EXERCISE — Parallels

LIST G

Study the discriminations between the members of the following pairs.  At each blank in the illustrative sentences insert the appropriate word.

Brotherly, fraternal. Brotherly is used of actual blood kinship, or indicates close feeling, deep affection, or religious love. Fraternal is used less personally and intimately; it normally betokens that the relations are at least in part formal (as relations within societies).  “The sight of the button on the stranger’s lapel caused Wilkes to give him the cabalistic sign and ask his ____ assistance.”  “Though the children of different parents, we bear for each other a true ____ devotion.”  “Because we both are newspaper men I feel a ____ interest in him.”

Daily, diurnal. Daily, the popular word, is often used loosely.  We may say that we eat three meals daily without implying that we have never gone dinnerless. Diurnal, the scientific term, is used exactly, whether applying to the period of daylight or to the whole twenty-four hours.  A diurnal flower closes at night; a diurnal motion is precisely coincident with the astronomical day.  In poetry, however, diurnal is often used for daily.  “Give us this day our ____ bread.”  “The ____ rotation of the earth on its axis is the cause of our day and night.”  “Fred and I went for our ____ ramble through the hills.”

Cold, frigid. Which is the more popular word?  Let us see.  Would the man in the street be more likely to use one than the other?  Which one?  Does this answer our question?  Another question:  Which word is the more inclusive in meaning?  Again, let us see.  A blacksmith is beating iron; does the iron grow cold or frigid?  Which term, then, approaches the closer in meaning to the idea of mere coolness?  On the other hand, may that same term represent a temperature far beyond mere coolness?  Would you speak of a morning as bitterly cold or bitterly frigid?  Now think of the term you have not been using. Can it convey as wide meanings, or is it limited in range?  Does the word frigid carry for you a geographical suggestion (to the frigid zone)?  Do you yourself use the term?  If so, do you use it chiefly (perhaps entirely) in connection with human temperament or demeanor?  Is cold used thus figuratively also?  Which is the more often thus used?  “I suffer from ____ hands and feet.”  “The slopes of Mont Blanc are ____ with eternal snow.”  “He did not warm to the idea at all.  His inclinations are absolutely ____.”

Manly, virile. Manly implies possession of traits or qualities a man should possess; it may be used of immature persons. Virile implies maturity and robust masculinity; it is also used of the power to procreate.  “A ____ lad.”  “A ____ reply.” “____ energy.” “____ and aggressive.” “____ forbearance,”