SATICHE - 0193

Autoantonyms

An autoantonym is a word which has two meanings which are opposites of each other. It may have several other meanings - only the two contradictory meanings are significant and give an autoantonym its curious "Humpty-Dumpty" quality.

The word cleave - meaning either 'to split asunder' or 'to join together' - is a perfect example of an autoantonym.

DUST remove dust sprinkle with dust

INFLAMMABLE flammable not flammable

INHABITABLE habitable not habitable

INSCIENT ignorant having secret or inward knowledge

LEFT remaining gone away

LET to permit to hinder, to prevent

OVERLOOK ignore inspect

PINK a light red colour a greenish-yellow pigment

PRESENTLY now later

QUITE completely, absolutely to a partial extent, somewhat

ROCK a sure foundation, anything immovable a swaying or tilting movement

SCREEN to conceal from view to display (a film etc.)

TRIP to move lightly and nimbly to stumble

VAPULATE to flog to be flogged

DUST	remove dust	sprinkle with dust
INFLAMMABLE	flammable	not flammable
INHABITABLE	habitable	not habitable
INSCIENT	ignorant	having secret or inward knowledge
LEFT	remaining	gone away
LET	to permit	to hinder, to prevent
OVERLOOK	ignore	inspect
PINK	a light red colour	a greenish-yellow pigment
PRESENTLY	now	later
QUITE	completely, absolutely	to a partial extent, somewhat
ROCK	a sure foundation, anything immovable	a swaying or tilting movement
SCREEN	to conceal from view	to display (a film etc.)
TRIP	to move lightly and nimbly	to stumble
VAPULATE	to flog	to be flogged