Hello @stream_nine90,
I’ll try and take a closer look at the confusing words tomorrow.
And I can’t read your last link under items: Google is asking to log in.
Opps, sorry.
I fogot to grant access to others.
I think I have fixed it now.
Hello, everyone.
Here is the latest update of new definitions.
Please review them when you have time to spend. (We are not perticulary hurry 
)
Hi
Here is the latest update of new definitions.
Now, I have written all of relatively easier items which have at most 3 items in a group. From here, writting get harder since rest of groups have more than 4 items each. I will go slower now on.
Before going further, I want to fix errors regarding to part of speech.
I will post items I want fix later.
Here is the list of items I want to fix its part of speech. Some items have “exclamation” as part of speech, but I change them to “interjection” according to Wikipedia’s definition.
I will edit database day after tomorrow, if there is no objection.
Hi @stream_nine90,
Your changes for the part of speech look fine.
I did make an attempt to look at all you’ve posted but I’m having trouble keeping track of all of your lists. They all contain different sets of words, how do they relate to each other?
Also I’ve been a bit sick this week and don’t really have the concentration for this stuff right now.
By the way I see no mention of the words I listed before
Are they somewhere else in your database?
I’m still having a problem with your new definition of listless.
The dictionaries all mention a lack of energy and enthusiasm not a lack of determination.
Hi, all
Take time. I hope you get better soon.
I’m maintaining two spread sheets now.
-
Confising Words
I list items here that have similar meaning / definition with other items. Similar items are group by group name in “group” column. Our purpose is give them better definition so we can distinguish items in the same group.
Spread sheet has two sheets in it. I name one as “Master”. This is the main sheet I am writting definition every day.
Another is named “History”. I create this sheet for notifying you update. Many kind of things are happening In “Master” sheet. (create item, move item, delete item, etc…). I thought It might be difficult to keep track of changes for other people. So I collect daily summary of changes to this “History” sheet. There, newer changes comes first. -
Suspicious Items
I list items that, I think, has mistake. Same as “Confusing Words”, there are two (“Master” and “History”) sheet in this spread sheet. Our goal is determine if these items actually have error, and fix them if they have one.
Ok, I’ll add them to “Suspicious Items”.
Fair point. I’ll change that too.
Hi everyone.
Here is the latest update on Suspicious Items and Confusing Words.
Summary
- I have corrected part of speech errors on the Memrise database.
- Add “aggrandize” and “vilify” to the “Suspicious Items”
- Change the new definition of “listless”
- Add new definitions of group “absolve” which contains words “exculpate”, “acquit”, “exonerate”, “absolve”, “vindicate”.
My rational is that “acquit” and “exonerate” are almost indistinguishable, “exculpate” primarily appears on legal documents, but has broader meaning. “absolve” have meaning not only about legal but also spiritual guilt. “vindicate” means freeing from criticism too.
Hello.
New definitions are added on Confusing Words.
-
Group “bilious”
“bilious”, “ornery”, “ill-natured”, “cantankerous”, “irritable”, “irascible”.- all words basically means “bad-tempered”
- “bilious” has another meaning regarding to bad health.
- “ornery”, “cantankerous” have similar meaning in a sense they both means not just having tendency to be annoyed, but also already annoyed or angered.
- “ill-natured” have meaning regard to bad character nature in general too.
- “irritable” have meaning about irritability in general too. ex) irritable bowel syndrome
- “irascible” is the most geneic of all.
-
Group “component”
“component”, “ingredient”, “piece”, “constituent”- all words mean “part of larger thing” in general
- “component” means especially about machine parts
- “ingredient” means especially about food
- “constituent” means especially about voting member
- “piece” also means about machine part but also means broken apart small part of something.
Hi all.
Here is the latest update of new definitions.
-
Group “heinous”
“heinous”, “nefarious”, “atrocious”, “abominable”- all words generally mean “very bad or evel”
- “heinous” is especially about crime
- “nefarious” is about acitivity in general
- “abominable” means not just “bad” but also “unpleasant” situation, conduct.
- “nefarious” is the most genral of all
-
Group indigent
"indigent", “destitute”, “penurious”, “impoverished”, “impecunious”- all words roughly means “very poor”
- “destitute” means not having fundamentary necessary thing.
- “impecunious” is focused on money
- “impoverished” also means getting weaker
- “penurious” also means recluctant to spend money
Any comments will be appreciated.
