Page:A Desk-Book of Errors in English.djvu/150

 lovely: A valuable word in proper use, as applied to that which is adapted and worthy to win affection; but as a colloquialism improperly applied indiscriminately to every form of agreeable feeling or quality. A bonnet is lovely, so is a house, a statue, a friend, a poem, a bouquet, a poodle, a visit; and it is even said after an entertainment, "The refreshments were lovely!"—all examples of careless diction.

low-priced: Often confounded with cheap. A thing is cheap when its price is low compared with its intrinsic worth, it is low-priced when but little is paid or asked for it. A low-priced article may be dear; a cheap article may not be low-priced; as, "One horse was low-priced (he paid only $50 for it), and it was dear at that price; the other cost him $500, but was cheap at that price."

lurid should not be used for brilliant. Lurid means "giving a ghastly, or dull-red light, as of flames mingled with smoke, or reflecting or made visible by such light."

luxuriant, luxurious: These words are not identical in sense. The former signifies growth, as "hair of luxuriant growth"; the latter implies luxury, as "luxurious ease."

"But grace abused brings forth the fondest deeds, As richest soil the most luxuriant weeds."

"And send the sentinel before your gate A slice or two from your luxurious meals."