Synonyms:

attend, hark, harken, hear, heed, list.

Between _listen_ and _hear_ is a difference like that between the words

look and see. (Compare synonyms for LOOK.) To _hear_ is simply to

become conscious of sound, to _listen_ is to make a conscious effort or

endeavor to _hear_. We may _hear_ without _listening_, as words suddenly

uttered in an adjoining room; or we may _listen_ without _hearing_, as

to a distant speaker. In _listening_ the ear is intent upon the sound;

in _attending_ the mind is intent upon the thought, tho _listening_

implies some attention to the meaning or import of the sound. To _heed_

is not only to _attend_, but to remember and observe. _Harken_ is nearly

obsolete.

Antonyms:

be deaf to, ignore, neglect, scorn, slight.

Prepositions:

We listen _for_ what we expect or desire to hear; we listen _to_ what we

actually do hear; listen _for_ a step, a signal, a train; listen _to_

the debate.

* * * * *

LITERATURE.

Synonyms:

belles-lettres, literary productions, publications,

books, literary works, writings.

_Literature_ is collective, including in the most general sense all the

written or printed productions of the human mind in all lands and ages,

or in a more limited sense, referring to all that has been published in

some land or age, or in some department of human knowledge; as, the

_literature_ of Greece; the _literature_ of the Augustan age; the

_literature_ of politics or of art. _Literature_, used absolutely,

denotes what has been called "polite _literature_" or _belles-lettres_,

_i. e._, the works collectively that embody taste, feeling, loftiness of

thought, and purity and beauty of style, as poetry, history, fiction,

and dramatic compositions, including also much of philosophical writing,

as the "Republic" of Plato, and oratorical productions, as the orations

of Demosthenes. In the broad sense, we can speak of the _literature_ of

science; in the narrower sense, we speak of _literature_ and science as

distinct departments of knowledge. _Literature_ is also used to signify

literary pursuits or occupations; as, to devote one's life to

_literature_. Compare KNOWLEDGE; SCIENCE.

* * * * *

LOAD, _n._

Synonyms:

burden, charge, encumbrance, incubus, pack,

cargo, clog, freight, lading, weight.

A _burden_ (from the Anglo-Saxon _byrthen_, from the verb _beran_, bear)

is what one has to bear, and the word is used always of that which is

borne by a living agent. A _load_ (from the Anglo-Saxon _l[=a]d_, a

way, course, carrying, or carriage) is what is laid upon a person,

animal, or vehicle for conveyance, or what is customarily so imposed;

as, a two-horse _load_. _Weight_ measures the pressure due to gravity;

the same _weight_ that one finds a moderate _load_ when in his full

strength becomes a heavy _burden_ in weariness or weakness. A ship's

_load_ is called distinctively a _cargo_, or it may be known as

_freight_ or _lading_. _Freight_ denotes merchandise in or for

transportation and is used largely of transportation or of merchandise

transported by rail, which is, in commercial language, said to be

"shipped." A _load_ to be fastened upon a horse or mule is called a

_pack_, and the animal is known as a pack-horse or pack-mule.

* * * * *

LOCK.

Synonyms:

bar, catch, fastening, hook,

bolt, clasp, hasp, latch.

A _bar_ is a piece of wood or metal, usually of considerable size, by

which an opening is obstructed, a door held fast, etc. A _bar_ may be

movable or permanent; a _bolt_ is a movable rod or pin of metal, sliding

in a socket and adapted for securing a door or window. A _lock_ is an

arrangement by which an enclosed _bolt_ is shot forward or backward by a

key, or other device; the _bolt_ is the essential part of the _lock_. A

_latch_ or _catch_ is an accessible _fastening_ designed to be easily

movable, and simply to secure against accidental opening of the door,

cover, etc. A _hasp_ is a metallic strap that fits over a staple,

calculated to be secured by a padlock; a simple _hook_ that fits into a

staple is also called a _hasp_. A _clasp_ is a fastening that can be

sprung into place, to draw and hold the parts of some enclosing object

firmly together, as the _clasp_ of a book.

* * * * *

LOOK.

Synonyms:

behold, discern, inspect, see, view,

contemplate, gaze, regard, stare, watch.

descry, glance, scan, survey,

To _see_ is simply to become conscious of an object of vision; to _look_

is to make a conscious and direct endeavor to _see_. To _behold_ is to

fix the sight and the mind with distinctness and consideration upon

something that has come to be clearly before the eyes. We may _look_

without _seeing_, as in pitch-darkness, and we may _see_ without

_looking_, as in case of a flash of lightning. To _gaze_ is to _look_

intently, long, and steadily upon an object. To _glance_ is to _look_

casually or momentarily. To _stare_ is to _look_ with a fixed intensity

such as is the effect of surprise, alarm, or rudeness. To _scan_ is to

_look_ at minutely, to note every visible feature. To _inspect_ is to go

below the surface, uncover, study item by item. _View_ and _survey_ are

comprehensive, _survey_ expressing the greater exactness of measurement

or estimate. _Watch_ brings in the element of time and often of

wariness; we _watch_ for a movement or change, a signal, the approach of

an enemy, etc. Compare APPEAR.

* * * * *

LOVE.

Synonyms:

affection, charity, friendship, regard,

attachment, devotion, liking, tenderness.

attraction, fondness,

_Affection_ is kindly feeling, deep, tender, and constant, going out to

some person or object, being less fervent and ardent than _love_,

whether applied to persons or things. _Love_ is an intense and absorbing

emotion, drawing one toward a person or object and causing one to

appreciate, delight in, and crave the presence or possession of the

person or object loved, and to desire to please and benefit the person,

or to advance the cause, truth, or other object of _affection_; it is

the yearning or outgoing of soul toward something that is regarded as

excellent, beautiful, or desirable; _love_ may be briefly defined as

strong and absorbing _affection_ for and _attraction_ toward a person or

object. _Love_ may denote the sublimest and holiest spiritual

_affection_ as when we are taught that "God is _love_." _Charity_ has so

far swung aside from this original meaning that probably it never can be

recalled (compare BENEVOLENCE). The Revised Version uses _love_ in place

of _charity_ in _1 Cor._ xiii, and elsewhere. _Love_ is more intense,

absorbing, and tender than _friendship_, more intense, impulsive, and

perhaps passionate than _affection_; we speak of fervent _love_, but of

deep or tender _affection_, or of close, firm, strong _friendship_.

_Love_ is used specifically for personal _affection_ between the sexes

in the highest sense, the _love_ that normally leads to marriage, and

subsists throughout all happy wedded life. _Love_ can never properly

denote mere animal passion, which is expressed by such words as

appetite, desire, lust. One may properly be said to have _love_ for

animals, for inanimate objects, or for abstract qualities that enlist

the affections, as we speak of _love_ for a horse or a dog, for

mountains, woods, ocean, or of _love_ of nature, and _love_ of virtue.

_Love_ of articles of food is better expressed by _liking_, as _love_,

in its full sense, expresses something spiritual and reciprocal, such as

can have no place in connection with objects that minister merely to the

senses. Compare ATTACHMENT; FRIENDSHIP.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for ANTIPATHY; ENMITY; HATRED.

Prepositions:

Love _of_ country; _for_ humanity; love _to_ God and man.

* * * * *

MAKE.

Synonyms:

become, constrain, fabricate, manufacture,

bring about, construct, fashion, occasion,

bring into being, create, force, perform,

bring to pass, do, frame, reach,

cause, effect, get, render,

compel, establish, make out, require,

compose, execute, make up, shape.

constitute,

_Make_ is essentially causative; to the idea of _cause_ all its various

senses may be traced (compare synonyms for CAUSE). To _make_ is to

_cause_ to exist, or to _cause_ to exist in a certain form or in certain

relations; the word thus includes the idea of _create_, as in _Gen._ i,

31, "And God saw everything that he had _made_, and, behold, it was very

good." _Make_ includes also the idea of _compose_, _constitute_; as, the

parts _make up_ the whole. Similarly, to _cause_ a voluntary agent to do

a certain act is to _make_ him do it, or _compel_ him to do it, _compel_

fixing the attention more on the process, _make_ on the accomplished

fact. Compare COMPEL; DO; INFLUENCE; (make better) AMEND; (make haste)

QUICKEN; (make known) ANNOUNCE; AVOW; CONFESS; (make prisoner) ARREST;

(make up) ADD; (make void) CANCEL.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for ABOLISH; BREAK; DEMOLISH.

Prepositions:

Make _of_, _out of_, or _from_ certain materials, _into_ a certain form,

_for_ a certain purpose or person; made _with_ hands, _by_ hand; made

_by_ a prisoner, _with_ a jack-knife.

* * * * *

MARRIAGE.

Synonyms:

conjugal union, espousals, nuptials, spousals, wedding,

espousal, matrimony, spousal, union, wedlock.

_Matrimony_ denotes the state of those who are united in the relation

of husband and wife; _marriage_ denotes primarily the act of so uniting,

but is extensively used for the state as well. _Wedlock_, a word of

specific legal use, is the Saxon term for the state or relation denoted

by _matrimony_. _Wedding_ denotes the ceremony, with any attendant

festivities, by which two persons are united as husband and wife,

_nuptials_ being the more formal and stately term to express the same

idea.

Antonyms:

bachelorhood, celibacy, divorce, maidenhood, virginity, widowhood.

Prepositions:

Marriage _of_ or _between_ two persons; _of_ one person _to_ or _with_

another; _among_ the Greeks.

* * * * *

MASCULINE.

Synonyms:

male, manful, manlike, manly, mannish, virile.

We apply _male_ to the sex, _masculine_ to the qualities, especially to

the stronger, hardier, and more imperious qualities that distinguish the

_male_ sex; as applied to women, _masculine_ has often the depreciatory

sense of unwomanly, rude, or harsh; as, a _masculine_ face or voice, or

the like; tho one may say in a commendatory way, she acted with

_masculine_ courage or decision. _Manlike_ may mean only having the

outward appearance or semblance of a man, or may be closely equivalent

to _manly_. _Manly_ refers to all the qualities and traits worthy of a

man; _manful_, especially to the valor and prowess that become a man; we

speak of a _manful_ struggle, _manly_ decision; we say _manly_

gentleness or tenderness; we could not say _manful_ tenderness.

_Mannish_ is a depreciatory word referring to the mimicry or parade of

some superficial qualities of manhood; as, a _mannish_ boy or woman.

_Masculine_ may apply to the distinctive qualities of the _male_ sex at

any age; _virile_ applies to the distinctive qualities of mature manhood

only, as opposed not only to _feminine_ or _womanly_ but to _childish_,

and is thus an emphatic word for _sturdy_, _intrepid_, etc.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for FEMININE.

* * * * *

MASSACRE.

Synonyms:

butchery, carnage, havoc, slaughter.

A _massacre_ is the indiscriminate killing in numbers of the

unresisting or defenseless; _butchery_ is the killing of men rudely and

ruthlessly as cattle are killed in the shambles. _Havoc_ may not be so

complete as _massacre_, nor so coldly brutal as _butchery_, but is more

widely spread and furious; it is destruction let loose, and may be

applied to organizations, interests, etc., as well as to human life; "as

for Saul, he made _havoc_ of the church," _Acts_ viii, 3. _Carnage_

(Latin _caro, carnis_, flesh) refers to widely scattered or heaped up

corpses of the slain; _slaughter_ is similar in meaning, but refers more

to the process, as _carnage_ does to the result; these two words only of

the group may be used of great destruction of life in open and honorable

battle, as when we say the enemy was repulsed with great _slaughter_, or

the _carnage_ was terrible.

* * * * *

MEDDLESOME.

Synonyms:

impertinent, intrusive, meddling, obtrusive, officious.

The _meddlesome_ person interferes unasked in the affairs of others; the

_intrusive_ person thrusts himself uninvited into their company or

conversation; the _obtrusive_ person thrusts himself or his opinions

conceitedly and undesirably upon their notice; the _officious_ person

thrusts his services, unasked and undesired, upon others. _Obtrusive_ is

oftener applied to words, qualities, actions, etc., than to persons;

_intrusive_ is used chiefly of persons, as is _officious_, tho we speak

of _officious_ attentions, _intrusive_ remarks; _meddlesome_ is used

indifferently of persons, or of words, qualities, actions, etc. Compare

INQUISITIVE; INTERPOSE.

Antonyms:

modest, reserved, retiring, shy, unassuming, unobtrusive.

* * * * *

MELODY.

Synonyms:

harmony, music, symphony, unison.

