Sentences: With such wages as those, he can barely ____ a living. He ____ a pardon by appealing to the governor. The speaker ____ his point by forcing his opponent to admit that the figures were misleading. By buying in June I can ____ a good overcoat at half price. Did you ____ only seven thousand dollars for your house? Walpole believed in ____ one's ends in the surest and easiest way possible. It is illegal to ____ money through false pretences. A junior ____ the prize in the oratorical contest. Kirk ____ his advancement by taking a personal interest in the firm's welfare. The painter ____ a foreign accent while he was studying in Paris. He ____ their gratitude by loyally serving them. It was through sacrifices that he ____ an education.
<Give, bestow, grant, confer, present>.
We give that which we transfer from our own to another's possession or ownership, usually without compensation. We bestow that which we give gratuitously, or of which the recipient stands in especial need. We grant that which has been requested by one dependent upon us or inferior to us, and which we give with some formality. From a position of superiority we confer as a favor or honor that which we might withhold or deny. We present that which is of importance or value and which we give ceremoniously.
Assignment for further discrimination: <furnish, supply, impart>.
Sentences: William the Conqueror ____ English estates upon his followers. The rich man ____ his wonderful art collection to the museum. My application for a leave of absence has been ____. The ticket agent ____ us complete information. Every year he ____ alms upon the poor in that neighborhood. The school board may ____ an increase in the salaries of teachers. Many merchants ____ premiums with the articles they sell. The college ____ an honorary degree upon the distinguished visitor. The Pilgrims ____ thanks to God for their preservation. "Not what we ____, but what we share."
<Haste, celerity, speed, hurry, expedition, despatch>.
What did John Wesley mean by saying, "Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry"? Does Lord Chesterfield's saying "Whoever is in a hurry shows that the thing he is about is too big for him" help explain the distinction? Explain the distinction (taking speed in the modern sense) in the saying "The more haste, ever the worse speed." "The tidings were borne with the usual celerity of evil news." Give the well-known saying in four simple words that express the same idea. Which of the two statements is the more forceful? Which is the more literary? Why did Prescott use the former in his Ferdinand and Isabella? "Despatch," says Lord Chesterfield, "is the soul of business." What does despatch suggest about getting work done that haste or speed does not? In which way would you prefer for your employee to go about his task—with haste, with speed, or with despatch? "With wingéd expedition, Swift as the lightning glance, he executes His errand on the wicked." Why is it that this use of expedition in Milton's lines is apt? Would despatch have served as well? If not, why not?
<Hate, detest, abhor, loathe, abominate, despise>.
To hate involves deep or passionate dislike, sometimes bred of ill-will. To detest involves an intense, vehement, or deep-seated antipathy. To abhor involves utter repugnance or aversion, with an impulse to recoil. To loathe involves disgust because of physical or moral offensiveness. To abominate involves strong moral aversion, as of that which is odious or wicked. To despise is to dislike and look down upon as inferior.
Sentences: When he had explained his fell purpose, I could only ____ him. Who would not ____ a slimy creature like Uriah Heep? It is natural for us to ____ our enemies. She ____ greasy food. There suddenly in my pathway was the venomous reptile, darting out its tongue; oh, I ____ snakes! A wholesome nature must ____ such principles as these. A child ____ to kiss and make up. The pampered young millionaire ____ those who are simply honest and kind. These daily practices of her associates she ____.