Putnam's Word Book A Practical Aid in Expressing Ideas Through the Use of an Exact and Varied Vocabulary

Part 8

Chapter 82,601 wordsPublic domain

conception, n. ideation, imagination; idea, concept, notion, impression.

concern, n. business, affair; moment, importance, interest, weight, consequence; solicitude, anxiety, uneasiness care; firm, house, company, partnership. Antonyms: unconcern, inconsequence.

concerned, a. solicitous, worried, anxious, apprehensive, troubled, uneasy. Antonyms: unconcerned, indifferent.

concerning, prep. regarding, about, respecting, touching, with reference to.

concert, n. accordance, concurrence, harmony; musicale.

concise, a. epigrammatic, sententious, succinct, laconic, pithy. Antonyms: diffuse, prolix.

conclude, v. decide, determine, resolve; end, close; infer, deduce; effect, arrange.

conclusion, n. decision, determination; inference, deduction, corollary, illation; close, end, peroration, finale, completion, dénouement, l'envoy.

concoct, v. compound, mix; devise, contrive, invent, excogitate.

concrete, a. solidified, consolidated; specific, special, particular.

concretion, n. solidification, lapidescence, stone; clot, coagulation.

concubine, n. paramour, odalisque; pl. harem, seraglio.

condemn, v. denounce, anathematize, curse, execrate, reprobate, doom, ban. Antonyms: exonerate, exculpate, vindicate, absolve, justify, praise.

condemnation, n. denunciation, reprobation, execration, ban.

condemnatory, a. denunciatory, condemning.

condense, v. abridge, epitomize, reduce; compress, concentrate.

condescend, v. deign, vouchsafe.

condition, n. state, plight, category, predicament, situation, stipulation, provision, proviso, term, prerequisite.

conditional, a. contingent, subject, provisory.

conduce, v. lead, tend, contribute, redound, subserve, advance.

conduct, v. lead, pilot, escort, guide, attend, convoy; administer, manage.

conduct, n. guidance, management, leadership, administration, behavior, deportment.

confederate, a. confederated, federated, allied, leagued.

confederation, n. coalition, federation, league, confederacy, union.

confess, v. acknowledge, own, admit, avow; divulge, disclose, reveal.

confession, n. acknowledgment, avowal, admission; confiteor; shrift; exomologesis. Associated Words: shrive, shrift, confessional, shriven, shriver, shrift, father.

confidence, n. reliance, trust, faith, dependence; assurance, certainty. Antonyms: See doubt.

confidence game. swindle.

confident, a. sure, undoubting, sanguine, reliant, undaunted.

confine, n. boundary, border, frontier, limit.

confine, v. restrain, restrict, limit, circumscribe, pinion, inclose, bound; immure, imprison, incarcerate.

confinement, n. restraint, imprisonment, durance, duress, incarceration, immurement, limbo; limitation, circumscription; lying-in, childbirth.

confines, n. pl. boundaries, borders, precincts, outskirts, purlieus, marches, frontiers.

confirm, v. ratify, verify, corroborate, substantiate. Antonyms: See abrogate.

confirmation, n. ratification, corroboration, substantiation, verification.

conflict, n. clashing, antagonism, encounter, opposition, battle, struggle, strife, skirmish, contest, combat, affray, fray, scrimmage.

conflict, v. clash, interfere, collide, be contradictory.

conflicting, a. contending, contradictory, contrary, opposing.

confound, v. confuse, disconcert, abash, nonplus, bewilder.

confounded, a. confused, disconcerted, abashed; (Colloq.) extreme, excessive, odious, detestable.

confuse, v. disconcert, perplex, abash, fluster, embarrass, chagrin, pose, nonplus, bewilder, obfuscate, discompose, addle, obscure, confound, derange.

confusion, n. disorder, tumult, turmoil, disarray, jumble, chaos; babel, pandemonium, commotion; abashment, chagrin, agitation, disconcertion, mortification, consternation fluster, perturbation, discomposure, flustration, obfuscation, distraction, flurry.

confutation, n. disproof, refutation.

