Page:A Desk-Book of Errors in English.djvu/32

antagonize any place reply is made to an assertion;" but, it continues, "this statement is too limited, as an answer is made to a charge as well as to a question.... A reply is an unfolding, and implies both thought and intelligence. Reply implies the formal dissection of a statement previously made; answer, a ready return of words to a question or charge that is made."

antagonize, veto, oppose, forbid: Antagonize is distinguished from veto or oppose. In the sense of "neutralize" or " deprive of active power " you may antagonize a disease, while you oppose or veto a bill. To forbid is to prohibit with authority; to veto is to forbid authoritatively, with or without the right to do so. Compare

ante-, anti-: Discriminate carefully between these prefixes. Ante- means "before;" anti- means "opposite to." Antediluvian means "before the flood"; Antichrist means "opposed to Christ."

anticipate, expect, hope: As anticipate implies "expectation with confidence and pleasure," never use it where mere expectation is meant, which applies to that which we have good reason to believe will happen. "I hope for a visit from my friend, though I have no word from him; I expect it, when he writes that he is coming; and as the time draws near I anticipate it," for I look forward to it with confidence and pleasure. antiquated. Compare