What is the word in each case?
- I can attach or cut.
- I can be virtual or real.
- I can approve or penalize.
- I can separate or entangle.
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asked Jul 21, 2021 at 14:06
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1 Answer
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Four words that satisfy these double definitions are:
1. I can attach or cut.
2. I can be virtual or real.
LITERAL(LY) ('virtually' when used in the colloquial sense...)
3. I can approve or penalize.
SANCTION (and also ENDORSE, albeit more commonly in the UK in the context of driving licence penalty points re the 'penalize' definition)
4. I can separate or entangle.
In fact, there's a word to describe words like these:
Auto-antonyms - words with multiple meanings which are the reverse of one another.
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1$\begingroup$ Absolutely correct! I was quite pleased when I discovered the existence of these words. $\endgroup$ Jul 21, 2021 at 14:18
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$\begingroup$ @DmitryKamenetsky I toyed with rot13(RAQBEFR) for the third one also, since in the UK we use that word to describe both backing a candidate and adding penalty points to a driving licence, but I figured the one I went for was probably more internationally known... $\endgroup$– StivJul 21, 2021 at 14:20
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$\begingroup$ Oh I didn't realize that word could also mean penalize. Interesting. Perhaps worth adding a note to the Wikipedia entry. $\endgroup$ Jul 21, 2021 at 14:22
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$\begingroup$ @msh210 That's true - I'll add that as an additional option, thanks. $\endgroup$– StivJul 21, 2021 at 15:55