English Synonyms and Antonyms Part 75

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 partic.i.p.ation; 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, d.i.c.kens, and others), and a considerable usage of good society in its favor, the expression being quite naturally derived from the thoroughly correct phrase _mutual_ friends.h.i.+p.

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 G.o.d or the origin of life. That is _mystic_ or _mystical_ which has a.s.sociated 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, t.i.tle.

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 _t.i.tle_ 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 _t.i.tle_ denoting his royal rank. An _epithet_ (Gr. _epitheton_, something added, from _epi_, on, and _t.i.themi_, 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 a.s.sumed 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 cla.s.s 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, a.s.sumed, 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 s.h.i.+ps or navigation; _naval_ (L. _navis_, Gr. _naus_, a s.h.i.+p) 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_, coa.r.s.e 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,