_Do_ is the one comprehensive word which includes this whole class. We

may say of the least item of daily work, "It is _done_," and of the

grandest human achievement, "Well _done_!" _Finish_ and _complete_

signify to bring to an end what was previously begun; there is

frequently the difference in usage that _finish_ is applied to the fine

details and is superficial, while _complete_ is comprehensive, being

applied to the whole ideal, plan, and execution; as, to _finish_ a

statue; to _complete_ a scheme of philosophy. To _discharge_ is to _do_

what is given in charge, expected, or required; as, to _discharge_ the

duties of the office. To _fulfil_ is to _do_ or to be what has been

promised, expected, hoped, or desired; as, a son _fulfils_ a father's

hopes. _Realize_, _effect_, _execute_, and _consummate_ all signify to

embody in fact what was before in thought. One may _realize_ that which

he has done nothing to _bring about_; he may _realize_ the dreams of

youth by inheriting a fortune; but he can not _effect_ his early designs

except by _doing_ the utmost that is necessary to make them fact.

_Effect_ includes all that is _done_ to _accomplish_ the intent;

_execute_ refers rather to the final steps; _consummate_ is limited

quite sharply to the concluding act. An officer _executes_ the law when

he proceeds against its violators; a purchase is _consummated_ when the

money is paid and the property delivered. _Execute_ refers more commonly

to the commands of another, _effect_ and _consummate_ to one's own

designs; as, the commander _effected_ the capture of the fort, because

his officers and men promptly _executed_ his commands. _Achieve_--to

_do_ something worthy of a chief--signifies always to _perform_ some

great and generally some worthy exploit. _Perform_ and _accomplish_ both

imply working toward the end; but _perform_ always allows a possibility

of not attaining, while _accomplish_ carries the thought of full

completion. In Longfellow's lines, "Patience; _accomplish_ thy labor,"

etc., _perform_ could not be substituted without great loss. As between

_complete_ and _accomplish_, _complete_ considers rather the thing as

_done_; _accomplish_, the whole process of doing it. _Commit_, as

applied to actions, is used only of those that are bad, whether grave or

trivial; _perpetrate_ is used chiefly of aggravated crimes or, somewhat

humorously, of blunders. A man may _commit_ a sin, a trespass, or a

murder; _perpetrate_ an outrage or a felony. We _finish_ a garment or a

letter, _complete_ an edifice or a life-work, _consummate_ a bargain or

a crime, _discharge_ a duty, _effect_ a purpose, _execute_ a command,

_fulfil_ a promise, _perform_ our daily tasks, _realize_ an ideal,

_accomplish_ a design, _achieve_ a victory. Compare TRANSACT;

TRANSACTION.

Antonyms:

baffle, defeat, fail, mar, miss, ruin,

come short, destroy, frustrate, miscarry, neglect, spoil.

* * * * *

DOCILE.

Synonyms:

amenable, manageable, pliant, teachable,

compliant, obedient, submissive, tractable,

gentle, pliable, tame, yielding.

One who is _docile_ is easily taught; one who is _tractable_ is easily

led; one who is _pliant_ is easily bent in any direction; _compliant_

represents one as inclined or persuaded to agreement with another's

will. Compare DUTY.

Antonyms:

determined, inflexible, opinionated, self-willed, wilful,

dogged, intractable, resolute, stubborn, unyielding.

firm, obstinate,

* * * * *

DOCTRINE.

Synonyms:

article of belief, belief, precept, teaching,

article of faith, dogma, principle, tenet.

_Doctrine_ primarily signifies that which is taught; _principle_, the

fundamental basis on which the _teaching_ rests. A _doctrine_ is

reasoned out, and may be defended by reasoning; a _dogma_ rests on

authority, as of direct revelation, the decision of the church, etc. A

_doctrine_ or _dogma_ is a statement of some one item of _belief_; a

_creed_ is a summary of _doctrines_ or _dogmas_. _Dogma_ has commonly,

at the present day, an offensive signification, as of a _belief_

arrogantly asserted. _Tenet_ is simply that which is held, and is

applied to a single item of _belief_; it is a neutral word, neither

approving nor condemning; we speak of the _doctrines_ of our own church;

of the _tenets_ of others. A _precept_ relates not to _belief_, but to

conduct. Compare FAITH; LAW.

* * * * *

DOGMATIC.

Synonyms:

arrogant, doctrinal, magisterial, positive,

authoritative, domineering, opinionated, self-opinionated,

dictatorial, imperious, overbearing, systematic.

_Dogmatic_ is technically applied in a good sense to that which is

formally enunciated by adequate authority; _doctrinal_ to that which is

stated in the form of doctrine to be taught or defended. _Dogmatic_

theology, called also "dogmatics," gives definite propositions, which it

holds to be delivered by authority; _systematic_ theology considers the

same propositions in their logical connection and order as parts of a

system; a _doctrinal_ statement is less absolute in its claims than a

_dogmatic_ treatise, and may be more partial than the term _systematic_

would imply. Outside of theology, _dogmatic_ has generally an offensive

sense; a _dogmatic_ statement is one for which the author does not

trouble himself to give a reason, either because of the strength of his

convictions, or because of his contempt for those whom he addresses;

thus _dogmatic_ is, in common use, allied with _arrogant_ and kindred

words.

* * * * *

DOUBT, _v._

Synonyms:

distrust, mistrust, surmise, suspect.

To _doubt_ is to lack conviction. Incompleteness of evidence may compel

one to _doubt_, or some perverse bias of mind may incline him to.

_Distrust_ may express simply a lack of confidence; as, I _distrust_ my

own judgment; or it may be nearly equivalent to _suspect_; as, I

_distrusted_ that man from the start. _Mistrust_ and _suspect_ imply

that one is almost assured of positive evil; one may _distrust_ himself

or others; he _suspects_ others. _Mistrust_ is now rarely, if ever, used

of persons, but only of motives, intentions, etc. _Distrust_ is always

serious; _mistrust_ is often used playfully. Compare SUPPOSE. Compare

synonyms for DOUBT, _n._

Antonyms:

believe, depend on, depend upon, rely on, rely upon, trust.

confide in,

* * * * *

DOUBT, _n._

Synonyms:

disbelief, incredulity, perplexity, suspense,

distrust, indecision, question, suspicion,

hesitancy, irresolution, scruple, unbelief,

hesitation, misgiving, skepticism, uncertainty.

_Doubt_ is a lack of conviction that may refer either to matters of

belief or to matters of practise. As regards belief, while _doubt_ is

lack of conviction, _disbelief_ is conviction, to the contrary;

_unbelief_ refers to a settled state of mind, generally accompanied with

opposition of heart. _Perplexity_ is active and painful; _doubt_ may be

quiescent. _Perplexity_ presses toward a solution; _doubt_ may be

content to linger unresolved. Any improbable statement awakens

_incredulity_. In theological usage _unbelief_ and _skepticism_ have a

condemnatory force, as implying wilful rejection of manifest truth. As

regards practical matters, _uncertainty_ applies to the unknown or

undecided; _doubt_ implies some negative evidence. _Suspense_ regards

the future, and is eager and anxious; _uncertainty_ may relate to any

period, and be quite indifferent. _Misgiving_ is ordinarily in regard to

the outcome of something already done or decided; _hesitation_,

_indecision_, and _irresolution_ have reference to something that

remains to be decided or done, and are due oftener to infirmity of will

than to lack of knowledge. _Distrust_ and _suspicion_ apply especially

to the motives, character, etc., of others, and are more decidedly

adverse than _doubt_. _Scruple_ relates to matters of conscience and

duty.

Antonyms:

assurance, certainty, conviction, determination, resolution,

belief, confidence, decision, persuasion, resolve.

* * * * *

DRAW.

Synonyms:

allure, drag, haul, induce, lure, tow,

attract, entice, incline, lead, pull, tug.

One object _draws_ another when it moves it toward itself or in the

direction of its own motion by the exertion of adequate force, whether

slight or powerful. To _attract_ is to exert a force that tends to

_draw_, tho it may produce no actual motion; all objects are _attracted_

toward the earth, tho they may be sustained from falling. To _drag_ is

to _draw_ against strong resistance; as, to _drag_ a sled over bare

ground, or a carriage up a steep hill. To _pull_ is to exert a _drawing_

force, whether adequate or inadequate; as, the fish _pulls_ on the

line; a dentist _pulls_ a tooth. To _tug_ is to _draw_, or try to

_draw_, a resisting object with a continuous straining motion; as, to

_tug_ at the oar. To _haul_ is to _draw_ somewhat slowly a heavy object;

as, to _haul_ a seine; to _haul_ logs. One vessel _tows_ another. In the

figurative sense, _attract_ is more nearly akin to _incline_, _draw_ to

_induce_. We are _attracted_ by one's appearance, _drawn_ to his side.

Compare ALLURE; ARRAY; INFLUENCE.

Antonyms:

alienate, estrange, rebuff, reject, repel, repulse.

See synonyms for DRIVE.

Prepositions:

To draw water _from_ or _out of_ the well; draw the boat _through_ the

water, _to_ the shore; draw air _into_ the lungs; draw _with_ cords of

love; the wagon is drawn _by_ horses, _along_ the road, _across_ the

field, _over_ the stones, _through_ the woods, _to_ the barn.

* * * * *

DREAM.

Synonyms:

day-dream, fantasy, reverie, trance,

fancy, hallucination, romance, vision.

A _dream_ is strictly a train of thoughts, fantasies, and images passing

through the mind during sleep; a _vision_ may occur when one is awake,

and in clear exercise of the senses and mental powers; _vision_ is often

applied to something seen by the mind through supernatural agency,

whether in sleep or wakefulness, conceived as more real and

authoritative than a _dream_; a _trance_ is an abnormal state, which is

different from normal sleep or wakefulness. A _reverie_ is a purposeless

drifting of the mind when awake, under the influence of mental images; a

_day-dream_ that which passes before the mind in such condition. A

_fancy_ is some image presented to the mind, often in the fullest

exercise of its powers. _Hallucination_ is the seeming perception of

non-existent objects, as in insanity or delirium. In the figurative

sense, we speak of _dreams_ of fortune, _visions_ of glory, with little

difference of meaning except that the _vision_ is thought of as fuller

and more vivid. We speak of a _trance_ of delight when the emotion

almost sweeps one away from the normal exercise of the faculties.

Antonyms:

certainty, fact, reality, realization, substance, verity.

* * * * *

DRESS.

Synonyms:

apparel, clothes, garb, habit, uniform,

array, clothing, garments, raiment, vestments,

attire, costume, habiliments, robes, vesture.

_Clothing_ denotes the entire covering of the body, taken as a whole;

_clothes_ and _garments_ view it as composed of separate parts.

_Clothes_, _clothing_, and _garments_ may be used of inner or outer

covering; all the other words in the list (with possible rare exceptions

in the case of _raiment_) refer to the outer _garments_. _Array_,

_raiment_, and _vesture_ are archaic or poetic; so, too, is _habit_,

except in technical use to denote a lady's riding-_dress_. The word

_vestments_ is now rare, except in ecclesiastical use. _Apparel_ and

_attire_ are most frequently used of somewhat complete and elegant outer

_clothing_, tho Shakespeare speaks of "poor and mean _attire_." _Dress_

may be used, specifically, for a woman's gown, and in that sense may be

either rich or shabby; but in the general sense it denotes outer

_clothing_ which is meant to be elegant, complete, and appropriate to

some social or public occasion; as, full _dress_, court _dress_, evening

_dress_, etc. _Dress_ has now largely displaced _apparel_ and _attire_.

_Garb_ denotes the _clothing_ characteristic of some class, profession,

or the like; as, the _garb_ of a priest. _Costume_ is chiefly used for

that which befits an assumed character; as, a theatrical _costume_; we

sometimes speak of a national _costume_, etc.

Antonyms:

bareness, dishabille, exposure, nakedness, nudity, undress.

disarray,

* * * * *

DRIVE.

Synonyms:

compel, propel, repel, resist, thrust,

impel, push, repulse, ride, urge on.

To _drive_ is to move an object with some force or violence before or

away from oneself; it is the direct reverse of _draw_, _lead_, etc. A

man leads a horse by the halter, _drives_ him with whip and rein. One

may be _driven_ to a thing or from it; hence, _drive_ is a synonym

equally for _compel_ or for _repel_ or _repulse_. _Repulse_ is stronger

and more conclusive than _repel_; one may be _repelled_ by the very

aspect of the person whose favor he seeks, but is not _repulsed_ except

by the direct refusal or ignoring of his suit. A certain conventional

modern usage, especially in England, requires us to say that we _drive_

in a carriage, _ride_ upon a horse; tho in Scripture we read of _riding_

in a chariot (_2 Kings_ ix, 16; _Jer._ xvii, 25, etc.); good examples of

the same usage may be found abundantly in the older English. The

propriety of a person's saying that he is going to _drive_ when he is

simply to be conveyed in a carriage, where some one else, as the

coachman, does all the _driving_, is exceedingly questionable. Many good

authorities prefer to use _ride_ in the older and broader sense as

signifying to be supported and borne along by any means of conveyance.

