Longman Synonym Dictionary

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INTRODUCTION Tnost who work with i ancujage know that there is no such thing as a true 'synonym'. Even though the meanings of two words may be the same - or nearly so - there are three charácteristics of words that rarely coincide: trequency, distribution, and connotation. Panthera leo and lion, cucurbit and cucumber, sodium carbonate and washing soda have quite different frequencies in English. We all know that a house is not a Home, that not all women are ladies, that not all meri are gentlemen\ at a more subtle level, we soon learn the differences between motherly and maternal, fatherly and paternal, brotherly and fráternál. These are connotative differences. It is a curiosity of English that it continuously acquires words from other languages to expand its vocabulary. Even if a new coinage or a loanword from another language starts out with 'exactly' the same meaning as an existing word in English, often the meanings begin to drift apart before very long, one acquiring quite different frequency, distribution, and connotation from the other. Another remarkable fact about English is that it retains so many of the words developed in its vocabulary. Somé words do become obsolete and are dropped forever, but most remain and develop nuances that expand our opportunities for expression and expressiveness. For these reasons, a synonym dictionary must be used with caution. Even though two words may be similar in meaning, the substitution of one for the other may not always be appropriate, and the writer's intent may be ill served by failure to select the mot iuste. The Longman Synonym Dictionary contains more words than any book of its kind - more than 1,000,000. Sometimes, it will be consulted to find a word that will lend variety to the user's language; at other times it will be consulted to remind the user of the temporarily lost word or expression that was 'right on the tip of my tongue'. In either ease, it should be used with understanding. Every effort has been made to render this book as accurate, as complete, and as easy to use as possible. Inevitably, users may disagree with the treatment given to a particular word. In that ease, they are urged to consult a major dictionary where they are likely to find fuller information on the word than The Longman Synonym Dictionary can be expected to offer. The nature of language and the behaviour of words defy precision in the preparation of a work liké The Longman Synonym Dictionary. The editors have often had to make admittedly arbitrary decisions on word inclusion and piacement. It is to be hoped, however, that among the many related words offered, users will find several that suit their subject and context. Vissza