English Synonyms and Antonyms Part 160

Every man has at times in his mind the ---- of what he should be, but is not.

IDIOCY (page 207).

QUESTIONS.

1. What is _idiocy_? 2. What is _imbecility_? How does it compare with _idiocy_? 3. How does _insanity_ differ from _idiocy_ or _imbecility_?

4. How do _folly_ and _foolishness_ compare with _idiocy_? 5. What is _fatuity_? _stupidity_?

EXAMPLES.

Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis ---- to be wise.

To expect an effect without a cause, or attainment without application, is little less than ----.

IDLE (page 208).

QUESTIONS.

1. From what language is _idle_ derived, and what is its original meaning? 2. What does _idle_ in present use properly denote? Does it necessarily denote the absence of all action? 3. What does _lazy_ signify? How does it differ from _idle_? 4. What does _inert_ signify?

_sluggish_? 5. In what realm does _slothful_ belong, and what does it denote? 6. How does _indolent_ compare with _slothful_?

EXAMPLES.

The ---- stream was covered with a green sc.u.m.

Never ---- a moment, but thrifty and thoughtful of others.

As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the ---- turn upon his bed.

IGNORANT (page 208).

QUESTIONS.

1. What does _ignorant_ signify? How wide is its range? 2. What is the meaning of _illiterate_? 3. How does _unlettered_ compare with _illiterate_?

EXAMPLES.

So foolish was I and ----; I was as a beast before thee.

A boy is better unborn than ----.

IMAGINATION (page 209).

QUESTIONS.

1. Into what two parts was _imagination_ divided in the old psychology?

2. What name is now preferably given to the so-called _Reproductive Imagination_ by President Porter and others? 3. What is _fantasy_ or _phantasy_? In what mental actions is it manifested? 4. What is _fantasy_ in ordinary usage? 5. How is _imagination_ defined? _fancy_?

6. To what faculty of the mind do both of these activities or powers belong? 7. In what other respects do _imagination_ and _fancy_ agree?

What is the one great distinction between them? How do they respectively treat the material objects or images with which they deal? Which power finds use in philosophy, science, and mechanical invention, and how?

EXAMPLES.

While ----, like the finger of a clock, Runs the great circuit, and is still at home.

And as ---- bodies forth The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen Turns them to shapes, and gives to airy nothing A local habitation and a name.

IMMEDIATELY (page 211).

QUESTIONS.

1. What is the primary meaning of _immediately_? Its meaning as an adverb of time? 2. What did _by and by_ formerly signify? What is its present meaning? 3. What did _directly_ formerly signify, and what does it now commonly mean? 4. What change has _presently_ undergone? 5. Is _immediately_ losing anything of its force? What words now seem more emphatic?

EXAMPLES.

Nothing is there to come, and nothing past, But an eternal ---- does always last.

Let us go up ----, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

Obey me ----!

IMMERSE (page 212).

QUESTIONS.

1. From what language is _dip_ derived? from what _immerse_? 2. How do the two words differ in dignity? How as to the completeness of the action? How as to the continuance of the object in or under the liquid?

3. Which word is preferably used as to the rite of baptism? 4. What does _submerge_ imply? 5. What are _douse_ and _duck_? 6. What special sense has _dip_ which the other words do not share?