Compare BANISH; COMPEL; INFLUENCE.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for DRAW.

Prepositions:

Drive _to_ market; _to_ despair; drive _into_ exile; _from_ one's

presence; _out of_ the city; drive _by_, _with_, or _under_ the lash;

drive _by_ or _past_ beautiful estates; _along_ the beach; _beside_ the

river; _through_ the park; _across_ the field; _around_ the square; _to_

the door; _into_ the barn; _out of_ the sunshine.

* * * * *

DUPLICATE.

Synonyms:

copy, facsimile, likeness, reproduction,

counterpart, imitation, replica, transcript.

A _copy_ is as nearly like the original as the copyist has power to make

it; a _duplicate_ is exactly like the original; a carbon _copy_ of a

typewritten document must be a _duplicate_; we may have an inaccurate

_copy_, but never an inaccurate _duplicate_. A _facsimile_ is like the

original in appearance; a _duplicate_ is the same as the original in

substance and effect; a _facsimile_ of the Declaration of Independence

is not a _duplicate_. A _facsimile_ of a key might be quite useless; a

_duplicate_ will open the lock. A _counterpart_ exactly corresponds to

another object, but perhaps without design, while a _copy_ is

intentional. An _imitation_ is always thought of as inferior to the

original; as, an _imitation_ of Milton. A _replica_ is a _copy_ of a

work of art by the maker of the original. In law, a _copy_ of an

instrument has in itself no authority; the signatures, as well as other

matters, may be copied; a _duplicate_ is really an original, containing

the same provisions and signed by the same persons, so that it may have

in all respects the same force and effect; a _transcript_ is an official

_copy_, authenticated by the signature of the proper officer, and by the

seal of the appropriate court. While strictly there could be but one

_duplicate_, the word is now extended to an indefinite number of exact

_copies_. _Reproduction_ is chiefly applied to living organisms.

Antonyms:

archetype, model, original, pattern, prototype.

* * * * *

DUTY.

Synonyms:

accountability, function, office, right,

business, obligation, responsibility, righteousness.

Etymologically, _duty_ is that which is owed or due; _obligation_, that

to or by which one is bound; _right_, that which is correct, straight,

or in the direct line of truth and goodness; _responsibility_, that for

which one must answer. _Duty_ and _responsibility_ are thought of as to

some person or persons; _right_ is impersonal. One's _duty_ may be to

others or to himself; his _obligations_ and _responsibilities_ are to

others. _Duty_ arises from the nature of things; _obligation_ and

_responsibility_ may be created by circumstances, as by one's own

promise, or by the acceptance of a trust, etc. We speak of a parent's

_duty_, a debtor's _obligation_; or of a child's _duty_ of obedience,

and a parent's _responsibility_ for the child's welfare. _Right_ is that

which accords with the moral system of the universe. _Righteousness_ is

_right_ incarnated in action. In a more limited sense, _right_ may be

used of what one may rightly claim, and so be the converse of _duty_. It

is the creditor's _right_ to demand payment, and the debtor's _duty_ to

pay. Compare BUSINESS.

* * * * *

EAGER.

Synonyms:

animated, desirous, glowing, importunate, longing,

anxious, earnest, hot, intense, vehement,

ardent, enthusiastic, impatient, intent, yearning,

burning, fervent, impetuous, keen, zealous.

One is _eager_ who impatiently desires to accomplish some end; one is

_earnest_ with a desire that is less impatient, but more deep, resolute,

and constant; one is _anxious_ with a desire that foresees rather the

pain of disappointment than the delight of attainment. One is _eager_

for the gratification of any appetite or passion; he is _earnest_ in

conviction, purpose, or character. _Eager_ usually refers to some

specific and immediate satisfaction, _earnest_ to something permanent

and enduring; the patriotic soldier is _earnest_ in his devotion to his

country, _eager_ for a decisive battle.

Antonyms:

apathetic, cool, indifferent, regardless, unconcerned,

calm, dispassionate, negligent, stolid, uninterested,

careless, frigid, phlegmatic, stony, unmindful,

cold, heedless, purposeless, stupid, unmoved.

Prepositions:

Eager _for_ (more rarely _after_) favor, honor, etc.; eager _in_

pursuit.

* * * * *

EASE.

Synonyms:

easiness, expertness, facility, knack, readiness.

_Ease_ in the sense here considered denotes freedom from conscious or

apparent effort, tax, or strain. _Ease_ may be either of condition or of

action; _facility_ is always of action; _readiness_ is of action or of

expected action. One lives at _ease_ who has no pressing cares; one

stands at _ease_, moves or speaks with _ease_, when wholly without

constraint. _Facility_ is always active; _readiness_ may be active or

passive; the speaker has _facility_ of expression, _readiness_ of wit;

any appliance is in _readiness_ for use. _Ease_ of action may imply

merely the possession of ample power; _facility_ always implies practise

and skill; any one can press down the keys of a typewriter with _ease_;

only the skilled operator works the machine with _facility_. _Readiness_

in the active sense includes much of the meaning of _ease_ with the

added idea of promptness or alertness. _Easiness_ applies to the thing

done, rather than to the doer. _Expertness_ applies to the more

mechanical processes of body and mind; we speak of the _readiness_ of an

orator, but of the _expertness_ of a gymnast. Compare COMFORTABLE;

DEXTERITY; POWER.

Antonyms:

annoyance, difficulty, irritation, trouble, vexation,

awkwardness, discomfort, perplexity, uneasiness, worry.

constraint, disquiet,

* * * * *

EDUCATION.

Synonyms:

breeding, discipline, learning, study,

cultivation, information, nurture, teaching,

culture, instruction, reading, training,

development, knowledge, schooling, tuition.

_Education_ (L. _educere_, to lead or draw out) is the systematic

development and cultivation of the mind and other natural powers.

"_Education_ is the harmonious development of all our faculties. It

begins in the nursery, and goes on at school, but does not end there. It

continues through life, whether we will or not.... 'Every person,' says

Gibbon, 'has two educations, one which he receives from others, and one

more important, which he gives himself.'" JOHN LUBBOCK _The Use of Life_

ch. vii, p. 111. [MACM. '94.] _Instruction_, the impartation of

_knowledge_ by others (L. _instruere_, to build in or into) is but a

part of education, often the smallest part. _Teaching_ is the more

familiar and less formal word for _instruction_. _Training_ refers not

merely to the impartation of _knowledge_, but to the exercising of one

in actions with the design to form habits. _Discipline_ is systematic

and rigorous _training_, with the idea of subjection to authority and

perhaps of punishment. _Tuition_ is the technical term for _teaching_ as

the business of an instructor or as in the routine of a school;

_tuition_ is narrower than _teaching_, not, like the latter word,

including _training_. _Study_ is emphatically what one does for himself.

We speak of the _teaching_, _training_, or _discipline_, but not of the

_education_ or _tuition_ of a dog or a horse. _Breeding_ and _nurture_

include _teaching_ and _training_, especially as directed by and

dependent upon home life and personal association; _breeding_ having

reference largely to manners with such qualities as are deemed

distinctively characteristic of high birth; _nurture_ (literally

_nourishing_) having more direct reference to moral qualities, not

overlooking the physical and mental. _Knowledge_ and _learning_ tell

nothing of mental development apart from the capacity to acquire and

remember, and nothing whatever of that moral development which is

included in _education_ in its fullest and noblest sense; _learning_,

too, may be acquired by one's unaided industry, but any full _education_

must be the result in great part of _instruction_, _training_, and

personal association. _Study_ is emphatically what one does for himself,

and in which _instruction_ and _tuition_ can only point the way,

encourage the student to advance, and remove obstacles; vigorous,

persevering _study_ is one of the best elements of _training_. _Study_

is also used in the sense of the thing studied, a subject to be mastered

by _study_, a studious pursuit. Compare KNOWLEDGE; REFINEMENT; WISDOM.

Antonyms:

ignorance, illiteracy.

Compare synonyms for IGNORANT.

* * * * *

EFFRONTERY.

Synonyms:

assurance, boldness, hardihood, insolence,

audacity, brass, impudence, shamelessness.

_Audacity_, in the sense here considered, is a reckless defiance of law,

decency, public opinion, or personal rights, claims, or views,

approaching the meaning of _impudence_ or _shamelessness_, but always

carrying the thought of the personal risk that one disregards in such

defiance; the merely _impudent_ or _shameless_ person may take no

thought of consequences; the _audacious_ person recognizes and

recklessly braves them. _Hardihood_ defies and disregards the rational

judgment of men. _Effrontery_ (L. _effrons_, barefaced, shameless) adds

to _audacity_ and _hardihood_ the special element of defiance of

considerations of propriety, duty, and respect for others, yet not to

the extent implied in _impudence_ or _shamelessness_. _Impudence_

disregards what is due to superiors; _shamelessness_ defies decency.

_Boldness_ is forward-stepping courage, spoken of with reference to the

presence and observation of others; _boldness_, in the good sense, is

courage viewed from the outside; but the word is frequently used in an

unfavorable sense to indicate a lack of proper sensitiveness and

modesty. Compare ASSURANCE; BRAVE.

Antonyms:

bashfulness, diffidence, sensitiveness, shyness,

coyness, modesty, shrinking, timidity.

* * * * *

EGOTISM.

Synonyms:

conceit, self-assertion, self-confidence, self-esteem,

egoism, self-conceit, self-consciousness, vanity.

_Egoism_ is giving the "I" undue supremacy in thought; _egotism_ is

giving the "I" undue prominence in speech. _Egotism_ is sometimes used

in the sense of _egoism_, or supreme regard for oneself.

_Self-assertion_ is the claim by word, act, or manner of what one

believes to be his due; _self-conceit_ is an overestimate of one's own

powers or deserts. _Conceit_ is a briefer expression for _self-conceit_,

with always an offensive implication; _self-conceit_ is ridiculous or

pitiable; _conceit_ arouses resentment. There is a worthy

_self-confidence_ which springs from consciousness of rectitude and of

power equal to demands. _Self-assertion_ at times becomes a duty; but

_self-conceit_ is always a weakness. _Self-consciousness_ is the keeping

of one's thoughts upon oneself, with the constant anxious question of

what others will think. _Vanity_ is an overweening admiration of self,

craving equal admiration from others; _self-consciousness_ is commonly

painful to its possessor, _vanity_ always a source of satisfaction,

except as it fails to receive its supposed due. _Self-esteem_ is more

solid and better founded than _self-conceit_; but is ordinarily a

weakness, and never has the worthy sense of _self-confidence_. Compare

ASSURANCE; PRIDE.

Antonyms:

bashfulness, humility, self-forgetfulness, unobtrusiveness,

deference, modesty, shyness, unostentatiousness.

diffidence, self-distrust,

* * * * *

EMBLEM.

Synonyms:

attribute, figure, image, sign, symbol, token, type.

_Emblem_ is the English form of _emblema_, a Latin word of Greek origin,

signifying a figure beaten out on a metallic vessel by blows from

within; also, a figure inlaid in wood, stone, or other material as a

copy of some natural object. The Greek word _symbolon_ denoted a

victor's wreath, a check, or any object that might be compared with, or

found to correspond with another, whether there was or was not anything

in the objects compared to suggest the comparison. Thus an _emblem_

resembles, a _symbol_ represents. An _emblem_ has some natural fitness

to suggest that for which it stands; a _symbol_ has been chosen or

agreed upon to suggest something else, with or without natural fitness;

a _sign_ does actually suggest the thing with or without reason, and

with or without intention or choice. A _symbol_ may be also an _emblem_;

thus the elements of bread and wine in the Lord's Supper are both

appropriate _emblems_ and his own chosen _symbols_ of suffering and

death. A statement of doctrine is often called a _symbol_ of faith; but

it is not an _emblem_. On the other hand, the same thing may be both a

_sign_ and a _symbol_; a letter of the alphabet is a _sign_ which

indicates a sound; but letters are often used as mathematical, chemical,

or astronomical _symbols_. A _token_ is something given or done as a

pledge or expression of feeling or intent; while the _sign_ may be

unintentional, the _token_ is voluntary; kind looks may be _signs_ of

regard; a gift is a _token_; a ring, which is a natural _emblem_ of

eternity, and also its accepted _symbol_, is frequently given as a

_token_ of friendship or love. A _figure_ in the sense here considered

is something that represents an idea to the mind somewhat as a form is

represented to the eye, as in drawing, painting, or sculpture; as

representing a future reality, a _figure_ may be practically the same as

a _type_. An _image_ is a visible representation, especially in

sculpture, having or supposed to have a close resemblance to that which

it represents. A _type_ is in religion a representation of a greater

reality to come; we speak of one object as the _type_ of the class whose

characteristics it exhibits, as in the case of animal or vegetable

_types_. An _attribute_ in art is some accessory used to characterize a

_figure_ or scene; the _attribute_ is often an _emblem_ or _symbol_;

thus the eagle is the _attribute_ of St. John as an _emblem_ of lofty

spiritual vision. Compare SIGN.

* * * * *

EMIGRATE.

Synonyms:

immigrate, migrate.

