CCC Synonyms-2008 Jul-Sep

CLOSE SYNONYMS OF THE WEEK

2008

July-September
(most recent first)

SEPTEMBER 29, 2008

FAINT / FEINT

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

FAINT (verb)—to lose consciousness (usually briefly)

FEINT (verb)—to make a deceptive move in a military campaign, sporting event or other competitive situation designed to distract or fool the adversary into thinking something else is happening (Note that FEINT can also be used as a noun.)

Note that it is a slight change in spelling that alters the meaning of these exact homonyms.

Some related forms:

FAINT (adj)—pale, weak, slight, or hinted at
FAINTLY (adv)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Women in Victorian times (especially those of a certain means) were known to faint frequently. Since this is no longer the case in more recent times, it indicates that Victorian fainting spells must have been largely psychological; or perhaps those corsets they wore had something to do with it.

The hedge fund managers spread rumors that a buy-out was in the works, causing the stock price to rise. This turned out to be only a feint, during which they sold their equity in the dying company.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2008

REVOLVE / ROTATE

For a bit of a departure from the usual, in honor of today being Autumn Equinox*, this edition focuses on the difference between two words applicable to the movement of planet Earth that are sometimes confused.

REVOLVE (verb)—to move or make something move around an object (typically in a more or less circular pattern), or to turn on a central axis
REVOLUTION—noun; REVOLUTIONARY—adj

ROTATE (verb)—to move or make something move on an axis or fixed center
ROTATION—noun; ROTATIONAL—adj

Note that there can be some confusion between these words in that REVOLVE can cover the same meaning as ROTATE, though ROTATE cannot cover both aspects of movement described above for REVOLVE. Note too that both words have other related meanings and applications.

*See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn_Equinox for more information about Autumn Equinox (a.k.a., Autumnal or Fall Equinox).

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Earth revolves around the sun taking (approx.) 365 days to complete one circuit.

Earth rotates on its axis, tipped about 23.5 degrees from vertical.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2008

BRIEF / DEBRIEF

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

BRIEF (verb)—to inform someone ahead of time as to the details of a plan, operation or situation
BRIEFING—noun

DEBRIEF (verb)—to gather or supply information from or to someone after a plan or operation has been concluded or a situation encountered
DEBRIEFING—noun

Note that it is the addition of the prefix that alters the meaning. Note too that BRIEF has other usages as an adjective and noun.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

My colleague said he wanted to debrief me about what he planned to find out at the meeting. I had to explain that since the meeting hadn’t happened yet, he would brief me beforehand and debrief me afterwards.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2008

HIGH ROAD / HIGH GROUND

HIGH ROAD (set expression)—an ethically superior position or action

HIGH GROUND (set expression)—an advantageous position enabling a wide view of the surroundings and generally more easily defended; a position of superiority over opponents or competitors

Note: These are two very similar expressions with an ambiguous overlap in meaning. Thus, the second of the two is often modified as “moral high ground” to confirm that meaning.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

Politicians like to appear to be taking the high road, while in fact they may be making backroom deals that directly contradict their public statements.

In military operations, it is critical to secure the high ground from which vantage point there is maximum observation and defensibility.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2008

VACATION / VOCATION

This edition focuses on some CLOSE HOMONYMS: words that are the same or similar in sound but not necessarily the same in meaning. Pertinent to today’s Labor Day holiday—concluding the VACATION season and resuming VOCATION.

VACATION (noun/verb)—a break from the usual routine typically devoted to rest and/or recreation, often involving a trip
VACATIONER—noun; VACATIONLAND—noun

VOCATION (noun)—a person’s occupation, profession, or means of earning a living; a calling
AVOCATION—noun; VOCATIONAL—adj

Note that it is just a slight change in spelling (and pronunciation) that alters the meaning.

Some related forms:

VACATE (verb)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

People usually find it easier to handle the pressures of their vocation after being on a relaxing vacation.

She earns her living as a software developer, but feels her true vocation is in the charity work she does.

AUGUST 25, 2008

LITERAL / FIGURATIVE

For a bit of a departure from the usual, this edition focuses on two words with oppositional meanings.

