woo.

appeal, greet,

To _accost_ is to speak first, to friend or stranger, generally with a

view to opening conversation; _greet_ is not so distinctly limited,

since one may return another's _greeting_; _greet_ and _hail_ may imply

but a passing word; _greeting_ may be altogether silent; to _hail_ is to

_greet_ in a loud-voiced and commonly hearty and joyous way, as appears

in the expression "_hail_ fellow, well met." To _salute_ is to _greet_

with special token of respect, as a soldier his commander. To

_apostrophize_ is to solemnly _address_ some person or personified

attribute apart from the audience to whom one is speaking; as, a

preacher may _apostrophize_ virtue, the saints of old, or even the

Deity. To _appeal_ is strictly to call for some form of help or support.

_Address_ is slightly more formal than _accost_ or _greet_, though it

may often be interchanged with them. One may _address_ another at

considerable length or in writing; he _accosts_ orally and briefly.

Antonyms:

avoid, elude, overlook, pass by,

cut, ignore, pass, shun.

Prepositions:

Address the memorial _to_ the legislature; the president addressed the

people _in_ an eloquent speech; he addressed an intruder _with_

indignation.

* * * * *

ADDRESS, _n._

Synonyms:

adroitness, discretion, manners, readiness,

courtesy, ingenuity, politeness, tact.

dexterity,

_Address_ is that indefinable something which enables a man to gain his

object without seeming exertion or contest, and generally with the favor

and approval of those with whom he deals. It is a general power to

direct to the matter in hand whatever qualities are most needed for it

at the moment. It includes _adroitness_ and _discretion_ to know what to

do or say and what to avoid; _ingenuity_ to devise; _readiness_ to speak

or act; the _dexterity_ that comes of practise; and _tact_, which is the

power of fine touch as applied to human character and feeling.

_Courtesy_ and _politeness_ are indispensable elements of good

_address_. Compare SPEECH.

Antonyms:

awkwardness, clumsiness, ill-breeding, stupidity,

boorishness, fatuity, ill manners, unmannerliness,

clownishness, folly, rudeness, unwisdom.

Prepositions:

Address _in_ dealing with opponents; the address _of_ an accomplished

intriguer; an address _to_ the audience.

* * * * *

ADEQUATE.

Synonyms:

able, competent, fitted, satisfactory,

adapted, equal, fitting, sufficient,

capable, fit, qualified, suitable.

commensurate,

_Adequate_, _commensurate_, and _sufficient_ signify _equal_ to some

given occasion or work; as, a sum _sufficient_ to meet expenses; an

_adequate_ remedy for the disease. _Commensurate_ is the more precise

and learned word, signifying that which exactly measures the matter in

question. _Adapted_, _fit_, _suitable_, and _qualified_ refer to the

qualities which match or suit the occasion. A clergyman may have

strength _adequate_ to the work of a porter; but that would not be a

_fit_ or _suitable_ occupation for him. Work is _satisfactory_ if it

satisfies those for whom it is done, though it may be very poor work

judged by some higher standard. _Qualified_ refers to acquired

abilities; _competent_ to both natural and acquired; a _qualified_

teacher may be no longer _competent_, by reason of ill health. _Able_

and _capable_ suggest general ability and reserved power, _able_ being

the higher word of the two. An _able_ man will do something well in any

position. A _capable_ man will come up to any ordinary demand. We say an

_able_ orator, a _capable_ accountant.

Antonyms:

disqualified, inferior, unequal, unsatisfactory, useless,

inadequate, insufficient, unfit, unsuitable, worthless.

incompetent, poor, unqualified,

Prepositions:

Adequate _to_ the demand; _for_ the purpose.

* * * * *

ADHERENT.

Synonyms:

aid, ally, disciple, partisan, supporter.

aider, backer, follower,

An _adherent_ is one who is devoted or attached to a person, party,

principle, cause, creed, or the like. One may be an _aider_ and

_supporter_ of a party or church, while not an _adherent_ to all its

doctrines or claims. An _ally_ is more independent still, as he may

differ on every point except the specific ground of union. The _Allies_

who overthrew Napoleon were united only against him. _Allies_ are

regarded as equals; _adherents_ and _disciples_ are followers. The

_adherent_ depends more on his individual judgment, the _disciple_ is

more subject to command and instruction; thus we say the _disciples_

rather than the _adherents_ of Christ. _Partisan_ has the narrow and

odious sense of adhesion to a party, right or wrong. One may be an

_adherent_ or _supporter_ of a party and not a _partisan_. _Backer_ is a

sporting and theatrical word, personal in its application, and not in

the best usage. Compare ACCESSORY.