To _migrate_ is to change one's dwelling-place, usually with the idea of

repeated change, or of periodical return; it applies to wandering tribes

of men, and to many birds and animals. _Emigrate_ and _immigrate_ carry

the idea of a permanent change of residence to some other country or

some distant region; the two words are used distinctively of human

beings, and apply to the same person and the same act, according to the

side from which the action is viewed.

Prepositions:

A person emigrates _from_ the land he leaves, and immigrates _to_ the

land where he takes up his abode.

* * * * *

EMPLOY.

Synonyms:

call, engage, engross, hire, make use of, use, use up.

In general terms it may be said that to _employ_ is to devote to one's

purpose, to _use_ is to render subservient to one's purpose; what is

_used_ is viewed as more absolutely an instrument than what is

_employed_; a merchant _employs_ a clerk; he _uses_ pen and paper; as a

rule, _use_ is not said of persons, except in a degrading sense; as, the

conspirators _used_ him as a go-between. Hence the expression common in

some religious circles "that God would _use_ me" is not to be commended;

it has also the fault of representing the human worker as absolutely a

passive and helpless instrument; the phrase is altogether unscriptural;

the Scripture says, "We are laborers together with (co-workers with)

God." That which is _used_ is often consumed in the _using_, or in

familiar phrase _used up_; as, we _used_ twenty tons of coal last

winter; in such cases we could not substitute _employ_. A person may be

_employed_ in his own work or in that of another; in the latter case the

service is always understood to be for pay. In this connection _employ_

is a word of more dignity than _hire_; a general is _employed_ in his

country's service; a mercenary adventurer is _hired_ to fight a tyrant's

battles. It is unsuitable, according to present usage, to speak of

_hiring_ a pastor; the Scripture, indeed, says of the preacher, "The

laborer is worthy of his hire;" but this sense is archaic, and _hire_

now implies that the one _hired_ works directly and primarily for the

pay, as expressed in the noun "hireling;" a Pastor is properly said to

be _called_, or when the business side of the transaction is referred

to, _engaged_, or possibly _employed_, at a certain salary.

Prepositions:

Employ _in_, _on_, _upon_, or _about_ a work, business, etc.; _for_ a

purpose; _at_ a stipulated salary.

* * * * *

END, _v._

Synonyms:

break off, close, conclude, expire, quit, terminate,

cease, complete, desist, finish, stop, wind up.

That _ends_, or is _ended_, of which there is no more, whether or not

more was intended or needed; that is _closed_, _completed_, _concluded_,

or _finished_ which has come to an expected or appropriate end. A speech

may be _ended_ almost as soon as begun, because of the speaker's

illness, or of tumult in the audience; in such a case, the speech is

neither _closed_, _completed_, nor _finished_, nor, in the strict sense,

_concluded_. An argument may be _closed_ with nothing proved; when an

argument is _concluded_ all that is deemed necessary to prove the point

has been stated. To _finish_ is to do the last thing there is to do; as,

"I have _finished_ my course," _2 Tim._ iv, 7. _Finish_ has come to

mean, not merely to _complete_ in the essentials, but to perfect in all

the minute details, as in the expression "to add the _finishing_

touches." The enumeration is _completed_; the poem, the picture, the

statue is _finished_. To _terminate_ may be either to bring to an

arbitrary or to an appropriate end; as, he _terminated_ his remarks

abruptly; the spire _terminates_ in a cross. A thing _stops_ that comes

to rest from motion; or the motion _stops_ or _ceases_ when the object

comes to rest; _stop_ frequently signifies to bring or come to a sudden

and decided cessation of motion, progress, or action of any kind.

Compare DO; TRANSACT.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for BEGIN.

* * * * *

END, _n._

Synonyms:

accomplishment, effect, limit,

achievement, expiration, outcome,

bound, extent, period,

boundary, extremity, point,

cessation, finale, purpose,

close, finis, result,

completion, finish, termination,

conclusion, fulfilment, terminus,

consequence, goal, tip,

consummation, intent, utmost,

design, issue, uttermost.

The _end_ is the terminal part of a material object that has length; the

_extremity_ is distinctively the terminal _point_, and may thus be but

part of the _end_ in the general sense of that word; the _extremity_ is

viewed as that which is most remote from some center, or some mean or

standard position; the southern _end_ of South America includes all

Patagonia, the southern _extremity_ or _point_ is Cape Horn. _Tip_ has

nearly the same meaning as _extremity_, but is said of small or slight

and tapering objects; as, the _tip_ of the finger; _point_ in such

connections is said of that which is drawn out to exceeding fineness or

sharpness, as the _point_ of a needle, a fork, or a sword; _extremity_

is said of something considerable; we do not speak of the _extremity_ of

a needle. _Terminus_ is chiefly used to designate the _end_ of a line of

travel or transportation: specifically, the furthermost station in any

direction on a railway, or by extension the town or village where it is

situated. _Termination_ is the Latin and more formal word for the Saxon

_end_, but is chiefly used of time, words, undertakings, or abstractions

of any kind. _Expiration_ signifies the coming to an _end_ in the

natural course of things; as, the _expiration_ of a year, or of a lease;

it is used of things of some consequence; we do not ordinarily speak of

the _expiration_ of an hour or of a day. _Limit_ implies some check to

or restraint upon further advance, right, or privilege; as, the _limits_

of an estate (compare BOUNDARY). A _goal_ is an _end_ sought or striven

for, as in a race. For the figurative senses of _end_ and its associated

words, compare the synonyms for the verb END; also for AIM; CONSEQUENCE;

DESIGN.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for BEGINNING.

* * * * *

ENDEAVOR, _v._

Synonyms:

attempt, essay, strive, try, undertake.

To _attempt_ is to take action somewhat experimentally with the hope and

purpose of accomplishing a certain result; to _endeavor_ is to _attempt_

strenuously and with firm and enduring purpose. To _attempt_ expresses a

single act; to _endeavor_, a continuous exertion; we say I will

_endeavor_ (not I will _attempt_) while I live. To _attempt_ is with the

view of accomplishing; to _essay_, with a view of testing our own

powers. To _undertake_ is to accept or take upon oneself as an

obligation, as some business, labor, or trust; the word often implies

complete assurance of success; as, I will _undertake_ to produce the

witness. To _strive_ suggests little of the result, much of toil,

strain, and contest, in seeking it; I will _strive_ to fulfil your

wishes, _i. e._, I will spare no labor and exertion to do it. _Try_ is

the most comprehensive of these words. The original idea of testing or

experimenting is not thought of when a man says "I will _try_." To

_attempt_ suggests giving up, if the thing is not accomplished at a

stroke; to _try_ implies using other means and studying out other ways

if not at first successful. _Endeavor_ is more mild and formal; the

pilot in the burning pilot-house does not say "I will _endeavor_" or "I

will _attempt_ to hold the ship to her course," but "I'll _try_, sir!"

Antonyms:

abandon, give up, omit, throw away,

dismiss, let go, overlook, throw over,

drop, neglect, pass by, throw up.

* * * * *

ENDEAVOR, _n._

Synonyms:

attempt, effort, essay, exertion, struggle, trial.

_Effort_ denotes the voluntary putting forth of power to attain or

accomplish some specific thing; it reaches toward a definite end;

_exertion_ is a putting forth of power without special reference to an

object. Every _effort_ is an _exertion_, but not every _exertion_ is an

_effort_. _Attempt_ is more experimental than _effort_, _endeavor_ less

strenuous but more continuous. An _effort_ is a single act, an

_endeavor_ a continued series of acts; an _endeavor_ is sustained and

enduring, and may be lifelong; we do not have a society of Christian

_Attempt_, or of Christian _Effort_, but of Christian _Endeavor_. A

_struggle_ is a violent _effort_ or strenuous _exertion_. An _essay_ is

an _attempt_, _effort_, or _endeavor_ made as a test of the powers of

the one who makes it. Compare ENDEAVOR, _v._

* * * * *

ENDURE.

Synonyms:

abide, bear, brook, submit to, sustain,

afford, bear up under, permit, suffer, tolerate,

allow, bear with, put up with, support, undergo.

_Bear_ is the most general of these words; it is metaphorically to hold

up or keep up a burden of care, pain, grief, annoyance, or the like,

without sinking, lamenting, or repining. _Allow_ and _permit_ involve

large concession of the will; _put up with_ and _tolerate_ imply decided

aversion and reluctant withholding of opposition or interference;

whispering is _allowed_ by the school-teacher who does not forbid nor

censure it; one _puts up with_ the presence of a disagreeable visitor; a

state _tolerates_ a religion which it would be glad to suppress. To

_endure_ is to _bear with_ strain and resistance, but with conscious

power; _endure_ conveys a fuller suggestion of contest and conquest than

_bear_. One may choose to _endure_ the pain of a surgical operation

rather than take anesthetics; he _permits_ the thing to come which he

must brace himself to _endure_ when it comes. To _afford_ is to be equal

to a pecuniary demand, _i. e._, to be able to _bear_ it. To _brook_ is

quietly to _put up with_ provocation or insult. _Abide_ combines the

senses of await and _endure_; as, I will _abide_ the result. Compare

ABIDE; SUPPORT.

Antonyms:

break, despair, fail, fall, give out, sink, surrender,

break down, droop, faint, falter, give up, succumb, yield.

* * * * *

ENEMY.

Synonyms:

adversary, antagonist, competitor, foe, opponent, rival.

An _enemy_ in private life is one who is moved by hostile feeling with

active disposition to injure; but in military language all who fight on

the opposite side are called _enemies_ or collectively "the _enemy_,"

where no personal animosity may be implied; _foe_, which is rather a

poetical and literary word, implies intensely hostile spirit and

purpose. An _antagonist_ is one who opposes and is opposed actively and

with intensity of effort; an _opponent_, one in whom the attitude of

resistance is the more prominent; a _competitor_, one who seeks the same

object for which another is striving; _antagonists_ in wrestling,

_competitors_ in business, _opponents_ in debate may contend with no

personal ill will; _rivals_ in love, ambition, etc., rarely avoid

inimical feeling. _Adversary_ was formerly much used in the general

sense of _antagonist_ or _opponent_, but is now less common, and largely

restricted to the hostile sense; an _adversary_ is ordinarily one who

not only opposes another in fact, but does so with hostile spirit, or

perhaps out of pure malignity; as, the great _Adversary_. Compare

synonyms for AMBITION.

Antonyms:

abettor, accessory, accomplice, ally, friend, helper, supporter.

Prepositions:

He was the enemy _of_ my friend _in_ the contest.

* * * * *

ENMITY.

Synonyms:

acrimony, bitterness, ill will, malignity,

animosity, hatred, malevolence, rancor,

antagonism, hostility, malice, spite.

_Enmity_ is the state of being an enemy or the feeling and disposition

characterizing an enemy (compare ENEMY). _Animosity_ denotes a feeling

more active and vehement, but often less enduring and determined, than

_enmity_. _Enmity_ distinctly recognizes its object as an enemy, to be

met or dealt with accordingly. _Hostility_ is _enmity_ in action; the

term _hostilities_ between nations denotes actual armed collision.

_Bitterness_ is a resentful feeling arising from a belief that one has

been wronged; _acrimony_ is a kindred feeling, but deeper and more

persistent, and may arise from the crossing of one's wishes or plans by

another, where no injustice or wrong is felt. _Antagonism_, as between

two competing authors or merchants, does not necessarily imply _enmity_,

but ordinarily suggests a shade, at least, of hostile feeling. _Malice_

is a disposition or intent to injure others, for the gratification of

some evil passion; _malignity_ is intense and violent _enmity_,

_hatred_, or _malice_. Compare synonyms for ACRIMONY; ANGER; HATRED.

Antonyms:

agreement, amity, friendship, kindliness, regard,

alliance, concord, harmony, kindness, sympathy.

* * * * *

ENTERTAIN.

Synonyms:

amuse, cheer, disport, enliven, interest, please,

beguile, delight, divert, gratify, occupy, recreate.

To _entertain_, in the sense here considered, is to engage and

pleasantly occupy the attention; to _amuse_ is to occupy the attention

in an especially bright and cheerful way, often with that which excites

merriment or laughter; as, he _entertained_ us with an _amusing_ story.

To _divert_ is to turn from serious thoughts or laborious pursuits to

something that lightly and agreeably occupies the mind; one may be

_entertained_ or _amused_ who has nothing serious or laborious from

which to be _diverted_. To _recreate_, literally to re-create, is to

engage mind or body in some pleasing activity that restores strength and

energy for serious work. To _beguile_ is, as it were, to cheat into

cheer and comfort by something that insensibly draws thought or feeling

away from pain or disquiet. We _beguile_ a weary hour, _cheer_ the

despondent, _divert_ the preoccupied, _enliven_ a dull evening or

company, _gratify_ our friends' wishes, _entertain_, _interest_,

_please_ a listening audience, _occupy_ idle time, _disport_ ourselves

when merry, _recreate_ when worn with toil; we _amuse_ ourselves or

others with whatever pleasantly passes the time without special

exertion, each according to his taste.

Antonyms:

annoy, bore, busy, disquiet, distract, disturb, tire, weary.

* * * * *

ENTERTAINMENT.

Synonyms:

amusement, diversion, fun, pleasure,

cheer, enjoyment, merriment, recreation,

delight, frolic, pastime, sport.

