t which has been brought to a full
end, finished. From this root-sense many derived meanings branch out,
causing words quite remote from each other to be alike synonyms of
_fine_. That which is truly finished, brought to an ideal end, is
_excellent_ of its kind, and _beautiful_, if a thing that admits of
beauty; as, a _fine_ house, _fine_ trees, a _fine_ woman, a _fine_
morning; if a thing that admits of the removal of impurities, it is not
finished till these are removed, and hence _fine_ signifies _clarified_,
_clear_, _pure_, _refined_; as, _fine_ gold. That which is finished is
apt to be _polished_, smooth to the touch, minutely exact in outline;
hence _fine_ comes to be a synonym for all words like _dainty_,
_delicate_, _exquisite_; as, _fine_ manners, a _fine_ touch, _fine_
perceptions. As that which is _delicate_ is apt to be small, by an easy
extension of meaning _fine_ becomes a synonym for _slender_, _slight_,
_minute_, _comminuted_; as, a _fine_ thread, _fine_ sand; or for
_filmy_, _tenuous_, _thin_; as, a _fine_ lace, _fine_ wire; and as a
_thin_ edge is _keen_, _sharp_, _fine_ becomes also a synonym for these
words; as, a _fine_ point, a _fine_ edge. Compare BEAUTIFUL; MINUTE.

Antonyms:

big, clumsy, great, huge, large, stout,
blunt, coarse, heavy, immense, rude, thick.

* * * * *

FIRE.

Synonyms:

blaze, burning, combustion, conflagration, flame.

_Combustion_ is the essential fact which is at the basis of that
assemblage of visible phenomenon which we call _fire_; _combustion_
being the continuous chemical combination of a substance with some
element, as oxygen, evolving heat, and extending from slow processes,
such as those by which the heat of the human body is maintained, to the
processes producing the most intense light also, as in a blast-furnace,
or on the surface of the sun. _Fire_ is always attended with light, as
well as heat; _blaze_, _flame_, etc., designate the mingled light and
heat of a _fire_. _Combustion_ is the scientific, _fire_ the popular
term. A _conflagration_ is an extensive _fire_. Compare LIGHT.

* * * * *

FLOCK.

Synonyms:

bevy, covey, group, herd, lot, set,
brood, drove, hatch, litter, pack, swarm.

_Group_ is the general word for any gathering of a small number of
objects, whether of persons, animals, or inanimate things. The
individuals in a _brood_ o