Some 16th-century Italian clergymen tried to ban coffee because they believed it to be “satanic.” However, Pope Clement VII loved coffee so much that he lifted the ban and had coffee baptized in 1600.
SYNONYM
synonym, equivalent word
(noun) two words that can be interchanged in a context are said to be synonymous relative to that context
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
synonym (plural synonyms)
(semantics, strictly) A word whose meaning is the same as that of another word.
Synonyms: equivalent, poecilonym
Antonyms: antonym, opposite
(semantics, loosely) A word or phrase with a meaning that is the same as, or very similar to, another word or phrase.
Synonym: metonym
(zoology) Any of the formal names for a taxon, including the valid name (i.e. the senior synonym).
(taxonomy, botany) Any name for a taxon, usually a validly published, formally accepted one, but often also an unpublished name.
(databases) An alternative (often shorter) name defined for an object in a database.
Source: Wiktionary
Syn"o*nym, n.; pl. Synonyms (). Etym: [F. synonyme, L. synonyma, pl. of synonymum, Gr. Synonymous.]
Definition: One of two or more words (commonly words of the same language) which are equivalents of each other; one of two or more words which have very nearly the same signification, and therefore may often be used interchangeably. See under Synonymous. [Written also synonyme.] All languages tend to clear themselves of synonyms as intellectual culture advances, the superfluous words being taken up and appropriated by new shades and combinations of thought evolved in the progress of society. De Quincey. His name has thus become, throughout all civilized countries, a synonym for probity and philanthropy. Macaulay. In popular literary acceptation, and as employed in special dictionaries of such words, synonyms are words sufficiently alike in general signification to be liable to be confounded, but yet so different in special definition as to require to be distinguished. G. P. Marsh.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
23 November 2024
THEORETICAL
(adjective) concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations; “theoretical science”
Coffee Trivia