Antonyms:

adversary, betrayer, enemy, opponent, traitor.

antagonist, deserter, hater, renegade,

Prepositions:

Adherents _to_ principle; adherents _of_ Luther.

* * * * *

ADHESIVE.

Synonyms:

cohesive, gummy, sticky, viscous.

glutinous, sticking, viscid,

_Adhesive_ is the scientific, _sticking_ or _sticky_ the popular word.

That which is _adhesive_ tends to join itself to the surface of any

other body with which it is placed in contact; _cohesive_ expresses the

tendency of particles of the same substance to hold together. Polished

plate glass is not _adhesive_, but such plates packed together are

intensely _cohesive_. An _adhesive_ plaster is in popular language a

_sticking_-plaster. _Sticky_ expresses a more limited, and generally

annoying, degree of the same quality. _Glutinous_, _gummy_, _viscid_,

and _viscous_ are applied to fluid or semi-fluid substances, as pitch or

tar.

Antonyms:

free, inadhesive, loose, separable.

Preposition:

The stiff, wet clay, adhesive _to_ the foot, impeded progress.

* * * * *

ADJACENT.

Synonyms:

abutting, bordering, contiguous, neighboring,

adjoining, close, coterminous, next,

attached, conterminous, near, nigh.

beside,

_Adjacent_ farms may not be connected; if _adjoining_, they meet at the

boundary-line. _Conterminous_ would imply that their dimensions were

exactly equal on the side where they adjoin. _Contiguous_ may be used

for either _adjacent_ or _adjoining_. _Abutting_ refers rather to the

end of one building or estate than to the neighborhood of another.

Buildings may be _adjacent_ or _adjoining_ that are not _attached_.

_Near_ is a relative word, places being called _near_ upon the railroad

which would elsewhere be deemed remote. _Neighboring_ always implies

such proximity that the inhabitants may be neighbors. _Next_ views some

object as the nearest of several or many; _next_ neighbor implies a

neighborhood.

Antonyms:

detached, disconnected, disjoined, distant, remote, separate.

Preposition:

The farm was adjacent _to_ the village.

* * * * *

ADMIRE.

Synonyms:

adore, delight in, extol, respect, venerate,

applaud, enjoy, honor, revere, wonder.

approve, esteem, love,

In the old sense of _wonder_, _admire_ is practically obsolete; the word

now expresses a delight and approval, in which the element of wonder

unconsciously mingles. We _admire_ beauty in nature and art, _delight

in_ the innocent happiness of children, _enjoy_ books or society, a walk

or a dinner. We _approve_ what is excellent, _applaud_ heroic deeds,

_esteem_ the good, _love_ our friends. We _honor_ and _respect_ noble

character wherever found; we _revere_ and _venerate_ it in the aged. We

_extol_ the goodness and _adore_ the majesty and power of God.

Antonyms:

abhor, contemn, detest, execrate, ridicule,

abominate, despise, dislike, hate, scorn.

Preposition:

_Admire at_ may still very rarely be found in the old sense of _wonder

at_.

* * * * *

ADORN.

Synonyms:

beautify, decorate, garnish, illustrate,

bedeck, embellish, gild, ornament.

deck,

To _embellish_ is to brighten and enliven by adding something that is

not necessarily or very closely connected with that to which it is

added; to _illustrate_ is to add something so far like in kind as to

cast a side-light upon the principal matter. An author _embellishes_ his

narrative with fine descriptions, the artist _illustrates_ it with

beautiful engravings, the binder _gilds_ and _decorates_ the volume.

_Garnish_ is on a lower plane; as, the feast was _garnished_ with

flowers. _Deck_ and _bedeck_ are commonly said of apparel; as, a mother

_bedecks_ her daughter with silk and jewels. To _adorn_ and to

_ornament_ alike signify to add that which makes anything beautiful and

attractive, but _ornament_ is more exclusively on the material plane;

as, the gateway was _ornamented_ with delicate carving. _Adorn_ is more

lofty and spiritual, referring to a beauty which is not material, and

can not be put on by ornaments or decorations, but seems in perfect

harmony and unity with that to which it adds a grace; if we say, the

gateway was _adorned_ with beautiful carving, we imply a unity and

loftiness of design such as _ornamented_ can not express. We say of some

admirable scholar or statesman, "he touched nothing that he did not

_adorn_."

