ent_; it is not the magnitude of the things to
be known, but the want of full and definite knowledge, that causes
_perplexity_. The dividing of a woodland path may cause the traveler the
greatest _perplexity_, which may become _bewilderment_ when he has tried
one path after another and lost his bearings completely. With an
excitable person _bewilderment_ may deepen into _confusion_ that will
make him unable to think clearly or even to see or hear distinctly.
_Amazement_ results from the sudden and unimagined occurrence of great
good or evil or the sudden awakening of the mind to unthought-of truth.
_Astonishment_ often produces _bewilderment_, which the word was
formerly understood to imply. Compare AMAZEMENT; ANXIETY; DOUBT.

* * * * *

PERSUADE.

Synonyms:

allure, dispose, incline, move,
bring over, entice, induce, prevail on _or_ upon,
coax, impel, influence, urge,
convince, incite, lead, win over.

Of these words _convince_ alone has no direct reference to moving the
will, denoting an effect upon the understanding only; one may be
_convinced_ of his duty without doing it, or he may be _convinced_ of
truth that has no manifest connection with duty or action, as of a
mathematical proposition. To _persuade_ is to bring the will of another
to a desired decision by some influence exerted upon it short of
compulsion; one may be _convinced_ that the earth is round; he may be
_persuaded_ to travel round it; but persuasion is so largely dependent
upon conviction that it is commonly held to be the orator's work first
to _convince_ in order that he may _persuade_. _Coax_ is a slighter word
than _persuade_, seeking the same end by shallower methods, largely by
appeal to personal feeling, with or without success; as, a child
_coaxes_ a parent to buy him a toy. One may be _brought over_,
_induced_, or _prevailed upon_ by means not properly included in
persuasion, as by bribery or intimidation; he is _won over_ chiefly by
personal influence. Compare INFLUENCE.

Antonyms:

deter, discourage, dissuade, hinder, hold back, repel, restrain.

* * * * *

PERTNESS.

Synonyms:

boldness, forwardness, liveliness, sprightliness.
briskness, impertinence, sauciness,
flippancy, impudence, smartness,

_Liveliness_ and _sprightliness_ are pleasant and commendable;
_smartness_ is a limited and showy