o _pound_ (akin to L.
_pondus_, a weight) is to _beat_ with a heavy, and _pommel_ with a
blunt, instrument. To _batter_ and to _bruise_ refer to the results of
_beating_; that is _battered_ which is broken or defaced by repeated
blows on the surface (compare synonyms for SHATTER); that is _bruised_
which has suffered even one severe contusion. The metaphorical sense of
_beat_, however, so far preponderates that one may be very badly
_bruised_ and _battered_, and yet not be said to be _beaten_, unless he
has got the worst of the _beating_. To _beat_ a combatant is to disable
or dishearten him for further fighting. Hence _beat_ becomes the
synonym for every word which implies getting the advantage of another.
Compare CONQUER.

Antonyms:

fail, fall, get the worst of, go down, go under, surrender.

Almost all antonyms in this class are passive, and can be formed
indefinitely from the conquering words by the use of the auxiliary _be_;
as, be beaten, be defeated, be conquered, etc.

Prepositions:

Beat _with_ a stick _over_ the head; beat _by_ a trick; _out of_ town;
beat _to_ the ground; _into_ submission.

* * * * *

BEAUTIFUL.

Synonyms:

attractive, charming, exquisite, handsome,
beauteous, comely, fair, lovely,
bewitching, delightful, fine, picturesque,
bonny, elegant, graceful, pretty.

The definition of beauty, "perfection of form," is a good key to the
meaning of _beautiful_, if we understand "form" in its widest sense.
There must also be harmony and unity, and in human beings spiritual
loveliness, to constitute an object or a person really _beautiful_.
Thus, we speak of a _beautiful_ landscape, a _beautiful_ poem. But
_beautiful_ implies also, in concrete objects, softness of outline and
delicacy of mold; it is opposed to all that is hard and rugged, hence we
say a _beautiful_ woman, but not a _beautiful_ man. _Beautiful_ has the
further limit of not transcending our powers of appreciation. _Pretty_
expresses in a far less degree that which is pleasing to a refined taste
in objects comparatively small, slight, and dainty; as, a _pretty_
bonnet; a _pretty_ girl. That is _handsome_ which is not only
superficially pleasing, but well and harmoniously proportioned, with
usually the added idea that it is made so by art, breeding, or training;
as, a _handsome_ horse; a _handsome_ house. _Handsome_ is a term far
inferior to _