GROUPS WITHIN SENSES
In general, the synonyms in an entry are separated by commas. However, there are cases in which the words fall naturally into two or more distinct groups, which are separated by semicolons. There are various reasons for subdividing a sense in this way:
Grammatical Differences
Within a given sense, some synonyms may function differently from others. For example:
acclaim noun .... praise, commendation, approval, approbation,
homage, tribute, extolment, laudation; cheers, congratulations, plaudits, bouquets.
In the acclaim entry, the semicolon separates the singular nouns from the plural nouns. There are other grammatical reasons for subdividing synonym groups; for instance, a headword may function as both a transitive verb (taking a direct object) and an intransitive verb (without an object), whereas some of the synonyms may be only intransitive or only transitive.
Relationship of Meanings
Within a given sense, there sometimes are synonyms whose meanings share a relationship that sets them apart from the other synonyms in that sense. For example:
age verb mature, ripen, grow up, come of age; grow old, decline, wither, fade, become obsolete.
bag noun receptacle; handbag, pocketbook, purse, shoulder bag; case, suitcase, grip, flight bag, ....
In the entry for age, a semicolon is used to separate the “maturing” senses of age from the “growing old” senses. In the bag entry, semicolons separate the general synonym “receptacle” from the specific synonyms, which themselves are separated into categories of bags.
Restricted Usage
Some synonyms are separated into labeled groups of restricted usage. Such
groups are always set off by semicolons. For example:
acquit verb .... vindicate, liberate, free, deliver; fml. exculpate.
work noun .... effort, exertion, labor, toil, sweat, drudgery, trouble,
industry; lit. travail; inf. grind, elbow grease.
the usage labels used in this thesaurus are abbreviated as follows:
derog. | derogatory |
fml. | formal |
inf. | informal |
lit. | literal |
Med. | Medicine |
TM | trademark |
CROSS-REFERENCES
A
Where necessary, the part of speech and sense number are also given. For example:
abasement noun humiliation, belittlement, lowering, .... See
ABASE.
alternate adjective 1 
alternate weeks: every other, every second .... See ALTERNATIVE adjective 1.
A
discount verb .... 4 
discount the products: mark down, reduce,
put on sale.
Antonym(s): NOTE; INCREASE; mark up (see MARK).
ANTONYMS
Many entries contain a list of antonyms (opposites). For example:
dally verb ....
Antonym(s): HURRY; HASTEN.
Note that antonyms in capitals are
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