English Synonyms and Antonyms Part 48

Synonyms:

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

_Emblem_ is the English form of _emblema_, a Latin word of Greek origin, signifying a figure beaten out on a metallic vessel by blows from within; also, a figure inlaid in wood, stone, or other material as a copy of some natural object. The Greek word _symbolon_ denoted a victor's wreath, a check, or any object that might be compared with, or found to correspond with another, whether there was or was not anything in the objects compared to suggest the comparison. Thus an _emblem_ resembles, a _symbol_ represents. An _emblem_ has some natural fitness to suggest that for which it stands; a _symbol_ has been chosen or agreed upon to suggest something else, with or without natural fitness; a _sign_ does actually suggest the thing with or without reason, and with or without intention or choice. A _symbol_ may be also an _emblem_; thus the elements of bread and wine in the Lord's Supper are both appropriate _emblems_ and his own chosen _symbols_ of suffering and death. A statement of doctrine is often called a _symbol_ of faith; but it is not an _emblem_. On the other hand, the same thing may be both a _sign_ and a _symbol_; a letter of the alphabet is a _sign_ which indicates a sound; but letters are often used as mathematical, chemical, or astronomical _symbols_. A _token_ is something given or done as a pledge or expression of feeling or intent; while the _sign_ may be unintentional, the _token_ is voluntary; kind looks may be _signs_ of regard; a gift is a _token_; a ring, which is a natural _emblem_ of eternity, and also its accepted _symbol_, is frequently given as a _token_ of friends.h.i.+p or love. A _figure_ in the sense here considered is something that represents an idea to the mind somewhat as a form is represented to the eye, as in drawing, painting, or sculpture; as representing a future reality, a _figure_ may be practically the same as a _type_. An _image_ is a visible representation, especially in sculpture, having or supposed to have a close resemblance to that which it represents. A _type_ is in religion a representation of a greater reality to come; we speak of one object as the _type_ of the cla.s.s whose characteristics it exhibits, as in the case of animal or vegetable _types_. An _attribute_ in art is some accessory used to characterize a _figure_ or scene; the _attribute_ is often an _emblem_ or _symbol_; thus the eagle is the _attribute_ of St. John as an _emblem_ of lofty spiritual vision. Compare SIGN.

EMIGRATE.

Synonyms:

immigrate, migrate.

To _migrate_ is to change one's dwelling-place, usually with the idea of repeated change, or of periodical return; it applies to wandering tribes of men, and to many birds and animals. _Emigrate_ and _immigrate_ carry the idea of a permanent change of residence to some other country or some distant region; the two words are used distinctively of human beings, and apply to the same person and the same act, according to the side from which the action is viewed.

Prepositions:

A person emigrates _from_ the land he leaves, and immigrates _to_ the land where he takes up his abode.

EMPLOY.

Synonyms:

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

In general terms it may be said that to _employ_ is to devote to one's purpose, to _use_ is to render subservient to one's purpose; what is _used_ is viewed as more absolutely an instrument than what is _employed_; a merchant _employs_ a clerk; he _uses_ pen and paper; as a rule, _use_ is not said of persons, except in a degrading sense; as, the conspirators _used_ him as a go-between. Hence the expression common in some religious circles "that G.o.d would _use_ me" is not to be commended; it has also the fault of representing the human worker as absolutely a pa.s.sive and helpless instrument; the phrase is altogether unscriptural; the Scripture says, "We are laborers together with (co-workers with) G.o.d." That which is _used_ is often consumed in the _using_, or in familiar phrase _used up_; as, we _used_ twenty tons of coal last winter; in such cases we could not subst.i.tute _employ_. A person may be _employed_ in his own work or in that of another; in the latter case the service is always understood to be for pay. In this connection _employ_ is a word of more dignity than _hire_; a general is _employed_ in his country's service; a mercenary adventurer is _hired_ to fight a tyrant's battles. It is unsuitable, according to present usage, to speak of _hiring_ a pastor; the Scripture, indeed, says of the preacher, "The laborer is worthy of his hire;" but this sense is archaic, and _hire_ now implies that the one _hired_ works directly and primarily for the pay, as expressed in the noun "hireling;" a Pastor is properly said to be _called_, or when the business side of the transaction is referred to, _engaged_, or possibly _employed_, at a certain salary.

Prepositions:

Employ _in_, _on_, _upon_, or _about_ a work, business, etc.; _for_ a purpose; _at_ a stipulated salary.

END, _v._

Synonyms:

break off, close, conclude, expire, quit, terminate, cease, complete, desist, finish, stop, wind up.