At church, with meek and unaffected grace,

His looks _adorned_ the venerable place.

GOLDSMITH _Deserted Village_, l. 178.

Antonyms:

deface, deform, disfigure, mar, spoil.

Preposition:

Adorn his temples _with_ a coronet.

* * * * *

AFFRONT.

Synonyms:

aggravate, exasperate, offend, vex,

annoy, insult, provoke, wound.

displease, irritate, tease,

One may be _annoyed_ by the well-meaning awkwardness of a servant,

_irritated_ by a tight shoe or a thoughtless remark, _vexed_ at some

careless neglect or needless misfortune, _wounded_ by the ingratitude of

child or friend. To _tease_ is to give some slight and perhaps playful

annoyance. _Aggravate_ in the sense of _offend_ is colloquial. To

_provoke_, literally to call out or challenge, is to begin a contest;

one _provokes_ another to violence. To _affront_ is to offer some

defiant offense or indignity, as it were, to one's face; it is somewhat

less than to _insult_. Compare PIQUE.

Antonyms:

conciliate, content, gratify, honor, please.

* * * * *

AGENT.

Synonyms:

actor, factor, means, operator, promoter.

doer, instrument, mover, performer,

In strict philosophical usage, the prime _mover_ or _doer_ of an act is

the _agent_. Thus we speak of man as a voluntary _agent_, a free

_agent_. But in common usage, especially in business, an _agent_ is not

the prime _actor_, but only an _instrument_ or _factor_, acting under

orders or instructions. Compare CAUSE.

Antonyms:

chief, inventor, originator, principal.

Prepositions:

An agent _of_ the company _for_ selling, etc.

* * * * *

AGREE.

Synonyms:

accede, admit, coincide, concur,

accept, approve, combine, consent,

accord, assent, comply, harmonize.

acquiesce,

_Agree_ is the most general term of this group, signifying to have like

qualities, proportions, views, or inclinations, so as to be free from

jar, conflict, or contradiction in a given relation. To _concur_ is to

_agree_ in general; to _coincide_ is to _agree_ in every particular.

Whether in application to persons or things, _concur_ tends to

expression in action more than _coincide_; we may either _concur_ or

_coincide_ in an opinion, but _concur_ in a decision; views _coincide_,

causes _concur_. One _accepts_ another's terms, _complies_ with his

wishes, _admits_ his statement, _approves_ his plan, _conforms_ to his

views of doctrine or duty, _accedes_ or _consents_ to his proposal.

_Accede_ expresses the more formal agreement, _consent_ the more

complete. To _assent_ is an act of the understanding; to _consent_, of

the will. We may _concur_ or _agree_ with others, either in opinion or

decision. One may silently _acquiesce_ in that which does not meet his

views, but which he does not care to contest. He _admits_ the charge

brought, or the statement made, by another--_admit_ always carrying a

suggestion of reluctance. _Assent_ is sometimes used for a mild form of

_consent_, as if agreement in the opinion assured approval of the

decision.

Antonyms:

contend, demur, disagree, oppose,

contradict, deny, dispute, protest,

decline, differ, dissent, refuse.

Prepositions:

I agree _in_ opinion _with_ the speaker; _to_ the terms proposed;

persons agree _on_ or _upon_ a statement of principles, rules, etc.; we

must agree _among_ ourselves.

* * * * *

AGRICULTURE.

Synonyms:

cultivation, gardening, kitchen-gardening,

culture, horticulture, market-gardening,

farming, husbandry, tillage.

floriculture,

_Agriculture_ is the generic term, including at once the science, the

art, and the process of supplying human wants by raising the products of

the soil, and by the associated industries; _farming_ is the practise of

_agriculture_ as a business; there may be theoretical _agriculture_, but

not theoretical _farming_; we speak of the science of _agriculture_, the

business of _farming_; scientific _agriculture_ may be wholly in books;

scientific _farming_ is practised upon the land; we say an

_agricultural_ college rather than a college of _farming_. _Farming_

refers to the _cultivation_ of considerable portions of land, and the

raising of the coarser crops; _gardening_ is the close _cultivation_ of

a small area for small fruits, flowers, vegetables, etc., and while it

may be done upon a farm is yet a distinct industry. _Gardening_ in

general, _kitchen-gardening_, the _cultivation_ of vegetables, etc., for

the household, _market-gardening_, the raising of the same for sale,

_floriculture_, the _culture_ of flowers, and _horticulture_, the

_culture_ of fruits, flowers, or vegetables, are all departments of

_agriculture_, but not strictly nor ordinarily of _farming_; _farming_

is itself one department of _agriculture_. _Husbandry_ is a general word

for any form of practical _agriculture_, but is now chiefly poetical.

