English Synonyms and Antonyms Part 51

Synonyms:

deathless, fadeless, never-failing, undying, endless, immortal, perennial, unending, eonian, imperishable, perpetual, unfading, everlasting, interminable, timeless, unfailing, ever-living, never-ending, unceasing, without end.

_Eternal_ strictly signifies without beginning or end, in which sense it applies to G.o.d alone; _everlasting_ applies to that which may or may not have beginning, but will never cease; _eternal_ is also used in this more limited sense; _endless_, without end, in its utmost reach, is not distinguishable from _everlasting_; but _endless_ is constantly used in inferior senses, especially in mechanics, as in the phrases an _endless_ screw, an _endless_ chain. _Everlasting_ and _endless_ are both used in a limited sense of protracted, indefinite, but not infinite duration; as, the _everlasting_ hills; _endless_ debates; so we speak of _interminable_ quarrels. _Eternal_ holds quite strictly to the vast and sacred meaning in which it is applied to the Divine Being and the future state. _Everlasting_, _endless_, and _eternal_ may be applied to that which has no life; as, _everlasting_ chains, _endless_ night, _eternal_ death; _immortal_ applies to that which now has life, and is forever exempt from death. _Timeless_ carries, perhaps, the fullest idea of _eternal_, as above and beyond time, and not to be measured by it.

EVENT.

Synonyms:

case, contingency, fortune, outcome, chance, end, incident, possibility, circ.u.mstance, episode, issue, result, consequence, fact, occurrence, sequel.

Etymologically, the _incident_ is that which falls in, the _event_ that which comes out; _event_ is thus greater and more signal than _incident_; we speak of trifling _incidents_, great _events_; _incidents_ of daily life, _events_ of history. _Circ.u.mstance_ agrees with _incident_ in denoting a matter of relatively slight importance, but implies a more direct connection with the princ.i.p.al matter; "circ.u.mstantial evidence" is evidence from seemingly minor matters directly connected with a case; "incidental evidence" would be some evidence that happened unexpectedly to touch it. An _occurrence_ is, etymologically, that which we run against, without thought of its origin, connection or tendency. An _episode_ is connected with the main course of _events_, like an _incident_ or _circ.u.mstance_, but is of more independent interest and importance. _Outcome_ is the Saxon, and _event_ the Latin for expressing the same original idea. _Consequence_ or _result_ would express more of logical connection, and be more comprehensive. The _end_ may be simple cessation; the _event_ is what has been accomplished; the _event_ of a war is victory or defeat; the _end_ of the war is reached when a treaty of peace is signed. Since the future is contingent, _event_ comes to have the meaning of a _contingency_; as, in the _event_ of his death, the policy will at once fall due. Compare CIRc.u.mSTANCE; CONSEQUENCE; END.

EVERY.

Synonyms:

all, any, both, each, either.

_All_ and _both_ are collective; _any_, _each_, and _every_ are distributive. _Any_ makes no selection and may not reach to the full limits of _all_; _each_ and _every_ make no exception or omission, and must extend to _all_; _all_ sweeps in the units as part of a total, _each_ and _every_ proceed through the units to the total. A promise made to _all_ omits none; a promise made to _any_ may not reach _all_; a promise made to _every_ one is so made that no individual shall fail to be aware of it; a promise made to _each_ is made to the individuals personally, one by one. _Each_ is thus more individual and specific than _every_; _every_ cla.s.sifies, _each_ individualizes. _Each_ divides, _both_ unites; if a certain sum is given to _each_ of two persons, _both_ (together) must receive twice the amount; _both_ must be aware of what has been separately communicated to _each_; a man may fire _both_ barrels of a gun by a single movement; if he fires _each_ barrel, he discharges them separately. _Either_ properly denotes one of two, indefinitely, to the exclusion of the other. The use of _either_ in the sense of _each_ or _both_, tho sustained by good authority, is objectionable because ambiguous. His friends sat on _either_ side of the room would naturally mean on one side or the other; if the meaning is on _both_ sides, it would be better to say so.

EVIDENT.

Synonyms:

apparent, glaring, overt, tangible, clear, indubitable, palpable, transparent, conspicuous, manifest, patent, unmistakable, discernible, obvious, perceptible, visible.

distinct, open, plain,

That is _apparent_ which clearly appears to the senses or to the mind as soon as the attention is directed toward it; that is _evident_ of which the mind is made sure by some inference that supplements the facts of perception; the marks of a struggle were _apparent_ in broken shrubbery and trampled ground, and the finding of a mutilated body and a rifled purse made it _evident_ that robbery and murder had been committed. That is _manifest_ which we can lay the hand upon; _manifest_ is thus stronger than _evident_, as touch is more absolute than sight; that the picture was a modern copy of an ancient work was _evident_, and on comparison with the original its inferiority was _manifest_. That is _obvious_ which is directly in the way so that it can not be missed; as, the application of the remark was _obvious_. _Visible_ applies to all that can be perceived by the sense of sight, whether the noonday sun, a s.h.i.+p on the horizon, or a microscopic object. _Discernible_ applies to that which is dimly or faintly _visible_, requiring strain and effort in order to be seen; as, the s.h.i.+p was _discernible_ through the mist. That is _conspicuous_ which stands out so as necessarily or strikingly to attract the attention. _Palpable_ and _tangible_ express more emphatically the thought of _manifest_.

