A similar distinction is made between _incessant_ and _ceaseless_. The _incessant_ discharge of firearms makes the _ceaseless_ roar of battle.

_Constant_ is sometimes used in the sense of _continual_; but its chief uses are mental and moral.

CONTRACT.

Synonyms:

agreement, cartel, engagement, pledge, arrangement, compact, obligation, promise, bargain, covenant, pact, stipulation.

All these words involve at least two parties, tho an _engagement_ or _promise_ may be the act of but one. A _contract_ is a formal agreement between two or more parties for the doing or leaving undone some specified act or acts, and is ordinarily in writing. Mutual _promises_ may have the force of a _contract_. A consideration, or compensation, is essential to convert an _agreement_ into a _contract_. A _contract_ may be oral or written. A _covenant_ in law is a written _contract_ under seal. _Covenant_ is frequent in religious usage, as _contract_ is in law and business. _Compact_ is essentially the same as _contract_, but is applied to international _agreements_, treaties, etc. A _bargain_ is a mutual _agreement_ for an exchange of values, without the formality of a _contract_. A _stipulation_ is a single item in an _agreement_ or _contract_. A _cartel_ is a military _agreement_ for the exchange of prisoners or the like.

CONTRAST.

Synonyms:

compare, differentiate, discriminate, oppose.

To _compare_ (L. _con_, together, and _par_, equal) is to place together in order to show likeness or unlikeness; to _contrast_ (L. _contra_, against, and _sto_, stand) is to set in opposition in order to show unlikeness. We _contrast_ objects that have been already _compared_. We must _compare_ them, at least momentarily, even to know that they are different. We _contrast_ them when we observe their unlikeness in a general way; we _differentiate_ them when we note the difference exactly and point by point. We distinguish objects when we note a difference that may fall short of _contrast_; we _discriminate_ them when we cla.s.sify or place them according to their differences.

Preposition:

We contrast one object _with_ another.

CONVERSATION.

Synonyms:

chat, communion, converse, intercourse, colloquy, confabulation, dialogue, parley, communication, conference, discourse, talk.

_Conversation_ (Latin _con_, with) is, etymologically, an interchange of ideas with some other person or persons. _Talk_ may be wholly one-sided. Many brilliant talkers have been incapable of _conversation_.

There may be _intercourse_ without _conversation_, as by looks, signs, etc.; _communion_ is of hearts, with or without words; _communication_ is often by writing, and may be uninvited and unreciprocated. _Talk_ may denote the mere utterance of words with little thought; thus, we say idle _talk_, empty _talk_, rather than idle or empty _conversation_.

_Discourse_ is now applied chiefly to public addresses. A _conference_ is more formal than a _conversation_. _Dialog_ denotes ordinarily an artificial or imaginary _conversation_, generally of two persons, but sometimes of more. A _colloquy_ is indefinite as to number, and generally somewhat informal. Compare BEHAVIOR.

Prepositions:

Conversation _with_ friends; _between_ or _among_ the guests; _about_ a matter.

CONVERT.

Synonyms:

disciple, neophyte, proselyte.

The name _disciple_ is given to the follower of a certain faith, without reference to any previous belief or allegiance; a _convert_ is a person who has come to one faith from a different belief or from unbelief. A _proselyte_ is one who has been led to accept a religious system, whether with or without true faith; a _convert_ is always understood to be a believer. A _neophyte_ is a new _convert_, not yet fully indoctrinated, or not admitted to full privileges. The antonyms _apostate_, _pervert_, and _renegade_ are condemnatory names applied to the _convert_ by those whose faith he forsakes.

CONVEY.

Synonyms:

carry, give, remove, shift, transmit, change, move, sell, transfer, transport.

_Convey_, _transmit_, and _transport_ all imply delivery at a destination; as, I will _convey_ the information to your friend; air _conveys_ sound (to a listener); _carry_ does not necessarily imply delivery, and often does not admit of it. A man _carries_ an appearance, _conveys_ an impression, the appearance remaining his own, the impression being given to another; I will _transmit_ the letter; _transport_ the goods. A horse _carries_ his mane and tail, but does not _convey_ them. _Transfer_ may or may not imply delivery to another person; as, items may be _transferred_ from one account to another or a word _transferred_ to the following line. In law, real estate, which can not be moved, is _conveyed_ by simply _transferring_ t.i.tle and possession. _Transport_ usually refers to material, _transfer_, _transmit_, and _convey_ may refer to immaterial objects; we _transfer_ possession, _transmit_ intelligence, _convey_ ideas, but do not _transport_ them. In the case of _convey_ the figurative sense now predominates. Compare CARRY.

Antonyms:

cling to, hold, keep, possess, preserve, retain.

Prepositions:

Convey _to_ a friend, a purchaser, etc.; convey _from_ the house _to_ the station; convey _by_ express, _by_ hand, etc.

CONVOKE.

Synonyms:

a.s.semble, call together, convene, muster, call, collect, gather, summon.

A convention is _called_ by some officer or officers, as by its president, its executive committee, or some eminent leaders; the delegates are _a.s.sembled_ or _convened_ in a certain place, at a certain hour. _Convoke_ implies an organized body and a superior authority; _a.s.semble_ and _convene_ express more independent action; Parliament is _convoked_; Congress _a.s.sembles_. Troops are _mustered_; witnesses and jurymen are _summoned_.

Antonyms:

adjourn, disband, dismiss, dissolve, scatter, break up, discharge, disperse, prorogue, separate.

CRIMINAL.