Chapter V: Part I: Synonyms, Antonyms and Prepositions (3)

An _adjunct_ (something joined to) constitutes no real part of the thing or system to which it is joined, tho perhaps a valuable _addition_; an _appendage_ is commonly a real, tho not an essential or necessary part of that with which it is connected; an _appurtenance_ belongs subordinately to something by which it is employed, especially as an instrument to accomplish some purpose. A horse's tail is at once an ornamental _appendage_ and a useful _appurtenance_; we could not call it an _adjunct_, tho we might use that word of his iron shoes. An _attachment_ in machinery is some mechanism that can be brought into optional connection with the principal movement; a hemmer is a valuable _attachment_ of a sewing-machine. An _extension_, as of a railroad or of a franchise, carries out further something already existing. We add an _appendix_ to a book, to contain names, dates, lists, etc., which would encumber the text; we add a _supplement_ to supply omissions, as, for instance, to bring it up to date. An _appendix_ may be called an _addendum_; but _addendum_ may be used of a brief note, which would not be dignified by the name of _appendix_; such notes are often grouped as _addenda_. An _addition_ might be matter interwoven in the body of the work, an index, plates, editorial notes, etc., which might be valuable _additions_, but not within the meaning of _appendix_ or _supplement_. Compare ACCESSORY; AUXILIARY.

Antonyms:

main body, original, total, whole.

Prepositions:

That which is thought of as added we call an appendage _to_; that which is looked upon as an integral part is called an appendage _of_.

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APPETITE.

Synonyms:

appetency, impulse, lust, propensity, craving, inclination, passion, relish, desire, liking, proclivity, thirst, disposition, longing, proneness, zest.

_Appetite_ is used only of the demands of the physical system, unless otherwise expressly stated, as when we say an _appetite_ for knowledge; _passion_ includes all excitable impulses of our nature, as anger, fear, love, hatred, etc. _Appetite_ is thus more animal than _passion_; and when we speak of _passions_ and _appetites_ as conjoined or contrasted, we think of the _appetites_ as wholly physical and of the _passions_ as, in part at least, mental or spiritual. We say an _appetite_ for food, a _passion_ for fame. Compare DESIRE.

Antonyms:

antipathy, disgust, distaste, indifference, repugnance, aversion, dislike, hatred, loathing, repulsion. detestation, disrelish,

Compare ANTIPATHY.

Preposition:

He had an insatiable appetite _for_ the marvellous.

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APPORTION.

Synonyms:

allot, appropriate, deal, distribute, grant, appoint, assign, dispense, divide, share.

To _allot_ or _assign_ may be to make an arbitrary division; the same is true of _distribute_ or _divide_. That which is _apportioned_ is given by some fixed rule, which is meant to be uniform and fair; as, representatives are _apportioned_ among the States according to population. To _dispense_ is to give out freely; as, the sun _dispenses_ light and heat. A thing is _appropriated_ to or for a specific purpose (to which it thus becomes _proper_, in the original sense of being its own); money _appropriated_ by Congress for one purpose can not be expended for any other. One may _apportion_ what he only holds in trust; he _shares_ what is his own. Compare ALLOT.

Antonyms:

cling to, consolidate, gather together, receive, collect, divide arbitrarily, keep together, retain.

Prepositions:

Apportion _to_ each a fair amount; apportion the property _among_ the heirs, _between_ two claimants; apportion _according to_ numbers, etc.

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APPROXIMATION.

Synonyms:

approach, likeness, neighborhood, resemblance, contiguity, nearness, propinquity, similarity.

In mathematics, _approximation_ is not guesswork, not looseness, and not error. The process of _approximation_ is as exact and correct at every point as that by which an absolute result is secured; the result only fails of exactness because of some inherent difficulty in the problem. The attempt to "square the circle" gives only an _approximate_ result, because of the impossibility of expressing the circumference in terms of the radius. But the limits of error on either side are known, and the _approximation_ has practical value. Outside of mathematics, the correct use of _approximation_ (and the kindred words _approximate_ and _approximately_) is to express as near an approach to accuracy and certainty as the conditions of human thought or action in any given case make possible. _Resemblance_ and _similarity_ may be but superficial and apparent; _approximation_ is real. _Approach_ is a relative term, indicating that one has come nearer than before, tho the distance may yet be considerable; an _approximation_ brings one really near. _Nearness_, _neighborhood_, and _propinquity_ are commonly used of place; _approximation_, of mathematical calculations and abstract reasoning; we speak of _approach_ to the shore, _nearness_ to the town, _approximation_ to the truth.

Antonyms:

difference, distance, error, remoteness, unlikeness, variation.

Prepositions:

The approximation _of_ the vegetable _to_ the animal type.

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ARMS.

Synonyms:

accouterments, armor, harness, mail, weapons.

_Arms_ are implements of attack; _armor_ is a defensive covering. The knight put on his _armor_; he grasped his _arms_. With the disuse of defensive _armor_ the word has practically gone out of military use, but it is still employed in the navy, where the distinction is clearly preserved; any vessel provided with cannon is an _armed_ vessel; an _armored_ ship is an ironclad. Anything that can be wielded in fight may become a _weapon_, as a pitchfork or a paving-stone; _arms_ are especially made and designed for conflict.

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ARMY.

Synonyms:

armament, forces, military, soldiers, array, host, multitude, soldiery, force, legions, phalanx, troops.

An _army_ is an organized body of men armed for war, ordinarily considerable in numbers, always independent in organization so far as not to be a constituent part of any other command. Organization, unity, and independence, rather than numbers are the essentials of an _army_. We speak of the invading _army_ of Cortes or Pizarro, tho either body was contemptible in numbers from a modern military standpoint. We may have a little _army_, a large _army_, or a vast _army_. _Host_ is used for any vast and orderly assemblage; as, the stars are called the heavenly _host_. _Multitude_ expresses number without order or organization; a _multitude_ of armed men is not an _army_, but a mob. _Legion_ (from the Latin) and _phalanx_ (from the Greek) are applied by a kind of poetic license to modern _forces_; the plural _legions_ is preferred to the singular. _Military_ is a general word for land-_forces_; the _military_ may include all the armed _soldiery_ of a nation, or the term may be applied to any small detached company, as at a fort, in distinction from civilians. Any organized body of men by whom the law or will of a people is executed is a _force_; the word is a usual term for the police of any locality.

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ARRAIGN.

Synonyms:

accuse, charge, impeach, prosecute, censure, cite, indict, summon.

