English Synonyms and Antonyms — Accident to Address, n.

adventure, contingency, happening, misfortune, calamity, disaster, hazard, mishap, casualty, fortuity, incident, possibility.

chance, hap, misadventure, An _accident_ is that which happens without any one's direct intention;

a _chance_ that which happens without any known cause.

If the direct cause of a railroad _accident_ is known, we can not call it a _chance_.

To the theist there is, in strictness, no _chance_, all things being by divine causation and control; but _chance_ is spoken of where no special cause is manifest: "By _chance_ there came down a certain priest that way," _Luke_ x, 31. We can speak of a game of _chance_, but not of a game of _accident_.

An _incident_ is viewed as occurring in the regular course of things, but subordinate to the main purpose, or aside from the main design.

_Fortune_ is the result of inscrutable controlling forces.

_Fortune_ and _chance_ are nearly equivalent, but _chance_ can be used of human effort and endeavor as _fortune_ can not be; we say "he has a _chance_ of success," or "there is one _chance_ in a thousand," where we could not substitute _fortune_; as personified, _Fortune_ is regarded as having a fitful purpose, _Chance_ as purposeless; we speak of fickle _Fortune_, blind _Chance_; "_Fortune_ favors the brave."

The slaughter of men is an _incident_ of battle; unexpected defeat, the _fortune_ of war.

Since the unintended is often the undesirable, _accident_ tends to signify some _calamity_ or _disaster_, unless the contrary is expressed, as when we say a fortunate or happy _accident_.

An _adventure_ is that which may turn out ill, a _misadventure_ that which does turn out ill.

A

slight disturbing _accident_ is a _mishap_.

Compare EVENT; HAZARD.

Antonyms: appointment, decree, intention, ordainment, preparation, calculation, fate, law, ordinance, provision, certainty, foreordination, necessity, plan, purpose.

Prepositions: The accident _of_ birth; an accident _to_ the machinery.

* * * * * ACQUAINTANCE.

Synonyms: association, experience, fellowship, intimacy, companionship, familiarity, friendship, knowledge.

_Acquaintance_ between persons supposes that each knows the other; we may know a public man by his writings or speeches, and by sight, but can not claim _acquaintance_ unless he personally knows us.

There may be pleasant _acquaintance_ with little _companionship_; and conversely, much _companionship_ with little _acquaintance_, as between busy clerks at adjoining desks.

So there may be _association_ in business without _intimacy_ or _friendship_.

_Acquaintance_ admits of many degrees, from a slight or passing to a familiar or intimate _acquaintance_; but _acquaintance_ unmodified commonly signifies less than _familiarity_ or _intimacy_.

As regards persons, _familiarity_ is becoming restricted to the undesirable sense, as in the proverb, "_Familiarity_ breeds contempt;" hence, in personal relations, the word _intimacy_, which refers to mutual knowledge of thought and feeling, is now uniformly preferred.

_Friendship_ includes _acquaintance_ with some degree of _intimacy_, and ordinarily _companionship_, though in a wider sense _friendship_ may exist between those who have never met, but know each other only by word and deed.

_Acquaintance_ does not involve _friendship_, for one may be well acquainted with an enemy.

_Fellowship_ involves not merely _acquaintance_ and _companionship_, but sympathy as well.

There may be much _friendship_ without much _fellowship_, as between those whose homes or pursuits are far apart.

There may be pleasant _fellowship_ which does not reach the fulness of _friendship_.

Compare ATTACHMENT; FRIENDSHIP; LOVE.

As regards studies, pursuits, etc. , _acquaintance_ is less than _familiarity_, which supposes minute _knowledge_ of particulars, arising often from long _experience_ or _association_.

Antonyms: ignorance, ignoring, inexperience, unfamiliarity.

Prepositions: Acquaintance _with_ a subject; _of_ one person _with_ another; _between_ persons.

* * * * * ACRIMONY.

Synonyms: acerbity, harshness, severity, tartness, asperity, malignity, sharpness, unkindness, bitterness, moroseness, sourness, virulence.

causticity, _Acerbity_ is a _sharpness_, with a touch of _bitterness_, which may arise from momentary annoyance or habitual impatience; _asperity_ is keener and more pronounced, denoting distinct irritation or vexation; in speech _asperity_ is often manifested by the tone of voice rather than by the words that are spoken.

_Acrimony_ in speech or temper is like a corrosive acid; it springs from settled character or deeply rooted feeling of aversion or unkindness.

One might speak with momentary _asperity_ to his child, but not with _acrimony_, unless estrangement had begun.

_Malignity_ is the extreme of settled ill intent; _virulence_ is an envenomed hostility.

_Virulence_ of speech is a quality in language that makes the language seem as if exuding poison.

_Virulence_ is outspoken; _malignity_ may be covered with smooth and courteous phrase.

We say intense _virulence_, deep _malignity_.

_Severity_ is always painful, and may be terrible, but carries ordinarily the implication, true or false, of justice.