Hello @stream_nine90,
The new definitions for the groups bilious, component, heinous, indigent generally seem fine. I do have some reservations about those for irritable, irascible.
irritable
your definition: 1. capable of being irritated 2. bad-tempered
my suggestion: 1. easily annoyed 2. able to respond to a stimulus
irascible
your definition: bad-tempered
my suggestion: easy to anger (old definition)
I’ve found another doubtful word: “unctous” in level 13. Its definition (adj. unpleasantly and excessively suave) is not really wrong but also not totally right.
To clarify about
scurrilous - (of an article, remark) containing damaging and untrue statements about someone
The reason I have a problem with the definition of this word is because dictionaries give very different definitions. Some say just “damaging” others say “vulgar and abusive”.
Merry Chrismas, all.
Can you elaborate the rational behind your suggestions?
unctuous and scurrilous
What do you want me to do? Add to the “Suspicious Items”?
Hi
New definitions are added to the Confusing Words.
-
Group “iota”
“scintilla”, “modicum”, “mite”, “iota”- all words roughly means “small amoun of somethingt”
- “scintilla” is about a quality or feeling
- “modicum” is often about a truth or honesty
- “mite” is about an object or creature
- “iota” if often used with negative
-
Group “maxim”
“epigram”, “aphorism”, “maxim”, “motto”, “proverb”- all words roughly mean “short clever saying”
- “epigram” is witty, funny
- “aphorism” express truth
- “maxim” is about truth or principle
- “motto” is about belief or purpose
- “proverb” is about truth or advice
- I can recognize the nuance of those words but still feel like too close, so I list other words as synonym.
Hello.
Here is the latest update on Confusing Words.
-
Group “prolix”
“prolix”, “verbose”, “garrulous”- “prolix” and “verbose” are about speech or writing. On the other hand, “garrulous” is about talking, so I move it from “prolix” group to talkative" group.
- I couldn’t distinguish “prolix” and “verbose”, so I add each other as synonym.
-
Group “undersized”
“miniature”, “undersized”, “minute”, “slight”- all words roughly means “smaller”
- “minute” also means “insignificant”
- “slight” is about degree or amount, and also means physical weakness
- “miniature” and “undersized” are almost same.
Hello everyone.
Some update has made to Suspicious Items and Confusing Words.
Suspicious Items has a few part of speech errors and dubious definitions.
Confusing Words has some new definitions.
-
Group “chaos”
“chaos”, “pandemonium”, “bedlam”, “maelstrom”, “misrule”- all words broadly mean “state of confusion”
- “pandemonium” and “bedlam” is mainly about confusion coming from human activity
- “maelstrom” means “strong whirlpool” too.
- “misrule” is about confusion coming from bad or absence of government
- “chaos” has broader meaning but is about extreme confusion
-
Group “docile”
“docile”, “tractable”, “submissive”, “compliant”, “amenable”- all words roughly means “easy to control”
- “docile” and “tractable” also means “willing to learn”
- “submissive” and “compliant” mean “willing to obey”
- “compliant” is also about “conformity to the rule or law”
- “amenable” is about “openness to the suggestion or persuasion”
A happy new year, folks.
New definition has added to Confusing Words.
-
Group “harmful”
“injurious”, “detrimental”, “deleterious”, “pernicious”, “baleful”- all words basically mean “harmful”
- “injurious” also means insulting remark
- “deleterious” and “pernicious” is close. both means not obvious but subtle harmfulness
- “baleful” also means threatening to do harmful thing
- “detrimental” is most general. it means rather obvious harmfulness contrary to “deleterious” and “pernicious”
-
Group “lethargic”
“lackadaisical”, “listless”, “languid”, “lethargic”, “torpid”- all words roughly mean “lacking energy”
- “lackadaisical” used to be in the “carefree” group. but I think we should emphasize similarity to words in this group, so I regroup it to here
- “lethargic” and “torpid” has interesting note on “lethargy” in Webster dictionary (not free version). I just quote it here.
“lethargy” implies such drowsiness or aversion to activity as is induced by disease, injury, or drugs < months of lethargy followed my accident>. “torpor” implies a state of suspended animation as of hibernating animals but may suggest merely extreme sluggishness < a once alert mind now in a torpor>
- “lackadaisical”, “listless”, “languid” also have note in “languid” on Webster
“languid” refrs to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness . “lackadaisical” implies a carefree indifference marked by halfhearted efforts . “listless” suggests a lack of interest caused by physical weakness or dissatisfied boredom < listless hospital patients> < listless children flipping through picture books on a rainy day>.
Hello, everyone.