_Tillage_ refers directly to the work bestowed upon the land, as

plowing, manuring, etc.; _cultivation_ refers especially to the

processes that bring forward the crop; we speak of the _tillage_ of the

soil, the _cultivation_ of corn; we also speak of land as in a state of

_cultivation_, under _cultivation_, etc. _Culture_ is now applied to the

careful development of any product to a state of perfection, especially

by care through successive generations; the choice varieties of the

strawberry have been produced by wise and patient _culture_; a good crop

in any year is the result of good _cultivation_.

* * * * *

AIM.

Synonyms:

aspiration, endeavor, intention, tendency.

design, goal, mark,

determination, inclination, object,

end, intent, purpose,

The _aim_ is the direction in which one shoots, or sometimes that which

is aimed at. The _mark_ is that at which one shoots; the _goal_, that

toward which one runs. All alike indicate the direction of _endeavor_.

The _end_ is the point at which one expects or hopes to close his

labors; the _object_, that which he would grasp as the reward of his

labors. _Aspiration_, _design_, _endeavor_, _purpose_, referring to the

mental acts by which the _aim_ is attained, are often used as

interchangeable with _aim_. _Aspiration_ applies to what are viewed as

noble _aims_; _endeavor_, _design_, _intention_, _purpose_,

indifferently to the best or worst. _Aspiration_ has less of decision

than the other terms; one may aspire to an _object_, and yet lack the

fixedness of _purpose_ by which alone it can be attained. _Purpose_ is

stronger than _intention_. _Design_ especially denotes the adaptation

of means to an end; _endeavor_ refers to the exertions by which it is to

be attained. One whose _aims_ are worthy, whose _aspirations_ are high,

whose _designs_ are wise, and whose _purposes_ are steadfast, may hope

to reach the _goal_ of his ambition, and will surely win some _object_

worthy of a life's _endeavor_. Compare AMBITION; DESIGN.

Antonyms:

aimlessness, heedlessness, negligence, purposelessness,

avoidance, neglect, oversight, thoughtlessness.

carelessness,

* * * * *

AIR.

Synonyms:

appearance, demeanor, manner, sort,

bearing, expression, mien, style,

behavior, fashion, port, way.

carriage, look,

_Air_ is that combination of qualities which makes the entire impression

we receive in a person's presence; as, we say he has the _air_ of a

scholar, or the _air_ of a villain. _Appearance_ refers more to the

dress and other externals. We might say of a travel-soiled pedestrian,

he has the _appearance_ of a tramp, but the _air_ of a gentleman.

_Expression_ and _look_ especially refer to the face. _Expression_ is

oftenest applied to that which is habitual; as, he has a pleasant

_expression_ of countenance; _look_ may be momentary; as, a _look_ of

dismay passed over his face. We may, however, speak of the _look_ or

_looks_ as indicating all that we look at; as, he had the _look_ of an

adventurer; I did not like his _looks_. _Bearing_ is rather a lofty

word; as, he has a noble _bearing_; _port_ is practically identical in

meaning with _bearing_, but is more exclusively a literary word.

_Carriage_, too, is generally used in a good sense; as, that lady has a

good _carriage_. _Mien_ is closely synonymous with _air_, but less often

used in a bad sense. We say a rakish _air_ rather than a rakish _mien_.

_Mien_ may be used to express some prevailing feeling; as, "an indignant

_mien_." _Demeanor_ goes beyond _appearance_, including conduct,

behavior; as, a modest _demeanor_. _Manner_ and _style_ are, in large

part at least, acquired. Compare BEHAVIOR.

* * * * *

AIRY.

Synonyms:

aerial, ethereal, frolicsome, joyous, lively,

animated, fairylike, gay, light, sprightly.

_Aerial_ and _airy_ both signify of or belonging to the air, but _airy_

also describes that which seems as if made of air; we speak of _airy_

shapes, _airy_ nothings, where we could not well say _aerial_;

_ethereal_ describes its object as belonging to the upper air, the pure

ether, and so, often, heavenly. _Sprightly_, spiritlike, refers to

light, free, cheerful activity of mind and body. That which is _lively_

or _animated_ may be agreeable or the reverse; as, an _animated_

discussion; a _lively_ company.