_Arraign_ is an official word; a person accused of crime is _arraigned_ when he is formally called into court, the indictment read to him, and the demand made of him to plead guilty or not guilty; in more extended use, to _arraign_ is to call in question for fault in any formal, public, or official way. One may _charge_ another with any fault, great or trifling, privately or publicly, formally or informally. _Accuse_ is stronger than _charge_, suggesting more of the formal and criminal; a person may _charge_ a friend with unkindness or neglect; he may _accuse_ a tramp of stealing. _Censure_ carries the idea of fault, but not of crime; it may be private and individual, or public and official. A judge, a president, or other officer of high rank may be _impeached_ before the appropriate tribunal for high crimes; the veracity of a witness may be _impeached_ by damaging evidence. A person of the highest character may be _summoned_ as defendant in a civil suit; or he may be _cited_ to answer as administrator, etc. _Indict_ and _arraign_ apply strictly to criminal proceedings, and only an alleged criminal is _indicted_ or _arraigned_. One is _indicted_ by the grand jury, and _arraigned_ before the appropriate court.

Antonyms:

acquit, discharge, exonerate, overlook, release, condone, excuse, forgive, pardon, set free.

Prepositions:

Arraign _at_ the bar, _before_ the tribunal, _of_ or _for_ a crime; _on_ or _upon_ an indictment.

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ARRAY.

Synonyms:

army, collection, line of battle, parade, arrangement, disposition, order, show, battle array, exhibition, order of battle, sight.

The phrase _battle array_ or _array of battle_ is archaic and poetic; we now say in _line_ or _order of battle_. The _parade_ is for _exhibition_ and oversight, and partial rehearsal of military manual and maneuvers. _Array_ refers to a continuous _arrangement_ of men, so that all may be seen or reviewed at once. This is practically impossible with the vast _armies_ of our day. We say rather the _disposition_ of troops, which expresses their location so as to sustain and support, though unable to see or readily communicate with each other. Compare DRESS.

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ARREST.

Synonyms:

apprehend, detain, restrain, stop, capture, hold, secure, take into custody, catch, make prisoner, seize, take prisoner.

The legal term _arrest_ carries always the implication of a legal offense; this is true even of _arresting_ for debt. But one may be _detained_ by process of law when no offense is alleged against him, as in the case of a witness who is _held_ in a house of detention till a case comes to trial. One may be _restrained_ of his liberty without arrest, as in an insane asylum; an individual or corporation may be _restrained_ by injunction from selling certain property. In case of an arrest, an officer may _secure_ his prisoner by fetters, by a locked door, or other means effectually to prevent escape. _Capture_ is commonly used of seizure by armed force; as, to _capture_ a ship, a fort, etc. Compare HINDER; OBSTRUCT.

Antonyms:

discharge, dismiss, free, liberate, release, set free.

Prepositions:

Arrested _for_ crime, _on_ suspicion, _by_ the sheriff; _on_, _upon_, or _by virtue of_ a warrant; _on_ final process; _in_ execution.

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ARTIFICE.

Synonyms:

art, craft, finesse, invention, stratagem, blind, cunning, fraud, machination, subterfuge, cheat, device, guile, maneuver, trick, contrivance, dodge, imposture, ruse, wile.

A _contrivance_ or _device_ may be either good or bad. A _cheat_ is a mean advantage in a bargain; a _fraud_, any form of covert robbery or injury. _Imposture_ is a deceitful _contrivance_ for securing charity, credit, or consideration. A _stratagem_ or _maneuver_ may be of the good against the bad, as it were a skilful movement of war. A _wile_ is usually but not necessarily evil.

E'en children followed with endearing _wile_.

GOLDSMITH _Deserted Village_, l. 184.

A _trick_ is often low, injurious, and malicious; we say a mean _trick_; the word is sometimes used playfully with less than its full meaning. A _ruse_ or a _blind_ may be quite innocent and harmless. An _artifice_ is a carefully and delicately prepared _contrivance_ for doing indirectly what one could not well do directly. A _device_ is something studied out for promoting an end, as in a mechanism; the word is used of indirect action, often, but not necessarily directed to an evil, selfish, or injurious end. _Finesse_ is especially subtle _contrivance_, delicate _artifice_, whether for good or evil. Compare FRAUD.

Antonyms:

artlessness, frankness, ingenuousness, openness, sincerity, candor, guilelessness, innocence, simplicity, truth. fairness, honesty,

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ARTIST.

Synonyms:

artificer, artisan, mechanic, operative, workman.

_Artist_, _artificer_ and _artisan_ are all from the root of _art_, but _artist_ holds to the esthetic sense, while _artificer_ and _artisan_ follow the mechanical or industrial sense of the word (see ART under SCIENCE). _Artist_ thus comes only into accidental association with the other words of this group, not being a synonym of any one of them and having practically no synonym of its own. The work of the _artist_ is creative; that of the _artisan_ mechanical. The man who paints a beautiful picture is an _artist_; the man who makes pin-heads all day is an _artisan_. The _artificer_ is between the two, putting more thought, intelligence, and taste into his work than the _artisan_, but less of the idealizing, creative power than the _artist_. The sculptor, shaping his model in clay, is _artificer_, as well as _artist_; patient _artisans_, working simply by rule and scale, chisel and polish the stone. The man who constructs anything by mere routine and rule is a _mechanic_. The man whose work involves thought, skill, and constructive power is an _artificer_. The hod-carrier is a _laborer_; the bricklayer is a _mechanic_; the master mason is an _artificer_. Those who operate machinery nearly self-acting are _operatives_.

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ASK.

Synonyms:

beg, crave, entreat, petition, request, solicit, beseech, demand, implore, pray, require, supplicate.

One _asks_ what he feels that he may fairly claim and reasonably expect; "if a son shall _ask_ bread of any of you that is a father," _Luke_ xi, 11; he _begs_ for that to which he advances no claim but pity. _Demand_ is a determined and often an arrogant word; one may rightfully _demand_ what is his own or his due, when it is withheld or denied; or he may wrongfully _demand_ that to which he has no claim but power. _Require_ is less arrogant and obtrusive than _demand_, but is exceedingly strenuous; as, the court _requires_ the attendance of witnesses. _Entreat_ implies a special earnestness of asking, and _beseech_, a still added and more humble intensity; _beseech_ was formerly often used as a polite intensive for _beg_ or _pray_; as, I _beseech_ you to tell me. To _implore_ is to _ask_ with weeping and lamentation; to _supplicate_ is to _ask_, as it were, on bended knees. _Crave_ and _request_ are somewhat formal terms; _crave_ has almost disappeared from conversation; _request_ would seem distant between parent and child. _Pray_ is now used chiefly of address to the Supreme Being; _petition_ is used of written request to persons in authority; as, to _petition_ the legislature to pass an act, or the governor to pardon an offender.

