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Speech is the general word for utterance of thought in language. A speech may be the delivering of one's
sentiments in the simplest way; an oration is an elaborate and prepared speech; a harangue is a vehement
appeal to passion, or a speech that has something disputatious and combative in it. A discourse is a set speech
on a definite subject, intended to convey instruction. Compare CONVERSATION; DICTION; LANGUAGE.
Antonyms:
hush, silence, speechlessness, stillness, taciturnity.
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Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
271
SPONTANEOUS.
Synonyms:
automatic, impulsive, involuntary, voluntary, free, instinctive, unbidden, willing.
That is spontaneous which is freely done, with no external compulsion and, in human actions, without special
premeditation or distinct determination of the will; that is voluntary which is freely done with distinct act of
will; that is involuntary which is independent of the will, and perhaps in opposition to it; a willing act is not
only in accordance with will, but with desire. Thus voluntary and involuntary, which are antonyms of each
other, are both partial synonyms of spontaneous. We speak of spontaneous generation, spontaneous
combustion, spontaneous sympathy, an involuntary start, an unbidden tear, voluntary agreement, willing
submission. A babe's smile in answer to that of its mother is spontaneous; the smile of a pouting child
wheedled into good humor is involuntary. In physiology the action of the heart and lungs is called
involuntary; the growth of the hair and nails is spontaneous; the action of swallowing is voluntary up to a
certain point, beyond which it becomes involuntary or automatic. In the fullest sense of that which is not only
without the will but distinctly in opposition to it, or compulsory, involuntary becomes an antonym, not only of
voluntary but of spontaneous; as, involuntary servitude. A spontaneous outburst of applause is of necessity an
act of volition, but so completely dependent on sympathetic impulse that it would seem frigid to call it
voluntary, while to call it involuntary would imply some previous purpose or inclination not to applaud.
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SPY.
Synonyms:
detective, emissary, scout.
The scout and the spy are both employed to obtain information of the numbers, movements, etc., of an enemy.
The scout lurks on the outskirts of the hostile army with such concealment as the case admits of, but without
disguise; a spy enters in disguise within the enemy's lines. A scout, if captured, has the rights of a prisoner of
war; a spy is held to have forfeited all rights, and is liable, in case of capture, to capital punishment. An
emissary is rather political than military; sent rather to secretly influence opponents than to bring information
concerning them; so far as he does the latter, he is not only an emissary, but a spy.
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STAIN.
Synonyms:
blot, discolor, dishonor, soil, sully, tinge, color, disgrace, dye, spot, tarnish, tint.
To color is to impart a color desired or undesired, temporary or permanent, or, in the intransitive use, to
assume a color in any way; as, he colored with shame and vexation. To dye is to impart a color intentionally
and with a view to permanence, and especially so as to pervade the substance or fiber of that to which it is
applied. To stain is primarily to discolor, to impart a color undesired and perhaps unintended, and which may
or may not be permanent. Thus, a character "dyed in the wool" is one that has received some early, permanent,
and pervading influence; a character stained with crime or guilt is debased and perverted. Stain is, however,
used of giving an intended and perhaps pleasing color to wood, glass, etc., by an application of
coloring-matter which enters the substance a little below the surface, in distinction from painting, in which
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
272
coloring-matter is spread upon the surface; dyeing is generally said of wool, yarn, cloth, or similar materials
which are dipped into the coloring liquid. Figuratively, a standard or a garment may be dyed with blood in
honorable warfare; an assassin's weapon is stained with the blood of his victim. To tinge is to color slightly,
and may also be used of giving a slight flavor, or a slight admixture of one ingredient or quality with another
that is more pronounced.
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STATE.
Synonyms:
affirm, aver, declare, predicate, set forth, allege, avouch, depose, pronounce, specify, assert, avow, express,
propound, swear, asseverate, certify, inform, protest, tell, assure, claim, maintain, say, testify.
To state (L. sto, stand) is to set forth explicitly, formally, or particularly in speech or writing. Assert (L. ad, to,
and sero, bind) is strongly personal, signifying to state boldly and positively what the one making the
statement has not attempted and may not attempt to prove. Affirm has less of egotism than assert (as seen in
the word self-assertion), coming nearer to aver. It has more solemnity than declare, and more composure and
dignity than asseverate, which is to assert excitedly. In legal usage, affirm has a general agreement with
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