Compare ANGER; BITTER; ENMITY.

Antonyms: amiability, gentleness, kindness, smoothness, courtesy, good nature, mildness, sweetness.

* * * * * ACT, _n.

_ Synonyms: accomplishment, execution, movement, achievement, exercise, operation, action, exertion, performance, consummation, exploit, proceeding, deed, feat, transaction, doing, motion, work.

effect, An _act_ is strictly and originally something accomplished by an exercise of power, in which sense it is synonymous with _deed_ or _effect_.

_Action_ is a _doing_.

_Act_ is therefore single, individual, momentary; _action_ a complex of _acts_, or a process, state, or habit of exerting power.

We say a virtuous _act_, but rather a virtuous course of _action_.

We speak of the _action_ of an acid upon a metal, not of its _act_.

_Act_ is used, also, for the simple _exertion_ of power; as, an _act_ of will.

In this sense an _act_ does not necessarily imply an external _effect_, while an _action_ does.

Morally, the _act_ of murder is in the determination to kill; legally, the _act_ is not complete without the striking of the fatal blow.

_Act_ and _deed_ are both used for the thing done, but _act_ refers to the power put forth, _deed_ to the result accomplished; as, a voluntary _act_, a bad _deed_.

In connection with other words _act_ is more usually qualified by the use of another noun, _action_ by an adjective preceding; we may say a kind _act_, though oftener an _act_ of kindness, but only a kind _action_, not an _action_ of kindness.

As between _act_ and _deed_, _deed_ is commonly used of great, notable, and impressive _acts_, as are _achievement_, _exploit_, and _feat_.

_Festus_: We live in _deeds_, not years; in thoughts, not breaths.

BAILEY _Festus, A Country Town_, sc.

7. A _feat_ exhibits strength, skill, personal power, whether mental or physical, especially the latter; as, a _feat_ of arms, a _feat_ of memory.

An _exploit_ is a conspicuous or glorious _deed_, involving valor or heroism, usually combined with strength, skill, loftiness of thought, and readiness of resource; an _achievement_ is the doing of something great and noteworthy; an _exploit_ is brilliant, but its effect may be transient; an _achievement_ is solid, and its effect enduring.

_Act_ and _action_ are both in contrast to all that is merely passive and receptive.

The intensest _action_ is easier than passive endurance.

Antonyms: cessation, immobility, inertia, quiet, suffering, deliberation, inaction, passion,[A] repose, suspension.

endurance, inactivity, quiescence, rest, [A] In philosophic sense.

* * * * * ACTIVE.

Synonyms: agile, energetic, officious, sprightly, alert, expeditious, prompt, spry, brisk, industrious, quick, supple, bustling, lively, ready, vigorous, busy, mobile, restless, wide awake.

diligent, nimble, _Active_ refers to both quickness and constancy of action; in the former sense it is allied with _agile_, _alert_, _brisk_, etc. ; in the latter, with _busy_, _diligent_, _industrious_.

The _active_ love employment, the _busy_ are actually employed, the _diligent_ and the _industrious_ are habitually _busy_.

The _restless_ are _active_ from inability to keep quiet; their activity may be without purpose, or out of all proportion to the purpose contemplated.

The _officious_ are undesirably _active_ in the affairs of others.

Compare ALERT; ALIVE; MEDDLESOME.

Antonyms: dull, inactive, lazy, slow, heavy, indolent, quiescent, sluggish, idle, inert, quiet, stupid.

Prepositions: Active _in_ work, _in_ a cause; _for_ an object, as _for_ justice;

_with_ persons or instrumentalities; _about_ something, as _about_ other people's business.

* * * * * ACUMEN.

Synonyms: acuteness, insight, perspicacity, sharpness, cleverness, keenness, sagacity, shrewdness.

discernment, penetration, _Sharpness_, _acuteness_, and _insight_, however keen, and _penetration_, however deep, fall short of the meaning of _acumen_, which implies also ability to use these qualities to advantage.

There are persons of keen _insight_ and great _penetration_ to whom these powers are practically useless.

_Acumen_ is _sharpness_ to some purpose, and belongs to a mind that is comprehensive as well as keen.

_Cleverness_ is a practical aptitude for study or learning.

_Insight_ and _discernment_ are applied oftenest to the judgment of character;

_penetration_ and _perspicacity_ to other subjects of knowledge.

_Sagacity_ is an uncultured skill in using quick perceptions for a desired end, generally in practical affairs; _acumen_ may increase with study, and applies to the most erudite matters.

_Shrewdness_ is _keenness_ or _sagacity_, often with a somewhat evil bias, as ready to take advantage of duller intellects.

_Perspicacity_ is the power to see clearly through that which is difficult or involved.

We speak of the _acuteness_ of an observer or a reasoner, the _insight_ and _discernment_ of a student, a clergyman, or a merchant, the _sagacity_ of a hound, the _keenness_ of a debater, the _shrewdness_ of a usurer, the _penetration_, _perspicacity_, and _acumen_ of a philosopher.