Antonyms:

claim, deny, enforce, exact, extort, insist, refuse, reject. command,

Prepositions:

Ask a person _for_ a thing; ask a thing _of_ or _from_ a person; ask _after_ or _about_ one's health, welfare, friends, etc.

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ASSOCIATE.

Synonyms:

accomplice, coadjutor, comrade, fellow, mate, ally, colleague, confederate, friend, partner, chum, companion, consort, helpmate, peer.

An _associate_ as used officially implies a chief, leader, or principal, to whom the _associate_ is not fully equal in rank. _Associate_ is popularly used of mere friendly relations, but oftener implies some work, enterprise, or pursuit in which the associated persons unite. We rarely speak of _associates_ in crime or wrong, using _confederates_ or _accomplices_ instead. _Companion_ gives itself with equal readiness to the good or evil sense, as also does _comrade_. One may be a _companion_ in travel who would not readily become an _associate_ at home. A lady advertises for a _companion_; she would not advertise for an _associate_. _Peer_ implies equality rather than companionship; as, a jury of his _peers_. _Comrade_ expresses more fellowship and good feeling than _companion_. _Fellow_ has almost gone out of use in this connection, except in an inferior or patronizing sense. _Consort_ is a word of equality and dignity, as applied especially to the marriage relation. Compare ACCESSORY; ACQUAINTANCE; FRIENDSHIP.

Antonyms:

antagonist, foe, hinderer, opponent, opposer, rival, stranger. enemy,

Prepositions:

These were the associates _of_ the leader _in_ the enterprise.

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ASSOCIATION.

Synonyms:

alliance, confederacy, familiarity, lodge, club, confederation, federation, participation, community, conjunction, fellowship, partnership, companionship, connection, fraternity, society, company, corporation, friendship, union.

We speak of an _alliance_ of nations, a _club_ of pleasure-seekers, a _community_ of Shakers, a _company_ of soldiers or of friends, a _confederacy_, _confederation_, _federation_, or _union_ of separate states under one general government, a _partnership_ or _company_ of business men, a _conjunction_ of planets. The whole body of Freemasons constitute a _fraternity_; one of their local organizations is called a _lodge_. A _corporation_ or _company_ is formed for purposes of business; an _association_ or _society_ (tho also incorporated) is for learning, literature, benevolence, religion, etc. Compare ASSOCIATE; ACQUAINTANCE; FRIENDSHIP.

Antonyms:

disintegration, independence, isolation, separation, solitude.

Prepositions:

An association _of_ scholars _for_ the advancement of knowledge; association _with_ the good is ennobling.

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ASSUME.

Synonyms:

accept, arrogate, postulate, put on, affect, claim, presume, take, appropriate, feign, pretend, usurp.

The distinctive idea of _assume_ is to _take_ by one's own independent volition, whether well or ill, rightfully or wrongfully. One may _accept_ an obligation or _assume_ an authority that properly belongs to him, or he may _assume_ an obligation or indebtedness that could not be required of him. He may _assume_ authority or office that is his right; if he _assumes_ what does not belong to him, he is said to _arrogate_ or _usurp_ it. A man may _usurp_ the substance of power in the most unpretending way; what he _arrogates_ to himself he _assumes_ with a haughty and overbearing manner. One _assumes_ the robes or insignia of office by _putting_ them _on_, with or without right. If he _takes_ to himself the credit and appearance of qualities he does not possess, he is said to _affect_ or _feign_, or to _pretend_ to, the character he thus _assumes_. What a debater _postulates_ he openly states and _takes_ for granted without proof; what he _assumes_ he may take for granted without mention. A favorite trick of the sophist is quietly to _assume_ as true what would at once be challenged if expressly stated. What a man _claims_ he asserts his right to _take_; what he _assumes_ he _takes_.

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ASSURANCE.

Synonyms:

arrogance, boldness, impudence, self-confidence, assertion, confidence, presumption, self-reliance, assumption, effrontery, self-assertion, trust.

_Assurance_ may have the good sense of a high, sustained _confidence_ and _trust_; as, the saint's _assurance_ of heaven. _Confidence_ is founded upon reasons; _assurance_ is largely a matter of feeling. In the bad sense, _assurance_ is a vicious courage, with belief of one's ability to outwit or defy others; the hardened criminal is remarkable for habitual _assurance_. For the calm conviction of one's own rectitude and ability, _self-confidence_ is a better word than _assurance_; _self-reliance_ expresses confidence in one's own resources, independently of others' aid. In the bad sense _assurance_ is less gross than _impudence_, which is (according to its etymology) a shameless _boldness_. _Assurance_ is in act or manner; _impudence_ may be in speech. _Effrontery_ is _impudence_ defiantly displayed. Compare FAITH; PRIDE.

Antonyms:

bashfulness, consternation, distrust, hesitancy, shyness, confusion, dismay, doubt, misgiving, timidity.

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ASTUTE.

Synonyms:

acute, discerning, penetrating, sharp, clear-sighted, discriminating, penetrative, shrewd, crafty, keen, perspicacious, subtile, cunning, knowing, sagacious, subtle.

_Acute_, from the Latin, suggests the sharpness of the needle's point; _keen_, from the Saxon, the sharpness of the cutting edge. _Astute_, from the Latin, with the original sense of _cunning_ has come to have a meaning that combines the sense of _acute_ or _keen_ with that of _sagacious_. The _astute_ mind adds to _acuteness_ and _keenness_ an element of cunning or finesse. The _astute_ debater leads his opponents into a snare by getting them to make admissions, or urge arguments, of which he sees a result that they do not perceive. The _acute_, _keen_ intellect may take no special advantage of these qualities; the _astute_ mind has always a point to make for itself, and seldom fails to make it. A _knowing_ look, air, etc., in general indicates practical knowledge with a touch of shrewdness, and perhaps of cunning; in regard to some special matter, it indicates the possession of reserved knowledge which the person could impart if he chose. _Knowing_ has often a slightly invidious sense. We speak of a _knowing_ rascal, meaning _cunning_ or _shrewd_ within a narrow range, but of a _knowing_ horse or dog, in the sense of _sagacious_, implying that he knows more than could be expected of such an animal. A _knowing_ child has more knowledge than would be looked for at his years, perhaps more than is quite desirable, while to speak of a child as _intelligent_ is altogether complimentary.

Antonyms:

blind, idiotic, shallow, stolid, undiscerning, dull, imbecile, short-sighted, stupid, unintelligent.