_Harmony_ is simultaneous; _melody_ is successive; _harmony_ is the

pleasing correspondence of two or more notes sounded at once, _melody_

the pleasing succession of a number of notes continuously following one

another. A _melody_ may be wholly in one part; _harmony_ must be of two

or more parts. Accordant notes of different pitch sounded simultaneously

produce _harmony_; _unison_ is the simultaneous sounding of two or more

notes of the same pitch. When the pitch is the same, there may be

_unison_ between sounds of very different volume and quality, as a voice

and a bell may sound in _unison_. Tones sounded at the interval of an

octave are also said to be in _unison_, altho this is not literally

exact; this usage arises from the fact that bass and tenor voices in

attempting to sound the same note as the soprano and alto will in fact

sound a note an octave below. _Music_ may denote the simplest _melody_

or the most complex and perfect _harmony_. A _symphony_ (apart from its

technical orchestral sense) is any pleasing consonance of musical

sounds, vocal or instrumental, as of many accordant voices or

instruments.

* * * * *

MEMORY.

Synonyms:

recollection, reminiscence, retrospect, retrospection.

remembrance,

_Memory_ is the faculty by which knowledge is retained or recalled; in a

more general sense, _memory_ is a retention of knowledge within the

grasp of the mind, while _remembrance_ is the having what is known

consciously before the mind. _Remembrance_ may be voluntary or

involuntary; a thing is brought to _remembrance_ or we call it to

_remembrance_; the same is true of _memory_. _Recollection_ involves

volition, the mind making a distinct effort to recall something, or

fixing the attention actively upon it when recalled. _Reminiscence_ is a

half-dreamy _memory_ of scenes or events long past; _retrospection_ is a

distinct turning of the mind back upon the past, bringing long periods

under survey. _Retrospection_ is to _reminiscence_ much what

_recollection_ is to _remembrance_.

Antonyms:

forgetfulness, oblivion, obliviousness, oversight, unconsciousness.

* * * * *

MERCY.

Synonyms:

benevolence, favor, kindness, mildness,

benignity, forbearance, lenience, pardon,

blessing, forgiveness, leniency, pity,

clemency, gentleness, lenity, tenderness.

compassion, grace,

_Mercy_ is the exercise of less severity than one deserves, or in a more

extended sense, the granting of _kindness_ or _favor_ beyond what one

may rightly claim. _Grace_ is _favor_, _kindness_, or _blessing_ shown

to the undeserving; _forgiveness_, _mercy_, and _pardon_ are exercised

toward the ill-deserving. _Pardon_ remits the outward penalty which the

offender deserves; _forgiveness_ dismisses resentment or displeasure

from the heart of the one offended; _mercy_ seeks the highest possible

good of the offender. There may be _mercy_ without _pardon_, as in the

mitigation of sentence, or in all possible alleviation of necessary

severity; there may be cases where _pardon_ would not be _mercy_, since

it would encourage to repetition of the offense, from which timely

punishment might have saved. _Mercy_ is also used in the wider sense of

refraining from harshness or cruelty toward those who are in one's power

without fault of their own; as, they besought the robber to have

_mercy_. _Clemency_ is a colder word than _mercy_, and without its

religious associations, signifying _mildness_ and moderation in the use

of power where severity would have legal or military, rather than moral

sanction; it often denotes a habitual _mildness_ of disposition on the

part of the powerful, and is matter rather of good nature or policy than

of principle. _Leniency_ or _lenity_ denotes an easy-going avoidance of

severity; these words are more general and less magisterial than

_clemency_; we should speak of the _leniency_ of a parent, the

_clemency_ of a conqueror. Compare PITY.

Antonyms:

cruelty, implacability, punishment, rigor, sternness,

hardness, justice, revenge, severity, vengeance.

harshness, penalty,

Prepositions:

The mercy _of_ God _to_ or _toward_ sinners; have mercy _on_ or _upon_

one.

* * * * *

METER.

Synonyms:

euphony, measure, rhythm, verse.

_Euphony_ is agreeable linguistic sound, however produced; _meter_,

_measure_, and _rhythm_ denote agreeable succession of sounds in the

utterance of connected words; _euphony_ may apply to a single word or

even a single syllable; the other words apply to lines, sentences,

paragraphs, etc.; _rhythm_ and _meter_ may be produced by accent only,

as in English, or by accent and quantity combined, as in Greek or

Italian; _rhythm_ or _measure_ may apply either to prose or to poetry,

or to music, dancing, etc.; _meter_ is more precise than _rhythm_,

applies only to poetry, and denotes a measured _rhythm_ with regular

divisions into _verses_, stanzas, strophes, etc. A _verse_ is strictly a

metrical line, but the word is often used as synonymous with stanza.

_Verse_, in the general sense, denotes metrical writing without

reference to the thought involved; as, prose and _verse_. Compare

MELODY; POETRY.

* * * * *

MIND.

Synonyms:

brain, instinct, reason, spirit,

consciousness, intellect, sense, thought,

disposition, intelligence, soul, understanding.

_Mind_, in a general sense, includes all the powers of sentient being

apart from the physical factors in bodily faculties and activities; in a

limited sense, _mind_ is nearly synonymous with _intellect_, but

includes _disposition_, or the tendency toward action, as appears in the

phrase "to have a _mind_ to work." As the seat of mental activity,

_brain_ (colloquially _brains_) is often used as a synonym for _mind_,

_intellect_, _intelligence_. _Thought_, the act, process, or power of

thinking, is often used to denote the thinking faculty, and especially

the _reason_. The _instinct_ of animals is now held by many philosophers

to be of the same nature as the _intellect_ of man, but inferior and

limited; yet the apparent difference is very great.

An _instinct_ is a propensity prior to experience and independent of

instruction.

PALEY _Natural Philosophy_ ch. 18.

In this sense we speak of human _instincts_, thus denoting tendencies

independent of reasoning or instruction. The _soul_ includes the

_intellect_, sensibilities, and will; beyond what is expressed by the

word _mind_, the _soul_ denotes especially the moral, the immortal

nature; we say of a dead body, the _soul_ (not the _mind_) has fled.

_Spirit_ is used especially in contradistinction from matter; it may in

many cases be substituted for _soul_, but _soul_ has commonly a fuller

and more determinate meaning; we can conceive of _spirits_ as having no

moral nature; the fairies, elves, and brownies of mythology might be

termed _spirits_, but not _souls_. In the figurative sense, _spirit_

denotes animation, excitability, perhaps impatience; as, a lad of

_spirit_; he sang with _spirit_; he replied with _spirit_. _Soul_

denotes energy and depth of feeling, as when we speak of soulful eyes;

or it may denote the very life of anything; as, "the hidden _soul_ of

harmony," MILTON _L'Allegro_ l. 144. _Sense_ may be an antonym of

_intellect_, as when we speak of the _sense_ of hearing; but _sense_ is

used also as denoting clear mental action, good judgment, acumen; as, he

is a man of _sense_, or, he showed good _sense_; _sense_, even in its

material signification, must be reckoned among the activities of _mind_,

tho dependent on bodily functions; the _mind_, not the eye, really sees;

the _mind_, not the ear, really hears. _Consciousness_ includes all that

a sentient being perceives, knows, thinks, or feels, from whatever

source arising and of whatever character, kind, or degree, whether with

or without distinct thinking, feeling, or willing; we speak of the

_consciousness_ of the brute, of the savage, or of the sage. The

_intellect_ is that assemblage of faculties which is concerned with

knowledge, as distinguished from emotion and volition. _Understanding_

is the Saxon word of the same general import, but is chiefly used of the

reasoning powers; the _understanding_, which Sir Wm. Hamilton has called

"the faculty of relations and comparisons," is distinguished by many

philosophers from _reason_ in that "_reason_ is the faculty of the

higher cognitions or a priori truth."

Antonyms:

body, brawn, brute force, material substance, matter.

* * * * *

MINUTE.

Synonyms:

circumstantial, diminutive, little, slender,

comminuted, exact, particular, small,

critical, fine, precise, tiny.

detailed,

That is _minute_ which is of exceedingly limited dimensions, as a grain

of dust, or which attends to matters of exceedingly slight amount or

apparent importance; as, a _minute_ account; _minute_ observation. That

which is broken up into _minute_ particles is said to be _comminuted_;

things may be termed _fine_ which would not be termed _comminuted_; as,

_fine_ sand; _fine_ gravel; but, in using the adverb, we say a substance

is finely _comminuted_, _comminuted_ referring more to the process,

_fine_ to the result. An account extended to very _minute_ particulars

is _circumstantial_, _detailed_, _particular_; an examination so

extended is _critical_, _exact_, _precise_. Compare FINE.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for LARGE.

* * * * *

MISFORTUNE.

Synonyms:

adversity, disappointment, ill fortune, ruin,

affliction, disaster, ill luck, sorrow,

bereavement, distress, misadventure, stroke,

blow, failure, mischance, trial,

calamity, hardship, misery, tribulation,

chastening, harm, mishap, trouble,

chastisement, ill, reverse, visitation.

_Misfortune_ is adverse fortune or any instance thereof, any untoward

event, usually of lingering character or consequences, and such as the

sufferer is not deemed directly responsible for; as, he had the

_misfortune_ to be born blind. Any considerable _disappointment_,

_failure_, or _misfortune_, as regards outward circumstances, as loss of

fortune, position, and the like, when long continued or attended with

enduring consequences, constitutes _adversity_. For the loss of friends

by death we commonly use _affliction_ or _bereavement_. _Calamity_ and

_disaster_ are used of sudden and severe _misfortunes_, often

overwhelming; _ill fortune_ and _ill luck_, of lighter troubles and

failures. We speak of the _misery_ of the poor, the _hardships_ of the

soldier. _Affliction_, _chastening_, _trial_, and _tribulation_ have all

an especially religious bearing, suggesting some disciplinary purpose of

God with beneficent design. _Affliction_ may be keen and bitter, but

brief; _tribulation_ is long and wearing. We speak of an _affliction_,

but rarely of a _tribulation_, since _tribulation_ is viewed as a

continuous process, which may endure for years or for a lifetime; but we

speak of our daily _trials_. Compare CATASTROPHE.

Antonyms:

blessing, consolation, gratification, pleasure, success,

boon, good fortune, happiness, prosperity, triumph.

comfort, good luck, joy, relief,

* * * * *

MOB.

Synonyms:

canaille, dregs of the people, masses, rabble,

crowd, lower classes, populace, the vulgar.

The _populace_ are poor and ignorant, but may be law-abiding; a _mob_ is

disorderly and lawless, but may be rich and influential. The _rabble_ is

despicable, worthless, purposeless; a _mob_ may have effective desperate

purpose. A _crowd_ may be drawn by mere curiosity; some strong,

pervading excitement is needed to make it a _mob_. Compare PEOPLE.

* * * * *

MODEL.

Synonyms:

archetype, facsimile, original, representation,

copy, image, pattern, standard,

design, imitation, prototype, type.

example, mold,

A _pattern_ is always, in modern use, that which is to be copied; a

_model_ may be either the thing to be copied or the _copy_ that has been

made from it; as, the _models_ in the Patent Office. A _pattern_ is

commonly superficial; a _model_ is usually in relief. A _pattern_ must

be closely followed in its minutest particulars by a faithful copyist;

a _model_ may allow a great degree of freedom. A sculptor may idealize

his living _model_; his workmen must exactly _copy_ in marble or metal

the _model_ he has made in clay. Compare EXAMPLE; IDEA; IDEAL.

* * * * *

MODESTY.

Synonyms:

backwardness, constraint, reserve, timidity,

bashfulness, coyness, shyness, unobtrusiveness.

coldness, diffidence,

_Bashfulness_ is a shrinking from notice without assignable reason.

_Coyness_ is a half encouragement, half avoidance of offered attention,

and may be real or affected. _Diffidence_ is self-distrust; _modesty_, a

humble estimate of oneself in comparison with others, or with the

demands of some undertaking. _Modesty_ has also the specific meaning of

a sensitive shrinking from anything indelicate. _Shyness_ is a tendency

to shrink from observation; _timidity_, a distinct fear of criticism,

error, or failure. _Reserve_ is the holding oneself aloof from others,

or holding back one's feelings from expression, or one's affairs from

communication to others. _Reserve_ may be the retreat of _shyness_, or,

on the other hand, the contemptuous withdrawal of pride and haughtiness.

Compare ABASH; PRIDE; TACITURN.

Antonyms:

abandon, confidence, haughtiness, pertness,

arrogance, egotism, impudence, sauciness,

assumption, forwardness, indiscretion, self-conceit,

assurance, frankness, loquaciousness, self-sufficiency,

boldness, freedom, loquacity, sociability.

conceit,

* * * * *

MONEY.

