English Synonyms and Antonyms Part 129

1. What is the meaning of _barbarian_? 2. What is the added significance of _barbaric_? 3. How does _barbarous_ in general use differ from both the above words? 4. What special element is commonly implied in _savage_? 5. In what less opprobrious sense may _barbarous_ and _savage_ be used? Give instances.

EXAMPLES.

A mult.i.tude like which the populous North Poured never from her frozen loins, to pa.s.s Rhene or the Danaw, when her ---- sons Came like a deluge on the south.

Or when the gorgeous East, with richest hand, Showers on her kings ---- pearl and gold.

It is most true, that a natural and secret hatred and aversation toward society, in any man, hath somewhat of the ---- beast.

Thou art bought and sold among those of any wit like a ---- slave.

BARRIER (page 74).

QUESTIONS.

1. What is a _bar_? and what is its purpose? 2. What is a _barrier_? 3.

Which word is ordinarily applied to objects of great extent? 4. Would a mountain range be termed a _bar_ or a _barrier_? 5. What distinctive name is given to a ma.s.s of sand across the mouth of a river or harbor?

BATTLE (page 74).

QUESTIONS.

1. What is the general meaning of _conflict_? 2. What is a _battle_? 3.

How long may a _battle_ last? 4. On how many fields may one _battle_ be fought? 5. How does _engagement_ differ from _battle_? How does _combat_ differ? _action_? _skirmish_? _fight_?

BEAUTIFUL (page 76).

QUESTIONS.

1. What is necessary to const.i.tute an object or a person _beautiful_? 2.

Can _beautiful_ be said of that which is harsh and ragged, however grand? 3. How is _beautiful_ related to our powers of appreciation? 4.

How does _pretty_ compare with _beautiful_? _handsome_? 5. What does _fair_ denote? _comely_? _picturesque_?

EXAMPLES.

I pray thee, O G.o.d, that I may be ---- within.

A happy youth, and their old age is ---- and free.

'Twas sung, how they were ---- in their lives And in their death had not divided been.

How ---- has the day been, how bright was the sun.

How lovely and joyful the course that he run.

Though he rose in a mist when his race he began And there followed some droppings of rain!

BECOMING (page 77).

QUESTIONS.

1. What is the meaning of _becoming_? of _decent_? of _suitable_? 2. Can that which is worthy or beautiful in itself ever be otherwise than _becoming_ or _suitable_? Give instances. 3. What is the meaning of _fit_? How does it differ from _fitting_ or _befitting_?

EXAMPLES.

A merrier man, Within the limit of ---- mirth, I never spent an hour's talk withal.

Still govern thou my song, Urania, and ---- audience find, tho few.

Indeed, left nothing ---- for your purpose Untouch'd, slightly handled, in discourse.

In such a time as this, it is not ---- That every nice offense should bear his comment.

How could money be better spent than in erecting a ---- building for the greatest library in the country?

BEGINNING (page 78).

QUESTIONS.

1. From what language is _beginning_ derived? _commencement_? How do the two words differ in application and use? Give instances. 2. What is an _origin_? a _source_? a _rise_? 3. How are _fount_, _fountain_, and _spring_ used in the figurative sense?

EXAMPLES.

For learning is the ---- pure, Out from which all glory springs.

Truth is the ---- of every good to G.o.ds and men.

Courage, the mighty attribute of powers above, By which those great in war are great in love; The ---- of all brave acts is seated here.

It can not be that Desdemona should long continue her love to the Moor, nor he his to her: it was a violent ----, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration.