Synonyms and antonyms — Reading Notes

Alphabetical Entries and Their Internal Logic

The entries follow a strict alphabetical order, but within each, Ordway employs a nuanced grouping strategy. For example, under 'Abandoned,' the first set of synonyms is 'Discarded, rejected and the p.p. of the syn. of “abandon”;' then a semicolon introduces a second cluster: 'depraved, corrupt, profligate, wicked, unprincipled, shameless, sinful, hardened, impenitent, lost, demoralized, vicious, dissolute, reprobate, graceless, obdurate, licentious, incorrigible, irreclaimable, bad.' This separation distinguishes the literal sense (something left behind) from the moral sense (a person of low character). The antonyms are similarly divided: the first set refers to the literal meaning ('visited, frequented, sociable'), while the second addresses the moral dimension ('virtuous, good, deserving, worthy, commendable, excellent, laudable; reclaimable, penitent; conscientious, correct, upright, righteous, self-controlled').

This pattern recurs in many entries, showing that Ordway did not simply compile lists but organized them by shades of meaning. The entry for 'High' is another example: it begins with 'Prominent, superior, distinguished, preëminent; dignified, great, admirable; recondite, abstruse, occult, profound, dark, obscure, transcendental; proud, haughty, arrogant, supercilious, lordly; boastful, ostentatious, bragging, vainglorious; despotic, domineering, overbearing, tyrannical; turbulent, violent, strong, tumultuous, boisterous; extreme; complete, full; dear; shrill, acute, sharp, high-pitched; northerly, southerly; early, primeval; capital, principal; strong-flavored; noble, exalted, steep, tall, towering, uplifted, elevated, eminent, lofty.' The semicolons here separate distinct senses—physical height, moral elevation, intellectual depth, social arrogance, and so on—making the entry a miniature thesaurus of related but distinct concepts.

Coverage and Limitations: What the Excerpts Reveal

The excerpts show that Ordway's work covers a wide range of vocabulary, from common words like 'Help' and 'Hide' to more specialized terms such as 'Hibernal' and 'Heterodox.' The entry for 'Hibernal' lists 'Wintry, brumal, arctic, glacial, frigid' as synonyms and 'Summery, balmy, zephyrous, halcyon, tropical' as antonyms, demonstrating the inclusion of poetic and rare words alongside everyday ones. Similarly, 'Heterodox' is defined as 'Unsound, unorthodox, heretical, freethinking,' with antonyms 'Sound, orthodox.'

However, the excerpts also reveal what the book does not provide. There are no example sentences, usage notes, or etymologies. The entries are purely lists of words, with no guidance on connotation or register. For instance, 'Hideous' lists 'Frightful, dreadful, appalling, horrible, ghastly, terrible, horrid, grim, shocking, grisly; unshapely, ugly, monstrous' as synonyms, but does not distinguish between degrees of intensity or contexts. The user must rely on their own knowledge to choose the right word. The preface acknowledges this by suggesting that readers look up a synonym or antonym to multiply references, implying that the book is a starting point for exploration rather than a definitive guide.

The Role of Cognate Words and Cross-References

Ordway's preface explicitly states that '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.' This design encourages the reader to treat the book as a network rather than a flat list. For example, the entry for 'Abandon' includes synonyms like 'desert, leave, forsake, depart from, quit, give up, relinquish, discontinue, abdicate, renounce, repudiate, forswear, withdraw from, vacate, surrender, retract, recant, retire from, cast off, abjure, cede, cease, resign, forego, yield, waive, part with, let go, lay down, evacuate, drop, deliver up.' A reader who looks up 'relinquish' would find its own entry, potentially with additional synonyms and antonyms, thus expanding their vocabulary.

The excerpts also show that some entries include cross-references to related forms. Under 'Abandoned,' the first synonym is 'Discarded, rejected and the p.p. of the syn. of “abandon”;' this directs the user to the past participle forms of the synonyms listed under 'Abandon.' Similarly, the antonyms for 'Abandoned' include 'The p.p. of the ant. of “abandon”;' again pointing back to the main entry. This interlinking makes the book more than a simple dictionary; it is a tool for systematic vocabulary building, though it requires active engagement from the reader.

Ordway's Synonyms and Antonyms is best used as a reference for expanding word choice, but its value depends on the reader's willingness to follow cross-references and consider the semicolon groupings as indicators of distinct meanings. The absence of usage examples means that context must be supplied by the reader's own experience or by consulting a dictionary. For those interested in the history of lexicography, this 1913 volume offers a clear snapshot of early twentieth-century approaches to synonymy, prioritizing breadth and systematic arrangement over illustrative detail.

In all my years, Synonyms and Antonyms has been my quiet companion—a patient ledger of every word’s neighbor and shadow. There is a kinship between that alphabetical patience and the earthy particularity of the A Glossary of Words used in the Country of Wiltshire — A Reader’s Guide, both shelving language as one might press wildflowers: gently, precisely, without hurry.