CCC Synonyms-2005 Oct-Dec

CLOSE SYNONYMS OF THE WEEK

2005

October-December
(most recent first)

DECEMBER 26, 2005

THE NAMES OF CHRISTMAS

For a bit of a departure from the usual, this edition focuses on various ways of referring to the Christmas holiday season.

CHRISTMAS—a religious rite (‘mass’) celebrating the birth of Christ (‘the anointed one’; Old English, from Latin, from the Greek translation of the Hebrew ‘messiah’)
   XMAS
   CHRISTMASTIME
   CHRISTMASTIDE

NOËL—a Middle English term deriving from Old French (deriving from the Latin for ‘be born’)

YULE / YULETIDE—Old English (adapted for Christmas from an Old Norse term referring to pre-Christian winter feasts), revived as a literary expression in England in the 19th century

Related words:

NATIVITY—the birth (‘nativity’) of Jesus Christ
ADVENT—the four-week period prior to Christmas anticipating the arrival (‘advent’) of Christ

DECEMBER 19, 2005

IMMIGRANT / EMIGRANT / MIGRANT

IMMIGRANT (noun)—someone who comes to reside in a foreign country

EMIGRANT (noun)—someone who leaves the country in which he has been living to reside in another country (Note the use of the more literary ‘ÉMIGRÉ’—same as EMIGRANT, especially for political reasons.)

MIGRANT (noun)—someone who moves from one region or country to another (especially in search of employment)

Note that it is a change in prefix that alters the meaning. Note also, in regard to prepositions, that people EMIGRATE from and IMMIGRATE to the country in question.

Related forms:

IMMIGRATE (verb)
IMMIGRATION (noun)
EMIGRATE (verb)
EMIGRATION (noun)
MIGRATE (verb)
MIGRATION (noun)
MIGRATORY (adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Her parents emigrated from Honduras some time ago, but their first few years as immigrants in the US were difficult. Although they were both educated people, they could find work only as migrant laborers.

DECEMBER 12, 2005

FORMER / LATTER

For a bit of a departure from the usual, this edition focuses on a pair of close antonyms (words with opposite meaning).

FORMER (noun/adj)—the first of two people or things mentioned; nearer to the beginning; previous

LATTER (noun/adj)—the second of two people or things mentioned; nearer to the end

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

My sister and brother both married Brazilians—the former married a film editor, the latter married a singer.

Her present colleagues are easier to work with than her former colleagues.

Widespread computerization developed in the latter half of the 20th century.

DECEMBER 5, 2005

LATTER / LAST

LATTER (noun/adj)—the second of two people or things mentioned; nearer to the end

LAST (noun/adj/adv)—the final or most recent item in a series (Note that LAST has many additional meanings, depending on its part of speech.)

Note in the sentences below that LATTER is used when referencing the second of two items; when more than two items are referenced, you must use LAST.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

I got two books from the library: THE ONE-STRAW REVOLUTION and EARTHSHIP—the former concerns natural farming, the latter concerns self-sufficient homebuilding.

I got three books from the library: THE ONE-STRAW REVOLUTION, EARTHSHIP and THE MEAT YOU EAT—the first concerns natural farming, the second concerns self-sufficient homebuilding, and the last concerns our endangered food supply.

NOVEMBER 28, 2005

AUTHORITARIAN / AUTHORITATIVE

AUTHORITARIAN(adj/noun)—characterized by therule of an established authority or political system demanding unquestioning obedience; someone who subscribes to or enforces AUTHORITARIANISM (Usually has a negative connotation in democratic societies.)

AUTHORITATIVE(adj)—backed by a reliable authority, convincing; commanding authority with the expectation of being obeyed (Neutral connotation)

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning.

Related forms:

AUTHORITY (noun)
AUTHORIZE (verb)
AUTHORIZATION (noun)
AUTHORIAL (adj)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

They wouldn’t mind having an authoritative boss, one who is knowledgeable about the industry and knows how to lead. Instead, he is just ignorant and authoritarian, insisting on being obeyed even though he doesn’t know what he’s doing.

NOVEMBER 21, 2005

ALTERNATELY / ALTERNATIVELY

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

ALTERNATELY(adv)—alternating one thing with another, by turns

ALTERNATIVELY(adv)—instead of that

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning.

Related forms:

ALTERNATE (verb, adj, noun)
ALTERNATIVE (noun)
ALTERNATION (noun)
ALTERNATOR (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

They will both participate in the project, working alternately whenever an extra person is needed.

We could prepare a big dinner for the holiday; or, alternatively, we could eat out at the new restaurant that just opened.

NOVEMBER 14, 2005

APPROPRIATE (adj/verb)

Though most words in English have only one general meaning, there are many that have distinct and separate applications. This series highlights a few of the more common and confusing of such words. The following is an example—a single word having more than one discrete usage, such as to constitute multiple meanings within itself.

