Reverse Dictionary #21

Just as an infinitive (e.g., to have”) at the beginning of a definition is a cue that the answer must be a verb, the words “a,” “an,” or “the” at the beginning of a definition are cues that the answer must be a noun.

“The removal of stress or discomfort,” therefore, describes a noun. “Relax” is always a verb, so it cannot be a valid answer. While a period of rest may provide some relief, it is not guaranteed to do so. Therefore, I do not perceive the two words as synonymous. “Repose,” when used as a noun, describes a state of rest, as in the phrase “in repose.” Relief is a potential by-product of being in repose, but as with “rest,” I don’t perceive the two as being synonymous.

One cannot replace “I’m going to have a short rest” with “I’m going to have a short the-removal-of-stress-or-discomfort” and be easily understood.

In any case, I have changed one word in the definition because I think it more accurate than the word Wiktionary used.

The definition of the “A” word given here (or some form of it) is found as a secondary, less general definition in some dictionaries. It is my practice to occasionally use secondary or even tertiary definitions in these quizzes. However, on review, it appears that the “complex mechanical” secondary definition is more prevalent in North America than elsewhere. So, I have swapped it out for a different cobbled-together one, since I really dislike Wiktionary’s primary definition.