Talk:Auto-antonym

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Note that the most popular search result on Google for contronyms [1] lists words that are only marginally contronyms and shouldn't be included in this list. It will be better to keep this list pure.

Anyone else think the list of contronyms should go to wictionary instead of wikipedia? --65.27.70.55 22:08, 20 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Since when can inflammable mean not flammable? KorbenDirewolf 07:48, 9 Feb 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Another contranym

I think "meek" is also a contranym.

Merriam-Webster defines it as: 1 : enduring injury with patience and without resentment 2 : deficient in spirit and courage

I would say that enduring injury with patience and without resentment takes enormous courage and spirit. This may be POV but I think it is still worth mentioning. What do you folks think?

--Cfwschmidt 01:56, 4 November 2005 (UTC)

Although Merriam-Webster is a single reliable source, there are many uses for the word "meek". Essentially, meek means to be mild; enduring insult or injury without objection; seeming to accept wrongs, poor treatment or bad luck without complaint.

The contrast between "courage", and "meek" changes within culture and time. An example would be Ghandi in the 1940's in India. Another could be straight out of fiction with Superman and Clark Kent; they really are one, but Clark Kent SEEMS to lack courage, so that the culture he exists in will not suppose he is the superhero associated with courageous action. Seeming doesn't make it so. Meek need not be a deficiency in either spirit or courage, but just part of the way courage (taking action against wrong while being afraid) manifests.


I'm looking for a verification that the word blue blongs on this page.

1. adj. Strict moral code. (eg: Blue Laws)

2. adj. Pornography, foul language, etc. (ie: blue films, blue joke)

note: infalmmable should be removed or edited to explain why it's is not an acronym of itself. (See Usage Note)

Interesting what we can discover by putting our minds together. The suggestions above are impressive and tantalisingly close (at least) to qualifying as contronyms. Here is another I just thought of: oversight, as in 1) He has the oversight for the family taxes (=responsibility for). 2) He neglected to do the taxes. It was an oversight (=failed in responsibility, due to losing from view). Comments?

--Philopedia 13:31, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Trivial?

What about trivial? It can either be dismissable, unimportant, but in a more formal or mathematical context it can be essential to, for instance, a recursive function's definition... Wouter Lievens

Hi Wouters, I studied mathematics, but just at the moment, I can't place your reference for a mathematical use of trival. How about an example? Thanks --Philopedia 13:33, 7 December 2006 (UTC)