English Synonyms and Antonyms Part 134

We often fail to recognize the actor who ---- his costume between the acts.

CHARACTER (page 102).

QUESTIONS.

1. How do you distinguish between _character_ and _reputation_?

_const.i.tution_ and _disposition_? 2. Is _nature_ a broader word than any of the preceding? 3. If so, why?

EXAMPLES.

The philanthropist's ---- for charity is often a great source of annoyance to him.

Let dogs delight to bark and bite, for 'tis their ---- to.

Misfortune may cause the loss of friends and reputation, yet if the man has not yielded to wrong, his ---- is superior to loss or change.

CHOOSE (page 104).

QUESTIONS.

1. What are the shades of difference between _choose_, _cull_, _elect_, _pick_, _prefer_, and _select_? 2. Also between the antonyms _cast away_, _decline_, _dismiss_, _refuse_, _repudiate_? 3. Does _select_ imply more care or judgment than _choose_?

EXAMPLES.

The prettiest flowers had all been ----.

Jacob was ---- to Esau, tho he was the younger.

When a man deliberately ---- to do wrong, there is little hope for him.

CIRc.u.mSTANCE (page 105).

QUESTIONS.

1. To what cla.s.ses of things do we apply _accompaniment_? _concomitant_?

_circ.u.mstance_? _event_? _fact_? _incident_? _occurrence_? _situation_?

2. Can you give some instances of the use of _circ.u.mstance_? 3. Is it a word of broader meaning than _incident_?

EXAMPLES.

The ---- that there had been a fire was proved by the smoke-blackened walls.

Extreme provocation may be a mitigating ---- in a case of homicide.

CLa.s.s (page 106).

QUESTIONS.

1. How does a _cla.s.s_ differ from a _caste_? 2. In what connection is _rank_ used? _order_? 3. What is a _coterie_? How does it differ from a _clique_?

EXAMPLES.

An ---- was formed for the relief of the poor and needy of the city.

A select ---- met at the residence of one of the leading men of the city.

There is a struggle of the ma.s.ses against the ----.

CLEAR (page 107).

QUESTIONS.

1. What does _clear_ originally signify? 2. How does _clear_ differ from _transparent_ as regards a substance that may be a medium of vision? 3.

With what meaning is _clear_ used of an object apprehended by the senses, as an object of sight or hearing? 4. What does _distinct_ signify? 5. What is _plain_? 6. What special sense does this word always retain? How does _transparent_ differ from _translucent_? 7. What do _lucid_ and _pellucid_ signify? 8. What is the special force of _limpid_?

CLEVER (page 109).

QUESTIONS.

1. What is the meaning of _clever_ as used in England? 2. What was the early New England usage? 3. What is to be said of the use of _smart_ and _sharp_? 4. What other words of this group are preferable to _clever_ in many of its uses?

EXAMPLES.

His brief experience in the department had made him very ---- in the work now a.s.signed him.

She was especially ---- in song.