Confute, v. refute, disprove.

congenial, a. kindred, sympathetic; suited, suitable, agreeable, genial.

congratulate, v. felicitate, gratulate. Antonyms: commiserate, condole with.

congratulation, n. felicitation, gratulation.

conjecture, n. surmise, supposition.--v. surmise, guess, speculate.

conjuration, n. incantation, enchantment, spell, sorcery, magic art.

conjurer, n. sorcerer, magician, wizard, diviner, exorcist, enchanter.

connect, v. join, link, couple, attach, unite, affiliate; implicate.

connected, a. joined, coupled, linked, affiliated, related, akin, associated.

connection, n. union, alliance, relationship, junction, conjunction, affiliation, association, filiation; implication, relative, relation, kinsman; bond, tie, link, coupling vinculum. Antonyms: disconnection, detachment, isolation, incoherence.

conquer, v. defeat, overpower, down, vanquish, triumph, overthrow, subdue, subjugate.

conqueror, n. subjugator, subduer, vanquisher, victor; conquistador.

conquest, n. subjection, subjugation, victory, mastery, triumph, reduction, overthrow, rout.

conscience, n. Associated Words: casuistry, Erinys, compunction, qualm.

conscientious, a. scrupulous, just, upright, high- minded.

conscionable, a. reasonable, just.

conscious, a. cognizant, aware, sensible, apprised; sentient, percipient, knowing. Antonyms: See unconscious.

consecrate, v. dedicate, sanctify, hallow.

consent, v. agree, accord, concur, accede, yield, assent, acquiesce, comply, permit. Antonyms: dissent, disagree, refuse.

consent, n. concurrence, acquiescence, compliance, approval, permission, agreement.

consequence, n. result, effect, issue, event, sequence, sequel, outcome, upshot, eventuality; pursuance; importance, moment, weight. Antonym: inconsequence.

conservation, n. preservation, maintenance, keeping.

conserve, v. save, preserve.

consider, v. meditate on, ponder, contemplate, think about; regard, heed.

considerate, a. thoughtful, circumspect, heedful, mindful Antonyms: See inconsiderate.

consideration, n. deliberation, advisement, contemplation, deference; motive, reason.

console, v. comfort, cheer, condole with, solace, sympathize with.

consolidate, v. solidify, compress, concrete; unify, merge, incorporate, combine.

consolidation, n. unification, union, combination, incorporation.

consonant, n. Associated Words: spirant, fricative, surd, sibilant.

conspicuous, a. salient, noticeable, prominent, manifest. Antonym: inconspicuous.

conspiracy, n. plot, complot, machination, cabal, intrigue, collusion.

conspirator, n. conspirer, plotter, intriguer, caballer, machinator.

conspire, v. plot, complot, cabal, machinate, intrigue, collude.

constancy, n. steadfastness, stability, unchangeableness, resolution, loyalty, devotion, fidelity.

constant, a. permanent, unchanging; unwavering, unshaken, steadfast, stanch, unswerving, loyal, faithful; continuous, incessant, continual, perpetual, uninterrupted. Antonyms: See inconstant.

consternation, n. dismay, terror, alarm, panic, distraction.

constipated, a. costive, bound.

constipation, n. costiveness, stegnosis.

constitution, n. structure, physique, temperament.

constitutional, a. inborn, innate, organic, inbred, natural, congenital.

constrained, a. involuntary, forced, unnatural, embarrassed.

constraint, n. compulsion, coercion, force, pressure; restraint, restriction.

constrictor, n. sphincter.

consultation, n. conference, council, convocation, advisement.

consummate, a. perfect, supreme, complete, finished.

consummation, n. fulfillment, perfection, realization, attainment.

consumption, n. phthisis; consuming.

contact, n. touching, tangency, contingency, impact, juxtaposition, osculation, contiguity, apposition, syzygy.

contagion, n. virus, infection, _contagium_.

contagious, a. communicable, infectious, pestilential, pestiferous. Antonym: incommunicable.

contain, v. comprise, embody, include, comprehend, hold, restrain.

container, n. receptacle.

contaminate, v. corrupt, pollute, defile, infect, taint, vitiate, sully, debase.

contamination, n. corruption, pollution, defilement, vitiation, taint, infection.

contemporaneous, a. contemporary, synchionous, synchronal, coexistent.

contemporary, a. contemporaneous, coeval.

contempt, n. disdain, scorn, contumely, derision, detestation, disgrace, reproach.

