There exist comparatively few words of a general character to
which no correlative term, either of negation or of opposition, can
be assigned, and which therefore require no corresponding second
column. The correlative idea, especially that which constitutes a
sense negative to the primary one, may, indeed, be formed or conceived ; but, from its occurring rarely, no word has been framed to
represent it ; for, in language, as in other matters, the supply fails
when there is no probability of a demand. Occasionally we find
this deficiency provided for by the contrivance of prefixing the
syllable non ; as, for instance, the negatives of existence, performance,
payment, &c., are expressed by the compound words, nooi-existence,
non-performance, non-payment, &c. Functions of a similar kind are
performed by the prefixes dis-[1], anti-, contra-, mis-, in-, and un-.[2]
With respect to all these, and especially the last, great latitude is allowed according to the necessities of the case ; a latitude which is limited only by the taste and discretion of the writer.
On the other hand, it is hardly possible to find two words having
in all respects the same meaning, and being therefore interchange-
able ; that is, admitting of being employed indiscriminately, the one
or the other, in all their applications. The investigation of the
distinctions to be drawn between words apparently synonymous,
forms a separate branch of inquiry, which I have not presumed here
to enter upon ; for the subject has already occupied the attention of
much abler critics than myself, and its complete exhaustion would
require the devotion of a whole life. The purpose of this Work, it
must be borne in mind, is, not to explain the signification of words,
but simply to classify and arrange them according to the sense in
which they are now used, and which I presume to be already known
to the reader. I enter into no inquiry into the changes of meaning
they may have undergone in the course of time.[3] I am content to
- ↑ The words disMinul and dissever, however, have the same meaning- as annul and sever ; to unloose is the same as to loose, and inebriety is synonymous with ehriety.
- ↑ In the case of adjectives, the addition to a substantive of the terminal syllable less, gives it a negative meaning : as taste, tasteless ; care, careless ; hope, hopeless ; friend, friendless ; fault, faultless ; Sec.
- ↑ Such changes are innumerable : for instance, the words tyrant, parasite, sophist, churl, knave, villain, anciently conveyed no opprobrious meaning. Im- pertinent merely expressed irrelative : and implied neither rudeness nor intrtision, as it does at present. Indifferent originally meant impaHial ; extravagant was simply digressive ; and to prevent was properly to precede and assist. The old translations of the Scriptiires furnish many striking examples of the alterations which time has brought in the signification of words. Much curious information on this subject is contained in Trench's Lectures on the Study of Words.
