Chapter Introduction of Prelims by Roget's Thesaurus

For the purpose of exhibiting with greater distinctness the relations between words expressing opposite and correlative ideas, I have, whenever the subject admitted of such an arrangement, placed them in two parallel columns in the same page, so that each group of expressions may be readily contrasted with those which occupy the adjacent column, and constitute their antitheses. By carrying the eye from the one to the other, the inquirer may often discover forms of expression of which he may avail himself advantageously to diversify and infuse vigour into his phraseology. Rhetoricians, indeed, are well aware of the power derived from the skilful introduction of antitheses in giving point to an argument, and imparting force and brilliancy to the diction. A too frequent and indiscreet employment of this figure of rhetoric may, it is true, give rise to a vicious and affected style; but it is unreasonable to condemn indiscriminately the occasional and moderate use of a practice on account of its possible abuse.

The study of correlative terms existing in a particular language may often throw valuable light on the manners and customs of the nations using it. Thus, Hume has drawn important inferences with regard to the state of society among the ancient Romans, from certain deficiencies which he remarked in the Latin language.⁵

In many cases, two ideas, which are completely opposed to each other, admit of an intermediate or neutral idea, equidistant from both: all these being expressible by corresponding definite terms. Thus, in the following examples, the words in the first and third columns, which express opposite ideas, admit of the intermediate terms contained in the middle column having a neutral sense with reference to the former:

Identity,	Difference,	Contrariety.
Beginning,	Middle,	End.
Past,	Present,	Future.

In other cases, the intermediate word is simply the negative to each of two opposite positions; as, for example—

Convexity,	Flatness,	Concavity.
Desire,	Indifference,	Aversion.

Sometimes the intermediate word is properly the standard with which each of the extremes is compared; as in the case of

Insufficiency,

Sufficiency,

Redundance;

for here the middle term, Sufficiency, is equally opposed, on the one hand to Insufficiency, and on the other to Redundance.

These forms of correlative expressions would suggest the use of triple, instead of double, columns for tabulating this three-fold order of words; but the practical inconvenience attending such an arrangement would probably overbalance its advantages.

It often happens that the same word has several correlative terms, according to the different relations in which it is considered. Thus, to the word Giving are opposed both Receiving and Taking; the former correlation having reference to the persons concerned in the transfer, while the later relates to the mode of transfer. Old has for opposite both New and Young, according as it is applied to things or to living beings. Attack and Defence are correlative terms; as are also Attack and Resistance. Resistance, again, has for its other correlative Submission. Truth in the abstract is opposed to Error; but the opposite of Truth communicated is Falsehood. Acquisition is contrasted both with Deprivation and with Loss. Refusal is the counterpart both of Offer and of Consent. Disuse and Misuse may either of them be considered as the correlative of Use. Teaching, with reference to what is taught, is opposed to Misteaching; but with reference to the act itself, its proper reciprocal is Learning.

Words contrasted in form do not always bear the same contrast in their meaning. The word Malefactor, for example, would, from its derivation, appear to be exactly the opposite of Benefactor; but the ideas attached to these two words are far from being directly opposed; for while the latter expresses one who confers a benefit, the former denotes one who has violated the laws.

Independently of the immediate practical uses derivable from the arrangement of words in double columns, many considerations, interesting in a philosophical point of view, are presented by the study of correlative expressions. It will be found, on strict examination, that there seldom exists an exact opposition between two words which may at first sight appear to be the counterparts of one another; for, in general, the one