SYNONYMS

FUNCTION: The principal function of synonyms is to represent the same phenomenon in different aspects, shades and variations.

Classification of synonyms

a) ideographic (differing in shades of meaning): (glance, glimpse, look, stare, gaze )

b) stylistic (differing in stylistic characteristics)

c) absolute (coinciding in all their shades of meaning and in all their stylistic characteristics).

the CRITERION of interchangeability in context

1) total (fatherland – motherland; noun — substantive)

2) relative (like - love ~ adore, gift - talent - genius)

3) contextual (win/gain a victory, BUT only win a war;)

SOURCES of synonymy

1) synonyms of native origin (e.g. fast-speedy-swift; handsome-pretty-lovely; bold-manful-steadfast)

2) dialectal and variety words (e.g. mother – minny (Scot.); dark-murk (O.N.); charm – glamour (Scot.); long distance call (AE) - trunk call (BE); radio (AE) - wireless (BE)).

3) borrowings (to end - to finish - to complete)

4) euphemisms: (washroom, retiring room, (public) comfort station, ladies' room, water closet, Windsor castle (lavatory))

5) etymological doublets (shade – shadow, canal – channel, major – mayor, pauper – poor)

6) due to word-forming processes

a) affixation (anxiety – anxiousness)

b) loss of affixes (amongst – among, await - wait)

c) shortening (advertisement – ad, doctor – doc)

d) compounding (resist – fight back)