Antonyms:

clumsy, heavy, ponderous, sluggish, wooden.

dull, inert, slow, stony,

* * * * *

ALARM.

Synonyms:

affright, disquietude, fright, solicitude,

apprehension, dread, misgiving, terror,

consternation, fear, panic, timidity.

dismay,

_Alarm_, according to its derivation _all'arme_, "to arms," is an

arousing to meet and repel danger, and may be quite consistent with true

courage. _Affright_ and _fright_ express sudden _fear_ which, for the

time at least, overwhelms courage. The sentinel discovers with _alarm_

the sudden approach of the enemy; the unarmed villagers view it with

_affright_. _Apprehension_, _disquietude_, _dread_, _misgiving_, and

_solicitude_ are in anticipation of danger; _consternation_, _dismay_,

and _terror_ are overwhelming _fear_, generally in the actual presence

of that which is terrible, though these words also may have an

anticipative force. _Timidity_ is a quality, habit, or condition, a

readiness to be affected with _fear_. A person of great _timidity_ is

constantly liable to needless _alarm_ and even _terror_. Compare FEAR.

Antonyms:

assurance, calmness, confidence, repose, security.

Prepositions:

Alarm was felt _in_ the camp, _among_ the soldiers, _at_ the news.

* * * * *

ALERT.

Synonyms:

active, lively, prepared, vigilant,

brisk, nimble, prompt, watchful,

hustling, on the watch, ready, wide-awake.

_Alert_, _ready_, and _wide-awake_ refer to a watchful promptness for

action. _Ready_ suggests thoughtful preparation; the wandering Indian is

_alert_, the trained soldier is _ready_. _Ready_ expresses more life and

vigor than _prepared_. The gun is _prepared_; the man is _ready_.

_Prompt_ expresses readiness for appointment or demand at the required

moment. The good general is _ready_ for emergencies, _alert_ to perceive

opportunity or peril, _prompt_ to seize occasion. The sense of _brisk_,

_nimble_ is the secondary and now less common signification of _alert_.

Compare ACTIVE; ALIVE; NIMBLE; VIGILANT.

Antonyms:

drowsy, dull, heavy, inactive, slow, sluggish, stupid.

* * * * *

ALIEN, _a._

Synonyms:

conflicting, distant, inappropriate, strange,

contradictory, foreign, irrelevant, unconnected,

contrary, hostile, opposed, unlike.

contrasted, impertinent, remote,

_Foreign_ refers to difference of birth, _alien_ to difference of

allegiance. In their figurative use, that is _foreign_ which is

_remote_, _unlike_, or _unconnected_; that is _alien_ which is

_conflicting_, _hostile_, or _opposed_. _Impertinent_ and _irrelevant_

matters can not claim consideration in a certain connection;

_inappropriate_ matters could not properly be considered. Compare ALIEN,

_n._; CONTRAST, _v._

Antonyms:

akin, apropos, germane, proper,

appropriate, essential, pertinent, relevant.

Prepositions:

Such a purpose was alien _to_ (or _from_) my thought: _to_ preferable.

* * * * *

ALIEN, _n._

Synonyms:

foreigner, stranger.

A naturalized citizen is not an _alien_, though a _foreigner_ by birth,

and perhaps a _stranger_ in the place where he resides. A person of

foreign birth not naturalized is an _alien_, though he may have been

resident in the country a large part of a lifetime, and ceased to be a

_stranger_ to its people or institutions. He is an _alien_ in one

country if his allegiance is to another. The people of any country still

residing in their own land are, strictly speaking, _foreigners_ to the

people of all other countries, rather than _aliens_; but _alien_ and

_foreigner_ are often used synonymously.

Antonyms:

citizen, fellow-countryman, native-born inhabitant,

countryman, native, naturalized person.

Prepositions:

Aliens _to_ (more rarely _from_) our nation and laws; aliens _in_ our

land, _among_ our people.

* * * * *

ALIKE.

Synonyms:

akin, equivalent, kindred, same,

analogous, homogeneous, like, similar,

equal, identical, resembling, uniform.