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ATTACHMENT.

Synonyms:

adherence, devotion, friendship, regard, adhesion, esteem, inclination, tenderness, affection, estimation, love, union.

An _attachment_ is a feeling that binds a person by ties of heart to another person or thing; we speak of a man's _adherence_ to his purpose, his _adhesion_ to his party, or to anything to which he clings tenaciously, tho with no special tenderness; of his _attachment_ to his church, to the old homestead, or to any persons or objects that he may hold dear. _Affection_ expresses more warmth of feeling; we should not speak of a mother's _attachment_ to her babe, but of her _affection_ or of her _devotion_. _Inclination_ expresses simply a tendency, which may be good or bad, yielded to or overcome; as, an _inclination_ to study; an _inclination_ to drink. _Regard_ is more distant than _affection_ or _attachment_, but closer and warmer than _esteem_; we speak of high _esteem_, kind _regard_. Compare ACQUAINTANCE; APPENDAGE; FRIENDSHIP; LOVE; UNION.

Antonyms:

alienation, aversion, distance, estrangement, repugnance, animosity, coolness, divorce, indifference, separation, antipathy, dislike, enmity, opposition, severance.

Prepositions:

Attachment _of_ a true man _to_ his friends; attachment _to_ a leader _for_ his nobility of character; the attachments _between_ two persons or things; attachment _by_ muscular fibers, or _by_ a rope, etc.

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ATTACK, _v._

Synonyms:

assail, beset, combat, invade, assault, besiege, encounter, set upon, beleaguer, charge, fall upon, storm.

To _attack_ is to begin hostilities of any kind. A general _invades_ a country by marching in troops; he _attacks_ a city by drawing up an army against it; he _assaults_ it by hurling his troops directly upon its defenses. _Assail_ and _assault_, tho of the same original etymology, have diverged in meaning, so that _assault_ alone retains the meaning of direct personal violence. One may _assail_ another with reproaches; he _assaults_ him with a blow, a brandished weapon, etc. Armies or squadrons _charge_; _combat_ and _encounter_ may be said of individual contests. To _beset_ is to set around, or, so to speak, to stud one's path, with menaces, attacks, or persuasions. To _besiege_ and _beleaguer_ are the acts of armies. To _encounter_ is to meet face to face, and may be said either of the _attacking_ or of the resisting force or person, or of both.

Antonyms:

aid, cover, protect, shelter, support, uphold, befriend, defend, resist, shield, sustain, withstand.

Prepositions:

We were attacked _by_ the enemy _with_ cannon and musketry.

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ATTACK, _n._

Synonyms:

aggression, incursion, invasion, onslaught, assault, infringement, onset, trespass. encroachment, intrusion,

An _attack_ may be by word; an _aggression_ is always by deed. An _assault_ may be upon the person, an _aggression_ is upon rights, possessions, etc. An _invasion_ of a nation's territories is an act of _aggression_; an _intrusion_ upon a neighboring estate is a _trespass_. _Onslaught_ signifies intensely violent _assault_, as by an army or a desperado, tho it is sometimes used of violent speech.

Antonyms:

defense, repulsion, resistance, retreat, submission, surrender.

Prepositions:

The enemy made an attack _upon_ (or _on_) our works.

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ATTAIN.

Synonyms:

accomplish, arrive at, gain, master, reach, achieve, compass, get, obtain, secure, acquire, earn, grasp, procure, win.

A person may _obtain_ a situation by the intercession of friends, he _procures_ a dinner by paying for it. _Attain_ is a lofty word, pointing to some high or desirable result; a man _attains_ the mountain summit, he _attains_ honor or learning as the result of strenuous and earnest labor. Even that usage of _attain_ which has been thought to refer to mere progress of time carries the thought of a result desired; as, to _attain_ to old age; the man desires to live to a good old age; we should not speak of his _attaining_ his dotage. One may _attain_ an object that will prove not worth his labor, but what he _achieves_ is in itself great and splendid; as, the Greeks at Marathon _achieved_ a glorious victory. Compare DO; GET; REACH.

Antonyms:

abandon, fail, forfeit, give up, let go, lose, miss.

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ATTITUDE.

Synonyms:

pose, position, posture.

_Position_ as applied to the arrangement or situation of the human body or limbs may denote that which is conscious or unconscious, of the living or the dead; but we do not speak of the _attitude_, _pose_, or _posture_ of a corpse; unless, in some rare case, we might say the body was found in a sitting _posture_, where the _posture_ is thought of as assumed in life, or as, at first glance, suggesting life. A _posture_ is assumed without any special reference to expression of feeling; as, an erect _posture_, a reclining _posture_; _attitude_ is the _position_ appropriate to the expression of some feeling; the _attitude_ may be unconsciously taken through the strength of the feeling; as, an _attitude_ of defiance; or it may be consciously assumed in the attempt to express the feeling; as, he assumed an _attitude_ of humility. A _pose_ is a _position_ studied for artistic effect, or considered with reference to such effect; the unconscious _posture_ of a spectator or listener may be an admirable _pose_ from an artist's standpoint.

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ATTRIBUTE, _v._

Synonyms:

ascribe, associate, connect, impute, refer. assign, charge,

We may _attribute_ to a person either that which belongs to him or that which we merely suppose to be his. We _attribute_ to God infinite power. We may _attribute_ a wrong intent to an innocent person. We may _attribute_ a result, rightly or wrongly, to a certain cause; in such case, however, _attribute_ carries always a concession of uncertainty or possible error. Where we are quite sure, we simply _refer_ a matter to the cause or class to which it belongs or _ascribe_ to one what is surely his, etc. Many diseases formerly _attributed_ to witchcraft are now _referred_ to the action of micro-organisms. We may _attribute_ a matter in silent thought; we _ascribe_ anything openly in speech or writing; King Saul said of the singing women, "They have _ascribed_ unto David ten thousands, and to me they have _ascribed_ but thousands." We _associate_ things which may have no necessary or causal relation; as, we may _associate_ the striking of a clock with the serving of dinner, tho the two are not necessarily connected. We _charge_ a person with what we deem blameworthy. We may _impute_ good or evil, but more commonly evil.

Antonyms:

deny, disconnect, dissociate, separate, sever, sunder.

Prepositions:

It is uncharitable to attribute evil motives _to_ (archaic _unto_) others.

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ATTRIBUTE, _n._

Synonyms:

property, quality.

