English Synonyms and Antonyms

PARTICLE.
Synonyms:
atom, grain, mite, scrap, whit. corpuscle, iota, molecule, shred, element, jot, scintilla, tittle,
A particle is a very small part of any material substance; as, a particle of sand or of dust; it is a general term,
not accurately determinate in meaning. Atom (Gr. a- privative, not, and temno, cut) etymologically signifies
that which can not be cut or divided, and is the smallest conceivable particle of matter, regarded as absolutely
homogeneous and as having but one set of properties; atoms are the ultimate particles of matter. A molecule is
made up of atoms, and is regarded as separable into its constituent parts; as used by physicists, a molecule is
the smallest conceivable part which retains all the characteristics of the substance; thus, a molecule of water is
made up of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. Element in chemistry denotes, without reference
to quantity, a substance regarded as simple, i. e., one incapable of being resolved by any known process into
simpler substances; the element gold may be represented by an ingot or by a particle of gold-dust. In popular
language, an element is any essential constituent; the ancients believed that the universe was made up of the
four elements, earth, air, fire, and water; a storm is spoken of as a manifestation of the fury of the elements.
We speak of corpuscles of blood. Compare PART.
Antonyms:
aggregate, entirety, mass, quantity, sum, sum total, total, whole.
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PATIENCE.
Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
214

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Synonyms:
calmness, forbearance, long-suffering, sufferance. composure, fortitude, resignation, endurance, leniency,
submission,
Patience is the quality or habit of mind shown in bearing passively and uncomplainingly any pain, evil, or
hardship that may fall to one's lot. Endurance hardens itself against suffering, and may be merely stubborn;
fortitude is endurance animated by courage; endurance may by modifiers be made to have a passive force, as
when we speak of "passive endurance;" patience is not so hard as endurance nor so self-effacing as
submission. Submission is ordinarily and resignation always applied to matters of great moment, while
patience may apply to slight worries and annoyances. As regards our relations to our fellow men, forbearance
is abstaining from retaliation or revenge; patience is keeping kindliness of heart under vexatious conduct;
long-suffering is continued patience. Patience may also have an active force denoting uncomplaining
steadiness in doing, as in tilling the soil. Compare INDUSTRY.
Antonyms:
See synonyms for ANGER.
Prepositions:
Patience in or amid sufferings; patience with (rarely toward) opposers or offenders; patience under afflictions;
(rarely) patience of heat or cold, etc.
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PAY, n.
Synonyms:
allowance, hire, recompense, salary, compensation, honorarium, remuneration, stipend, earnings, payment,
requital, wages. fee,
An allowance is a stipulated amount furnished at regular intervals as a matter of discretion or gratuity, as of
food to besieged soldiers, or of money to a child or ward. Compensation is a comprehensive word signifying a
return for a service done. Remuneration is applied to matters of great amount or importance. Recompense is a
still wider and loftier word, with less suggestion of calculation and market value; there are services for which
affection and gratitude are the sole and sufficient recompense; earnings, fees, hire, pay, salary, and wages are
forms of compensation and may be included in compensation, remuneration, or recompense. Pay is
commercial and strictly signifies an exact pecuniary equivalent for a thing or service, except when the
contrary is expressly stated, as when we speak of "high pay" or "poor pay." Wages denotes what a worker
receives. Earnings is often used as exactly equivalent to wages, but may be used with reference to the real
value of work done or service rendered, and even applied to inanimate things; as, the earnings of capital. Hire
is distinctly mercenary or menial, but as a noun has gone out of popular use, tho the verb to hire is common.