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BY.

Synonyms:

by dint of, by means of, through, with.

_By_ refers to the agent; _through_, to the means, cause, or condition;
_with_, to the instrument. _By_ commonly refers to persons; _with_, to
things; _through_ may refer to either. The road having become impassable
_through_ long disuse, a way was opened _by_ pioneers _with_ axes. _By_
may, however, be applied to any object which is viewed as partaking of
action and agency; as, the metal was corroded _by_ the acid; skill is
gained _by_ practise. We speak of communicating _with_ a person _by_
letter. _Through_ implies a more distant connection than _by_ or _with_,
and more intervening elements. Material objects are perceived _by_ the
mind _through_ the senses.

* * * * *

CABAL.

Synonyms:

combination, confederacy, crew, gang,
conclave, conspiracy, faction, junto.

A _conspiracy_ is a _combination_ of persons for an evil purpose, or the
act of so combining. _Conspiracy_ is a distinct crime under common, and
generally under statutory, law. A _faction_ is more extensive than a
_conspiracy_, less formal in organization, less definite in plan.
_Faction_ and its adjective, _factious_, have always an unfavorable
sense. _Cabal_ commonly denotes a _conspiracy_ of leaders. A _gang_ is a
company of workmen all doing the same work under one leader; the word is
used figuratively only of _combinations_ which it is meant to stigmatize
as rude and mercenary; _crew_ is used in a closely similar sense. A
_conclave_ is secret, but of larger numbers, ordinarily, than a _cabal_,
and may have honorable use; as, the _conclave_ of cardinals.

* * * * *

CALCULATE.

Synonyms:

account, consider, enumerate, rate,
cast, count, estimate, reckon,
compute, deem, number, sum up.

_Number_ is the generic term. To _count_ is to _number_ one by one. To
_calculate_ is to use more complicated processes, as multiplication,
division, etc., more rapid but not less exact. _Compute_ allows more of
the element of probability, which is still more strongly expressed by
_estimate_. We _compute_ the slain in a great war from the number known
to have fallen in certain great battles; _compute_ refers to the present
or the past, _estimate_ more frequently to the future; as, to _estimate_
the cost of a proposed building. To _enumerate_ is to mention item by
ite