Antonyms: bluntness, dulness, obtuseness, stupidity.

* * * * * ADD.

Synonyms: adjoin, annex, augment, extend, make up, affix, append, cast up, increase, subjoin, amplify, attach, enlarge, join on, sum up.

To _add_ is to _increase_ by _adjoining_ or _uniting_: in distinction from multiply, which is to _increase_ by repeating.

To _augment_ a thing is to _increase_ it by any means, but this word is seldom used directly of material objects; we do not _augment_ a house, a farm, a nation, etc. We may _enlarge_ a house, a farm, or an empire, _extend_ influence or dominion, _augment_ riches, power or influence, _attach_ or _annex_ a building to one that it _adjoins_ or papers to the document they refer to, _annex_ a clause or a codicil, _affix_ a seal or a signature, _annex_ a territory, _attach_ a condition to a promise.

A speaker may _amplify_ a discourse by a fuller treatment throughout than was originally planned, or he may _append_ or _subjoin_ certain remarks without change of what has gone before.

We _cast up_ or _sum up_ an account, though _add up_ and _make up_ are now more usual expressions.

Antonyms: abstract, diminish, lessen, remove, withdraw.

deduct, dissever, reduce, subtract, Preposition: Other items are to be added _to_ the account.

* * * * * ADDICTED.

Synonyms: abandoned, devoted, given over, inclined, accustomed, disposed, given up, prone, attached, given, habituated, wedded.

One is _addicted_ to that which he has allowed to gain a strong, habitual, and enduring hold upon action, inclination, or involuntary tendency, as to a habit or indulgence.

A man may be _accustomed_ to labor, _attached_ to his profession, _devoted_ to his religion, _given_ to study or to gluttony (in the bad sense, _given over_, or _given up_, is a stronger and more hopeless expression, as is _abandoned_).

One _inclined_ to luxury may become _habituated_ to poverty.

One is _wedded_ to that which has become a second nature; as, one is _wedded_ to science or to art.

_Prone_ is used only in a bad sense, and generally of natural tendencies; as, our hearts are _prone_ to evil.

_Abandoned_ tells of the acquired viciousness of one who has given himself up to wickedness.

_Addicted_ may be used in a good, but more frequently a bad sense; as, _addicted_ to study; _addicted_ to drink.

_Devoted_ is used chiefly in the good sense; as, a mother's _devoted_ affection.

Antonyms: averse, disinclined, indisposed, unaccustomed.

Preposition: Addicted _to_ vice.

* * * * * ADDRESS, _v.

_ Synonyms: cost, approach, hail, speak to, apostrophize, court, salute, woo.

appeal, greet, To _accost_ is to speak first, to friend or stranger, generally with a view to opening conversation; _greet_ is not so distinctly limited, since one may return another's _greeting_; _greet_ and _hail_ may imply but a passing word; _greeting_ may be altogether silent; to _hail_ is to _greet_ in a loud-voiced and commonly hearty and joyous way, as appears in the expression "_hail_ fellow, well met."

To _salute_ is to _greet_ with special token of respect, as a soldier his commander.

To _apostrophize_ is to solemnly _address_ some person or personified attribute apart from the audience to whom one is speaking; as, a preacher may _apostrophize_ virtue, the saints of old, or even the Deity.

To _appeal_ is strictly to call for some form of help or support.

_Address_ is slightly more formal than _accost_ or _greet_, though it may often be interchanged with them.

One may _address_ another at considerable length or in writing; he _accosts_ orally and briefly.

Antonyms: avoid, elude, overlook, pass by, cut, ignore, pass, shun.

Prepositions: Address the memorial _to_ the legislature; the president addressed the people _in_ an eloquent speech; he addressed an intruder _with_ indignation.

* * * * * ADDRESS, _n.

_ Synonyms: adroitness, discretion, manners, readiness, courtesy, ingenuity, politeness, tact.

dexterity, _Address_ is that indefinable something which enables a man to gain his object without seeming exertion or contest, and generally with the favor and approval of those with whom he deals.

It is a general power to direct to the matter in hand whatever qualities are most needed for it at the moment.

It includes _adroitness_ and _discretion_ to know what to do or say and what to avoid; _ingenuity_ to devise; _readiness_ to speak or act; the _dexterity_ that comes of practise; and _tact_, which is the power of fine touch as applied to human character and feeling.

_Courtesy_ and _politeness_ are indispensable elements of good _address_.

Compare SPEECH.

Antonyms: awkwardness, clumsiness, ill-breeding, stupidity, boorishness, fatuity, ill manners, unmannerliness, clownishness, folly, rudeness, unwisdom.

Prepositions: Address _in_ dealing with opponents; the address _of_ an accomplished intriguer; an address _to_ the audience.

* * * * * ADEQUATE.

Synonyms: