THE SECONDARY ENTRY and ITS BASIC ELEMENTS
A secondary entry consists of a boldface entry word followed by a functional label, a boldface sense number when needed, a cross-reference in small capitals directing the user to the appropriate main entry in whose Synonyms list the secondary entry appears (followed when needed by a lightface sense number of the main entry) and a list of the other synonyms appearing at the main entry. Lists of related words, idiomatic equivalents, contrasted words, or antonyms that are specifically applicable to the secondary-entry entry word may be included as well. A typical secondary entry appears as follows:
Entry Word: placid
Function: adjective
1 Synonyms CALM 1, halcyon, hushed, quiet, still, stilly, untroubled
Related Words irenic, peaceful, serene, unagitated, unstirring
Antonyms roiled
In this example, placid is the entry word, adjective is the functional label, 1 is the sense number of the secondary entry, and CALM 1 is the cross-reference directing the user to the main entry calm 1 where placid is a synonym. The terms halcyon, hushed, quiet, still, stilly, and untroubled comprising the secondary-entry Synonyms list are the synonyms at calm 1. As such, each of these terms is entered at its own alphabetical position with at least one sense that is cross-referred to calm 1.
Entry Word: still
Function: adjective
1 Synonyms MOTIONLESS, . . .
2 Synonyms CALM 1, halcyon, hushed, placid, quiet, still, stilly, untroubled
Related Words peaceful, unperturbed
3 devoid of or making no stir . . .
Synonyms . . .
If a main-entry Synonyms list contains more than ten terms (as at notable noun 1), the secondary entries that cross-refer to that main entry include only nine synonyms selected from the entire list:
Entry Word: high-muck-a-muck
Function: noun
Synonyms NOTABLE 1, big boy, big cheese, big chief, big shot, big wheel, bigwig, mugwump, nabob, VIP
In this example nine synonyms (chosen as being most appropriate as synonyms for the secondary-entry entry word) of the thirty-four that appear at the main entry have been selected for inclusion at the secondary entry.
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