[Lexicog] Contradictanyms
Fritz Goerling
Fritz_Goerling at SIL.ORG
Thu Aug 25 19:12:56 UTC 2005
A friend just sent me this. I pass it on as a late contribution to the
homonyms discussion we had a while ago on this list.
Fritz Goerling
Contradictanyms are words which have opposing meanings depending on the
context in which they are used. For example, the word DUST can mean to add
fine particles (as in dust the cake with icing sugar) as well as to remove
fine particles (as in dust the furniture). Examples include:
You must BOLT the door.......................or he will BOLT for the door
FLOG a horse..........................in order to FLOG the horse-meat
GARNISH that dish........................or I will GARNISH your earnings
Secure it with a BUCKLE...................or it will BUCKLE under the weight
Please SCREEN us from.....................the film they are about to SCREEN
Though CRITICAL in his comments...............he was CRITICAL to our success
You can see the stars are OUT......................once the lights are OUT
It is everyday CUSTOM......................to have suits CUSTOM-made
It was an OVERSIGHT..................to give him OVERSIGHT of the project
I will FIX the gate.............................in order to FIX the race
Bind him FAST to prevent............................a FAST getaway
He was only a QUALIFIED success................although he is fully
QUALIFIED
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