tinguish the _female_ sex
in the human family, or to the objects appropriate for or especially
employed by them. A _female_ voice is the voice of a woman; a _feminine_
voice may belong to a man. _Womanish_ denotes the undesirable, _womanly_
the admirable or lovely qualities of woman. _Womanly_ tears would
suggest respect and sympathy, _womanish_ tears a touch of contempt. The
word _effeminate_ is always used reproachfully, and only of men as
possessing _womanly_ traits such as are inconsistent with true
manliness.

Antonyms:

See synonyms for MASCULINE.

* * * * *

FETTER.

Synonyms:

bondage, custody, gyves, irons,
bonds, durance, handcuffs, manacles,
chains, duress, imprisonment, shackles.

_Bonds_ may be of cord, leather, or any other substance that can bind;
_chains_ are of linked metal. _Manacles_ and _handcuffs_ are for the
hands, _fetters_ are primarily chains or jointed iron fastenings for the
feet; _gyves_ may be for either. A _shackle_ is a metallic ring, clasp,
or bracelet-like fastening for encircling and restraining a limb:
commonly one of a pair, used either for hands or feet. _Bonds_,
_fetters_, and _chains_ are used in a general way for almost any form
of restraint. _Gyves_ is now wholly poetic, and the other words are
mostly restricted to the literary style; _handcuffs_ is the specific and
_irons_ the general term in popular usage; as, the prisoner was put in
_irons_. _Bonds_, _chains_, and _shackles_ are frequently used in the
metaphorical sense.

* * * * *

FEUD.

Synonyms:

affray, brawl, contest, dissension, hostility,
animosity, broil, controversy, enmity, quarrel,
bitterness, contention, dispute, fray, strife.

A _feud_ is _enmity_ between families, clans, or parties, with acts of
_hostility_ mutually retaliated and avenged; _feud_ is rarely used of
individuals, never of nations. While all the other words of the group
may refer to that which is transient, a _feud_ is long-enduring, and
often hereditary. _Dissension_ is used of a number of persons, of a
party or other organization. _Bitterness_ is in feeling only; _enmity_
and _hostility_ involve will and purpose to oppose or injure. A
_quarrel_ is in word or act, or both, and is commonly slight and
transient, as we speak of childish _quarrels_; _contention_ and _strife_
may be in word or d