A _quality_ (L. _qualis_, such)--the "suchness" of anything, according to the German idiom--denotes what a thing really is in some one respect; an _attribute_ is what we conceive a thing to be in some one respect; thus, while _attribute_ may, _quality_ must, express something of the real nature of that to which it is ascribed; we speak of the _attributes_ of God, the _qualities_ of matter. "Originally 'the _attributes_ of God' was preferred, probably, because men assumed no knowledge of the actual _qualities_ of the Deity, but only of those more or less fitly attributed to him." J. A. H. MURRAY. [M.] Holiness is an _attribute_ of God; the _attributes_ of many heathen deities have been only the _qualities_ of wicked men joined to superhuman power. A _property_ (L. _proprius_, one's own) is what belongs especially to one thing as its own peculiar possession, in distinction from all other things; when we speak of the _qualities_ or the _properties_ of matter, _quality_ is the more general, _property_ the more limited term. A _quality_ is inherent; a _property_ may be transient; physicists now, however, prefer to term those _qualities_ manifested by all bodies (such as impenetrability, extension, etc.), _general properties_ of matter, while those peculiar to certain substances or to certain states of those substances (as fluidity, malleability, etc.) are termed _specific properties_; in this wider use of the word _property_, it becomes strictly synonymous with _quality_. Compare CHARACTERISTIC; EMBLEM.

Antonyms:

being, essence, nature, substance.

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AUGUR.

Synonyms:

betoken, divine, foretell, predict, prognosticate, bode, forebode, portend, presage, prophesy.

"Persons or things _augur_; persons only _forebode_ or _presage_; things only _betoken_ or _portend_." CRABB _English Synonymes_. We _augur_ well for a voyage from past good fortune and a good start; we _presage_ success from the stanchness of the ship and the skill of the captain. We _forebode_ misfortune either from circumstances that _betoken_ failure, or from gloomy fancies for which we could not give a reason. Dissipation among the officers and mutiny among the crew _portend_ disaster. _Divine_ has reference to the ancient soothsayers' arts (as in _Gen._ xliv, 5, 15), and refers rather to reading hearts than to reading the future. We say I could not _divine_ his motive, or his intention.

Antonyms:

assure, demonstrate, establish, make sure, settle, calculate, determine, insure, prove, warrant.

Prepositions:

I augur _from_ all circumstances a prosperous result; I augur ill _of_ the enterprise; "augurs ill _to_ the rights of the people," THOMAS JEFFERSON _Writings_ vol. ii, p. 506. [T. & M. '53.] I augur well, or this augurs well, _for_ your cause.

* * * * *

AUTHENTIC.

Synonyms:

accepted, certain, original, sure, accredited, current, real, true, authoritative, genuine, received, trustworthy, authorized, legitimate, reliable, veritable.

That is _authentic_ which is true to the facts; that is _genuine_ which is true to its own claims; as, _authentic_ history; _genuine_ money.

A '_genuine_' work is one written by the author whose name it bears;
an '_authentic_' work is one which relates truthfully the matters of
which it treats. For example, the apocryphal Gospel of St. Thomas is
neither '_genuine_' nor '_authentic_.' It is not '_genuine_,' for
St. Thomas did not write it; it is not '_authentic_,' for its
contents are mainly fables and lies.

TRENCH _On the Study of Words_ lect. vi, p. 189. [W. J. W.]

_Authentic_ is, however, used by reputable writers as synonymous with _genuine_, tho usually where genuineness carries a certain authority. We speak of _accepted_ conclusions, _certain_ evidence, _current_ money, _genuine_ letters, a _legitimate_ conclusion or _legitimate_ authority, _original_ manuscripts, _real_ value, _received_ interpretation, _sure_ proof, a _true_ statement, a _trustworthy_ witness, a _veritable_ discovery.

Antonyms:

apocryphal, counterfeit, exploded, false, spurious, baseless, disputed, fabulous, fictitious, unauthorized.

* * * * *

AUXILIARY.

Synonyms:

accessory, ally, coadjutor, helper, promoter, aid, assistant, confederate, mercenary, subordinate.

An _auxiliary_ is a person or thing that helps in a subordinate capacity. _Allies_ unite as equals; _auxiliaries_ are, at least technically, inferiors or subordinates. Yet the _auxiliary_ is more than a mere _assistant_. The word is oftenest found in the plural, and in the military sense; _auxiliaries_ are troops of one nation uniting with the armies, and acting under the orders, of another. _Mercenaries_ serve only for pay; _auxiliaries_ often for reasons of state, policy, or patriotism as well. Compare ACCESSORY; APPENDAGE.

Antonyms:

antagonist, hinderer, opponent, opposer.

Prepositions:

The auxiliaries _of_ the Romans; an auxiliary _in_ a good cause; an auxiliary _to_ learning.

* * * * *

AVARICIOUS.

Synonyms:

close, greedy, niggardly, penurious, sordid, covetous, miserly, parsimonious, rapacious, stingy.

_Avaricious_ and _covetous_ refer especially to acquisition, _miserly_, _niggardly_, _parsimonious_, and _penurious_ to expenditure. The _avaricious_ man has an eager craving for money, and ordinarily desires both to get and to keep, the _covetous_ man to get something away from its possessor; tho one may be made _avaricious_ by the pressure of great expenditures. _Miserly_ and _niggardly_ persons seek to gain by mean and petty savings; the _miserly_ by stinting themselves, the _niggardly_ by stinting others. _Parsimonious_ and _penurious_ may apply to one's outlay either for himself or for others; in the latter use, they are somewhat less harsh and reproachful terms than _niggardly_. The _close_ man holds like a vise all that he gets. _Near_ and _nigh_ are provincial words of similar import. The _rapacious_ have the robber instinct, and put it in practise in some form, as far as they dare. The _avaricious_ and _rapacious_ are ready to reach out for gain; the _parsimonious_, _miserly_, and _niggardly_ prefer the safer and less adventurous way of avoiding expenditure. _Greedy_ and _stingy_ are used not only of money, but often of other things, as food, etc. The _greedy_ child wishes to enjoy everything himself; the _stingy_ child, to keep others from getting it.

Antonyms:

bountiful, free, generous, liberal, munificent, prodigal, wasteful.

Preposition:

The monarch was avaricious _of_ power.

* * * * *

AVENGE.

Synonyms:

punish, retaliate, revenge, vindicate, visit.

_Avenge_ and _revenge_, once close synonyms, are now far apart in meaning. To _avenge_ is to _visit_ some offense with punishment, in order to _vindicate_ the righteous, or to uphold and illustrate the right by the suffering or destruction of the wicked. "And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he _avenged_ him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian," _Acts_ vii, 24. To _revenge_ is to inflict harm or suffering upon another through personal anger and resentment at something done to ourselves. _Avenge_ is unselfish; _revenge_ is selfish. _Revenge_, according to present usage, could not be said of God. To _retaliate_ may be necessary for self-defense, without the idea of _revenge_. Compare REVENGE.