Synonyms:

bills, cash, funds, property,

bullion, coin, gold, silver,

capital, currency, notes, specie.

_Money_ is the authorized medium of exchange; coined _money_ is called

_coin_ or _specie_. What are termed in England bank-_notes_ are in the

United States commonly called _bills_; as, a five-dollar _bill_. The

_notes_ of responsible men are readily transferable in commercial

circles, but they are not _money_; as, the stock was sold for $500 in

_money_ and the balance in merchantable paper. _Cash_ is _specie_ or

_money_ in hand, or paid in hand; as, the _cash_ account; the _cash_

price. In the legal sense, _property_ is not _money_, and _money_ is not

_property_; for _property_ is that which has inherent value, while

_money_, as such, has but representative value, and may or may not have

intrinsic value. _Bullion_ is either _gold_ or _silver_ uncoined, or the

coined metal considered without reference to its coinage, but simply as

merchandise, when its value as _bullion_ may be very different from its

value as _money_. The word _capital_ is used chiefly of accumulated

_property_ or _money_ invested in productive enterprises or available

for such investment.

* * * * *

MOROSE.

Synonyms:

acrimonious, dogged, ill-natured, splenetic,

churlish, gloomy, severe, sulky,

crabbed, gruff, snappish, sullen,

crusty, ill-humored, sour, surly.

The _sullen_ and _sulky_ are discontented and resentful in regard to

that against which they are too proud to protest, or consider all

protest vain; _sullen_ denotes more of pride, _sulky_ more of resentful

obstinacy. The _morose_ are bitterly dissatisfied with the world in

general, and disposed to vent their ill nature upon others. The _sullen_

and _sulky_ are for the most part silent; the _morose_ growl out bitter

speeches. A _surly_ person is in a state of latent anger, resenting

approach as intrusion, and ready to take offense at anything; thus we

speak of a _surly_ dog. _Sullen_ and _sulky_ moods may be transitory;

one who is _morose_ or _surly_ is commonly so by disposition or habit.

Antonyms:

amiable, complaisant, gentle, kind, pleasant,

benignant, friendly, good-natured, loving, sympathetic,

bland, genial, indulgent, mild, tender.

* * * * *

MOTION.

Synonyms:

act, change, movement, process, transition.

action, move, passage, transit,

_Motion_ is _change_ of place or position in space; _transition_ is a

passing from one point or position in space to another. _Motion_ may be

either abstract or concrete, more frequently the former; _movement_ is

always concrete, that is, considered in connection with the thing that

moves or is moved; thus, we speak of the _movements_ of the planets, but

of the laws of planetary _motion_; of military _movements_, but of

perpetual _motion_. _Move_ is used chiefly of contests or competition,

as in chess or politics; as, it is your _move_; a shrewd _move_ of the

opposition. _Action_ is a more comprehensive word than _motion_. We now

rarely speak of mental or spiritual _motions_, but rather of mental or

spiritual _acts_ or _processes_, or of the laws of mental _action_, but

a formal proposal of _action_ in a deliberative assembly is termed a

_motion_. Compare ACT.

Antonyms:

immobility, quiescence, quiet, repose, rest, stillness.

* * * * *

MOURN.

Synonyms:

bemoan, deplore, lament, regret, rue, sorrow.

bewail, grieve,

To _mourn_ is to feel or express sadness or distress because of some

loss, affliction, or misfortune; _mourning_ is thought of as prolonged,

_grief_ or _regret_ may be transient. One may _grieve_ or _mourn_,

_regret_, _rue_, or _sorrow_ without a sound; he _bemoans_ with

suppressed and often inarticulate sounds of grief; he _bewails_ with

passionate utterance, whether of inarticulate cries or of spoken words.

He _laments_ in plaintive or pathetic words, as the prophet Jeremiah in

his "Lamentations." One _deplores_ with settled sorrow which may or may

not find relief in words. One is made to _rue_ an act by some misfortune

resulting, or by some penalty or vengeance inflicted because of it. One

_regrets_ a slight misfortune or a hasty word; he _sorrows_ over the

death of a friend.

Antonyms:

be joyful, exult, joy, make merry, rejoice, triumph.

* * * * *

MUTUAL.

Synonyms:

common, correlative, interchangeable, joint, reciprocal.

That is _common_ to which two or more persons have the same or equal

claims, or in which they have equal interest or participation; in the

strictest sense, that is _mutual_ (Latin _mutare_, to change) which is

freely interchanged; that is _reciprocal_ in respect to which one act or

movement is met by a corresponding act or movement in return; we speak

of our _common_ country, _mutual_ affection, _reciprocal_ obligations,

the _reciprocal_ action of cause and effect, where the effect becomes in

turn a cause. Many good writers hold it incorrect to say "a _mutual_

friend," and insist that "a _common_ friend" would be more accurate; but

"_common_ friend" is practically never used, because of the disagreeable

suggestion that attaches to _common_, of ordinary or inferior. "_Mutual_

friend" has high literary authority (of Burke, Scott, Dickens, and

others), and a considerable usage of good society in its favor, the

expression being quite naturally derived from the thoroughly correct

phrase _mutual_ friendship.

Antonyms:

detached, distinct, separated, unconnected, unrequited,

disconnected, disunited, severed, unreciprocated, unshared.

dissociated, separate, sundered,

* * * * *

MYSTERIOUS.

Synonyms:

abstruse, inexplicable, recondite,

cabalistic, inscrutable, secret,

dark, mystic, transcendental,

enigmatical, mystical, unfathomable,

hidden, obscure, unfathomed,

incomprehensible, occult, unknown.

That is _mysterious_ in the true sense which is beyond human

comprehension, as the decrees of God or the origin of life. That is

_mystic_ or _mystical_ which has associated with it some _hidden_ or

_recondite_ meaning, especially of a religious kind; as, the _mystic_

Babylon of the Apocalypse. That is _dark_ which we can not personally

see through, especially if sadly perplexing; as, a _dark_ providence.

That is _secret_ which is intentionally _hidden_. Compare DARK.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for CLEAR.

* * * * *

NAME.

Synonyms:

agnomen, denomination, prenomen, surname,

appellation, designation, style, title.

cognomen, epithet,

_Name_ in the most general sense, signifying the word by which a person

or thing is called or known, includes all other words of this group; in

this sense every noun is a _name_; in the more limited sense a _name_ is

personal, an _appellation_ is descriptive, a _title_ is official. In the

phrase William the Conqueror, King of England, William is the man's

_name_, which belongs to him personally, independently of any rank or

achievement; Conqueror is the _appellation_ which he won by his

acquisition of England; King is the _title_ denoting his royal rank. An

_epithet_ (Gr. _epitheton_, something added, from _epi_, on, and

_tithemi_, put) is something placed upon a person or thing; the

_epithet_ does not strictly belong to an object like a _name_, but is

given to mark some assumed characteristic, good or bad; an _epithet_ is

always an adjective, or a word or phrase used as an adjective, and is

properly used to emphasize a characteristic but not to add information,

as in the phrase "the _sounding_ sea;" the idea that an _epithet_ is

always opprobrious, and that any word used opprobriously is an _epithet_

is a popular error. _Designation_ may be used much in the sense of

_appellation_, but is more distinctive or specific in meaning; a

_designation_ properly so called rests upon some inherent quality, while

an _appellation_ may be fanciful. Among the Romans the _prenomen_ was

the individual part of a man's _name_, the "nomen" designated the gens

to which he belonged, the _cognomen_ showed his family and was borne by

all patricians, and the _agnomen_ was added to refer to his achievements

or character. When scientists _name_ an animal or a plant, they give it

a binary or binomial technical _name_ comprising a generic and a

specific _appellation_. In modern use, a personal _name_, as John or

Mary, is given in infancy, and is often called the given _name_ or

Christian _name_, or simply the first _name_ (rarely the _prenomen_);

the _cognomen_ or _surname_ is the family _name_ which belongs to one by

right of birth or marriage. _Style_ is the legal _designation_ by which

a person or house is known in official or business relations; as, the

_name_ and _style_ of Baring Brothers. The term _denomination_ is

applied to a separate religious organization, without the opprobrious

meaning attaching to the word "sect;" also, to designate any class of

like objects collectively, especially money or notes of a certain value;

as, the sum was in notes of the _denomination_ of one thousand dollars.

Compare TERM.

* * * * *

NATIVE.

Synonyms:

indigenous, innate, natal, natural, original.

_Native_ denotes that which belongs to one by birth; _natal_ that which

pertains to the event of birth; _natural_ denotes that which rests upon

inherent qualities of character or being. We speak of one's _native_

country, or of his _natal_ day; of _natural_ ability, _native_ genius.

Compare INHERENT; PRIMEVAL; RADICAL.

Antonyms:

acquired, alien, artificial, assumed, foreign, unnatural.

* * * * *

NAUTICAL.

Synonyms:

marine, maritime, naval, ocean, oceanic.

_Marine_ (L. _mare_, sea) signifies belonging to the ocean, _maritime_,

a secondary derivative from the same root, bordering on or connected

with the _ocean_; as, _marine_ products; _marine_ animals; _maritime_

nations; _maritime_ laws. _Nautical_ (Gr. _nautes_, a sailor) denotes

primarily anything connected with sailors, and hence with ships or

navigation; _naval_ (L. _navis_, Gr. _naus_, a ship) refers to the armed

force of a nation on the sea, and, by extension, to similar forces on

lakes and rivers; as, a _naval_ force; a _nautical_ almanac. _Ocean_,

used adjectively, is applied to that which belongs to or is part of the

_ocean_; _oceanic_ may be used in the same sense, but is especially

applied to that which borders on (or upon) or is connected with, or

which is similar to or suggestive of an _ocean_; we speak of _ocean_

currents, _oceanic_ islands, or, perhaps, of an _oceanic_ intellect.

* * * * *

NEAT.

Synonyms:

clean, dapper, nice, prim, tidy,

cleanly, natty, orderly, spruce, trim.

That which is _clean_ is simply free from soil or defilement of any

kind. Things are _orderly_ when in due relation to other things; a room

or desk is _orderly_ when every article is in place; a person is

_orderly_ who habitually keeps things so. _Tidy_ denotes that which

conforms to propriety in general; an unlaced shoe may be perfectly

_clean_, but is not _tidy_. _Neat_ refers to that which is _clean_ and

_tidy_ with nothing superfluous, conspicuous, or showy, as when we speak

of plain but _neat_ attire; the same idea of freedom from the

superfluous appears in the phrases "a _neat_ speech," "a _neat_ turn,"

"a _neat_ reply," etc. A _clean_ cut has no ragged edges; a _neat_

stroke just does what is intended. _Nice_ is stronger than _neat_,

implying value and beauty; a _cheap_, coarse dress may be perfectly

_neat_, but would not be termed _nice_. _Spruce_ is applied to the show

and affectation of neatness with a touch of smartness, and is always a

term of mild contempt; as, a _spruce_ serving man. _Trim_ denotes a

certain shapely and elegant firmness, often with suppleness and grace;

as, a _trim_ suit; a _trim_ figure. _Prim_ applies to a precise, formal,

affected nicety. _Dapper_ is _spruce_ with the suggestion of smallness

and slightness; _natty_, a diminutive of _neat_, suggests minute

elegance, with a tendency toward the exquisite; as, a _dapper_ little

fellow in a _natty_ business suit.

Antonyms:

dirty, negligent, slouchy, uncared for,

disorderly, rough, slovenly, unkempt,

dowdy, rude, soiled, untidy.

* * * * *

NECESSARY.

Synonyms:

essential, infallible, required, unavoidable,

indispensable, needed, requisite, undeniable.

inevitable, needful,

That is _necessary_ which must exist, occur, or be true; which in the

nature of things can not be otherwise. That which is _essential_ belongs

to the essence of a thing, so that the thing can not exist in its

completeness without it; that which is _indispensable_ may be only an

adjunct, but it is one that can not be spared; vigorous health is

_essential_ to an arctic explorer; warm clothing is _indispensable_.

That which is _requisite_ (or _required_) is so in the judgment of the

person requiring it, but may not be so absolutely; thus, the _requisite_

is more a matter of personal feeling than the _indispensable_.

_Inevitable_ (L. _in_, not, and _evito_, shun) is primarily the exact

equivalent of the Saxon _unavoidable_; both words are applied to things

which some at least would escape or prevent, while that which is

_necessary_ may meet with no objection; food is _necessary_, death is

_inevitable_; a _necessary_ conclusion satisfies a thinker; an

_inevitable_ conclusion silences opposition. An _infallible_ proof is

one that necessarily leads the mind to a sound conclusion. _Needed_ and

_needful_ are more concrete than _necessary_, and respect an end to be

attained; we speak of a _necessary_ inference; _necessary_ food is what

one can not live without, while _needful_ food is that without which he

can not enjoy comfort, health, and strength.

