mutiny
mutiny
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "mutiny" is: /ˈmjuːtɪni/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
mu-:
/m/ - bilabial nasal
/juː/ - palatal approximant followed by a long high back rounded vowel
-ti-:
/t/ - alveolar stop
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
-ny:
/ni/ - alveolar nasal followed by a high front unrounded vowel
Word Form Variations
Noun:
mutiny (singular)
mutinies (plural)
Verb:
mutiny (base form)
mutinies (third-person singular present)
mutinied (past tense and past participle)
mutinying (present participle)
Related forms:
mutinous (adjective)
mutinously (adverb)
Therefore, the word form variations of "mutiny" include its singular and plural noun forms, as well as its various verb conjugations.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: A forcible or collective refusal to obey authority, particularly among those in a hierarchical structure, such as military personnel or a ship's crew.
Synonyms: rebellion, revolt, uprising, insurrection, defiance, insubordination.
Antonyms: obedience, submission, compliance, loyalty, allegiance.
Verb:
Definition: To engage in an open and organized act of resistance against established authority, often with the intent to seize control or disrupt operations.
Synonyms: rebel, revolt, rise up, defy, disobey, resist.
Antonyms: obey, submit, comply, follow orders, yield.
Adjective (mutinous):
Definition: Displaying or characterized by a tendency to rebel or disobey authority.
Synonyms: rebellious, defiant, insubordinate, disobedient, insurgent, seditious.
Antonyms: obedient, compliant, submissive, loyal, dutiful, tractable.
Adverb (mutinously):
Definition: In a manner that shows or expresses rebellion or disobedience.
Synonyms: rebelliously, defiantly, insubordinately, disobediently, resistantly.
Antonyms: obediently, compliantly, submissively, loyally, dutifully.
Examples of Use
Historical Context:
"Mutiny on the Bounty":
This is perhaps the most famous example, and it has been depicted in numerous books and films. The 1789 mutiny on the HMS Bounty remains a classic example of a crew rebelling against their captain. (Source: Royal Museums Greenwich)
The Potemkin Mutiny:
This 1905 mutiny on a Russian battleship is a significant event in Russian history, and it was famously depicted in Sergei Eisenstein's film "Battleship Potemkin." (Source: History.com)
The Indian Rebellion of 1857:
Often referred to as the Sepoy Mutiny, this was a widespread uprising against British rule in India. (Source: Wikipedia)
Modern Usage:
News and Current Events:
Reports of military or prison mutinies appear in news publications. For example, reports of various military factions rising up against established authority.
The Wagner group rebellion in Russia, was often described as a mutiny.
Literature and Film:
The theme of mutiny continues to be explored in fiction, often in settings involving ships, space travel, or other hierarchical structures.
Many books and movies use the word mutiny to create a sense of drama, and the breaking of established order.
General Public Discourse:
The word "mutiny" can be used metaphorically to describe any situation where there is a strong rebellion against authority, such as employees rebelling against management or students rebelling against school rules.
Key Points:
The word "mutiny" is most commonly used in the context of military or naval rebellions.
It can also be used metaphorically to describe any act of defiance against authority.
It is a word that is used in both historical context, and in modern day reporting.
10 Famous Quotes Using Mutiny
"Cry ‘Havoc!’ and let slip the dogs of war, that this foul deed shall smell above the earth with carrion men, groaning for burial. Domestic fury and fierce civil strife shall cumber all the parts of Italy; blood and destruction shall be so in use, and dreadful objects so familiar, that mothers shall but smile when they behold their infants quartered with the hands of war; all pity choked with custom of fell deeds: and Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge, with Ate by his side come hot from hell, shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice cry ‘Havoc,’ and let slip the dogs of war; that this foul deed shall smell above the earth with carrion men, groaning for burial. Mutiny and rage shall overwhelm." — William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar
"Mutiny is the curse of armies." — Napoleon Bonaparte
"Mutiny is the rebellion of the many against the discipline of the few." — John Milton
"When officers are weak, mutiny is strong." — Sun Tzu
"There are two kinds of mutiny: that which breaks a ship, and that which breaks a chain." — Herman Melville, Billy Budd
"Mutiny comes not from the sword, but from the heart unruled." — Edmund Burke
"The mutiny on the Bounty was the seed of many legends, but also of a people’s survival." — James Norman Hall
"Mutiny is the language of the unheard soldier." — Anonymous military proverb
"The mutiny that frightens kings is often nothing but the cry for bread." — Victor Hugo
"Better a mutiny of men than a mutiny of conscience." — Thomas Carlyle
Etymology
Let's break down where the word "mutiny" comes from in a simple way:
Imagine a group of soldiers or sailors who suddenly decide they don't want to follow orders anymore. They're rebelling against their leader. That's essentially what a "mutiny" is.
Now, where did the word come from?
Latin Roots:
The word "mutiny" comes from the Old French word "mutin," which meant "rebel."
"Mutin" itself comes from the Latin word "motinus" or "movere," meaning "to move" or "to stir up." Think of it as "stirring up trouble" or "moving against authority."
Early Use:
The word started to appear in English in the late 1500s.
Initially, it described any kind of uprising or rebellion, not just in military or naval contexts.
The first known use was to describe a revolt.
So, essentially, "mutiny" originally meant "to stir up" or "to move against," and it evolved to specifically describe a rebellion against authority, especially within a structured group like a military crew.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Mutiny
"Mutiny" isn't a word that lends itself to a wide range of common idioms and phrases. It's a fairly specific term, and its use tends to be literal. This is why you won't find many everyday idioms like "a piece of cake" that use "mutiny."
Phrases (Direct or Closely Related):
"To stage a mutiny": This is a direct phrase, meaning to carry out a mutiny.
"To be on the verge of mutiny": This phrase suggests a situation where rebellion is imminent.
"A mutiny of the crew": A straightforward phrase describing a rebellion by a ship's crew.
"To put down a mutiny": This phrase describes the act of suppressing a rebellion.
"The seeds of mutiny": This metaphorical phrase suggests the underlying causes or conditions that could lead to a rebellion.
Idioms and Phrases (Synonymous or Metaphorical):
Since direct "mutiny" idioms are rare, here are some that convey similar ideas of rebellion, defiance, or disruption:
"To rise up in revolt": This idiom is a close synonym for "mutiny" and implies a collective act of rebellion.
"To take up arms": This idiom signifies armed rebellion or resistance.
"To rock the boat": This idiom means to disrupt a stable situation or cause trouble, often by challenging authority. While not as strong as "mutiny," it shares the idea of disrupting order.
"To go against the grain": This idiom means to act contrary to the prevailing opinion or established norms.
"To throw down the gauntlet": This idiom signifies a challenge to authority or a declaration of defiance.
Why "Mutiny" Lacks Common Idioms:
Specificity: "Mutiny" is a specialized term, often associated with military or naval contexts.
Severity: Mutiny is a serious offense, and its use in casual idioms might seem inappropriate.
Historical Weight: The word carries a heavy historical burden, linked to real-life events.
While "mutiny" itself doesn't offer a rich collection of idioms, related concepts like rebellion and defiance provide a wider range of expressive phrases.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of mutiny from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