_Entertainment_ and _recreation_ imply thought and mental occupation,

tho in an agreeable, refreshing way; they are therefore words of a high

order. _Entertainment_, apart from its special senses of a public

performance or a social party, and predominantly even there, is used of

somewhat mirthful mental delight; _recreation_ may, and usually does,

combine the mental with the physical. _Amusement_ and _pastime_ are

nearly equivalent, the latter probably the lighter word; many slight

things may be _pastimes_ which we should hardly dignify by the name of

_amusements_. _Sports_ are almost wholly on the physical plane, tho

involving a certain grade of mental action; fox-hunting, horse-racing,

and baseball are _sports_. Certain _sports_ may afford _entertainment_

or _recreation_ to certain persons, according to their individual

tastes; but _entertainment_ and _recreation_ are capable of a meaning so

high as never to be approached by any meaning of _sport_. _Cheer_ may be

very quiet, as the _cheer_ of a bright fire to an aged traveler;

_merriment_ is with liveliness and laughter; _fun_ and _frolic_ are apt

to be boisterous. _Amusement_ is a form of _enjoyment_, but _enjoyment_

may be too keen to be called _amusement_. Compare synonyms for

ENTERTAIN.

Antonyms:

ennui, fatigue, labor, lassitude, toil, weariness, work.

* * * * *

ENTHUSIASM.

Synonyms:

ardor, excitement, frenzy, transport,

devotion, extravagance, inspiration, vehemence,

eagerness, fanaticism, intensity, warmth,

earnestness, fervency, passion, zeal.

ecstasy, fervor, rapture,

The old meaning of _enthusiasm_ implies a pseudo-_inspiration_, an

almost frantic _extravagance_ in behalf of something supposed to be an

expression of the divine will. This sense remains as the controlling one

in the kindred noun _enthusiast_. _Enthusiasm_ has now chiefly the

meaning of an earnest and commendable _devotion_, an intense and eager

interest. Against the hindrances of the world, nothing great and good

can be carried without a certain _fervor_, _intensity_, and _vehemence_;

these joined with faith, courage, and hopefulness make _enthusiasm_.

_Zeal_ is burning _earnestness_, always tending to vigorous action with

all the _devotion_ of _enthusiasm_, tho often without its hopefulness.

Compare EAGER.

Antonyms:

calculation, caution, deadness, indifference, policy, timidity,

calmness, coldness, dulness, lukewarmness, prudence, wariness.

* * * * *

ENTRANCE.

Synonyms:

access, approach, gate, introduction,

accession, door, gateway, opening,

adit, doorway, ingress, penetration,

admission, entree, inlet, portal.

admittance, entry,

_Entrance_, the act of entering, refers merely to the fact of passing

from without to within some enclosure; _admission_ and _admittance_

refer to entering by or with some one's consent, or at least to

opportunity afforded by some one's act or neglect. We may effect or

force an _entrance_, but not _admittance_ or _admission_; those we gain,

procure, obtain, secure, win. _Admittance_ refers to place, _admission_

refers also to position, privilege, favor, friendship, etc. An intruder

may gain _admittance_ to the hall of a society who would not be allowed

_admission_ to its membership. _Approach_ is a movement toward another;

_access_ is coming all the way to his presence, recognition, and

consideration. An unworthy favorite may prevent even those who gain

_admittance_ to a king's audience from obtaining any real _access_ to

the king. _Entrance_ is also used figuratively for setting out upon some

career, or becoming a member of some organization; as, we speak of one's

_entrance_ upon college life, or of _entrance_ into the ministry.

Antonyms:

departure, ejection, exit, refusal, withdrawal.

egress, exclusion, expulsion, rejection,

Prepositions:

Entrance _into_ a place; _on_ or _upon_ a work or course of action;

_into_ or _upon_ office; _into_ battle; _by_ or _through_ the door;

_within_ the gates; _into_ or _among_ the company.

* * * * *

ENVIOUS.

Synonyms:

jealous, suspicious.

One is _envious_ who cherishes selfish ill will toward another because

of his superior success, endowments, possessions, or the like. A person

is _envious_ of that which is another's, and to which he himself has no

right or claim; he is _jealous_ of intrusion upon that which is his own,

or to which he maintains a right or claim. An _envious_ spirit is always

bad; a _jealous_ spirit may be good or bad, according to its object and

tendency. A free people must be _jealous_ of their liberties if they

would retain them. One is _suspicious_ of another from unfavorable

indications or from a knowledge of wrong in his previous conduct, or

even without reason. Compare DOUBT.

Antonyms:

contented, friendly, kindly, satisfied, trustful, well-disposed.

Prepositions:

Envious _of_ (formerly _at_ or _against_) a person; envious _of_ his

wealth or power; envious _of_ him _for_, _because of_, _on account of_

his wealth or power.

* * * * *

EQUIVOCAL.

Synonyms:

ambiguous, enigmatical, indistinct, questionable,

doubtful, indefinite, obscure, suspicious,

dubious, indeterminate, perplexing, uncertain.

enigmatic,

_Equivocal_ (L. _equus_, equal, and _vox_, voice, word) denotes that

which may equally well be understood in either of two or more ways.

_Ambiguous_ (L. _ambi_, around, and _ago_, drive, lead) signifies

lacking in distinctness or certainty, obscure or doubtful through

indefiniteness of expression. _Ambiguous_ is applied only to spoken or

written statements; _equivocal_ has other applications. A statement is

_ambiguous_ when it leaves the mind of the reader or hearer to fluctuate

between two meanings, which would fit the language equally well; it is

_equivocal_ when it would naturally be understood in one way, but is

capable of a different interpretation; an _equivocal_ expression is, as

a rule, intentionally deceptive, while an _ambiguous_ utterance may be

simply the result of a want either of clear thought or of adequate

expression. That which is _enigmatical_ must be guessed like a riddle; a

statement may be purposely made _enigmatical_ in order to provoke

thought and study. That is _doubtful_ which is fairly open to doubt;

that is _dubious_ which has become the subject of doubts so grave as

scarcely to fall short of condemnation; as, a _dubious_ reputation.

_Questionable_ may be used nearly in the sense either of _dubious_ or of

_doubtful_; a _questionable_ statement is one that must be proved before

it can be accepted. To say that one's honesty is _questionable_ is a

mild way of saying that in the opinion of the speaker he is likely to

prove dishonest. _Equivocal_ is sometimes, tho more rarely, used in this

sense. A _suspicious_ character gives manifest reason to be suspected; a

_suspicious_ temper is inclined to suspect the motives and intentions of

others, with or without reason. Compare CLEAR.

Antonyms:

certain, evident, lucid, perspicuous, unequivocal,

clear, indisputable, manifest, plain, unquestionable,

distinct, indubitable, obvious, unambiguous, unquestioned.

* * * * *

ESTEEM, _v._

Synonyms:

appreciate, consider, estimate, prize, think,

calculate, deem, hold, regard, value.

_Esteem_ and _estimate_ alike imply to set a certain mental value upon,

but _esteem_ is less precise and mercantile than _calculate_ or

_estimate_. We _esteem_ a jewel precious; we _estimate_ it to be worth

so much money. This sense of _esteem_ is now chiefly found in literary

or oratorical style, and in certain conventional phrases; as, I _esteem_

it an honor, a favor. In popular usage _esteem_, as said of persons,

denotes a union of respect and kindly feeling and, in the highest sense,

of moral approbation; as, one whom I highly _esteem_; the word may be

used in a similar sense of material things or abstractions; as, one

whose friendship I _esteem_; a shell greatly _esteemed_ for inlaid work.

To _appreciate_ anything is to be deeply or keenly sensible of or

sensitive to its qualities or influence, to see its full import, be

alive to its value, importance, or worth; as, to _appreciate_ beauty or

harmony; to _appreciate_ one's services in a cause; the word is

similarly, tho rarely, used of persons. To _prize_ is to set a high

value on for something more than merely commercial reasons. One may

_value_ some object, as a picture, beyond all price, as a family

heirloom, or may _prize_ it as the gift of an _esteemed_ friend, without

at all _appreciating_ its artistic merit or commercial value. To

_regard_ (F. _regarder_, look at, observe) is to have a certain mental

view favorable or unfavorable; as, I _regard_ him as a friend; or, I

_regard_ him as a villain; _regard_ has a distinctively favorable sense

as applied to institutions, proprieties, duties, etc., but does not

share the use of the noun _regard_ as applied to persons; we _regard_

the Sabbath; we _regard_ a person's feelings; we have a _regard_ for the

person. Compare ESTEEM, _n._

* * * * *

ESTEEM, _n._

Synonyms:

estimate, estimation, favor, regard, respect.

_Esteem_ for a person is a favorable opinion on the basis of worth,

especially of moral worth, joined with a feeling of interest in and

attraction toward the person. _Regard_ for a person is the mental view

or feeling that springs from a sense of his value, excellence, or

superiority, with a cordial and hearty friendliness. _Regard_ is more

personal and less distant than _esteem_, and adds a special kindliness;

_respect_ is a more distant word than _esteem_. _Respect_ may be wholly

on one side, while _regard_ is more often mutual; _respect_ in the

fullest sense is given to what is lofty, worthy, and honorable, or to a

person of such qualities; we may pay an external _respect_ to one of

lofty station, regardless of personal qualities, showing _respect_ for

the office. _Estimate_ has more of calculation; as, my _estimate_ of the

man, or of his abilities, is very high. _Estimation_ involves the idea

of calculation or appraisal with that of _esteem_ or _regard_, and is

especially used of the feeling entertained by numbers of people; as, he

stood high in public _estimation_. Compare ESTEEM, _v._; FRIENDSHIP;

LOVE.

Antonyms:

abhorrence, aversion, dislike, loathing,

antipathy, contempt, hatred, repugnance.

* * * * *

ETERNAL.

Synonyms:

deathless, fadeless, never-failing, undying,

endless, immortal, perennial, unending,

eonian, imperishable, perpetual, unfading,

everlasting, interminable, timeless, unfailing,

ever-living, never-ending, unceasing, without end.

_Eternal_ strictly signifies without beginning or end, in which sense it

applies to God alone; _everlasting_ applies to that which may or may not

have beginning, but will never cease; _eternal_ is also used in this

more limited sense; _endless_, without end, in its utmost reach, is not

distinguishable from _everlasting_; but _endless_ is constantly used in

inferior senses, especially in mechanics, as in the phrases an _endless_

screw, an _endless_ chain. _Everlasting_ and _endless_ are both used in

a limited sense of protracted, indefinite, but not infinite duration;

as, the _everlasting_ hills; _endless_ debates; so we speak of

_interminable_ quarrels. _Eternal_ holds quite strictly to the vast and

sacred meaning in which it is applied to the Divine Being and the future

state. _Everlasting_, _endless_, and _eternal_ may be applied to that

which has no life; as, _everlasting_ chains, _endless_ night, _eternal_

death; _immortal_ applies to that which now has life, and is forever

exempt from death. _Timeless_ carries, perhaps, the fullest idea of

_eternal_, as above and beyond time, and not to be measured by it.

* * * * *

EVENT.

Synonyms:

case, contingency, fortune, outcome,

chance, end, incident, possibility,

circumstance, episode, issue, result,

consequence, fact, occurrence, sequel.

Etymologically, the _incident_ is that which falls in, the _event_ that

which comes out; _event_ is thus greater and more signal than

_incident_; we speak of trifling _incidents_, great _events_;

_incidents_ of daily life, _events_ of history. _Circumstance_ agrees

with _incident_ in denoting a matter of relatively slight importance,

but implies a more direct connection with the principal matter;

"circumstantial evidence" is evidence from seemingly minor matters

directly connected with a case; "incidental evidence" would be some

evidence that happened unexpectedly to touch it. An _occurrence_ is,

etymologically, that which we run against, without thought of its

origin, connection or tendency. An _episode_ is connected with the main

course of _events_, like an _incident_ or _circumstance_, but is of more

independent interest and importance. _Outcome_ is the Saxon, and _event_

the Latin for expressing the same original idea. _Consequence_ or

_result_ would express more of logical connection, and be more

comprehensive. The _end_ may be simple cessation; the _event_ is what

has been accomplished; the _event_ of a war is victory or defeat; the

_end_ of the war is reached when a treaty of peace is signed. Since the

future is contingent, _event_ comes to have the meaning of a

_contingency_; as, in the _event_ of his death, the policy will at once

fall due. Compare CIRCUMSTANCE; CONSEQUENCE; END.

* * * * *

EVERY.

Synonyms:

all, any, both, each, either.

