lowly, undignified,
commonplace, humble, mean, vulgar.

* * * * *

AWKWARD.

Synonyms:

boorish, clumsy, rough, unhandy,
bungling, gawky, uncouth, unskilful.
clownish, maladroit, ungainly,

_Awkward_, from _awk_ (kindred with _off_, from the Norwegian), is
_off-ward_, turned the wrong way; it was anciently used of a back-handed
or left-handed blow in battle, of squinting eyes, etc. _Clumsy_, on the
other hand (from _clumse_, also through the Norwegian), signifies
benumbed, stiffened with cold; this is the original meaning of _clumsy_
fingers, _clumsy_ limbs. Thus, _awkward_ primarily refers to action,
_clumsy_ to condition. A tool, a vehicle, or the human frame may be
_clumsy_ in shape or build, _awkward_ in motion. The _clumsy_ man is
almost of necessity _awkward_, but the _awkward_ man may not be
naturally _clumsy_. The finest untrained colt is _awkward_ in harness; a
horse that is _clumsy_ in build can never be trained out of awkwardness.
An _awkward_ statement has an uncomfortable, and perhaps recoiling
force; a statement that contains ill-assorted and incongruous material
in ill-chosen language is _clumsy_. We speak of an _awkward_
predicament, an _awkward_ scrape. An _awkward_ excuse commonly reflects
on the one who offers it. We say the admitted facts have an _awkward_
appearance. In none of these cases could _clumsy_ be used. _Clumsy_ is,
however, applied to movements that seem as unsuitable as those of
benumbed and stiffened limbs. A dancing bear is both _clumsy_ and
_awkward_.

Antonyms:

adroit, clever, dexterous, handy, skilful.

Prepositions:

The raw recruit is awkward _in_ action; _at_ the business.

* * * * *

AXIOM.

Synonym:

truism.

Both the _axiom_ and the _truism_ are instantly seen to be true, and
need no proof; but in an _axiom_ there is progress of thought, while the
_truism_ simply says the same thing over again, or says what is too
manifest to need saying. The _axiom_ that "things which are equal to the
same thing are equal to one another" unfolds in the latter part of the
sentence the truth implied in the first part, which might have been
overlooked if not stated. In the _truism_ that "a man can do all he is
capable of," the former and the latter part of the sentence are simply
identical, and the mind is left just where it started. Hence the _axiom_
is