_Alike_ is a comprehensive word, signifying as applied to two or more

objects that some or all qualities of one are the same as those of the

other or others; by modifiers _alike_ may be made to express more or

less resemblance; as, these houses are somewhat (_i. e._, partially)

_alike_; or, these houses are exactly (_i. e._, in all respects)

_alike_. Cotton and wool are _alike_ in this, that they can both be

woven into cloth. Substances are _homogeneous_ which are made up of

elements of the _same_ kind, or which are the _same_ in structure. Two

pieces of iron may be _homogeneous_ in material, while not _alike_ in

size or shape. In geometry, two triangles are _equal_ when they can be

laid over one another, and fit, line for line and angle for angle; they

are _equivalent_ when they simply contain the same amount of space. An

_identical_ proposition is one that says the same thing precisely in

subject and predicate. _Similar_ refers to close resemblance, which yet

leaves room for question or denial of complete likeness or identity. To

say "this is the _identical_ man," is to say not merely that he is

_similar_ to the one I have in mind, but that he is the very _same_

person. Things are _analogous_ when they are _similar_ in idea, plan,

use, or character, tho perhaps quite unlike in appearance; as, the gills

of fishes are said to be _analogous_ to the lungs in terrestrial

animals.

Antonyms:

different, dissimilar, distinct, heterogeneous, unlike.

Prepositions:

The specimens are alike _in_ kind; they are all alike _to_ me.

* * * * *

ALIVE.

Synonyms:

active, breathing, live, quick,

alert, brisk, lively, subsisting,

animate, existent, living, vivacious.

animated, existing,

_Alive_ applies to all degrees of life, from that which shows one to be

barely _existing_ or _existent_ as a living thing, as when we say he is

just _alive_, to that which implies the very utmost of vitality and

power, as in the words "he is all _alive_," "thoroughly _alive_." So the

word _quick_, which began by signifying "having life," is now mostly

applied to energy of life as shown in swiftness of action. _Breathing_

is capable of like contrast. We say of a dying man, he is still

_breathing_; or we speak of a _breathing_ statue, or "_breathing_ and

sounding, beauteous battle," TENNYSON _Princess_ can. v, l. 155, where

it means having, or seeming to have, full and vigorous breath, abundant

life. Compare ACTIVE; ALERT; NIMBLE.

Antonyms:

dead, defunct, dull, lifeless,

deceased, dispirited, inanimate, spiritless.

Prepositions:

Alive _in_ every nerve; alive _to_ every noble impulse; alive _with_

fervor, hope, resolve; alive _through_ all his being.

* * * * *

ALLAY.

Synonyms:

alleviate, compose, quiet, still,

appease, mollify, soothe, tranquilize.

calm, pacify,

_Allay_ and _alleviate_ are closely kindred in signification, and have

been often interchanged in usage. But, in strictness, to _allay_ is to

lay to rest, _quiet_ or _soothe_ that which is excited; to _alleviate_,

on the other hand, is to lighten a burden. We _allay_ suffering by using

means to _soothe_ and _tranquilize_ the sufferer; we _alleviate_

suffering by doing something toward removal of the cause, so that there

is less to suffer; where the trouble is wholly or chiefly in the

excitement, to _allay_ the excitement is virtually to remove the

trouble; as, to _allay_ rage or panic; we _alleviate_ poverty, but do

not _allay_ it. _Pacify_, directly from the Latin, and _appease_, from

the Latin through the French, signify to bring to peace; to _mollify_ is

to soften; to _calm_, _quiet_, or _tranquilize_ is to make still;

_compose_, to place together, unite, adjust to a calm and settled

condition; to _soothe_ (originally to assent to, humor) is to bring to

pleased quietude. We _allay_ excitement, _appease_ a tumult, _calm_

agitation, _compose_ our feelings or countenance, _pacify_ the

quarrelsome, _quiet_ the boisterous or clamorous, _soothe_ grief or

distress. Compare ALLEVIATE.

Antonyms:

agitate, excite, kindle, rouse, stir up.

arouse, fan, provoke, stir,

* * * * *

ALLEGE.