contemptible, a. despicable, abject.

contemptuous, a. disdainful, supercilious, scornful, insolent, flouting, cynical, contumelious, haughty.

contend, v. struggle, vie, wrestle, combat, compete; dispute, maintain, argue.

content, v. satisfy, appease, gratify.

contented, a. content, satisfied.

contention, n. controversy, dissension, altercation, quarrel, dispute.

contentious, a. disputatious, litigious, quarrelsome; dissentious, polemical.

contest, n. rivalry, match, tournament, tourney, competition, emulation; dispute, controversy, dissension, contention.

continual, a. ceaseless, incessant, constant, uninterrupted, unremitting.

continuance, n. endurance, persistence, constancy, continuation.

continuation, n. protraction, prolongation, continuance, perpetuation.

continued, a. prolonged, protracted, extended; serial.

continuous, a. ceaseless, uninterrupted, unceasing, continual, constant, running. Antonyms: intermittent, occasional, inconstant.

contraband, a. prohibited, forbidden, unlawful, illegal.

contract, v. reduce, narrow, condense; incur, acquire; covenant, agree; shrivel, shrink; syncopate.

contract, n. agreement, compact, covenant, pact, protocol, treaty, concordat, convention, stipulation.

contracting, a. astringent, puckering, contractile.

contraction, n. astriction, constriction, stricture, syncopation, condensation.

contradict, v. gainsay, controvert, impugn, dispute, contravene.

contradiction, n. gainsaying, opposition, contrariety, antagonism, paradox, inconsistency.

contradictory, a. inconsistent, irreconcilable, paradoxical, opposing, contradicting.

contrariety, n. antagonism, repugnance, disagreement, inconsistency, opposition.

contrary, a. opposite, adverse, counter, opposed; repugnant, incompatible, contradictory, retroactive, antagonistic, conflicting, abhorrent, inconsistent; perverse, wayward, refractory, headstrong, intractable.

contrast, n. comparison; opposition, antithesis, dissimilitude, unlikeness.

contravene, v. thwart, oppose, counteract countervail; violate, transgress.

contravention, n. thwarting, opposition, counteraction, violation, transgression.

contrite, a. penitent, repentant, sorrowful. Antonyms: impenitent, obdurate.

contrite person. penitent, repentant.

contrition, n. penitence, compunction, remorse, attrition, self-reproach.

contrivance, n. contriving, devising; device, expedient, scheme, invention.

contrive, v. devise, concoct, invent, excogitate, scheme, plan.

control, v. restrain, regulate, govern, manage, repress, direct, bridle, dominate.

control, n. restraint, repression, check, hindrance; domination, ascendency, dominion, regulation, superintendence governance, command, mastery. Antonyms: unrestraint, abandon, subjection.

controller, n. governor, regulator, ruler; comptroller.

controversial, a. disputatious, polemical.

controversy, n. dispute, contention, disoutation, altercation polemics, logomachy.

convalescence, n. revalescence.

convene, v. assemble, convoke, congregate.

convenient, a. handy, advantageous; seasonable, timely, opportune, suitable; accessible.

convent, n. nunnery, monastery, cloister, abbey, priory. Associated words: conventual, conventical, monastic.

convention, n. custom, usage, conventionality; assembly, convocation, congress, diet, synod, council.

conversation, n. converse, colloquy, parlance, parley, interlocution, chat, _causerie_, conference, confabulation, interview.

conversational, a. colloquial, interlocutory.

converse, v. talk, chat, commune, confabulate, parley.

converse, n. intercourse, communion, conversation, parley.

conversion, n. transmutation, transformation; proselytism; regeneration; appropriation, application, employment.

convert, v. transform, transmute; proselyte; regenerate; appropriate, apply.

convert, n. proselyte.

convex, a. protuberant, bulging, gibbous. Antonym: concave.

convexity, n. protuberance, gibbosity. Antonym: concavity.

conveyance, n. carriage, transmission; transfer, demise, alienation, cession.

convict, n. felon, prisoner, criminal, culprit, malefactor.

convincing, a. cogent, persuasive, conclusive.

convivial, a. festive, festal, social, jolly, gay.

convocation, n. convention, congress, synod, diet, council, consistory.

convoy, n. protection, escort, attendance; guard, escort.

