mutiny
B2formal, historical, military
Definition
Meaning
An organized rebellion against authority, especially by soldiers or sailors against their officers.
Any collective revolt against established authority, often in confined groups like prisons, ships, or military units, and sometimes extended metaphorically to other hierarchical contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies collective action within a hierarchical group, often involving violence or the threat of violence; typically premeditated and against lawful authority.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; both variants use 'mutiny' similarly in meaning and form.
Connotations
In British English, strongly associated with naval history (e.g., the Mutiny on the Bounty); in American English, may be used more broadly for any insubordination.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English due to historical naval prominence, but equally understood in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
intransitive: mutiny against [authority]noun: mutiny by [group] against [authority]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at the point of mutiny”
- “mutiny in the ranks”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; may refer to employee collective action against management, e.g., 'The team was on the brink of mutiny over the new policies.'
Academic
Common in historical, political, or military studies discussing rebellions, e.g., 'The paper examines the causes of the 1857 Indian Mutiny.'
Everyday
Used metaphorically for any group rebellion, e.g., 'There was nearly a mutiny when the teacher cancelled the field trip.'
Technical
Specific legal or military term for unlawful rebellion by personnel, e.g., 'Mutiny is a court-martial offence under military law.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The sailors decided to mutiny over the inhumane conditions.
American English
- The troops mutinied after their commander ignored their grievances.
adverb
British English
- He glared mutinously at the officer during the inspection.
American English
- The employees mutinously rejected the management's proposal.
adjective
British English
- The mutinous crew faced severe penalties.
American English
- She had a mutinous attitude towards the new regulations.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The pirates started a mutiny to take control of the ship.
- The captain prevented a mutiny by improving the food supplies.
- The mutiny was swiftly crushed by loyal forces.
- Historical analysis reveals that the mutiny was fueled by systemic injustice and poor leadership.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'mute' and 'tiny' – a mutiny is neither silent nor small; it's a loud and significant rebellion.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A SHIP; REBELLION IS A STORM.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'мятеж' which is broader; 'mutiny' is more specific to military or hierarchical contexts.
- Avoid direct translation to 'бунт' without considering the organized, collective nature of mutiny.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'mutiny' as a transitive verb, e.g., 'They mutinied the captain.' Correct: 'They mutinied against the captain.'
- Confusing 'mutiny' with 'riot', which is more spontaneous and less organized.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'mutiny'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'mutiny' can function as a verb, meaning to engage in a mutiny, e.g., 'The crew mutinied against the captain.'
No, while historically associated with naval events, it can apply to any military or hierarchical group rebellion, including armies, prisons, or even metaphorical uses.
'Mutiny' specifically refers to rebellion within a military or similar hierarchical group against its leaders, while 'rebellion' is a broader term for any organized resistance against authority.
In American English, it is typically pronounced /ˈmjuːtəni/, with a flapped 't' in casual speech.
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