ctive_ refers to both quickness and constancy of action; in the former
sense it is allied with _agile_, _alert_, _brisk_, etc.; in the latter,
with _busy_, _diligent_, _industrious_. The _active_ love employment,
the _busy_ are actually employed, the _diligent_ and the _industrious_
are habitually _busy_. The _restless_ are _active_ from inability to
keep quiet; their activity may be without purpose, or out of all
proportion to the purpose contemplated. The _officious_ are undesirably
_active_ in the affairs of others. Compare ALERT; ALIVE; MEDDLESOME.

Antonyms:

dull, inactive, lazy, slow,
heavy, indolent, quiescent, sluggish,
idle, inert, quiet, stupid.

Prepositions:

Active _in_ work, _in_ a cause; _for_ an object, as _for_ justice;
_with_ persons or instrumentalities; _about_ something, as _about_ other
people's business.

* * * * *

ACUMEN.

Synonyms:

acuteness, insight, perspicacity, sharpness,
cleverness, keenness, sagacity, shrewdness.
discernment, penetration,

_Sharpness_, _acuteness_, and _insight_, however keen, and
_penetration_, however deep, fall short of the meaning of _acumen_,
which implies also ability to use these qualities to advantage. There
are persons of keen _insight_ and great _penetration_ to whom these
powers are practically useless. _Acumen_ is _sharpness_ to some purpose,
and belongs to a mind that is comprehensive as well as keen.
_Cleverness_ is a practical aptitude for study or learning. _Insight_
and _discernment_ are applied oftenest to the judgment of character;
_penetration_ and _perspicacity_ to other subjects of knowledge.
_Sagacity_ is an uncultured skill in using quick perceptions for a
desired end, generally in practical affairs; _acumen_ may increase with
study, and applies to the most erudite matters. _Shrewdness_ is
_keenness_ or _sagacity_, often with a somewhat evil bias, as ready to
take advantage of duller intellects. _Perspicacity_ is the power to see
clearly through that which is difficult or involved. We speak of the
_acuteness_ of an observer or a reasoner, the _insight_ and
_discernment_ of a student, a clergyman, or a merchant, the _sagacity_
of a hound, the _keenness_ of a debater, the _shrewdness_ of a usurer,
the _penetration_, _perspicacity_, and _acumen_ of a philosopher.

Antonyms:

bluntness, dulness, obtuseness, stupidity.

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