Sharp PW-E310 operation manual Homonyms, Synonyms

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Homonyms

Homonyms are words that are written the same but which have completely different and unrelated meanings. For example, the bark of a dog is a completely different word from the bark of a tree. There are three different words spelled bay, and four spelled sound. Some words that are written with the same spelling are pronounced differently. In such cases, a note on pronunciation is given, either by giving a word that rhymes with the headword, e.g.

wind1 (rhymes with 'tinned') noun wind2 (rhymes with 'mind') verb

or by stating where the stress falls, e.g.

defect1 (stress on first syllable) noun defect2 (stress on second syllable) verb

Synonyms

It is sometimes argued that no two words have exactly the same meaning. Even words as similar in meaning as close and shut may have slightly different nuances. Closing a shop implies that the shop is no longer open for business, so no one can come in. On the other hand, shutting a shop implies that the shop is being made secure, so nothing can be taken out. A similar distinction is found between strong and powerful: powerful enemies may threaten from outside, but a strong defence on the inside will deter them from attacking. However, these are unusually subtle distinctions. For most practical purposes, close and shut have the same meaning, as do strong and powerful. Other synonyms are more distant, or emphasize different aspects of the meaning. For example, another close synonym of strong is muscular, but it places much more emphasis on physical strength. By contrast, stalwart and staunch are synonyms that emphasize more abstract aspects of this meaning of strong. Forceful, secure, durable, loud, intense, bright, and alcoholic are other close synonyms of strong, but all in quite different senses. They are not, of course, synonyms of each other.

In this title, the broadest possible definition of the term 'synonym' has been adopted, as being the one that will be most useful to users. Even words whose meaning is quite distantly related to that of the headword are listed if they can be used to get the same message across in appropriate contexts. Synonyms are not restricted to single words, and some expressions can be quite colourful: for example, the synonyms for tinker include not only fiddle (with) and try to mend, but also rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic.

The synonyms in each entry are grouped together in synonym sets. Major synonym sets correspond roughly to different senses of a word in a dictionary. Each major synonym set is numbered, and many have more delicate subdivisions, which are separated by semicolons. At the start of almost every synonym set is a 'core synonym': the term which is closest in meaning to the headword in that particular sense. Core synonyms are displayed in BOLD CAPITALS. Only a very few words have no core synonym. Some synonym sets have more than one core synonym; for example at avant-garde(adjective), both innovative and advanced are very close in meaning to the headword, so both are given as core synonyms. Two different core synonyms within the same sense group may emphasize slightly different aspects of the meaning of the headword. For example, at dutiful, the first core synonym given is conscientious, followed by a group of words closely related to this aspect of its meaning. Then, after a semicolon, a second core synonym, obedient, is given, with a further group of synonyms grouped around that aspect of the meaning.

Synonyms whose usage is restricted in some way, for example regionalisms or very formal or informal words, are placed at the end of each major synonym set and labelled accordingly. See Register below.

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