_All_ and _both_ are collective; _any_, _each_, and _every_ are

distributive. _Any_ makes no selection and may not reach to the full

limits of _all_; _each_ and _every_ make no exception or omission, and

must extend to _all_; _all_ sweeps in the units as part of a total,

_each_ and _every_ proceed through the units to the total. A promise

made to _all_ omits none; a promise made to _any_ may not reach _all_; a

promise made to _every_ one is so made that no individual shall fail to

be aware of it; a promise made to _each_ is made to the individuals

personally, one by one. _Each_ is thus more individual and specific than

_every_; _every_ classifies, _each_ individualizes. _Each_ divides,

_both_ unites; if a certain sum is given to _each_ of two persons,

_both_ (together) must receive twice the amount; _both_ must be aware of

what has been separately communicated to _each_; a man may fire _both_

barrels of a gun by a single movement; if he fires _each_ barrel, he

discharges them separately. _Either_ properly denotes one of two,

indefinitely, to the exclusion of the other. The use of _either_ in the

sense of _each_ or _both_, tho sustained by good authority, is

objectionable because ambiguous. His friends sat on _either_ side of the

room would naturally mean on one side or the other; if the meaning is on

_both_ sides, it would be better to say so.

* * * * *

EVIDENT.

Synonyms:

apparent, glaring, overt, tangible,

clear, indubitable, palpable, transparent,

conspicuous, manifest, patent, unmistakable,

discernible, obvious, perceptible, visible.

distinct, open, plain,

That is _apparent_ which clearly appears to the senses or to the mind as

soon as the attention is directed toward it; that is _evident_ of which

the mind is made sure by some inference that supplements the facts of

perception; the marks of a struggle were _apparent_ in broken shrubbery

and trampled ground, and the finding of a mutilated body and a rifled

purse made it _evident_ that robbery and murder had been committed. That

is _manifest_ which we can lay the hand upon; _manifest_ is thus

stronger than _evident_, as touch is more absolute than sight; that the

picture was a modern copy of an ancient work was _evident_, and on

comparison with the original its inferiority was _manifest_. That is

_obvious_ which is directly in the way so that it can not be missed; as,

the application of the remark was _obvious_. _Visible_ applies to all

that can be perceived by the sense of sight, whether the noonday sun, a

ship on the horizon, or a microscopic object. _Discernible_ applies to

that which is dimly or faintly _visible_, requiring strain and effort in

order to be seen; as, the ship was _discernible_ through the mist. That

is _conspicuous_ which stands out so as necessarily or strikingly to

attract the attention. _Palpable_ and _tangible_ express more

emphatically the thought of _manifest_.

Antonyms:

concealed, impalpable, latent, secret, unknown,

covert, impenetrable, obscure, undiscovered, unseen,

dark, imperceptible, occult, unimagined, unthought-of.

hidden, invisible,

* * * * *

EXAMPLE.

Synonyms:

archetype, ideal, prototype, type,

ensample, model, sample, warning.

exemplar, pattern, specimen,

exemplification, precedent, standard,

From its original sense of _sample_ or _specimen_ (L. _exemplum_)

_example_ derives the seemingly contradictory meanings, on the one hand

of a _pattern_ or _model_, and on the other hand of a _warning_--a

_sample_ or _specimen_ of what is to be followed, or of what is to be

shunned. An _example_, however, may be more than a _sample_ or

_specimen_ of any class; it may be the very _archetype_ or _prototype_

to which the whole class must conform, as when Christ is spoken of as

being an _example_ or leaving an _example_ for his disciples. _Example_

comes nearer to the possible freedom of the _model_ than to the

necessary exactness of the _pattern_; often we can not, in a given case,

exactly imitate the best _example_, but only adapt its teachings to

altered circumstances. In its application to a person or thing,

_exemplar_ can scarcely be distinguished from _example_; but _example_

is most frequently used for an act, or course of action, for which

_exemplar_ is not used; as, one sets a good (or a bad) _example_. An

_exemplification_ is an illustrative working out in action of a

principle or law, without any reference to its being copied or repeated;

an _example_ guides, an _exemplification_ illustrates or explains.

_Ensample_ is the same as _example_, but is practically obsolete outside

of Scriptural or theological language. Compare MODEL; SAMPLE.

* * * * *

EXCESS.

Synonyms:

dissipation, lavishness, redundance, surplus,

exorbitance, overplus, redundancy, waste,

extravagance, prodigality, superabundance, wastefulness.

intemperance, profusion, superfluity,

_Excess_ is more than enough of anything, and, since this in very many

cases indicates a lack either of judgment or of self-control, the word

is used frequently in an unfavorable sense. Careless expenditure in

_excess_ of income is _extravagance_; we may have also _extravagance_ of

language, professions, etc. As _extravagance_ is _excess_ in outlay,

_exorbitance_ is _excess_ in demands, and especially in pecuniary

demands upon others. _Overplus_ and _superabundance_ denote in the main

a satisfactory, and _superfluity_ an undesirable, _excess_; _lavishness_

and _profusion_, a generous, bountiful, or amiable _excess_; as, a

_profusion_ of fair hair; _lavishness_ of hospitality. _Surplus_ is

neutral, having none of the unfavorable meaning that often attaches to

_excess_; a _surplus_ is that which remains over after all demands are

met. _Redundance_ or _redundancy_ refers chiefly to literary style,

denoting an _excess_ of words or matter. _Excess_ in the moral sense is

expressed by _dissipation_, _prodigality_, _intemperance_, etc.

Antonyms:

dearth, destitution, frugality, lack, scantiness,

defect, economy, inadequacy, need, shortcoming,

deficiency, failure, insufficiency, poverty, want.

* * * * *

EXECUTE.

Synonyms:

administer, carry out, do, enforce, perform.

To _execute_ is to follow through to the end, put into absolute and

final effect in action; to _administer_ is to conduct as one holding a

trust, as a minister and not an originator; the sheriff _executes_ a

writ; the trustee _administers_ an estate, a charity, etc.; to _enforce_

is to put into effect by force, actual or potential. To _administer_ the

laws is the province of a court of justice; to _execute_ the laws is the

province of a sheriff, marshal, constable, or other executive officer;

to _administer_ the law is to declare or apply it; to _execute_ the law

is to put it in force; for this _enforce_ is the more general word,

_execute_ the more specific. From signifying to superintend officially

some application or infliction, _administer_ passes by a natural

transition to signify _inflict_, _mete out_, _dispense_, and blows,

medicine, etc., are said to be _administered_: a usage thoroughly

established and reputable in spite of pedantic objections. _Enforce_

signifies also to present and urge home by intellectual and moral force;

as, to _enforce_ a precept or a duty. Compare DO; KILL; MAKE.

* * * * *

EXERCISE.

Synonyms:

act, application, exertion, performance,

action, drill, occupation, practise,

activity, employment, operation, use.

_Exercise_, in the ordinary sense, is the easy natural action of any

power; _exertion_ is the putting of any power to strain and tax. An

_exercise_-drive for a horse is so much as will develop strength and

health and not appreciably weary. But by qualifying adjectives we may

bring _exercise_ up to the full sense of _exertion_; as, violent

_exercise_. _Exercise_ is action taken at any time with a view to

employing, maintaining, or increasing power, or merely for enjoyment;

_practise_ is systematic _exercise_ with a view to the acquirement of

facility and skill in some pursuit; a person takes a walk for

_exercise_, or takes time for _practise_ on the piano. _Practise_ is

also used of putting into action and effect what one has learned or

holds as a theory; as, the _practise_ of law or medicine; a profession

of religion is good, but the _practise_ of it is better. _Drill_ is

systematic, rigorous, and commonly enforced _practise_ under a teacher

or commander. Compare HABIT.

Antonyms:

idleness, inaction, inactivity, relaxation, rest.

* * * * *

EXPENSE.

Synonyms:

cost, expenditure, outgo, outlay.

The _cost_ of a thing is whatever one surrenders or gives up for it,

intentionally or unintentionally, or even unconsciously; _expense_ is

what is laid out by calculation or intention. We say, "he won his fame

at the _cost_ of his life;" "I know it to my _cost_;" we speak of a joke

at another's _expense_; at another's _cost_ would seem to make it a more

serious matter. There is a tendency to use _cost_ of what we pay for a

possession, _expense_ of what we pay for a service; we speak of the

_cost_ of goods, the _expense_ of making up. _Outlay_ is used of some

definite _expenditure_, as for the purchase of supplies; _outgo_ of a

steady drain or of incidental _expenses_. See PRICE.

Antonyms:

gain, proceeds, profit, receipt, return,

income, product, profits, receipts, returns.

* * * * *

EXPLICIT.

Synonym:

express.

Both _explicit_ and _express_ are opposed to what is merely implicit or

implied. That which is _explicit_ is unfolded, so that it may not be

obscure, doubtful, or ambiguous; that which is _express_ is uttered or

stated so decidedly that it may not be forgotten nor overlooked. An

_explicit_ statement is too clear to be misunderstood; an _express_

command is too emphatic to be disregarded. Compare CLEAR.

Antonyms:

ambiguous, implicit, indefinite, uncertain,

doubtful, implied, indeterminate, vague.

* * * * *

EXTEMPORANEOUS.

Synonyms:

extemporary, impromptu, offhand,

extempore, improvised, unpremeditated.

_Extemporaneous_, originally signifying _of_ or _from the time_ or

_occasion_, has come to mean done or made with but little (if any)

preparation, and is now chiefly applied to addresses of which the

thought has been prepared, and only the language and incidental

treatment left to the suggestion of the moment, so that an

_extemporaneous_ speech is understood to be any one that is not read or

recited; _impromptu_ keeps its original sense, denoting something that

springs from the instant; the _impromptu_ utterance is generally brief,

direct, and vigorous; the _extemporaneous_ speech may chance to be

prosy. _Offhand_ is still more emphatic as to the readiness and freedom

of the utterance. _Unpremeditated_ is graver and more formal, denoting

absolute want of preparation, but is rather too heavy a word to be

applied to such apt, ready utterance as is generally designated by

_impromptu_.

Antonyms:

elaborated, premeditated, prepared, read, recited, studied, written.

* * * * *

EXTERMINATE.

Synonyms:

annihilate, eradicate, overthrow, uproot,

banish, expel, remove, wipe out.

destroy, extirpate, root out,

_Exterminate_ (L. _ex_, out, and _terminus_, a boundary) signified

primarily to drive beyond the bounds or limits of a country; the word is

applied to races of men or animals, and is now almost exclusively used

for removal by death; individuals are now said to be _banished_ or

_expelled_. _Eradicate_ (L. _e_, out, and _radix_, root) is primarily

applied to numbers or groups of plants which it is desired to remove

effectually from the soil; a single tree may be _uprooted_, but is not

said to be _eradicated_; we labor to _eradicate_ or _root out_ noxious

weeds. To _extirpate_ (L. _ex_, out, and _stirps_, stem, stock) is not

only to _destroy_ the individuals of any race of plants or animals, but

the very stock, so that the race can never be restored; we speak of

_eradicating_ a disease, of _extirpating_ a cancer, _exterminating_ wild

beasts or hostile tribes; we seek to _eradicate_ or _extirpate_ all

vices and evils. Compare ABOLISH.

Antonyms:

augment, build up, develop, increase, populate, replenish,

beget, cherish, foster, plant, propagate, settle.

breed, colonize,

* * * * *

FAINT.

Synonyms:

dim, fatigued, irresolute, weak,

exhausted, feeble, languid, wearied,

faded, half-hearted, listless, worn,

faint-hearted, ill-defined, purposeless, worn down,

faltering, indistinct, timid, worn out.

_Faint_, with the general sense of lacking strength or effectiveness,

covers a wide range of meaning, signifying overcome with physical

weakness or exhaustion, or lacking in purpose, courage, or energy, as

said of persons; or lacking definiteness or distinctness of color or

sound, as said of written characters, voices, or musical notes. A person

may be _faint_ when physically _wearied_, or when overcome with fear; he

may be a _faint_ adherent because naturally _feeble_ or _purposeless_,

or because _half-hearted_ in the cause; he may be a _faltering_

supporter because naturally _irresolute_ or because _faint-hearted_ and

_timid_ in view of perils that threaten, a _listless_ worker, through

want of mental energy and purpose. Written characters may be _faint_ or

_dim_, either because originally written with poor ink, or because they

have become _faded_ by time and exposure.

Antonyms:

bright, clear, daring, fresh, resolute, sturdy,

brilliant, conspicuous, energetic, hearty, strong, vigorous.

Prepositions:

Faint _with_ hunger; faint _in_ color.

* * * * *

FAITH.

Synonyms:

assent, confidence, credit, opinion,

assurance, conviction, creed, reliance,

belief, credence, doctrine, trust.

_Belief_, as an intellectual process, is the acceptance of some thing

as true on other grounds than personal observation and experience. We

give _credence_ to a report, _assent_ to a proposition or to a proposal.

_Belief_ is stronger than _credence_; _credence_ might be described as a

prima facie _belief_; _credence_ is a more formal word than _belief_,

and seems to imply somewhat more of volition; we speak of giving

_credence_ to a report, but not of giving _belief_. Goods are sold on

_credit_; we give one _credit_ for good intentions. _Conviction_ is a

_belief_ established by argument or evidence; _assurance_ is _belief_

beyond the reach of argument; as, the Christian's _assurance_ of

salvation. An _opinion_ is a general conclusion held as probable, tho

without full certainty; a _persuasion_ is a more confident _opinion_,

involving the heart as well as the intellect. In religion, a _doctrine_

is a statement of _belief_ regarding a single point; a _creed_ is a

summary statement of _doctrines_. _Confidence_ is a firm dependence upon

a statement as true, or upon a person as worthy. _Reliance_ is

_confidence_ on which we act or are ready to act unquestioningly; we

have a calm _reliance_ upon the uniformity of nature. _Trust_ is a

practical and tranquil resting of the mind upon the integrity, kindness,

friendship, or promises of a person; we have _trust_ in God. _Faith_ is

a union of _belief_ and _trust_. _Faith_ is chiefly personal; _belief_

may be quite impersonal; we speak of _belief_ of a proposition, _faith_

in a promise, because the promise emanates from a person. But _belief_

in a person is often used with no appreciable difference from _faith_.

In religion it is common to distinguish between intellectual _belief_ of

religious truth, as any other truth might be believed, and _belief_ of

the heart, or saving _faith_.

Antonyms:

denial, dissent, doubt, infidelity, rejection, suspicion,

disbelief, distrust, incredulity, misgiving, skepticism, unbelief.

Prepositions:

Have faith _in_ God; the faith _of_ the gospel.

* * * * *

FAITHFUL.

Synonyms:

devoted, incorruptible, stanch, true, trusty,

firm, loyal, sure, trustworthy, unwavering.

A person is _faithful_ who will keep faith, whether with or without

power to aid or serve; a person or thing is _trusty_ that possesses such

qualities as to justify the fullest confidence and dependence. We may

speak of a _faithful_ but feeble friend; we say a _trusty_ agent, a

_trusty_ steed, a _trusty_ sword.

Antonyms:

capricious, false, unfaithful, untrustworthy,

faithless, fickle, untrue, wavering.

Prepositions:

Faithful _in_ service; _to_ duty; _to_ comrade or commander; faithful

_among_ the faithless.

* * * * *

FAME.

Synonyms:

celebrity, eminence, honor, notoriety, reputation,

credit, glory, laurels, renown, repute.

distinction,

_Fame_ is the widely disseminated report of a person's character, deeds,

or abilities, and is oftenest used in the favorable sense. _Reputation_

and _repute_ are more limited than _fame_, and may be either good or

bad. _Notoriety_ is evil _repute_ or a dishonorable counterfeit of

_fame_. _Eminence_ and _distinction_ may result from rank, station, or

character. _Celebrity_ is limited in range; we speak of local

_celebrity_, or world-wide _fame_. _Fame_ in its best sense may be

defined as the applause of numbers; _renown_, as such applause worthily

won; we speak of the conqueror's _fame_, the patriot's _renown_. _Glory_

and _honor_ are of good import; _honor_ may be given for qualities or

acts that should not win it, but it is always given as something good

and worthy; we can speak of an evil _fame_, but not of evil _honor_;

_glory_ has a more exalted and often a sacred sense.

Antonyms:

contempt, discredit, dishonor, humiliation, infamy, obscurity,

contumely, disgrace, disrepute, ignominy, oblivion, shame.

* * * * *

FANATICISM.

Synonyms:

bigotry, credulity, intolerance, superstition.

_Fanaticism_ is extravagant or even frenzied zeal; _bigotry_ is

obstinate and unreasoning attachment to a cause or creed; _fanaticism_

and _bigotry_ usually include _intolerance_, which is unwillingness to

tolerate beliefs or opinions contrary to one's own; _superstition_ is

ignorant and irrational religious belief. _Credulity_ is not

distinctively religious, but is a general readiness to believe without

sufficient evidence, with a proneness to accept the marvellous.

_Bigotry_ is narrow, _fanaticism_ is fierce, _superstition_ is ignorant,

_credulity_ is weak, _intolerance_ is severe. _Bigotry_ has not the

capacity to reason fairly, _fanaticism_ has not the patience,

_superstition_ has not the knowledge and mental discipline,

_intolerance_ has not the disposition. _Bigotry_, _fanaticism_, and

_superstition_ are perversions of the religious sentiment; _credulity_

and _intolerance_ often accompany skepticism or atheism.

Antonyms:

cynicism, free-thinking, indifference, latitudinarianism.

* * * * *

FANCIFUL.

Synonyms:

chimerical, fantastic, grotesque, imaginative, visionary.

That is _fanciful_ which is dictated or suggested by fancy independently

of more serious considerations; the _fantastic_ is the _fanciful_ with

the added elements of whimsicalness and extravagance. The _fanciful_

swings away from the real or the ordinary lightly and pleasantly, the

_fantastic_ extravagantly, the _grotesque_ ridiculously. A _fanciful_

arrangement of objects is commonly pleasing, a _fantastic_ arrangement

is striking, a _grotesque_ arrangement is laughable. A _fanciful_ theory

or suggestion may be clearly recognized as such; a _visionary_ scheme is

erroneously supposed to have a basis in fact. Compare synonyms for

DREAM; IDEA; IMAGINATION.

Antonyms:

accurate, commonplace, prosaic, regular, sound,

calculable, literal, real, sensible, sure,

calculated, ordinary, reasonable, solid, true.

* * * * *

FANCY.

Synonyms:

belief, desire, imagination, predilection,

caprice, humor, inclination, supposition,

conceit, idea, liking, vagary,

conception, image, mood, whim.

An intellectual _fancy_ is a mental _image_ or picture founded upon

slight or whimsical association or resemblance; a _conceit_ has less of

the picturesque and more of the theoretic than a _fancy_; a _conceit_ is

somewhat aside from the common laws of reasoning, as a _fancy_ is

lighter and more airy than the common mode of thought. A _conceit_ or

_fancy_ may be wholly unfounded, while a _conception_ always has, or is

believed to have, some answering reality. (Compare REASON.) An

intellectual _fancy_ or _conceit_ may be pleasing or amusing, but is

never worth serious discussion; we speak of a mere _fancy_, a droll or

odd _conceit_. An emotional or personal _fancy_ is a capricious _liking_

formed with slight reason and no exercise of judgment, and liable to

fade as lightly as it was formed. In a broader sense, the _fancy_

signifies the faculty by which _fancies_ or mental images are formed,

associated, or combined. Compare synonyms for DREAM; IDEA; IMAGINATION.

Antonyms:

actuality, certainty, fact, reality, truth, verity.

Prepositions:

To have a fancy _for_ or take a fancy _to_ a person or thing.

* * * * *

FAREWELL.

Synonyms:

adieu, good-by, parting salutation, valedictory.

conge, leave-taking, valediction,

_Good-by_ is the homely and hearty, _farewell_ the formal English word

at parting. _Adieu_, from the French, is still more ceremonious than

_farewell_; _conge_, also from the French, is commonly contemptuous or

supercilious, and equivalent to dismissal. _Valediction_ is a learned

word never in popular use. A _valedictory_ is a public farewell to a

company or assembly.

Prepositions:

I bade farewell _to_ my comrades, or (without preposition) I bade my

comrades farewell; I took a sad farewell _of_ my friends.

* * * * *

FEAR.

Synonyms:

affright, dismay, horror, timidity,

apprehension, disquietude, misgiving, trembling,

awe, dread, panic, tremor,

consternation, fright, terror, trepidation.

_Fear_ is the generic term denoting an emotion excited by threatening

evil with a desire to avoid or escape it; _fear_ may be sudden or

lingering, in view of present, of imminent, or of distant and only

possible danger; in the latter sense _dread_ is oftener used. _Horror_

(etymologically a shivering or shuddering) denotes a shuddering _fear_

accompanied with abhorrence or such a shock to the feelings and

sensibilities as may exist without _fear_, as when one suddenly

encounters some ghastly spectacle; we say of a desperate but fettered

criminal, "I looked upon him with _horror_." Where _horror_ includes

_fear_, it is _fear_ mingled with abhorrence. (See ABHOR.) _Affright_,

_fright_, and _terror_ are always sudden, and in actual presence of that

which is terrible. _Fear_ may overwhelm, or may nerve one to desperate

defense; _fright_ and _terror_ render one incapable of defense; _fear_

may be controlled by force of will; _fright_ and _terror_ overwhelm the

will; _terror_ paralyzes, _fright_ may cause one to fly, to scream, or

to swoon. _Fright_ is largely a matter of the nerves; _fear_ of the

intellect and the imagination; _terror_ of all the faculties, bodily and

mental. _Panic_ is a sudden _fear_ or _fright_, affecting numbers at

once; vast armies or crowded audiences are liable to _panic_ upon slight

occasion. In a like sense we speak of a financial _panic_. _Dismay_ is a

helpless sinking of heart in view of some overwhelming peril or sorrow.

_Dismay_ is more reflective, enduring, and despairing than _fright_; a

horse is subject to _fright_ or _terror_, but not to _dismay_. _Awe_ is

a reverential _fear_. Compare ALARM.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for FORTITUDE.

* * * * *

FEMININE.

Synonyms:

effeminate, female, womanish, womanly.

We apply _female_ to the sex, _feminine_ to the qualities, especially

the finer physical or mental qualities that distinguish the _female_ sex

in the human family, or to the objects appropriate for or especially

employed by them. A _female_ voice is the voice of a woman; a _feminine_

voice may belong to a man. _Womanish_ denotes the undesirable, _womanly_

the admirable or lovely qualities of woman. _Womanly_ tears would

suggest respect and sympathy, _womanish_ tears a touch of contempt. The

word _effeminate_ is always used reproachfully, and only of men as

possessing _womanly_ traits such as are inconsistent with true

manliness.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for MASCULINE.

* * * * *

FETTER.

Synonyms:

bondage, custody, gyves, irons,

bonds, durance, handcuffs, manacles,

chains, duress, imprisonment, shackles.

_Bonds_ may be of cord, leather, or any other substance that can bind;

_chains_ are of linked metal. _Manacles_ and _handcuffs_ are for the

hands, _fetters_ are primarily chains or jointed iron fastenings for the

feet; _gyves_ may be for either. A _shackle_ is a metallic ring, clasp,

or bracelet-like fastening for encircling and restraining a limb:

commonly one of a pair, used either for hands or feet. _Bonds_,

_fetters_, and _chains_ are used in a general way for almost any form

of restraint. _Gyves_ is now wholly poetic, and the other words are

mostly restricted to the literary style; _handcuffs_ is the specific and

_irons_ the general term in popular usage; as, the prisoner was put in

_irons_. _Bonds_, _chains_, and _shackles_ are frequently used in the

metaphorical sense.

* * * * *

FEUD.

Synonyms:

affray, brawl, contest, dissension, hostility,

animosity, broil, controversy, enmity, quarrel,

bitterness, contention, dispute, fray, strife.

A _feud_ is _enmity_ between families, clans, or parties, with acts of

_hostility_ mutually retaliated and avenged; _feud_ is rarely used of

individuals, never of nations. While all the other words of the group

may refer to that which is transient, a _feud_ is long-enduring, and

often hereditary. _Dissension_ is used of a number of persons, of a

party or other organization. _Bitterness_ is in feeling only; _enmity_

and _hostility_ involve will and purpose to oppose or injure. A

_quarrel_ is in word or act, or both, and is commonly slight and

transient, as we speak of childish _quarrels_; _contention_ and _strife_

may be in word or deed; _contest_ ordinarily involves some form of

action. _Contest_ is often used in a good sense, _contention_ and

_strife_ very rarely so. _Controversy_ is commonly in words; _strife_

extends from verbal _controversy_ to the _contests_ of armies. _Affray_,

_brawl_, and _broil_, like _quarrel_, are words of inferior dignity. An

_affray_ or _broil_ may arise at a street corner; the _affray_ always

involves physical force; the _brawl_ or _broil_ may be confined to

violent language.

* * * * *

FICTION.

Synonyms:

allegory, fabrication, invention, myth, romance,

apologue, falsehood, legend, novel, story.

fable, figment,

_Fiction_ is now chiefly used of a prose work in narrative form in which

the characters are partly or wholly imaginary, and which is designed to

portray human life, with or without a practical lesson; a _romance_

portrays what is picturesque or striking, as a mere _fiction_ may not

do; _novel_ is a general name for any continuous fictitious narrative,

especially a love-story; _fiction_ and _novel_ are used with little

difference of meaning, except that _novel_ characterizes a work in which

the emotional element is especially prominent. The moral of the _fable_

is expressed formally; the lesson of the _fiction_, if any, is

inwrought. A _fiction_ is studied; a _myth_ grows up without intent. A

_legend_ may be true, but can not be historically verified; a _myth_ has

been received as true at some time, but is now known to be false. A

_fabrication_ is designed to deceive; it is a less odious word than

_falsehood_, but is really stronger, as a _falsehood_ may be a sudden

unpremeditated statement, while a _fabrication_ is a series of

statements carefully studied and fitted together in order to deceive;

the _falsehood_ is all false; the _fabrication_ may mingle the true with

the false. A _figment_ is something imaginary which the one who utters

it may or may not believe to be true; we say, "That statement is a

_figment_ of his imagination." The _story_ may be either true or false,

and covers the various senses of all the words in the group. _Apologue_,

a word simply transferred from Greek into English, is the same as

_fable_. Compare ALLEGORY.

Antonyms:

certainty, fact, history, literalness, reality, truth, verity.

* * * * *

FIERCE.

Synonyms:

ferocious, furious, raging, uncultivated, violent,

fiery, impetuous, savage, untrained, wild.