convulsion, n. spasm, paroxysm; agitation, commotion, disturbance, upheaval.

cook, n. chef (chief cook).

cook, v. stew, seethe, gratinate; (Colloq.) tamper with, garble, falsify.

cookable, a. coctible.

cooking, n. cuisine.

cook-room, n. kitchen, cuisine; galley, cuddy.

cool, v. chill, refrigerate; moderate, allay, calm, quiet.

cool, a. deliberate, self-possessed, unexcited, dispassionate, indifferent, nonchalant, unconcerned, composed; chilling, apathetic, repellent, distant, unfriendly, ceremonious; audacious, impudent, shameless, presumptuous, flippant, presuming.

cooler, n. refrigerator.

cooling, n. refrigeration; gelation (Astron.)--a. refrigerant, chilling.

cooling room of Roman baths. frigidarium.

coolness, n. dispassion, nonchalance, indifference; (Colloq.) impudence, audacity.

coon, n. raccoon, mapach.

coop, n. pen, cote, mew, hutch, poultry-house.

coop, v. confine, shut up, imprison, incage, mew.

coöperate, v. concur, unite, work together; collude.

coöperating, a. cooperative, auxiliary, concurrent; synergetic.

coöperation, n. concurrence, working together; collusion; synergism, synergy. Antonyms: antagonism, competition, opposition.

coot, n. (Colloq.) dolt, dunce, dullard, simpleton.

copier, n. copyist, transcriber; imitator, plagiarist. Antonym: originator.

copious, a. plentiful, abundant, overflowing, ample, exuberant.

copper, n. _cuprum_; cauldron. Associated Words: cupreous, cupric, cupriferous, cuprite, cuprous, speiss, chalcopyrite, chalcography, eruginous, verdigris, chalcographer, chalcographist.

copperas, n. green vitriol, sulphate of iron, ferrous sulphate.

coppice, n. copse.

copse, n. thicket, brushwood, coppice, boscage, bosk.

copulation, n. union, conjunction; sexual union, coition. Associated words: intromittent, infibulation, copulatory, copulate.

copy, n. transcript, reproduction, transcription, replica, replication, facsimile, duplicate, pasticcio, counterpart, counterfeit, imitation, apograph, estreat, exemplification, protocol, porotype; pattern, model, original, example, precedent; manuscript.

copy, v. transcribe, reproduce, trace, duplicate; imitate, ape, follow; exemplify.

copying machine. copygraph, polygraph.

copyist, n. transcriber, copier; imitator, plagiarist.

coquette, n. flirt.

coral, n. madrepora, madrepore.

cord, n. string, twine, torsade.

cordial, a. hearty, sincere, affectionate; strengthening, invigorating, cheering.

cordiality, n. sincerity, heartiness, ardor, _empressement_.

cork, n. stopper, stopple, shive. Associated Words: cloop, phelloplastics, phelloplastic, subereous, suberin, phellogen.

corn, n. maize, Indian corn; clavus.

corner, n. angle, cusp, cantle, bight, coin, quoin, coigne; nook, recess, niche; direction, quarter.

corner, v. nonplus, pose, perplex, confuse.

cornerwise, adv. diagonally.

cornhouse, n. granary.

corporal, a. bodily, corporeal, material.

corpse, n. remains, relics, cadaver; carcass; mummy. Associated words: cadaverous, cadaveric, necrophilism, necrophilous, carrion, necrophobia, necrogenic, necrogenous, necrotomy, necropsy, coffin, bier, catafalque, vespillo, cremate, cremation, crematory, crematorium, embalm, embalming.

correct, a. accurate, right, exact, precise. Antonyms: incorrect, erroneous.

correct, v. rectify, amend, emend, right; reprove, discipline; counteract, modify.

correctible, a. rectifiable.

correction, n. rectification, amendment, emendation; discipline, punishment; counteraction.

corrective, a. rectifying, reformatory, correctory, disciplinary emendatory.

correctness, n. accuracy, inerrancy, exactness, precision. Antonyms: incorrectness, inaccuracy, inexactness, error.

correspond, v. accord, comport, tally, correlate, harmonize, agree.

correspondence, n. adaptation, agreement, congruity, concurrence, homology; letters.

correspondent, a. conformable, congruous.