Antonyms:

casual, needless, optional, useless,

contingent, non-essential, unnecessary, worthless.

Prepositions:

Necessary _to_ a sequence or a total; _for_ or _to_ a result or a

person; unity is necessary _to_ (to constitute) completeness; decision

is necessary _for_ command, or _for_ a commander.

* * * * *

NECESSITY.

Synonyms:

compulsion, fatality, requisite,

destiny, fate, sine qua non,

emergency, indispensability, unavoidableness,

essential, indispensableness, urgency,

exigency, need, want.

extremity, requirement,

_Necessity_ is the quality of being necessary, or the quality of that

which can not but be, become, or be true, or be accepted as true. _Need_

and _want_ always imply a lack; _necessity_ may be used in this sense,

but in the higher philosophical sense _necessity_ simply denotes the

exclusion of any alternative either in thought or fact; righteousness is

a _necessity_ (not a _need_) of the divine nature. _Need_ suggests the

possibility of supplying the deficiency which _want_ expresses; to speak

of a person's _want_ of decision merely points out a weakness in his

character; to say that he has _need_ of decision implies that he can

exercise or attain it. As applied to a deficiency, _necessity_ is more

imperative than _need_; a weary person is in _need_ of rest; when rest

becomes a _necessity_ he has no choice but to stop work. An _essential_

is something, as a quality, or element, that belongs to the essence of

something else so as to be inseparable from it in its normal condition,

or in any complete idea or statement of it. Compare NECESSARY;

PREDESTINATION.

Antonyms:

choice, doubt, dubiousness, freedom, possibility,

contingency, doubtfulness, fortuity, option, uncertainty.

Prepositions:

The necessity _of_ surrender; a necessity _for_ action; this is a

necessity _to_ me.

* * * * *

NEGLECT.

Synonyms:

carelessness, heedlessness, negligence, scorn,

default, inadvertence, omission, slackness,

disregard, inattention, oversight, slight,

disrespect, indifference, remissness, thoughtlessness.

failure, neglectfulness,

_Neglect_ (L. _nec_, not, and _lego_, gather) is the failing to take

such care, show such attention, pay such courtesy, etc., as may be

rightfully or reasonably expected. _Negligence_, which is the same in

origin, may be used in almost the same sense, but with a slighter force,

as when Whittier speaks of "the _negligence_ which friendship loves;"

but _negligence_ is often used to denote the quality or trait of

character of which the act is a manifestation, or to denote the habit of

neglecting that which ought to be done. _Neglect_ is transitive,

_negligence_ is intransitive; we speak of _neglect_ of his books,

friends, or duties, in which cases we could not use _negligence_;

_negligence_ in dress implies want of care as to its arrangement,

tidiness, etc.; _neglect_ of one's garments would imply leaving them

exposed to defacement or injury, as by dust, moths, etc. _Neglect_ has a

passive sense which _negligence_ has not; the child was suffering from

_neglect_, _i. e._, from being neglected by others; the child was

suffering from _negligence_ would imply that he himself was neglectful.

The distinction sometimes made that _neglect_ denotes the act, and

_negligence_ the habit, is but partially true; one may be guilty of

habitual _neglect_ of duty; the wife may suffer from her husband's

constant _neglect_, while the _negligence_ which causes a railroad

accident may be that of a moment, and on the part of one ordinarily

careful and attentive; in such cases the law provides punishment for

criminal _negligence_.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for CARE.

Prepositions:

Neglect _of_ duty, _of_ the child _by_ the parent; there was neglect _on

the part of_ the teacher.

* * * * *

NEW.

Synonyms:

fresh, modern, new-made, upstart,

juvenile, new-fangled, novel, young,

late, new-fashioned, recent, youthful.

That which is _new_ has lately come into existence, possession, or use;

a _new_ house is just built, or in a more general sense is one that has

just come into the possession of the present owner or occupant. _Modern_

denotes that which has begun to exist in the present age, and is still

existing; _recent_ denotes that which has come into existence within a

comparatively brief period, and may or may not be existing still.

_Modern_ history pertains to any period since the middle ages; _modern_

literature, _modern_ architecture, etc., are not strikingly remote from

the styles and types prevalent to-day. That which is _late_ is somewhat

removed from the present, but not far enough to be called _old_. That

which is _recent_ is not quite so sharply distinguished from the past as

that which is _new_; _recent_ publications range over a longer time than

_new_ books. That which is _novel_ is either absolutely or relatively

unprecedented in kind; a _novel_ contrivance is one that has never

before been known; a _novel_ experience is one that has never before

occurred to the same person; that which is _new_ may be of a familiar or

even of an ancient sort, as a _new_ copy of an old book. _Young_ and

_youthful_ are applied to that which has life; that which is _young_ is

possessed of a comparatively _new_ existence as a living thing,

possessing actual youth; that which is _youthful_ manifests the

attributes of youth. (Compare YOUTHFUL.) _Fresh_ applies to that which

has the characteristics of newness or youth, while capable of

deterioration by lapse of time; that which is unworn, unspoiled, or

unfaded; as, a _fresh_ countenance, _fresh_ eggs, _fresh_ flowers. _New_

is opposed to _old_, _modern_ to _ancient_, _recent_ to _remote_,

_young_ to _old_, _aged_, etc.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for OLD.

* * * * *

NIMBLE.

Synonyms:

active, alert, bustling, prompt, speedy, spry,

agile, brisk, lively, quick, sprightly, swift.

_Nimble_ refers to lightness, freedom, and quickness of motion within a

somewhat narrow range, with readiness to turn suddenly to any point;

_swift_ applies commonly to more sustained motion over greater

distances; a pickpocket is _nimble_-fingered, a dancer _nimble_-footed;

an arrow, a race-horse, or an ocean steamer is _swift_; Shakespeare's

"_nimble_ lightnings" is said of the visual appearance in sudden zigzag

flash across the sky. Figuratively, we speak of _nimble_ wit, _swift_

intelligence, _swift_ destruction. _Alert_, which is strictly a synonym

for _ready_, comes sometimes near the meaning of _nimble_ or _quick_,

from the fact that the ready, wide-awake person is likely to be

_lively_, _quick_, _speedy_. Compare ACTIVE; ALERT.

Antonyms:

clumsy, dull, heavy, inactive, inert, slow, sluggish, unready.

dilatory,

* * * * *

NORMAL.

Synonyms:

common, natural, ordinary, regular, typical, usual.

That which is _natural_ is according to nature; that which is _normal_

is according to the standard or rule which is observed or claimed to

prevail in nature; a deformity may be _natural_, symmetry is _normal_;

the _normal_ color of the crow is black, while the _normal_ color of the

sparrow is gray, but one is as _natural_ as the other. _Typical_ refers

to such an assemblage of qualities as makes the specimen, genus, etc., a

type of some more comprehensive group, while _normal_ is more commonly

applied to the parts of a single object; the specimen was _typical_;

color, size, and other characteristics, _normal_. The _regular_ is

etymologically that which is according to rule, hence that which is

steady and constant, as opposed to that which is fitful and changeable;

the _normal_ action of the heart is _regular_. That which is _common_ is

shared by a great number of persons or things; disease is _common_, a

_normal_ state of health is rare. Compare GENERAL; USUAL.

Antonyms:

abnormal, irregular, peculiar, singular, unprecedented,

exceptional, monstrous, rare, uncommon, unusual.

* * * * *

NOTWITHSTANDING, _conj._

Synonyms:

altho(ugh), howbeit, nevertheless, tho(ugh),

but, however, still, yet.

_However_ simply waives discussion, and (like the archaic _howbeit_)

says "be that as it may, this is true;" _nevertheless_ concedes the

truth of what precedes, but claims that what follows is none the less

true; _notwithstanding_ marshals the two statements face to face, admits

the one and its seeming contradiction to the other, while insisting that

it can not, after all, withstand the other; as, _notwithstanding_ the

force of the enemy is superior, we shall conquer. _Yet_ and _still_ are

weaker than _notwithstanding_, while stronger than _but_. _Tho_ and

_altho_ make as little as possible of the concession, dropping it, as it

were, incidentally; as, "_tho_ we are guilty, thou art good;" to say "we

are guilty, _but_ thou art good," would make the concession of guilt

more emphatic. Compare BUT; YET.

* * * * *

NOTWITHSTANDING, _prep._

Synonyms:

despite, in spite of.

_Notwithstanding_ simply states that circumstances shall not be or have

not been allowed to withstand; _despite_ and _in spite of_ refer

primarily to personal and perhaps spiteful opposition; as, he failed

_notwithstanding_ his good intentions; or, he persevered _in spite of_

the most bitter hostility. When _despite_ and _in spite of_ are applied

to inanimate things, it is with something of personification; "_in spite

of_ the storm" is said as if the storm had a hostile purpose to oppose

the undertaking.

* * * * *

OATH.

Synonyms:

adjuration, curse, profane swearing,

affidavit, cursing, profanity,

anathema, denunciation, reprobation,

ban, execration, swearing,

blaspheming, imprecation, sworn statement.

blasphemy, malediction, vow.

In the highest sense, as in a court of justice, "an _oath_ is a

reverent appeal to God in corroboration of what one says," ABBOTT _Law

Dict._; an _affidavit_ is a _sworn statement_ made in writing in the

presence of a competent officer; an _adjuration_ is a solemn appeal to a

person in the name of God to speak the truth. An _oath_ is made to man

in the name of God; a _vow_, to God without the intervention, often

without the knowledge, of man. In the lower sense, an _oath_ may be mere

_blasphemy_ or _profane swearing_. _Anathema_, _curse_, _execration_,

and _imprecation_ are modes of invoking vengeance or retribution from a

superhuman power upon the person against whom they are uttered.

_Anathema_ is a solemn ecclesiastical condemnation of a person or of a

proposition. _Curse_ may be just and authoritative; as, the _curse_ of

God; or, it may be wanton and powerless: "so the _curse_ causeless shall

not come," _Prov._ xxvi, 2. _Execration_ expresses most of personal

bitterness and hatred; _imprecation_ refers especially to the coming of

the desired evil upon the person against whom it is uttered.

_Malediction_ is a general wish of evil, a less usual but very

expressive word. Compare TESTIMONY.

Antonyms:

benediction, benison, blessing.

* * * * *

OBSCURE.

Synonyms:

abstruse, darksome, dusky, involved,

ambiguous, deep, enigmatical, muddy,

cloudy, dense, hidden, mysterious,

complex, difficult, incomprehensible, profound,

complicated, dim, indistinct, turbid,

dark, doubtful, intricate, unintelligible.

That is _obscure_ which the eye or the mind can not clearly discern or

see through, whether because of its own want of transparency, its depth

or intricacy, or because of mere defect of light. That which is

_complicated_ is likely to be _obscure_, but that may be _obscure_ which

is not at all _complicated_ and scarcely _complex_, as a _muddy_ pool.

In that which is _abstruse_ (L. _abs_, from, and _trudo_, push) as if

removed from the usual course of thought or out of the way of

apprehension or discovery, the thought is remote, _hidden_; in that

which is _obscure_ there may be nothing to hide; it is hard to see to

the bottom of the _profound_, because of its depth, but the most shallow

turbidness is _obscure_. Compare COMPLEX; DARK; DIFFICULT; MYSTERIOUS.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for CLEAR.

* * * * *

OBSOLETE.

Synonyms:

ancient, archaic, obsolescent, out of date,

antiquated, disused, old, rare.

Some of the _oldest_ or most _ancient_ words are not _obsolete_, as

father, mother, etc. A word is _obsolete_ which has quite gone out of

reputable use; a word is _archaic_ which is falling out of reputable

use, or, on the other hand, having been _obsolete_, is taken up

tentatively by writers or speakers of influence, so that it may perhaps

regain its position as a living word; a word is _rare_ if there are few

present instances of its reputable use. Compare OLD.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for NEW.

* * * * *

OBSTINATE.

Synonyms:

contumacious, headstrong, mulish, resolute,

decided, heady, obdurate, resolved,

determined, immovable, opinionated, stubborn,

dogged, indomitable, persistent, unconquerable,

firm, inflexible, pertinacious, unflinching,

fixed, intractable, refractory, unyielding.

The _headstrong_ person is not to be stopped in his own course of

action, while the _obstinate_ and _stubborn_ is not to be driven to

another's way. The _headstrong_ act; the _obstinate_ and _stubborn_ may

simply refuse to stir. The most amiable person may be _obstinate_ on

some one point; the _stubborn_ person is for the most part habitually

so; we speak of _obstinate_ determination, _stubborn_ resistance.

_Stubborn_ is the term most frequently applied to the lower animals and

inanimate things. _Refractory_ implies more activity of resistance; the

_stubborn_ horse balks; the _refractory_ animal plunges, rears, and

kicks; metals that resist ordinary processes of reduction are termed

_refractory_. One is _obdurate_ who adheres to his purpose in spite of

appeals that would move any tender-hearted or right-minded person.

_Contumacious_ refers to a proud and insolent defiance of authority, as

of the summons of a court. _Pertinacious_ demand is contrasted with

_obstinate_ refusal. The _unyielding_ conduct which we approve we call

_decided_, _firm_, _inflexible_, _resolute_; that which we condemn we

are apt to term _headstrong_, _obstinate_, _stubborn_. Compare PERVERSE.

Antonyms:

amenable, dutiful, pliable, tractable,

complaisant, gentle, pliant, undecided,

compliant, irresolute, submissive, wavering,

docile, obedient, teachable, yielding.

* * * * *

OBSTRUCT.

Synonyms:

arrest, check, embarrass, interrupt, stay,

bar, choke, hinder, oppose, stop.

barricade, clog, impede, retard,

To _obstruct_ is literally to build up against; the road is _obstructed_

by fallen trees; the passage of liquid through a tube is _obstructed_ by

solid deposits. We may _hinder_ one's advance by following and clinging

to him; we _obstruct_ his course by standing in his way or putting a

barrier across his path. Anything that makes one's progress slower,

whether from within or from without, _impedes_; an obstruction is always

from without. To _arrest_ is to cause to stop suddenly; _obstructing_

the way may have the effect of _arresting_ progress. Compare HINDER;

IMPEDIMENT.

Antonyms:

accelerate, aid, facilitate, free, open, promote.

advance, clear, forward, further, pave the way for,

* * * * *

OLD.

Synonyms:

aged, decrepit, immemorial, senile,

ancient, elderly, olden, time-honored,

antiquated, gray, patriarchal, time-worn,

antique, hoary, remote, venerable.

That is termed _old_ which has existed long, or which existed long ago.

_Ancient_, from the Latin, through the French, is the more stately,

_old_, from the Saxon, the more familiar word. Familiarity, on one side,

is near to contempt; thus we say, an _old_ coat, an _old_ hat. On the

other hand, familiarity is akin to tenderness, and thus _old_ is a word

of endearment; as, "the _old_ homestead," the "_old_ oaken bucket."

"Tell me the _old, old_ story!" has been sung feelingly by millions;

"tell me that _ancient_ story" would remove it out of all touch of human

sympathy. _Olden_ is a statelier form of _old_, and is applied almost

exclusively to time, not to places, buildings, persons, etc. As regards

periods of time, the familiar are also the near; thus, the _old_ times

are not too far away for familiar thought and reference; the _olden_

times are more remote, _ancient_ times still further removed. _Gray_,

_hoary_, and _moldering_ refer to outward and visible tokens of age.

_Aged_ applies chiefly to long-extended human life. _Decrepit_, _gray_,

and _hoary_ refer to the effects of age on the body exclusively;

_senile_ upon the mind also; as, a _decrepit_ frame, _senile_

garrulousness. One may be _aged_ and neither _decrepit_ nor _senile_.

_Elderly_ is applied to those who have passed middle life, but scarcely

reached _old_ age. _Remote_ (L. _re_, back or away, and _moveo_, move),

primarily refers to space, but is extended to that which is far off in

time; as, at some _remote_ period. _Venerable_ expresses the involuntary

reverence that we yield to the majestic and long-enduring, whether in

the material world or in human life and character. Compare ANTIQUE;

OBSOLETE; PRIMEVAL.

Antonyms:

Compare synonyms for NEW; YOUTHFUL.

* * * * *

OPERATION.

Synonyms:

action, effect, force, performance, result.

agency, execution, influence, procedure,

_Operation_ is _action_ considered with reference to the thing acted

upon, and may apply to the _action_ of an intelligent agent or of a

material substance or _force_; as, the _operation_ of a medicine.

_Performance_ and _execution_ denote intelligent _action_, considered

with reference to the actor or to that which he accomplishes;

_performance_ accomplishing the will of the actor, _execution_ often the

will of another; we speak of the _performance_ of a duty, the

_execution_ of a sentence. Compare ACT.

Antonyms:

failure, ineffectiveness, inutility, powerlessness, uselessness.

inaction, inefficiency,

* * * * *

ORDER.

Synonyms:

command, injunction, mandate, requirement.

direction, instruction, prohibition,

_Instruction_ implies superiority of knowledge, _direction_ of authority

on the part of the giver; a teacher gives _instructions_ to his pupils,

an employer gives _directions_ to his workmen. _Order_ is still more

authoritative than _direction_; soldiers, sailors, and railroad

employees have simply to obey the _orders_ of their superiors, without

explanation or question; an _order_ in the commercial sense has the

authority of the money which the one _ordering_ the goods pays or is to

pay. _Command_ is a loftier word, as well as highly authoritative, less

frequent in common life; we speak of the _commands_ of God, or

sometimes, by polite hyperbole, ask of a friend, "Have you any

_commands_ for me?" A _requirement_ is imperative, but not always

formal, nor made by a personal agent; it may be in the nature of things;

as, the _requirements_ of the position. _Prohibition_ is wholly

negative; it is a _command_ not to do; _injunction_ is now oftenest so

used, especially as the _requirement_ by legal authority that certain

action be suspended or refrained from, pending final legal decision.

Compare ARRAY; CLASS; LAW; PROHIBIT; SYSTEM.

Antonyms:

allowance, consent, leave, liberty, license, permission, permit.

* * * * *

OSTENTATION.

Synonyms:

boast, flourish, parade, pompousness, vaunt,

boasting, pageant, pomp, show, vaunting.

display, pageantry, pomposity,

_Ostentation_ is an ambitious showing forth of whatever is thought

adapted to win admiration or praise; _ostentation_ may be without words;

as, the _ostentation_ of wealth in fine residences, rich clothing,

costly equipage, or the like; when in words, _ostentation_ is rather in

manner than in direct statement; as, the _ostentation_ of learning.

_Boasting_ is in direct statement, and is louder and more vulgar than

_ostentation_. There may be great _display_ or _show_ with little

substance; _ostentation_ suggests something substantial to be shown.

_Pageant_, _pageantry_, _parade_, and _pomp_ refer principally to

affairs of arms or state; as, a royal _pageant_; a military _parade_.

_Pomp_ is some material demonstration of wealth and power, as in grand

and stately ceremonial, rich furnishings, processions, etc., considered

as worthy of the person or occasion in whose behalf it is manifested;

_pomp_ is the noble side of that which as _ostentation_ is considered as

arrogant and vain. _Pageant_ and _pageantry_ are inferior to _pomp_,

denoting spectacular _display_ designed to impress the public mind, and

since the multitude is largely ignorant and thoughtless, the words

_pageant_ and _pageantry_ have a suggestion of the transient and

unsubstantial. _Parade_ (L. _paro_, prepare) is an exhibition as of

troops in camp going through the evolutions that are to be used in

battle, and suggests a lack of earnestness and direct or immediate

occasion or demand; hence, in the more general sense, a _parade_ is an

uncalled for exhibition, and so used is a more disparaging word than

_ostentation_; _ostentation_ may spring merely from undue

self-gratulation, _parade_ implies a desire to impress others with a

sense of one's abilities or resources, and is always offensive and

somewhat contemptible; as, a _parade_ of wealth or learning. _Pomposity_

and _pompousness_ are the affectation of _pomp_.

Antonyms:

diffidence, quietness, retirement, timidity,

modesty, reserve, shrinking, unobtrusiveness.

* * * * *

OUGHT.

Synonym:

should.

One _ought_ to do that which he is under moral obligation or in duty

bound to do. _Ought_ is the stronger word, holding most closely to the

sense of moral obligation, or sometimes of imperative logical necessity;

_should_ may have the sense of moral obligation or may apply merely to

propriety or expediency, as in the proverb, "The liar _should_ have a

good memory," _i. e._, he will need it. _Ought_ is sometimes used of

abstractions or inanimate things as indicating what the mind deems to be

imperative or logically necessary in view of all the conditions; as,

these goods _ought_ to go into that space; these arguments _ought_ to

convince him; _should_ in such connections would be correct, but less

emphatic. Compare DUTY.

* * * * *

OVERSIGHT.

Synonyms:

care, control, management, surveillance,

charge, direction, superintendence, watch,

command, inspection, supervision, watchfulness.

A person may look over a matter in order to survey it carefully in its

entirety, or he may look over it with no attention to the thing itself

because his gaze and thought are concentrated on something beyond;

_oversight_ has thus two contrasted senses, in the latter sense denoting

inadvertent error or omission, and in the former denoting watchful

_supervision_, commonly implying constant personal presence;

_superintendence_ requires only so much of presence or communication as

to know that the superintendent's wishes are carried out; the

superintendent of a railroad will personally oversee very few of its

operations; the railroad company has supreme _direction_ of all its

affairs without _superintendence_ or _oversight_. _Control_ is used

chiefly with reference to restraint or the power of restraint; a good

horseman has a restless horse under perfect _control_; there is no high

character without self-_control_. _Surveillance_ is an invidious term

signifying watching with something of suspicion. Compare CARE; NEGLECT.

* * * * *

PAIN.

Synonyms:

ache, distress, suffering, torture,

agony, pang, throe, twinge,

anguish, paroxysm, torment, wo(e).

_Pain_ is the most general term of this group, including all the others;

_pain_ is a disturbing sensation from which nature revolts, resulting

from some injurious external interference (as from a wound, a bruise, a

harsh word, etc.), or from some lack of what one needs, craves, or

cherishes (as, the _pain_ of hunger or bereavement), or from some

abnormal action of bodily or mental functions (as, the _pains_ of

disease, envy, or discontent). _Suffering_ is one of the severer forms

of _pain_. The prick of a needle causes _pain_, but we should scarcely

speak of it as _suffering_. _Distress_ is too strong a word for little

hurts, too feeble for the intensest _suffering_, but commonly applied to

some continuous or prolonged trouble or need; as, the _distress_ of a

shipwrecked crew, or of a destitute family. _Ache_ is lingering _pain_,

more or less severe; _pang_, a _pain_ short, sharp, intense, and perhaps

repeated. We speak of the _pangs_ of hunger or of remorse. _Throe_ is a

violent and thrilling _pain_. _Paroxysm_ applies to an alternately

recurring and receding _pain_, which comes as it were in waves; the

_paroxysm_ is the rising of the wave. _Torment_ and _torture_ are

intense and terrible _sufferings_. _Agony_ and _anguish_ express the

utmost _pain_ or _suffering_ of body or mind. _Agony_ of body is that

with which the system struggles; _anguish_ that by which it is crushed.

Antonyms:

comfort, delight, ease, enjoyment, peace, rapture, relief, solace.

* * * * *

PALLIATE.

Synonyms:

apologize for, conceal, extenuate, hide, screen,

cloak, cover, gloss over, mitigate, veil.

_Cloak_, from the French, and _palliate_, from the Latin, are the same

in original signification, but have diverged in meaning; a _cloak_ may

be used to _hide_ completely the person or some object carried about the

person, or it may but partly _veil_ the figure, making the outlines less

distinct; _cloak_ is used in the former, _palliate_, in the latter

sense; to _cloak_ a sin is to attempt to _hide_ it from discovery; to

_palliate_ it is to attempt to _hide_ some part of its blameworthiness.

"When we _palliate_ our own or others' faults we do not seek to _cloke_

them altogether, but only to _extenuate_ the guilt of them in part."

TRENCH _Study of Words_ lect. vi, p. 266. Either to _palliate_ or to

_extenuate_ is to admit the fault; but to _extenuate_ is rather to

_apologize_ for the offender, while to _palliate_ is to disguise the

fault; hence, we speak of _extenuating_ but not of _palliating_

circumstances, since circumstances can not change the inherent wrong of

an act, tho they may lessen the blameworthiness of him who does it;

_palliating_ a bad thing by giving it a mild name does not make it less

evil. In reference to diseases, to _palliate_ is really to diminish

their violence, or partly to relieve the sufferer. Compare ALLEVIATE;

HIDE.

* * * * *

PARDON, _v._

Synonyms:

absolve, condone, forgive, pass by, remit.

acquit, excuse, overlook, pass over,

To _pardon_ is to let pass, as a fault or sin, without resentment,

blame, or punishment. _Forgive_ has reference to feelings, _pardon_ to

consequences; hence, the executive may _pardon_, but has nothing to do

officially with _forgiving_. Personal injury may be _forgiven_ by the

person wronged; thus, God at once _forgives_ and _pardons_; the

_pardoned_ sinner is exempt from punishment; the _forgiven_ sinner is

restored to the divine favor. To _pardon_ is the act of a superior,

implying the right to punish; to _forgive_ is the privilege of the

humblest person who has been wronged or offended. In law, to _remit_ the

whole penalty is equivalent to _pardoning_ the offender; but a part of a

penalty may be _remitted_ and the remainder inflicted, as where the

penalty includes both fine and imprisonment. To _condone_ is to put

aside a recognized offense by some act which restores the offender to

forfeited right or privilege, and is the act of a private individual,

without legal formalities. To _excuse_ is to _overlook_ some slight

offense, error, or breach of etiquette; _pardon_ is often used by

courtesy in nearly the same sense. A person may speak of _excusing_ or

_forgiving_ himself, but not of _pardoning_ himself. Compare ABSOLVE;

PARDON, _n._

Antonyms:

castigate, chastise, convict, doom, recompense, sentence,

chasten, condemn, correct, punish, scourge, visit.

* * * * *

PARDON, _n._

Synonyms:

absolution, amnesty, forgiveness, oblivion,

acquittal, forbearance, mercy, remission.

_Acquittal_ is a release from a charge, after trial, as not guilty.

_Pardon_ is a removal of penalty from one who has been adjudged guilty.

_Acquittal_ is by the decision of a court, commonly of a jury; _pardon_

is the act of the executive. An innocent man may demand _acquittal_, and

need not plead for _pardon_. _Pardon_ supposes an offense; yet, as our

laws stand, to grant a _pardon_ is sometimes the only way to release one

who has been wrongly convicted. _Oblivion_, from the Latin, signifies

overlooking and virtually forgetting an offense, so that the offender

stands before the law in all respects as if it had never been committed.

_Amnesty_ brings the same idea through the Greek. _Pardon_ affects

individuals; _amnesty_ and _oblivion_ are said of great numbers.

_Pardon_ is oftenest applied to the ordinary administration of law;

_amnesty_, to national and military affairs. An _amnesty_ is issued

after war, insurrection, or rebellion; it is often granted by "an act of

_oblivion_," and includes a full _pardon_ of all offenders who come

within its provisions. _Absolution_ is a religious word (compare

synonyms for ABSOLVE). _Remission_ is a discharge from penalty; as, the

_remission_ of a fine.

Antonyms:

penalty, punishment, retaliation, retribution, vengeance.

Prepositions:

A pardon _to_ or _for_ the offenders; _for_ all offenses; the pardon

_of_ offenders or offenses.

* * * * *

PART, _v._

Synonyms:

Compare synonyms for PART, _n._

Prepositions:

Part _into_ shares; part _in_ the middle; part one _from_ another; part

_among_ the claimants; part _between_ contestants (archaic); in general,

to part _from_ is to relinquish companionship; to part _with_ is to

relinquish possession; we part _from_ a person or _from_ something

thought of with some sense of companionship; a traveler parts _from_ his

friends; he maybe said also to part _from_ his native shore; a man parts

_with_ an estate, a horse, a copyright; part _with_ may be applied to a

person thought of in any sense as a possession; an employer parts _with_

a clerk or servant; but _part with_ is sometimes used by good writers as

meaning simply to separate from.

* * * * *

PART, _n._

Synonyms:

atom, fraction, member, section,

component, fragment, particle, segment,

constituent, ingredient, piece, share,

division, instalment, portion, subdivision.

element,

_Part_, a substance, quantity, or amount that is the result of the

division of something greater, is the general word, including all the

others of this group. A _fragment_ is the result of breaking, rending,

or disruption of some kind, while a _piece_ may be smoothly or evenly

separated and have a certain completeness in itself. A _piece_ is often

taken for a sample; a _fragment_ scarcely would be. _Division_ and

_fraction_ are always regarded as in connection with the total;

_divisions_ may be equal or unequal; a _fraction_ is one of several

equal _parts_ into which the whole is supposed to be divided. A

_portion_ is a _part_ viewed with reference to some one who is to

receive it or some special purpose to which it is to be applied; in a

restaurant one _portion_ (_i. e._, the amount designed for one person)

is sometimes, by special order, served to two; a _share_ is a _part_ to

which one has or may acquire a right in connection with others; an

_instalment_ is one of a series of proportionate payments that are to be

continued till the entire claim is discharged; a _particle_ is an

exceedingly small _part_. A _component_, _constituent_, _ingredient_, or

_element_ is a _part_ of some compound or mixture; an _element_ is

necessary to the existence, as a _component_ or _constituent_ is

necessary to the completeness of that which it helps to compose; an

_ingredient_ may be foreign or accidental. A _subdivision_ is a

_division_ of a _division_. We speak of a _segment_ of a circle. Compare

PARTICLE; PORTION.

* * * * *

PARTICLE.

Synonyms:

atom, grain, mite, scrap, whit.

corpuscle, iota, molecule, shred,

element, jot, scintilla, tittle,

A _particle_ is a very small part of any material substance; as, a

_particle_ of sand or of dust; it is a general term, not accurately

determinate in meaning. _Atom_ (Gr. _a-_ privative, not, and _temno_,

cut) etymologically signifies that which can not be cut or divided, and

is the smallest conceivable _particle_ of matter, regarded as absolutely

homogeneous and as having but one set of properties; _atoms_ are the

ultimate _particles_ of matter. A _molecule_ is made up of _atoms_, and

is regarded as separable into its constituent parts; as used by

physicists, a _molecule_ is the smallest conceivable part which retains

all the characteristics of the substance; thus, a _molecule_ of water is

made up of two _atoms_ of hydrogen and one _atom_ of oxygen. _Element_

in chemistry denotes, without reference to quantity, a substance

regarded as simple, _i. e._, one incapable of being resolved by any

known process into simpler substances; the _element_ gold may be

represented by an ingot or by a _particle_ of gold-dust. In popular

language, an _element_ is any essential constituent; the ancients

believed that the universe was made up of the four _elements_, earth,

air, fire, and water; a storm is spoken of as a manifestation of the

fury of the _elements_. We speak of _corpuscles_ of blood. Compare PART.

Antonyms:

aggregate, entirety, mass, quantity, sum, sum total, total, whole.

* * * * *

PATIENCE.

Synonyms:

calmness, forbearance, long-suffering, sufferance.

composure, fortitude, resignation,

endurance, leniency, submission,

_Patience_ is the quality or habit of mind shown in bearing passively

and uncomplainingly any pain, evil, or hardship that may fall to one's

lot. _Endurance_ hardens itself against suffering, and may be merely

stubborn; _fortitude_ is _endurance_ animated by courage; _endurance_

may by modifiers be made to have a passive force, as when we speak of

"passive endurance;" _patience_ is not so hard as _endurance_ nor so

self-effacing as _submission_. _Submission_ is ordinarily and

_resignation_ always applied to matters of great moment, while

_patience_ may apply to slight worries and annoyances. As regards our

relations to our fellow men, _forbearance_ is abstaining from

retaliation or revenge; _patience_ is keeping kindliness of heart under

vexatious conduct; _long-suffering_ is continued _patience_. _Patience_

may also have an active force denoting uncomplaining steadiness in

doing, as in tilling the soil. Compare INDUSTRY.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for ANGER.

Prepositions:

Patience _in_ or _amid_ sufferings; patience _with_ (rarely _toward_)

opposers or offenders; patience _under_ afflictions; (rarely) patience

_of_ heat or cold, etc.

* * * * *

PAY, _n._

Synonyms:

allowance, hire, recompense, salary,

compensation, honorarium, remuneration, stipend,

earnings, payment, requital, wages.

fee,

An _allowance_ is a stipulated amount furnished at regular intervals as

a matter of discretion or gratuity, as of food to besieged soldiers, or

of money to a child or ward. _Compensation_ is a comprehensive word

signifying a return for a service done. _Remuneration_ is applied to

matters of great amount or importance. _Recompense_ is a still wider and

loftier word, with less suggestion of calculation and market value;

there are services for which affection and gratitude are the sole and

sufficient _recompense_; _earnings_, _fees_, _hire_, _pay_, _salary_,

and _wages_ are forms of _compensation_ and may be included in

_compensation_, _remuneration_, or _recompense_. _Pay_ is commercial and

strictly signifies an exact pecuniary equivalent for a thing or service,

except when the contrary is expressly stated, as when we speak of "high

_pay_" or "poor _pay_." _Wages_ denotes what a worker receives.

_Earnings_ is often used as exactly equivalent to _wages_, but may be

used with reference to the real value of work done or service rendered,

and even applied to inanimate things; as, the _earnings_ of capital.

_Hire_ is distinctly mercenary or menial, but as a noun has gone out of

popular use, tho the verb _to hire_ is common. _Salary_ is for literary

or professional work, _wages_ for handicraft or other comparatively

inferior service; a _salary_ is regarded as more permanent than _wages_;

an editor receives a _salary_, a compositor receives _wages_. _Stipend_

has become exclusively a literary word. A _fee_ is given for a single

service or privilege, and is sometimes in the nature of a gratuity.

Compare REQUITE.

* * * * *

PEOPLE.

Synonyms:

commonwealth, nation, race, state, tribe.

community, population,

A _community_ is in general terms the aggregate of persons inhabiting

any territory in common and viewed as having common interests; a

_commonwealth_ is such a body of persons having a common government,

especially a republican government; as, the _commonwealth_ of

Massachusetts. A _community_ may be very small; a _commonwealth_ is

ordinarily of considerable extent. A _people_ is the aggregate of any

public _community_, either in distinction from their rulers or as

including them; a _race_ is a division of mankind in the line of origin

and ancestry; the _people_ of the United States includes members of

almost every _race_. The use of _people_ as signifying persons

collectively, as in the statement "The hall was full of _people_," has

been severely criticized, but is old and accepted English, and may fitly

be classed as idiomatic, and often better than _persons_, by reason of

its collectivism. As Dean Alford suggests, it would make a strange

transformation of the old hymn "All _people_ that on earth do dwell" to

sing "All _persons_ that on earth do dwell." A _state_ is an organized

political _community_ considered in its corporate capacity as "a body

politic and corporate;" as, a legislative act is the act of the _state_;

every citizen is entitled to the protection of the _state_. A _nation_

is an organized political _community_ considered with reference to the

persons composing it as having certain definite boundaries, a definite

number of citizens, etc. The members of a _people_ are referred to as

persons or individuals; the individual members of a _state_ or _nation_

are called citizens or subjects. The _population_ of a country is simply

the aggregate of persons residing within its borders, without reference

to _race_, organization, or allegiance; unnaturalized residents form

part of the _population_, but not of the _nation_, possessing none of

the rights and being subject to none of the duties of citizens. In

American usage _State_ signifies one _commonwealth_ of the federal union

known as the United _States_. _Tribe_ is now almost wholly applied to

rude _peoples_ with very imperfect political organization; as, the

Indian _tribes_; nomadic _tribes_. Compare MOB.

* * * * *

PERCEIVE.

Synonyms:

apprehend, comprehend, conceive, understand.

We _perceive_ what is presented through the senses. We _apprehend_ what

is presented to the mind, whether through the senses or by any other

means. Yet _perceive_ is used in the figurative sense of seeing through

to a conclusion, in a way for which usage would not allow us to

substitute _apprehend_; as, "Sir, I _perceive_ that thou art a prophet,"

_John_ iv, 19. That which we _apprehend_ we catch, as with the hand;

that which we _conceive_ we are able to analyze and recompose in our

mind; that which we _comprehend_, we, as it were, grasp around, take

together, seize, embrace wholly within the mind. Many things may be

_apprehended_ which can not be _comprehended_; a child can _apprehend_

the distinction between right and wrong, yet the philosopher can not

_comprehend_ it in its fulness. We can _apprehend_ the will of God as

revealed in conscience or the Scriptures; we can _conceive_ of certain

attributes of Deity, as his truth and justice; but no finite

intelligence can _comprehend_ the Divine Nature, in its majesty, power,

and perfection. Compare ANTICIPATE; ARREST; CATCH; KNOWLEDGE.

Antonyms:

fail of, ignore, lose, misapprehend, misconceive, miss, overlook.

* * * * *

PERFECT.