Synonyms:

adduce, asseverate, claim, maintain, produce,

advance, assign, declare, offer, say,

affirm, aver, introduce, plead, state.

assert, cite,

To _allege_ is formally to state as true or capable of proof, but

without proving. To _adduce_, literally to lead to, is to bring the

evidence up to what has been _alleged_. _Adduce_ is a secondary word;

nothing can be _adduced_ in evidence till something has been _stated_ or

_alleged_, which the evidence is to sustain. An _alleged_ fact stands

open to question or doubt. To speak of an _alleged_ document, an

_alleged_ will, an _alleged_ crime, is either to question, or at least

very carefully to refrain from admitting, that the document exists, that

the will is genuine, or that the crime has been committed. _Alleged_ is,

however, respectful; to speak of the "so-called" will or deed, etc.,

would be to cast discredit upon the document, and imply that the speaker

was ready to brand it as unquestionably spurious; _alleged_ simply

concedes nothing and leaves the question open. To _produce_ is to bring

forward, as, for instance, papers or persons. _Adduce_ is not used of

persons; of them we say _introduce_ or _produce_. When an _alleged_

criminal is brought to trial, the counsel on either side are accustomed

to _advance_ a theory, and _adduce_ the strongest possible evidence in

its support; they will _produce_ documents and witnesses, _cite_

precedents, _assign_ reasons, _introduce_ suggestions, _offer_ pleas.

The accused will usually _assert_ his innocence. Compare STATE.

* * * * *

ALLEGIANCE.

Synonyms:

devotion, fealty, loyalty, obedience, subjection.

faithfulness, homage,

_Allegiance_ is the obligation of fidelity and obedience that an

individual owes to his government or sovereign, in return for the

protection he receives. The feudal uses of these words have mostly

passed away with the state of society that gave them birth; but their

origin still colors their present meaning. A patriotic American feels an

enthusiastic _loyalty_ to the republic; he takes, on occasion, an oath

of _allegiance_ to the government, but his _loyalty_ will lead him to do

more than mere _allegiance_ could demand; he pays _homage_ to God alone,

as the only king and lord, or to those principles of right that are

spiritually supreme; he acknowledges the duty of _obedience_ to all

rightful authority; he resents the idea of _subjection_. _Fealty_ is

becoming somewhat rare, except in elevated or poetic style. We prefer to

speak of the _faithfulness_ rather than the _fealty_ of citizen, wife,

or friend.

Antonyms:

disaffection, disloyalty, rebellion, sedition, treason.

Prepositions:

We honor the allegiance _of_ the citizen _to_ the government; the

government has a right to allegiance _from_ the citizen.

* * * * *

ALLEGORY.

Synonyms:

fable, fiction, illustration, metaphor, parable, simile.

In modern usage we may say that an _allegory_ is an extended _simile_,

while a _metaphor_ is an abbreviated _simile_ contained often in a

phrase, perhaps in a word. The _simile_ carries its comparison on the

surface, in the words _as_, _like_, or similar expressions; the

_metaphor_ is given directly without any note of comparison. The

_allegory_, _parable_, or _fable_ tells its story as if true, leaving

the reader or hearer to discover its fictitious character and learn its

lesson. All these are, in strict definition, _fictions_; but the word

_fiction_ is now applied almost exclusively to novels or romances. An

_allegory_ is a moral or religious tale, of which the moral lesson is

the substance, and all descriptions and incidents but accessories, as in

"The Pilgrim's Progress." A _fable_ is generally briefer, representing

animals as the speakers and actors, and commonly conveying some lesson

of practical wisdom or shrewdness, as "The _Fables_ of AEsop." A

_parable_ is exclusively moral or religious, briefer and less adorned

than an _allegory_, with its lesson more immediately discernible, given,

as it were, at a stroke. Any comparison, analogy, instance, example,

tale, anecdote, or the like which serves to let in light upon a subject

may be called an _illustration_, this word in its widest use including

all the rest. Compare FICTION; STORY.

Antonyms:

chronicle, fact, history, narrative, record.

* * * * *

ALLEVIATE.

Synonyms:

abate, lighten, reduce, remove,

assuage, mitigate, relieve, soften.

lessen, moderate,

Etymologically, to _alleviate_ is to lift a burden toward oneself, and

so _lighten_ it for the bearer; to _relieve_ is to lift it back from the

bearer, nearly or quite away; to _remove_ is to take it away altogether.

_Alleviate_ is thus less than _relieve_; _relieve_, ordinarily, less

than _remove_. We _alleviate_, _relieve_ or _remove_ the trouble; we

_relieve_, not _alleviate_, the sufferer. _Assuage_ is, by derivation,

to sweeten; _mitigate_, to make mild; _moderate_, to bring within

measure; _abate_, to beat down, and so make less. We _abate_ a fever;

_lessen_ anxiety; _moderate_ passions or desires; _lighten_ burdens;

_mitigate_ or _alleviate_ pain; _reduce_ inflammation; _soften_,

_assuage_, or _moderate_ grief; we _lighten_ or _mitigate_ punishments;

we _relieve_ any suffering of body or mind that admits of help, comfort,

or remedy. _Alleviate_ has been often confused with _allay_. Compare

ALLAY.