LITERAL* (adj)—precisely in accordance with the wording or meaning of the original words or text
LITERALLY—adv; LITERALNESS—noun

FIGURATIVE (adj)—based on or extending the meaning of the original to apply to metaphorical or allegorical circumstances
FIGURATIVELY—adv

Note that both of these words have other related meanings and applications.

*See http://www.crossculturecom.com/Synonyms_2007_2nd_Q.htm, entry dated June 18, for more about LITERAL.

See http://www.answers.com/topic/literal-and-figurative-language for an interesting note about literal and figurative language.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

If I say: “The force of the boat moving through the water created a broad V-shaped wake,” I’m using the word ‘wake’ in its literal sense. If I say: “In the wake of the disaster, thousands were left homeless,” I’m using ‘wake’ figuratively.

Sometimes people exaggerate for the sake of emphasis or drama—for example saying they are ‘starving’ when they are just very hungry. If they were literally starving, they would have no use for figurative speech.

AUGUST 18, 2008

SINOPHILE / CINEPHILE

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

SINOPHILE (noun)—one (typically a non-Chinese) with a strong interest in, knowledge of, or fondness for China and/or Chinese culture
SINOPHILIA—noun; SINOPHILIC—adj

CINEPHILE (noun)—one with a strong interest in, knowledge of, or fondness for cinema
CINEPHILIA—noun; CINEPHILIC—adj

Note the suffix –PHILE (attraction to, affinity with, love of), and that it is a change in prefix that alters the meaning. Note too that Sinophile takes a capital ‘S.’

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

I’m really interested in film and told him I was a cinephile. So I couldn’t understand why he then asked if I’d like to go to the Asian Art Museum. It turned out that he misheard me and thought I said I was a Sinophile.

AUGUST 11, 2008

CHINA

For a bit of a departure from the usual, in recognition of the Olympic Games currently being held in Beijing, this edition focuses on various references to CHINA.

CHINA (proper noun)—a country in East Asia, one of the largest nations in the world in land mass and the largest in population; since 1949 known as the People’s Republic of China
CHINESE—proper adj

CHINATOWN (noun)—an area of a city characterized by Chinese residents, culture and businesses

CHINOISERIE (noun)—interior design or artifacts in the Chinese style (can have the negative connotation of being a cliché)

CHINA HAND (noun)—someone (typically a non-Chinese national) considered to have expert knowledge of Chinese culture, history and/or current events

SINO- (prefix)—referring to China

SINOPHILIA / SINOPHOBIA (noun)—love / hate-fear of China (respectively)
SINOPHILE / SINOPHOBE—noun; SINOPHILIC / SINOPHOBIC—adj

SINICIZE (verb)—to make like China or Chinese
SINICIZATION—noun

SHANGHAI (verb)—to trick or force someone into doing something (Note that shanghai as a verb does not have the initial ‘S’ capitalized, as does the proper name of the city.)

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

In most Chinatowns in cities across the US, the shops sell just imitation chinoiserie, nothing really authentic. (Note that you will see chinoiserie spelled with either a small or a capital ‘c.’)

In general, the terms Sinophile and Sinophobe refer to people who are not themselves Chinese.

‘China hands’ often become Sinicized through their acquaintance with and expertise in things Chinese.

To shanghai someone originally meant to drug him and bring him on board an ocean-going vessel for involuntary labor; however, now a person can be shanghaied into anything.

AUGUST 4, 2008

POLYGAMY / POLYGYNY / POLYANDRY

POLYGAMY (noun)—having more than one spouse at a time (also called plural marriage)
POLYGAMOUS—adj; POLYGAMOUSLY—adv; POLYGAMIST—noun

POLYGYNY (noun)—a man having more than one wife at a time
POLYGYNOUS—adj; POLYGYNOUSLY—adv; POLYGYNIST—noun

POLYANDRY (noun)—a woman having more than one husband at a time
POLYANDROUS—adj; POLYANDROUSLY—adv; POLYANDRIST—noun

Note the common prefix POLY- meaning more than one or many, and that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning.

