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Guest
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| Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 1:30 am
Post subject: supercilious high-handed cavalier |
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Hi,
I am working on some word test, one of the questions is to select the
synonym of "high-handed", I am wondering from "supercilious" and
"cavalier". The answer is "cavalier". But I wonder what the subtle
difference?
Thanks.
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Donna Richoux
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 1:51 am
Post subject: Re: supercilious high-handed cavalier |
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<linq936@hotmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: | Hi,
I am working on some word test, one of the questions is to select the
synonym of "high-handed", I am wondering from "supercilious" and
"cavalier". The answer is "cavalier". But I wonder what the subtle
difference?
As you say, it's a matter of subtleties. You apparently have an advanced |
test there. (Or they carelessly forgot to the make the alternate choices
really wrong.)
I just looked up the three definitions in Merriam-Webster. I wonder how
many of our participants can match them with the correct word:
having or showing no regard for the rights, concerns, or feelings
of others : ARBITRARY, OVERBEARING
marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful dismissal of
important matters
coolly and patronizingly haughty
--
Best wishes -- Donna Richoux |
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Lars Eighner
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 1:52 am
Post subject: Re: supercilious high-handed cavalier |
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In our last episode,
<1131474633.676113.79570@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
the lovely and talented linq936@hotmail.com
broadcast on alt.usage.english:
| Quote: | Hi,
I am working on some word test, one of the questions is to select the
synonym of "high-handed", I am wondering from "supercilious" and
"cavalier". The answer is "cavalier". But I wonder what the subtle
difference?
|
I believe the difference is not a matter of subtly. All three
may be applied to a demeanor, and there you may wonder about the
subtle differences. But only two can be applied to a serious act,
meaning --- more or less --- summary, arbitrary, without due
regard to the consequences. There are subtle differences
between the two, with cavalier more often used when the meaning
is nearer to reckless and high-handed used more often to suggest
the autocratic nature of the act. You may find a gesture, a
grin, or a remark described as supercilious, but an act that
jeopardizes life or limb will almost always be high-handed or
cavalier, as the case may be.
--
Lars Eighner usenet@larseighner.com http://www.larseighner.com/
"Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking
what nobody has thought." --Albert von Szent-Gyorgy
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jerry_friedman@yahoo.com
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 2:00 am
Post subject: Re: supercilious high-handed cavalier |
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Donna Richoux wrote:
| Quote: | linq936@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi,
I am working on some word test, one of the questions is to select the
synonym of "high-handed", I am wondering from "supercilious" and
"cavalier". The answer is "cavalier". But I wonder what the subtle
difference?
As you say, it's a matter of subtleties. You apparently have an advanced
test there. (Or they carelessly forgot to the make the alternate choices
really wrong.)
|
I'd say they forgot to provide a right choice, though for me "cavalier"
is indeed closer than "supercilious".
| Quote: | I just looked up the three definitions in Merriam-Webster. I wonder how
many of our participants can match them with the correct word:
having or showing no regard for the rights, concerns, or feelings
of others : ARBITRARY, OVERBEARING
|
high-handed
| Quote: | marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful dismissal of
important matters
|
cavalier
| Quote: | coolly and patronizingly haughty
|
supercilious
--
Jerry "What do I win?" Friedman |
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Lars Eighner
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 2:01 am
Post subject: Re: supercilious high-handed cavalier |
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|
In our last episode,
<1h5q3t7.laskuu17zf0wpN%trio@euronet.nl>,
the lovely and talented Donna Richoux
broadcast on alt.usage.english:
| Quote: | linq936@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi,
I am working on some word test, one of the questions is to select the
synonym of "high-handed", I am wondering from "supercilious" and
"cavalier". The answer is "cavalier". But I wonder what the subtle
difference?
As you say, it's a matter of subtleties. You apparently have an advanced
test there. (Or they carelessly forgot to the make the alternate choices
really wrong.)
I just looked up the three definitions in Merriam-Webster. I wonder how
many of our participants can match them with the correct word:
|
1)
| Quote: | having or showing no regard for the rights, concerns, or feelings
of others : ARBITRARY, OVERBEARING
|
2)
| Quote: | marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful dismissal of
important matters
|
3)
| Quote: | coolly and patronizingly haughty
|
spoiler space
My guesses:
1) high-handed
2) cavalier
3) supercilious
--
Lars Eighner usenet@larseighner.com http://www.larseighner.com/
You can't trample infidels when you're a tortoise. I mean, all you
could do is give them a meaningful look. --Terry Pratchett |
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Charles Riggs
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2005 3:59 pm
Post subject: Re: supercilious high-handed cavalier |
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On Tue, 8 Nov 2005 19:51:42 +0100, trio@euronet.nl (Donna Richoux)
wrote:
| Quote: | linq936@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi,
I am working on some word test, one of the questions is to select the
synonym of "high-handed", I am wondering from "supercilious" and
"cavalier". The answer is "cavalier". But I wonder what the subtle
difference?
As you say, it's a matter of subtleties. You apparently have an advanced
test there. (Or they carelessly forgot to the make the alternate choices
really wrong.)
I just looked up the three definitions in Merriam-Webster. I wonder how
many of our participants can match them with the correct word:
|
If you mean the choices Merriam-Webster made, I'd guess:
| Quote: | having or showing no regard for the rights, concerns, or feelings
of others : ARBITRARY, OVERBEARING
|
cavalier
| Quote: | marked by or given to offhand and often disdainful dismissal of
important matters
|
high-handed
| Quote: | coolly and patronizingly haughty
|
supercilious
--
Charles Riggs |
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