Antonyms:

aggravate, embitter, heighten, intensify, make worse.

augment, enhance, increase, magnify,

* * * * *

ALLIANCE.

Synonyms:

coalition, confederation, fusion, partnership,

compact, federation, league, union.

confederacy,

_Alliance_ is in its most common use a connection formed by treaty

between sovereign states as for mutual aid in war. _Partnership_ is a

mercantile word; _alliance_ chiefly political or matrimonial.

_Coalition_ is oftenest used of political parties; _fusion_ is now the

more common word in this sense. In an _alliance_ between nations there

is no surrender of sovereignty, and no _union_ except for a specified

time and purpose. _League_ and _alliance_ are used with scarcely

perceptible difference of meaning. In a _confederacy_ or _confederation_

there is an attempt to unite separate states in a general government

without surrender of sovereignty. _Union_ implies so much concession as

to make the separate states substantially one. _Federation_ is mainly a

poetic and rhetorical word expressing something of the same thought, as

in Tennyson's "_federation_ of the world," _Locksley Hall_, l. 128. The

United States is not a _confederacy_ nor an _alliance_; the nation might

be called a _federation_, but prefers to be styled a federal _union_.

Antonyms:

antagonism, disunion, enmity, schism, separation,

discord, divorce, hostility, secession, war.

Prepositions:

Alliance _with_ a neighboring people; _against_ the common enemy; _for_

offense and defense; alliance _of_, _between_, or _among_ nations.

* * * * *

ALLOT.

Synonyms:

appoint, destine, give, portion out,

apportion, distribute, grant, select,

assign, divide, mete out, set apart.

award,

_Allot_, originally to assign by lot, applies to the giving of a

definite thing to a certain person. A portion or extent of time is

_allotted_; as, I expect to live out my _allotted_ time. A definite

period is _appointed_; as, the audience assembled at the _appointed_

hour. _Allot_ may also refer to space; as, to _allot_ a plot of ground

for a cemetery; but we now oftener use _select_, _set apart_, or

_assign_. _Allot_ is not now used of persons. _Appoint_ may be used of

time, space, or person; as, the _appointed_ day; the _appointed_ place;

an officer was _appointed_ to this station. _Destine_ may also refer to

time, place, or person, but it always has reference to what is

considerably in the future; a man _appoints_ to meet his friend in five

minutes; he _destines_ his son to follow his own profession. _Assign_ is

rarely used of time, but rather of places, persons, or things. We

_assign_ a work to be done and _assign_ a man to do it, who, if he

fails, must _assign_ a reason for not doing it. That which is

_allotted_, _appointed_, or _assigned_ is more or less arbitrary; that

which is _awarded_ is the due requital of something the receiver has

done, and he has right and claim to it; as, the medal was _awarded_ for

valor. Compare APPORTION.

Antonyms:

appropriate, deny, resume, seize,

confiscate, refuse, retain, withhold.

Prepositions:

Allot _to_ a company _for_ a purpose.

* * * * *

ALLOW.

Synonyms:

admit, consent to, let, sanction, tolerate,

concede, grant, permit, suffer, yield.

We _allow_ that which we do not attempt to hinder; we _permit_ that to

which we give some express authorization. When this is given verbally it

is called permission; when in writing it is commonly called a permit.

There are establishments that any one will be _allowed_ to visit without

challenge or hindrance; there are others that no one is _allowed_ to

visit without a permit from the manager; there are others to which

visitors are _admitted_ at specified times, without a formal permit. We

_allow_ a child's innocent intrusion; we _concede_ a right; _grant_ a

request; _consent_ to a sale of property; _permit_ an inspection of

accounts; _sanction_ a marriage; _tolerate_ the rudeness of a

well-meaning servant; _submit_ to a surgical operation; _yield_ to a

demand or necessity against our wish or will, or _yield_ something under

compulsion; as, the sheriff _yielded_ the keys at the muzzle of a

revolver, and _allowed_ the mob to enter. _Suffer_, in the sense of mild

concession, is now becoming rare, its place being taken by _allow_,

_permit_, or _tolerate_. Compare PERMISSION.

Antonyms:

deny, disapprove, protest, reject, withstand.

disallow, forbid, refuse, resist,