Some related terms:

BIGAMY (noun): someone already legally married marrying another person (a criminal offence in most countries)

Here is some interesting additional information concerning these terms (adapted from Answers.com):

Although the term POLYGAMY may also refer to POLYANDRY (marriage to more than one man), it is often used as a synonym for POLYGYNY (marriage to more than one woman), which appears to have once been common in most of the world and is still found widely in some cultures. POLYANDRY, however, is relatively rare.

POLYGAMY is defined as having more than one wife or husband at the same time, usually a man marrying more than one woman. POLYGAMY differs from BIGAMY in that the wives and children of the POLYGAMIST generally form one family. The BIGAMIST, on the other hand, keeps his plural marriages separate and typically secret, marrying another woman without the other wife's (or wives’) knowledge.

http://www.answers.com/polygamy&r=67

JULY 28, 2008

Species designated by the suffix -INE

For a bit of a departure from the usual, this edition focuses on species designations for various types of animal life.

AVINE (more commonly AVIAN)—bird
BOVINE—cow
CANINE—dog
CAPRINE—goat
EQUINE—horse
FELINE—cat
OVINE—sheep
PISCINE—fish
PORCINE—pig

Note that the adjective suffix -INE is used to designate ‘pertaining to’ or ‘like’ the specified animal.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

My daughter has a lot of feline traits—very private, picky eater, she even looks like a cat.

My cousin, on the other hand, looks like a cow, with big bovine eyes.

JULY 21, 2008

PARTIALLY / PARTIALITY

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

PARTIALLY* (adv)—in part, not completely

PARTIALITY (noun)—a liking for someone or something; a favorable bias for someone or something

Note that it is a change in suffix that alters the meaning. Note too the different number of syllables: PARTIALLY with three, PARTIALITY with five.

Some related forms:

PARTIAL (adj)—Note that PARTIAL has two different meanings: 1) in part, 2) favoring
IMPARTIAL (adj)
IMPARTIALLY (adv)
IMPARTIALITY (noun)

*See http://www.crossculturecom.com/Synonyms_2008_2nd_Q.htm, entry dated June 16, for more about PARTIALLY.

SAMPLE SENTENCES:

It was partially due to his exceptional skill and partially due to luck that he was chosen to travel with the team after one of the players was injured.

At the moment, I can make only a partial payment—I’ll pay the balance as soon as possible.

I really like ice cream, all flavors, but I’m especially partial to vanilla.

A jury in the United States is supposed to be impartial, judging innocence or guilt based solely on the evidence presented, with no partiality for either defense or prosecution.

JULY 14, 2008

LIBERTY / EQUALITY / FRATERNITY

For a bit of a departure from the usual, in honor of Bastille Day, the holiday celebrating the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789, this edition focuses on the influence of French on the English language*.

Many international speakers of English are unaware that, following the Norman invasion and occupation of Britain in 1066, French became the dominant language of the British Isles. Indeed almost displacing English until the vicissitudes of politics restored the original language.

“LIBERTY, EQUALITY, FRATERNITY,” the battle cry of the French Revolution, when rendered in French—LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ—illustrates the often very close similarity of the languages.

*See http://www.crossculturecom.com/Cultural_Tips.htm, scrolling down to “Historical Outline of the English Language” for more information about this and other impacts on the development of English.

For more about Bastille Day, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastille_Day

JULY 7, 2008

PATRIOTISM / NATIONALISM

PATRIOTISM (noun)—love of, pride in, support for, one’s country (typically having a positive connotation)
PATRIOT—noun; PATRIOTIC—adj, UNPATRIOTIC—adj; PATRIOTICALLY—adv, UNPATRIOTICALLY—adv

NATIONALISM (noun)—belief in the superiority of one’s country over others or defense of one’s country right or wrong (can have a negative connotation depending on point of view)
NATIONALIST—noun; NATIONALISTIC—adj; NATIONALISTICALLY—adv

Note that other languages may not differentiate the above two meanings. For example, Mandarin Chinese has only one term aiguo zhuyi (love-country + ism), that can be interpreted either way depending on context or the purpose at hand.

SAMPLE SENTENCE:

Sometimes when citizens of liberal political persuasion object to a nationalistic tone in the conservative media, the latter criticize the former as unpatriotic.