Prepositions:

Avenge _on_ or _upon_ (rarely, avenge oneself _of_) a wrong-doer.

* * * * *

AVOW.

Synonyms:

knowledge, aver, confess, own, profess, testify, admit, avouch, declare, proclaim, protest, witness.

_Acknowledge_, _admit_, and _declare_ refer either to oneself or to others; all the other words refer only to one's own knowledge or action. To _avow_ is to declare boldly and openly, commonly as something one is ready to justify, maintain, or defend. A man _acknowledges_ another's claim or his own promise; he _admits_ an opponent's advantage or his own error; he _declares_ either what he has seen or experienced or what he has received from another; he _avers_ what he is sure of from his own knowledge or consciousness; he gives his assurance as the voucher for what he _avouches_; he _avows_ openly a belief or intention that he has silently held. _Avow_ and _avouch_ take a direct object; _aver_ is followed by a conjunction: a man _avows_ his faith, _avouches_ a deed, _avers_ that he was present. _Avow_ has usually a good sense; what a person _avows_ he at least does not treat as blameworthy, criminal, or shameful; if he did, he would be said to _confess_ it; yet there is always the suggestion that some will be ready to challenge or censure what one _avows_; as, the clergyman _avowed_ his dissent from the doctrine of his church. _Own_ applies to all things, good or bad, great or small, which one takes as his own. Compare CONFESS; STATE.

Antonyms:

contradict, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, ignore, repudiate.

* * * * *

AWFUL.

Synonyms:

alarming, direful, frightful, majestic, solemn, appalling, dread, grand, noble, stately, august, dreadful, horrible, portentous, terrible, dire, fearful, imposing, shocking, terrific.

_Awful_ should not be used of things which are merely disagreeable or annoying, nor of all that are _alarming_ and _terrible_, but only of such as bring a solemn awe upon the soul, as in the presence of a superior power; as, the _awful_ hush before the battle. That which is _awful_ arouses an oppressive, that which is _august_ an admiring reverence; we speak of the _august_ presence of a mighty monarch, the _awful_ presence of death. We speak of an _exalted_ station, a _grand_ mountain, an _imposing_ presence, a _majestic_ cathedral, a _noble_ mien, a _solemn_ litany, a _stately_ march, an _august_ assembly, the _awful_ scene of the Judgment Day.

Antonyms:

base, contemptible, inferior, paltry, beggarly, despicable, lowly, undignified, commonplace, humble, mean, vulgar.

* * * * *

AWKWARD.

Synonyms:

boorish, clumsy, rough, unhandy, bungling, gawky, uncouth, unskilful. clownish, maladroit, ungainly,

_Awkward_, from _awk_ (kindred with _off_, from the Norwegian), is _off-ward_, turned the wrong way; it was anciently used of a back-handed or left-handed blow in battle, of squinting eyes, etc. _Clumsy_, on the other hand (from _clumse_, also through the Norwegian), signifies benumbed, stiffened with cold; this is the original meaning of _clumsy_ fingers, _clumsy_ limbs. Thus, _awkward_ primarily refers to action, _clumsy_ to condition. A tool, a vehicle, or the human frame may be _clumsy_ in shape or build, _awkward_ in motion. The _clumsy_ man is almost of necessity _awkward_, but the _awkward_ man may not be naturally _clumsy_. The finest untrained colt is _awkward_ in harness; a horse that is _clumsy_ in build can never be trained out of awkwardness. An _awkward_ statement has an uncomfortable, and perhaps recoiling force; a statement that contains ill-assorted and incongruous material in ill-chosen language is _clumsy_. We speak of an _awkward_ predicament, an _awkward_ scrape. An _awkward_ excuse commonly reflects on the one who offers it. We say the admitted facts have an _awkward_ appearance. In none of these cases could _clumsy_ be used. _Clumsy_ is, however, applied to movements that seem as unsuitable as those of benumbed and stiffened limbs. A dancing bear is both _clumsy_ and _awkward_.

Antonyms:

adroit, clever, dexterous, handy, skilful.

Prepositions:

The raw recruit is awkward _in_ action; _at_ the business.

* * * * *

AXIOM.

Synonym:

truism.

Both the _axiom_ and the _truism_ are instantly seen to be true, and need no proof; but in an _axiom_ there is progress of thought, while the _truism_ simply says the same thing over again, or says what is too manifest to need saying. The _axiom_ that "things which are equal to the same thing are equal to one another" unfolds in the latter part of the sentence the truth implied in the first part, which might have been overlooked if not stated. In the _truism_ that "a man can do all he is capable of," the former and the latter part of the sentence are simply identical, and the mind is left just where it started. Hence the _axiom_ is valuable and useful, while the _truism_ is weak and flat, unless the form of statement makes it striking or racy, as "all fools are out of their wits." Compare PROVERB.

Antonyms:

absurdity, contradiction, demonstration, nonsense, paradox, sophism.

* * * * *

BABBLE.

Synonyms:

blab, cackle, gabble, murmur, prattle, blurt, chat, gossip, palaver, tattle, blurt out, chatter, jabber, prate, twaddle.

Most of these words are onomatopoetic. The _cackle_ of a hen, the _gabble_ of a goose, the _chatter_ of a magpie, the _babble_ of a running stream, as applied to human speech, indicate a rapid succession of what are to the listener meaningless sounds. _Blab_ and _blurt_ (commonly _blurt out_) refer to the letting out of what the lips can no longer keep in; _blab_, of a secret; _blurt out_, of passionate feeling. To _chat_ is to talk in an easy, pleasant way, not without sense, but without special purpose. _Chatting_ is the practise of adults, _prattling_ that of children. To _prate_ is to talk idly, presumptuously, or foolishly, but not necessarily incoherently. To _jabber_ is to utter a rapid succession of unintelligible sounds, generally more noisy than _chattering_. To _gossip_ is to talk of petty personal matters, as for pastime or mischief. To _twaddle_ is to talk feeble nonsense. To _murmur_ is to utter suppressed or even inarticulate sounds, suggesting the notes of a dove, or the sound of a running stream, and is used figuratively of the half suppressed utterances of affection or pity, or of complaint, resentment, etc. Compare SPEAK.

Prepositions:

Babies babble _for_ the moon; the crowd babbles _of_ a hero; the sick man babbles _of_ home.

* * * * *

BANISH.