corrode, v. erode, canker; consume, wear away.

corrosion, n. erosion.

corrosive, a. erosive, eroding, corroding; vexing, carking, fretting.

corrupt, a. spoiled, tainted, addled, rotten, decaying; vitiated, depraved, dissolute, venal, unprincipled, unscrupulous, vicious, purchasable, mercenary.

corrupt, v. rot, spoil, deprave, vitiate, pervert, debase, demoralize, defile, infect, pollute.

corruption, n. putrefaction, decay; pollution, vitiation: improbity, venality, depravity, demoralization, dishonesty, bribery, subornation. Antonyms: incorruption, honesty.

cortège, n. procession.

cosmopolitan, n. cosmopolite.

cost, n. charge, expense, price, outlay; detriment, loss.

costemonger, n. fruiterer, costardmonger, coster.

costiveness, n. constipation.

costly, a. expensive, dear, high-priced; sumptuous, rich.

cot, n. cottage, hut; pen, coop, cote; cradle, crib.

coterie, n. clique, set, circle.

cottage, n. cot, cabin, lodge, casino, bungalow, chalet, hacienda, croft, hovel, shack, bower, shanty.

cottage cheese. smearcase.

cottager, n. cotter, cottier.

couch, n. lounge, sofa, bed.

cough, n. Associated Words: bechic, tussicular, pectoral, tussive.

council, n. aldermen, cabinet; assembly, junta, junto, camarilla, synod, cabal.

council-chamber, n. audience-room, divan.

counsel, n. consultation; prudence, deliberation, forethought; advice, admonition, suggestion. Associated Words: mentorial, monitorial, admonitory.

counsel, v. advise, admonish.

counselor, n. adviser, mentor, monitor, admonitor; lawyer, attorney.

count, v. enumerate, number; esteem, consider, reckon, judge, think.

count, n. numbering.

countenance, n. face, visage, features; support, goodwill, encouragement.--v. encourage, favor, approve.

counter, a. contrary, opposite, antagonistic.

counteract, v. defeat, frustrate, contravene, neutralize.

counteraction, n. frustration, contravention, neutralization.

counterbalance, v. counterpoise, countervail, equiponderate, balance.

counterfeit, a. false, fraudulent, spurious, fictitious, sham, mock, feigned.

countermand, v. revoke, cancel, rescind, recall.--n. revocation, rescission.

counterpoint, n. polyphony.

counterpoise, v. counterbalance, balance, equiponderate.

countersign, n. watchword, password, _consigne_.

counterterm, n. antonym.

counting frame. abacus.

count out. exclude.

countrified, a. rude, uncourtly, rustic, bucolic, rural.

country, n. region, territory; nation; rural parts, farming region. Associated Words: patriotism, patriot, patriotic, incivism, compatriot, expatriate, expatriation, deport, deportation, repatriate, repatriation, national, rusticate, rustication.

country, a. rural, rustic, agrestic.

countryman, n. compatriot, fellow-citizen; farmer, granger husbandman, rustic; peasant; (country bumpkin) yokel, carl, clod, clodhopper, churl, yahoo.

county, n. shire.

couple, n. two, pair, brace, span, couplet, team.

couple, v. join, link, connect; copulate.

couplet, n. distich.

courage, n. intrepidity, heroism, bravery, gallantry, hardihood, fortitude, valor, fearlessness, pluck, prowess. Antonyms: See cowardice and fear.

courageous, a. intrepid, brave, heroic, gallant, hardy, bold, fearless, valiant, valorous, dauntless, chivalrous, plucky, daring, lion-hearted.

courier, n. messenger, runner; estafet.

course, n. progress, passage; direction, bearing; heat, bout, round; procedure; sequence, routine, order, succession regularity; career; series.

court, n. tribunal, judicatory, judicature, judiciary, forum, mall; courtyard, quadrangle, cortile; jurisdiction; royal household, princely retinue; assize. Associated Words: curialistic, aulic, judicial, judiciary, forensic, docket, tipstaff, beadle, apparitor, summoner, _dies judicus, dies non_.

court, v. woo, spark; solicit, seek, allure, attract, invite.

courteous, a. deferential, polite, debonair, gracious, urbane, civil, respectful.

courtesan, n. prostitute, harlot, demirep, _amorosa_, _bona roba_.