_Fierce_ signifies having a _furious_ and cruel nature, or being in a

_furious_ and cruel mood, more commonly the latter. It applies to that

which is now intensely excited, or liable to intense and sudden

excitement. _Ferocious_ refers to a state or disposition; that which is

_fierce_ flashes or blazes; that which is _ferocious_ steadily burns; we

speak of a _ferocious_ animal, a _fierce_ passion. A _fiery_ spirit with

a good disposition is quickly excitable in a good cause, but may not be

_fierce_ or _ferocious_. _Savage_ signifies _untrained_, _uncultivated_.

_Ferocious_ always denotes a tendency to violence; it is more distinctly

bloodthirsty than the other words; a person may be deeply, intensely

cruel, and not at all _ferocious_; a _ferocious_ countenance expresses

habitual ferocity; a _fierce_ countenance may express habitual

fierceness, or only the sudden anger of the moment. That which is _wild_

is simply unrestrained; the word may imply no anger or harshness; as,

_wild_ delight, _wild_ alarm.

Antonyms:

affectionate, gentle, kind, patient, submissive, tame,

docile, harmless, mild, peaceful, sweet, tender.

* * * * *

FINANCIAL.

Synonyms:

fiscal, monetary, pecuniary.

These words all relate to money, receipts, or expenditures. _Monetary_

relates to actual money, coin, currency; as, the _monetary_ system; a

_monetary_ transaction is one in which money is transferred. _Pecuniary_

refers to that in which money is involved, but less directly; we speak

of one's _pecuniary_ affairs or interests, with no special reference to

the handling of cash. _Financial_ applies especially to governmental

revenues or expenditures, or to private transactions of considerable

moment; we speak of a _pecuniary_ reward, a _financial_ enterprise; we

give a needy person _pecuniary_ (not _financial_) assistance. It is

common to speak of the _fiscal_ rather than the _financial_ year.

* * * * *

FINE.

Synonyms:

beautiful, excellent, polished, small,

clarified, exquisite, pure, smooth,

clear, gauzy, refined, splendid,

comminuted, handsome, sensitive, subtile,

dainty, keen, sharp, subtle,

delicate, minute, slender, tenuous,

elegant, nice, slight, thin.

_Fine_ (L. _finis_, end) denotes that which has been brought to a full

end, finished. From this root-sense many derived meanings branch out,

causing words quite remote from each other to be alike synonyms of

_fine_. That which is truly finished, brought to an ideal end, is

_excellent_ of its kind, and _beautiful_, if a thing that admits of

beauty; as, a _fine_ house, _fine_ trees, a _fine_ woman, a _fine_

morning; if a thing that admits of the removal of impurities, it is not

finished till these are removed, and hence _fine_ signifies _clarified_,

_clear_, _pure_, _refined_; as, _fine_ gold. That which is finished is

apt to be _polished_, smooth to the touch, minutely exact in outline;

hence _fine_ comes to be a synonym for all words like _dainty_,

_delicate_, _exquisite_; as, _fine_ manners, a _fine_ touch, _fine_

perceptions. As that which is _delicate_ is apt to be small, by an easy

extension of meaning _fine_ becomes a synonym for _slender_, _slight_,

_minute_, _comminuted_; as, a _fine_ thread, _fine_ sand; or for

_filmy_, _tenuous_, _thin_; as, a _fine_ lace, _fine_ wire; and as a

_thin_ edge is _keen_, _sharp_, _fine_ becomes also a synonym for these

words; as, a _fine_ point, a _fine_ edge. Compare BEAUTIFUL; MINUTE.

Antonyms:

big, clumsy, great, huge, large, stout,

blunt, coarse, heavy, immense, rude, thick.

* * * * *

FIRE.

Synonyms:

blaze, burning, combustion, conflagration, flame.

_Combustion_ is the essential fact which is at the basis of that

assemblage of visible phenomenon which we call _fire_; _combustion_

being the continuous chemical combination of a substance with some

element, as oxygen, evolving heat, and extending from slow processes,

such as those by which the heat of the human body is maintained, to the

processes producing the most intense light also, as in a blast-furnace,

or on the surface of the sun. _Fire_ is always attended with light, as

well as heat; _blaze_, _flame_, etc., designate the mingled light and

heat of a _fire_. _Combustion_ is the scientific, _fire_ the popular

term. A _conflagration_ is an extensive _fire_. Compare LIGHT.

* * * * *

FLOCK.

Synonyms:

bevy, covey, group, herd, lot, set,

brood, drove, hatch, litter, pack, swarm.

_Group_ is the general word for any gathering of a small number of

objects, whether of persons, animals, or inanimate things. The

individuals in a _brood_ or _litter_ are related to each other; those in

the other _groups_ may not be. _Brood_ is used chiefly of fowls and

birds, _litter_ of certain quadrupeds which bring forth many young at a

birth; we speak of a _brood_ of chickens, a _litter_ of puppies; _brood_

is sometimes applied to a family of young children. _Bevy_ is used of

birds, and figuratively of any bright and lively _group_ of women or

children, but rarely of men. _Flock_ is applied to birds and to some of

the smaller animals; _herd_ is confined to the larger animals; we speak

of a _bevy_ of quail, a _covey_ of partridges, a _flock_ of blackbirds,

or a _flock_ of sheep, a _herd_ of cattle, horses, buffaloes, or

elephants, a _pack_ of wolves, a _pack_ of hounds, a _swarm_ of bees. A

collection of animals driven or gathered for driving is called a

_drove_.

* * * * *

FLUCTUATE.

Synonyms:

hesitate, swerve, vacillate, veer,

oscillate, undulate, vary, waver.

To _fluctuate_ (L. _fluctus_, a wave) is to move like a wave with

alternate rise and fall. A pendulum _oscillates_; waves _fluctuate_ or

_undulate_; a light or a flame _wavers_; a frightened steed _swerves_

from his course; a tool or weapon _swerves_ from the mark or line; the

temperature _varies_; the wind _veers_ when it suddenly changes its

direction. That which _veers_ may steadily hold the new direction; that

which _oscillates_, _fluctuates_, _undulates_, or _wavers_ returns upon

its way. As regards mental states, he who _hesitates_ sticks (L.

_haerere_) on the verge of decision; he who _wavers_ does not stick to a

decision; he who _vacillates_ decides now one way, and now another; one

_vacillates_ between contrasted decisions or actions; he may _waver_

between decision and indecision, or between action and inaction. Persons

_hesitate_, _vacillate_, _waver_; feelings _fluctuate_ or _vary_.

Compare SHAKE.

Antonyms:

abide, adhere, hold fast, persist, stand fast, stay, stick.

* * * * *

FLUID.

Synonyms:

gas, liquid.

A _fluid_ is a substance that, like air or water, yields to any force

that tends to change its form; a _liquid_ is a body in that state in

which the particles move freely among themselves, but remain in one

mass, keeping the same volume, but taking always the form of the

containing vessel; a _liquid_ is an inelastic _fluid_; a _gas_ is an

elastic _fluid_ that tends to expand to the utmost limits of the

containing space. All _liquids_ are _fluids_, but not all _fluids_ are

_liquids_; air and all the _gases_ are _fluids_, but they are not

_liquids_ under ordinary circumstances, tho capable of being reduced to

a _liquid_ form by special means, as by cold and pressure. Water at the

ordinary temperature is at once a _fluid_ and a _liquid_.

* * * * *

FOLLOW.

Synonyms:

accompany, come after, go after, obey, pursue,

attend, copy, heed, observe, result,

chase, ensue, imitate, practise, succeed.

Anything that _comes after_ or _goes after_ another, either in space or

in time, is said to _follow_ it. A servant _follows_ or _attends_ his

master; a victorious general may _follow_ the retiring enemy merely to

watch and hold him in check; he _chases_ or _pursues_ with intent to

overtake and attack; the chase is closer and hotter than the pursuit.

(Compare synonyms for HUNT.) One event may _follow_ another either with

or without special connection; if it _ensues_, there is some orderly

connection; as, the _ensuing_ year; if it _results_ from another, there

is some relation of effect, consequence, or inference. A clerk

_observes_ his employer's directions. A child _obeys_ his parent's

commands, _follows_ or _copies_ his example, _imitates_ his speech and

manners. The compositor _follows_ copy; the incoming _succeeds_ the

outgoing official.

* * * * *

FOOD.

Synonyms:

aliment, feed, nourishment, pabulum, sustenance,

diet, fodder, nutriment, provender, viands,

fare, forage, nutrition, regimen, victuals.

_Food_ is, in the popular sense, whatever one eats in contradistinction

to what one drinks. Thus, we speak of _food_ and drink, of wholesome,

unwholesome, or indigestible _food_; but in a more scientific sense

whatever, when taken into the digestive organs, serves to build up

structure or supply waste may be termed _food_; the word is extended to

plants to signify whatever taken in any way into the organism serves

similar purposes; thus, we speak of liquid _food_, plant _food_, etc.;

in this wider sense _food_ is closely synonymous with _nutriment_,

_nourishment_, and _sustenance_. _Diet_ refers to the quantity and

quality of _food_ habitually taken, with reference to preservation of

health. _Victuals_ is a plain, homely word for whatever may be eaten; we

speak of choice _viands_, cold _victuals_. _Nourishment_ and

_sustenance_ apply to whatever can be introduced into the system as a

means of sustaining life; we say of a convalescent, he is taking

_nourishment_. _Nutriment_ and _nutrition_ have more of scientific

reference to the vitalizing principles of various _foods_; thus, wheat

is said to contain a great amount of _nutriment_. _Regimen_ considers

_food_ as taken by strict rule, but applies more widely to the whole

ordering of life. _Fare_ is a general word for all table supplies, good

or bad; as, sumptuous _fare_; wretched _fare_. _Feed_, _fodder_, and

_provender_ are used only of the food of the lower animals, _feed_

denoting anything consumed, but more commonly grain, _fodder_ denoting

hay, cornstalks, or the like, sometimes called "long _feed_;"

_provender_ is dry _feed_, whether grain or hay, straw, etc. _Forage_

denotes any kind of _food_ suitable for horses and cattle, primarily as

obtained by a military force in scouring the country, especially an

enemy's country.

* * * * *

FORMIDABLE.

Synonyms:

dangerous, redoubted, terrible, tremendous.

That which is _formidable_ is worthy of fear if encountered or opposed;

as, a _formidable_ array of troops, or of evidence. _Formidable_ is a

word of more dignity than _dangerous_, and suggests more calm and

collected power than _terrible_; _formidable_ is less overwhelming than

_tremendous_. A loaded gun is _dangerous_; a park of artillery is

_formidable_; a charge of cavalry is _terrible_; the full shock of great

armies is _tremendous_. A _dangerous_ man is likely to do mischief, and

needs watching; a _formidable_ man may not be _dangerous_ if not

attacked; an enraged maniac is _terrible_; the force of ocean waves in a

storm, and the silent pressure in the ocean depths, are _tremendous_.

Antonyms:

contemptible, feeble, harmless, helpless, powerless, weak.

despicable,

Prepositions:

Formidable _by_ or _in_ numbers; _in_ strength; formidable _to_ the

enemy.

* * * * *

FORTIFICATION.

Synonyms:

castle, citadel, fastness, fort, fortress, stronghold.

_Fortification_ is the general word for any artificial defensive work; a

_fortress_ is a _fortification_ of especial size and strength; a

_fortress_ is regarded as permanent, and is ordinarily an independent

work; a _fort_ or _fortification_ may be temporary; a _fortification_

may be but part of a defensive system; we speak of the _fortifications_

of a city. A _citadel_ is a _fortification_ within a city, or the

fortified inner part of a city or _fortress_, within which a garrison

may be placed to overawe the citizens, or to which the defenders may

retire if the outer works are captured; the medieval _castle_ was the

fortified residence of a king or baron. _Fort_ is the common military

term for a detached fortified building or enclosure of moderate size

occupied or designed to be occupied by troops. The _fortifications_ of a

modern city usually consist of a chain of _forts_. Any defensible place,

whether made so by nature or by art, is a _fastness_ or _stronghold_.

* * * * *

FORTITUDE.

Synonyms:

courage, endurance, heroism, resolution.

_Fortitude_ (L. _fortis_, strong) is the strength or firmness of mind

or soul to endure pain or adversity patiently and determinedly.

_Fortitude_ has been defined as "passive _courage_," which is a good

definition, but not complete. _Fortitude_ might be termed "still

_courage_," or "enduring _courage_;" it is that quality which is able

not merely to endure pain or trial, but steadily to confront dangers

that can not be actively opposed, or against which one has no adequate

defense; it takes _courage_ to charge a battery, _fortitude_ to stand

still under an enemy's fire. _Resolution_ is of the mind; _endurance_ is

partly physical; it requires _resolution_ to resist temptation,

_endurance_ to resist hunger and cold. Compare BRAVE; PATIENCE.

* * * * *

FORTUNATE.

