CCC Synonyms-2005 Apr-Jun

CLOSE SYNONYMS OF THE WEEK

2005

April-June
(most recent first)

JUNE 27, 2005

AMICABLE / AMIABLE

Common root: amicus (Latin—friend; related to amare, to love)

AMICABLE(adj)—characterized by friendliness (Note that AMICABLE tends to be less intimate than AMIABLE and is used primarily to describe situations or relations.)
AMICABLY—adv; AMICABILITY—noun

AMIABLE(adj)—friendly (Note that AMIABLE tends to be more intimate than AMICABLE and is used primarily to describe persons.)
AMIABLY—adv; AMIABILITY—noun

Note that it is a change in just one letter of the spelling that alters the word.

Related synonyms:

FRIENDLY (adj)
GENIAL (adj)
CONGENIAL (adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

It is difficult for nations to sustain amicable relations when economic conflicts arise.

He’s a personable guy, very amiable, likes to make friends.

JUNE 20, 2005

HISTORIC / HISTORICAL

HISTORIC(adj)—important or memorable in history

HISTORICAL(adj)—pertaining to history

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning. Note too that English is unfortunately in the process of losing the distinction between these two forms due to their increasingly being used indiscriminately.

Related forms:

HISTORY (noun)
HISTORICALLY (adv)
HISTORIAN (noun)
HISTORICITY (noun)
HISTORICISM (noun)
HISTORIOGRAPHY (noun)
HISTORICIZE (verb)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

On the anniversary of this historic event, there will be a lecture and discussion.

The historical accuracy of his new book is being questioned.

JUNE 13, 2005

INHUMAN / INHUMANE

INHUMAN(adj)—not human, not typical of humans (primarily applied to persons)

INHUMANE(adj)—not characteristic of human virtues (primarily applied to actions, situations or conditions)

Note that both words have the connotation of being cruel or causing suffering. Note too that it is the addition of the letter ‘E’ at the end that provides the subtle alteration in (pronunciation and) meaning (see sentence below).

Related words (antonyms):

HUMAN (noun/adj)
HUMANE (adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCE:

International organizations have described conditions at the prison as inhumane and the guards’ behavior as inhuman.

JUNE 6, 2005

REMEMBER/ RECALL

REMEMBER(verb)— to become aware of something previously out of mind or forgotten (Note that REMEMBER tends to be used for more important, past or emotional references, particularly references to people. Note too that REMEMBER has the additional meaning of keeping someone in mind or giving regards—see below.)
REMEMBRANCE—noun

RECALL(verb/noun)—to bring something to mind; the ability to remember (Note that RECALL tends to be used for more incidental, recent or intellectual references, particularly references to situations or events. Note too that RECALL has the additional meaning of ordering something to be returned.)

Note that despite the relevance of the distinction between these words, they are nevertheless often interchangeable.

Related synonyms:

RECOLLECT (verb—similar in use to RECALL); RECOLLECTION (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

I remember very well how we used to visit each other’s families when we were young.

I’ll remember you for this position. Meanwhile, remember me to your sister.

I recall that he said last week that he’ll be arriving this Tuesday.

MAY 30, 2005

MEMORY

For a bit of a departure from the usual, in honor of the current holiday, this edition focuses on different forms of the word MEMORY.

MEMORY(noun)
MEMORIZE(verb)
MEMORIZATION(noun)
MEMORABLE(adj)
MEMORIAL(noun)
MEMORIALIZE(verb)

REMEMBER(verb)
REMEMBRANCE(noun)

MEMOIR(noun)
MEMENTO(noun)
MEMENTO MORI (noun)
MEMORABILIA(noun)
MEMORANDUM(noun)
MEMO(noun)

MNEMONIC(noun/adj)

REMIND (verb)
REMINDER (noun)

REMINISCE(verb)
REMINISCENT(adj)
REMINISCENCE(noun)

and more

MAY 23, 2005

APPREHEND (verb)

The following is an example of a single word having more than one distinct usage, such as to constitute multiple meanings within itself.

APPREHEND1—to grasp the deep meaning or significance of something

APPREHEND2—to bring someone suspected of a crime into legal custody

Related forms:

APPREHENSIBLE—adj

APPREHENSIVE—adj
APPREHENSION—noun

Note that the last two words have yet a different meaning, both connoting worry or fearfulness.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

1. I would very much like to understand his theories, but cannot apprehend their complexity.

2. The suspects were apprehended a few days after the crime.

[As a noun] Her apprehension about the money she’s invested in the stock market increases with every downturn.

MAY 16, 2005

ABIDE (verb)

The following is an example of a single word having more than one distinct usage, such as to constitute multiple meanings within itself.

ABIDE1—to accept or tolerate, or be able to stand or put up with something (NB: more often used in the negative—see sentence below.)

ABIDE2—to comply with or conform to something

Related form:

ABIDING (adj)—long-lasting

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

1. She cannot abide his habit of criticizing others.

2. Those who abide by the law are said to be law-abiding citizens.

[As an adjective] I’ve had an abiding interest in this subject.