Synonyms:

absolute, consummate, holy, spotless,

accurate, correct, ideal, stainless,

blameless, entire, immaculate, unblemished,

complete, faultless, sinless, undefiled.

completed, finished,

That is _perfect_ to which nothing can be added, and from which nothing

can be taken without impairing its excellence, marring its symmetry, or

detracting from its worth; in this fullest sense God alone is _perfect_,

but in a limited sense anything may be _perfect_ in its kind; as a

_perfect_ flower; a copy of a document is _perfect_ when it is

_accurate_ in every particular; a vase may be called _perfect_ when

_entire_ and _unblemished_, even tho not artistically _faultless_; the

best judges never pronounce a work of art _perfect_, because they see

always _ideal_ possibilities not yet attained; even the _ideal_ is not

_perfect_, by reason of the imperfection of the human mind; a human

character faultlessly _holy_ would be morally _perfect_ tho finite. That

which is _absolute_ is free from admixture (as _absolute_ alcohol) and

in the highest and fullest sense free from imperfection or limitation;

as, _absolute_ holiness and love are attributes of God alone. In

philosophical language, _absolute_ signifies free from all necessary, or

even from all possible relations, not dependent or limited, unrelated

and unconditioned; truth immediately known, as intuitive truth, is

_absolute_; God, as self-existent and free from all limitation or

dependence, is called the _absolute_ Being, or simply the _Absolute_.

Compare INNOCENT; INFINITE; RADICAL.

Antonyms:

bad, defective, imperfect, meager, scant,

blemished, deficient, incomplete, perverted, short,

corrupt, deformed, inferior, poor, spoiled,

corrupted, fallible, insufficient, ruined, worthless.

defaced, faulty, marred,

* * * * *

PERMANENT.

Synonyms:

abiding, enduring, lasting, steadfast,

changeless, fixed, perpetual, unchangeable,

constant, immutable, persistent, unchanging.

durable, invariable, stable,

_Durable_ (L. _durus_, hard) is said almost wholly of material

substances that resist wear; _lasting_ is said of either material or

immaterial things. _Permanent_ is a word of wider meaning; a thing is

_permanent_ which is not liable to change; as, a _permanent_ color;

buildings upon a farm are called _permanent_ improvements. _Enduring_ is

a higher word, applied to that which resists both time and change; as,

_enduring_ fame.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for TRANSIENT.

* * * * *

PERMISSION.

Synonyms:

allowance, authorization, leave, license,

authority, consent, liberty, permit.

_Authority_ unites the right and power of control; age, wisdom, and

character give _authority_ to their possessor; a book of learned

research has _authority_, and is even called an _authority_.

_Permission_ justifies another in acting without interference or

censure, and usually implies some degree of approval. _Authority_ gives

a certain right of control over all that may be affected by the action.

There may be a failure to object, which constitutes an implied

_permission_, tho this is more properly expressed by _allowance_; we

_allow_ what we do not oppose, _permit_ what we expressly authorize. The

noun _permit_ implies a formal written _permission_. _License_ is a

formal _permission_ granted by competent _authority_ to an individual to

do some act or pursue some business which would be or is made to be

unlawful without such _permission_; as, a _license_ to preach, to

solemnize marriages, or to sell intoxicating liquors. A _license_ is

_permission_ granted rather than _authority_ conferred; the sheriff has

_authority_ (not _permission_ nor _license_) to make an arrest.

_Consent_ is _permission_ by the concurrence of wills in two or more

persons, a mutual approval or acceptance of something proposed. Compare

ALLOW.

Antonyms:

denial, objection, prevention, refusal, resistance.

hindrance, opposition, prohibition,

* * * * *

PERNICIOUS.

Synonyms:

bad, evil, mischievous, pestilential,

baneful, foul, noisome, poisonous,

deadly, harmful, noxious, ruinous,

deleterious, hurtful, perverting, unhealthful,

destructive, injurious, pestiferous, unwholesome.

detrimental, insalubrious,

_Pernicious_ (L. _per_, through, and _neco_, kill) signifies having the

power of destroying or injuring, tending to hurt or kill. _Pernicious_

is stronger than _injurious_; that which is _injurious_ is capable of

doing harm; that which is _pernicious_ is likely to be _destructive_.

_Noxious_ (L. _noceo_, hurt) is a stronger word than _noisome_, as

referring to that which is _injurious_ or _destructive_. _Noisome_ now

always denotes that which is extremely disagreeable or disgusting,

especially to the sense of smell; as, the _noisome_ stench proclaimed

the presence of _noxious_ gases.

Antonyms:

advantageous, favorable, helpful, profitable, serviceable,

beneficent, good, invigorating, rejuvenating, useful,

beneficial, healthful, life-giving, salutary, wholesome.

* * * * *

PERPLEXITY.

Synonyms:

amazement, bewilderment, distraction, doubt,

astonishment, confusion, disturbance, embarrassment.

_Perplexity_ (L. _per_, through, and _plecto_, plait) is the drawing or

turning of the thoughts or faculties by turns in different directions or

toward contrasted or contradictory conclusions; _confusion_ (L.

_confusus_, from _confundo_, pour together) is a state in which the

mental faculties are, as it were, thrown into chaos, so that the clear

and distinct action of the different powers, as of perception, memory,

reason, and will is lost; _bewilderment_ is akin to _confusion_, but is

less overwhelming, and more readily recovered from; _perplexity_,

accordingly, has not the unsettling of the faculties implied in

_confusion_, nor the overwhelming of the faculties implied in

_amazement_ or _astonishment_; it is not the magnitude of the things to

be known, but the want of full and definite knowledge, that causes

_perplexity_. The dividing of a woodland path may cause the traveler the

greatest _perplexity_, which may become _bewilderment_ when he has tried

one path after another and lost his bearings completely. With an

excitable person _bewilderment_ may deepen into _confusion_ that will

make him unable to think clearly or even to see or hear distinctly.

_Amazement_ results from the sudden and unimagined occurrence of great

good or evil or the sudden awakening of the mind to unthought-of truth.

_Astonishment_ often produces _bewilderment_, which the word was

formerly understood to imply. Compare AMAZEMENT; ANXIETY; DOUBT.

* * * * *

PERSUADE.

Synonyms:

allure, dispose, incline, move,

bring over, entice, induce, prevail on _or_ upon,

coax, impel, influence, urge,

convince, incite, lead, win over.

Of these words _convince_ alone has no direct reference to moving the

will, denoting an effect upon the understanding only; one may be

_convinced_ of his duty without doing it, or he may be _convinced_ of

truth that has no manifest connection with duty or action, as of a

mathematical proposition. To _persuade_ is to bring the will of another

to a desired decision by some influence exerted upon it short of

compulsion; one may be _convinced_ that the earth is round; he may be

_persuaded_ to travel round it; but persuasion is so largely dependent

upon conviction that it is commonly held to be the orator's work first

to _convince_ in order that he may _persuade_. _Coax_ is a slighter word

than _persuade_, seeking the same end by shallower methods, largely by

appeal to personal feeling, with or without success; as, a child

_coaxes_ a parent to buy him a toy. One may be _brought over_,

_induced_, or _prevailed upon_ by means not properly included in

persuasion, as by bribery or intimidation; he is _won over_ chiefly by

personal influence. Compare INFLUENCE.

Antonyms:

deter, discourage, dissuade, hinder, hold back, repel, restrain.

* * * * *

PERTNESS.

Synonyms:

boldness, forwardness, liveliness, sprightliness.

briskness, impertinence, sauciness,

flippancy, impudence, smartness,

_Liveliness_ and _sprightliness_ are pleasant and commendable;

_smartness_ is a limited and showy acuteness or shrewdness, usually with

unfavorable suggestion; _pertness_ and _sauciness_ are these qualities

overdone, and regardless of the respect due to superiors. _Impertinence_

and _impudence_ may be gross and stupid; _pertness_ and _sauciness_ are

always vivid and keen. Compare IMPUDENCE.

Antonyms:

bashfulness, demureness, diffidence, humility, modesty, shyness.

* * * * *

PERVERSE.

Synonyms:

contrary, froward, petulant, untoward,

factious, intractable, stubborn, wayward,

fractious, obstinate, ungovernable, wilful.

_Perverse_ (L. _perversus_, turned the wrong way) signifies wilfully

wrong or erring, unreasonably set against right, reason, or authority.

The _stubborn_ or _obstinate_ person will not do what another desires or

requires; the _perverse_ person will do anything contrary to what is

desired or required of him. The _petulant_ person frets, but may comply;

the _perverse_ individual may be smooth or silent, but is wilfully

_intractable_. _Wayward_ refers to a _perverse_ disregard of morality

and duty; _froward_ is practically obsolete; _untoward_ is rarely heard

except in certain phrases; as, _untoward_ circumstances. Compare

OBSTINATE.

Antonyms:

accommodating, complaisant, genial, kind,

amenable, compliant, governable, obliging.

* * * * *

PHYSICAL.

Synonyms:

bodily, corporeal, natural, tangible,

corporal, material, sensible, visible.

Whatever is composed of or pertains to matter may be termed _material_;

_physical_ (Gr. _physis_, nature) applies to _material_ things

considered as parts of a system or organic whole; hence, we speak of

_material_ substances, _physical_ forces, _physical_ laws. _Bodily_,

_corporal_, and _corporeal_ apply primarily to the human body; _bodily_

and _corporal_ both denote pertaining or relating to the body;

_corporeal_ signifies of the nature of or like the body; _corporal_ is

now almost wholly restricted to signify applied to or inflicted upon the

body; we speak of _bodily_ sufferings, _bodily_ presence, _corporal_

punishment, the _corporeal_ frame.

Antonyms:

hyperphysical, intangible, invisible, moral, unreal,

immaterial, intellectual, mental, spiritual, unsubstantial.

* * * * *

PIQUE.

Synonyms:

displeasure, irritation, offense, resentment, umbrage.

grudge,

_Pique_, from the French, signifies primarily a prick or a sting, as of

a nettle; the word denotes a sudden feeling of mingled pain and anger,

but slight and usually transient, arising from some neglect or

_offense_, real or imaginary. _Umbrage_ is a deeper and more persistent

_displeasure_ at being overshadowed (L. _umbra_, a shadow) or subjected

to any treatment that one deems unworthy of him. It may be said, as a

general statement, that _pique_ arises from wounded vanity or

sensitiveness, _umbrage_ from wounded pride or sometimes from suspicion.

_Resentment_ rests on more solid grounds, and is deep and persistent.

Compare ANGER.

Antonyms:

approval, contentment, gratification, pleasure, satisfaction.

complacency, delight,

* * * * *

PITIFUL.

Synonyms:

abject, lamentable, paltry, sorrowful,

base, miserable, pathetic, touching,

contemptible, mournful, piteous, woful,

despicable, moving, pitiable, wretched.

_Pitiful_ originally signified full of pity; as, "the Lord is very

_pitiful_ and of tender mercy," _James_ v, 11; but this usage is now

archaic, and the meaning in question is appropriated by such words as

merciful and compassionate. _Pitiful_ and _pitiable_ now refer to what

may be deserving of pity, _pitiful_ being used chiefly for that which is

merely an object of thought, _pitiable_ for that which is brought

directly before the senses; as, a _pitiful_ story; a _pitiable_ object;

a _pitiable_ condition. Since pity, however, always implies weakness or

inferiority in that which is pitied, _pitiful_ and _pitiable_ are often

used, by an easy transition, for what might awaken pity, but does awaken

contempt; as, a _pitiful_ excuse; he presented a _pitiable_ appearance.

_Piteous_ is now rarely used in its earlier sense of feeling pity, but

in its derived sense applies to what really excites the emotion; as, a

_piteous_ cry. Compare HUMANE; MERCY; PITY.

Antonyms:

august, dignified, grand, lofty, sublime,

beneficent, exalted, great, mighty, superb,

commanding, glorious, helpful, noble, superior.

* * * * *

PITY.

Synonyms:

commiseration, condolence, sympathy, tenderness.

compassion, mercy,

_Pity_ is a feeling of grief or pain aroused by the weakness,

misfortunes, or distresses of others, joined with a desire to help or

relieve. _Sympathy_ (feeling or suffering with) implies some degree of

equality, kindred, or union; _pity_ is for what is weak or unfortunate,

and so far, at least, inferior to ourselves; hence, _pity_ is often

resented where _sympathy_ would be welcome. We have _sympathy_ with one

in joy or grief, in pleasure or pain, _pity_ only for those in suffering

or need; we may have _sympathy_ with the struggles of a giant or the

triumphs of a conqueror; we are moved with _pity_ for the captive or the

slave. _Pity_ may be only in the mind, but _mercy_ does something for

those who are its objects. _Compassion_, like _pity_, is exercised only

with respect to the suffering or unfortunate, but combines with the

tenderness of _pity_ the dignity of _sympathy_ and the active quality of

_mercy_. _Commiseration_ is as tender as _compassion_, but more remote

and hopeless; we have _commiseration_ for sufferers whom we can not

reach or can not relieve. _Condolence_ is the expression of _sympathy_.