Synonyms:

ban, dismiss, evict, expatriate, ostracize, discharge, drive out, exile, expel, oust. dislodge, eject,

_Banish_, primarily to put under _ban_, to compel by authority to leave a place or country, perhaps with restriction to some other place or country. From a country, a person may be _banished_, _exiled_, or _expatriated_; _banished_ from any country where he may happen to be, but _expatriated_ or _exiled_ only from his own. One may _expatriate_ or _exile_ himself; he is _banished_ by others. _Banish_ is a word of wide import; one may _banish_ disturbing thoughts; care may _banish_ sleep. To _expel_ is to _drive out_ with violence or rudeness, and so often with disgrace.

Prepositions:

Cataline was banished _from_ Rome; John the Apostle was banished _to_ Patmos.

* * * * *

BANK.

Synonyms:

beach, bound, brink, edge, margin, shore, border, brim, coast, marge, rim, strand.

_Bank_ is a general term for the land along the edge of a water course; it may also denote a raised portion of the bed of a river, lake, or ocean; as, the _Banks_ of Newfoundland. A _beach_ is a strip or expanse of incoherent wave-worn sand, which is often pebbly or full of boulders; we speak of the _beach_ of a lake or ocean; a _beach_ is sometimes found in the bend of a river. _Strand_ is a more poetic term for a wave-washed shore, especially as a place for landing or embarking; as, the keel grates on the _strand_. The whole line of a country or continent that borders the sea is a _coast_. _Shore_ is any land, whether cliff, or sand, or marsh, bordering water. We do not speak of the _coast_ of a river, nor of the _banks_ of the ocean, tho there may be _banks_ by or under the sea. _Edge_ is the line where land and water meet; as, the water's _edge_. _Brink_ is the place from which one may fall; as, the river's _brink_; the _brink_ of a precipice; the _brink_ of ruin.

* * * * *

BANTER.

Synonyms:

badinage, derision, jeering, raillery, sarcasm, chaff, irony, mockery, ridicule, satire.

_Banter_ is the touching upon some fault, weakness, or fancied secret of another in a way half to pique and half to please; _badinage_ is delicate, refined _banter_. _Raillery_ has more sharpness, but is usually good-humored and well meant. _Irony_, the saying one thing that the reverse may be understood, may be either mild or bitter. All the other words have a hostile intent. _Ridicule_ makes a person or thing the subject of contemptuous merriment; _derision_ seeks to make the object derided seem utterly despicable--to laugh it to scorn. _Chaff_ is the coarse witticism of the streets, perhaps merry, oftener malicious; _jeering_ is loud, rude _ridicule_, as of a hostile crowd or mob. _Mockery_ is more studied, and may include mimicry and personal violence, as well as scornful speech. A _satire_ is a formal composition; a _sarcasm_ may be an impromptu sentence. The _satire_ shows up follies to keep people from them; the _sarcasm_ hits them because they are foolish, without inquiring whether it will do good or harm; the _satire_ is plainly uttered; the _sarcasm_ is covert.

* * * * *

BARBAROUS.

Synonyms:

atrocious, brutal, merciless, uncivilized, barbarian, cruel, rude, uncouth, barbaric, inhuman, savage, untamed.

Whatever is not civilized is _barbarian_; _barbaric_ indicates rude magnificence, uncultured richness; as, _barbaric_ splendor, a _barbaric_ melody. _Barbarous_ refers to the worst side of _barbarian_ life, and to revolting acts, especially of cruelty, such as a civilized man would not be expected to do; as, a _barbarous_ deed. We may, however, say _barbarous_ nations, _barbarous_ tribes, without implying anything more than want of civilization and culture. _Savage_ is more distinctly bloodthirsty than _barbarous_. In this sense we speak of a _savage_ beast and of _barbarous_ usage.

Antonyms:

civilized, cultured, elegant, humane, polite, tender, courtly, delicate, graceful, nice, refined, urbane.

* * * * *

BARRIER.

Synonyms:

bar, bulwark, obstruction, rampart, barricade, hindrance, parapet, restraint, breastwork, obstacle, prohibition, restriction.

A _bar_ is something that is or may be firmly fixed, ordinarily with intent to prevent entrance or egress; as, the _bars_ of a prison cell; the _bars_ of a wood-lot. A _barrier_ obstructs, but is not necessarily impassable. _Barrier_ is used of objects more extensive than those to which _bar_ is ordinarily applied. A mountain range may be a _barrier_ to exploration; but a mass of sand across the entrance to a harbor is called a _bar_. Discovered falsehood is a _bar_ to confidence. _Barricade_ has become practically a technical name for an improvised street fortification, and, unless in some way modified, is usually so understood. A _parapet_ is a low or breast-high wall, as about the edge of a roof, terrace, etc., especially, in military use, such a wall for the protection of troops; a _rampart_ is the embankment surrounding a fort, on which the _parapet_ is raised; the word _rampart_ is often used as including the _parapet_. _Bulwark_ is a general word for any defensive wall or _rampart_; its only technical use at present is in nautical language, where it signifies the raised side of a ship above the upper deck, topped by the rail. Compare BOUNDARY; IMPEDIMENT.

Antonyms:

admittance, opening, road, transit, entrance, passage, thoroughfare, way.

Prepositions:

A barrier _to_ progress, _against_ invasion; a barrier _between_ nations.

* * * * *

BATTLE.

Synonyms:

action, combat, encounter, passage of arms, affair, conflict, engagement, skirmish, bout, contest, fight, strife.

_Conflict_ is a general word which describes opponents, whether individuals or hosts, as dashed together. One continuous _conflict_ between entire armies is a _battle_. Another _battle_ may be fought upon the same field after a considerable interval; or a new _battle_ may follow immediately, the armies meeting upon a new field. An _action_ is brief and partial; a _battle_ may last for days. _Engagement_ is a somewhat formal expression for _battle_; as, it was the commander's purpose to avoid a general _engagement_. A protracted war, including many _battles_, may be a stubborn _contest_. _Combat_, originally a hostile _encounter_ between individuals, is now used also for extensive _engagements_. A _skirmish_ is between small detachments or scattered troops. An _encounter_ may be either purposed or accidental, between individuals or armed forces. _Fight_ is a word of less dignity than _battle_; we should not ordinarily speak of Waterloo as a _fight_, unless where the word is used in the sense of fighting; as, I was in the thick of the _fight_.

Antonyms:

armistice, concord, peace, suspension of hostilities, truce.

Prepositions:

A battle _of_ giants; battle _between_ armies; a battle _for_ life, _against_ invaders; a battle _to_ the death; the battle _of_ (more rarely _at_) Marathon.

* * * * *

BEAT.