APPROPRIATE 1 (adj: second ‘A’ pronounced ‘short’)—suitable [Neutral or positive connotation.]

APPROPRIATE 2 (verb: second ‘A’ pronounced ‘long’)—to take over (possibly forcibly or without permission) for one’s own use [Possible negative connotation.]; to set aside for a particular purpose [Neutral connotation.]

Note that it is a change in pronunciation that alters the meaning.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

1. She thought her brother’s gift—“Easy Tunes for Piano”—was rather inappropriate; after all, she’s been playing the piano for 30 years.

2. The local people are complaining that the soldiers sent to liberate them have appropriated all the food in the village.

NOVEMBER 7, 2005

PROPER / APPROPRIATE

Common root: proprius (Latin—one’s own, particular to itself)

PROPER(adj)—correct, socially acceptable [Note that PROPER can have a moral connotation—positive or negative depending on context or point of view; note too that it has additional definitions.]
PROPERLY—adv; PROPRIETY—noun

APPROPRIATE(adj)—suitable [Neutral or positive connotation. Not to be confused with APPROPRIATE used as a verb (second ‘A’ pronounced ‘long’), which has a separate meaning.]
APPROPRIATELY—adv; APPROPRIATENESS—noun

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Cultural sensibilities vary throughout the world, and what is considered proper behavior in one country can be considered offensive in another.

I always try to do what is appropriate in any given situation, what is fitting under the circumstances and has the most beneficial effect all the way around.

OCTOBER 31, 2005

IMMINENT / EMINENT

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

IMMINENT(adj)—on the verge of happening
IMMINENTLY—adv; IMMINENCE—noun

EMINENT(adj)—prominent, renowned
EMINENTLY—adv; EMINENCE—noun

Note that it is a change in prefix that alters the meaning.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

We knew the storm was imminent, and took every possible precaution against it.

He’s been in the field a long time and is eminently qualified for the position. [As an adverb, having more the meaning of ‘to a high degree.’]

OCTOBER 24, 2005

INDUSTRIAL / INDUSTRIOUS

INDUSTRIAL(adj)—pertaining to organized commercial production (especially, but not limited to, manufacturing and construction)
INDUSTRIALLY—adv; INDUSTRIALISM—noun, INDUSTRIALIST—noun, INDUSTRIALIZATION—noun; INDUSTRIALIZE—verb

INDUSTRIOUS(adj)—occupied with the expedient execution of tasks, hard-working
INDUSTRIOUSLY—adv; INDUSTRIOUSNESS—noun

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning.

Related forms:

INDUSTRY (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Industrial expansion can be expected to continue as long as manufacturing infrastructure is promoted by the government.

These 3 year-olds are the most industrious kids I’ve ever seen, always involved in making things of different kinds.

OCTOBER 17, 2005

AGGRESSION / AGGRESSIVENESS

AGGRESSION(noun)—the act of being aggressive

AGGRESSIVENESS(noun)— the nature of being aggressive

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning.

Related forms:

AGGRESSIVE (adj)—readiness to attack; demonstrating initiative or determination
AGGRESS (verb)
AGGRESSIVELY (adv)
AGGRESSOR (noun)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Many people around the world regard the American invasion of Iraq as an act of aggression.

His aggressiveness was entirely unwarranted in this situation—things could easily have been settled by just talking about it. [Note: negative connotation]

The whole team aggressively resolved the issues and the deadline was met. [Note: positive connotation]

OCTOBER 10, 2005

NUMEROUS / INNUMERABLE

NUMEROUS(adj)—several in number

INNUMERABLE(adj)—too many to count

Note that it is a change in both prefix and suffix that alters the meaning.

Related forms:

NUMERAL (noun)
NUMERABLE (adj—able to be counted)
NUMERIC (adj)
NUMERICAL(LY) (adj/adv)
NUMERATOR (noun)
(IN)NUMERACY (noun)
NUMEROLOGY (noun)
ENUMERATE (verb)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Responses have been so numerous, we need more people to handle them all.

The night was so clear, the stars were innumerable, like dust in the sky.

OCTOBER 3, 2005

GOURMET / GOURMAND

GOURMET(noun/adj)—someone with expert knowledge of and appreciation for fine food (and drink); adj: relating to choice, expensive or rare food (and drink)

GOURMAND(noun)—someone who loves food, perhaps to excess (not necessarily educated or discriminating in his tastes)

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning. Note too, that these words are among many pertaining to cuisine, which have come into English from French.

SAMPLE SENTENCE:

A gourmand may love to eat, but it takes a gourmet to tell the difference between fine food and fast-food.