MAY 9, 2005

PLEAD (verb)

PLEA—noun

The following is an example of a single word having more than one distinct usage, such as to constitute multiple meanings within itself.

PLEAD1—to ask earnestly or urgently (for something), to beg (Note: intense emotional connotation)

PLEAD2—to state the guilt or innocence, or argue in support, of someone or something in a court of law

Related forms:

PLEADINGS (plural noun, legal terminology)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

1. She pleaded with the unruly crowd to be reasonable, but her plea was ignored and many were injured.

2. He pled guilty as charged and his plea was accepted by the court.

Note the alternative (and more commonly used) form of the past tense in the second meaning of PLEAD.

MAY 2, 2005

SACROSANCT / SACRILEGIOUS

This edition focuses on some CLOSE HOMONYMS: words that are the same or similar in sound but not necessarily the same in meaning.

Common root: sacri (Latin—holy)

SACROSANCT(adj)—of the utmost holiness, not to be tampered with or criticized

SACRILEGIOUS(adj)—relating to the violation of something holy
SACRILEGE—noun; SACRILEGIOUSLY—adv

Note that the different meanings are almost opposite.

Related forms:

SACRED (adj)
SACRAMENT (noun)
SACRIFICE (noun/verb)
SACRIFICIAL (adj)
SACERDOTAL (adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCE:

Extremists of different faiths often believe their political opinions are as sacrosanct as their religious convictions, viewing any question or disagreement as sacrilege.

APRIL 25, 2005

DISBURSE / DISPERSE / DISSIPATE / DISSEMINATE

This edition focuses on some CLOSE HOMONYMS: words that are the same or similar in sound but not necessarily the same in meaning.

Common prefix: dis- (not, reverse)

DISBURSE(verb)—to pay out, to expend
DISBURSEMENT—noun

DISPERSE(verb)—to scatter, to cast
DISPERSAL—noun

DISSIPATE(verb)—to disappear, weaken or fade
DISSIPATION—noun

DISSEMINATE (verb)—to distribute or spread widely
DISSEMINATION—noun

Note the different suffixes changing each of these verbs into nouns; ‘MENT,’ ‘AL’ and ‘TION,’ respectively.

Related words:

DISTRIBUTE (verb)
DISPEL (verb)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

The department refuses to disburse the funds until the accounting questions are clarified.

The crowd dispersed soon after the rally.

A person’s energy dissipates rapidly upon the ingestion of large amounts of alcohol.

We need to disseminate as much information on the subject as possible.

APRIL 18, 2005

ANTICIPATE / EXPECT / LOOK FORWARD TO

ANTICIPATE(verb)—to believe that something is about to occur (often with the connotation of eagerness, hope or preparation)
ANTICIPATION—noun; ANTICIPATORY—adj

EXPECT(verb)—to assume something is going to occur in the future
EXPECTATION—noun; EXPECTANT—adj; EXPECTANTLY—adv

Note: the belief of ANTICIPATEis less sure than that of EXPECT, and the ANTICIPATED happening may seem sooner. Note too that ANTICIPATEcan have the additional implication of taking steps to prevent what is ANTICIPATED; it may also have the meaning of saying or doing something before it becomes widely common to do so.

LOOK FORWARD TO (phrasal verb)—to expect or anticipate something to occur in the future

Note that some dictionaries define LOOK FORWARD TO as implying excitement or pleasure, but this is not always the case—though a sense of irony carrying over from this happy connotation can be subtle (see below).

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

We are expecting him to arrive in December.

I’ve been anticipating the possibility of trouble with the device, and have made appropriate arrangements for a back-up.

Due to the wrongful actions of the government in this area, the soldiers can look forward to increased resistance from the local population.

She anticipated that floral patterns could be popular this year and used them in her spring collection, so she’s ahead of the curve now that florals have in fact become very popular.

APRIL 11, 2005

NIL / NULL

This edition focuses on some CLOSE HOMONYMS: words that are the same or similar in sound but not necessarily the same in meaning.

nil (adj/noun)—zero, naught, nothing (Note: more commonly used as an adjective)

null (adj)—of no value, significance, effect or validity, amounting to nothing

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

We were enthusiastically anticipating the arrival of the new manager, but his qualifications for the position turned out to be practically nil.

‘Null and void’ is an often used (and actually redundant) term in legal documents meaning canceled or invalid.

APRIL 4, 2005

OVERSIGHT (noun)

The following is an example of a single word having more than one distinct usage, such as to constitute multiple meanings within itself.

OVERSIGHT1—failure to notice or take something into account

OVERSIGHT2—supervision of something

Related forms:

OVERSEE (verb)
OVERSEER (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

1. It was an oversight on my part not to have notified them of the error when the report was first submitted.

2. The committee has oversight of the project, but no means of enforcing the deadline.