+64.  Definition by Synonyms.+—­If we are asked to explain the meaning of a general term, our reply in many cases will be a brief definition.  Often it is sufficient to give a synonym.  For example, in answer to the question, What is exposition? we make its meaning clearer by saying, Exposition is explanation.

Definition by synonym is frequently used because of its brevity.  In the smaller dictionaries the definitions are largely of this kind.  For example:  to desert, to abandon; despot, tyrant; contemptible, mean or vile; to fuse, to blend; inviolable, sacred.  Synonyms are, however, seldom exact, but a fair understanding of a term may be gained by comparing it with its synonyms and discussing the different shades of meaning.  Such a discussion, especially if supplemented by examples showing the correct use of each term, is a profitable exercise in exposition.  For example:—­

Both discovery and invention denote generally something new that is found out in the arts and sciences.  But the term discovery involves in the thing discovered not merely novelty, but curiosity, utility, difficulty, and consequently some degree of importance.  All this is less strongly involved in invention.  But there are yet wider differences.  One can only discover what has in its integrity existed before the discovery, while invention brings a thing into existence.  America was discovered.  Printing was invented.  Fresh discoveries in science often lead to new inventions in the industrial arts.  Indeed, discovery belongs more to science; invention, to art.  Invention increases the store of our practical resources, and is the fruit of search.  Discovery extends the sphere of our knowledge, and has often been made by accident.

—­Smith:  Synonyms Discriminated.

If exactness is desired, this is obtained by means of the logical definition, which will be discussed in a later chapter.

+Theme XXXV.+—­Explain the meaning of the words in one of the following groups:_—­

1.  Caustic, satirical, biting. 2.  Imply, signify, involve. 3.  Martial, warlike, military, soldierlike. 4.  Wander, deviate, err, stray, swerve, diverge. 5.  Abate, decrease, diminish, lessen, moderate. 6.  Emancipation, freedom, independence, liberty. 7.  Old, ancient, antique, antiquated, obsolete. 8.  Adorn, beautify, bedeck, decorate, ornament, 9.  Active, alert, brisk, lively, spry.

+65.  Use of Simpler Words.+—­In defining terms by giving a synonym we must be careful to choose a synonym which will be most likely to be understood by our listeners, or our explanation will be of no avail.  For instance, in explaining the term abate to a child, if we say it means to diminish, and he is unfamiliar with that word, he is made none the wiser by our explanation.  If we tell him that it means to grow less, he will, in all probability, understand our explanation.  Very many words in our language have equivalents that may be substituted, the one for the other.  Much of our explanation to children and to those whose attainments are less than our own consists in substituting common, everyday words for less familiar ones.