courtesy, n. politeness, urbanity, civility, complaisance; favor, indulgence; curtsy.

courtly, a. elegant, dignified, polite.

courtyard, n. court, quadrangle, area, cortile, yard; patio, (Sp. America).

cove, n. bay, recess, bight, inlet.

covenant, n. compact, agreement, pact, concordat.

cover, v. overspread, overlay, thatch, hide, conceal, secrete; comprise, embrace, embody, comprehend; copulate with, serve.

cover, n. lid, covering, case, canopy, awning, tilt, roof, casing, cope, capsule, envelope; shelter, protection, defense, safeguard; counterpane, quilt, coverlet, spread; covert, underbrush, undergrowth, underwood, jungle, bush; plate.

covered, a. covert, screened, sheltered, protected, hidden.

covering, n. cover, wrapper, sheath, pavilion.

covert, a. secret, hidden, disguised, clandestine, stealthy.

covert, n. shelter, refuge, retreat; underwood, jungle, thicket.

covetousness, n. cupidity, avarice, greed.

cow, n. female of bovine animals; heifer (young cow); maverick. Associated Words: bovine, Bos, moo, low, lowing, farrow, beef, neat, moolley, vachery, chiche-vache, milch.

cow, v. overawe, daunt, intimidate, scare, dishearten.

coward, n. craven, dastard, poltroon, milksop, recreant.

cowardice, n. pusillanimity, poltroonery, dastardy, recreancy, timidity, cowardliness.

cowardly, a. craven, pusillanimous, dastard, dastardly, poltroon, recreant, timorous, white-livered, chicken-hearted faint-hearted, spiritless.

cowboy, n. cattle herder, drover, herdsman, vaquero.

cowcatcher, n. pilot.

cow doctor. veterinarian, veterinary, veterinary surgeon.

cower, v. crouch, squat; quail, cringe.

cowlike, a. bovine.

coworker, n. colleague, coagent, collaborator, associate.

cowpox, n. vaccinia, kinepox, cowpock, kinepock.

coxcomb, n. fop, dandy, dude, popinjay, exquisite.

coy, a. shy, modest, retiring, demure, reserved.

cozy, a. snug; talkative, chatty, sociable.

crab, n. crustacean, mollusk.

crabbed, a. See cross.

crabs, n. pl. Cancer, Crustacea, Mollusca, Brachyura. Associated words: crustacean, cancriform, cancerite, cancrine, cancroid, lobster, carcinology, brachyurean, cancrivorous, cancrophagous, carcinoid, carcinomorphic.

crack, n. chink, crevice, cranny, fissure, rift, rime, rent, cleft, interstice; rupture, breach, flaw; report, clap, pop, explosion, snap.

crack, v. break, chop, cleave, split, rift, snap.

crack, a. (Colloq.) first-rate, excellent, fine, capital, first-class.

cracked, a. (Colloq.) crotchety, eccentric, crazy.

crackle, v. crepitate, decrepitate.--n. crepitation, crackling.

crackling, a. crepitant.--n. crepitation, decrepitation, crackle.

crack up. (Low) extol, laud, praise, cry up.

cracksman, n. burglar.

cradle, n. baby's bed, trundle-bed; solen; _cunabula_.

craft, n. dexterity, skill; trade, handicraft; guild; guile, cunning, subtlety, artfulness.

craftiness, n. artfulness, guile, craft, cunning.

craftsman, n. artificer, artisan, mechanic, skilled workman.

crafty, a. shrewd, artful, wily, tricky, cunning, sly, deceitful, Machiavelian. Antonyms: guileless, artless, undesigning.

cragged, a. jagged, broken, craggy.

cram, v. compress, crowd, squeeze, press, impact.

cramp, v. restrain, confine, hinder, restrict, obstruct.

cranium, n. skull.

crank, n. winch, turning-handle; bend, turn, twist, crook, curve.

cranky, a. (Colloq.) crotchety, capricious, unreasonable, cantankerous, cross, perverse, cross-grained, contumacious unsteady.

cranny, n. crevice, chink. See crack.

crash, n. ruin, smash, failure, collapse.

crass, a. coarse, unrefined, gross, crude.

crave, v. long for, yearn for, hanker after; beseech, entreat, implore.