Update has made in Confusing Words.
-
Group “lugbrious”
“lugubrious”, “plaintive”- both words means “sounding sad”
- “lugubrious” also means about sad looking
-
Group "excess"
“excess”, “surfeit”, “superfluity”, “superabundance”, “plethora”- all words roughly mean “too much of something”
- “excess” also means lack of moderation
- “surfeit” also means “illness (nausea etc) coming from excessive eating, drinking”
- “superfluity” also means “state of being surplus”
- “plethora”, superabundance" doesn’t seem to have specific nuance
-
Group “concise”
“concise”, “succinct”, “terse”, “laconic”, “curt”, “pithy”- all words roughly mean “using few words”
- “concise” and “succinct” have same meaning
- “terse”, “laconic” means rather unfriendly manner
- “curt” means rude words and also behaivior
- “pithy” is concise and clever saying
Hi.
New definitions are added to the Confusing Words.
-
Group “enmity”
“enmity”, “antipathy”, “antagonism”, “animosity”, “rancor”, “animus”- there is a note about these words in “enmity” on Webster dictionary. I cite it.
“enmity” “antipathy” “antagonism” “animosity” “rancor” “animus” mean deep-seated dislike or ill-wil. “enmity” suggests positive hatred which may be open or concealed < an unspoken enmity>. “antipathy” and “antagonism” imply a natural or logical basis for one’s hatred or dislike, “antipathy” suggesting repugnance, a desire to avoid or reject, and “antagonism” suggesting a clash of temperaments leading readily to hostility < a natural antipathy for self-seekers> < antagonism between the brothers>. “animosity” suggests intense ill will and vindictiveness that threaten to kindle hostility < animosity that let to revenge>. “rancor” is especially applied to bitter brooding over a wrong < rancor filled every line of his letters>. “animus” adds to animosity the implication of strong prejudice < objections devoid of personal animus>.
- there is a note about these words in “enmity” on Webster dictionary. I cite it.
-
Group “confuse”
“confound”, “perplex”, “addle”, “baffle”, “muddle”, “obfuscate”, “befog”- all words roughly mean “confuse”
- “confound” is about confusion caused by supprise
- “perplex” brings uncertenty by confusing someone
- “addle” and “baffle” is close
- above four words, object of confusion is mainly human.
- below three words, object of confusion isn’t only human but also thing, situation etc.
- “muddle” also mean mixing drink
- “obfuscate” and “befog” is close
Hi all.
Update has made to new definitions in Confusing Words.
Here is the summary.
-
Group “flexible”
“flexible”, “pliable”, “supple”, “limber”, “lithe”, “lithesome”, “lissome”- all words roughly means “easily bent”
- “flexible” and “pliable” are about object
- “supple” and “limber” are about object and body parts
- “lithe”, “lithesome” and “lissome” are about aesthetical aspect of human body.
-
Group “luscious”
“luscious”, “sensuous”, “sensual”, “salacious”, “prurient”, “licentious”, “lascivious”- “luscious” is a little different in this group
- “sensuous” and “sensual” describe something pleasurable to the senses
- “salacious” and “prurient” are about having strong interest in sexual matters
- “licentious” is about not only having interest but also acting immorally
- “lascivious” is about not only having interest but also showing sexual desire in some way.
Hello.
Here is the latest update on Confusing Words.
-
Group “scold”
“upbraid”, “berate”, “revile”, “vituperate”- all words basically mean “scold”
- “upbraid” is about wrong thing someone has done
- “berate” is long scolding
- “revile” is coming from anger or hate
- “vituperate” is about scolding with abusive language
-
Group “punish”
“castigate”, “chastise”- both words roughly mean “punish”
- “castigate” is about punishing verbally
- “chastise” often involve physical punishment
-
Group “reprove”
“reprove”, “reproach”, “chide”, “admonish”, “rebuke”, “censure”- all words roughly mean “criticize”
- “censure” is about official, public criticism
- Webster dictionary says (in “reprove”)
“reprove”, “rebuke”, “admonish”, “reproach”, “chide” mean to criticize adversely. “reprove” implies an often kindly intent to correct a fault < gently reproved my table manners>. “rebuke” suggests a sharp or stern reproof < the papal letter rebuked dissenting clerics >. “admonish” suggests earnest or friendly warning and counsel < admonished by my parents to control expenses>. “reproach” and “chide” suggest displeasure or disappointment expressed in mild reproof or scolding < reproached him for tardiness> < chided by their mother for untidiness>.