That _ends_, or is _ended_, of which there is no more, whether or not more was intended or needed; that is _closed_, _completed_, _concluded_, or _finished_ which has come to an expected or appropriate end. A speech may be _ended_ almost as soon as begun, because of the speaker's illness, or of tumult in the audience; in such a case, the speech is neither _closed_, _completed_, nor _finished_, nor, in the strict sense, _concluded_. An argument may be _closed_ with nothing proved; when an argument is _concluded_ all that is deemed necessary to prove the point has been stated. To _finish_ is to do the last thing there is to do; as, "I have _finished_ my course," _2 Tim._ iv, 7. _Finish_ has come to mean, not merely to _complete_ in the essentials, but to perfect in all the minute details, as in the expression "to add the _finis.h.i.+ng_ touches." The enumeration is _completed_; the poem, the picture, the statue is _finished_. To _terminate_ may be either to bring to an arbitrary or to an appropriate end; as, he _terminated_ his remarks abruptly; the spire _terminates_ in a cross. A thing _stops_ that comes to rest from motion; or the motion _stops_ or _ceases_ when the object comes to rest; _stop_ frequently signifies to bring or come to a sudden and decided cessation of motion, progress, or action of any kind.

Compare DO; TRANSACT.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for BEGIN.

END, _n._

Synonyms:

accomplishment, effect, limit, achievement, expiration, outcome, bound, extent, period, boundary, extremity, point, cessation, finale, purpose, close, finis, result, completion, finish, termination, conclusion, fulfilment, terminus, consequence, goal, tip, consummation, intent, utmost, design, issue, uttermost.

The _end_ is the terminal part of a material object that has length; the _extremity_ is distinctively the terminal _point_, and may thus be but part of the _end_ in the general sense of that word; the _extremity_ is viewed as that which is most remote from some center, or some mean or standard position; the southern _end_ of South America includes all Patagonia, the southern _extremity_ or _point_ is Cape Horn. _Tip_ has nearly the same meaning as _extremity_, but is said of small or slight and tapering objects; as, the _tip_ of the finger; _point_ in such connections is said of that which is drawn out to exceeding fineness or sharpness, as the _point_ of a needle, a fork, or a sword; _extremity_ is said of something considerable; we do not speak of the _extremity_ of a needle. _Terminus_ is chiefly used to designate the _end_ of a line of travel or transportation: specifically, the furthermost station in any direction on a railway, or by extension the town or village where it is situated. _Termination_ is the Latin and more formal word for the Saxon _end_, but is chiefly used of time, words, undertakings, or abstractions of any kind. _Expiration_ signifies the coming to an _end_ in the natural course of things; as, the _expiration_ of a year, or of a lease; it is used of things of some consequence; we do not ordinarily speak of the _expiration_ of an hour or of a day. _Limit_ implies some check to or restraint upon further advance, right, or privilege; as, the _limits_ of an estate (compare BOUNDARY). A _goal_ is an _end_ sought or striven for, as in a race. For the figurative senses of _end_ and its a.s.sociated words, compare the synonyms for the verb END; also for AIM; CONSEQUENCE; DESIGN.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for BEGINNING.

ENDEAVOR, _v._

Synonyms:

attempt, essay, strive, try, undertake.

To _attempt_ is to take action somewhat experimentally with the hope and purpose of accomplis.h.i.+ng a certain result; to _endeavor_ is to _attempt_ strenuously and with firm and enduring purpose. To _attempt_ expresses a single act; to _endeavor_, a continuous exertion; we say I will _endeavor_ (not I will _attempt_) while I live. To _attempt_ is with the view of accomplis.h.i.+ng; to _essay_, with a view of testing our own powers. To _undertake_ is to accept or take upon oneself as an obligation, as some business, labor, or trust; the word often implies complete a.s.surance of success; as, I will _undertake_ to produce the witness. To _strive_ suggests little of the result, much of toil, strain, and contest, in seeking it; I will _strive_ to fulfil your wishes, _i. e._, I will spare no labor and exertion to do it. _Try_ is the most comprehensive of these words. The original idea of testing or experimenting is not thought of when a man says "I will _try_." To _attempt_ suggests giving up, if the thing is not accomplished at a stroke; to _try_ implies using other means and studying out other ways if not at first successful. _Endeavor_ is more mild and formal; the pilot in the burning pilot-house does not say "I will _endeavor_" or "I will _attempt_ to hold the s.h.i.+p to her course," but "I'll _try_, sir!"

Antonyms:

abandon, give up, omit, throw away, dismiss, let go, overlook, throw over, drop, neglect, pa.s.s by, throw up.

ENDEAVOR, _n._

Synonyms:

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

_Effort_ denotes the voluntary putting forth of power to attain or accomplish some specific thing; it reaches toward a definite end; _exertion_ is a putting forth of power without special reference to an object. Every _effort_ is an _exertion_, but not every _exertion_ is an _effort_. _Attempt_ is more experimental than _effort_, _endeavor_ less strenuous but more continuous. An _effort_ is a single act, an _endeavor_ a continued series of acts; an _endeavor_ is sustained and enduring, and may be lifelong; we do not have a society of Christian _Attempt_, or of Christian _Effort_, but of Christian _Endeavor_. A _struggle_ is a violent _effort_ or strenuous _exertion_. An _essay_ is an _attempt_, _effort_, or _endeavor_ made as a test of the powers of the one who makes it. Compare ENDEAVOR, _v._