PREFACE
The aim in compiling this book has been to make the list of words in common use concise yet full, and authoritative yet suggestive. Above five thousand leading words are given, and the synonyms and antonyms comprise several thousand more different words.
Actual references may be multiplied by looking up a synonym or antonym, as well as by consulting cognate words, such as the corresponding noun, verb, or adjective.
In some cases common words have been omitted, because they were composed of a root word and a prefix, intensive or privative. Their synonyms and antonyms may be found under the root word.
Occasionally within the lists words closely synonymous or antonymic have been grouped within semicolons.
The part of speech of a word is designated by an abbreviation in such cases as are necessary to save confusion.
Synonyms appear immediately after the leading word; antonyms, after the abbreviation “Ant.” This order is invariable.
In the effort to make this list authoritative, the standard dictionaries and the acknowledged authorities on the subject have been consulted.