Difference between revisions of "Condone - condemn"
From Hull AWE
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| − | These [[ | + | These [[verb]]s sound similar, and they are often found in similar contexts. But their meanings are so different as to be virtually opposite. |
* The basic meaning of 'to '''condemn'''' is 'to find guilty [in a court of law]'. The meaning has expanded, so that a ship that is unfit for the sea can be '''condemned''' by a surveyor, or a piece of woodwork written off as riddled with woodworm or dry rot: it must be destroyed and replaced. In a rather more general way, '''condemn''' is used to mean 'disapproved of': "the Opposition '''condemn'''ed the Government's policy towards France." | * The basic meaning of 'to '''condemn'''' is 'to find guilty [in a court of law]'. The meaning has expanded, so that a ship that is unfit for the sea can be '''condemned''' by a surveyor, or a piece of woodwork written off as riddled with woodworm or dry rot: it must be destroyed and replaced. In a rather more general way, '''condemn''' is used to mean 'disapproved of': "the Opposition '''condemn'''ed the Government's policy towards France." | ||
* The basic meaning of 'to '''condone'''' is 'to forgive', or "To forgive or overlook (an offence), so as to treat it as non-existent" (''[[OED]]''). It is a term in Law, particularly that of the Church and of marriage. More loosely, it means 'to tolerate', and can be used in ordinary life to mean 'to turn a blind eye to' or 'to wink at' some irregular behaviour. The petty theft of some stationery is '''condone'''d in many offices. | * The basic meaning of 'to '''condone'''' is 'to forgive', or "To forgive or overlook (an offence), so as to treat it as non-existent" (''[[OED]]''). It is a term in Law, particularly that of the Church and of marriage. More loosely, it means 'to tolerate', and can be used in ordinary life to mean 'to turn a blind eye to' or 'to wink at' some irregular behaviour. The petty theft of some stationery is '''condone'''d in many offices. | ||
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Revision as of 14:41, 31 July 2007
These verbs sound similar, and they are often found in similar contexts. But their meanings are so different as to be virtually opposite.
- The basic meaning of 'to condemn' is 'to find guilty [in a court of law]'. The meaning has expanded, so that a ship that is unfit for the sea can be condemned by a surveyor, or a piece of woodwork written off as riddled with woodworm or dry rot: it must be destroyed and replaced. In a rather more general way, condemn is used to mean 'disapproved of': "the Opposition condemned the Government's policy towards France."
- The basic meaning of 'to condone' is 'to forgive', or "To forgive or overlook (an offence), so as to treat it as non-existent" (OED). It is a term in Law, particularly that of the Church and of marriage. More loosely, it means 'to tolerate', and can be used in ordinary life to mean 'to turn a blind eye to' or 'to wink at' some irregular behaviour. The petty theft of some stationery is condoned in many offices.