Compare MERCY.

Antonyms:

barbarity, ferocity, harshness, pitilessness, severity,

brutality, hard-heartedness, inhumanity, rigor, sternness,

cruelty, hardness, mercilessness, ruthlessness, truculence.

Prepositions:

Pity _on_ or _upon_ that which we help or spare; pity _for_ that which

we merely contemplate; "have pity _upon_ me, O ye my friends," _Job_

xix, 21; "pity _for_ a horse o'erdriven," TENNYSON _In Memoriam_ lxii,

st. 1.

* * * * *

PLANT.

Synonyms:

seed, seed down, set, set out, sow.

We _set_ or _set out_ slips, cuttings, young trees, etc., tho we may

also be said to _plant_ them; we _plant_ corn, potatoes, etc., which we

put in definite places, as in hills, with some care; we _sow_ wheat or

other small grains and seeds which are scattered in the process. Tho by

modern agricultural machinery the smaller grains are almost as precisely

_planted_ as corn, the old word for broadcast scattering is retained.

Land is _seeded_ or _seeded down_ to grass.

Antonyms:

eradicate, extirpate, root up, uproot, weed out.

* * * * *

PLEAD.

Synonyms:

advocate, ask, beseech, implore, solicit,

argue, beg, entreat, press, urge.

To _plead_ for one is to employ argument or persuasion, or both in his

behalf, usually with earnestness or importunity; similarly one may be

said to _plead_ for himself or for a cause, etc., or with direct object,

to _plead_ a case; in legal usage, _pleading_ is argumentative, but in

popular usage, _pleading_ always implies some appeal to the feelings.

One _argues_ a case solely on rational grounds and supposably with fair

consideration of both sides; he _advocates_ one side for the purpose of

carrying it, and under the influence of motives that may range all the

way from cold self-interest to the highest and noblest impulses; he

_pleads_ a cause, or _pleads_ for a person with still more intense

feeling. _Beseech_, _entreat_, and _implore_ imply impassioned

earnestness, with direct and tender appeal to personal considerations.

_Press_ and _urge_ imply more determined or perhaps authoritative

insistence. _Solicit_ is a weak word denoting merely an attempt to

secure one's consent or cooperation, sometimes by sordid or corrupt

motives.

Prepositions:

Plead _with_ the tyrant _for_ the captive; plead _against_ the

oppression or the oppressor; plead _to_ the indictment; _at_ the bar;

_before_ the court; _in_ open court.

* * * * *

PLEASANT.

Synonyms:

agreeable, good-natured, kindly, pleasing,

attractive, kind, obliging, pleasurable.

That is _pleasing_ from which pleasure is received, or may readily be

received, without reference to any action or intent in that which

confers it; as, a _pleasing_ picture; a _pleasing_ landscape. Whatever

has active qualities adapted to give pleasure is _pleasant_; as, a

_pleasant_ breeze; a _pleasant_ (not a _pleasing_) day. As applied to

persons, _pleasant_ always refers to a disposition ready and desirous to

please; one is _pleasant_, or in a _pleasant_ mood, when inclined to

make happy those with whom he is dealing, to show kindness and do any

reasonable favor. In this sense _pleasant_ is nearly akin to _kind_, but

_kind_ refers to act or intent, while _pleasant_ stops with the

disposition; many persons are no longer in a _pleasant_ mood if asked to

do a troublesome kindness. _Pleasant_ keeps always something of the

sense of actually giving pleasure, and thus surpasses the meaning of

_good-natured_; there are _good-natured_ people who by reason of

rudeness and ill-breeding are not _pleasant_ companions. A _pleasing_

face has good features, complexion, expression, etc.; a _pleasant_ face

indicates a _kind_ heart and an _obliging_ disposition, as well as

_kindly_ feelings in actual exercise; we can say of one usually

_good-natured_, "on that occasion he did not meet me with a _pleasant_

face." _Pleasant_, in the sense of gay, merry, jocose (the sense still

retained in _pleasantry_), is now rare, and would not be understood

outside of literary circles. Compare AMIABLE; COMFORTABLE; DELIGHTFUL.

Antonyms:

arrogant, displeasing, glum, ill-humored, repelling,

austere, dreary, grim, ill-natured, repulsive,

crabbed, forbidding, harsh, offensive, unkind,

disagreeable, gloomy, hateful, repellent, unpleasant.

Prepositions:

Pleasant _to_, _with_, or _toward_ persons, _about_ a matter.

* * * * *

PLENTIFUL.

Synonyms:

abounding, bountiful, generous, plenteous,

abundant, complete, large, profuse,

adequate, copious, lavish, replete,

affluent, enough, liberal, rich,

ample, exuberant, luxuriant, sufficient,

bounteous, full, overflowing, teeming.

_Enough_ is relative, denoting a supply equal to a given demand. A

temperature of 70 deg. Fahrenheit is _enough_ for a living-room; of 212 deg.

_enough_ to boil water; neither is _enough_ to melt iron. _Sufficient_,

from the Latin, is an equivalent of the Saxon _enough_, with no

perceptible difference of meaning, but only of usage, _enough_ being the

more blunt, homely, and forcible word, while _sufficient_ is in many

cases the more elegant or polite. _Sufficient_ usually precedes its

noun; _enough_ usually and preferably follows. That is _ample_ which

gives a safe, but not a large, margin beyond a given demand; that is

_abundant_, _affluent_, _bountiful_, _liberal_, _plentiful_, which is

largely in excess of manifest need. _Plentiful_ is used of supplies, as

of food, water, etc.; as, "a _plentiful_ rain," _Ps._ lxviii, 9. We may

also say a _copious_ rain; but _copious_ can be applied to thought,

language, etc., where _plentiful_ can not well be used. _Affluent_ and

_liberal_ both apply to riches, resources; _liberal_, with especial

reference to giving or expending. (Compare synonyms for ADEQUATE.)

_Affluent_, referring especially to riches, may be used of thought,

feeling, etc. Neither _affluent_, _copious_, nor _plentiful_ can be used

of time or space; a field is sometimes called _plentiful_, not with

reference to its extent, but to its productiveness. _Complete_ expresses

not excess or overplus, and yet not mere sufficiency, but harmony,

proportion, fitness to a design, or ideal. _Ample_ and _abundant_ may be

applied to any subject. We have time _enough_, means that we can reach

our destination without haste, but also without delay; if we have

_ample_ time, we may move leisurely, and note what is by the way; if we

have _abundant_ time, we may pause to converse with a friend, to view

the scenery, or to rest when weary. _Lavish_ and _profuse_ imply a

decided excess, oftenest in the ill sense. We rejoice in _abundant_

resources, and honor _generous_ hospitality; _lavish_ or _profuse_

expenditure suggests extravagance and wastefulness. _Luxuriant_ is used

especially of that which is _abundant_ in growth; as, a _luxuriant_

crop.

Antonyms:

deficient, inadequate, narrow, scanty, small,

drained, insufficient, niggardly, scarce, sparing,

exhausted, mean, poor, scrimped, stingy,

impoverished, miserly, scant, short, straitened.

Preposition:

Plentiful _in_ resources.

* * * * *

POETRY.

Synonyms:

meter, numbers, poesy, song,

metrical composition, poem, rime, verse.

_Poetry_ is that form of literature that embodies beautiful thought,

feeling, or action in melodious, rhythmical, and (usually) metrical

language, in imaginative and artistic constructions. _Poetry_ in a very

wide sense may be anything that pleasingly addresses the imagination;

as, the _poetry_ of motion. In ordinary usage, _poetry_ is both

imaginative and metrical. There may be _poetry_ without _rime_, but

hardly without _meter_, or what in some languages takes its place, as

the Hebrew parallelism; but _poetry_ involves, besides the artistic

form, the exercise of the fancy or imagination in a way always

beautiful, often lofty or even sublime. Failing this, there may be

_verse_, _rime_, and _meter_, but not _poetry_. There is much in

literature that is beautiful and sublime in thought and artistic in

construction, which is yet not _poetry_, because quite devoid of the

element of _song_, whereby _poetry_ differs from the most lofty,

beautiful, or impassioned prose. Compare METER.

Antonyms:

prosaic speech, prosaic writing, prose.

* * * * *

POLITE.

Synonyms:

accomplished, courtly, genteel, urbane,

civil, cultivated, gracious, well-behaved,

complaisant, cultured, obliging, well-bred,

courteous, elegant, polished, well-mannered.

A _civil_ person observes such propriety of speech and manner as to

avoid being rude; one who is _polite_ (literally _polished_) observes

more than the necessary proprieties, conforming to all that is graceful,

becoming, and thoughtful in the intercourse of refined society. A man

may be _civil_ with no consideration for others, simply because

self-respect forbids him to be rude; but one who is _polite_ has at

least some care for the opinions of others, and if _polite_ in the

highest and truest sense, which is coming to be the prevailing one, he

cares for the comfort and happiness of others in the smallest matters.

_Civil_ is a colder and more distant word than _polite_; _courteous_ is

fuller and richer, dealing often with greater matters, and is used only

in the good sense. _Courtly_ suggests that which befits a royal court,

and is used of external grace and stateliness without reference to the

prompting feeling; as, the _courtly_ manners of the ambassador.

_Genteel_ refers to an external elegance, which may be showy and

superficial, and the word is thus inferior to _polite_ or _courteous_.

_Urbane_ refers to a politeness that is genial and successful in giving

others a sense of ease and cheer. _Polished_ refers to external

elegancies of speech and manner without reference to spirit or purpose;

as, a _polished_ gentleman or a _polished_ scoundrel; _cultured_ refers

to a real and high development of mind and soul, of which the external

manifestation is the smallest part. _Complaisant_ denotes a disposition

to please or favor beyond what _politeness_ would necessarily require.

Antonyms:

awkward, clownish, ill-mannered, insulting, uncouth,

bluff, coarse, impertinent, raw, unmannerly,

blunt, discourteous, impolite, rude, unpolished,

boorish, ill-behaved, impudent, rustic, untaught,

brusk, ill-bred, insolent, uncivil, untutored.

* * * * *

POLITY.

Synonyms:

constitution, policy, form _or_ system of government.

_Polity_ is the permanent system of government of a state, a church, or

a society; _policy_ is the method of management with reference to the

attainment of certain ends; the national _polity_ of the United States

is republican; each administration has a _policy_ of its own. _Policy_

is often used as equivalent to expediency; as, many think honesty to be

good _policy_. _Polity_ used in ecclesiastical use serves a valuable

purpose in distinguishing that which relates to administration and

government from that which relates to faith and doctrine; two churches

identical in faith may differ in _polity_, or those agreeing in _polity_

may differ in faith. Compare LAW.

* * * * *

PORTION.

Synonyms:

lot, parcel, part, proportion, share.

When any whole is divided into _parts_, any _part_ that is allotted to

some person, thing, subject or purpose is called a _portion_, tho the

division may be by no fixed rule or relation; a father may divide his

estate by will among his children so as to make their several _portions_

great or small, according to his arbitrary and unreasonable caprice.

When we speak of a _part_ as a _proportion_, we think of the whole as

divided according to some rule or scale, so that the different _parts_

bear a contemplated and intended relation or ratio to one another; thus,

the _portion_ allotted to a child by will may not be a fair _proportion_

of the estate. _Proportion_ is often used where _part_ or _portion_

would be more appropriate. Compare PART.

* * * * *

POVERTY.

Synonyms:

beggary, distress, mendicancy, pauperism, privation,

destitution, indigence, need, penury, want.

_Poverty_ denotes strictly lack of property or adequate means of

support, but in common use is a relative term denoting any condition

below that of easy, comfortable living; _privation_ denotes a condition

of painful lack of what is useful or desirable, tho not to the extent of

absolute _distress_; _indigence_ is lack of ordinary means of

subsistence; _destitution_ is lack of the comforts, and in part even of

the necessaries of life; _penury_ is especially cramping _poverty_,

possibly not so sharp as _destitution_, but continuous, while that may

be temporary; _pauperism_ is such _destitution_ as throws one upon

organized public charity for support; _beggary_ and _mendicancy_ denote

_poverty_ that appeals for indiscriminate private charity.

* * * * *

POWER.

Synonyms:

ability, competency, expertness, readiness,

aptitude, dexterity, faculty, skill,

capability, efficacy, force, strength,

capacity, efficiency, might, susceptibility,

cleverness, energy, qualification, talent.

cogency,