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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 cross-reference to a main entry is indicated by capitals and is preceded by “
See
”.
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 cross-reference to a subentry follows the same format but also includes the main
entry (given in parentheses). For example:
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 cross-references.
PWE350_introToDict0707.pm65 07/09/2004, 15:5242
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