Synonyms:

bastinado, chastise, overcome, spank, thrash, batter, conquer, pommel, strike, vanquish, belabor, cudgel, pound, surpass, whip, bruise, defeat, scourge, switch, worst. castigate, flog, smite,

_Strike_ is the word for a single blow; to _beat_ is to _strike_ repeatedly, as a bird _beats_ the air with its wings. Others of the above words describe the manner of _beating_, as _bastinado_, to _beat_ on the soles of the feet; _belabor_, to inflict a comprehensive and exhaustive _beating_; _cudgel_, to _beat_ with a stick; _thrash_, as wheat was _beaten_ out with the old hand-flail; to _pound_ (akin to L. _pondus_, a weight) is to _beat_ with a heavy, and _pommel_ with a blunt, instrument. To _batter_ and to _bruise_ refer to the results of _beating_; that is _battered_ which is broken or defaced by repeated blows on the surface (compare synonyms for SHATTER); that is _bruised_ which has suffered even one severe contusion. The metaphorical sense of _beat_, however, so far preponderates that one may be very badly _bruised_ and _battered_, and yet not be said to be _beaten_, unless he has got the worst of the _beating_. To _beat_ a combatant is to disable or dishearten him for further fighting. Hence _beat_ becomes the synonym for every word which implies getting the advantage of another. Compare CONQUER.

Antonyms:

fail, fall, get the worst of, go down, go under, surrender.

Almost all antonyms in this class are passive, and can be formed indefinitely from the conquering words by the use of the auxiliary _be_; as, be beaten, be defeated, be conquered, etc.

Prepositions:

Beat _with_ a stick _over_ the head; beat _by_ a trick; _out of_ town; beat _to_ the ground; _into_ submission.

* * * * *

BEAUTIFUL.

Synonyms:

attractive, charming, exquisite, handsome, beauteous, comely, fair, lovely, bewitching, delightful, fine, picturesque, bonny, elegant, graceful, pretty.

The definition of beauty, "perfection of form," is a good key to the meaning of _beautiful_, if we understand "form" in its widest sense. There must also be harmony and unity, and in human beings spiritual loveliness, to constitute an object or a person really _beautiful_. Thus, we speak of a _beautiful_ landscape, a _beautiful_ poem. But _beautiful_ implies also, in concrete objects, softness of outline and delicacy of mold; it is opposed to all that is hard and rugged, hence we say a _beautiful_ woman, but not a _beautiful_ man. _Beautiful_ has the further limit of not transcending our powers of appreciation. _Pretty_ expresses in a far less degree that which is pleasing to a refined taste in objects comparatively small, slight, and dainty; as, a _pretty_ bonnet; a _pretty_ girl. That is _handsome_ which is not only superficially pleasing, but well and harmoniously proportioned, with usually the added idea that it is made so by art, breeding, or training; as, a _handsome_ horse; a _handsome_ house. _Handsome_ is a term far inferior to _beautiful_; we may even say a _handsome_ villain. _Fair_ denotes what is bright, smooth, clear, and without blemish; as, a _fair_ face. The word applies wholly to what is superficial; we can say "_fair_, yet false." In a specific sense, _fair_ has the sense of blond, as opposed to dark or brunette. One who possesses vivacity, wit, good nature, or other pleasing qualities may be _attractive_ without beauty. _Comely_ denotes an aspect that is smooth, genial, and wholesome, with a certain fulness of contour and pleasing symmetry, tho falling short of the _beautiful_; as, a _comely_ matron. That is _picturesque_ which would make a striking picture.

Antonyms:

awkward, frightful, grotesque, repulsive, uncouth, clumsy, ghastly, hideous, shocking, ungainly, deformed, grim, horrid, ugly, unlovely, disgusting, grisly, odious, unattractive, unpleasant.

Prepositions:

Beautiful _to_ the eye; beautiful _in_ appearance, _in_ spirit; "beautiful _for_ situation," _Ps._ xlviii, 2; beautiful _of_ aspect, _of_ its kind.

* * * * *

BECAUSE.

Synonyms:

as, for, inasmuch as, since.

_Because_, literally _by_-cause, is the most direct and complete word for giving the reason of a thing. _Since_, originally denoting succession in time, signifies a succession in a chain of reasoning, a natural inference or result. _As_ indicates something like, coordinate, parallel. _Since_ is weaker than _because_; _as_ is weaker than _since_; either may introduce the reason before the main statement; thus, _since_ or _as_ you are going, I will accompany you. Often the weaker word is the more courteous, implying less constraint; for example, _as_ you request it, I will come, rather than I will come _because_ you request it. _Inasmuch as_ is a formal and qualified expression, implying by just so much, and no more; thus, _inasmuch as_ the debtor has no property, I abandon the claim. _For_ is a loose connective, giving often mere suggestion or indication rather than reason or cause; as, it is morning, _for_ (not _because_) the birds are singing.

Antonyms:

altho, however, nevertheless, notwithstanding, yet.

Compare synonyms for BUT; NOTWITHSTANDING.

* * * * *

BECOMING.

Synonyms:

befitting, congruous, fit, meet, seemly, beseeming, decent, fitting, neat, suitable, comely, decorous, graceful, proper, worthy.

That is _becoming_ in dress which suits the complexion, figure, and other qualities of the wearer, so as to produce on the whole a pleasing effect. That is _decent_ which does not offend modesty or propriety. That is _suitable_ which is adapted to the age, station, situation, and other circumstances of the wearer; coarse, heavy boots are _suitable_ for farm-work; a juvenile style of dress is not _suitable_ for an old lady. In conduct much the same rules apply. The dignity and gravity of a patriarch would not be _becoming_ to a child; at a funeral lively, cheery sociability would not be _decorous_, while noisy hilarity would not be _decent_; sumptuous display would not be _suitable_ for a poor person. _Fit_ is a compendious term for whatever fits the person, time, place, occasion, etc.; as, a _fit_ person; a _fit_ abode; a _fit_ place. _Fitting_, or _befitting_, is somewhat more elegant, implying a nicer adaptation. _Meet_, a somewhat archaic word, expresses a moral fitness; as, _meet_ for heaven. Compare BEAUTIFUL.

Antonyms:

awkward, ill-fitting, indecent, unbecoming, unseemly, ill-becoming, improper, indecorous, unfit, unsuitable.

Prepositions:

The dress was becoming _to_ the wearer. Such conduct was becoming _in_ him.

* * * * *

BEGINNING.

Synonyms:

arising, inauguration, origin, source, commencement, inception, outset, spring, fount, initiation, rise, start. fountain, opening,