Synonyms:

favored, lucky, prospered, prosperous, successful.

happy,

A man is _successful_ in any case if he achieves or gains what he seeks;

he is known as a _successful_ man if he has achieved or gained worthy

objects of endeavor; he is _fortunate_ or _lucky_ if advantages have

come to him without or beyond his direct planning or achieving. _Lucky_

is the more common and colloquial, _fortunate_ the more elegant word;

_fortunate_ is more naturally applied to the graver matters, as we speak

of the _fortunate_, rather than the _lucky_, issue of a great battle;

_lucky_ more strongly emphasizes the element of chance, as when we speak

of a _lucky_ hit, a _lucky_ guess, or of one as "born under a _lucky_

star." _Favored_ is used in a religious sense, implying that one is the

object of divine favor. _Happy_, in this connection, signifies possessed

of the means of happiness. One is said to be _happy_ or _prosperous_

whether his prosperity be the result of fortune or of achievement;

_prospered_ rather denotes the action of a superintending Providence.

Antonyms:

broken, fallen, miserable, unhappy, woful,

crushed, ill-starred, unfortunate, unlucky, wretched.

* * * * *

FRAUD.

Synonyms:

artifice, deceit, duplicity, swindle, treason,

cheat, deception, imposition, swindling, trick.

cheating, dishonesty, imposture, treachery,

A _fraud_ is an act of deliberate _deception_ with the design of

securing something by taking unfair advantage of another. A _deceit_ or

_deception_ may be designed merely to gain some end of one's own, with

no intent of harming another; an _imposition_, to take some small

advantage of another, or simply to make another ridiculous. An

_imposture_ is designed to obtain money, credit, or position to which

one is not entitled, and may be practised by a street beggar or by the

pretender to a throne. All action that is not honest is _dishonesty_,

but the term _dishonesty_ is generally applied in business, politics,

etc., to deceitful practises which are not directly criminal. _Fraud_

includes _deceit_, but _deceit_ may not reach the gravity of _fraud_; a

_cheat_ is of the nature of _fraud_, but of a petty sort; a _swindle_ is

more serious than a _cheat_, involving larger values and more flagrant

_dishonesty_. _Fraud_ is commonly actionable at law; _cheating_ and

_swindling_ are for the most part out of the reach of legal proceedings.

_Treachery_ is chiefly used of _dishonesty_ in matters of friendship,

social relations, government, or war; _treachery_ may be more harmful

than _fraud_, but is not so gross, and is not ordinarily open to legal

redress. _Treason_ is a specific form of _treachery_ of a subject to the

government to which he owes allegiance, and is definable and punishable

at law. Compare ARTIFICE; DECEPTION.

Antonyms:

fairness, good faith, honesty, integrity, truth, uprightness.

* * * * *

FRIENDLY.

Synonyms:

accessible, companionable, genial, neighborly,

affable, complaisant, hearty, sociable,

affectionate, cordial, kind, social,

amicable, favorable, kindly, tender,

brotherly, fond, loving, well-disposed.

_Friendly_, as said of persons, signifies having the disposition of a

friend; as said of acts, it signifies befitting or worthy of a friend.

The adjective _friendly_ does not reach the full significance of the

nouns "friend" and "friendship;" one may be _friendly_ to those who are

not his friends, and to be in _friendly_ relations often signifies

little more than not to be hostile. In its application to persons,

_accessible_ is used of public and eminent persons, who might, if

disposed, hold themselves at a distance from others. _Companionable_ and

_sociable_ refer to manner and behavior, _cordial_ and _genial_ express

genuine kindliness of heart. We speak of a _cordial_ greeting, a

_favorable_ reception, a _neighborly_ call, a _sociable_ visitor, an

_amicable_ settlement, a _kind_ interest, a _friendly_ regard, a

_hearty_ welcome. The Saxon _friendly_ is stronger than the Latin

_amicable_; the _amicable_ may be merely formal; the _friendly_ is from

the heart. _Fond_ is commonly applied to an affection that becomes, or

at least appears, excessive. _Affectionate_, _devoted_, and _tender_ are

almost always used in a high and good sense; as, an _affectionate_ son;

a _devoted_ friend; "the _tender_ mercy of our God," _Luke_ i, 78.

Compare FRIENDSHIP.

Antonyms:

adverse, belligerent, distant, ill-disposed, unfriendly,

alienated, cold, estranged, indifferent, unkind,

antagonistic, contentious, frigid, inimical, warlike.

bellicose, disaffected, hostile,

* * * * *

FRIENDSHIP.

Synonyms:

affection, comity, esteem, good will,

amity, consideration, favor, love,

attachment, devotion, friendliness, regard.

_Friendship_ is a deep, quiet, enduring _affection_, founded upon mutual

respect and _esteem_. _Friendship_ is always mutual; there may be

unreciprocated _affection_ or _attachment_, unrequited _love_, or even

unrecognized and unappreciated _devotion_, but never unreciprocated or

unrequited _friendship_; one may have friendly feelings toward an enemy,

but while there is hostility or coldness on one side there can not be

_friendship_ between the two. _Friendliness_ is a quality of friendly

feeling, without the deep and settled _attachment_ implied in the state

of _friendship_. _Comity_ is mutual kindly courtesy, with care of each

other's right, and _amity_ a friendly feeling and relation, not

necessarily implying special _friendliness_; as, the _comity_ of

nations, or _amity_ between neighboring countries. _Affection_ may be

purely natural; _friendship_ is a growth. _Friendship_ is more

intellectual and less emotional than _love_; it is easier to give

reasons for _friendship_ than for _love_; _friendship_ is more calm and

quiet, _love_ more fervent; _love_ often rises to intensest passion; we

can not speak of the passion of _friendship_. _Friendship_ implies some

degree of equality, while _love_ does not; we can speak of man's _love_

toward God, not of his _friendship_ for God. (There is more latitude in

the use of the concrete noun _friend_; Abraham was called "the friend of

God;" Christ was called "the friend of sinners.") Compare ACQUAINTANCE;

LOVE.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for BATTLE; ENMITY; FEUD; HATRED.

Prepositions:

The friendship _of_ one person _for_ or _toward_ another, or the

friendship _between_ them.

* * * * *

FRIGHTEN.

Synonyms:

affright, appal, cow, dismay, scare,

alarm, browbeat, daunt, intimidate, terrify.

One is _frightened_ by a cause of fear addressed directly and suddenly

to the senses; he is _intimidated_ by an apprehension of contingent

consequences dependent on some act of his own to be done or forborne;

the means of intimidation may act through the senses, or may appeal only

to the intellect or the sensibilities. The sudden rush of an armed

madman may _frighten_; the quiet leveling of a highwayman's pistol

_intimidates_. A savage beast is _intimidated_ by the keeper's whip.

Employers may _intimidate_ their employees from voting contrary to their

will by threat of discharge; a mother may be _intimidated_ through fear

for her child. To _browbeat_ or _cow_ is to bring into a state of

submissive fear; to _daunt_ is to give pause or check to a violent,

threatening, or even a brave spirit. To _scare_ is to cause sudden,

unnerving fear; to _terrify_ is to awaken fear that is overwhelming.

Compare ALARM.

* * * * *

FRUGALITY.

Synonyms:

economy, parsimony, saving, sparing,

miserliness, providence, scrimping, thrift.

parsimoniousness, prudence,

_Economy_ is a wise and careful administration of the means at one's

disposal; _frugality_ is a withholding of expenditure, or _sparing_ of

supplies or provision, to a noticeable and often to a painful degree;

_parsimony_ is excessive and unreasonable _saving_ for the sake of

_saving_. _Frugality_ exalted into a virtue to be practised for its own

sake, instead of as a means to an end, becomes the vice of _parsimony_.

_Miserliness_ is the denying oneself and others the ordinary comforts or

even necessaries of life, for the mere sake of hoarding money.

_Prudence_ and _providence_ look far ahead, and sacrifice the present to

the future, saving as much as may be necessary for that end. (See

PRUDENCE.) _Thrift_ seeks not merely to save, but to earn. _Economy_

manages, _frugality_ saves, _providence_ plans, _thrift_ at once earns

and saves, with a view to wholesome and profitable expenditure at a

fitting time. See ABSTINENCE.

Antonyms:

abundance, bounty, liberality, opulence, waste,

affluence, extravagance, luxury, riches, wealth.

* * * * *

GARRULOUS.

Synonyms:

chattering, loquacious, talkative, verbose.

_Garrulous_ signifies given to constant trivial talking. _Chattering_

signifies uttering rapid, noisy, and unintelligible, or scarcely

intelligible, sounds, whether articulate words or such as resemble them;

_chattering_ is often used of vocal sounds that may be intelligible by

themselves but are ill understood owing to confusion of many voices or

other cause. The _talkative_ person has a strong disposition to talk,

with or without an abundance of words, or many ideas; the _loquacious_

person has an abundant flow of language and much to say on any subject

suggested; either may be lively and for a time entertaining; the

_garrulous_ person is tedious, repetitious, petty, and self-absorbed.

_Verbose_ is applied to utterances more formal than conversation, as to

writings or public addresses. We speak of a _chattering_ monkey or a

_chattering_ idiot, a _talkative_ child, a _talkative_ or _loquacious_

woman, a _garrulous_ old man, a _verbose_ writer. Compare

CIRCUMLOCUTION.

Antonyms:

laconic, reserved, reticent, silent, speechless, taciturn.

* * * * *

GENDER.

Synonym:

sex.

_Sex_ is a distinction among living beings; it is also the

characteristic by which most living beings are distinguished from

inanimate things, which are of no _sex_; _gender_ is a distinction in

language partially corresponding to this distinction in nature; while

there are but two _sexes_, there are in some languages, as in English

and German, three _genders_. The French language has but two _genders_

and makes the names of all inanimate objects either masculine or

feminine; some languages are without the distinction of _gender_, and

those that maintain it are often quite arbitrary in its application. We

speak of the masculine or feminine _gender_, the male or female _sex_.

* * * * *

GENERAL.

Synonyms:

common, familiar, ordinary, universal,

commonplace, frequent, popular, usual.

customary, habitual, prevalent,

everyday, normal, public,

_Common_ signifies frequently occurring, not out of the regular course,

not exceptional; hence, not above the average, not excellent or

distinguished, inferior, or even low; _common_ also signifies pertaining

to or participated in by two or more persons or things; as, sorrow is

_common_ to the race. _General_ may signify pertaining equally to all of

a class, race, etc., but very commonly signifies pertaining to the

greater number, but not necessarily to all. _Universal_ applies to all

without exception; _general_ applies to all with possible or

comparatively slight exceptions; _common_ applies to very many without

deciding whether they are even a majority. A _common_ remark is one we

often hear; a _general_ experience is one that comes to the majority of

people; a _universal_ experience is one from which no human being is

exempt. It is dangerous for a debater to affirm a _universal_

proposition, since that can be negatived by a single exception, while a

_general_ statement is not invalidated even by adducing many exceptions.

We say a _common_ opinion, _common_ experience, a _general_ rule,

_general_ truth, a _universal_ law. Compare synonyms for NORMAL; USUAL.

Antonyms:

exceptional, infrequent, rare, singular, uncommon, unknown, unusual.

* * * * *

GENEROUS.

Synonyms:

bountiful, free, liberal, noble,

chivalrous, free-handed, magnanimous, open-handed,

disinterested, free-hearted, munificent, open-hearted.

_Generous_ (L. _genus_, a race) primarily signifies having the qualities

worthy of noble or honorable birth; hence, free and abundant in giving,

giving freely, heartily, and self-sacrificingly. As regards giving,

_generous_ refers rather to the self-sacrificing heartiness of the

giver, _liberal_ to the amount of the gift; a child may show himself

_generous_ in the gift of an apple, a millionaire makes a _liberal_

donation; a _generous_ gift, however, is commonly thought of as both

ample and hearty. A _munificent_ gift is vast in amount, whatever the

motive of its bestowal. One may be _free_ with another's money; he can

be _generous_ only with his own. _Disinterested_ suggests rather the

thought of one's own self-denial; _generous_, of one's hearty interest

in another's welfare or happiness. One is _magnanimous_ by a greatness

of soul (L. _magnus_, great, and _animus_, soul) that rises above all

that is poor, mean, or weak, especially above every petty or ignoble

motive or feeling pertaining to one's self, and thus above resentment

of injury or insult; one is _generous_ by a kindness of heart that would

rejoice in the welfare rather than in the punishment of the offender.

Antonyms:

avaricious, greedy, mean, niggardly, penurious, rapacious,

close, ignoble, miserly, parsimonious, petty, stingy.

covetous, illiberal,

* * * * *

GENIUS.

Synonyms:

talent, talents.

_Genius_ is exalted intellectual power capable of operating

independently of tuition and training, and marked by an extraordinary

faculty for original creation, invention, discovery, expression, etc.

_Talent_ is marked mental ability, and in a special sense, a particular

and uncommon aptitude for some special mental work or attainment.

_Genius_ is higher than _talent_, more spontaneous, less dependent upon

instruction, less amenable to training; _talent_ is largely the capacity

to learn, acquire, appropriate, adapt oneself to demand. Yet the

_genius_ that has won the largest and most enduring success has been

joined with tireless industry and painstaking. Compare synonyms for

MIND; POWER.

Antonyms:

dulness, folly, imbecility, obtuseness, senselessness, stupidity.

* * * * *

GET.