The Highly Selective Dictionary for the Extraordinarily Literate by Eugene Ehrlich Read Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Eugene Ehrlich
proportionate.
Related words: commensurately adverb , commensurateness and commensuration (k e - MEN -s e -RAY-sh e n) both nouns .
commination ( KOM - e -NAY-sh e n) adjective
a threat of vengeance, especially divine vengeance.
Related words: comminate (KOM- e - NAYT ) verb , comminator noun , comminatory (k e -MIN- e - TOR -ee) and comminative (KOM-mi- NAY -tiv) both adjectives .
complement (KOM-pl e -m e nt) noun
1. something that completes or makes perfect.
2. the amount or quantity required to complete something.
3. in grammar, a word or group of words added to a verb to complete the predicate.
4. ( verb ) complete; form a complement to.
Careless writers sometimes use the noun and verb compliment to express the meanings of the noun and verb complement , giving editors one more error to correct. We welcome compliments and are quick to compliment anyone who deserves such courtesies, but compliments and compliment have nothing to do with complements . Complements may be essential, but they have nothing to do with complimenting or paying compliments . Clear enough?
Related words: complementarity ( KOM -pl e -men-TAR-i-tee) noun , complementary ( KOM -pl e -MEN-t e -ree) adjective .
compliment (KOM-pl e -m e nt) noun
1. a polite expression of praise.
2. an act implying praise.
3. ( verb ) pay a compliment to.
See complement .
Related words: complimentable ( KOM -pl e -MEN-t e -b e l) adjective , complimenter (KOM-pli- MENT - e r) noun .
comprise (k e m-PR I Z) verb
1. include, comprehend, consist of.
2. constitute, compose, make up.
The first definition of comprise given above, include, consist of , is considered by skilled writers and editors to be the only acceptable one. It follows the hallowed dictum “The whole comprises the parts.” In fact, the second definition, suggesting “The parts comprise the whole,” is widely used and has been accepted for a long time. Nevertheless, there is a strong inclination among trained editors to make the first definition the one that a careful writer should follow, and the second definition one that a careful writer should avoid. Thus, instead of writing “Players comprise a small army,” you ought to write “Players constitute a small army” or “Players make up a small army.” Following the same practice, instead of saying “A team comprised of dozens of specialists,” you ought to write “A team composed of dozens of specialists.”
Related words: comprisable adjective , comprisal noun .
compulsive (k e m-PUL-siv) adjective
1. acting as if from compulsion.
2. irresistible.
Do not confuse compulsive with compulsory , which see.
Related words: compulsively adverb , compulsiveness and compulsivity ( KOM -pul-SIV-i-tee) both nouns .
compulsory (k e m-PUL-s e -ree) adjective
1. that must be done, required by the rules etc.
2. enforced.
The adjective compulsory has long been understood to mean enforced , as in compulsory education. It was clearly distinct in meaning from the adjective compulsive , which in psychological parlance means irresistible . With the growing influence of popular psychology, however, compulsive has drifted into everyday language and become confused with compulsory . The distinction between the two words should be maintained. Thus, compulsory education is required by the laws of our country, while compulsive gambling stems from a compulsion, an irresistible urge, to gamble. You must continue to keep these adjectives separate in your own writing, remembering that compulsive behavior is not mandated by law, but results from an inner urge entirely personal in nature.
Related words: compulsorily (k e m-PUL-s e -ri-lee) adverb , compulsoriness noun .
concatenate (kon-KAT- e n-
Related words: commensurately adverb , commensurateness and commensuration (k e - MEN -s e -RAY-sh e n) both nouns .
commination ( KOM - e -NAY-sh e n) adjective
a threat of vengeance, especially divine vengeance.
Related words: comminate (KOM- e - NAYT ) verb , comminator noun , comminatory (k e -MIN- e - TOR -ee) and comminative (KOM-mi- NAY -tiv) both adjectives .
complement (KOM-pl e -m e nt) noun
1. something that completes or makes perfect.
2. the amount or quantity required to complete something.
3. in grammar, a word or group of words added to a verb to complete the predicate.
4. ( verb ) complete; form a complement to.
Careless writers sometimes use the noun and verb compliment to express the meanings of the noun and verb complement , giving editors one more error to correct. We welcome compliments and are quick to compliment anyone who deserves such courtesies, but compliments and compliment have nothing to do with complements . Complements may be essential, but they have nothing to do with complimenting or paying compliments . Clear enough?
Related words: complementarity ( KOM -pl e -men-TAR-i-tee) noun , complementary ( KOM -pl e -MEN-t e -ree) adjective .
compliment (KOM-pl e -m e nt) noun
1. a polite expression of praise.
2. an act implying praise.
3. ( verb ) pay a compliment to.
See complement .
Related words: complimentable ( KOM -pl e -MEN-t e -b e l) adjective , complimenter (KOM-pli- MENT - e r) noun .
comprise (k e m-PR I Z) verb
1. include, comprehend, consist of.
2. constitute, compose, make up.
The first definition of comprise given above, include, consist of , is considered by skilled writers and editors to be the only acceptable one. It follows the hallowed dictum “The whole comprises the parts.” In fact, the second definition, suggesting “The parts comprise the whole,” is widely used and has been accepted for a long time. Nevertheless, there is a strong inclination among trained editors to make the first definition the one that a careful writer should follow, and the second definition one that a careful writer should avoid. Thus, instead of writing “Players comprise a small army,” you ought to write “Players constitute a small army” or “Players make up a small army.” Following the same practice, instead of saying “A team comprised of dozens of specialists,” you ought to write “A team composed of dozens of specialists.”
Related words: comprisable adjective , comprisal noun .
compulsive (k e m-PUL-siv) adjective
1. acting as if from compulsion.
2. irresistible.
Do not confuse compulsive with compulsory , which see.
Related words: compulsively adverb , compulsiveness and compulsivity ( KOM -pul-SIV-i-tee) both nouns .
compulsory (k e m-PUL-s e -ree) adjective
1. that must be done, required by the rules etc.
2. enforced.
The adjective compulsory has long been understood to mean enforced , as in compulsory education. It was clearly distinct in meaning from the adjective compulsive , which in psychological parlance means irresistible . With the growing influence of popular psychology, however, compulsive has drifted into everyday language and become confused with compulsory . The distinction between the two words should be maintained. Thus, compulsory education is required by the laws of our country, while compulsive gambling stems from a compulsion, an irresistible urge, to gamble. You must continue to keep these adjectives separate in your own writing, remembering that compulsive behavior is not mandated by law, but results from an inner urge entirely personal in nature.
Related words: compulsorily (k e m-PUL-s e -ri-lee) adverb , compulsoriness noun .
concatenate (kon-KAT- e n-
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