Antonyms:

concealed, impalpable, latent, secret, unknown, covert, impenetrable, obscure, undiscovered, unseen, dark, imperceptible, occult, unimagined, unthought-of.

hidden, invisible,

EXAMPLE.

Synonyms:

archetype, ideal, prototype, type, ensample, model, sample, warning.

exemplar, pattern, specimen, exemplification, precedent, standard,

From its original sense of _sample_ or _specimen_ (L. _exemplum_) _example_ derives the seemingly contradictory meanings, on the one hand of a _pattern_ or _model_, and on the other hand of a _warning_--a _sample_ or _specimen_ of what is to be followed, or of what is to be shunned. An _example_, however, may be more than a _sample_ or _specimen_ of any cla.s.s; it may be the very _archetype_ or _prototype_ to which the whole cla.s.s must conform, as when Christ is spoken of as being an _example_ or leaving an _example_ for his disciples. _Example_ comes nearer to the possible freedom of the _model_ than to the necessary exactness of the _pattern_; often we can not, in a given case, exactly imitate the best _example_, but only adapt its teachings to altered circ.u.mstances. In its application to a person or thing, _exemplar_ can scarcely be distinguished from _example_; but _example_ is most frequently used for an act, or course of action, for which _exemplar_ is not used; as, one sets a good (or a bad) _example_. An _exemplification_ is an ill.u.s.trative working out in action of a principle or law, without any reference to its being copied or repeated; an _example_ guides, an _exemplification_ ill.u.s.trates or explains.

_Ensample_ is the same as _example_, but is practically obsolete outside of Scriptural or theological language. Compare MODEL; SAMPLE.

EXCESS.

Synonyms:

dissipation, lavishness, redundance, surplus, exorbitance, overplus, redundancy, waste, extravagance, prodigality, superabundance, wastefulness.

intemperance, profusion, superfluity,

_Excess_ is more than enough of anything, and, since this in very many cases indicates a lack either of judgment or of self-control, the word is used frequently in an unfavorable sense. Careless expenditure in _excess_ of income is _extravagance_; we may have also _extravagance_ of language, professions, etc. As _extravagance_ is _excess_ in outlay, _exorbitance_ is _excess_ in demands, and especially in pecuniary demands upon others. _Overplus_ and _superabundance_ denote in the main a satisfactory, and _superfluity_ an undesirable, _excess_; _lavishness_ and _profusion_, a generous, bountiful, or amiable _excess_; as, a _profusion_ of fair hair; _lavishness_ of hospitality. _Surplus_ is neutral, having none of the unfavorable meaning that often attaches to _excess_; a _surplus_ is that which remains over after all demands are met. _Redundance_ or _redundancy_ refers chiefly to literary style, denoting an _excess_ of words or matter. _Excess_ in the moral sense is expressed by _dissipation_, _prodigality_, _intemperance_, etc.

Antonyms:

dearth, dest.i.tution, frugality, lack, scantiness, defect, economy, inadequacy, need, shortcoming, deficiency, failure, insufficiency, poverty, want.

EXECUTE.

Synonyms:

administer, carry out, do, enforce, perform.

To _execute_ is to follow through to the end, put into absolute and final effect in action; to _administer_ is to conduct as one holding a trust, as a minister and not an originator; the sheriff _executes_ a writ; the trustee _administers_ an estate, a charity, etc.; to _enforce_ is to put into effect by force, actual or potential. To _administer_ the laws is the province of a court of justice; to _execute_ the laws is the province of a sheriff, marshal, constable, or other executive officer; to _administer_ the law is to declare or apply it; to _execute_ the law is to put it in force; for this _enforce_ is the more general word, _execute_ the more specific. From signifying to superintend officially some application or infliction, _administer_ pa.s.ses by a natural transition to signify _inflict_, _mete out_, _dispense_, and blows, medicine, etc., are said to be _administered_: a usage thoroughly established and reputable in spite of pedantic objections. _Enforce_ signifies also to present and urge home by intellectual and moral force; as, to _enforce_ a precept or a duty. Compare DO; KILL; MAKE.

EXERCISE.

Synonyms:

act, application, exertion, performance, action, drill, occupation, practise, activity, employment, operation, use.

_Exercise_, in the ordinary sense, is the easy natural action of any power; _exertion_ is the putting of any power to strain and tax. An _exercise_-drive for a horse is so much as will develop strength and health and not appreciably weary. But by qualifying adjectives we may bring _exercise_ up to the full sense of _exertion_; as, violent _exercise_. _Exercise_ is action taken at any time with a view to employing, maintaining, or increasing power, or merely for enjoyment; _practise_ is systematic _exercise_ with a view to the acquirement of facility and skill in some pursuit; a person takes a walk for _exercise_, or takes time for _practise_ on the piano. _Practise_ is also used of putting into action and effect what one has learned or holds as a theory; as, the _practise_ of law or medicine; a profession of religion is good, but the _practise_ of it is better. _Drill_ is systematic, rigorous, and commonly enforced _practise_ under a teacher or commander. Compare HABIT.